Before Laura left she had made sure to get the biopsy report on the Void beast. She didn't expect anything from it but to her surprise she learned something new that wasn't within her calculations. There was an unknown foreign device implanted into its core.
Laura wanted to study it more since it looked like void tech, but she had other duties to handle on the front lines so she took the small device with her. The researchers complained, but Laura wasn't going to argue. If these Forsaken somehow found a way to control Hallowed Ones, that doesn't forbid well for anyone.
Them having a way to control them would also explain why they were even brought into this world. Forsaken might hate creation and everything inside it, but they're not stupid enough to kill everyone. They were like a parasite, and needed them to grow stronger outside of just killing others from the void like she did.
It's why they were so cruel. It was survival. While they feed on any strong emotion, the void made it so they were naturally cruel so they could grow faster.
However that was something to worry about later, for now she needed to hurry back to the front lines. She stepped off the boarding ship and walked onto the docks and looked around noting how the place was covered by militia patrolling the area.
Despite the fact this was the result of war, and normally there wouldn't be any military personnel in a civilian city, it felt like home. Unlike most countries, the Zari Nation didn't have regular police. They had military police in every city. Her princesses' nation was one of the most militarized countries in the world and Laura was proud of her.
Though admittedly the Dwarven nation, while not militarized, was far more advanced than any nation in the world.
"If we can steal their technology somehow, we might be able to defend against all of Zenesha's enemies… or kill them." Laura muttered to herself as she greeted her escorts.
"Ma'am." Kathrin greeted with a salute. "It's nice to see you again, care to hear my report?"
Laura waved her off, and followed the maid dressed rabbit into a waiting vehicle. None of the other soldiers reacted, so they must've gotten desensitized by her outfit at this point. Kathrin must've been settled into a desk job in the corner somewhere before this considering how surprised everyone was before.
She felt like a high rank officer dressed as a maid would've been well known. Laura liked the maid. Not as a friend, more as someone that found a cute animal they found entertaining. Admittedly after she developed feelings for Zenesha she started feeling… more.
Perhaps her feeling on Kathrin was closer to friendship, but she wouldn't know. That wasn't something she had ever experience.
"How have you been holding up?" Laura asked curiously. "You've been working with Rachel while I was away have you not? Any Progress?"
"Oh, uh… no… not yet." Kathrin stammered.
Laura hoped to study a relationship between two mortals close by to help her with her own relationship with Zenesha. Unfortunately Kathrin seemed to be an emotional coward. Guess she really did have to help. Not that she knew how she managed to get Zenesha to like her. She's still amazed it worked out!
"Mm, Guess I'll be too busy whenever I have to meet Rachel in the foreseeable future." Laura muttered.
"... Ma'am you can't skip out on your duties like that."
"Tch." Laura will admit part of her wanted to use this as an excuse to skip out on work.
"Anyway where are we going?"
"This is why I asked if you wanted the briefing." Kathrin sighed. "We'll be heading to sector delta first."
"That's the central force right?"
"Correct." Confirmed the rabbit. "Turns out everyone in their army having powers is a problem. We managed to overwhelm them with sheer numbers, causing a temporary confusion."
"But they're now prepared, and are once again fighting back with level heads."
"Essentially yes."
"How's moral?" Laura asked.
"It's still high. But it's definitely lower."
Laura hummed in thought. She couldn't let this nation lose too much of its military power since that'll mean less power for Zenesha to use. Because their safety means Zenesha's, she had an uncommonly high desire to keep her soldiers safe.
Then a thought occurred to her. Zenesha should be meeting with the witch at this point. Once she gets the basics down on using that so-called holy sword, she'll ask them to come back to the front lines. Even modern weaponry would pale in comparison to someone that mastered that weapon.
"That sword is too useful… Will I be able to turn it into scrap at this point?"
"What do you mean Ma'am?"
"You don't have to worry about it right now."
"Alright. What do you plan to do Ma'am?"
That was the question. Sure bringing Zenesha here to become a force of nature would help, that'll have to be at a later date. She had to figure out things on her own for now. She fell silent as she tried to think of an answer to give Kathrin.
"Wait." Laura said, her ears perking up on her head. "I have an idea."
"May I hear it Ma'am?"
"... Just let the soldiers know I'll be going behind enemy lines to disrupt it." Laura said. "Once I do that, order all those with long range powers that affect large areas to launch a barrage into the enemy."
"Do you have a team in mind to take with you?"
Laura smiled, the fangs showing as she answered the rabbit. "I'll be going alone."
=======
Laura and Kathrin arrived at their destination the next day. The once beautiful countryside was now nothing more than mud, blood, and flesh. The air was thick with rot, smoke, and blood as their soldiers hid in trenches.
The trenches were well built however, the walls reinforced by concrete, with proper drainage for water that ended up down there. They had covered the ground with gravel and inlaid proper pathways to make sure their soldiers always had proper footing.
Yet even with properly built trenches, grime, soot, blood, and other grime covered everything. Yet they still had to take proper care of sanitation even on a battlefield to the best of their abilities. An army can lose not from the might of the enemy, but simply from exhaustion and fever.
Laura walked over one soldier crying out in pain, their head bleeding thanks to being shot in the head, but still alive thanks to their helmets protecting them. Kathrin followed close behind, and despite the surrounding being and air being dirty enough even Laura couldn't avoid it; the rabbit looked perfectly fine.
Laura wondered what she was doing to stay so immaculately clean, but didn't think too hard about it. She continued to walk through the trenches until she reached one of the bunkers and stepped inside. There, in a room with a short ceiling and standing around a table was Rachel and a new General from New Veroso she hadn't met before.
"Laura? I didn't realize you arrived." Rachel said once she noticed the wolf's presence.
Upon hearing her words everyone in the room turned to face her. With a cooled face that refused to smile at anyone, Laura approached the table. She looked at the map that represented the battlefield.
Satellites made it easy to spy on the enemy from above, but that also meant they could do the same thing. Part of the reason they had trenches was because they could have the paths lead underground while it twisted and turned every which way. Even if they can see them from above, they can't make a proper map of their location.
"Did you get my proposal?"
"You mean that ridiculous suggestion was a joke?" The Veroso General scoffed. "What are you going to do by yourself? Blowing up one location, that'll hardly be enough to cause them to lose their cool."
He was an older man somewhere in his late fifties early sixties. He seemed to dislike working with them just from the principle of the matter so Laura had already dismissed any words he decided to say. Thankfully Newman was here and he was much more preferable to speak with.
"Nice to see you again everyone." Laura greeted, ignoring the older man. "And nice to meet those I haven't seen yet."
The wolf made sure to pointedly keep her attention firmly away from the older general, but gave Newman a friendly handshake. It was clear to everyone that she had a problem with the General themself and not with New Veroso. It was also clear she was purposely trying to get under his skin.
"Anyway Rachel knows I wouldn't joke about this." Laura said, looking towards the Condor.
"Condor Ward is also smart enough to know one person ca-"
"When do you plan to head out Underwood?" Rachel asked, leaving the older General sputtering in disbelief, which caused her to smirk in satisfaction.
"How about tomorrow? Let our essence users rest a little. I'll head out early in the morning, before the sun even rises."
Rachel gave a single nod. Laura felt like the half cat has grown to trust her a great amount since war broke out. Same with Iris, even if she was a little more stubborn to admit it.
"Then I'll take my leave. Kathrin will be the one to coordinate the essence users in my stead, so talk with her." Laura said to Rachel while gesturing to Kathrin.
"Understood…." Rachel paused before asking, "Is there anything you… need?"
Laura held back a laugh at how uncertain the cat seemed. She knew what she truly was, but she wasn't sure as to what extent her powers stretched. It probably didn't help that she never once saw Laura hold or carry a gun before. That fact probably put her more on edge.
"Don't worry Condor, I have everything I need in this bag." Laura said, holding up the bag she's had for years now.
"Newman, say something, you can't possibly be alright with this."
General Newman shrugged with a faraway look in his eyes. Laura suspected he was thinking back to when he too briefly questioned her before she returned holding the enemy General. He must be wondering what she'll do this time.
Once she was sure no one of importance had anything more to say to her she left the bunker, this time alone. Kathrin was left behind with Rachel. Any work she could dump on the rabbit, she would gladly take.
"I wonder where they serve the food. I'm starving." Laura muttered as she walked away."