My sword is too large, I can’t fly with it.

I’ve had that thought many times, and many of my comrades have had similar thoughts on a similarly frequent basis.

It snows too much in this mountain range.

I’ve had this thought many times as well, much the same with my comrades.

I hope Ruth is okay.

I’ve had this thought much more than the other two, the same cannot be said for my comrades.

Eight days ago my division received a report that a group of radical terrorists from Eshos were developing some kind of superweapon in a hidden facility in the northern reaches of Kesper.

The higher-ups dispatched my division immediately to Kesper to deal with the problem and prevent a terrorist attack. We dealt with it thoroughly. However, we did not find any weapons being developed at the facility despite the fact that they were well equipped with the materials and equipment to do so. During our enthusiastic investigation with one of the terrorists, we discovered that the designs to make the weapons were finalized in Eshos itself, and that they were being transported by train to the facility.

Many of my comrades did not know what a train was, and that was expected. Trains were a new innovation from the continent of Heslios, Vulkira knows they need it with how large the place is, and Valkyries are capable of flight, so they would not require such a method of transportation. Unfortunately, due to the embarrassing fact that I’m incapable of flight if I’m equipped with my sword, I was quite familiar with the damned things.

“Wow boss, you’re so knowledgeable!” and “We can always count on you Boss!” ate away at my soul as they all knew damn well why I knew what trains were after I explained it to them.

Once we found the tracks, we discovered that they lead into the Silverset Mountains. Searching the entire mountain range for a train would take weeks with how expansive the landmark is. They stretch a little over half the height of the tallest part of the continent of Azor after all.

That also explains why we heard about this so late, Eshos is literally on the top of Azor while Kesper sits near the bottom. The shear distance of this plot made it difficult to spot.

I pop a few Talco berries and continue my search.

After discovering the tracks, my team decided that we would inform Central Command about the situation and await further instructions. After a few hours of transferring messages and translating morse-code, we were informed that they had found not only the trains location, but also the location of the wanted fugitive ‘Terry the Unseen’, and that he was moving to intercept the train himself. We were also informed that he brought his daughter with him. I will never understand that man.

Upon this knewfound information, in a move that makes me question Central Command’s sanity, they decided to make use of a lone berserker stuck in the process of transferring divisions to deal with the problem. That berserker being Ruth.

Berserkers may be resistant to extreme temperatures, and may be capable of running faster than even the most nimble mount, and may be capable of biting through solid steel, but that's no reason to send one alone! Its sheer stupidity!

“Boss, Ruth is probably fine. I bet there was some booze on the train and he decided to help himself. That's no reason to worry about the drunk.”

“Yeah, so what if we saw that fireball from Kesper when the train probably wasn’t even a quarter way there, Ruth is totally fine.”

“Yeah Boss, why are you so worried about Ruth anyways? There are better men out there ya’know. Less drunk ones too.”

“Ha!”

Vulkria please gift me the patience to not slaughter these morons right now.

I may not be able to leave the ground, but I’m still plenty capable of putting these slouches in there place, now just isn’t the time for it.

Six days ago we were ordered to stay at the facility to await the train and Ruth’s arrival.

Four days ago we saw a large fireball along the Silverset mountains.

Two days ago we were told by Central that they lost contact with Ruth and told to move to the train’s suspected location and confirm the situation.

I asked if there were better divisions available for the task, considering it could take days for us to reach the location, but was informed that all the other divisions have their hands full dealing with finding and eliminating terrorist groups across Othium. So we set off as soon as we were able.

“Ya’know, I can’t help but get the feeling that Ruth is probably dead. I know he’s a drunk and all, but he would still probably at least give a report while blackout drunk, as sloppy as the report would be.”

One of my comrades whispered that to another. Very quietly as to not let me hear. But I have good hearing. I heard it. Very clearly.

I can’t take this anymore.

I unclasp my sword and throw it to the ground and take off as soon as I’m able.

“He-Hey Boss! W-wait up! What about your sword?!”

I hear their unorganized shouts as they struggle to keep up.

Please Ruth, please be okay.

[Year 1983 - Month 4 - Day 34 - Incident Report and Summary]

[Terrorists in Eshos and Kesper made plans to develop and use superweapons against the Othuim Empire. Military Enforcement Division 4 was dispatched to Eshos while Division 9 was dispatched to Kesper to deal with the threat. After receiving an update from Division 9, Central dispatched M.E. Officer Ruth to find and dispose of the plans being transported through the Silverset Mountains by train. After Officer Ruth’s arrival, the train erupted in a large fireball and contact with Officer Ruth was lost. Division 9 was then tasked with confirming the situation. Upon arriving at the scene, Division 9 discovered that the train’s main circuit was overloaded and erupted. Nothing of value survived the explosion.

The death of M.E. Officer Ruth was confirmed.

The death of wanted fugitive/thief/arsonist/etc. Terry Fulcreek aka “Terry the Unseen” was confirmed.

The daughter of Terry Fulcreek, Julie Fulcreek is confirmed missing and assumed dead.

Military Enforcement Captain Esia Mirthbrow resigned shortly after this incident.]