Mythran's Master Of All

Ren and the dwarves discussed the best places to set up the Automatic Ballistas. The dwarves were surprised at first, that Ren would even consider asking them their opinion; but, once they started talking, they realized he really wanted their input. Their lives were on the line, and if they didn't like how things were, it wouldn't help the situation at all.

They eventually decided on spacing the 7 Automatic Ballistas a hundred feet apart, so they spanned an arc 600 feet across. The field of fire ended about half a mile out from that. Since the moat around the giant camp was a full circle, they'd positioned the artillery weapons on one-third of that circle, and the field of fire expanded out from there. If they were quick, each Ballista could turn slightly and shoot anything within that range that any other Ballista could shoot at.

Ren ran out to just within the half mile mark and built a 25 foot tall wooden stand. He covered it in white fabric, then used black fabric to cut out a figure the size of a giant and quickly tacked it to the fabric. It could be shot a bunch of times and not be destroyed, or have to be repaired like a wooden target would be.

Ren ran back to the dwarves and told them all about the Ballistas, how they worked, and how they were modified. If anything went wrong, they were to tell him immediately so he could fix them right away. The dwarves were eager to try it out, and he told them they could each shoot up to two shots. He thought they'd try and fight over who got to shoot first; but they lined up calmly behind his Ballista and waited.

“Now, I made the target intentionally off-center, so you have to move the Ballista slightly to use it.” Ren said. “Aim carefully, then shoot. I'm assuming you need a ranging shot, so that's why you can shoot twice.”

The dwarves nodded slightly.

“Once the fighting starts, though... you're going to be shooting on the fly. You won't have a long time to aim. You might have to move it, or you might just be able to sit there and unload.” Ren smiled. “We won't know until the battle what will happen.”

“I know what'll happen.” The first dwarf said as he stepped up to the Ballista. He shifted the end slightly to use the sights, lined up on the target, and pulled the trigger. The 6 foot long metal tipped bolt shot out, flew across the distance, and went right through the chest of the target.

“We're gonna kick their giant asses.”

“Yeah!” “Ha ha!” “That's my partner for you!”

The dwarf adjusted the lift crank half a turn, then fired again. The bolt went right through the head of the 'giant', and he turned the lift crank back down to where it was, and moved the back slightly off-center, so the next dwarf would have to adjust it for himself.

Ren nodded to the dwarf, who stepped back to let the next dwarf take his two shots. The same thing happened with him, and then with each of the other dwarves. By the time the last dwarf shot, Ren was grinning from ear to ear.

“The Commander wasn't kidding when he said you guys were the elite fighters.” Ren said. “I'm really glad you came along.”

“So are we.” One of them said. “We're the first to use these awesome weapons in actual battle!”

“It's the first full scale battle against giants.” Ren said. “We needed giant weaponry.”

“Let them come.” The same dwarf said. “They are not getting to our land!”

“Yeah!” “Kill them all!”

“Keep watch. I've got to gather the expended bolts, and then get some food to the giants in the camp.” Ren said. “Take your positions!” He ordered.

They saluted him and ran to their designated artillery weapons. He nodded slightly at their quick hustle, and then ran out to the target.