TFA1 5.1 - Ambush
Lt. Colonel Slane's Office, Amethyst Marketing Office
07:51, 2 Jul 2025
Once the conflict with Northern Coalition ended, Lt. Colonel Slane moved Amethyst Merchant HQ to Castle Magwurt. As for the old HQ building, he converted it into a marketing office. Every day, Lt. Colonel Slane spent most of his time in the marketing office. He only went to Amethyst Merchant HQ when there was a meeting with Tuscan Region's higher-ups.
Once he sat down at his desk, Lt. Colonel Slane immediately checked Amethyst Merchant's latest progress report. The essence of the report was:
The supply of agricultural commodities and livestock from Kandez Region was sufficient, so the supply from earth would be reduced. Of course, the development of agricultural and livestock area in Herron Mountains would remain to be carried out to prevent dependence from outside.
The Amur Beer and Lada Whiskey factory in Magwurt City was also already fully operational. After final producing process, it would need two weeks before Amur Beer was ready to be consumed, while Lada Whiskey would need four years. Fortunately, massive supply that just came from earth would ensure Lada Whiskey was available for the next six years.
Production facilities for perry, cider, jam, syrup, candied fruit, jelly, meat sauce, along with packaging glass and cardboard would also be in operation this month. Therefore, the production facilities on South America could be sold to local investor. Meanwhile, the finishing products could be sent to Amstell Continent.
The sugar factory still had to wait for the first harvest of sugarcane before its real capacity was known, but in general there was nothing to worry about.
In his report, Lt. Colonel Slane also included the impression he caught while visiting Waluo City, including intelligence regarding the closeness between Terrek Family who ruled Kandez Region and important noble families in Makai Royal City.
Lt. Colonel Slane suggested that for the time being the relations with Kandez Region should be limited to the level of economic cooperation, without entering into an alliance. At least until Kingdom of Makai's reaction to the presence of TF Amethyst could be ascertained.
After nodding his head three times, Lt. Colonel Slane turned to the next page, but before he could start reading it, Vex suddenly walked into the room and sat in front of him.
Lt. Colonel Slane then turned his gaze to the sofa where Kim Dong-Ree, the chief of his security detail, was sitting and reading a fashion magazine.
After staring back at Lt. Colonel Slane, Kim Dong-Ree then got up and walked out of the room with her team.
"I didn't expect you to come here. I hope you don't bring me bad news."
Vex grabbed a glass of whiskey from Lt. Colonel Slane before answering, "Of course not, I came to survey Herron Mountains and I happen to have something to ask you."
"Well, don't hesitate then."
Vex put down his emptied whiskey glass before asking, "Are you sure that the energy needs for production facilities in Magwurt City can be fulfilled without waiting for the hydropower plant to be built?"
Vex did not understand agriculture, livestock, or matter regarding food processing industry. However, he knew that the three states that became largest food producer in US of A were also the biggest energy users. So, he wanted to determine how urgent the energy needs for Magwurt City.
Lt. Colonel Slane calmly explained, "For now, each production facility in Magwurt City is only at home industry level. We will be fine even without a hydropower plant."
Seeing Lt. Colonel Slane answered confidently, Vex didn't ask any further and chose to change the topic.
"I've brought some updates for you."
In a half-whisper, Vex then explained that Claire had succeeded in controlling 80% of the Antarctic. So, she ready to send exploration team and announce that she had found a new source of energy.
Nouel's first harvest along the South High Road was also quite successful, and in a few weeks the fuel for all of TF Amethyst's ground assets would be switched from palm oil to Nouel biofuel. Of course, this did not include electric-powered vehicles.
Vex then closed the brief explanation he gave while handing Lt. Colonel Slane a flashdisk. "This is the intel that Major Petrov obtained about the economic, social, political, cultural, and trade in Kingdom of Makai, including trade agreements and price lists for various commodities that you ask for."
While smiling from ear to ear Lt. Colonel Slane grabbed the flashdisk. "Thank you, with this intel I can immediately carry out trade negotiations with the noble families."
Lt. Colonel Slane turned his head towards Vex before continuing, "If possible, could Major Petrov dig deeper into the relations between Terrek Family and noble families in Makai Royal City?"
Vex nodded slightly. "I will ask Major Petrov to prioritize your request."
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Landei Gorge
12:40, 5 Jul 2025
Landei Gorge was located at the northwestern tip of Berril Plain, extending up to 7 km with the widest area reaching 3 km. The gorge, on which the surface was a dense forest, forms a barrier between Kandez Region on the south and Liqua Region on the north.
For decades, skirmishes between Kandez Region and Liqua Region took place in Landei Gorge. However, two years ago, to be precise after the skirmish which caused both parties lost more than a thousand lives, a truce agreement was finally signed.
In the ceasefire agreement, the two parties agreed not to carry out any activity in Landei Gorge and the border post must be built at least 1.5 km from the outer boundary of the gorge. It was also for this reason that Tuscan Guard built the border post 1.5 km from the outer boundary of the gorge.
By taking advantage of the authority vacuum in Landei Gorge, Lassac and dozens of his men managed to infiltrate the outer boundary between Berril Plain and Landei Gorge. Their mission was to kidnap Amethyst Merchant’s personnel.
Since seven days ago Lassac had been observing the activity on Berril Plain. Every day, Amethyst Merchant’s personnel would come to inspect the barley fields at the outer boundary of Landei Gorge using iron carriage. It was not uncommon they would come over to tens of meters from Lassac’s position.
However, Lassac didn't act because of the three iron carriages that came, only passengers on one of the iron carriages got off. So, if the rider on the other two iron carriages decided to interfere, Lassac was completely sure he would fail.
Moreover, every time he imagined that being hit by the iron carriage which was super heavy but could run very fast, the hairs on his nape immediately stood upright to the end.
But today, luck finally smiled at Lassac. There was only one iron carriage approaching his position, and all the passengers were getting off and moving away from the iron carriage that became the source of his worry. Also, of the seven passengers, five of them were women while the other two men looked very weak.
From their gestures and clothes, Lassac could tell that four of them were not locals, while the other three were residents of Tuscan Region.
"Now!!" Lassac firmly gave his men signal to act.
With steady steps Lassac and around 60 men ran toward their prey. They were only 40 meters apart, while the closest Tuscan guards were about 500 meters away. So, speed was the key to the success of his action.
"Stop and state your identities!"
While his comrades were running towards the iron carriage, one of Amethyst Merchant's personnel shouted and grabbed something from his waist. However, Lassac ignored the warning and sped up his pace.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
A loud explosion was heard and several of his men collapsed to the ground, but Lassac kept running toward Amethyst Merchant's personnel.
Lassac already knew that Amethyst Merchant personnel had fire sticks that could kill from a distance. Therefore, for this mission he specifically chose the best runners and archers who were also ready to sacrifice their lives.
Without waiting for orders, the archers placed arrows into their bows and took aim. A moment later, Amethyst Merchant personnel who had previously knocked their comrade down fell onto the ground with a body full of arrows.
One of Amethyst Merchant’s personnel who ran to the back door of the iron carriage did not escape the rain of arrows either. He tumbled two meters off the iron carriage, and the companions behind him immediately stopped running.
In an instant, Lassac and his men arrived before the remaining Amethyst Merchant’s personnel who stood stunned as they raised their hands. When Lassac saw the horror in their gazes, he instantly grinned from ear to ear.
'Looks like Amethyst Merchant personnel aren't as terrifying as we thought.'
Of course Lassac didn't forget his job, as in the distance he saw a dozen of Tuscan guards running over with all their might.
As soon as Lassac blew a whistle, 40 Cloud Hawks shot out from the tree line at the edge of Landei Gorge.
Before long, Lassac and all of his men were already on the back of Cloud Hawks, flying low over Landei Gorge with their prisoner.
*****
