Welcome back! Last time we met, we saw Resistance fleet eliminating enemy vessels over Catharsis V. Battle ended in Resistance victory and now, they will march on planet's capital city. Also, we ended on a cliffhanger with one specific man named Kurt. You probably know, which Kurt it is, so let's get straight to him, shall we?
Oh, and also, White Squadron will get new member.
So, let's go.
XXX
July 1, 2150
15:27 Earth's time
Manfopolis, spaceport
"Trude?"the man in front of her asked.
"Kurt?"Witch asked in disbelief.
The two stood there for a moment, don't knowing, how to react. No matter how strange and impossible this situation was, they just were unable to find anything to say in this situation. Especially when you consider, that they didn't seen each other for several years.
"What…How…? You died in Gallia…"Trude finally said.
"It's…complicated…"Kurt replied.
Ester and rest of the squadron approached the two.
"Something wrong, Trude? Have any problems with this guy?"Ester asked.
"No, it's just…I know him…"Witch replied.
Everyone looked at her.
"Really? From where?"Yuko asked.
"From my world."
Silence hung in the air. Members of the White Squadron were now calculating what just been said, trying to find any hints of it being a joke. However, none were found.
"From your world…?"Liz asked.
"Yes. He was boyfriend of my commander. And he died four years ago…"Trude replied.
"Wait."Kurt said."Before everything will roll down the hill, let's sit down and explain everything to each other."
"Okay."Trude said.
The group found some boxes laying close to them and sat down. TT-9, interested in the commotion, rolled towards Ester, which picked him up and put on her knees. Astromech directed his eye at Kurt, as others did.
"Well then. Tell me. What are you doing here?"Trude asked."Last time I saw you, was when Neuroi were destroying Gallia."
Kurt nodded his head.
"And that's right."he said."It's hard to explain, but somehow, instead of dying, the Neuroi transported me here. I was hit by their laser and, I still don't know how and why, few seconds later, I woke up on Earth, four years ago."
"There are many unexplained things in the galaxy. So it's better not to explain all of them."Liz said.
"And what was you doing by these four years?"Jackie asked.
Kurt looked at them.
"You're interested too?"he asked.
"If you're from Trude's world, then yeah."Ester replied.
He nodded.
"Alright. After I got here, I was a little lost. A guy from 1940s suddenly lands in 2140s. I had a hard time learning about how this world works."he said."Yet, I managed to finally settle down, don't knowing how to come back to where I came from."
"But why did you joined the military?"Trude asked.
"I got drafted."Kurt replied.
Witch nodded.
"Well then. Seems like there are two of us now."she said."I also don't know, how to come back."
"But captain Eriksson promised, that they'll find the way, how to send her back."Suvi said.
Kurt looked at her and back at Trude.
"Really?"he asked.
"Yeah. Don't know when, but they promised, that they'll send me back."Trude replied."Of course, you can come along."
Kurt sighed.
"Thank you."he said.
Right then, his hand terminal beeped. He looked at the screen and read the message.
"Sorry, I'm being called."Kurt said, standing up."See you later."
White Squadron watched him walk away.
"That was unexpected meeting."Anastasia said.
"Yeah, he was the last person I expected to meet here."Trude replied.
"Well, but you met him."Ester said.
Witch just nodded.
"Here you are."a voice behind them said.
Everyone turned around and looked at the voice's owner.
It was a man in Army uniform, with lieutenant colonel insignias. He was in the middle of his 40s and had beard, as black as his hair. His eyes were of green color. He stood there and looked the squadron.
"What do you need, sir?"Ester asked.
Lieutenant colonel cleared his throat.
"Allow me to introduce myself."he said."Lieutenant colonel Kapry of United Nations R&D Department. I was sent here by my superiors."
"Why would R&D want to talk with us?"Yuko asked.
"We are trying to test a new weapon on the battlefield. It was decided, that this weapon will be given to your disposal. Hope you don't mind."he said.
Members of the squadron looked at each other and threw up their arms.
"We always accept new weapons."Dora said."Now, what is it?"
Kapry turned around.
"Come here."he said.
Seconds after he said that, a new person appeared next to him. It was a girl, around the same age as most members of White Squadron. She had long, brown hair reaching her waist and bright blue eyes. She was dressed in the same uniform as all other soldiers around. In her hands, she held the AR4 assault riffle.
White Squadron looked at this with confusion.
"A girl?"Liz asked.
"I thought it would be a weapon."Dora said.
"It is."Kapry said."Introduce yourself."
Girl saluted.
"Private AR4, Battle Doll Class-1."she said.
Even bigger confusion appeared on squadron's faces.
"Battle…Doll?"Trude asked.
Kapry nodded.
"New type of android lately developed by R&D Department."he said."She's the first model. She was made to look like a Human, to confuse enemies. However, inside, she's fully mechanical and is programmed to fight."
"That sounds…a bit scary, actually."Arlette said.
"Not as scary as you might think."Kapry stated."Now, as you know each other, I can leave you for your own. By the way, we're moving out in the next two hours. You have to be packed for then."
And with these words, Kapry simply turned on his heel and walked away, leaving White Squadron members looking at the Battle Doll in front of them.
"Soooooooo…What was you name again?"Suvi asked.
"AR4, sir."AR4 replied.
"It will be strange, calling you by the name of a weapon."Ana stated.
"I have the same name as my weapon."Battle Doll replied, showing them her AR4.
Members of the squadron looked at each other.
"I think you need a better name than that."Ester stated.
"Better name?"AR4 asked, tilting her head."But what would it be?"
Yuko was the first one to have an idea pop in her head.
"What would you say about Sar4. With 'S' at the beginning and '4' instead of a second 'a'."she said.
"Can't it just be a normal Sara with two 'a'?"Liz asked.
"But Sar4 with with '4' instead of 'a' sounds and looks much cooler."Japanese said with smile.
Meanwhile, AR4 was thinking about this name.
"Sar4, Sar4, Sar4…Yeah, I like it."she stated with smile.
Others just looked at each other.
"See, told you she'll like it."Yuko said.
Ester then approached Sar4 and saluted her. Battle Doll returned the salute.
"Well then."Ester said."Hereby, I welcome you in the White Squadron, AR…I mean, Sar4."
"Thank you, sir."Sar4 replied, also saluting.
"Please, call me Ester."White Squadron leader said."In this team, we are all by name."
"Of course, si…Ester."Sar4 said.
"Good. Now, come with us. We will talk more during packing."Ester said and the group walked away.
Six hours later…
21:33 Earth's time
Near the town of Gorgo
After making all needed preparations, Resistance convoys left the Manfopolis for the planet's capital. There was six of them, each had to move around the capital and capture it from various directions. By the six hours of the way, convoys were passing by the purple-colored sands, deserts and canyons of the planet. Fortunately, by all this time, none Holy Order soldier, partisan or Militia didn't showed their ugly heads from behind the rocks. Thanks to this, convoys were able to make pretty big progress bu just six hours.
At now, the convoy which White Squadron was part of, simply stopped next to a small village, where they were welcomed as liberators by local populace. Large column of tanks, troop transports and cars was now standing outside the village, on the nearby cliff, overlooking it.
Trude was currently leaning her back on one of the Human cars and looked at the village, with it's lights lit up. All buildings were made of rock and looked a little like Middle Eastern-style towns on Earth. But still, the place seemed pretty comfy.
"Hey."someone said.
Witch turned around and saw Ester approaching her.
"What are you looking at?"Ester asked.
"Just watching the village."Trude replied."You know. It's the first time, when I see living colonial town. First one I saw was filled with the infected."
White Squadron leader bit her lip.
"Yeah, I know."she said."And what you think of the town?"
Trude threw up her arms.
"What can I think of it? They are happy that we're liberating them, so it's okay."she replied."By the way, Est. I wanted to ask you something."
"What is it?"Ester replied.
"Why didn't we took out fighters with us?"
Ester just waved her hand.
"You know, our plan is to surprise the Holies. I'm sure they would expect us attacking from the air or space. Besides, all major cities on all Human planets have their own versions of AATIS anti-ship artillery."she replied.
"Okay then."Witch agreed."And Sar4? How is she doing?"
"You could say, that she found a common language with Yuko."Ester stated with smile."But still. I can't believe, that they built android like her."
"Yeah. Honestly, looking at her, I barely can believe, that she's some sort of machine."Trude said.
"And yet, she is the first Battle Doll."
"True."
As they two were talking about the various things, from behind one of the tanks, Dora was observing them. If she could, she would tighten her grip on the tank. Ester was actually spending more and more time with Trude. And Dora actually didn't liked it. Before she appeared, she and Ester were spending the most time together. If she could…
"What are you doing?"a voice suddenly asked from behind.
Dora almost jumped, hearing the voice. She looked behind her and saw Suvi standing there with her head tilted to the side.
"What do you want?"Dora asked.
"Nothing, just wanted to see, what you're looking at."Suvi replied and looked from behind the tank.
She immediately saw Trude and Ester talking. And a wild smile appeared on Martian girl's face.
"Oh, I see."Suvi said."You're jealous."
Immediately, Dora jumped towards her and simply pinned her down to the back of the tank, with her arm pressing on Suvi's neck.
"Take it back now!"Dora ordered, still quiet enough for Ester and Trude to not hear, as she pressed Suvi against the tank.
"Oh, yeah, press it harder."Suvi said with smile.
Dora just sighed and let her go.
"I'm not jealous."she said."I just…"
"You don't want Ester to be taken from you?"Suvi asked.
Not covering her surprise, White Squadron's 2IC looked at Suvi.
"Y-Yes…How did you know?"Dora asked.
"I just see it in your eyes."she replied with sureness."I've seen it so many times, that I just know when someone is jealous."
"And you're surprised? Since she appeared, Ester spends more time with her than with me. I have my rights to be jealous."
Suvi shook her head.
"Listen. Ester and you know each other for how long? Five, six years? And you really think, that she would simple through you to the side and replace you with someone else?"she asked.
Dora tried to look away to not reply.
"I'm waiting for answer."Suvi demanded.
"N-No…"Dora replied, unsure.
Another smile appeared on Suvi's face.
"Exactly. So stop acting like a girl, which boyfriend talks to other girls. You are the best CQC fighter here. You are the Blade Dancer and Hellborn Werewolf. So don't act like spoiled princess."
Dora looked at Suvi from up to bottom.
"Are you really Suvi or some shape-shifting alien?"she asked.
"Oh, come on, I also can say something smart from time to time."Suvi said with smile, exposing her snow-white teeth.
Dora looked at her from top to bottom.
"Or maybe I just like your ass."the Martian girl added.
"Well, here you are again."Dora stated."I should…"
She then stopped and started listening closer.
"What?"Suvi asked.
Dora only showed her a handsign to be quiet and listen. So, Suvi listened. And actually, she could hear a sound piercing through the night. Some faint sound of…
"Engines."she finally said.
"Not ours."Dora noted.
And she was right, as soon, air raid siren started screaming from the village. Ester and Trude looked in that direction and then at each other.
"What's going on?"Trude asked.
"Ester!"Dora exclaimed, coming up to her.
"What is it, Do?"Ester asked.
"There are incoming…"
"Bombers!"Suvi exclaimed.
Four heads looked in the direction she was pointing and saw four dots on the horizon. Soon, the dots changed into Holy Order bombers. They were approaching at high speed and had bombs under their wings.
"Will we manage to hide?"Trude asked.
"I don't think so!"Dora replied."Brace for impact!"
Everyone quickly hid behind nearby vehicles, knowing, that they won't be good enough cover. However, before they fully hid, Dora looked at the bombers once more. And noticed something. They were flying a bit too low to aim for the convoy.
And it was a this moment, that she realized something.
"No!"she exclaimed, but it was too late.
Bombs under bombers' wings fell off and flew towards the ground. Soon, fireballs erupted withing the town and pieces of building started flying around, explosions mixed with terrified screams of people. All Resistance soldiers could do, was to watch.
Soon, four bombers dropped eight bombs, turned around and left, leaving behind a picture of destruction and despair, as flames started spreading around the town. Trude, Ester, Suvi and Dora could only watch this tragedy unfolding.
Rest of the squadron quickly appeared next to them.
"What happened, did someone got wounded?"Liz asked.
"No, the bombers were aimed for the village!"Ester shouted back
Everyone looked towards the burning town and back at each other.
"Now, what are we waiting for?"Ester asked."Let's go, we need to help them!"
Squadron members nodded and quickly followed Ester.
Trude was the only one who stayed behind for a while, looking at the destruction. It was at this moment, that she realized, that this war will not be so easy, as she though before.
She then quickly followed the rest.
The next day…
09:32
A canyon somewhere in the desert
After bombardment of Gorgo, all Resistance soldiers rushed to help the people. They were moving the rubble and helping people get out from under them. But still, the casualties withing civilians were high, ranging from one to one and a half hundred. Although bombs made some damage, the bigger was did by the spreading fire.
Trude was sitting on the armor of the Challenger 6 tank, as the convoy was making it's way towards the capital. It was a pretty slow travel, as cars and other vehicles had to adjust their speed to troops marching on their own feet. She was still thinking about what she saw in the bombarded town. Or more precisely, about the corpse of a little girl, which was actually almost burned on one side, as bomb fell right next to her.
Witch felt someone's touch on her shoulder. She looked left and saw Arlette.
"You okay already?"the French asked.
"I'm trying."Trude replied."It's just…That village…"
"I know."Arlette said."But it should be expected of Holy Order. They never respected anyone's lives and would willingly sacrifice billions just to get what they wanted."
"Now I really see Neuroi as the weaker enemy that the HO."
Arlette just threw up her arms.
"I never fought them, so I don't know."she said.
"And better if you never knew."Trude stated.
In that moment, Ester came up to the tank and used her jump pack to got a top of it. She sat between the rest of the squadron, which looked at her.
"So? What was stated?"Dora asked.
"We will be evading any villages, to not risk more civilian lives."Ester replied."On our way to the Catharsis City, we will be stopping only in canyons or valleys."
"Yeah, it's pretty smart."Anastasia agreed.
"Shame that they needed dead civilians to understand that."Lena said.
Everyone just sighed.
"You know? In that town, I remembered the HO Invasion of Terta Prime."Aquexymeva said.
All eyes on the tank turned on her.
"What do you mean?"Sar4 asked.
"It was the same. HO bombed the hell out of every village and smaller town they met. All to scare the populace and make them listen to them."the Tertan explained.
"Oh. Sorry to hear that."the Battle Doll said.
Suddenly, she jerked up and looked around.
"Are you okay?"Yuko asked.
"Yes, it's just that…I heard something on the other side."Sar4 replied, pointing on the other side of the canyon.
Everyone looked in the same direction and looked around, but didn't saw anything.
"I just hope it's not any enemy."Emiko said.
And just as she said that, the tank behind them was hit by a laser shell and it's ammo blew up.
"Shit, everybody, hide!"commander of the convoy ordered.
Immediately, soldiers, both the ones on top of the vehicles and the ones marching, hid behind their means of transport. Right when two more shells hit the ground.
"How did you heard them if we didn't?!"Dora asked.
"I have better hearing that Humans!"Sar4 replied.
More shells fell on the ground and one scored hit on allied APC.
"Can't we turn around to face them upfront?"Arlette asked.
"Where?"Trude replied."We are under the wall here!"
And it was true. The road they were taking, was actually inside the the canyon, on the wall. The other side of the canyon was lower than their, so enemy had perfect shot at them, while Resistance was under the wall of higher wall of the canyon.
"Yeah…"Arlette said.
"Just return fire!"Dora and Ester exclaimed in unison.
Tanks and other vehicles started turning their turrets. When they did, they continued to move forward, but this time firing at the same time. Bullets and shells were flying in the direction of the second side of the canyon, but flew over them.
"Shit, we can't hit them."one of tankers said.
Right then, another vehicle was blown out of the way.
"What do we do then?"Anastasia asked.
"Somebody have any ideas?"Ester asked.
Trude looked out of her cover and looked on the other side. She noticed, that the cliff on the other side isn't so far as it seemed. She hid back, when some laser fire almost hit her.
"I think I have one."she said.
Immediately, all heads looked at her.
"What?"Dora asked.
"But this might be risky."Witch said."Will jump-pack keep me in the air?"
"For few seconds, yes."Yuko replied."But why are you asking?"
"That's all I wanted to know."
Witch then left the cover and ran towards the cliff.
"What is she doing?"one of Marines asked.
"Probably going to kill herself!"another replied.
"No but really, what is she doing?"Liz asked.
"Who knows."Arlette replied.
Meanwhile, Trude reached the end of the cliff and jumped, much to everyone's shock. But before she could fall down, she activated her jump-pack and was thrown up in the air. This allowed her to point her arm at the second cliff's edge.
"Please, work."she thought.
Rope then shot in the direction of the cliff's edge and it hooked on it. This allowed Trude to attack to the wall and climb up.
"Trude, what is your plan exactly?"Ester asked in radio.
"I will turn their attention."Witch replied."You, go to that rock bridge at the end and cross it. But do it quick!"
Everyone then looked in the direction of rock formation, which connected both of the cliffs.
"Understood."Ester said.
Witch continued to climb, until she was on top of the cliff. There, she saw number of Holy Order tanks with their guns pointed so low, that this allowed them to easily fire from the side of the hill, at the same time staying hidden. Among them, was a number of enemy infantry, which guarded the vehicles.
But she was also noticed by them and soon, number of guns turned towards her. She quickly activated her shield, when first lasers hit it.
"Okay, she's buying us time, move!"Ester said in convoy's radios.
Vehicles again activated their engines at full power and were making their way towards the stone bridge.
Meanwhile, Trude managed to fire her first response. Several bullets made it's way towards Holy Order Human soldier and made him fall on the ground. This forced remaining soldiers to hide, while Witch continued to fire, with her bullets now hitting tank armors.
Armored vehicles turned their attention at her and one fired it's main cannon. Witch barely evaded it. She then noticed enemy infantry running for another cover, but fired at them, again killing some of them.
"Not so fast."she said.
Again, she had to evade machine gun fire from enemy tank. The vehicle's commander opened it's hatch to have better view of the situation.
This was the last thing he did, when Trude simply shot him and his body slid back inside the tank. Witch then grabbed grenade, pulled the cotter and threw it inside the tank, which soon exploded, as grenade hit the batteries, which served as ammo clips for the tanks with laser cannons. Hover tank sat on the ground.
Trude evaded another gunfire wave as she fired several shots at enemy troops and killed another three of them. She then had to activate her shield to not get hit by enemy laser fire. Next, she jumped away, when tank fired at her.
"Shit!"she exclaimed, feeling how close this was.
She landed on the ground few meters away and right when she lifted her eyes, she saw another hover tank being destroyed by a shell, which slammed in it's side and penetrated it, flying from the other side. Two more tanks then exploded and Holy Order infantry started to fall on the ground, as Resistance soldiers fired at them.
Soon, allied vehicles appeared and moped the remains of enemy troops, allowing Trude to stand up and come closer to them.
"Trude!"Ester exclaimed.
Witch turned around and immediately turned back, when a powerful slap hit her face. She almost fell on the ground from the sheer power of the hit.
"Are you crazy?!"Ester continued to scream."I didn't gave you any permission for such happy-go-lucky maneuver!"
"Somebody had to do it, right?"Witch replied.
"For God's sake, you know how dangerous it was?!"
"And awesome at the same time."Jackie said.
Ester sent her cold look, making Minenian shrug. Next, she turned back to Trude, which just stood there, waiting for another wave of insults from Ester. Instead, she touched her arm and sighed.
"Never do anything like that again, unless I give you permission."she said.
"Understood."Witch replied with salute.
"Okay. Now, let's move. We have just two more days to reach the capital."Ester ordered.
Rest of her team saluted and came back to the vehicles they used. Soon, the convoy was on it's way again.
17:43 Earth time
Near the Holy Order air base
Between two large rocks, which marked the purple deserts of Catharsis V, two Resistance soldiers observed rather large airbase, which stood on their way to planet's capital. The convoy moved without anymore surprises since the cliff ambush, but now, situation changed, when scout vehicles noticed this particular air base.
"So, what do you think?"Jackie asked.
Trude once more looked through her binoculars and threw up her arms.
"I don't know."she said."They have some craft there, as well as pretty good security. Several guard posts and barracks, I guess for pilots."
They looked at the base for few more seconds.
"You think we can take it?"Jackie asked.
Witch looked at her.
"What do you mean?"she asked.
"You know, if we can actually take this base and make them few fighters short."the Minenian replied.
"Who knows. But it's not our decision to…"Trude said, but suddenly stopped.
"What?"Jackie asked.
"Look."
Witch handed her binoculars to Jackie, which looked through them at the air base.
"Look at what?"she asked.
"A bit left."Trude instructed.
Jackie did what she was told and looked at four fighter-bombers standing in the corner.
"And?"she asked again.
"Look at their emblems."Trude said.
Minenian zoomed the binoculars and then noticed the emblems on the fighter-bombers. Two snakes eating each others tails, forming an infinity shape. In that moment, the images from previous day appeared in her head.
"These are the ones that…"Jackie started
"…bombarded that village yesterday."Trude ended.
The two looked at each other.
"You think the same as I think?"Trude asked.
"That we could do a little revenge on them?"Jackie replied.
Witch nodded.
"Sounds good to me."Minenian stated.
The two then left their cover and returned to their convoy, which was hiding behind some hills. Surprisingly, entire group of vehicles could easily hide behind them, not risking any detection. What was only in Resistance's favor.
"What did you see?"Ester asked, when the two stood next to her.
"We saw enemy airbase."Jackie replied.
"With something specific in it."Trude added.
Ester risen her eyebrow.
"What?"she asked.
"The bombers, that bombed Gorgo."Jackie replied.
Immediately, the two noticed how Ester's eye twitched. It seemed, like this information actually hit her.
"You sure?"she asked.
"Yes. Two snakes forming infinity."Trude replied."This could only be them."
"And we thought, that we could do a little revenge on them."Jackie stated.
A mischievous grin appeared on Ester's face.
"Oh, we will."she said."Just let me contact the convoy commander."
She then turned around and started talking to her radio. For few minutes, Trude and Jackie watched their squadron leader, waiting for what she will learn from the convoy's commander. Finally, she turned back towards them.
"And?"Trude asked.
"Full authorization."Ester replied.
Both Witch and Jackie grinned.
"Sounds good to me."Minenian stated.
"Just let's tell the rest."Ester said.
The three then walked to the rest of the squadron. Ester started explaining the situation to them and with every words she said, the grins on everyone's faces became bigger and bigger with every second.
"So we can repay them for Gorgo?"Anastasia asked.
"Yes."Ester replied.
"Oh, I've been waiting for this!"Yuko stated.
"How do we do it?"Lena asked.
"We have to take some cars and do a quick raid on the base. Destroy and kill as much of it as possible and then, come back here and move forwards."Ester explained.
"Sounds good to me."Dora said.
"I know."Ester stated."Alright, let's go."
With these words, the squadron members walked to the cars, that were given to them for the raid. More precisely, they were four Russian-made GAZ 6000s, armed with one rotary machine gun and two ATGMs each. So, vehicle designed for hit-and-run tactics.
Jackie, Aqi and Trude landed in the same vehicle.
"Trude, you take the machine gun and ATGMs. Aqi, you shoot through windows. I drive."Jackie said.
"Sounds good to me."Aqi said.
"Me too."Trude said.
Jackie nodded and focused on the wheel. Soon, four vehicles moved towards the air base.
Meanwhile…
HO air base
Two entry guards were sitting in their guard hut, playing cards to kill the boredom. Honestly, they could think of hundreds of things they could do now, like having fun with local woman, killing some animals living in the desert and drinking in the bar. But tonight, it was their turn for night shift and they couldn't do anything about it.
"You have any threes?"first guard asked.
"Nope."second replied.
First guards sighed.
"Tell me, why are we even sitting here."he asked.
"To not let anyone enter the air base without permission."second replied.
"But tell me, who would try to enter this base in the middle of nowhere, in the middle of night at the top of that?"
"Remember, that there is Resistance invasion now. We can't do anything about it and who know, when they will reach us."
"Yes, but…"
His words were cut off by the sound of engines. They looked down the road leading to their checkpoint and saw four vehicles driving towards them.
"What the hell?"first guard asked.
"I don't know."second replied.
He grabbed his Volk-III riffle and looked at the four cars approaching. He entered the road and pulled his hand, trying to stop them.
"Stop right now…"he said, but was cut off.
There was a shot and guard's head exploded. First guard tried to grab his weapon, but he also got shot dead. This allowed the four GAZ cars continue their way inside the base, breaking the barrier blocking their way inside.
This, of course, didn't went unnoticed. Around the base, alarm started sounding, as soldiers and pilots exited their barracks and tried to see what's going on. Immediately, they got into crossfire of four machine guns mounted on Resistance armored cars. Several more soldiers fell dead on the runway, while other tried to fire back at the attackers, but they were too fast.
In one moment, a series went through the fighter's hull, reaching the fuel tank. MiG exploded, lighting the area with fireball. This blinded some soldiers, what allowed White Squadron members to easily dispatch them.
"That was nice shooting, Trude!"Jackie said, after Witch made the fighter explode.
"Thanks!"Witch, which started to enjoy this fast action, replied.
New enemies then entered the battle. More precisely, they were two Human-styled tanks, which came out of one of the hangars. They started firing at the White Squadron, but their towers were not turning fast enough.
"Jackie, Liz, take these things down."Ester said in radio.
"Copy that."Jackie and Liz replied.
Two cars made their way towards the two tanks. Crews inside were firing their laser machine guns, but cars were still evading.
Then, Trude and Yuko, which were firing the machine gun in Liz's car, pressed the appropriate button and two ATGMs flew in the direction of tanks' side armors. Missiles easily penetrated them and reached the shells inside, making the insides of the tank filled with fire and fire bursting through the upper hatches.
"Tanks down."Trude reported.
"Great job. Now, let's finish the rest and let's get out of here!"Ester ordered.
All of the squadron confirmed, that they understood and decided, that it was time to finish this. This is why cars driven by Jackie and Anastasia made their way towards the base's fuel reserves, which were held in the back part of the base. Once there, their full attention focused on the pair of giant fuel tanks.
"I think I know what to do."Trude said.
"Great."Aqi replied.
Next, Witch and Arlette, from Ana's car, started firing at the fuel tanks, which then started lighting up, as bullets pierced them. Holes started appearing on them and through these holes, bursts of fire started coming through.
"It's about to explode!"Ana replied.
"It's gonna be enough?"Trude asked.
"Easy, I'm sure the fuel under the runway will do the rest."Ester said in radio."Okay, I think it's good. Now, let's get out of here."
Four GAZ's then turned towards the entrance to the base and started making their way out. They then returned towards the rest of the column.
After this sudden and unexpected attack, soldiers in the Holy Order's base slowly started coming back to senses. They still couldn't believe, what the hell just happened. And now, these Resistance dogs left, like nothing happened.
"Everyone alright?"base's commander asked.
"Could be better."Holy Order loyal Nashini said.
Commander nodded. He knew it could be better. But then, he felt something. A characteristic smell, coming from behind him.
"What is…?"he asked, but stopped. He understood what it was."Holy shit! Everyone, ru…!"
He didn't ended, as the fires finally reached the fuel stored under the runway and before anyone could say anything else, it started erupting, decorating the base with enormous fireballs and burning people started filling the installation.
From behind their hill, the rest of Resistance column watched the lights from the now destroyed airbase and they couldn't help themselves, but smile, knowing, that large number of their enemies were just burning alive.
White Squadron then came back to the column and were immediately approached by the convoy's commander.
"Great job, ladies."he said.
"No problem, sir."Ester said."It's just our job."
"Good to know."commander said."Now, let's go. We will soon reach New Corinth."
"Okay. So, let's take back the planet's capital and kick Holies out of Catharsis!"Ester exclaimed.
Other members of the squadron and soldiers in the convoy also agreed with this.
"Nice."commander said."Now, let's move, people!"
Members of the White Squadron came up to the nearest tank and climbed on top of it. Next, convoy continued their way towards planet's capital. On their way, they passed by just destroyed airbase and with satisfaction watched it burn.
July 3
05:54 Earth time
New Corinth outskirts
The cannonade of artillery was almost deafening, as number of guns opened on the city. Shells flew towards the planet's capital and soon, they exploded somewhere inside of it. Resistance soldiers in the fire base just loaded next shells.
White Squadron's convoy stopped next to the artillery position and simply watched this happening. All soldiers jumped off or out of their vehicles and now, they could look at the planet's capital city from afar.
"Here it is, New Corinth."Ester said."Capital city of Catharsis V and Catharsis System."
"Population: 5 million. The biggest city on the planet."Yuko said.
Trude just watched the city and smoke coming from it and it's skyscrapers, as well as AA fire from the ground.
"Seems like we won't have easy target."she said.
"Surely no. Especially with this."Dora said.
Everyone risen asking eyebrows.
"Just use your binoculars."she said.
All squadron members looked through them and saw, what looked like a circle of around ten wall like structures surrounding the city center. They were all painted in silver and had what looked like blue circle in the middle.
"Is this something Human?"both Trude and S4ra asked at the same time.
"Nope."Ester replied."These are Viricons. The type used in defense of occupied cities."
"You could call them City Monitors. This is how we call them at least."Jackie said."They often are a hard target to destroy."
"So I think, that we should go and prepare for a tough fight."Trude said.
"Yes. So, let's not waste any time."Ester said.
With these words, the squadron made their way to the command center, where they had to report.
XXX
And another chapter done. I think I know, what will you say. That this chapter felt a bit…filler. But hey. I wanted to show, what happened on the way towards the Catharsis V's capital. And don't worry. In the next chapter, we're kicking off the Battle of New Corinth.
So, stay tuned and stay cool!