Chapter 9: Battle Assessments

Once again here's a little 'aftermath' after each day of battle, just like Night Of Pondering. It is also needed to know what happens after the battle and what plans each side needs to do. So here it is.

While there is battle at the Round Tops, the battle on the second day also raged elsewhere. Thankfully the Union, their allies and the Digidestineds drove them back, especially their elite FAITH battalions. There is also a real close at Culp's Hill and at the Union center where Union Major General Daniel Sickles made a forward move. Shinn, Rey and Lunamaria were part of Longstree's corps, and are part of Major General Lafayette McLaws' division. With their mobile suits, they burst through Sickles' grounds.

Getting through Sickles' lines was not without difficulty. They had multiple weapons there, especially Prism Tanks, Tesla Tanks, Predator Tanks, Dragoons, Goliaths and others, including aircraft such as Commanches, Apaches, Harries, Vikings (in their aerial form), Hind-D, Twinblades (RA3) and Banshees (Starcraft 2). Soon enough, Longstreet's corps smashes through their lines and the survivors were forced into retreat to Cemetery Ridge, at Hancock's lines.

Sickle's corps was almost wiped out, but was rendered entire useless, as Sickles' himself; during the battle against Confederate General McLaws' whole division, a chance shot from a Confederate artillery shell smashed into his right tibia. Sickles ordered a soldier to improvise a tourniquet out of a saddle strap and he was carried off to a nearby field hospital, stoically smoking a cigar. Afterwards, David Birney assumes command of Sickles' 3rd Corps.

Lieutenant General Winfield Hancock had got to help out Sickles' faltering corps, so he sends out some divisions down to the Wheat Field and saved the rest, securing all other Digidestineds that needs help.

The Confederates under the command of Lt. Gen. Richard Ewell and including some FAITH members have successfully taken Culp's Hill and overwhelm the Union forces garrisoned there. Major General Roy Mustang and Field Marshal Ra-Khan know that location must not be in Confederate control so they send reinforcements, including Ra-Khan's niece Re-Mii (also a Digidestined) and other Digidestineds to reclaim it. The Confederates do have taken the hill, but could not hold out against a counter attack, which the Union send heavy weaponries and infantry supporters such as Goliaths, Vikings, Immortals, King Oni (from RA3) and Avatar Warmechs (from C&C Tiberium Wars, and probably additional weapons from Kane's Wrath, C&C Red Alert 2, 3 and Generals too]. They were able to push them back successfully and retaken the hill.

Later as dusk comes, the battle ended at Longstreet's front, although the fight on Cemetery Hill and Culp's Hill continues on into the dead of night until around midnight. Now its time the Confederates know what errors they made.

At the Confederate hospital zone, Lt. Gen. James Longstreet comes to check in on the soldiers (who were wounded much) and fellow Lt. Gen. John Bell Hood or Sam, who had been severely wounded. When the battle's going to start, he became the victim of an artillery shell exploding on his head and severely damaging his left arm. Here the two high ranking Generals talk to one another.

Longstreet: "Sam?"
Doctor 1: "We drugged him sir. It'd be better if he slept."
Hood: (in a drugged state) "Didn't see much... the boys went in and hit the rocks. How'd it go Pete?"
Longstreet: "...Fine Sam."
Hood: "We take the rocks?"
Longstreet: "Most of 'em."
Hood: "Worst... ground... I ever saw. They call it... Devil's Den. I think, that's a proper name for it... What casualties we got?"
Longstreet: "Don't know yet."
Hood: "You gotta give my boys credit. You should've let me go to the right... Think about what you've done Pete..."
Doctor 2: "I think you should let him rest sir."
Longstreet: "Right. Gotta go Sam. Get well."

Longstreet went out, seeing the soldiers being hurt from their wounds and doctors and field medics operating on them, hearing the shrill choirs of painful moans and sometimes screams, both inside and outside the tents. He then goes to Gen. Lee to know what else is next. "General, I'm glad to see you well." Lee said. "Oh, I just came by my orders sir." Longstreet replied.

As they walk on by they see a cavalry general of theirs who had foolishly been long absent. "Well it appears that Gen. Stuart has arrived." Lee said, Longstreet notices some annoyance in his tone. Maj. Gen. James Ewell Brown Stuart, or JEB, wasn't there when they need him to know the Federal lines.

Then Longstreet and Lee went in his HQ, alone and in private. Lee takes a seat, being exhausted from today. Shinn, Rey (both had returned from ), and Col. and commander of the FAITH regiment Talia Gladys, were also invited to come along with them.

Lee: "It was very close this afternoon."
Talia: "Sir?"
Lee: "They nearly broke. I could feel them breaking. For a moment I thought I saw our flags go up the hill."
Talia: "It wasn't close."
Lee: "The attacks weren't properly coordinated, I do not know why. And nevertheless we nearly won the day. I could see a clear way all the way to ORB. How's Gen. Hood?"
Longstreet: "He'll live. May lose an arm." (Although never amputated, he was unable to use it for the rest of his life.)
Lee: "Dear God... I cannot spare him. So many good men were lost today."
Shinn: "I agree sir. I thought the Digidestineds and everyone there weren't that strong."
Rey: "Yes, but you should know that every one of them are formidable under certain circumstances."
Longstreet: "Well, Lewis Armistead took the Peach Orchard and Wheatfield, but he couldn't get up the ridge. And Hood he seized the Devil's Den but couldn't get up that rocky hill. The Federals still hold the heights, and they're reinforced. Err, General? That way on the right is still open. If we can still make a move there..."

Lee: "I'll think on it General."
Talia: "We have enough artillery and battalions for one more fight, just one."
Lee: "I know. Let me think on it."
Shinn: "Sir, please..."
Lee: "I'm very glad to see you all well. We will speak again in the morning."

They can't protest on Lee's wishes. So they all made their salutes and off they go, leaving Lee to ponder what's next.

Night has fallen already. The Confederate generals Lewis "Lo" Armistead, George Pickett, James Kempler and Richard Garnett are having a chat with one another when Longstreet arrives.

Pickett: "Good evening sir." (Salutes him along with his brigade commanders.)
Longstreet: (Returning the salute) "Carry on gentlemen; don't want to interrupt your fun."
Armistead: "Oh General, you're just in time. I've been trying to persuade George here that there is nothing wrong with Metal music. After all, its just music made to entertain everyone. He does not subscribe."
Longstreet: "Is it?"
Pickett: "I do not. I've persuading Lo here to stop filling his head with such heathen blasphemies. After all, I think that metal music seems to only make the people rebellious and certain to cause any kind of trouble when the Destiny Plan is made. It is hence that it needs to be banned. It's nothing but noise and mayhem anyway. And think about the past troubles it has caused to either audience and band members."

Kemper: "Well nothing good here for tonight of having a fine whiskey. And George's right you know."
Garnett: "Absolutely. Would you want some sir?"
Longstreet: "No, thank you gentlemen."
Pickett: "Of course, it is necessary for all conflicts to end once and for all. Everyone has to follow the Destiny Plan. I think that Durandal has found a solution for everyone, especially Digimons. Speaking of which, we need to have Digimons who have significant powers. Since they're too are needed to follow the Destiny Plan, those who had good and efficient powers need to be initiated into our army. Each and every one needs to have something destined in their genes just like humans. I think that it is also good to conquer their homeworld. Do you agree boys?"

Kempler: "Yeah I do. I kinda want to have a Digimon myself."
Garnett: "Yes, me too."
Armistead: "I sympathize. Look Pete, there's wrong or bad about metal music. And furthermore, I think that Digimons too should live free."
Longstreet: "I agree. But you know Durandal's wishes. All conflicts must be brought to an end. However I don't even know what sides I should take here."
Garnett: "Well, you know doing this is for the sake of peace and total liberty you know."
Longstreet: "Man I don't know. Excuse me gentlemen."

Longstreet leaves, with Armistead in tow, to his (Longstreet's) tent. There they have a little private chat. They talk about Armistead's past and his friendship with Union Lt. Gen. (I made him like this here) Winfield Scott Hancock. Both are dear friends, almost like brothers, but both serve different allegiances. Despite all this, Armistead holds a deep, loyal, unbreakable friendship. In his own words, as he is filled with emotions as he tells Longstreet, "I took him by the shoulder. I said as we are preparing to leave the next day, 'Win, listen to me, If I should raise my hands against you, may God strike me dead.''"

Meanwhile at Round Top, the 20th Maine and the Digidestineds there, including Ruuji's men, rest. The Digimons themselves have rested and regain their energies as they eat dinner. As for Tai and Kari, they look at the stars shining above the blackened sky.

Kari: "Aren't they pretty?"
Tai: "They are. Even in this conflict, they still shine beautifully."
Kari: "Do you think they might be attacking us again tomorrow?"
Tai: "Well it doesn't look like they're planning to leave."
Kari: "Big brother, you did magnificently today. The way the Rebs just kept on coming. You gotta admire them."
Tai: "Yeah. Well Kari, how about we spend time together for the moment. We may never know what will happen tomorrow."
Kari: "Right. I love you Tai."
Tai: "Me too Kari. I'll protect you no matter what and always."

And so the loving siblings watch the stars together in each other's arms.

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Back at the Union lines at the Leister House, Meade's HQ; the generals there, including Roy Mustang, Maes Hughes, Winfield Scott Hancock, Ra-Khan, Lacus, Yoh, Anna, Murrue Ramius and many others were discussing plans, matters and strategies for tomorrow, trying their best what Lee's or Durandal's next moves will be, their council of war. They crowded into a tiny bedroom; it was hot and stuffy but they were all too tired and emotionally drained to worry about creature comforts.

The mood was cautiously optimistic, after all, despite a number of close calls, the Rebels failed to drive them from their positions. And despite the virtual destruction of Sickles' corps, the army was as strongly positioned at the end of the day as it had been since the start of the battle. The meeting was general and unfocused until Lacus spoke up.

Lacus: "One thing we get to settle this is of 3 questions I have. First, should the army remain where it was or should it select a different position to defend? Second, if we stay, should the army remain on the defensive or seize the initiative and attack? And third, if we stay, how long should we remain here in Gettysburg?"

Murrue: "Well Lacus, from your third question, we might still have enough supplies for everyone for one more day, two if we're able to take advantage of local produce."
Roy: "And keep in mind we can't hold in this town forever. Everything we got is limited and that includes morale. I wonder if all other Digidestineds and our forces can hold on..."

Then Brigadier General Daniel Butterfield speaks up.

Butterfield: "Keep a mental note of the Digidestineds here. We got to help them just as much as they helped us. I'm glad they helped us, but in reality, this is a military issue, supposed to be done by us in the army. They're only putting themselves in danger. Not that I'm having any problems with them though."

Yoh: "We know that, but all what we held dear is being threatened. That's why we're here and got to work together."
Hancock: "He's right. Durandal's a threat to all. We need a lot of people willing to fight, especially in this condition."

Roy: "...Alright. I think that we should remain and maintain our current position. This might be a good choice, right Ms. Clyne?"
Lacus: "If you think that is appropriate sir, then it's alright."
Roy: "Is this alright Meade sir?"
Meade: "I guess, it might be. So far, I agree in this one."
Butterfield: "And if so, then I think we should remain defensive and wait for the enemy's next move."
Roy: "I agree. Let us see what Lee and or Durandal will do next. It might be appropriate for us to know what next move is good."

Murrue: "Right. But then how long should we stay?"
Maes: "I think, we let tomorrow provide the answer to that."
Meade: "Not a very lightening answer Hughes."
Maes: "True. But we certainly don't know the answer as of the moment."
Roy: "He's right. We don't know what will happen next. We definitely need to be on our toes here and plan out as much as possible what the enemy will do next."

After all those, and into midnight, meeting is adjourned after 3 hours of discussing matters. General Meade then tells or predicts to Roy, Brig. Gen. John Gibbon and Roy, "If Lee attacks tomorrow, it will be in your front. He has made attacks on both our flanks and failed and if he concludes to try it again, it will be on our centre for sure." Ra-Khan agrees with him. "Gen. Meade's correct. I can tell that they are sure to strike our center."

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Meanwhile, Lacus went on with a worry on her face as she got out getting air. "Kira... Please be safe." she prayed into the night. "Don't worry Lacus. Kira is fine, I'm sure of it." Re-Mii reassures her. "Right. Kira is very strong. Thanks Re-Mii." Lacus said with a smile. Re-Mii smiles back, but with a hint of worry hidden in it. She too was worried about Ruuji. "Ruuji, please come back in one piece." Re-Mii said to herself in her thoughts.

So it ends the second day of battle. It is already July 3, and a very titanic battle will soon come, and when it's over, it will determine which side shall emerge triumphantly not only in the battle, but the whole war.

So here's where it ends. Stay tune everyone, for the third and final day of battle of Gettysburg is now being written. A big, titanic, epic, almost Ragnarok-like battle will soon take place, and the fate of mankind, metal and Digiworld, in the balance it will hang and it all rests in all our heroes and heroines' hands...