Diederich The Great, Episode 2: Knock Knock

The story continues

When we last left Diederich, he ether killed an assassin or was left for dead.  
 

Quick Blade

“Diederich Eirck VonKresser does not just die from a lowly assassin, I fight!” yelled Diederich. “Wiederherstellen, Wiederherstellen” cried his crew in return. Diederich surveyed his men; he had about twenty men that were able. After last night he lost four crewmen to the fire, and two crewmembers are in the sick bay because of dehydration sickness. Doctor Virckson cleared the men to drink their own body fluids, but the crew’s spirits were still high. Diederich continued, “We will be……”

Stay put

“…..Holding our ground and prepare a ground assault on the counts city!” Diederich turned and went back to his office. On his way out Diederich ran into First Mate Wirtz. “Sir the men are ready to move” reported Wirtz. ”We need more time to ready our forces” said Diederich. Diederich continued to the Command room, he needed to know how long the Land Ship was going to take for repairs. Diederich clunked his way up the ladder and into the cramp room. Engineer Crunk was working on a vacuum tube panel, “Mr.Crunk whens my ship going to be ready?” Diederich asked. Crunk jumped and slammed his head into the top of the panel roof. “Du! I mean hello Lord Emperor….o…. your ship should be ready with in the week”! 

Go on the attack

“….On the attack, Count Friedrich owns the lands west of here! At least two days march, so grab Solders your Electro Jezails and your armor and meet back here in ten minutes”.  Diederich turned and went back to his office. His armor was costume made; slivers of iron bands covered every part of his body. The polished crimson armor glimmered in the dim electric light. He reached for his helmet; it was crimson and lavish, on top is a golden vulture the ancient symbol of Prush.  The next step was to select his swords. His Sword collection was close to his heart. He picked a Saber and his broad sword, his luckiest weapons. Last but not lest was his Electro Jezail. It was custom in his region to own a Jezail. The weapon was equal to his height; it was great for picking off enemies at long ranges. Now he was ready.
On his way out Diederich ran into First Mate Wirtz. “Sir the men are ready to move” reported Wirtz.”Great Wirtz, I’ll be right there” said Diederich. Diederich continued to the Command room, he needed to know how long the Land Ship was going to take for repairs. Diederich clunked his way up the ladder and into the cramp room. Engineer Crunk was working on a vacuum tube panel, “Mr.Crunk whens my ship going to be ready?” Diederich asked. Crunk jumped and slamed his head into the top of the panel roof. “Du! I mean hello Lord Emperor….o…. your ship should be ready with in the week”! 

Take your time

“Cannons take aim on the city!” screamed Diederich. The gears and wheels spin to life. The massive cannons slowly pointed at the darkly lite urban sprawl. It was dark out, perfect for a sneak attack. “Sir your worriers are ready for the attack” said wirtz. Diederich nodded and climbed down to the ground. All of his men were dressed for war. Most of his men were from the same region in Prush, there battle dress was very traditional. Each man carried two blades, a massive broad sword and a cutlass. Their main weapon was an Electro Jezail, Each Jezail was custom sized to fit each man. Their armor was passed down from father to son. Each set of armor was costume made; slivers of iron bands covered every part of their body. The polished armor glimmered in the dim electric light. Their helmets were lavish, on top is a golden vulture the ancient symbol of Prush. Each man was prepared to die.
As Diederich surveyed his men two of his scouts came forword out of the darkness. “Sir we found three was to attack the city”. The scouts reported. The city had their high towers overlooking the streets and the palace, a good place for snipers. A depot building stretched from the out skirts of the city to the city center, a quick way in and out for the attack. The city was battle scared from the revolution. The main road was littered with rocks and burned out vehicles, which could give his men cover. Which is the best way?

You have two days

“There’s the Counts city” whispered the scout. It was six in the morning and Diederich’s raiding party has been marching for two days. The land ship was with in cannon range but well concealed, but the fire destroyed the most of the ammo. Diederich was ready for his revenge. The city was coming to life, people filled the dusty streets. There was no way to insure that the citizens would be safe. The city had their high towers overlooking the streets and the palace, a good place for snipers. A depot building stretched from the out skirts of the city to the city center, a quick way in and out for the attack. The city was battle scared from the revolution. The main road was littered with rocks and burned out vehicles that could give his men cover. Which is the best way?

Take the streets

Diederich stood up and yelled “Follow me!” and ran for the gates. There was one guard at the door, but a Jezail round cut him down. Diederich reached the door first, and with a mighty tug the wood and iron doors opened. At the end of the road more enemies appeared. At first the raiding party was pinned down by volley gun fire and arrows, but once Diederich’s party situated themselves they made short work of them. They made their way from building to building, until they reached the palace court yard. Now the guards were ready for Diederich. They set up blockades and volley gun wagons. Diederich turned and looked at his men, he had lost a third of his troops. Diederich could launch a flare and have the entire area destroyed or he could charge the guards. 

The quick way

Diederich pointed at the Depot and waved his men on. They moved quickly into the depot. It was dark and dry, but echoes of yelling filled the depot. His guns would be useless here. Diederich pulled out his cutlass; His raiding party did the same. At first the party moved fast from room to room until they found a large black door. From behind the door yells and clanking weapons spooked Diederich and his men, but they went forward. The door cracked open and all of the sound stopped. Diederich was the first man in the room, Followed by his band of worriers. All of a sudden arrows rained from the shadows and from the ceiling. Some of Diederichs men died on the spot, others just fell to the ground in pain. Then the attackers stepped out of the dark. It was five black clothed men, assassins. Diederich realized that he had walked right in to the assassins living quarters.  The surviving raiding party charged the assassins, and after a few minuets the battle was over. Diederich lost more than half of his troops but all the assassins lay dead on the floor. “Gather ammo and food from the dead, men!” yelled Diederich, and they pressed on. The palace was only across the road and the guards didn’t seem alarmed. Diederich could shoot his flair off and call for a bombardment from the land ship or they could charge into the court yard and into the palace. 

Snipe

Diederich pointed at the towers, “get me men in the towers” he commanded. Six men jumped up and advanced in to the city. There was one guard at the gate and another on a rooftop, but they never saw the snipers sneak into the city. Twelve minutes later, the towers started spiting lead and plasma. The two guards were pinned down, Diederich decided to make. “Wiederherstellen!” he yelled. His men screamed behind him. The first ten yards no one noticed the twenty armed men charging the city’s walls. Then all of a steam powered wagon pulled up front of the city, mounted on top was a volley gun. The gun started to rain bullets at Diederich and his men. Dust exploded all around and a couple of the men fell to the ground. The snipers quickly picked of the guns operator. The men breached the walls and entered the labyrinth of streets and back alleys. After running from building to building Diederich reached the Palace. Guards flooded the roof of the palace and began to fire on Diederich and his troops. He could launch a flare, ordering the land ship to fire on the city. Or he could hope the snipers could pick off the men on the roof.
 

FIRE!

Diederich pointed his flair to the sky and pulled the trigger. With a pop that flair was sent to the skies. On the land ship the cannons came to life. Firing a torrent of death on the city, buildings crumbled and the streets exploded. A single round entered the palace blowing out the windows and killing most of the guards, but after the dust settled cries echoed out from the streets of the city. Inside the destroyed palace mechanisms came to life. From the bricks and smashed glass a giant fist exploded out of the building. A giant robotic body clawed its way out of the ruined. It was Count Friedrich and he was dying. – End 2

Hold Fire

Diederich pulled out his broad sword, and yelled “Follow me!” The raiding party charged forward, across the court yard and up the front stairs. Diederich throw himself down behind a statue. He faced his men, two bodies laid on floor. He looked out of the palace doors he could see the snipers picking of any enemies that still moved. Just then the huge double doors of the palace crashed open. A massive robot emerged. The beast spud black smoke. Its huge fists slammed on the ground, sending tiles and chairs into the air. “VELCOME TO MY PALACE, prepare to die”. End 1

Back pain

Diederich woke up in sick bay. Dr. Virckson was right by his side. “Sir you shouldn’t move, you have been stabbed in the back.” The doctor yelled. Diederich didn’t he struggled to sit up. His back was wraped in white cloth and covered with medicine. “What happened to you” said the doctor. “Someone named Count Friedrich wants me dead” said Diederich. “Who is he and why?” questioned the doctor. Diederich pulled out a map of Prush from his jacket. The map was half stained with blood, but was still readable. “This map is out dated but to the west there’s lands owned by a family named Friedrich, which is where we will start!” Diederich proclaimed. “Now the biggest question is the attack, should I attack with the tank? Or you, Dr.Vickson can medicate me so I can make the march” pondered Diederich.

Medicate

The doctor pulled out a vile and a needle, and with a quick flick of his finger the needle plunged into Diederich’s flesh. First Diederich was numb, and then his back started to burn. After the burning subsided the pain of his back was gone. “That will last for three to four days” said the Doctor. “That’s all the time I need” answered Diederich. Diederich grabed a microphone and yelled into it, ‘We will be…”. 

Drive Tank

 
Diederich moved into a wheelchair, and was brought to the command room. “let’s get this Land Ship moving! He yelled. “Yes Sir!” answered the crew. Diederich pointed forward, and his men leapt to the command. The iron heart of the Land Ship pumped to life. Steam coursed through the Land Ships copper veins. The giant wheels started to turn and the Desert Vulture was on the hunt. Within a day they were at the city. Diederich thought to himself “Should we take our time and send a ground attack, or charge in?”

Prepare to charge!

“Forward!”  Diederich yelled. And the Land Ship sped forward. The Whole city came to life. The city guards opened fire with cannons and volley guns, but nothing was going to stop the Desert Vulture now. The cannon balls bounced off the iron walls, and the Desert Vulture answered with its own guns. The City’s walls crumbled to the ground and the guards ether died were they stood or ran away. The Desert Vulture crashed into the city. Its giant wheels crushed buildings and people alike. But crawling up the side of the ship was an old friend, and Diederich was ready.

Fight him your self

“Someone is onboard the ship!” yelled a crew member. Diederich stood up, his back killed him but he wanted revenge. “Keep shelling the city, and get me closer to the palace, I’ll be back” yelled Diederich. He grabbed a broad sword and went on the hunt. It wasn’t hard to find the assassin all Diederich had to do was follow the trail of dead bodies. Diederich turned a corner and there he was, the back stabbing assassin. He looked at Dierderich and ran out a hatch, Diederich followed. The outdoor air was filled with smoke and the smell of burning garbage. Diederich chased the assassin all over the land ship, until the assassin vaulted to the huge slowly turning wheel.  Diederich leapt after him. Half way down the humongous wheel, it came to a halt. The land ship was in front of the Palace, the roof of the palace was alive with gun fire. The palace guards were putting up quite a fight, but there world would be crashing down around them if Diederich wanted. The assassin jumped from the wheel to the ground but he fell wrong and an audible snap came from his leg. Diederich climbed down the spokes of the wheel until he touched ground. The assassin was helpless. Diederich played with his mustaches and said, “What to do next”? 

Stab with sword

Diederich slide out his broad sword and waved it in the air. With a quick jab the sword the assassin cried out in pain. The broad sword stabbed several times into the assassin, and it was over. Diederich pulled out a flare gun from his coat and aimed it to the sky

Leave under wheel

Just then the land ship began to move forward. Diederich had a plan; he bent over the assassin and began to pick him up. The assassin put up a fight, but with a mighty chuck he went flying under the wheel. ​Before the assassin could react the wheel started to press his body into the court yard. Diederich turned away and pulled out his flare gun.