2 Efficiency

Somewhere in the Nevada Desert

10 A.M. Local Time

May 18, 2019

Two F-35A jets thundered through the skies, escorting a peculiar circular craft.

"Test flight is proceeding normally. All antigrav systems are operational."

"Eh, doesn't it seem a bit slow?"

"We've just decoded this vessel's drive, but we can't seem to restart the fuel cells. We're powering this through some specially developed reactors. If only the original pilots were alive when we found the ship…"

"Man, that's still amazing. Can't wait to pilot a starfighter haha."

As the pilots of the fighter jets and secret US test craft exchanged light banter, a bright light appeared somewhere over the desert, followed by a minor electromagnetic pulse.

"Sir, we've just been hit with an EMP! Our ship is stable but we have lost communications with Guard One and Two!"

"Easy there Lieutenant. The F-35's were built to handle some slight turbulence. Comms will be back online in a bit"

"-static—static—crackle— Centauri One -crackle- Guard One -static- read me?"

"Guard One we read you, but there's some interference. We believe it's coming from this source. Please escort us to these coordinates."

Complying with this order, the two jets and alien craft flew toward the specified coordinates. Below, they saw what seemed like a fantasy medieval army situated right outside of Area 51. The base was mobilizing to handle the possible threat that had just materialized. Orders from command were to return to base, with Guard One and Two preparing for combat while Centauri One was to return to its designated hangar.

Fourth Invasion Detachment

Nobian Army

10 A.M. Local Time

Expert Norlan was blinded by a light as he and his comrades were transported by Kelmithus. As an expert ranked wizard, he was the highest ranking mage in this Nobian force, and without his superiors nearby, he assumed the position of commanding officer. As he grounded himself back to reality, he went to check the body of Kelmithus.

"It appears he still has a heartbeat. He will most likely wake up within a few hours."

"What shall we do with him, sir?"

"Leave him. We will be gone before he wakes, and he shall be stranded here. I laugh at the irony of his predicament… This barren land where there is nothing but the scorch of Sola will be his deathbed. Sola's light will indeed guide him to his demise."

With Kelmithus unconscious, the Nobians began to reorganize and strategize. They were in what seemed to be the middle of nowhere, but the dragons had picked up a scent of humans and metal nearby, so the mages whipped up a clarity spell.

The mages has discovered a strange town 2 miles north, with metal beasts and strangely clothed men. Because of these metal beasts, they assumed the territory to be one of the Sunaran's, with their famed sun forges. Additionally, the stars on the flags throughout the base convinced the Nobians that they were indeed facing their enemy, as the Sunaran flag also The Nobian mages determined that the town had about a thousand souls, so they pressed forth with the planned attack, having confidence in their numerical advantage. If only they had waited, they would have been able to return home. 10 minutes after they departed, a portal began to materialize.

"Be wary of the metal contraptions. The Mekkanese may have allowed the Sunarans to use some of their mechanical weapons."

Norlan's orders were received by his forces through a magical channel created by the mages. Heeding his caution, they sent a couple dragon knights to scout the base and test the capabilities of their opponents. As the dragon knights approached, they heard a loud roar the split the skies, as two metal dragons flanked their sides. Not sending any hostility from these metal dragons, the scouts continued toward the base, where they were met by an inhumanly loud voice.

"This area is restricted by order of the United States military! Turn back now or you will be shot!"

"That doesn't sound like the Sonaran language…"

"What could it mean?"

"It's probably another Sonaran war chant?"

The dragon knights ventured further, trying to catch a glimpse of large dragon stables that housed the metal dragons. Unfortunately, they ventured too far into restricted airspace. A Patriot missile system locked on to its targets and fired.

"Lonos, what's that light over there? It looks like an arrow… Evade! Eva-"

BOOM!

Lonos watched in horror as his partner was obliterated by an impossible force.

"How…?"

One question was all Lonos was able to contemplate before his ability to think was terminated by the unforgiving MIM-104 missile.

Norlan, seeing the explosions in the sky, attempted to re-establish contact with his scouts.

"Sir, we cannot contact them! It's likely they were killed in those explosions!"

Norlan could not fathom that a force as powerful as the dragon knight could be decimated so quickly, and seemingly with such ease. His subordinates couldn't believe it either, but their sight told no lies.

"We must avenge them! Leave no survivors!"

"CHAAARRGE!!!"

As the Nobians approached the strange wall, they were again met with a thundering voice.

"Drop your weapons and surrender now! This is your final warning!"

Burning with vengeance, the Nobians ignored this warning and charged forth.

"All mages, initiate standard defensive shielding!"

A translucent bluish dome covered the attackers. The Nobians began to close the distance, pushing forth with a wedge formation, until at about 200 meters from the gate, flashes of light began to spark throughout the lines of the defenders, emanating from their dark staffs.

RATATATATATATATATA!

Thunder filled the atmosphere as the Nobians faced a hail of lead. The shield was able to hold against about a hundred rounds before the kinetic energy of continuous impacts overpowered the defenses of the Nobians. The mages were almost depleted of mana, and the bluish dome faltered, becoming more transparent. The mysterious defenders, sensing victory, intensified their barrage as they started shooting large metal arrows and strange shapes that all exploded. Indeed, the Nobians faced 40mm High Explosive rounds, hand grenades, and rocket propelled grenades.

Norlan was terrified. The tightly packed formation of his army was disastrous, as each explosion was able to kill dozens. He witnessed a slaughtering of his men. Many were screaming for salvation, for their mothers, but their prayers would go unanswered as their bodies were ripped apart by metal and fire. This was not glorious combat. This was void of honor. The hellish destruction he faced was horrible; it was an efficient extermination rather than a battle. Having lost much of his infantry and almost all of his dragon knights to metal dragons and light arrows, he gave the order to surrender.

Across the battlefield, Nobian soldiers dropped their weapons and raised their hands. Thankfully, the act of surrendering was a method of communication that easily transferred between worlds. The defenders with the dark staffs ceased fire, and began to round up survivors, immediately administering medical care to the wounded. To his surprise, Norlan could not find a single injured defender. His troops could not even reach the gate.

"Where did the Sonarans get access to this kind of power? Are they in league with demons?"

His thoughts were interrupted by a soldier wearing a sand-colored uniform, who identified Norlan as an important individual based on his Expert Wizard attire. After securing all the prisoners with handcuffs, the desert men directed his troops into a peculiar building, made of hardened rock. He was then led to a plain room with a mirror, table, and two chairs.