Iron Crossed Realms

Chapter 2

3rd POV, Frostbite Mountains

The wind howled across the icy plains of the northern border, a relentless force that carried the biting cold deep into the bones of anyone brave or foolish enough to be outside. But for Tilo, this was just another day at the edge of the Reich, where the landscape was as harsh as the enemies that lay beyond it. The towering peaks of the Frostbite Mountains loomed in the distance, a natural barrier between the Teutonic Reich and the Nordic Empire/Norse Federation.

Tilo stood next to his Panzermech, the massive machine half-covered in a thick layer of frost, despite the steam that hissed from its joints. He was dressed in his winter combat gear, thick and insulated against the cold, with a fur-lined helmet that offered some protection from the frigid air. His breath formed clouds as he worked, his gloved hands adjusting the new thruster pack he had been testing—the Sturmschwinge.

The Sturmschwinge was an upgrade from the standard thruster packs used by the Reich's Panzermechs. It was designed for maximum maneuverability in rough, icy terrain, using advanced steam jets and reinforced hydraulics to allow for sharp turns, quick bursts of speed, and more stable landings on uneven ground. It was a piece of equipment that Tilo had been eager to test in the field, knowing it could give him a significant edge in the brutal northern theater of the war.

"So ready to test the new bad boy out," a female voice said

He turned to see a beautiful woman walk up to him, wearing a scientist lab coat over a pair of greasy clothes. This was Dr. Lina von Wagner, she was one of the R&D workers for the military, she mainly worked on the mechs, developing new weapons for them. She was known for being a talented engineer as well, she was responsible for making the new internal comms for the Panzermechs

"Sure, as long as I don't blow up," Tilo said with a smile,"heard the last prototype nearly killed the pilot when the last model went boom."

"Yes, sadly we didn't calibrate the fuel system properly," Lina said as she smiled,"but don't worry, we double checked everything and made sure everything is fine. So why don't you get in and start the training, or do I have to kick you in?"

"Be lucky your my supervisor or this would turn into something else."

"Oohh kinky."

Tilo chuckled as he climbed into the cockpit, his breath still visible in the frigid air, and fired up the Panzermech's systems. The machine roared to life, the new thruster pack emitting a low hum as it powered up, the roar of the engines were like a lions pride roaring together. Tilo ran through the checklist, making sure everything was in order before taking it for a spin.

"Okay, this is Private Eisenhart of KR Panzermech 0-1," Tilo said into the internal comms,"beginning testing phase of Sturmschwinge thruster packs."

"Copy that Private Eisenhart," Lina said on comms,"test starts now."

Tilo started up the thrusters on the Panzermech, it moved with a surprising fluidity, gliding across the snow-covered ground as Tilo tested the thrusters, sending the mech into sharp turns and quick dashes. The Sturmschwinge responded beautifully, the steam jets firing with precision, allowing him to maneuver with ease despite the slippery terrain.

"How is it," Lina asked

"Moves like a dream," Tilo said as he glides on the ground,"I might kick it up a notch, let's see if this thing can handle the pressure."

"Okay, but keep it under 90%, we don't know what will happen if you push it to hard."

"Understood."

Just as he was about to push the thrusters to their limit, a sharp tone echoed through the cockpit, signaling an incoming communication. Tilo raised an eyebrow, humming as he flipped the switch to receive the call, the voice of his commanding officer crackling through the speakers.