The Major and the squad sneaked slowly trying not to make any noise. As the squad inched closer and closer, they could hear the ZAFT soldiers murmuring, as they got closer, their trenches were visible and so was the second trench. The ZAFT soldiers in the trenches were visible now. The 101st airborne was only ten metres away, tension grew with each silent step, The Major got within range of the soldiers, he and Captain Bratkov sprayed the trench with their sub-machineguns while the other squad members picked off the remaining ZAFT soldiers in the first trench. A haze of spent gunpowder immediately filled the air. Shouts from the second trench had erupted a hail of machinegun fire, the airborne squad had jumped in the trenches in time just before the bullets could hit them.
"Regroup squad." The Major shouted whilst machinegun fire was rattling in the background. "Alright squad, here's how the plan works. Captain Bratkov, Sergeant Asuka and I will be providing covering fire while Lieutenant Jensen and Corporal Loussier will both throw two grenades each. After the grenades explode; Loussier, Jensen and Asuka will provide covering fire while Captain Bratkov and I will charge the lines and clear that trench out. Understood?" The Major shouted amongst gunfire. Everyone nodded.
The machineguns at the other side of the trenches were still rattling about and whizzing past the trench that the airborne squad was in. Everyone knew their part and was ready. "Captain Bratkov, Sergeant Asuka, wait for my command to suppress that trench." The Major slowly lifted his head protected by the M1 steel helmet. He waited for the machine gunners to run out of ammunition. A few seconds later, the enemy machinegun stopped rattling. The Major screamed: "Suppressing fire!" The Major and Captain Bratkov sprayed a hail of bullets at the enemy gunners while Sergeant Shinn Asuka had pounded the enemy positions with his .30cal BAR, Shinn was gritted his teeth showing his aggressiveness and his eyes were full of fury. The enemy ducked to protect themselves from the deadly hail of bullets. Corporal Loussier and Lieutenant Jensen threw two grenades each as far as they could. The squad quickly reloaded their weapons and waited for the explosions. The explosions from the grenades came one after the other sending shrapnel whizzing around every direction. "Captain Bratkov let's go!" The Major shouted getting out of the trench and charging the enemy trench with Captain Bratkov while Sergeant Asuka, Lieutenant Jensen and Corporal Loussier provided a second wave of suppressing fire. The Major sprinted as fast as he could, Captain Bratkov was only metres behind. As Major Park predicted, the enemy soldiers were all in their trenches ducking from the hail of gunfire. The Major squeezed the trigger of his Thompson killing most of the ZAFT soldiers, while Captain Bratkov came shortly after killing the rest, while everyone else ran forward to meet The Major and Captain Bratkov.
The Major and Captain Bratkov gathered enemy weapons and ammo as they had all used almost all their ammunition. "Squad, we have hell of a lot of the ZAFT weapons and ammo. We have the bolt-action rifle that we are not gonna use whatsoever. Instead, we are gonna be using the MP40 sub-machineguns." The Major explained. "Loussier, since you're the deadest shot here, you can have the scoped Mauser sniper rifle." The Major passed Stellar the sniper rifle. "Jensen and I will have the MP40 sub-machinegun." The Major threw the MP40 at Jensen. "Last but not least, Sergeant Asuka. You will be taking the MG-34 light machinegun." The Major pointed to the enemy machinegun.
"Now quickly gather your ammo and throw your old weapons away, we have too little ammo to have any use for them." The Major said hesitating to throw his Thompson away. The rest of the squad also dropped their old weapons and gathered their best suited ammunition for their weapons. "Okay, let's get outta here, the explosions and gunfire would have alerted the patrols nearby." The Major started leading the men towards the Kubelwagen. Shinn seemed to be grinning about the firepower of his newly acquired weapon. "Alright everyone, hang on tight, this is gonna be a bumpy ride." The Major said while accelerating the Kubelwagen.
Only a few minutes later, The Major and his squad encountered ten ZAFT trucks, full of soldiers heading their way and shooting at them. "Holy shit sir! What the hell do we do now?" Lieutenant Jensen shouted. "We're not gonna be your supper you ZAFT assholes!" Major Park yelled as The Major made a sharp U-turn away from the convoy at full speed. "Where the hell are we going sir?" Shinn asked. "Back to those bloody trenches. We'll ambush them all there and if I'm right, we'll catch them by surprise and we'll be able to force them to retreat." The Major said. As the squad reached the trenches, The Major hid the Kubelwagen behind a small hedgerow and sprinted to avoid being seen before the enemy convoys arrived. Sergeant Asuka set up his MG-34 machinegun and equipped it with armour piercing rounds. The whole squad lay silent waiting for the convoy to arrive. Moments later the trucks all arrived slowly in single file. The soldiers were all keeping their eyes open for any movement. "Everyone fire on my command." The Major whispered as the trucks inched closer and closer. "Fire!" The Major screamed. A sudden storm of lead started flying everywhere. The ZAFT soldiers in front all suddenly dropped dead as the first truck exploded. The whole convoy halted, the ZAFT soldiers charged while firing. "Hold the line!" The Major yelled pumping lead into the advancing troops. Sergeant Asuka was taking short bursts into the enemy wave. "Pour it all Sergeant Asuka! Give them hell!" The Major yelled.
"I want fire superiority! Keep them pinned down!" The Major continued. The Major, Captain Bratkov and Lieutenant Jensen all suppressed the enemy with the sub- machineguns, while Corporal Loussier picked off the ZAFT soldiers that had a good flanking position. Sergeant Asuka kept firing his machinegun in short bursts saving the armour piercing rounds for more incoming vehicles. The Major screamed:
"Damn it Asuka keep firing! What are you saving your ammo for?" The Major continued firing his MP40. "I said I want fire superiority Asuka, keep their heads down!" The Major boomed. Shinn started unleashing a hell load of fire causing the enemy to retreat. "That's how we do it Asuka, good job." The Major praised. "Everyone keep vigilant. They might attack again." The Major said as he saw the pure carnage. Scores of men lay dead or wounded, three trucks were destroyed while The Major and his squad received no casualties and still had ample amount of ammunition.
"What do we do now sir?" Shinn asked with a grim face. "Let's get outta here before the ZAFT get in reinforcements and some armoured support." Jensen hastily said. Major Park quickly devised a plan, "If we go now Jensen, we'll be sitting ducks, so you might as well paint a bulls eye on yourself. However if we set up our ambush further up where they won't be expecting us, we can take the full element of surprise and flank them into a bottleneck position and take them out." Captain Bratkov pointed out: "We don't have any anti-tank weapons, we have the armour piercing rounds from that machinegun, but that will only pierce vehicles not steel plated tanks." Shinn said. The Major simply had the plan of bottlenecking the tanks and then disabling them. "We don't need anti-tank weapons. All we have to do is disable them. When the tanks get within a close range, we can throw grenades through the tanks opening view and kill the tank crews." Major Park explained. Everyone in the squad agreed on the idea. "After we push back the second assault, they'll resort to mortar or artillery bombardment. That's when we can make our escape." Major Park started picking up ammunition from the dead soldiers. "Pack in some more ammo. Asuka, get more ammo for that machinegun of yours." Major Park pointed to a crate full of MG-34 ammunition. The airborne squad re-supplied until they couldn't hold anymore. They packed themselves with the ZAFT equipment; grenades, ammunition, weapons and food. "Corporal Loussier. Get yourself an MP40, that sniper won't be very useful for an ambush." Captain Bratkov ordered. "He's right Loussier, get an MP40 right away." Major Park said, reinforcing Captain Bratkov's orders.
"Alright, let's move at least two hundred metres away from here and find a good place to ambush them." Major Park said. "Let's move squad!"
After minutes of running with caution and weighed down by the weight of ammo, the squad found a good ambush spot. The Major planned to set up a line of fire facing the side flanks next to a one way road leading to the trench defenses. Darkness would completely cover their hiding spot. "Let's set up here squad." The Major whispered. "Sergeant Asuka hit the dirt ten metres from the side of this road covering our left flank. Everyone else, let's set up seven metres away from this road." The Major ordered. After minutes of silence a rumble was heard. "Everyone brace yourselves, they're coming." The Major said cocking his MP40.
"Sir it's my stomach. I hadn't had anything to eat yet." Lieutenant Jensen said getting out a K-ration unit. "Well eat up, I don't want your stomach giving away our positions." The Major rolled his eyes. "Anyone that needs to eat now as well may do so, just don't eat anything that makes a crunching noise." The Major explained getting out a tin of spam.
Ten minutes later, the roar of tanks were heard, the ground shook and vibrated. "Everyone fire after I take my first shot." The Major said loading his MP40. Everyone readied their weapons and took aim waiting for the first signs of the ZAFT. Moments later a Tiger tank was seen, slowly thundering its way on the road. A platoon of ZAFT soldiers were behind the tank, they were looking relaxed and carefree. The Major waited, as he waited another Tiger tank had appeared. The Major then opened fire on the ZAFT platoon unleashing a hail of bullets. The hurricane of fire provided by the rest of the squad disintegrated the entire platoon. "Cover me!" The Major screamed. He rushed forth with grenades towards the first Tiger tank slowly turning its turret. The Major pulled the pin from the grenade and hurled it into the tanks opening from its front slit. Shouting from inside the Tiger tank was heard as the crew tried to get out, but were too late. The grenade exploded leaving no one inside the tank alive. The Major sprinted towards the second Tiger tank.
Another three platoons suddenly appeared on the other side thirty metres away, The Major quickly hurled two ZAFT 'potato mashers' (stick grenades) into the second Tiger tank, The Major then sprinted back towards the ambush position, the ZAFT platoons were firing at The Major, a trail of bullets followed The Major who then dived out of the line of fire joining the rest of his squad. Two loud explosions were heard from inside the second Tiger tank. "Come on guys you were supposed to cover me." The Major slapped Jensen across his helmet. The two Tiger tanks were immobile and taken out. Captain Bratkov seemed amazed with The Major. "Major, in all my years of being in the great Red Army, I have never seen anyone do something as freaking insane as what you have done." Captain Bratkov patted The Major's shoulder. "Thank me later Captain Bratkov, after we get rid of these Krauts." The Major yelled while spraying his MP40 at the enemy. Sergeant Asuka was greatly suppressing the ZAFT, keeping their heads down, therefore unable to fire back. Suddenly, two more Tiger tanks appeared, "Oh great, just what we need." The Major said sarcastically. "Everyone cover me, I'm gonna go on another run." The Major screamed as he pulled out a couple of grenades.
The first Tiger tank suddenly was blasted into flames. "What the hell was that?" The Major yelled. The second Tiger tank then blew up shortly afterwards. The remaining ZAFT soldiers then broke ranks and fled the battlefield dropping their weapons in terror.
A tank covered with branches and small trees suddenly appeared unleashing a torrent of machinegun fire at the fleeing ZAFT soldiers. "Wahoo!" Sergeant Asuka cheered.
"Let's mow down the rest of the ZAFT soldiers, everyone give it all you got!" The Major yelled. The airborne squad then unleashed their final furious hail of gunfire, hitting most of the ZAFT soldiers that were fleeing. "I think it's safe to say that the tank over there is a friendly." Jensen said taking his helmet off to wipe off his sweat. The tanker got out of his camouflaged tank revealing a young tank ace. His purple eyes stared at the squad of airborne troopers. "Airborne troopers? What are you doing out here?" Kira asked. The Major stepped forward. "It's a long story kid, I'm not in the mood to tell stories today. What about you?" The Major asked with his dark brown eyes on Kira's light purple eyes. "Oh gosh! It's another coordinator, what a surprise! There aren't many naturals in this army." The Major thought. "I'll be brief, I'm going to Dortmund. There's a castle called Colditz, I'm gonna go and free my sister there." Kira explained briefly. The Major shook his head in disbelief. "You're nuts, just to go and rescue your sister from the front lines kiddo." Major Park said. Kira smiled as he always does.
"That sister of mine is the representative of the Orb union. Cagalli Yula Athha." Kira explained. The Major looked stunned taking time to take in Kira's words.
"Miss Athha is your sister… and she's in Colditz right now?" The Major asked.
"That's right." Kira said. "So where did you say you were going again?" Kira asked.
"Back to the front lines." The Major stated. "We can help you get Miss Athha back Mr.…?" The Major gestured. "Lieutenant Kira Yamato." Kira replied saluting The Major. "Major... Park, U.S 101st airborne paratroopers of Easy Company." Major Park saluted back. "This is my squad; Lieutenant Jensen, Captain Bratkov from the Red Army and your fellow coordinators: Sergeant Shinn Asuka and Corporal Stellar Loussier." Major Park pointed to his squad. Kira jumped off his tank to meet Major Park face to face while smiling brightly. Kira saluted again. "Sir, I've heard of your legendary exploits and I would like to say what an honour it is to be with you sir." Kira said.
"Don't salute me Lieutenant Yamato. Your exploits and tank kills would exceed my own exploits any day." Major Park grabbed Kira's arm and helping him to be at ease.
"Before we advance any further, we all need to rest. Look how exhausted my men… and woman are Lieutenant Yamato." Major Park said, almost forgetting that Stellar was the only girl soldier in his squad and in the entire Allied combat army in that matter.
"Of course Major, you know what's best. I will be under your command." Kira said respectfully. "I'll go fetch the Kubelwagen and then we'll get some shut eye." Major Park said looking at his exhausted troops. Their dark bags under their eyes were full of exhaustion.
After Major Park got the Kubelwagen from his hideout, the squad along with Kira sought shelter in a forest once again. "Let's plan this whole mess out tomorrow squad, get some rest. You certainly deserve it." Major Park said in a calm and proud voice. Everyone sighed with relief. Shinn Stellar and Jensen immediately fell asleep, while Captain Bratkov, Lieutenant Yamato and Major Park stayed up making plans early. "Captain Bratkov, I will take Asuka and Loussier with me, I want you to stay here with Jensen and the Kubelwagen." Major Park said. "Understood Major." Captain Bratkov acknowledged. Suddenly a rustle was heard. Major Park and Captain Bratkov grabbed their weapons sneaking to the source that made the sound. A German soldier not from ZAFT was sneaking around. Major Park wanted to capture this prisoner. "Come-a ze here!" Major Park warned the soldier pointing the MP40 at him. "Come-a ze here sch-now!" Major Park said in a firm tone. The soldier understood although Major Park's German was absolutely terrible, the German soldier dropped his weapon and surrendered.
The German soldier had been searched. Nothing important was identified.
"Captain Bratkov, I want you to tie him up on a tree, blindfold him and guard him with Jensen. Feed him and don't put cyanide in his food." Major Park ordered.
"What will we do with him after?" Captain Bratkov asked. "Before we leave, we'll knock him out cold and then leave him here for his Kraut friends to pick him up, or he can get to them." Major Park explained. Captain Bratkov and Lieutenant Yamato were impressed with the idea. The prisoner was blindfolded and tied to a tree under the close eyes of the squad. "I suggest we all get our rest. We only have a couple of hours."
