OPERATION: RAGIN’ MOUSE

The V280 Valor Tiltrotors, sleek and imposing with their futuristic design, descended from the clouds, cutting through the quiet of the Elven Plains. Their powerful engines roared as they approached the outskirts of Mirra, drawing the attention of every Elf in the caravan. Children gasped, wide-eyed in amazement, pointing to the massive machines that seemed to defy the very laws of nature.

Kael Swiftail, still surrounded by a cluster of Elven children, grinned at their astonished faces. He knelt beside a young boy who tugged at his sleeve, eyes glued to the approaching aircraft. "Look at that," Swiftail said softly, pointing skyward. "Those are ours—metal birds that can land as gently as a leaf on water."

Sergeant Targzon, always composed, felt a swell of pride as he watched the tiltrotors approach. The awe in the children’s eyes mirrored the pride he carried—these machines were the very heart of their strength, and today, that strength was on full display for the Elves to witness.

Corporal Brightclaw, the medic, couldn’t hide her fascination either. "Isn't it incredible?" she whispered to the children around her, her tone tinged with excitement. "This is what allows us to protect you—these powerful metal birds."

Corporal Stoneclaw, camera in hand, captured the children's reactions. Their wide-eyed wonder, their small hands pointing to the skies—it was a moment she knew would be remembered. "They’ve probably never seen anything like this," she mused quietly to herself, marveling at how two worlds were colliding in this moment.

As the Valors began to descend, the Beastkin soldiers guided the Elven caravan a safe distance away. The scene that unfolded was surreal—an intersection of two worlds. The medieval charm of wooden wagons and ox-drawn carts juxtaposed against the sleek, black Valors that now dominated the Elven Plains.

The sound of the tiltrotors' engines slowly diminished as the aircraft landed smoothly, their black livery gleaming in the soft sunlight. The distinctive emblem of an arrow with upturned wings adorned the tail, a symbol of the elite forces now emerging from the craft.

From the Valors, a stream of highly specialized teams disembarked. First was the Hostage Rescue Team from Archer 2-8-2, led by Kyle Thompson, moving with precision and discipline. Right behind them were the crew chiefs from Archer 2-8-1, already preparing for the critical task of rearming and refueling the Valors for the next phase of their mission. And finally, the Hero Blake, along with his security team from Archer 2-8-3, stepped onto the plains, drawing more curious glances from the Elves.

The rearming operation began in full swing. The crew chiefs meticulously loaded ammunition into the Valors' miniguns, checking and rechecking the external rocket and missile racks with practiced efficiency. The Elves watched in awe, their eyes following every movement, unable to comprehend the intricacy of the weapons being mounted on the strange flying machines.

"What are those...?" one of the Elven children asked timidly, looking up at Corporal Brightclaw.

Brightclaw smiled warmly and knelt beside the child. "Those are weapons," she explained gently, "but they're here to protect you and your people."

At the same time, the refueling team approached the Valors, equipped with specialized gear designed to handle the mana crystals—the powerful, glowing stones that powered the aircraft. Large crystals were carefully removed from the Valors, their light dim from the long flight, and replaced with fresh, radiant mana crystals retrieved from the supply trucks. The whole process was done with smooth, synchronized movements, like a well-rehearsed ballet of military precision.

From a distance, the Elves watched in silent amazement, their thoughts clouded with a mixture of admiration and confusion. Lorian, standing among them, shook his head in disbelief. "I never imagined the Beastkin could possess such power," he murmured. "How...?"

"Times have changed," Wellknife said, overhearing the comment, a small smile playing on his lips. "We've changed. And now, we’re here to help."