Final Fantasy 8: Red Orchestra
Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Final Fantasy 8.
Chapter 1: Army is my Family
We had just finished setting up our position. This was the first day of our attack. Regular and Rocket Artillery were assembled and placed quickly and it seemed that the enemy forces in the City ahead knew nothing of our presence. But then again they couldn't know. I looked over to one side and saw Airstrips being laid down. Fighters and bombers would be necessary for this operation. Everyone seemed excited though. How could they be so excited? This was war. Plus the report we were given didn't make any sense. The entire file spoke of magic and monsters. However the portal we came through made me more sober since I had experienced that and even that seemed unreal. This place however looked like Earth which was a relief…well it mostly looked like Earth. The city ahead was huge and looked kinda of French design. But that was the odd part. This was another world. I stopped thinking about it. I decided to ask the Captain.
I walked up to my Captain. "Comrade Captain." I saluted. "Tell me more about this mission. Mos-"
He cut me off "We are in another world with many dangers. You read the reports. Monsters, magic, and other problems lay ahead. Even I do not have all the answers. However the briefing will start. Line up the men and women."
"Yes Comrade Captain." I ran to the rest of my company. "Comrades! Line up!"
Everyone lined up quickly as we always did. Comrade Captain Chernyakhovsky paced back and forth for 5 Minutes before stopping. "Comrades. I know the reports that were given went on about monsters in the area and magic. I was part of the first reconnaissance and I can say the reports are true, we lost many comrades because of this damnable world. The city in the far far distance is called Dollet. We raided the library there and we know the basics of this world…heh when I say we I mean me and a few others in charge. Anyway most, but not all of the armies of this world use swords with long range magic; however some do not. They have almost no Armor force nor Air Force. In fact we have found nothing on any kind of Air Force at all. Armor Forces however do exists but no known armor divisions are stationed here. I-"
"Comrades! Air reconnaissance drones detect defensive positions inside the city!"
Captain Chernyakhovsky looked at the officer. "Right." He looked at us. "Looks like the show will start sooner than planned."
As soon as he said that all of the artillery that had been set up began to fire. This was my first battle even from this distance the smoke the fire; it was a dose of reality. I knew that it would get worse as we went closer to the city.
Captain Chernyakhovsky looked at the ground. "Many of you are not experienced in war. But follow these rules, some by sniper Fyodor Matveyevich Okhlopkov, and you will be fine: Don't try to imitate others, do not take one step back show the enemy and your comrades that you will fight to the last of your strength, if you get separated or are found alone do not be afraid to look for help, and do not use a spear when you need a needle. Follow those simple rules and you should be fine. Now my boys and girls we should be deployed in a few hours. This world has few cities however they are huge. Many are the size of small nations. The Liberation of this world from Capitalist Oppression will be a long one. But you are the first ever to take part of the Liberation of another world. Anyway use the time you have now to talk to you comrades. Dismissed."
I saluted. I almost think he wanted to add in 'it may be the last time you see them' but I shook off that feeling. I walked over to a comrade in my unit but I had never introduced myself to her before. "Hello." I offered a handshake. "My name is Korey Luck."
She accepted the handshake. "Mine is Nadya Mogoliv."
She was a Soviet. Black hair, seemed somewhat skinny but not to any extremes. Her blue eyes sparked like Vodka. She was a fine example of Russian beauty. I began to get nervous. She continued "You are an American. One of many of the first Generation to be accepted in the Soviet Army since the collapse of Capitalism in America."
"Yes I am. Lots of Americans are here. Why is that?" I asked.
"One of my friends is an officer. She said that in this world they speak a language similar to American English. So as a result Americans were allowed to join the Soviet Army for this mission."
"That explains everything except for the fact that on another world they speak English. Anyway have you seen combat?"
"Nyet…no." She looked at the artillery. "This will be hell. Most of the Soldiers here think this will be easy and they will return heroes."
She sighed. I understood what she was saying. I was in fact relieved that I wasn't the only one worried.
"Comrades! Enemy Forces are charging our positions. Get ready!" An officer yelled.
"Let's stick together Comrade Mogoliv." I offered.
"Da, yes very good idea." She said.
I laid on the ground facing the charging enemy forces. Armed with an AK-103 with a GP-30 under barrel grenade launcher attached I waited for the order to attack.
"Comrades! Fire when the enemy enters range!"
I didn't bother to see who said that. But I was sure he had the authority. I wasn't paying much attention. Truth was I was scared. Real combat…I could die. However when the enemies became clearer I saw that they were armed with swords. I saw no guns. That made me feel better however not all would be armed with just swords in the future. No time, gun fire began, and as a result I panicked and began firing as well. Nothing was hit so I stopped. I saw one enemy soldier stopped, his hand lit up, he yelled "Fire!" and a ball a fire crashed into a piece of artillery. The crew around it was hurt and the piece was on fire however it just fired and was not loaded. I looked at the foes ahead and opened fire. This time I didn't panic. My Comrades needed me. As the enemies ran forward many were mowed down by AK fire some from mine. When I ran out of Ammunition I put my finger on the grenade launcher aimed carefully at a line of enemy soldiers, I slowly stalked them with the sight and suddenly fired almost on instinct. I was rewarded though; the fragmentation grenade found its mark killing 3. I reloaded but by the time was done I saw the enemy was retreating. I breathed sigh of relief; however I stood up and that relief went away. I saw that we had taken some hard hits. Nadya Mogoliv slowly stood up she glanced at me and turned away.
"Comrade maybe you should change."
I was confused I looked down and saw what she meant. How embarrassing I turned away quickly.
"Do not worry she said. I was so scared I wet my pants too." She said in a sympathetic way.
Captain Chernyakhovsky walked up to us. "Good work, now get situated and be back in 10 minutes."
"Well I'm glad he said it nicely." I said to Nadya.
"Me too." She replied.
I ran with her to our huge tent. We showered quickly, changed, and got back to the front in time. It took a shorter time than I thought. Comrade Chernyakhovsky hadn't even come back to our unit to give us our new orders. I walked up to one of the wounded artillerymen.
"Are you ok comrade?" I asked.
"Yes. Just a few burns. I'll be ok." He spoke with a German Accent.
I walked up to two officers and over heard them saying "We lost only 3 men and one piece of artillery was damaged. However 20 men and women are wounded. But look at how many we killed. The defense was a success." He looked at me. "Yes Comrade?"
"Nothing."
"Then go away. We are busy." He said somewhat calmly somewhat in a hostile way.
I went back to where Nadya was. "Are you ok?" I asked.
"Yes, fine now. But a darker road lies ahead."
I nodded. She was right.
