Rae van Daleon – The Roots of the Storm
by Lea von Löwenstein
Chapter 42: Training Day Three – Team Tactics
The third morning at the van Daleon estate began with an overcast sky, the air thick with the smell of rain that had yet to fall. The training yard was alive with the faint hum of servo-motors and the distant clang of tools from the forge. Rae and her team stood in a loose line, their weapons at their sides, their bodies still aching from the intense sparring of the previous day.
Master Irik van Daleon paced before them, his sharp eyes studying each of their faces. His usual commanding tone softened slightly as he addressed them.
“You’ve spent the last two days honing your individual skills—your strength, precision, and control,” he said. “But no warrior survives alone. Your survival depends on your ability to fight as a unit, to trust each other completely.”
He motioned to the training yard, now transformed into a maze of obstacles, elevated platforms, and hidden traps. Servo-skulls flitted above, their red lenses glowing faintly as they monitored the area.
“Today, you’ll learn what it means to fight together. Each of you has a role. Play it well, or you won’t last long.”
Capture and Defend
The first exercise began in the central section of the yard, where a small beacon was placed atop a raised platform. Irik stood at the base, his arms crossed. “Your objective is simple,” he said. “Capture the beacon and hold it against incoming threats.”
He raised a hand, and several training dummies activated, their servo-limbs clicking as they advanced toward the platform. These were no ordinary dummies—they moved erratically, their simulated weapons firing low-powered energy bolts to mimic combat.
Rae took charge immediately, her voice calm but firm. “Marcus, hold the center. Celestine and I will flank. Tyren, get that cogitator running. Soren, support Marcus with ranged cover.”
The team moved into position, their actions precise and coordinated. Marcus planted himself at the base of the platform, his massive frame absorbing the brunt of the dummies’ attacks. His hammer swung in controlled arcs, shattering the dummies’ limbs with calculated strikes.
Celestine darted along the left flank, her twin blades flashing as she dismantled the advancing dummies with surgical precision. Rae mirrored her on the right, her strikes swift and deliberate, her focus unshakable.
Above them, Tyren crouched near the beacon, his cogitator humming as he hacked into the dummies’ targeting systems. “Almost there,” he muttered, his fingers flying across the keys. “Just keep them off me!”
Soren’s crossbow twanged rhythmically, each bolt finding its mark as he provided covering fire from a nearby vantage point. “Two more coming from the left!” he shouted, reloading quickly.
Within minutes, the team had neutralized the dummies and secured the beacon. Irik watched from the sidelines, his expression unreadable.
“You’re learning,” he said finally. “But you’re still too reactive. Anticipate the enemy’s movements. Don’t just respond—control the fight.”
Rescue Operation
For the second exercise, Irik led them to a section of the yard filled with dense obstacles and concealed traps. At its center, a life-sized dummy painted in bright red simulated a wounded ally.
“This time,” Irik said, “your objective is to rescue the ‘injured’ and bring them back here. But beware—the area is rigged with traps, and you’ll be pursued.”
As soon as the exercise began, the team split into roles. Rae and Celestine moved ahead, their movements silent as they scouted for traps. Tyren stayed close, his cogitator detecting and disabling hidden mechanisms. Marcus followed behind, ready to clear any obstacles or provide brute force when needed. Soren kept to higher ground, scanning for incoming threats.
“Tripwire, two o’clock,” Rae whispered, pointing to a barely visible line stretched across the path.
Tyren moved in, carefully snipping the wire. “Trap disarmed,” he said, his voice low but confident.
As they neared the dummy, a group of dummies resembling chaos cultists sprang from concealed alcoves, their simulated weapons firing at the team. Marcus roared, charging forward to draw their fire, his hammer swinging in devastating arcs.
Celestine darted behind the attackers, her blades a blur as she dispatched them one by one. “You’re clear!” she called to Rae and Tyren.
Rae and Tyren reached the dummy and hoisted it between them. “Move!” Rae shouted as more cultists emerged from the shadows.
Soren provided cover fire from above, his crossbow bolts pinning the attackers down. “Left flank is clear!” he called, reloading quickly.
The team moved as one, carrying the dummy back to the extraction point just as the exercise timer expired.
Chaos Incursion
The last exercise was the most challenging. Irik activated a swarm of dummies programmed to simulate chaos-infested enemies. They moved erratically, some faster than others, their attacks unpredictable. The objective was simple: survive for ten minutes.
As the dummies surged forward, the team fell into a tight formation, their roles clearly defined. Marcus held the front line, his hammer smashing into the attackers with relentless force. Celestine and Rae moved in tandem, flanking the dummies and cutting them down with swift, coordinated strikes.
“Behind you!” Tyren shouted, using his cogitator to send a small pulse that disrupted a cluster of dummies. Soren took the opportunity to fire a bolt into their exposed backs, disabling them.
The swarm pressed harder, but the team adapted quickly. Rae barked commands, her voice steady even as the chaos around them intensified. “Marcus, rotate left! Celestine, cover Tyren! Soren, suppress fire on the right!”
When the timer finally buzzed, the team stood in the center of the yard, panting but victorious. The broken dummies lay scattered around them, a testament to their growing skill.
Irik’s Assessment
Irik stepped forward, his expression stern but approving. “You’ve come a long way in three days,” he said. “Today, you learned what it means to fight as a unit. You covered each other’s weaknesses, exploited the enemy’s, and adapted under pressure.”
He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. “But don’t let this victory make you complacent. The real enemy won’t give you time to prepare, and they won’t stop coming. What you’ve learned here is a foundation. Build on it.”
The team nodded, their exhaustion overshadowed by a sense of accomplishment. They had faced chaos before, but now they were something more: a cohesive unit, ready for whatever came next.
As they left the yard, Rae glanced back at her father. His gaze met hers, and for a moment, she thought she saw the faintest flicker of pride in his eyes.
“Thank you,” she said quietly.
Irik nodded. “Keep fighting, Rae. For the Emperor. For each other.”
