" RPG! RPG! "

Blue helmeted Allied Nations troops split off and scrambled for cover. They hid behind concrete barriers, construction water barrels, or burned out vehicles as a trio of fin-stabilized rocket propelled grenades streaked towards their parked M1125 Armored Personnel Carrier. Upon impact, the APC was engulfed in a reddish-orange explosion which sent off oily, black smoke. Secondary explosions followed as the APC's .50 cal ammo was cooked off. Major Sean Howard hunkered down behind a brick wall as bullets ricocheted all around him. This wasn't going to be a good day, he thought to himself.

In theory, the final assault on Kong Tan City would adhere to the KISS principle: Keeping-It-Simple, Stupid. At 0900, the Allied Nations unleashed a murderous artillery barrage utilizing the 155mm Howitzers that arrived with the rest of the Ready Reaction Force's equipment. The canons lobbed volley after volley of white phosphorous, high-explosive shells into the city. Wherever the deadly projectiles landed buildings crumbled, vehicles exploded, and the North Korean Army was forced to hole up inside their makeshift bunkers. By pinning the 154th inside those bunkers, it would be easier to enter and take control of the city. M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tanks would lead the push into the city destroying any remaining North Korean T-54s or other armor along the way. Convoys of M1125 APCs crammed with AN soldiers would follow, mopping up any resistance to their advance. The city should have been subdued by 1300 hrs.

It was now 1410 hrs. Murphy's Law, that ever-present trickster that has fouled up every military operation since the beginning of time, made his presence felt here today. Some things never changed on the battlefield. Another explosion rocked the area where the Ready Reaction Force was pinned down. Major Howard knew it was a matter of time before the 154th counterattacked.

General Yung was well-versed in defending a city under siege. He positioned his remaining troops and armor in concentric circles. These were layers of protection that the Allied Nations would have to fight their way through in order to capture Song Tower. The general moved his troops to new fighting positions during the night. When the AN started their artillery barrage this morning, they were shelling the old bunkers. The 154th was still a cohesive fighting unit. When the M1A2 tanks lumbered into the narrow streets and alleyways, small teams of North Korean infantrymen armed with RPG-7s ambushed the metal beasts. Camouflaged 75mm recoilless rifle emplacements opened fire on the vulnerable M1125 APCs or M1025 Scouts as they rolled onto the highway entrance ramps. Over the radio net, Major Howard heard report after report of his units being decimated by remnants of the 154th Infantry Division using strike-and-fade tactics. If there was ever a time for a miracle, thought the AN officer, it should happen now.

His men were returning fire. The distinctive pop-pop-pop of the Allied M4 carbines was a contrast to the staccato buzz of the North Korean AK47s. Major Howard saw several groups of North Korean troops moving towards their position. Some of those troops were carrying RPGs. To make matters worse, a North Korean BMP APC with a 73mm cannon was lumbering down the street. They were trapped in the rubble of what used to be a warehouse. Howard knew that until Chris Jacobs neutralized those mobile signal jammers and those SA-8 anti-air launchers, the Ready Reaction Force couldn't order any airstrikes. No air cover until the area was secured for the flyboys.

Major Howard pointed to his right and the AN gunner swung his M249 Squad Automatic Weapon and fired off a short burst into a group of North Koreans setting up a RPK light machine gun. He tapped the head of another blue helmeted trooper who launched a 40mm antipersonnel grenade into a second group of 154th soldiers trying to flank their position.

The grenade detonated among the group killing every one of them. These were but small victories. It would only last as long as their ammo did. Which wouldn't be very long.

He watched as the enemy BMP APC stopped behind a platoon of North Korean soldiers. When that 73mm cannon starts firing, we're going to see Saint Peter, Paul and the bloody Virgin Mary , the major silently swore to himself. He raised the M4 carbine to his shoulder. After twenty-two years of fighting, I'm going to go out like this…

Neither he nor his men were prepared for what happened next.

The BMP lowered its cannon and fired into the platoon of North Koreans. A hazy mist of crimson was all that was left of their passing. Then the BMP raised its cannon and fired another shell, this time behind the AN troops. Another group of the 154th were killed as the shell exploded right on top of their position. It fired a third time, taking out a 75mm recoilless rifle and its crew. Major Howard stood slack-jawed as a lone figure stood atop the BMP.

Smoking the remnants of the Cohiba they had shared earlier in the day, Major Chris Jacobs looked upon the carnage that he wrought. He was a not a sadist. Nor was he a thrill-seeker. Delta Force weeded out those who were mentally 'unfit'. He was a professional soldier who knew his trade. He knew the three axioms of warfare: surprise, speed, and violence of action. When all three were utilized in concert, the results were terrifying.

Chris wore a Kevlar tactical vest with sheepskin trim over a Wermacht long –sleeved jersey. His trousers were urban camouflaged BDUs tucked into Adidas GSG-9 boots. He was wearing his trademark red-lensed Oakley sunglasses. The ever-present ExOps Bluetooth wireless headset sat in his left ear.

The ex-Delta Force major wore a green Kangol skully on his head. Sitting in a thigh holster was the silenced .45 SOCOM pistol. Slung around his shoulder was a M4 carbine with a M203 40mm grenade launcher. He smiled as he walked towards Major Sean Howard and his AN troops.

" Sorry, mate. I got held up taking out those signal jammers and SA-8s. The zoomies can now come in and deliver some heavy metal for us. "

" You know, for a cheeky colonial bastard, I admire your style. "

Chris touched his wireless headset. He told the operator to hang on as he reached for his secure ExOps Blackberry PDA. He looked up some coordinates on the GPS screen and sent the info via secure e-mail. Upon closing the PDA, he gave Major Howard a wicked grin.

" So what's next Chris? "

There was a rumble in the sky as a flight of three B-52 bombers passed over their position. Seconds later a series of loud explosions rocked the city from its outskirts all the way into the downtown area where Song Tower was located. The sky had darkened as hundreds of bombs impacted their targets clearing a route for the Allied Nations forces to move in.

" I move in and takedown the Ace of Clubs. As SOP, you and the AN get all the credit. Thank goodness, I love the almighty dollar! "

Both men laughed at that.