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The <span class="mu-i">Nachlyuch</span> was an experiment in Twaryian ocean-going power projection. Ever overshadowed by the maritime power of their rivals and neighbors, Caelussian engineers were contracted to rectify a perceived extreme vulnerability in the martial capability of the Twaryian Confederacy. The effectiveness of submarines was undeniable- but their full potential, some thought, was not being realized through the primary weapon being the torpedo. So a project was carried out in absolute secrecy- right down to its launching and deployment. This powerful cruiser submarine was equipped with guns large enough to strike down a surface cruiser, while also plenty capable of warding off aerial threats. Considering the power of Vynmark’s surface fleet, consideration was also had towards utilizing such a craft for shore bombardment where none would be expected.
Off the Huldravik peninsula, however, a close support mission had been taken up entirely too close to the shore for a myriad of reasons- the weather preventing effective long range spotting, the coordination of attacks causing the submarine to rise to early- in the end, this first construction of a new submarine concept would be ambushed and sunk in shallow water by unassuming coastal defense gun carriers- their first actual usage in the role they were originally intended for.
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Haile hid against a dead tree- she knew the Twaryians were coming for her. Knew that the Huldravikland’s creatures would hunger for lonesome prey too. Yet now wasn’t the time for any reconsideration. Better that she be caught and let just one more person get away for it than step over bodies herself. The seat of Praetor was unattainable by the dead- but, in the end, she was not so willing to try to ascend there anyways, with blood trailing her footsteps.
She squatted down to the ground and hugged her knees. Thought about what the war had taken away. Thought of what she had taken away from herself. After all, if she had not longed so for what her ancestor had left behind- grown so curious, then maybe, there might not have been any reason for war at all. A naïve, vain thought, but self-pity was all she wished to indulge in now. The time for the fantasy of grandeur was gone. It wasn’t so bad to sadly consider that there would be no more lazy summers on the beaches- the spray of the sea here made one reminisce easily enough, even if the land was so ugly and twisted, closing the eyes made such leave.
The rumble of treads. They were close now. Haile opened her eyes to see what was coming- but it wasn’t what she expected. Battle-scarred m/28V tanks- a single officer poking out of the turret of the closest one and pointing.
“Boss!” He called, “Found her!”
Haile was speechless. Who had bothered to come here after her? Were they mad? Disrespectful? Or…
She might have been able to run if she wasn’t so surprised, but before she knew it, she was lifted over a shoulder and hauled away.
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