Sitting in the depths of a hidden outpost, the terrorist commander was waiting in contemplative silence. This was the moment of truth. Now that their enemies finally acknowledged that they were a threat, they would be knocking on his door before long. His men were well trained and they had the advantage of being concealed in the Nocturne Forest. The abundance of nightmarish creatures would usually be enough for dissuading even a seasoned monster hunter from entering. But a full army of Rathbournian Imperial soldiers was a whole other matter.
The hidden caverns rumbled lightly and a small trail of dirt drifted down. With a sigh, he supposed that would be the shock troops doing their handiwork. The Imperialists were getting antsy if they were resorting to bombardment this early on. Then again, when your scouts vanish in the middle of what is suspected to be enemy territory, caution takes many forms. The lack of giant earthworms coming through the walls suggested there were no Baruthrumite Tunnelers among them. And even if there were, they would encounter staunch defenses.
A hasty knock at his door broke him from his reverie. After being given permission to enter, one of his soldiers, wearing the standard issue uniform of the current division: a grayish brown trench coat made from a special wool of the carnivorous sheep, green pants and completing the ensemble was a gray, flat faced, designless mask with magically enhanced, yellow tinted lenses. Wasn't quite as good as his beastmen's night vision, but it still gave quite an edge. Overall, it was a decent mix between being light enough for his army's preferred guerilla tactics, but still sturdy enough that a man wouldn't suffer debilitating injury from a blade, bullet or stray spell. The soldier drew his knife and held it over his heart in salute, "Chief, the Imperials are about to enter the forest."
"Numbers?", the man identified as the Chief demanded.
"Sir, it's difficult to say, but we estimate that there are somewhere between three or four thousand enemies. Over half consist of Cassidian Berserkers, Aesculapian healers and Ingenia Bombardiers five hundred strong each, Halcyonic Navigators and Shield Bearers a hundred strong, the rest are regulars."
The commander folded his hands in contemplation and rested his head on top of his hands as he pored over that information. With such an overwhelming force entering the forest, the Chief couldn't help but surmise that numbers were definitely not one of their advantages. There were, at most, a thousand soldiers in the current base, but the enemy didn't need to know that. While the conditions could stand to be a little less unfair, this would be a good opportunity to test out the training his newest recruits had just completed. A perfect chance to see the fruits of his labor, and show those arrogant Imperialists and especially that priest that they wouldn't sweep him away so easily. There's no awakening like a rude one.
Resting his head on top of his hands, he contemplated the enemy numbers, "Have any of our tunnels collapsed?"
"Three have, sir, but we already cleared them out, so it should just look like an Ant tunnel."
Straightening up, the Chief wasn't quite at eye level but as he squared his shoulders and made proper eye contact, the soldier tried straightening even further. Motioning for the other man to follow, he walked through the labyrinth of tunnels that were dug out a few months earlier. Giant Ants were such a helpful bunch when excavating places like this; And having a partnership with the monsters that protected the Underground from outside forces helped too. Bless those horrifying Ormors. Between the above ground location and how far down they embedded themselves, it was the perfect spot for their training and weapons building operations.
Walking with memorized ease through the labyrinth of connected tunnels, the Chief came upon a larger than normal area filled with his soldiers, dressed similarly as the man before. They moved quickly but silently in their brown leather steel toe boots. Perfect for not losing your toes or crushing the enemy's face. This was the central chamber that connected all the branches. Some soldiers were exiting the chamber carrying large canisters with them. Upon seeing their leader a bark of "Chief on site!" was shouted and everyone stood at attention, placing their triangular shaped knives over their chests. Drawing his own knife, the Chief held his blade in front of his face before turning it forward, which everyone mimicked and sheathed.
"Men, above us, the Empire seems to think that they can simply dispatch us like any other force that has stood in their way. Through overwhelming force and numbers. And while that is a viable strategy, we will not be so easily brushed aside. You were all trained better than to simply roll over and accept defeat at the first sight of trouble. If you did, I'd have to kill you."
A shout of affirmation went up from those assembled.
"Today is the day we finally emerge from the shadows. The day the world realizes just how much of a present danger we represent. The Emperor's armies, the Industrialists' money, and the Pantheonites' prayers won't save them from what's coming," pausing to observe his men, he could see some of their hands itching to draw their knives once more, "We've all suffered at the hands of this country, and we nearly lost our lives in that purge. Even the most decent among us were branded as traitors and discontents for nothing more than the crime of being your own people. Well, it's time to show them we aren't quite as easy to dispose of as they once thought."
Shouting in agreement once more and stomping their feet, each man looked ready to take on the world. Snorting to himself, 'I guess that's quite literally what we're about to do.'
The various physical and spiritual wounds many of them carried were finally going to be repaid in full. Taking a moment to glance at the canisters they were carrying to certain points in the forest, the Chief couldn't help but feel trepidation. He wondered if this really was the route he wanted to go. What he was about to do was forbidden for a reason. True, it would strike fear into their enemy's heart, but stooping to such a new low still concerned him. Steeling himself, he knew it was too late to reconsider. He had too many men and women under his command and the stakes were too large to play by his home's rules for this war.
"You all know your roles, you all know your positions and you know who your enemy is. The tactic is simple. Hit fast and hard, run before they see you and disappear as if you were never there to begin with. Blind their senses, exhaust them and make them afraid of their own shadows", the Chief paused for dramatic effect to see his troops shaking in that sense of terror and excitement that only the moments before a battle could give, "We're hidden underneath the Nocturne Forest, named for the myriad of horrifying monsters that live here. Let's show them just how right they are. Now get going!"
With those final words, everyone present immediately dispersed, but not before something caught the Chief's eye.
"You there, soldier!" he barked out, halting one of the half-wolf men in his scouting party, "State your name."
Drawing his knife and holding it over his heart, "Name is Rodmin, sir."
"And just where do you think you're going, Mr. Rodmin?"
"To be part of the advance strike force against the invading shock troops, sir!"
"And you intend to do this without your helmet?"
Rodmin's head slightly dipped and he looked down, "Sir, my eyesight and hearing is already far better than that of a human or elf! I can do both better without my helmet, especially at night!"
The Chief merely stared at the wolfman without saying anything before his hand shot forward to deliver a right cross to his snout. It wasn't enough to break it, but enough to make the wolfman yip in surprise and make his eyes water.
"Did that hurt, soldier?"
Knowing better than to talk back, "Yes it did, sir!"
"Do you think a bullet or a fire spell will hurt less than that?"
"No, sir!"
"Do you think you know better than me?"
"I do not, sir!"
"Well, you ignored my orders, so clearly you must know something that I don't. So spell it out for me real easy so I can understand!"
"I don't know anything you don't, sir!"
"Well then, are you just stupid? Then you must not be one of my men, because I didn't teach my men to be stupid!"
"I'm sorry, sir!"
"Only prostitutes and politicians think that looking pretty is a good excuse to die. Maybe I should sell our enemy targets with your picture on them."
"I'm sorry for not following your instructions, sir!"
"Since you're too pretty for your uniform, from now on, you are required to wear a dress and corset whenever you're not on the battlefield. You'll be the new company showgirl!"
Wishing he could just die of shame, Rodmin could only say, "I understand, sir!"
"If you understand, then do what I told you in the first place. Now get going!"
Watching the young beastman tear out of his sight reminded the Chief of how his army was still so young. They were ready for what was to come, but no matter how much preparation was done, some things could only be learned through experience. But he'd be damned if his efforts turned out to be worthless before they even started.
"Wasn't that a little harsh, Chief", a raspy voice asked.
"I've seen too many young men get a hole blown in their heads and faces to tolerate a maverick", the Chief answered without turning around, "Besides, I've seen the training methods you hyena people use, Amani. We both know that's far from the harshest thing he's suffered."
The hyena woman let out her species' trademark high pitched barking laugh, "Oh, you know me so well", she put a hand on the Chief's shoulder, "Don't worry, I taught them everything you taught me. They're ready."
The Chief clenched a gloved hand, "I'd say we can only hope, but hope only ever got us so far. It's time to get to work, Amani."
Saluting her commanding officer, the two of them moved out to take their own positions for the upcoming battle.