Arriving In The East

  Several hours after being rescued from the enemy ambush amidst the Quarter Moon Ocean. Under the night sky.

  After recuperating from the ambush, the aerial fleet landed in one of Preutorias's air bases. For being unable to protect the Lymocan aerial fleet as supposed, they supplied Fox's group with ammunition. Hours later, a Lymocan naval fleet delivered combat helicopters, bringing Fox's units up to 4 dozens, with more agents secretly traveling and later on meeting with Fox.

  The fallen special agents and military engineers and piloting teams were rescued after the fact. Some soldiers didn’t make it even after safely falling into the water. On the other hand, as soon as the enemy recognized none of them to be their target, they ignored them.

  Clearly, besides having information, the enemy was hurried to accomplish their goal. Had Fox not taken simple yet mindful precautions… It wouldn’t be just as it happened.

  Taking only a few hours to recompose the survivors and bring the others up to speed, of which they were all elite, and half had worked with Fox previously, they set off again. This time, the EPA Commonwealth escorted them until arriving at Zyckevele’s territory.

  For the group’s safety, and the ‘unknown’ enemy that could threaten anything that wasn’t big enough to overpower any country caught unprepared, the EPA fellows became Fox’s group’s security. Moreover, with the intimate relationship between the Commonwealth and the Zycks, it wasn’t any issue to enter the Zyck aerial territory with but an official notice.

  Lymoca had no clues of this, nor did the world in general. But many Preutors caught sight of the big wing of fighters Preutorias sent to rescue Fox’s group.

  … Flying in the same heavy helicopter, Fox watched as one of the screens showed the sides from the recording devices around the chopper. He slowly lifted his right arm to grab a handle from the ceiling. The rest in the chopper, including Esme and Nala, slowly followed suit.

  Fox put his helmet on, as he was the only one not wearing his whole NUA yet. As soon as he did, he sent small beeping sounds. With this, the rest of the aerial fleet, slightly larger than when they first came out of Lymoca, did the same in their respective helicopters.

  “Here Shura. Contacting old friend and EPA Commonwealth for entry into Zyck territory.” A voice sounded from the comms. Fox didn’t answer, neither did the piloting team nor any helicopter.

  “Confirmed. We will proceed to escort you. We’ll protect you through your journey and your landing— follow us.” The voice paused for some seconds, seemingly receiving a reply back before instructing. At least 100 fighters showed up in front of Fox’s group.

  The Commonwealth warplanes were right behind and to their sides, but the truth was, not even the EPA fighters answered the call. However, those 100 warplanes were indeed Zyck.

  Pvwang, pvwang, pvwang, pvwang~~~…!

  Just as Fox watched the shores still tens of kilometers ahead, with the expansive vastness capturing a good portion of his attention, incoming aircraft sounded from their left and right, northwest and southeast respectively.

  There were at least 500 enemy fighters from the north with about 120 from the south, all depicted by the heavy chopper’s intricate detection systems. The EPA and Zyck wings should have gotten the same results a little later than it.

  Chuf chuf chuf chuf chuf, chuff chuff~! The heavy helicopter leaned a little before its Pugor engine was activated, fully diving for over 80 seconds. It rapidly shot inland and slightly descended, followed by the rest of the 48 combat helicopters reacting a second later.

  The enemy realized they were noticed and sped up, but just as they did, hundreds of missiles, launched from hundreds of kilometers away, headed to the enemy at the south. Constant ‘boom boom boom’ sounded from behind as the helicopters moved again in sudden and sharp crescent motions, evading bullets and rockets alike.

  The enemy on the north was directly faced off by the Zycks, who were unafraid. Other smaller groups of missiles flew to them as well, each with a variant angle and speed, but each significantly threatening. Over of EPA ? left Fox’s group and headed to the enemy at the north.

  Fox’s group rushed into Zyckevele’s land, where only about a dozen Zyck fighters escorted them from the front, and another 50 from the EPA Commonwealth from behind. They went at Fox’s aerial fleet’s peak speed, with the special agents inside appearing rather calm to it.

  This much speed was a lot for any well-trained and experienced air forces soldier for a top-notch unit. Even though aircraft could never be a small thing when it came to armies, even racing, and transport, let alone Lymocan technology.

  Some enemy fighters still made it past the hurdle of missiles and Zyck and EPA fighters. They neared Fox’s aerial fleet from the sides, but they were rapidly disposed off by the combat helicopters. Having seen a little group of helicopters, alone and without too many fighters escorting them back, they wrongly figured they had it easy. In any case, the aerial fleet swiftly made it deep into Zyck territory and continued to be escorted to the Zyck capital.

  After only 12 minutes, the Zycks and EPA aircraft that went off to fight the enemy at the north returned, landing in the same gigantic hangar in the Zyck capital. By then, the aerial fleet had already started descending and preparing their equipment to move out.

  ‘It is pretty big.’ Fox thought after preparing his little bag, over 1.5 meters long and wider than his broad shoulders. Even then, without the high NUA, Esmeralda had enough training, and even an iota of breath, to carry it with ease.

  Furthermore, Esmeralda no longer had 2 pistols, but her Esnly rifle, many SM explosives, and 4 pistols. 1 Green, 1 Quiet, both from the same QH 8C model, just different types of names the Lymocan army used. The other 2 were HS, Heart Shield, pistols.

  Fox gave the Zyck pilots a look, watching as less than 90 made it back, with some who did groaning and fewer agonizing. He gave the Captains, including Teon, a look before moving to where a person in Zyck special agent uniform waited for them with his hands before his belly.

  Giving the man a look, Fox stopped just 2 steps from him, blinking rapidly before waiting in silence. His group stopped and did the same, waiting for Fox or the man to say something.

  “My name is Socolov Vessiliev,” the man said. He was near his 40s, so still a young man per se. His skin was light brown, with small pitch-black eyes and sharp, gray hair. He was very muscular, but not exaggeratedly. Socolov did look powerful in Fox’s polycoria eyes.

  “Fox,” Fox introduced himself. Socolov squinted his eyes and nodded, giving the rest of his group a look. Fox then asked, “What’s the schedule?”

  “The President and the rest cannot wait until tomorrow to meet you. Would you mind coming with me?” The man asked. Fox shrugged and scarcely nodded. Socolov returned a nod and turned around, guiding them into several prepared, long, armored vehicles.

  Fox gave the group another look before gesturing to follow him. They went into the long, armored vehicles, with Fox taking the second on the lead, and Socolov boarding the first alone. But this was just how everything was prepared.

  A few minutes into the ride to the capital’s center, the blatantly obvious screen before Fox’s seat turned on, with a recording notification showing up at a lower corner. The rest of the long, limousine-like vehicles could watch him and Socolov, as he now filled Fox’s screen.

  “We’re heading to the President’s palace, as stated in our previous schedule.” Socolov began, “Your previous incidents have given Zyck time and enough chance to prepare. We can safely assume even the Orcs and Pontians no longer have any major aircraft to move out again, unless they want to lose whatever they have left.”

  “You are Paved Road’s…” Fox waited for a second and a half before asking. Socolov halted, nodding, “I am a Paved Road’s member, as you can call it, and me. I won’t be too important to any of you later on. You will see what kind of people you must work with.”

  “…” Fox nodded a bit and looked to his sides, where Nala and Esmeralda gave him the same look that told him they thought the same as him. Was Socolov bragging? But leaving that aside, Fox looked at the screen, “Enemy air forces are now down?”

  “Thanks to you,” Socolov tilted his head as he responded. Fox blinked and looked at the sides afterwards, just in time to see a trailer being loaded with half a dozen top-notch tanks. Socolov added, speaking with a calm tone, “Would you need anything to move across our country?”

  “No, nothing like that. But, do you have Pugor batteries?” Fox spoke before returning his polycoria eyes to the screen. Socolov blinked profusely before hesitatingly nodding.

  The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  “Ammunition, perhaps, and medicament. Colorful medicine, too. But nothing else. All we’ll need for movement is that. I don’t think my agents can use ‘ordinary’ armored cars after experiencing Lymoca’s.” Fox added, reclining on his seat, although it wasn’t comfortable enough.

  “Heard.” Socolov agreed. He then slightly leaned forwards, “Do you have that… new silver medicine?”

  “There are. Enough for my units.” Fox nodded. Socolov understood. But he still said, “They aren’t even spread in Lymoca, we know. It’s just, I would really be amazed to have some to analyze. Their properties are too severe— nobody in my position would want to let go of them without trying first.”

  “…” Fox gave him an eyeful before casually suggesting, “I could potentially ‘let go of’ a couple of them for something worth our attention. You know what that means?”

  “We’ll see,” Socolov earnestly nodded, plenty satisfied with this response. Fox nodded a bit back before tapping a button on the screen. It was turned off, with a light indicating Socolov also turned his off.

  Fox looked at his sides. Nala looked at him directly, with Esmeralda slowly letting her head fall on his right arm. He grinned at ease before grabbing a mantle from his bag, throwing it to cover more than the entire screen before spreading his arms.

  Nala accommodated herself, using him as a warm, tough pillow, with Esmeralda cushioning her gigantic bosom onto him. Giving each other some sweet, relaxing, warm company, they waited and waited until they neared their destination…

  … An hour and 20 minutes later, passing by notorious streets, drawing a lot of attention, but not much at the same time, the convoy arrived at the Zyck palace.

  On their way to the center, they saw quite the differences between the east and the west, and more intricately between Lymoca and Zyckevele. For starters, most people in Zyckevele had a grayish tone to their skin. Be it white, brown, or black. There was this little bit of gray on them.

  The people seemed surprised to see so many armored ‘limousines’ driving one after the other, but mostly because of the number, not because of the vehicles themselves. Like this, they made their way almost unperturbed into the governmental palace.

  Once inside, descending to an underground parking lot, PSD was finally allowed out, stretching and directly breathing the open air. It didn’t last long, as Fox guided them further in, following Socolov into the palace.

  4 minutes later, Fox was brought away from the group to another nearby room, bringing Nala, Esmeralda, and a few elite Captains with him. These were as many as there should be.

  At last, they were brought into a medium-sized room with over half its space occupied by a larger level led by some staircases. As soon as Fox went in, he was met with the experienced, knowledgeable, and scrutinizing gaze of a few people.

  Fox and his group went in and stood before a large table with a digital panel as its surface. It could almost be the war room, if it wasn’t because it is smaller than even Lymoca’s almost brand-new war room.

  The people on the other side of the table were nothing short of spectacular, especially 2 of them. Those would be the Zyck President and his daughter, the current External Affairs Secretary.

  Fox lifted his shoulders and breathed deeply in as the Zyck cabinet formed a line on the other side and looked at them. PSD remained behind Fox, with only Nala and Esmeralda standing by his side. Esmeralda looked directly at Zyckevele’s precious gem.

  “Well, it’s a feat to see you gathered. Welcome to the palace, although we are at war and this is not the right time for welcoming banquets.” Anastasiv Morozov, the Zyck President, welcomed them. Fox added, gesturing a little with his right hand, “Hence the secrecy.”

  “Indeed.” Anastasiv replied with a slight nod. He had barely aged since 1,020. A balding, grayish white middle-aged man with brown eyes. His thin gray hair was still elegant despite its lack of life. He was a man with a stern, cold yet understanding glint across his eyes.

  “This is my daughter, Lemyonova,” Anastasiv presented his daughter first, who had matured to become a beauty of beauties. Coupled with her capabilities, it would leave the ordinary eye wondering how many suitors would this little, beautiful grown baby have.

  Lemyonova Morozov was Zyckevele’s gem, a formidable young woman since her late 10s, whom even ANS has publicly acknowledge numerous times. A genius renown across the world.

  She is also grayish white, with pretty light and glazed brown eyes. Her long brown hair had the usual ponytail, still vibrating her appearance with youthfulness and energy. She was also… tall in short height’s standards.

  Lemyonova had a thin waist, but even with all those delicate features, her resting serious expression contrasted the rest. Yet, it accentuated her pale lips. Her glare was intense, furthermore so as they were big.

  She nodded at Fox and then looked at Esmeralda before returning her attention to the leader, Fox. Anastasiv Morozov nodded and presented another pair, “This one is my Prime Minister, Semyon Solouvyov and the Minister of National Defense, Levedeva Orlova.”

  The Prime Minister, Semyon, was an old man with a strict resting face. Yet, he appeared amicable, more than Roam, even. Semyon is tall, slender, and has elegant gray hair. According to any information on the internet, he was well-respected, in Zyckevele and internationally.

  The Minister of National Defense, Levedeva, was a woman with creamy white skin, crystal blue eyes, and bright, long chestnut hair. She had a large mouth with pale, creamy red lips. She was also slightly tall. Both of these people had always been in Anastasiv’s cabinet.

  They were some of the peak members who have followed the Zyck President for more than 2 decades by now, an exorbitant time considering nowadays customs. Of course, only Luis came close to it, but only Luis was Lymoca’s first President to reach this far.

  “These are the people you ought to talk anything you want. Information and clarification will come from them, and you might talk to them whenever you need to. I will remain busy most of the time, but we can accord a date to meet if it’s vital.” Anastasiv briefly elaborated before turning to Fox.

  “I understand, president Anastasiv. Piya Sanctum District has come to support your country in matters of this war, so we will stick to that.” Fox cordially ensured the District’s role in all of this and its limitations. Anastasiv nodded, loudly clasping his hands, “That’s good to hear.”

  “President Luis Heartez sends his greeting and wishes your country to get out of this situation as soon as possible.” Fox added, slowly blinking his eyes. Anastasiv smiled and gave Fox another nod, this time a little warm.

  “Now, may I get to know the rest of PR?” Fox looked back at Socolov, who became tremendously strict the moment he entered the room before them. Anastasiv followed Fox’s gaze, letting it fall on the young man a good while before nodding.

  “This will be a room you can plan and request intel as much as you’d like, but you’ll have another in PR’s HQ. Make sure to bring PR’s people here when you need them and my cabinet.” Anastasiv nodded, replying assertively before facing his daughter.

  “I guess your papa will get busy with something else. I’ll leave it to you, Lemyonova. Be careful.” He kissed her forehead and patted her shoulders before grabbing her arms. Lemyonova returned the look with a soft and lovely face, “I’m well protected, father.”

  “Hmm,” Anastasiv fatherly rubbed her cheeks and pinched her nose, looking rather unsatisfied with the answer, but Fox didn’t care about some drama. Anastasiv nodded to his cabinet and then Socolov before exiting the room, giving the PSD agents a brief glance and nod.

  Fox returned his gaze to the cabinet and looked at them in silence for a few seconds. It was Lemyonova who moved the conversation. “Let me guide you to meet with PR, alright? If you have anything pending to ask here, I suggest you do so fast.”

  Having said that, Lemyonova walked to Socolov, who breathed in sharply for a moment. Fox blinked and set his gaze on the 2 ministers, approaching them to ask for some things.

  “Nice meeting you. Now,” Fox rapidly said, “I require a detailed clarification to know the level of cooperation that PSD and Zyckevele’s army can employ with in case the enemy violates or not the HLS. From weaponry to how many numbers should we adhere to.”

  “We… can work on that quickly. Fox, you should meet PR’s people as soon as possible. They will be your main sources, after all. They are also more agile than us,” Levedeva quickly bowed her head before recommending.

  Fox nodded, “Thanks for the piece of advice. Before we begin any big talk— since PSD’s status here is still hidden, are there any limits you’d like to put on us? Anything at all?”

  “…” - “…” Both ministers looked at each other before Levedeva seriously replied again, “Anything President Luis Heartez wouldn’t want you to do shouldn’t be done. That’s that.”

  “!” Fox was a little disappointed that they actually had to something to say instead of shaking their heads. But he quickly realized they understood him well, ‘I’m starting to like these Zycks.’

  Fox smiled before nodding, “That’s good to hear, hm. I’ll be back in a while. Will it be too much if I start soon and don’t wait until tomorrow morning?”

  “Don’t insult us. The situation of our country comes first. Rest and status won’t matter if we’re dead, or worse, we lose.” Semyon spoke this time. He might come off as a bit strong and crude, but Fox quite liked the response. He smirked and nodded again before turning around.

  Fox returned to his small group before walking to the exit. He stopped by Lemyonova and Socolov, who were less than half a step from each other. Their heads were low and their voices even lower. They could still be heard, however, which might be why they were slightly cryptic.

  “Miss Morozov, can we get to PR HQ now? I want to see.” Fox plainly said. Lemyonova lifted her face and looked at Fox, baffled. She blinked her eyes before looking at Socolov, nodding at him before walking towards Fox, nodding at his entourage next.

  “We should’ve been on the move by now. Let’s go!” Lemyonova’s voice sounded tougher and confident. Fox shrugged. He gave Socolov a look before following after the damsel. Socolov followed a few seconds later, trotting to catch up with Fox and Lemyonova.

  He gave Fox a look, making Fox grab Nala and Esmeralda’s wrists. Esmeralda giggled a bit, while Socolov was already eating his neck, a bit confused. Fox rolled his eyes, wondering what stage he was with Lemyonova before staring ahead.

  5 minutes later, walking through some hidden corridors leading to the palace’s wide and streaming hallways with public workers time and again, they arrived at a hidden door leading underground.

  The door opened after reading Lemyonova’s left hand, and with a drop of blood absorbed by a tube needle. Everyone went in, with a scanner sounding in the elites’ ears before continuing downstairs.

  The way down was obscure, but there was enough light for an ordinary person to walkthrough. Of course, there were also detection devices that would fool even 3rd Grade agents.

  When Fox could smell a certain scent pertaining to ink and a smooth, cleaned stone, thick and durable, they came to a stop. Lemyonova faced the front, standing in front of them, but anyone could tell she was smiling. She lifted her palm and gave the wall before them a light touch, immediately opening the 8 meters tall gate, which were as thick as an arm but seemed up to 20 times heavier.

  “This is an ancient mix of stone and raw Courusel. One of Zycks' many specialties. The Zyck Nation wasn’t powerful just because history said so— with surging hostile peoples, an empire, and a kingdom neighboring it. Welcome to Paved Road!” Lemyonova said while turning around and backing into the HQ. Guards were on both sides. They raised their right fist, folding their arm, and hitting their right chest with their wrists.

  …

  This is the beginning of Volume 8 — A World Suffocated.