Ortho, the jammer harbour.
The seasoned veteran watched the troops load the three decked freighter. Mobile ballistas were rolled up a broad ramp thoundering resoundedly as the metal embossments on the wheels hit the massive wood on the ramp. A pair struggled with pulling the ropes higher up on the long ramp while another pair pushed it from below. Crates was hauled aboard the deck from crane structures errected on platforms between the many rows of dockings and piers. He heard the marching troops apprach from a lower section beneath his vantage point marching three by three in perfect order. Halberds over their right shoulder all holding the end haft in their rigth palm with their left pressing the long shaft to theri shoulder. Steady without the slightest sign of waddle or swaying rigidly pointed skywards in their sycronised fast steps. As they reached the ramp the front men accelerated to keep the speed of the whole train unbroken despite the slanting they faced themselves.
His men and women. The 253rd Reargaurd Battalion. Once again he had to keep them safe and see them return while the mission was completed. All soldiers know that everyone will not return and a rearguard knew the truth of that even more profoundly. It was a inglorious station, when the victory seemed lost they had to minimise the losses and buy enough time for the main bulk of the army to retreat. He did not care for any fancy decorations nor appointments, keeping others safe that's the one thing that mattered most to him. He opened the weatherworn locket in his scarred hand revealing a younger dark haired lady in her twenties. Looking at it with affection for a few seconds before closing it and tucking it away aneath his breastplate. Behind him a tall dark armoured man approached with his helmet carried in his left arm, slapping his heels together and saluted the hoary senior officer. "Mover One Christos. Measure Three Dmytrev reports the loading preceeds according to schedule." He remained standing in salute. The two had seved together for decades but he would never disrespect his commander by forego the formalites even though he knew the response that would follow. " At easie Measure." With that Dmytrev stepped to the side of his commander. "So top brass is finally pulling out of Bysheek. Been a few years I've heard. " The senior officer acknowleded with a nod as he watched the final column board the ship the banner of the 253rd vanishing in the cargo hold and bow visor being winched down.
At the same time in Sigil, Harmonium Barracks.
Sitting by her desk Mover II Siobhan O'Reily reads the following letter from Ortho:
Shortly afterwards she was checking lists with availble personel and summon those she considered suitable.wrote:High Command has reached the final decision to withdraw from the Twin Horns of Jacaal on the prime Bysheek. The siege has been exeedingly costly while lifted several times only to be renewed again. The Fortresses is to be abandoned, the equipment and troops relocated to Ortho. Requesting a specialized corps to assist Battalion 253. Rendezvous with Mover I Christos awaiting them on the prime Jammer station in Ortho for final briefing.
High Command seal