Chapter 1 Part 1 : Shattered Silence
Dusk began to fall upon the fallen city Chernobog. The landscape of the city scarred with Originum deposits, some are large enough to completely destroy its infrastructure. The scars of its recent demise clearly shown the results of wrath of men and its oppression.
Dark clouds and towering obsidian spikes, the shadows loom down the streets of the mobile city. Lifeless streets and decaying structure made once proud city completely changed to oblivion.
Fitting for a vassal of a corrupt empire.
The silence was then shattered with foreign presence. Rustling of boots moving to its destination.
Men clad in dull urban combat uniforms moved in a fast pace. Their rifles at ready for any sudden engagement or the need of violence. The street they moving through were swept clear for any activity.
Their movements were swift and fast. Equipped with advanced visors and impressive weaponry, they eventually stopped front of a large gate.
Their headsets buzzed in their ears. Command is speaking.
"This is Badger to all units SITREP. Over."
"Badger Actual, this is Bullseye, we are in position. Over."
One of the men tapped his comms and responded "Hitman in position."
The 9-man squad began to spread out.
"Reaver settle down."
"Hunter in position." The radio responded.
"Badger actual, Bullseye here. All callsigns are active and in position. Moving to the phase 2."
"Affirmative, Bullseye. Execute phase two, Badger out."
One of the soldiers brought out a shear and cut off the steel locks on the gate.
"Entering" The men slowly pushed the large gate and entered through it.
The scene was literally out of horror movie. Dead trees and solemn atmosphere, the area is lifeless and silent. The compound made the operatives more cautious at their surroundings. In their minds, this is perfect for setting up an ambush.
No living beings appeared before them. Blood stains and soot from past fires made the scene even disturbing. The horrors of the Uprising stained the city with cruel departure of administrations by the Reunion upper echelons, let alone their subordinates' actions towards the civilian populace.
Rifles raised up with the awareness of possible ambush. The squad moved forward to their destination with every individual covering each other flanks.
"Hitman to Badger Actual, we are entering the compound. No signs of White Masks for now. Over." the leader called in the radio.
"Copy that, Hitman. Be advised, there are GREENFOR in the AO. Do not engage unless engaged by. Break. You have 30 mikes to bring those assets out of there. Over."
The leader replied "Hitman copies. Interrogative, what should we do if the cubs engaged us? Over".
"This is Badger, do not retaliate them, Hitman. Use any possible way to convince them to follow your lead. Over."
"Copy that, Hitman out."
200m away from Hitman squad, Bullseye and Hunter squads moved in to their respective positions. A four-floor abandoned office block were immediately occupied with fully armed soldiers. Doors for exit secured and the lower levels protected, Bullseye began to position their marksmen hidden in the third floor avoiding sniper detection while riflemen and auto-riflemen guard the entrance of the building and providing security.
Hunter squad entered other structure at the back of Bullseye holdout. Another office block with six-floors became Hunters temporary nests with their own members securing the building. Opposite from Bullseye, marksmen were position on the top to provide fire support while others became the security element from any infiltrators.
LMGs were primed and loaded while DMRs sights stalked the streets with preparation for any signs of hostile movements.
The soldiers continued their approach and suddenly their radios buzzed again.
"This is Reaver to all units. Be advised, there are several groups converging from Point Alpha and Echo. Break. Confirmed group composition of light and heavy infantries heading to AO. Looks like they detected our activity. Over."
Another transmission interrupts "This is Hunter, copy that Reaver. Preparing for engagement. Over."
Marksmen on both squads provided overwatch for threats. The recent sitrep made them actively search for confirmation of enemy contact. Their sights wondered on the outer perimeter then suddenly one of them detected the contact.
"Contact, 150m at our four, Reunion infantries, Footmen and Heavies." He called his observation.
Hunter Lead aimed his rifle to the same direction. His ACOG reticle confirmed his allied spotter's report. He then reached his comms set." Visualization confirmed contact, 150m and approaching at our four, over."
The reply shortly came back. "Bullseye copies. They are in our sights, permission to engage. Over."
"This is Badger Actual, Permission granted. You are to engage any OpFor in the AO. Make sure they do not enter the compound. We have yet receive any comms from Hitman. Proceed with caution. Over."
"Copy that. Engaging."
The silent background then immediately shattered with gunfire roaring from their guns.
Chapter 1 Part 2 : First Encounter
Hitman proceed with caution despite the contact made by other squads with Reunion troops. One thing for sure, Bullseye and Hunter squads just gave them time to execute their own objective. Light machine guns are obviously going to divert any forces from their location.
Hitman reached their supposed entrance point into the target structure. A large decorative double door. The size alone clearly points out its is sturdy and heavy.
One of them pulled the handle but it did not budge. He pushed and pulled them again then realized the hinges were severely damaged.
"Shit, the doors stuck. Ducat, Ed, with me. Rest of you provide security." He ordered.
His men complied with six of them moved in 360° coverage while he and the other two attempted to remove the blasted door. He could use the windows as entrance but with crude cells welded on the first floor windows, its taking too much time to even remove the panel.
The large double-door stuck with its hinges clearly damaged by a breach, then crudely repaired by other party, possible Reunion themselves. It was clearly standing but with its hinges destroyed, these large entrance became a thick wooden wall.
Hitman squad had to use one of their shears to cut off the hinges. A rifleman cut the damaged hinges of the left door while squad leader and other rifleman helped him by pushing the door aside. It pivots to the left and fell with loud thud.
Their path are now clear for their entry. The structure clearly shown as an educational hub, a school to be precise. The hallway of the entrance point gave more space for Hitman members to move in position.
"Line's clear. Hitman, we're green to move."
They immediately entered the structure. Gun lights turned on and flashed on any surface they aimed at. Separated into two teams, Hitman began their search. Steady and paced movement became the norm for these men.
The dead silence inside the administrative hub of the school made its members not very keen to stay too long inside the building. There are books and files of documents scattered on the floor. Student lockers vandalized with markings and graffiti. Some even have dried blood splatter.
The stench of death was prominent when entering the hallways thus prompt the squad to stop for a while.
"Gas Masks on" Squad leader ordered his men.
They reached their side pouch and took out their gas masks. Low profile gas masks immediately attached to their helmets with smooth hiss. The squad then continued their search where their guns pointed at any possible ambush points in the school's hallway.
The leader halted "Multiple rooms up front." he then ordered "Pointman front, breacher mid."
"Copy that, moving" the pointman replied.
Two riflemen moved forward, one of them put back his M4A1 and switch to his M870 MCS for any close encounter. The shotgun was put at low ready as the breacher tapped the pointman's shoulder, indicating he is ready.
The squad silently proceed forward again for any signs of life.
One thing for sure, anyone caught the blast of 12 Gauge in less than 10m is guaranteed to stay down. A suitable weapon for indoor fighting that ensure his squad's survival. With a single file, the breacher and pointman turned on their gun lights. Even with evening sun outside, the rooms are still dark and arid.
Fitting as the school was hit and abandoned then suddenly turned into a prison, according to the intel given in their briefing.
Hitman slowly advanced forward with guns at ready. Thanks to the short profile of their guns, moving through the hallways could be conducted at fast pace and without any further restriction. The situation was too tense but they had one mission.
Find the prisoners and get them out.
They executed room to room maneuver. Clearing every room thoroughly and cautiously for signs of hostiles or traps while searching for any evidence of their targets. Some are unease with the process. Due to the previous conflicts, many soldiers lives lost due to extremely close quarter combat.
Even the reports of Reunion equipment lack of kinetic ballistic weaponry, this current setting is for sure in favour to the rebellion group. Knives and even short swords would do critical damage on them if there are sudden encounter between them. One must know that even being shot with multiple rifle rounds in this close proximity, the bullets may just passed through the flesh and may hit unintended targets. Thus, shotguns were brought in for Hitman squad to use and execute as needed.
One thing for sure, Hitman teams did not want to be next names on the wall. The process is direct with fast pace movements and no distractions from their mission aside from the gunfight outside their perimeter. Minutes later and several rooms cleared, something happened.
The silence was broken with metallic clang on the floor two doors front of the clearing teams.
Rifles rose up and adrenaline pumped in. The rings echoed in the hallway and the presence of other individuals was confirmed thanks to the sound of artificial object.
Breecher's gun light shone forward to the suspected door as the rest of Hitman moved to it. The four-man team entered the suspected room, attempting to search the source of the sound. The guns swept through the room with no profound evidence until one of them found one.
A ladle on the floor that may be the cause of the noise.
Its a cooking classroom. Utensils and other cooking tools already on the cooking tables with recent signs of human activity. Food and water packets scattered on the stations and some on the floor. Cooking pans and pots on the stove with opened canned food next to them.
Signs of life.
"I know someone's here. If you can hear me, rise up slowly and show your hands up." Hitman leader said.
Immediately there was a hitch but no one raise up to Hitman's order.
Team leader raised his left hand and signaled his team to lower their guns at low ready. It looked like the first survivor they have met and he did not want to fail this one encounter.
So, he tried again.
"Listen, we're not going to hurt you." Hitman leader explained. "We're going to help you but first, please show me your hands up. "
A moment of tense silence replied the call. Then, someone rose up from behind one of the cooking stations.
Gun lights shone on the individual and pair of red eyes stared deep at the them.
Chapter 1 Part 3 Fleeting Moments
The sudden encounter with the first prisoner gave many reason for a talk. Unfortunately for them, time is the essence. Firefights outside the compound clearly scared the girl but when she heard of the unknowns mission, the young girl immediately guide Hitman squad to other prisoners.
The brief exchange between the prisoner and Hitman Leader was recognized by the members the weight of these mission. The Ursus girl, Rada looked barely reached legal age looked at their supposed saviors with new light. A hope to get out of the hellhole made by their captors.
She lead them to the underground emergency shelter inside the mobile city. An underground bunker directly connected to the service room of the school east wing. Such revelation from the The operators began their preparation for any possibilities in the tunnel. Gun lights lit up the dark the moment they found out the Catastrophe Emergency Shelter. She then knocks the vault entrance.
Moments later, a speaker went on. "Рада, кто эти люди рядом с тобой?" (Rada, who are the people next to you?) a young voice spoke in Russian language. The tone clearly agitated with the equipment used by the soldiers.
The Ursus girl want to reply but the leader cut her off. " Miss, we got no time here. We got an active battle right now and we need to get you all out of here." he directly explained to the speaker's user.
" How can we trust you, stranger? Last we opened the shelter, we were tormented by the Reunion."she questioned. "Your armor looked similar to those white masked bastards." aggressive tone replaced the calmer one.
" Miss, we literally have no time here." Hitman Lead beginning to be exasperated with such antics. "Right now the compound is abandoned by the Reunion and they are currently fighting our men upstairs. We NEED to get you OUT of here or this place will have a bloodbath with TWO full strength Reunion battalions crashing this party."
Silence on the other side of the speaker. Then, the vault began to open.
Hitman squad preparing for the worse as the vault slowly opened. Another Ursus girl, black haired one stands before them with a glare at the leader. Behind her there are several peer members clearly armed with makeshifts weapons. Knives, hammers and even axes. They are prepared to fight back.
The silence was palpable between two sides as Rada was uncertain of the exchange.
"Guys?" She asked. The silence again replied the young girl, clearly trapped between her friends and the men that want to bring them out of here.
The dark haired girl then spoke, breaking the tension, " Fine, we'll follow you. If you back off your words I will kill you." The intensity and distrust lingers even she is accepting the strangers offer.
Hitman lead the returned the acceptance with a nod. "Agreed" he replied.
" Follow us."
Hitman squad, School Compound.
After the tense exchange between now known Ursus Student Self-Government Group, USSG with Hitman squad, the leader then called in the command.
"Badger Actual, be advised, this is Hitman. We found the cubs and civvies. There are about 100+ of them here inside school's holdout bunker. The rest are unknown. Over."
Such radio call clearly made the survivors interested with their new helpers. Some are observing the men with interest especially on the gears used by them. For Terrans, guns are already rare including pistols, let alone the rifles used by their saviour. Its a rare occasion for the students and the civilians to meet possible Special Forces currently escorting them out to the school compound.
"Affirmative Hitman. We hear you loud and clear." Badger replied. "Be advised, there are change of plan. We are sending reinforcements to your AO. Callsigns Warlock and Assassin. Challenge is Ice Pick, counter is Penguin. Do you copy? Over."
The leader paused then replied "Hitman copies. Interrogative, why the change? Over." He asked.
"We got high concentration of Reunion troops converging to your area. We had confirmed these batch came from HVT callsign Whiteout. Over."
"Hitman copies. Interrogative, how about the prisoners? We already promised to bring them out of here. Over." He looked back to the USSG members and civilians.
Some were even more uncertain of the report. They might not know the callsign but they know its a bad news. Sonya, the previous black haired leader even glared at him on what he will do after this. Hitman Lead may be a veteran but the girls glare are scathingly freezing and shivers his spine.
The radio buzzed again.
"This is Badger Actual, we know they want safety but with those groups moving within the AO really made the convoy jittery to move through and back. Roadrunner are heading to the compound as we speak. Five transports, three gun trucks, two humvee and an ambulance. Be advised, if sufficient, your group are to search for extra transport for the civvies. Over."
"Hitman copies, stand by." He gladly appreciated the respond which save him from her chilling sights. She may be cute but even he felt that he standing near to an angry mama bear.
He looked to the survivors. "Ok, listen up. Does anyone here know any mobile transports left in the school area?" He paused. "Anyone?"
Rada immediately raised her left hand enthusiastically for her respond to Hitman's question.
"I know! I know! There are few buses and vans left in the workshop. They're about that direction to go to." She pointed to the southeast of their current position. The same direction where Badger told the infantry reinforcement would be.
He smiled at her appreciating her help. "Thanks for the info kid."
She nodes her head. Happy with her contribution to the group.
Hitman Lead turned to his radio. "Hitman to Badger Actual. We just got intel from the civvies. She said there is a motor pool about southeast of our position. Can the reinforcement confirm it? Over."
"Badger Actual to Hitman. We just got confirmation from Warlock and Assassin. They are now heading to the motor pool. Be advised, Link up are established with Warlock."
A buzz on the radio shows that the line was being linked up to the supposed support. A new transmission soon respond.
"This is Warlock. We are in the motor pool. Most vehicles here are wrecked but we got some are green to go. Four buses and three vans. We're trying hotwire them then taking the transports to you Hitman. Looks like its a packed ride here. ETA 10 mikes, Over."
"Roger that Warlock. Hitman out."
Hitman Lead turned to the group.
"Listen up. There are transports heading here. Four buses and three vans. Prioritize the wounded and young ones first. Combat capable ones are to assist here in the evac process while we're reinforcing the surrounding buildings. Any questions?"
"Yeah. I got one. How about you guys? You know, your backups. Does they come here too?" a student asked.
He nodded at him "Those backups are our primary transports. Just in case of anything. Its better have extra space for the guards to stick with you guys. Right now there are extra bunch of Tangos heading here and they are not happy. God knows what they're thinking now and its not pretty."
"Ok, enough of this. Are you guys leading the way or not?" Sonya clearly had enough of the unnecessary question session again. Her eyes challenging Hitman's resolve.
Challenge accepted.
"Lady, Rangers lead the way." He responded. "Now jokes aside. Lets move to your positions. Good luck and STAY safe."
"Yeah, yeah. Good luck mister." Sonya dismiss his remarks but she also comfortable with the answer given to her.
Hitman Lead looked back at her. "You too Miss." He ordered his men and the survivors"Alright, lets move to your positions. Hold this line until backup arrives. Do not let let them pass. Hooah?"
"Hoorah!/ Yeah!"
Bullseye's position, Line West
"Contact front! Hostile infantries. Engaging."
Riflemen and SAW gunners engaged Reunion infantries with thick volume of fire.
Several Reunion swordsmen died from the volley fire. The first strike from the troops did inflict heavy casualties on the unsuspecting oppositions. Shields raised up as cover from the relentless assault.
One of the riflemen turned to his radio. "Bullseye to Badger actual. Be advised, hostile forces are engaging on Line West. I say again, contact on Line West. Regulars and Casters. Looks like they are throwing fodders to thin us out. Over."
He rose up and pulled several auto bursts from his M4A1 carbine. Some of the Reunion members again took cover from several rounds flying over them.
"Copy that, Bullseye. Draw them in to the site Alpha. Break." The radio responded.
"Be advised Bullseye, you need to hold the line until Hunter is in position. Then pull your men back to designated rally point. Over." Badger instructed the soldiers.
"Affirmative Badger. Will hold the line until Hunter is ready. Out." Bullseye responded back.
After the radio call, a Ranger moved to his fighting position. Few crossbow bolts bounced from his cover in near miss. In his hands a handheld mortar ready.
"Sir, we got some reunion mortars here. Can we use them?"
Bullseye Lead looked at the mortar and realized the markings "Negative, those things are Originum operated. You only lob stones with that. Just disable them."
"Copy that, sir." He took off the range finder computer from the mortar and threw the tube away.
The fighting was fierce with both side as infantries tried to overcome each other sides. Tracer rounds flew and even bounced to the sky while colourful Arts attack reached the defender's line.
Suddenly the attacking forces retreated back from the frontline. Clearly for them to regroup and waiting for their own reinforcements.
The retreat made a window of opportunity for the defenders to recover back and reinforce their current standing.
"Listen up, I want Defenders set up arc of fire at both of our flanks. Vanguards, cover them. I want marksmen providing fire support on any SOBs with heavy armors or crossbows, so start killing anyone tries to make us pincushions. Double time, soldiers!"
"Sir, yes sir!" they replied.
Infantries began to reinforce their battle lines with anything that can be used as covers. The Defenders set up their MCRs and aimed their guns towards the killing field while Vanguards began to plant sensors to cover the perimeters alongside Rangers.
Few moments later, another silhouettes of Reunion troops began to form as the black clad heavy armored infantries with shields began to march akin to Roman Testudo formation. The march was steady with skirmishers began their attack on the defenders.
"Oh shit! Arrow barrage incoming!"
The gray skies somehow darken as silhouettes of arrows began to rain down toward them. From that moment the barrage began to hit the defensive line with intent to impale the operators with their cold steel tips.
"Return fire!"
A Ranger marksman set his rifle on a rubble and immediately aimed at the first target he saw, a Crossbowman. He aimed the reticule right at the middle of the torso and squeezed the trigger of his SR25A1.
The target suddenly slumped down as a red mist puffed from his chest. Others next to him jumped to cover and behind safety of their heavy armored counterparts.
Rangers and Vanguards with SR25A1s began to act as ad hoc marksmen as they picked off Reunion Crossbowmen and casters from safer distance slowing the attack down. The Defenders let off streams of 5.56mm rounds downrange without any word.
MCRs roared continuously with tracers rounds travelled to intended targets. Raging red lines formed with red mists from unfortunate Reunion men whose failed to reach cover.
Yet, the Reunion endured and continued forward.
"Push forwards comrades! Those Laterano bastards will not stop our wrath! March!"
Crossbowmen and Caster bombarded the defense line with steady covers of the heavy infantries.
The screams of pain and death began to mount for the attacking Reunion forces. Bodies piled up with every round hit vital parts. Some died instantaneously on the spot, another wallowed in pain cursing their enemies responsible for their suffering.
"Hostiles on left flank!" A Vanguard noticed movements on their left flank.
"Left flank! Left Flank! Defenders light them out!"
2 MCR operators immediately changed their firing positions to the left and opened fire at the attempting flanking troops. Some were gunned down by the fire while the rest pinned down and picked off one by one by marksmen and riflemen.
The firefight raged for minutes with both sides tried to hit their adversary. Duels between marksmen and casters were like a game of whack-a-mole where the players tried to end each other with either bolts or leads.
Even tough the soldiers inflicting high casualties among Reunion ranks, their troops also received casualties from their enemies. Three rangers were hit with arrows and a vanguard hit from Caster barrage. The casualties were light but the weight of the attack began to wear down the defenders.
"Man down! Man down! Medic!"
"Pull him out of there and cover their asses!"
Some even stopped attacking and pulled their wounded from the front. Reunion heavy shielders covered their comrades as they own medics tried to evacuate their wounded to safety.
BOOM!
A single crack boomed over others rounds and suddenly one of the defending heavies dropped dead. Panic rose from the ranks as the heavy rifle round cracking again like thunder.
A heavy's head pushed back and slump down dropped his heavy shield. Another comrade fell unmoving. Heavies lowered their heads to have more cover with shields. Panic rose within ranks.
Bullseye's radio buzzed.
"This is Hunter to Bullseye. Be advised, we are set in our crows nest and providing sniper and machine gun fire. Pull your section back to the compound now. How copy?"
"Wilco, Hunter. Bullseye out."
"Bullseye Actual to all element, pull back to second line! Defenders provide covering fire, now!"
The machine gun lobbed more rounds to the front as rangers retreat back.
"Sir!"
The infantries proceed their fighting retreat from line Alpha with small victory in their engagement with Reunion. The marksmen provided covering fire against snipers to keep their head down as most riflemen moved to the next defensive line.
The school compound itself.
Unknown to the defenders. A small drone flying above the battlespace with its camera recorded the engagement.
Chapter 1 Part 4 Bloody Broadcast
Rhodes Island Pharmaceutical Ltd, Mobile Base 'Ark', Mess Hall.
The day was good for the inhabitants of the Ark, home of Rhodes Island Pharmaceuticals Inc. The tranquility in the mess hall made the daily interactions of their members bearable even with operations and missions conducted by the Doctor and his security forces. The maintenance, engineering and even medical staff also gather in the mess hall and intermingle with each other.
Some operators and contractors even assisted in the food preparations. The foods were prepared by chefs with various types of dished made to sate their hunger. People interacted with each other, from friendly banters to serious issues. Many came from different walks of life joined the organization for the good of their world.
One may say they are naive, but the RI prided themselves for doing an honest work, healing the infected and bridge the gap between Uninfected and Infected denizens of Terra. Various antics and memories were made in the Mess Hall, the good, the bad and the weird. Many questions such events but all they know, its just the daily life in the Ark.
Unfortunately for the inhabitants of the mobile base, things about to change again for their lives.
The giant flat-screen TV previously played some commercials then immediately changed to a channel akin to an emergency broadcast. A television presenter appeared on the TV screen with serious look on his face. His hands held on to his scripts with impressions of reporting it.
" Good evening ladies and gentlemen. Andrew Watsons of G-News. Today we have an emergency broadcast." He then re-read back his script to confirm it, "There has been an ongoing battle in Ursus mobile city, Chernobog."
The sudden announcement of Chernobog immediately attracted the RI operators to focus on the TV news.
Watsons continued " Moments ago, our field reporter Melinda Sawyer had called us to bring up the events currently happened in the fallen city. To you, Sawyer." He addressed his colleague currently on live stream.
A Lupo brunette now standing in front of the camera. Her current outfits are light body armor with 'PRESS' on it and a blue helmet. That choice of attire alone made the viewers know she is inside a battle zone. Her background was heard with explosions and gun fires.
"Thank you, Watsons. This is Melinda Sawyer of G-News reporting live from Chernobog. There are currently a big battle in the city with Reunion forces fighting another unknown military forces at the east side of the city."
The entire court silenced as they heard the news reporter said about a battle in Chernobog. The operators and staff immediately move to the large TV to watch the sudden reports as the background of the reporter again filled with smoke and some explosion was heard.
"Turn up the volume now." said one of the staff.
Another staff responded and picked up a remote. The volume of the TV raised that everyone in the room can clearly heard the battle in the back. The sounds of battle attracted the Rhodes Island operators to also watch the news attentively.
"Our drone has been following the battle and we are currently live on the front."
The feed shows soldiers with peculiar combat uniforms fighting Reunion forces. The defensive positions are clearly shown in the footage with Reunion forces tried to break through the line.
"Wait, all of them are using rifles. Laterano perhaps?"
The soldiers were armed with rifles similarly used by Exusiai of Penguin Logistic when she needed more firepower. Their movements were precise and on point even with chaos around them.
The feed also shown some of the soldiers fought on the second floor of a ruin providing sniper fire with others on the makeshifts covers. Returning fire on their targets at front of them.
"Looks like it. But somethings strange with them, like somethings don't add up." The male operator replied.
The young man with white hair looked intrigued with the arsenal shown in the TV. He then noticed a difference.
"Damn, looks like they got heavy weapons too."
"What? Where? All I see are rifles." Someone question him, not clear what he meant before.
"That-"
The sudden shout form the feed silenced the chatting operators.
"Left flank! Left flank! Defenders, light them out!"
They saw two soldiers on the top of the garrison with an odd AR look-a-like moved to the left flank of the defenders and set their guns on the rubble.
An astonishing display of firepower from said soldiers as red tracers flew from the guns and hit the flanking reunion group, suppressing them down. Red angry laser-light display surprised the viewers with the amount for rounds fired from two unknown soldiers.
"Wait, those two are defenders? Where are their shields?" the staff asked.
The crowd noticed the question too.
One of the operator replied. "Probably their own terms of defenders." he said, impressed with the firepower. "Looks real good in their jobs, defending the line from the Reunion forces."
"Those level of firepower are great but the costs? Yeah, these guys might be backed by someone with deep pockets. Even Sankta and Sarkaz riflemen would thinking twice to do such thing. Those Originum rounds are expensive." He gave his assessment on the soldiers actions.
The operators and staff began to discuss with each other as the live feed of the battle was shown in the live TV. The battle was intense with possible Sankta or Sarkaz soldiers hold their line from Reunion forces.
BOOM!
Sudden thunderous clap stopped their discussions while some operators recognized the thumping sound. The round possibly hit its target.
"Damn, that's a loud bang. Heavy sniper rifle perhaps?" mentioned a Sankta.
His sniper compatriots nods their heads. The sound of a fired high caliber rifle are very demoralizing for any attacking force. One might say one sniper could hold off a battalion to a halt and the results shown before them proved it.
The entire Reunion push halted as the sniper fire picked them off one by one with rapid fire machine guns halt most of their advance.
The defending soldiers pushed back the attacking force thanks to sudden fire supports from their snipers. The wounded were also healed with unknown medical kits as there were no visible wounds shown by the news drone.
The fight was one-sided as the defending faction clearly have advantages with guns even though their Reunion counterparts have the numbers to bring the fight closer to the ranged infantries.
Moments later, one of the soldiers began to show hand signals to his allies, then they began to form another pattern. Most of the soldiers began to withdraw from the front The possible started ordering a drone feed shown most of the soldiers moving back from their fighting positions while others upstairs providing solid cover fire for their retreat.
The sniper cover helped the retreat process as all of them were already far from the Reunion forces.
The amount of loadouts from these soldiers are staggering. Some of them even have large tactical bags carried on their backs. This subtle attire made the viewers realized that these soldiers have different loadout to separate them to their duties.
The lightly armored soldiers clearly armed with assault rifles. Their movements are faster and tactics recognizable by RI operators as skirmishers.
Another recognizable traits are the machine gunners. They can be identified with light machine guns and tactical backpacks they currently using. The amount of rounds released downrange made the operators concluded that those backpacks are filled with ammo.
Finally the heavily armored soldiers. These men are clearly distinguished by their heavy body armor. Their rifles may be the same with their lightly armored counterparts but some even carried shotguns on their backs. These mean that they are close quarter specialists of the group.
The unknowns techs and arsenal impressed some of RI operators especially the snipers of the pharmaceutical security teams. Some even wonders how to get those hardware for their own use in future field operations.
Unbeknownst to them, two RI doctors even watched the live broadcast from the office with their assistants.
"That is an impressive fighting retreat maneuver. Where are they heading at?" a Lupo asked himself, clearly impressed with the unknowns tactics.
One of them realized something form the footage, especially the buildings they are heading towards.
"Wait, aren't those Chernobog Public School? What is going on here."
The drone followed the soldiers movements when they were retreating to their other defensive position away from attacking forces.
The feed zoomed out and revealed something that surprised the viewers.
Chernobog Public School.
Previously known as one of Ursus Empire top education centers. The pinnacle of arts and science of Ursus nobility to send future heirs to learn their crafts and skills needed for statesmanship. The regal buildings of the education center was beautiful that withstands the test of time which became one of the pride of the Empire itself.
Now, it became the shadow of its former self. Fallen and abandoned after the fall of the city and Catasthrope storm, the center became refuge for survivors of the calamities.
Before, it was the pride of the city, now it became prison for Reunion troops to put prisoners and left abandoned for weeks after the fall. Based on the reports came from the scouts and refugees, its inhabitants treated poorly by their captivators, some even indicated of horrific acts committed by the Reunion and the school's inhabitants thus turned this prison into hell on earth.
Nobility or commoners. Title means nothing to the Infected as they tortured their captives and left them to rot inside the school compound. There were even reports of cannibalism occurred as there were little to no food and supplies left which scarcely provided by Reunion themselves just to prolong their torment on the prisoners.
Rhodes Island operators and staff from Ursus Empire were agitated with war crimes committed by their fellow infected yet unable to do so because of lack of manpower to engage Reunion forces directly in their newly acquired home turf.
Now, those perspective soon shattered thanks to the live stream of Melinda Sawyer's news drone.
The abandoned school thrive with life as dozens of troops moving in the compound, stationing themselves with makeshifts barricades and set up possible fighting positions.
Snipers position themselves on top of the school building. Their positions provided overwatch on the sphere of the school's compound. Clearly, they are the support of this unknown force.
Rubble of the school ground were reinforced with anything that can be carried as barricades then manned by machine-gunners. Their guns pointed outside of the compound with every intent to do harm to any attacking forces.
Minutes later, previous group then assembled at the central compound with another similar garbed soldiers and other group that surprised them even more.
The civilians clearly denoted from the ranks but their uniforms made the viewers silent in shock.
Ursus Public School Students. Survivors of the fall of Chernobog are actively helping the soldiers with preparing their defenses against the next wave of Reunion troops. Some aided the wounded while others preparing the defenses around the school compound.
"Unbelievable…are those school students?" a staff voiced in disbelief.
The viewers were stunned with such revelation of the existence of survivors. There are only one thing in their minds right now and it was conveyed by the reporter herself.
"Oh, my god. Ar-Are those students? Survivors…are they…" Sawyer loosed her composure for a bit.
"Viewers, there are twists in this event. Apparently there are survivors inside the Public School compound alongside the soldiers previously observed."
Before she spoke again. Her drone gave a feed of a convoy of buses and vans entering the school. That moment again silenced the viewers around the world with one revelation formed through their minds.
A rescue mission.
What they currently watched before them right now was a rescue mission in progress by the unknown soldiers.
"Looks like there are vehicles entering the compound. No doubt for that this is a rescue mission for the survivors in the public school." She observed. "This means that they are not attacking the Reunion, they are attempting to evacuate the civilians trapped in the school. Right now, we are unconfirmed with this attempt."
"Right now there are large gathering of Reunion troops heading to their hold. Someone had to do something." Melissa explained with panic began to fester in her voice.
Within Lungmen administrative building, an executive called the council to an emergency meeting. The situation was grim enough that a Lungmen Guard Department task force was prepared for any emergency currently happening near their border. Yen military generals were also present in the meeting.
The previous thought on new faction may want to test the Chernobog defenses now replaced with concern on the rescue mission. If the reporter is true, then the said rescue force will had to fight off at least a battalion of Reunion troops smashed to their battle line with other battalions heading there as reinforcements.
Some of the administration even prayed for the unknowns success. This may be a major blow to the Reunion supposed strength that attempting to attack the nearest city already discovered and possibly planned to counter future attempts on their own cities.
Ursus generals began their calls on their respective forces to prepare for any possibility of Reunion strikes on other major cities. The armies were immediately on alert as airborne units called in for emergency deployments.
The nobility began their own call to their families of probability of their house heirs survived the ordeal and attempting to get out of the city. For both the New and Old faction, the loss of heirs of the noble houses were huge blow through their ranks. These revelation made them have a silver line of hope that their heirs are alive and in safe hands of their supposed saviors.
Laterano intelligence community unsurprisingly began their investigations on this peculiar group as long guns are very rare to be seen outside their nation let alone armed with machine guns. These unknowns vehemently used controlled arsenal which the government imposed restricted export to regions outside the Angelic nation. Executors were called in for immediate action and investigation on the unknown group.
Sarkaz mercenary groups also interested with the recent event in the screen. Some even began observing the formations, tactics and techs used by the defenders. The similarities of the unknowns to their own ranks and tactics made them curious why these group are opposing the Reunion and even operate beyond Kazdel borders.
Other countries leaders also watched and tried to figure out what was happening and who was conducting such daring mission. Puzzled yet intrigued with the outcome, they silently observed the event alongside their advisers and generals.
Unfortunately, the Reunion leaders also watched the live stream. Their leader silently watched the event while others agitated with the presence of foreign soldiers in their area. Someone dared to challenge their newly gained power in their own backyard. Commanders even ordered their men to be prepared for another incursion into the mobile city.
The tension intensified as the feed shown the convoy were soon filled up with students waiting to be extracted from the city. Soon after, another new convoy entered the scene.
Several military trucks and armored vehicles entered the school with some of them clearly armed to the teeth. The armed ones then positioned themselves to provide protection to their less armored counterparts.
As new loading process began, a sudden explosion hit the left side of the school administration building.
The Reunion had reached the frontline.
"Contact front!"
The drone's mic recorded the response.
Intense firefight began as Reunion forces arrived to stop the evacuation of their prisoners. Armed with stolen Ursus weaponry and knowledge of their new enemies, they began their first strike.
Mortar strikes hit hard on the compound's area while crossbowmen began their deadly duels with their defending adversaries. Automatic fire deafened the dull area as shouts of command and cries of pain heard by both sides. Some unfortunate soldiers were hit by the shrapnel and deliberately treated by medics and students supporting their supposed saviors.
Machine gun fire roared the battlefield. The gunners used their tools with constant long bursts, primarily suppressing the front and thinning the ranks. Red tracers flew in fiery firework display of death. The darken sky made the tracer flight markings even more visible to the viewers.
Snipers on the rooftops keep firing on the Reunion snipers and Casters from harming their defenders. Thunderclaps from the sniper rifle nearly overcome the machine gun roars as gunshots heard through out the city.
Casualties mounting fast but the attackers keep on pushing forward. The volume of fire began to dwindle as some riflemen had to reload fresh ammo into their guns. Some had even have runners run back to the convoys for more ammunition.
Reunion heavy troops moved forward, taking opportunity of the decrease of fire. They pushed deep and hard eventually engaged their enemies in close combat. Swords and maces raised high as lighter units rush to the defending line. Reinforcements entered the fight through supporting the attacking front.
Close quarter battle commenced as infantries duke it out with rifles and close combat weapons.
It was close and brutal. No signs of graceful swords fights between Kazimierz knights or any fight entertainments, no valiant stands from old war movies, just an actual display of unhinged violence imposed on both sides. A bloody engagement in dance of death for both sides.
The soldiers did not even stop for anything and fight with same ferocity as the Reunion facing them.
The live footage shown the brutality of firearms in close combat. Shotgunners tore their enemies' limbs piercing the heavy armors while rifle rounds broke the Swordsmen ranks. Heads popped like melons with bloody mists splatters the walls and rubble. Bodies dropped down with swings of blade and mace, with every trigger squeezed and rounds roaring the mirage dusk of the frontline.
A Reunion soldier rush forward, successfully stabbed a rifleman on the left side of the armor, a possible soft spot. The said soldier should died by the stab, instead pulled the attacker back to him and drew a pistol from his hip and aimed to his attacker's face. Three flashes were seen as both fell down unmoving after the brutal exchange.
Another rifleman was tackled down to the ground. They struggled against each other to gain upper hand in their fight. Desperately, the felled soldier's right hand reached his back and draw a short knife and stabbed right into the his opponent's left side. He repeatedly stabbed the offender's hip until he bleeds out and slumped lifelessly on him. The corpse then pushed aside from the soldier's front, thus giving him a clear view for his next engagement. With his back on the ground, he raised his rifle back up and shot the next nearest swordsman. Full auto bursts fired from point blank range tore apart anyone in front of the barrel. Swordsmen before him were mercilessly cut down by the sheer firepower as conformed kills for the defenders.
One rifleman armed his bayonet and rushed to his fallen comrade. With rage he stabbed his blade straight into a swordsman's neck, severely pierced through the clothed neck and ripped out his bloodied rifle. He then continue to repeat the same killing method on other nearest enemy.
Similar gruesome events happened around the new battlefield. Both sides slugged out like there was no tomorrow. Warhammers bashed into the ranks, swords striking the rifles and bolts hit their targets. Its just madness shown with bloody potency. Brutal display of violence made some civilian viewers loose their bowels. They were not prepared of immediate deaths and killings in the live TV.
Eventually, the wave was broken. The defenders held on but some of them fell during the engagement. The dusty camo uniforms of the defenders laid unmoving and some severely wounded alongside dead amber colored bodies of Reunion attackers. There were also blood red marks on their uniforms clearly shown as possible ranking officers in Reunion ranks.
Wounded yet unyielding, the defenders reorganized and catch their bearings. Medics immediately pulled the dead and wounded back from the lines and treated them next to the ambulance including surviving Reunion ones. Ammo quickly pulled from supply point to replenish the rounds spent earlier. Soldiers carrying ammo cans and even ammunition belts to their compatriots. Dispersing the ammo needed among the ranks. Barricades were repaired with other rubble quickly signify that the fight is not over yet.
To make it more appalling and miserable for the viewers, the defenders did something that even RI operators did not even crossed their mind, let alone do it. The soldiers moved to the abandoned corpses of Reunion troops. Heavy armored corpses of the Reunion were pulled to the defenses. Turning the fallen troops into a literal wall of flesh. One even put his machine gun on top of the dead, pointing it forward. The blatant disrespect of the dead made some disgusted with such actions but the reasons are very dire for them. Their numbers are dwindling and yet many more Reunion are gathering for the next assault. A possible final blow to the defenders.
The previous defenses were destroyed by the initial mortar strikes, rendering some hard structures into rubble through out the field. Some of the school structure even collapsed and showed its innards. School tables and chairs scattered alongside papers and documents. Metal rebars of the school foundations shown with gutted concrete and scattered remains. The only safe place barely damaged was the school compound itself which is miraculous to extend that the convoy were not truly damaged in the initial onslaught on their position.
The fight became more desperate for the unknown defenders. The world can only watch helplessly as the military forces were surrounded en mass of Reunion mobs willing to inflict pain and suffering to the defenders.
Another wave of reunion troops already regroup and began another wave of assault. With dwindling supplies and strength of the defenders. It looks like the failure of the operation will be witnessed by the world.
Some Rhodes Island operatives and Lungmen Guard Department special units bristled with dissatisfaction and agitations as they could not aid the rescuers to safely evacuate the area. They had to watch from the screen as the event unfold in front of them.
Gunshots and explosions again torn around the compound as both sides again duke each other out in another deadly duels.
Tracer rounds flew across the streets with fire and smokes while crossbow bolts whistle in the sky attempting to bite anyone stands in their flight path.
The video feed zoomed out to asses the surrounding battlefield. The pilot may be ordered to stay away from the engagement and not cause more discomforts for the viewers.
Smokes and fires from burning buildings raised up in blaze. Dusts covered the battlefield with dead bodies littering the killing field like discarded puppets.
Swift whistles heard across the battlefield. Then it hits.
BOOOM!
Several buildings front of the defending forces immediately leveled down with massive explosions. Massive cloud of dusts formed up and scattered to the nearby structures. The violent explosions made the audience jumped in fright. The shockwave nearly took out the drone feed as the operator struggled to maintain flight balance of the drone.
Once harden buildings garrisoned by Reunion snipers then immediately turned to piles of rubble. The impact damage was so intensive that the structural support of the fallen mobile city failed thus dragged the buildings next to the craters crumbled into a sinkhole.
The defenders cheered of the artillery strikes. The battlefield silenced in its aftermath. No more Reunion forces in the immediate vicinity of the school. They possibly retreated back from attacking again. The artillery strikes proved to be effective as the defenders now have artillery support and The Reunion may have suffered major casualties from the said barrage.
The event made the audience watched in stunned silence. The information was to much to be comprehend with live combat footage from news network to mysterious soldiers and ended with gruesome explosions. They are confused.
The military analysts and intelligence groups made sure they recorded the footage for further analysis.
The world reactions to the series of events in merely an hour made even shocking to them.
The drone zoomed in to the nearest soldier, probably their leader based on the posture of him and ways he ordered his forces retreat to the transport vehicles. Soldiers began to enter their transports with other volunteers from the ambulance. One by one settled down in their respective vehicles and waiting for the convoy to evacuate out of the school.
The feed shows the aftermath of the soldier with dusts and blood stick to his unmarked combat armor. His body still express confidence and energy to fight back if necessary.
His head suddenly turned to the drone, startled the viewers and the drone pilot. The black combat visor stared at the drone with silence.
Then the line was cut.