Dark Crow Rising

"Battcomm Jsarworth, we're running low on reserve munitions!" one of my men calls out and I step back from the gun. Heading on over to inspect the situation, I grasp the young man's shoulders and send him the way I came. Grabbing what shells I can, I gesture with my head to another man to help me haul what we have left. Dumping the load on the flattest land I can find, I rush back to grab the already final couple and clap my hands clear of effort.

Snatching a pair of binoculars from the table, I look out across the horizon to the giant as another mountain falls. Frowning at the Orbital-Halo as it sets down to mark the end of another day, I recall the number of times the sky has been orange. Two days have passed and this marks the end of the third.

The boys in the air have been giving it all they have but the problems with the world's magic reserves are taking their toll. The skies have been quiet for a while now and most of the other batteries have withdrawn. Only those active behind the giant have remained but even they're having to break in anticipation of our departure.

Setting the binoculars down, I make the short trip over to the next gun and inspect their situation. I keep checking the guns until I reach the limit of my unit and meet another battcomm. He tells me all I need to know from gaze alone and we part with a nod. I head down to the closest gun and wait.

It fires off its next shot and I clap as loudly as possible, howling a noise to catch their attention.

"Alright lads, start packing up. We're low on shot and no more will be coming. Get what gifts you can to the anchor position and prepare for evacuation." I tell them and the tired but stubborn lot reluctantly get to work. I pat the back of the closest man and pull the springiest-looking one aside.

"Battcomm Jsarworth, how may I be of service?" the middle-aged man asks with a salute. Offering him a wet cloth, he wipes his face down and barely scrubs up his hands.

"Pass on what I've just said here to the other guns with the exception of the anchor position. I will head straight there and man the position to the final chance we have." I tell him, patting the man off at the start of his sprint. Moving a few steps forward, I rest my hands on the handrail we had installed before even the guns got here. The giant has but to leap ahead to doom us and yet, it's only been walking. Despite all of our efforts, it's content to simply take one step at a time.

Looking down into the valley, I click my tongue at the failed plan to fully load a spiral-train with shielding and explosives. It derailed right at the feet of the damn thing and went off, but, nothing. Securely built positions had to be abandoned then and there when those explosives went off because of how powerful it was. Our scouts reported avalanches from the snow-belts for miles around.

Clicking my tongue again, I check on my men's efforts one more time and lighten one lad's load. I offer him a nod but not too much of a lost burden and rush ahead. The couple of shells I have find new hands to call courier. I linger at the ammunition supply we have at the anchor position and even now, it's not much.

The men are still loading and blasting the giant with all they have and it's taking its toll. The remarks are growing louder and one man even makes a point of throwing an unarmed round to the ground. A fight breaks out and I step in, taking two blows to the jaw without flinching. The men back down, wide-eyed.

"Sorry, Battcomm Jsarworth, sir!" they go, rushing back to work and I shake my head. Rubbing my jaw, I flex the pain out of it.

"Mmmm, who to bet on in the next inter-battery fight night." I joke, putting my arms back at my sides while an airship flies overhead. That one is probably for us crew so I start waving off the most exhausted.

"Come on boys, we are outta here!" one shouts, dragging someone off just as his adrenaline runs dry.

"No, off, I'll handle it." I tell the man moving to fill out the gunner spot. Taking up my new seat, the scorching heat of the metal catches my attention. Relaxing into familiar comfort, I do everything I need to do on my end without help. I've got the years behind me to fill in, besides, at this point, it's just anger fuelling the gun.

The breech snaps open and shut, "Loaded!"

"Firing!" I call, recoiling with the gun and minding my dinner. Watching the line grow further and further, it burrows through the giant's protection. It strikes its body like dust might me. We keep getting richer munitions and still, we're not getting anywhere with this.

The grades of magic we've gotten in these new rounds are quite simply, ridiculous. It doesn't seem like it, but these rounds are meant to be able to bring towns to desolation with a single volley. But, up against this giant, the scale is forgotten and I have to wonder where we will get a big enough gun.

"Battcomm Jsarworth, call's coming in, all batteries are to withdraw effective immediately!" one of my men calls, one I am pretty sure I sent rushing up that airship.

"Huh, why? We still got rounds." I say, looking back to the small pile we have.

"They're going to give the Gnomon one more chance." he explains and I shrug. Getting out of the seat, I pat this metal friend of ours and leave it be. The One-Fifty-Fifth Field Battery did their part and put in the effort asked of them. We all put in more than what was asked of us these past three days.

All for the reward of a giant which is still on the march.