The Gaian Mercenary League
Prologue: About The League
Prologue: About The League
In a land far away, on the planet known as Gaia, there was the Continent of Revres. Now, Gaia as a world unlike most others, since it is one of the few worlds to have the progression of technology, yet still to have the ability of Magic, held by few enough people. The continent was split up into four empires, each ruled by its own respective government. In the Northwest, there was Beyon, empire of Scholars ruled by Queen Almia. In the Southeast there is Niead, a country dominated by military might and allied with the other three nations. To the Northeast is the Republic of Aeginvok, where Magic is most common. To the southeast is Nordevok, where citizens are at peace with nature. For the most part, these governments ruled their own affairs, gathering only on the rare occasion when there was an international parade or large-scale political affair.
Amidst the rolling hills of the Radernok Plains in the Southeast Empire of Beyon, a large square Compound sat between the dips in the slopes. Next to this campus was the River Larass, which had a dock where ships would park and unload their cargo, mostly for use within the League itself. For this was the compound of the Gaian Mercenary League, a large force of individuals who worked for the better good, usually for a reasonable price.
Inside of the Compound, several facilities could be seen over the walls. The largest of which stood in the northwest corner. This was R&D, or the Research and Development Department, where Scientists and ordinary league members alike worked to create new technologies, weapons, or everyday gadgets. A corner of this building was the newly opened Magic Department, where various Mages of the League could further work to invent spells or potions. The other buildings of Note are The Housing Development, MWR (Morale, Welfare, Recreation), The Cafeteria, The Command Center, Park, Arena, and the Commissary.
The Gaian Mercenary League is a force to be reckoned with. Called upon by the citizens and Government to handle whatever problems they face, they usually get paid handsomely, but sometimes work Pro Bono, striving for the good of the country and the trust of their countrymen. Due to Beyon’s lack of a strong Military, the most skilled fighters in Beyon, able to rival the might of Strong-armed Niead soldiers, Join the Mercenary League.
A woman named Adaire founded the League several years earlier, but leadership had since passed onto a Cyberpath known as Gear. The League continues to fight both for the profit and the good of the country, though the latter inspires some criticism from the more self-interested members.
The members of the League are rather colorful, ranging from swordsmen and snipers to Half-demons and travelers from other worlds and alternate realities. Each of them has their eccentricities that make up the team as a whole.
Chapter One: A Royal Summons
Inside of the Higher-up labs of the R&D department, Gear stood over a workbench, making more of his scientific weapons that he used on a regular basis. His eyes were covered by a green visor, which had a COM link attached to his ear and a speaker, which ran down to his mouth. His hair was Blonde, and usually stood straight up on his head. His clothes were rather casual for the leader of the most experienced fighting force on the continent, since he stuck to a simple T-Shirt and Jeans. A metal backpack hung on him at all times, since it carried most of his technology. Beyond that, he had elbow pads and strange gloves on that gave off a glowing light on the back of his hands. Stopping to examine his newest addition to is arsenal, a plasma Gun, he reached out with it behind him, where a robotic arm on his backpack automatically reached out, grabbed it, and locked it into place.
A moment later he was interrupted from cleaning up, as his earpiece rang. Thinking for a moment, the call automatically went through, without him having to reach his hand up and push the button. The conveniences of being a cyberpath. “Gear here. What can I do for you Klamachpin?” Klamachpin was second in command and the coordinator of the league.
“Gear. We have a new Mission of Importance. I was told to notify you.” Klamachpin said through the phone. With Gear’s innovations in Technology, it sounded like she was right next to him.
“Told? by who?”
“Queen Almia herself, She’s the Client.”
Gear whistled a sigh. It wasn’t often the queen herself called to hire them. “Well, is she on the other line?”
“She is. I’ll Path you through.” A moment passed, a clicking sound followed and a different female voice came through the headset, this one carried more of an air of command.
“Greetings Gear. It’s good to hear you again.”
“The pleasure is Mine, Your Majesty. To what do I owe the Honor of you hiring our services?”
“You can leave out the ‘Your Majesty’ stuff Gear. You know me. As for why I’m hiring your services, well… It’s a troubling matter. I need you to bring yourself and some of your forces that you trust and come to me at the palace.”
“Alright. You can expect us within the next few hours.” Gear said, and abruptly closed the line. Leaving the mess of bolts and nuts on his lab table, he activated his rocket boots and sped off towards the Command Center. As he did, he tapped into the league’s communications and sent a sound message to all of the League’s members who were ranked Seargent and above. “Alright. Everybody. There is an Alpha Level mission being posted onto the Database of the League. All available hands are asked to report to Command immediately. Gear Out.”
When he arrived five minutes later, he was a tad depressed to find only four Mercenaries available. Are we really that busy? Gear thought, as he made his way to the front of the room. He recognized all of the faces in the Room. There was K’, a half-demon, and a capable fire mage. There was also Sony, technically classified as a ninja and well practiced with all types of firearms. A Face Gear was really happy to see was Kaneharo, leader of the Intelligence department and the newly opened Department of Magic. The fourth face that he didn’t expect was Rade, Chief of the GML’s medical squad. The old man sat on a chair with one knee crossed, holding his cane and briefcase and waiting patiently.
“Four? Oh well. It will have to make due. Alright all of you, I was just called by Queen Almia. She has a rather hush-hush mission for us, and she requested that I come to the Capital with all due haste. Now, all of you, to the Jet.” They all ran off to the jet, and buckled in tight. Gear was Notorious for his fast piloting.
An Hour later, the five of them arrived at the airport, and were rushed into a Limo which then briskly headed off towards the capital building.
Chapter Two: Arrival to the Queens Palace
Deep within the confines of the Beyon Royal Library, hub of knowledge on the continent, a man worked silently at a table, surrounded by ancient tomes and pieces of lesser-known Lore. He had black hair that ran with dark blue streaks, and sometimes hung in his face. His clothes were a bit proper; he had on a clean black T-shirt, with Dark Blue pants and rather nice boots. Thrown over him was a cape tied around his neck, and some pieces of discarded shoulder armor lay on the floor next to him. Also laying their were two short swords, at about two feet ling each, they had a dark blue hilt and cross guard, but the blades inside the sheathes were a brilliant and fine steel. These blades obviously marked him as a swordsman, and the ID card inside of his wallet identified him as Xeg, a member of the GML.
Stretching, he stood up and took a break from his work. When had the man last seen sunlight? He didn’t know. It was forever a dusky sunrise underneath the lamps and chandeliers at the library.
Heading outside, he paused and blinked his eyes at the sunlight. Had he been in there for a whole day? Looking at a discarded newspaper, his eyes widened. He had been in there for three whole days! Sure, he had eaten and drank, but he didn’t remember sleeping at all. Rubbing his eyes, he stared out across the courtyard to the street beyond, where a limo just appeared.
Getting out was none other than Gear, His boss, followed by four of the more well-known member’s of the League, Sony, K’, Kaneharo, and Rade. Four Royal guards surrounded them as they walked up the steps and into the courtyard.
Running up to them, Xeg said loudly to get their attention “Oi! Gear! Over here!” They all instantly turned towards him, the four guards raising their weapons. With a word from gear and a Flash of his ID, they lowered them, however, allowing him to mingle into the group.
“Well Hello Hello Gear, fancy seeing you in the Capital. May I ask what brings you out here? Say… a mission of some sort?” Xeg may have been cooped up in that library of his own free will, following some private project of his own making, but he always had time to help out League members.
“Xeg! Fancy seeing you here as well. I thought you would be spending your vacation time on a nice beach somewhere. As for why I am here, yes it is a mission, and a most important one at that. Tag along if you wish, we’re just about to find out what it is.” Gear said, shaking Xeg’s hand. After a few more handshake’s with the rest of the group, the reached the door’s to the library again and walked through, straight to the throne room.
Chapter Three: Queen Almia of Beyon
They were admitted to the Throne Room a few moments later, after a herald announced them. The throne room was extravagant, even as far as throne rooms go, with lavish lighting and décor. Gear, Kaneharo, and Xeg immediately kneeled and bowed, while Sony and K’ followed a moment later, after Gear activated a force field to push them onto their knees. Rade, being slightly old, made do with a bow before getting back up onto his cane and putting his briefcase down.
The queen looked to be in her mid to late twenties, with curling brown hair and smooth white skin. She wore an elegant robe of purple velvet, and had a golden scepter in her right hand
“Greetings and Welcome Commander Gear.” Queen Almia said warmly. Although, Gear noticed that the smile was rather forced.
“We came as fast as we could after I rounded up a few of my companions.” Gear said, waving a hand to indicate the five behind him.
“Good. Now, right down to business, because it’s that important. You see; I have received troubling news over the past twenty-four hours. The most troubling of which is this letter I received from my captain at the eastern border.” She passed down a simple white parchment down to Gear, who took it and read it aloud.
“Dear Queeen Almia- From your Loyal Subjects at the 21st infantry Division Stationed at Delarmos.
We are sending this in the fastest way possible because of its urgency. As of four hours ago from the typing of this letter, we raided a house on the outskirts of town and uncovered a conspiracy against you. According to information found on-sight, there is a group planning on assassinating you tomorrow during your annual speech on the 25th of Coldfall. They are already hidden somewhere in the city, and have been for some time. They wish to kill you to demoralize your troops, and then take over the city through force of arms. Although we cannot advise you on what to do in this matter, we plead you to not give your speech if it means endangering your life.
“Sincerely-
Captain Gellintus Farrow”
Gear finished reading the letter, and turned back to the Queen. “I see. So you want us to help find and weed out the assassins, and protect you during tomorrow’s festivities.”
“That is correct Commander. Although I do Fear for my life, I will not be intimidated out of speaking to my people.”
“I see.” Gear said simply, musing over what to do in his head real quick. He seemed to make a decision, because he suddenly said, “Kaneharo, go get onto the Telephone with the League. Talk to Klamachpin, and tell her to send every spare private and up to the Capital, where I will meet them. We’re raising the level of this mission from Alpha to Omega. Code Gearmingo.”
From somewhere in the background, there was a very audible gulp. An Omega level mission had never been sounded. Ever.
Chapter Four: An Urgent Phone Call
Back in the Gaian Mercenary League Compound, Klamachpin sat behind her desk, skimming through the League Records and adding updates. She was in her mid-thirties, and handled most of the data and organization within the league. Her Brilliant orange hair gave it the impression of being on fire, and it hung all the way down past her shoulders. Besides that, she seemed to be the only person in the entire league that dressed formal. Just then, her phone Rang; “Yes Marcy, What is it?” She said. Marcy was her receptionist.
“It’s Colonel Kaneharo for you Ma’m. He says it’s urgent.”
Klamachpin Frowned. Kaneharo was one of the one’s who went on the mission with Gear. Did something Bad happen? As the call transferred she heard Kaneharo’s solemn voice on the other side.
“Good Afternoon Ma’m.” Kaneharo said, keeping things formal.
“Alright Kane. I guy like you doesn’t call for small talk. What’s happened.” It was an order, not a question.
As Kaneharo quickly related the meeting’s events, Klamachpin wanted to groan to herself. What were the idiots who wanted to assassinate the Queen trying to prove? That they were stupid and worthy of a bullet to the head, or a rope around the neck? Kaneharo finally finished off with the dramatic News. “Klamachpin, Gear’s also raising this mission to Omega Status. Code Gearmingo.”
Klamachpin almost swore to herself, was it that bad, really? She heard a muffled voice in the background, like someone who tried to say something into the phone from far away, and had to ask. “Alright, who was that?”
“That was Xeg. He’ll be joining us on this and wants you to take him off of his vacation time.”
She groaned, hung up the phone, changed that on Xeg’s record and sent out a broadcast over the Loudspeakers of the Compound.
“All Personnel not performing Active duty in the defense of The League are to report to the main Hangar immediately, where you will be transported to Beyon’s capital. The League has been raised to Omega level Alarm. Repeat; The League has been raised to Omega level Alarm.”
She put the intercom down and arranged for some pilots to transport everyone to the capital inconspicuously.
Chapter Five: Rallying the Troops
Wielder, self-proclaimed man of the flame and one of the most well respected and highest ranked officers in the league, entered the gates after finishing a mission of his own in neighborly Nordesvok. A Half Hour Earlier, as he had been approaching the League slowly by Car, he had seen Gear’s Jet take off at extremely fast speeds, headed towards the capital.
As he made his way towards his house, Klamachpin’s voice came over the Loudspeaker.
“All Personnel not performing Active duty in the defense of The League are to report to the main Hangar immediately, where you will be transported to Beyon’s capital. The League has been raised to Omega level Alarm. Repeat; The League has been raised to Omega level Alarm.”
Great. Just Great. Omega Level Alarm. He thought this was just a drill.
As he had to drop off his things first, he still headed towards his house. His earpiece Rang. It was Klamachpin. Reaching a hand up to push the button, he answered the call and her voice filled his ears as if she was standing right there.
“Wielder! I saw you come in the Gate just a minute ago, you’re just in Time!”
“Why? What happened that you set off an Omega Level Alarm?”
“Kaneharo Just called.” She said, and filled him in on the importance of this mission. The Queen of Beyon was a figure of great importance to the country, and the cities and countryside would fall into Chaos if the Queen were assassinated. Wielder knew this. Then Klamachpin finished with, “I need you to go around and get everybody there as fast as you can, your in command now until we get to the city.”
Wielder nodded silently to himself. “I will do that. I‘m off.” Clicking the button again, he rushed out of his house and around the houses, using a magnified voice to summon all of the League members who weren’t immediately answering the alarm. “C’mon! All of You! Get up! We need to get to the Capital!” He eventually rounded everyone up in a matter of minutes, and sent them all rushing off to the airstrip. When he arrived, all the Jet’s were still being prepped. The League members were all standing there in rank and file, fidgety, nervous. Wielder Spoke to Them.
“Men! Women! Fellow Mercenaries! Today we are embarking on what is the most important mission in The League’s History. An entire group of Conspirators and Assassins is attempting to murder the Queen of Beyon, and take over the country!” A Few mutters and gasps went up through the crowd. Many of the League members were loyal Beyon citizens.
“Now, why are we here? To make sure that that future does not come to pass! If the Queen is killed, what’s to say these assassins won’t stop, and try for every single Government in Revres? THEN we will be forced to see whether the ancient lore is True, that the continent itself shall be thrown into the ocean if the Balance of power is upset! WE are the final hope, the final barrier, between this horrible future and the lives of all the citizens of Revres! WE are now the deciders of the fates of many! Let us make the right choice…
“Now, Forward! For Honor! For Glory! For the Continent! For the People! FOR THE LEAGUE!” A Resounding cheer went up from the crowd. The Jets and Planes were ready. The mercenaries all loaded on, and went off on their way to the Capital. On their way to the Destruction or Salvation of the Continent.
Chapter Six: Scouring the City
Gear was waiting in the air base outside of the city when they all arrived. It was the Morning of the next day, the day of the speech. The mercenaries were silent, grim, determined to do what needed to be done to save their people.
“Alright People. Here’s the plan. I’m separating you all into squads of four. You are going to search areas of the city assigned to you, Detain and hold anyone with a gun or some other means of killing the Queen. If they resist, eliminate them quickly and efficiently.” Gear said, then he, Wielder, Kaneharo, and some of the other Higher League officials start divvying up the groups.
Eventually, they were down to the last few people. “You, you, and you. Go with Wielder. Sony, you and Rade and that guy are going with Kaneharo. Xeg, you’re the odd one out, so you’re coming with me. I need a Mage to watch my back.”
Xeg grinned. He knew that magic was one of Gear’s weak spots, and having a mage to deal with another mage was Gear’s way of dealing with it.
The groups split up in different directions all over the city. There was 118 groups of four total, not counting the group of two containing Gear and Xeg. “Xeg, Were searching the area right near where the Queen is going to be giving the speech. Basically her personal bodyguards, you might say.”
The rest of the morning went by fast. Twenty-two potential assassins were found and disposed of. Most of them didn’t want to go quietly. Those that did and were determined to be loyal citizens had their weapons taken from them for the day, were delicately informed of the situation, and were released. Eventually, the time of the speech drew close, and Gear, Wielder, Kaneharo, and Xeg were standing by the queen as she gave her speech. It was quite beautiful, talking of peace and prosperity of times before and how more was still to come. She finished her speech, and the audience started clapping. Then Gear saw something out of the corner of his Visor. A man, dressed all in black hopped out of the shadows, wielding what looked to be a large sharp knife. The assassin was moving much too fast to be human, his strides covered three times the distance. The normal guards had no time to react or stop the man, but Gear did. Throwing himself at the man, the knife rebounded off of his chest armor and shattered. Meanwhile, Gear had taken his right hand, curled it into a fist and punched the man right in the gut. His gloves glowed for a moment, and the assassin was sent backwards flying, colliding against a wall before crumbling to the ground, collapsing.
The Crowd was stunned. Someone had tried to assassinate the queen. Then someone shouted out “He stopped the Assassin! He’s a Hero!” The other three mercenaries came over and clapped Gear on the shoulders, congratulating him. The crowd was cheering again. Then, somewhere outside the city, a horn sounded. Another answered.
Chapter Seven: The Battle of Beyon
Gear’s headset crackled to life as some of his mercenaries called him from the city wall. “Sir! It’s an army! They just appeared out of nowhere! They’re marching on the city right now an-“
An explosion echoed off of the walls. Gear realized with a jolt that the man who called him must have died, the shell being the cause of death. The queen was immediately rushed inside; several of the citizenry were also permitted to go. Not all of them would fit, however, and many had to stand in the courtyard, scared looks on their faces.
Rallying his mercenaries around him, Gear ordered them to rush to the wall and defend the city. The Beyon Guard rushed out also. The GML was faster though; several of them had the ability to teleport or fly, and carried those who didn’t. He himself caught a ride in a portal with Wielder, Kaneharo, and Xeg again.
Arriving at the Wall, Gear saw this army. Soldiers Clad all in black, with some ground vehicles like tanks or warthogs. It was a small force really. The conspiracy army most likely thought they were only fighting the Beyon Guard, not highly skilled mercenaries on top of that.
“Let us meet them in battle! Mercenary League, Move out!” He roared, hopping down from the wall. While on the way down, he drew his plasma gun. Using his cyberpathic abilities, he activated the jets on his boots and backpack, and soared above the battle, firing a rain of plasma bolts and other things from his spot.
Wielder, Xeg, and Kaneharo, along with some of the other Mercenaries, didn’t have the advantage of rocket boots or wings, and met the force on foot. Xeg drew his two swords, while casting a sield to help deflect bullets. Beside him, Wielder opened up a portal and summoned his sword, deflecting any projectiles that came toward him. Kaneharo went straight to magic, raining down a series of fire, ice, and lightning from his hands.
Xeg performed excellently during the fight. His swords cut throuch the soldiers armor with ease, and he used his magic to full effectiveness, changing the earth, spouting fire, freezing water, channeling lightning, and many other things besides. Eventually, he came face-to-face with another mage. There was no Wielder or Kaneharo nearby to help him; this was his battle.
Stomping his foot on the ground, he shot up a spiked tendril of earth, inending it to spear through the mage’s body. The mage jumped, casting a fireball and sending it towards him at fast speeds. Xeg summoned up a cutting wind, and sent it slicing through the fireball, extinguishing it and sending the mage back a few feet. The mage took the air being channeled a him, and channeled the moisture out of it. The moisture eventually formed a big ball of what, that he used as a whip, trying to slash Xeg with it. After receiving a cut on his arm from this weapon, Xeg spun around, dodging another lashing, and shot an arc of lightning streaming through the air. It made contact with the whip, and channeled all the way through to the mage’s body, sizzling him where he stood.
Wielder had a bit less trouble than Xeg did. His sword was glowing with the heat of a sun, and it melted its way through people and armor. The only Mage trouble that he could have had was quickly vanquished by a column of fire that spouted at the mage’s feet.
After an Hour and a half of Magic, swordplay, tanks, and bullets, the last of the unknown enemy army was vanquished. The Beyon army suffered two hundred casualties, while the GML lost another forty-five. All in all, the opposing army wasn’t that large, but they fought hard and to the bitter end.
After the bodies had been counted, Xeg, Welder, Gear, Kaneharo, and other people of importance to the League met together. To everyone’s surprise, there was an unknown woman there whom they did not recognize at first, with curling brown hair and white skin, wearing a full suit of armor while carrying a sword and a shield. Most seemed shocked that this was Queen Almia, who rode out into battle to save her people.
“But haven’t you figured it out by now?” Gear said to the stunned onlookers. “Queen Almia was once known to you all as Adaire, original founder of the Gaian Mercenary League.” Most people hadn’t been able to put it together. It seems the only ones who were privy to that information were Gear, Wielder, and Klamachpin.
Chapter Eight: An End to All Things.
Final Goodbye’s were made, Queen Almia AKA Adaire went back to the ruling of her people as the Scholar Queen, and the rest of the League headed back to their compound amidst the Radernok Plains. Crisis had been averted, the Queen was saved, and the continent wasn’t doomed to be thrown in the ocean.
The treasuries of Beyon were considerably lighter after the GML had been paid for their services, but everyone agreed it was money well spent. Without the GML, who knows what would have happened? One thing seemed to be certain though, The GML were all heroes. Queen Almia eventually made a life size Statue of Gear that was placed in the Castle Courtyard among other heroes of old. Xeg managed to see it when he went back on his Library Vacation.
The people of Beyon didn’t praise most of the other mercenaries as publicly, but there was much celebrating back at the compound, where Gear and Wielder passed promotions all around. Everyone got a considerable bonus that month too, due to the large payment received for services rendered. Later on, Gear and Xeg had a chat, where the old battle came up.
“Y’know, one thing that always bugged me.” Xeg said. “Is that we never even found out the motive, or even the name of the group that attacked Beyon”
Gear contemplated this for a moment. “Well Xeg, there’s always crazy people out there who believe there way is the right way. They eventually get enough people to follow them to threaten a major city or country like that. Who knows what they were trying to accomplish? All we know is that there are more groups like that out there, and someday we may have to deal with them. And when we do, we’ll be Ready for them.”
