Initial idea was simple, get the hell out of the cursed place, after that, though, there were no plan at all, except driving north. They were escaping not evacuating, without connection to the army command, without ability to enter Dream Realm and receive instructions and orders. So, the first thing they needed to do, was to reach nearest station, or better, Siege Capital.
A small military settlement was around three hundred kilometers north from them, and a little bit more than, a hundred kilometers or so down the road Port Talos was located. The city they had to retreat to, according to the initial plan.
But before heading there, they needed to receive an actual data on what was happening. Was it safe there, how long they needed to be in the city, how long until they would be able to proceed with the next part of the evacuation, and so on.
There were also other questions, but that was the essentials, and a column of escaping people needed answers as soon as possible. That's why it's been decided to make a camp after a dozen kilometers or so from the research facility, in the zone safe from the Call, according to Professor Obel.
The first 'landmark' in the frozen coastal wasteland was a giant carcass of some titanic mechanism. Professor called it an old War Machine, and Brail understood why, when he saw it.
Initially it didn't even registered in Brail's brain, that it was mentioned weapon of old. Both Masters were looking at giant thing with dropped jaws, thinking that were bones of some unimaginable Nightmare Creature, warriors of humanity killed long before the Antarctic Campaign. But who could possibly do that? First Sovereigns were hiding in the Dream Realm. And even if, why then there was no historical mentions of such a horror before the Chain of Nightmares?
They snapped out, when Tei's voice was heard from the radio, telling Masters to start exploring the area for disturbances and anomalies. Opening the hatch of the APC, and circling warm air around the body, explorer got at the top of the roof. Deep blue glow emerged from the warm fluffy scarf, as it perked its ears and started thoroughly observing surroundings.
Winds were strong at the north, slightly warmer but eerie air currents were coming from behind, west and east directions were somewhat calmer but still, there was something unsettling in winds from there. Something around the approaching from afar mountains was wrong, and Brail with certainty could say that he felt the same way, when hundreds of horrific abominations emerged from the Gate.
'Hordes upon hordes, upon hordes. And that's only the beginning of the journey.'
He shuddered thinking of what was ahead of them. But real monsters were far, very far, and he needed to decide is there a safe place somewhere nearby. When Zeph sent a calming feeling, indicating that nothing is hiding in the vicinity, and Brail didn't sense any approaching threat or the Call, he decided to jump down in the vehicle.
"Do you sense the Call?"
"No, I feel nothing like that here. Some problems ahead, or road is clear?"
Lith was focusing on his feelings too, to check if there was an option to stop and let people rest. Both Ascended were very careful, because they didn't know how even minimal disturbance from the evil Dream Gate could affect awakened in their convoy.
"Well, there is no 'road', but yeah, it's seemingly clear and there are no hiding creatures in at least couple kilometer radius."
Kimmy, sitting in the front seat, pressed something on the dashboard.
"Tei, there is no problems nearby. We will make a camp on the slope of that hill to the right."
Distorted voice was heard from the radio.
"Got it. Attention everyone, we will make a stop in the safe place to conduct the maintenance and prepare for a mountain road. The nearest station…"
Brail wasn't listening further and get to the back of the carrier, where the captain's room was. Knocking on the door, he slided it open. Professor was sitting caressing a cup of cofee in both hands, looking with absent gaze into the wall.
"Professor, we will be making a camp in ten minutes."
Old man looked at explorer tiredly, nodded and turn his attention to the cup.
"Is there something that you need?"
Obel silently shook his head, not even raising his eyes.
"How is she?"
Scientist took his gaze off the cup and looked at the bed in front of him. There lied his assistant, unconscious, with weak breath, but otherwise seemingly fine. There were no more signs of grievous wounds, she received, protecting researcher.
Previously she had no eye, several holes were left in her abdomen from creature's claws, and her right hand was almost torn away. It was a miracle she held until the healer came, considering she was mundane.
"She'd been better, you know. Your healer treated her well. He told me it was you, who noticed and signaled about our situation there, young man. Thank you."
"I heard noises from afar, yes, but who actually get what was happening, was her."
Brail pointed on his shoulder with warm smile. Zeph opened her sleepy eyes, yawned, and looked at Professor.
"Who? Oh, I see. Is this your Echo?"
Creature in question, swinged her tail and jumped down on the bed, observing sleeping women.
"Not exactly. The Spell says yes, but she's different. Her name is Zeph, I met her in a Nightmare and received afterwards as an Aspect Legacy. I'd say, she is my companion."
"Aspect Legacies. Powerful Clans were built on these. Well, I'm sure you know, considering where you say you are from. If you learnt history, of course."
He took a sip from the cup, deep in thoughs.
"I always liked history myself, and always was driven by curiosity, but now, when I can learn about future history, from a literal time traveler standing in front of me, I don't even care. All I think is that she is not fussing me around."
"Miss Bethany will be fine, I'm sure of it. You know, when I first saw her, I thought 'no way, is it really her?'. The brightest mind, humanity's best inventor, and so on. There is probably no more renowned scientist in my time. It's strange to see her being the same age as me. What I mean, is that I know for a fact she will survive this and live long."
Obel smiled weakly, looking at explorer from the corner of an eye.
"So, you are not from as far as I thought? I see. It's good to know she will be okay. But I'm still worried. You say this all is a Nightmare?"
Receiving a nod, scientist continued.
"But what it means for me? Or for her? There were theories about time travel, young man, and similar theories about Nightmares. Many awakened says, they trying to leave undeniable marks during the trial, but returning at the places of their Nightmares, find no signs of their actions. Things are different, like there were in the 'original' history, proving Nightmares are nothing but intricate illusions. But returning to theories, if somehow there are different timelines, how can you prove that Nightmares don't send you into these?"
"I don't quite understand where are you heading."
"In your world, she is renowned, and long lived. But will it be true for this her? I deny the possibility that we will disappear when you complete your trial. Otherwise, for us nothing will make sense. So, for Beth things might be different from what you know. For good, or bad."
Obel sipped from the cup and turned to unconscious assistant.
"This Chain of Nightmares, it could lead to worsening the infection. If our understanding is correct, with so many Gates opening in one place, anyone could be infected in any given moment."
"Antarctica's events led to a second Awakened Expansion, yes. So, you are right, a lot of people will be affected by the Spell during and after the Chain. But I guess you are worried specifically because Miss Bethany could be infected, am I right?"
Professor tightened his grip on a cup, contemplated for a bit, like not wanting to spell it out, and answered.
"I'm sure you saw a lot of horrors out there. But she is not awakened, not a warrior with magical powers. And she saw that horror up close, was a part of it without the ability to do something. I don't know what people of your age… or timeline know about it, is that knowledge wrong or not, but I believe that high amount of stress can be a strong catalyst for the infection. So I'm worried because of what she went through and because I can't tell is she unconscious just due to her need of recovery, or…"
Little cat's eyes glowered and focused on assistant's chest. A couple seconds after, she walked closer to her face, curled up into a ball, leaning on Bethany's neck, and started purring. Brail sensed a calm feeling, spirit sent to him, and turned to Obel.
"Zeph says, your assistant is okay. There are no signs of corruption in her body, so she's just resting."
Professor weak smile grew wider, and he looked like tremendous weight was lifted of his chest. The next moment APC started slowing down and not long after stopped completely.
"I'll go to see if they need my help. Tell Zeph to call me if you will need something, okay?"
"Sure. Thank you again, young man. And your adorable companion too."
Cat showed no reaction to that, but Brail knew she felt pleased. He smiled, nodded, and headed out.
***
Procession stopped only fifteen minutes ago, but to Brail's surprise, he could already see almost built camp. On the top of the hill already could be seen a small observation point with one small tent near the car. Under its slope were rising several small and a ring of dozens big tents around a supply truck with extended canopy for a field kitchen.
The center of a camp was protected from the wind by the half-circle of tightly parked armored trucks. Two APC, including their Rhino, were standing on both sides of central passage, while other twenty-nine were parked in several lines nearby, along with fourteen light vehicles and as many MVP's. Six giant mechs were guarding the perimeter.
'Full scale camp for over a thousand members in fifteen minutes, huh.'
Awakened technologies of modern era could allow to do as much as quickly, but the main point here was how neatly organized and efficient everything seemed. And this was done without any memories or magic. Brail took a walk to the sentries' post uphill, to double-check from the highpoint on any signs of threat.
Not feeling anything dangerous, he turned back to the carrier of Irregulars, and get to the living quarters to take a nap. Conversation with the Professor gave him a lot of things he didn't want to think about, and with his flaw, overthinking could lead him to very wrong decisions in this Nightmare.
***
"Brain. Brain, wake up."
"Hnmnnmm…"
"Get the hell up or I gonna slap your stupid face."
"Wha… what, what? Are we attacked? What happened?"
Not sensing any threat or alarming feelings from Zeph, Brail stared on his cohort member.
"Why are you waking me up if nothing wrong?"
"Well, if you want to miss important meeting, you can doze back off. Guys returned from the Dream Realm. Brought something. Let's go."
Trying to blink away his drowsiness, Brail clumsily got off the bed and followed Lith. Getting in one of small central tents he looked around at everyone present. All Irregulars were there, even Quentin who still was showing heavy signs of essence exhaustion. Awakened Tei and his two subordinates also were in the command tent.
Lith took a central place at the table, playing the role of the man in charge. Obviously, every person here knew, who he was, so they treated this as repetition, just to check if they could proceed with this farce or not.
Samara started the meeting.
"Okay, gentlemen, I think we will start with our information, and then go to what your guys have to add, Tei."
Nodding, awakened motioned her to proceed. Samara exhaled through her nose gathering thoughts.
"We have good news, and bad news. The good news is that command agreed with our decisions and rerouted Ariadne. So, no casualties to be expected and nobody will ask us out for disobeying orders."
Everyone nodded in understanding.
"We also received an update on the previous information about the titans. One bastard is dead, three Saints present in this part of the Quadrant managed to cut him down yesterday. Unfortunately, on this our list of good news ends."
Her gaze followed to everyone's eyes.
"The bad news, though… Well, let's hear from the guy who was discussing this topic."
She looked at Dorn, and he pointed on the map in the center of the table.
"We right now are here. Our initial route should have been like that, to the mountains north, then through the pass, and to the Port Talos. So we go here, which is Eleventh Base, and then by almost straight road to the destination point. In total it's little bit less than four hundred kilometers in straight line, plus consider harsh and winded road. We were advised to choose for ourselves, do we want to proceed with this plan, or to move to another Siege Capital."
He waited a bit, then continued.
"Why we been given a choice, is because there is no contact with this city and surrounding bases. Connection was lost around the same time, as with LO49. And there are no awakened coming into the Dream Realm for the last several days. At best they have a lot of cleared Gates right inside the city barrier. At worst… I just need to remind you that two out of three Titans were reported to be in the southern part of the Center."
Looking at the map Tei's subordinate pointed to the mark at the northwest from them.
"Closest Siege Capital is Erebus Field. So, you tell us we either go straight north through the mountain pass, or we are turning left right here and going directly to the coastal highway, correct?"
"We can adjust our route, there are different variants, but yes."
Tei drew a line in the middle of the peninsula.
"The highway is dangerous, you said it yourselves. And going north blind is not the brightest idea either. There is a line of small settlements between two capitals, more inland, like from here to here, we can see that as an additional option."
Kimmy looked at Brail, thinking for a bit, frowning.
"You are forgetting that we have an 'oracle' over here. Do you any ideas where it would be better to go right now?"
Explorer looked at the map and outlined a zone with eastern Siege Capital.
"I know nothing about this area, so it can be either safe bet to drive there, or a deathtrap. The only thing I know is that there shouldn't be too big hordes of abominations."
"We have a fair number of injured. We also are not prepared for the long road, and it can be a long one if something happened. And we lack operative information."
Everybody turned their heads to listen what Quentin has to say.
"I propose to wait a day or two for additional data on this region. Till then, people can rest, and we will work on routes. Make up possible solutions for maintenance, supply distribution and other things for different situations. In case if something goes wrong, we must have at least one backup plan."
***
After two and a half days, temporal military camp was rolled up, and reorganized mechanized caravan moved north. There was no update on their current region, so they decided to stick to the first plan, picking a longer road.
They would check for the initial destination point, and, if something were wrong there, move northwest to the Erebus Field. Several hours later they approached first part of the long mountain range, and first shots were fired.
Near the high slope there were several open nests of Awakened and Dormant Nightmare Creatures. To kill the strongest ones, Brail, Sam, and awakened archers from the front of the column were enough. All weaker monsters were thoroughly destroyed with turrets and MWP's.
There were no injured and no tech malfunctions, requiring immediate maintenance. No creatures came even close to the procession. All was going smoothly, but that was only the beginning.
The mountain pass was a narrow snake road and column stretched on almost a kilometer, going vehicle after a vehicle. This slowed down their march and potentially exposed them to the greater risk. If something was to attack the convoy in the middle from under the ground, from the top of the slope, or even from the sky, the whole endeavor could end right there for a lot of people.
Brail and Zeph, as well as several other awakened, were working overtime to catch even a smallest glimpse of a threat. Sensors were monitored thoroughtly, and everyone was on high alert. Every several minutes there was a brief radio contact to confirm their situation. But half an hour after they reached the highest point of the road, a dense unnatural fog descended on them.