Join the new world

Lise sees Devilcarrier slumping into the lounge. His face and hands are black with powder blow-back. His eyes are rimmed with red. White streaks on his cheeks showed the passage of recent tears.

She goes quickly to the bar and gets him a stiff drink of rum. She takes charge of him and directs him to his favourite chair, carrying his drink and the cocktail she had been sipping previously.

"Scotland?" she says, as he sinks into his seat with a weary groan.

He nods. "We came so close. We held the capital and 71% of the land, but then they recieved reinforcements and began to outnumber us. I moved my artillery unit south down a lovely valley. To one side was a hulking cliff, ahead there was lush green grass and trees. We were being attacked every now and then but I was winning a little more than half the time." His voice breaks. "I liberated 16 areas Lise, but it wasn't enough. They fought like demons."

For a moment, he is silent as he relives some of the fighting in his mind. Lise puts a sympathetic hand on his shoulder. He drinks some rum and smiles weakly at her.

"At one point, my artillery unit gave out. I watched as the over-heated barrel bent down under it's own weight. I didn't stop then though. I retreated and bought a new unit. Damn powerful too. By the time I rejoined the fighting, we were almost done for. The enemy swarmed us. They were well commanded too Lise, perfectly positioned on the battlefield to prevent anyone picking off easy areas. I was just gearing up to fight through a wall of two of them when the announcement of defeat came out. It was done. Finished."

He chuckled ruefully. "Heh, but near the end I got promoted. I'm a colonel now."

She looks deep into his eyes. "Thats good. I'm proud of you. You're not going to give up are you?"

"No. I just need some rest. I'll be there at Yorkshire in the final hour."