In a large well-constructed mud dwelling deep in the swamps of this desolate realm, five men met to contemplate their options and make decisions on how they were to proceed. The men were Sergeant Drake, Kaemon Awa, Dan, James Murphy, and Agent Carr.
The battle preparations had been clear so far. Things were going well even though Agent Carr was distracted by all the strange sounds outside or was it outside? Maybe it was from a cellar or a back room? It was an occupational hazard. He was constantly vigilant, constantly alert with his heightened senses. They were barely audible clicking sounds. “It was probably just insects. I cannot wait to be done with this mission and be rid of this swamp” he thought.
“Agent Carr,” the sergeant was aware he did not have everyone’s full attention. “Our latest intelligence tells us that there are about four groups of 4 to 6 Orcs and they will be alone for a small window of time. We will strike them while their allies are away here.” Drake pointed at a clear spot on a map that was sprawled across the large table in the center of the room. We will advance from three sides in a carefully orchestrated attack. Now we will go over it once more from the top.” The five men leaned in for the review of the plan that would begin the following night.
The next night, it was very dark and rainy. Carr found it difficult to make good time running because every twenty feet he would come across another section of swamp water that was sometimes waste high. “Curse these forgotten lands,” he thought.
By his estimation he was behind on time. He and Sergeant Drake Alexander had agreed to attempt a two-man pincer maneuver. He had 15 minutes to travel out 3 clicks at a 45-degree angle and then to cut back and out flank the squads of Orcs, while Drake would do the same in the opposite direction. The entire offensive was carefully planned. The timing was going to be critical.
The play of the poker game was interrupted by the sound and appearance of a fierce gleaming black steam-train engine barreling out of the horizon at an amazing speed. There were several long narrow vertical slits in the side of the engine. Through the slits a raging fire could be seen adding to the demonic vision of this metallic beast. Past the engine came six large passenger cars. Each of the passenger cars was a different color; blue, dark purple, bluish-gray, green, yellow, and last was a dark blood red. Strange black smoke billowed and wisped from all parts of the train leaving a trail of smoke behind as it arrived that looked allot like a tail.
The train slowed and came to a stop next to the large platform. It was the only platform at this station. When suddenly, “Now arriving the 715 from Earth destined for all parts Valhalla” boomed a man’s voice over the sea of seated beings at various tables. The voice seemed to come from everywhere. The black smoke obscured much of the scene as dozens of the newly confused departed from the train. They were the most recently recruited.
Carr folded his hand. The raise was now to James Murphy.
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