Date: Mon, 27 Jul 1998 19:21:15 -1000 Subject: [ffml] [MW] The Fortress Stands Ready From: Sky H Ainsworth General Scotts, long time friend of Bacca, and current general of the army of Lance Henriksens, rode a chocobo through the fortress, surveying what had been done since they arrived. Scotts rode from the forest, which had been cleared for three miles away from the sides of the fortress. He had just finished conferring with some rangers on their preparations. "How effective will you be with five thousand men?" had asked Scotts, eyeing the scared veteran. The ranger captain was a large man, with long legs that gave him quite a stride. Scotts had heard from numerous sources the amazing feats the man had accomplished. He had been a ranger for the empire when Geshtal was still emperor, but after Kefka's ascension, he had fled and hid out. He joined the Figaroan rangers afterwards and quickly rose through the ranks. "With this many men, sir, I could do anything." The man, clad in green, smiled. "Tell me again what you will have happen," said Scotts. He knew the answer, but habit made him ask. "The rangers will take up position throughout the forest and organize supply depots and rallying points. From these we will create a network of patrols. We will also find sniper nests and places to make traps. "When the enemy enters the forest, we will wait till they are two miles in and then begin hasseling their forces. We'll take them down with hit-and-run tactics, using arrows and spears, not engaging in open combat unless the enemy is small enough. Will continue to harry the enemy till they leave the forest, either close to the fortress or on the far side. When clear, we will stand down and maintain our vigil." "Excellent," said Scotts to the man. "Dismissed. And good luck." The two shook and the ranger captain disappeared into the forest with his men. Scotts reflected back on his conversation, and could not find any fault with the captains plan. Scotts then surveyed the terrain surrounding the fortress. Tree stumps littered the ground. The two miles closest to the forest had not been cleared of stumps. This would hinder advancing armies and make it difficult to set up camp or siege lines. The half mile closest to the fortress was also littered, but this time with stakes. Starting from the moat and radiating out, spikes had been planted in the ground and sharpened. Any advancing troops would have to run through the killing ground, slowing them down so that archers could take them down. Outside of ring, another ring had been formed. This was a measure to counteract sappers. A twenty foot wide strip of land had been dug up and then put back in place. The idea, Scotts had hoped, was that any enemy tunnels trying to be dug would encounter the unpacked earth and thus cave in. Even if a tunnel was formed and somehow managed to not collapse, a large amount of vibration would shake it loose. "Let's just hope there is a magician who can cast quake when we need them," said Scotts aloud to himself. The last half mile of space was open field. Cleared of debris and flat. A few traps were on this strip of land. Scotts then faced the giant wall of the fortress. What had originally been a dull greyish stone was now an off-white wall that gleamed. A few bricks shown with odd colors of copper, steel, silver, and gold. These enchanted bricks had been placed in the wall to protect against magical attacks. The Druidess Kaitlin, the Mystic Schala, and the other magic users had all assured Scotts that the wall would be able to stand up to any heavy barrage. But as long as it did not last for over two hours, the spells would hold. "What do we need to worry?" had asked Lorinan when Kaitlin had finished explaining the wall defenses. "How could someone attack the wall continuously for over two hours." Kaitlin had faced the young chemist and gave him a look. "Don't think we are fighting your everyday army here, Lorinan. We are fighting three, no four, of the most powerful and dangerous armies in the world. The moogles may not have much in the way of magic attacks, but they have the Dildo Weapon and massive numbers. The Orc army has cannons that can fire all manner of items at the walls, and the physical fighters to back that up. The Mystics, well you saw how powerful their magic is. They present the greatest threat to these walls. But as long as we do not overtax the walls and allow the spells time to replenish themselves after each battle, the walls should be able to stand up to magical attacks." "What about mundane attacks?" asked Scotts. He had watched the interaction and the explanations only satisfied half his worries. "Well, that is when your army comes into play," said Kaitlin. "You see, the magic is attuned to energy being directed at it. So if a lightning bolt, fireball, even a laser beam was fired at it, the spells would be able to either repell or absorb the energy. But these walls can hold up to a good physical attack. However, concerning that Dildo Weapon, then we may have to worry. But these walls could hold up to maybe a week of pounding before they collapse. "But it all depends on how lucky we are and what Bacca will do in the event of attack." That was the ultimate question. What would Bacca have planned? A defensive action was certainly the easiest to wage. But in this case, Scotts really began to question the idea Bacca was following. Sure the army was inexperienced, sure it would be most effective defending a massive fortress. But in dealing with the huge armies that were going to come down on them, a mobile war might be the best. Moving the men around would tire them and make it difficult, but the same would happen to the enemy armies. Even a massive amount of magic was used, the armies would still be on equal footing. In fact, Scotts was certain they could wear down the enemy armies in the open field and eventually destory them. "What are you going to do, old friend?" But Bacca was not there to answer the question. Riding through the gate, Scotts looked up at the corners, at the archers' nests. The engineers had "burrowed" through the wall and created small alcoves that two archers could sit in and take shots at anyone who hid in the shaded area under the wall and against the gate. On the inside of the wall, Scotts examined the short walls that extended from the walls. Reaching almost the far end of the wall, Scotts turned and rode through a small gate. These were breach walls. The idea was that, if the gate was breached, then the enemies troops would have another set of walls to go over. Defending troops could be set in the area to help take on the full front of the attack. Also, the area was covered on all four sides, providing a very good killing zone. Passing the gate, Scotts saw the shelters erected by the soldiers. All the lumber from the forest was practically being thrown into anything worth building. The huts were well supported with tile roofs. The soldiers were actually quite well adjusted, if not tired from all the work they had been doing. Past the second gate, Scotts looked at the new keep being erected inside the fortress. The scaffolding extended upwards forty feet and might go another twenty or thirty feet. The idea Scotts had was for a massive lookout tower. The fortress was massive. The design was simple, but strong. Scotts was impressed with whoever originally created the fortress. He just hoped that the original purpose stood up well to the coming trials. Scotts looked up at the sun and then down at his soldiers. "Less then a week," said Scotts. The closest army was within range of the forest and would soon enter it. "I hope Bacca gets his Ass back here in time." Date: Wed, 29 Jul 1998 22:54:53 -0700 Subject: [ffml] [MW] Returning to Base From: "Beth Davis" "I guess we have to return to camp sometime," said Lady Paladin with a sorrowful sigh. She lay sprawled out on the cool moss beside the pond, her white robes smudged with grass stains. "Mmm," mumbled Bacca. He was half-asleep, but smiling in contentment. Something tickled his neck, and he flinched, lazily opened one eye. Lady Paladin gave him an innocent smile, and tried to act as though she had been just fidgeting with her hair. Bacca gave her a wide grin. "Can't you keep your hands off me for one second?" he asked. She gave a mortified gasp. "Why, you arrogant, stuck-up, egotistical --" "-- handsome, dashing, High Lord of All That Kicks Ass?" finished Bacca. The healer laughed. "Something like that. You know, we really do need to head back to the fortress. We've been here three days, and I'm afraid I've spoiled you. General Scotts undoubtedly needs your assistance." "Oh, I'm sure he does." The warrior gazed into the fake blue sky above. "After all your encouragement to get me to rest, now you want me to start concentrating on the war again. Make up your mind, Lady." He softened the chide by smiling at her. She shook her head, sending sprigs of moss showering down from her golden hair. "Oh, like you ever forgot the war in the first place. It's never far from your mind. I watched how you studied the maps in my library, and I know whenever your mind starts drifting, you're thinking of your next strategy. I'm just starting to worry, that's all." Bacca rolled onto his side, propping himself up with an elbow. "Dreams?" he simply asked, looking her in the eye. "No, not dreams...not this time. More of a bad feeling that something is going to happen." "Well, something is going to happen, there's no denying that. Did you have anything specific in mind?" Lady Paladin glided her fingers gently over the moss, enjoying the texture. "Just a feeling of intense dread, that's all. Like something horrible is coming directly after us." She frowned. Bacca shrugged one shoulder. "That is to be expected, too. We've always been targets. But if anyone comes after you..." His voice dropped off abruptly. She smiled. "I'll hang in there. And if anything serious happens to you, I'll know instantly." "Ah, yes. The medallion." Bacca frowned. "Lady, I'm afraid you've put too much power into it. If someone were to strike a deathblow to me, what would happen to you...?" The healer leaped to her feet. Tugging her skirt down to a modest level, she turned away. "That's not of your concern. I don't really want to talk about it now. I say we head back to camp -- I think we're needed." Bacca balled a fist in frustration. "Lady --" She was already in the cottage and out of hearing range. The warrior groaned and rolled onto his back, staring upwards. He would have to discuss it with her later. A few hours later, they were ready to return to base. The white wizard gave her cat a final belly rub, and then marched back up the path to the entryway. Bacca noticed the sad expression on her face and gave her a tight hug. They remained in an embrace as they teleported back to the fortress.