Haltzar was not just frustrated, he was furious. First, they failed to bomb the Americans, then the Americans came and drove their forces out of Zohath territory, and now they had multiple armies including the Americans steadily making their way towards the homeland from the beaches of another kingdom they eradicated long ago. Not only that but they just lost one of their Landcruisers. From the window in his office, he could see the E-100s and the S-262s undergoing maintenance and being fitted with experimental technology and equipment.
What concerned him however was how he lost contact with his spies in the Americas. They should have reported back long ago. Perhaps they have been found out and were being interrogated, or were being executed by the Americans.
So far this war was not going well and it was all thanks to the Americans. If they can't do something to gain an edge or level the playing field, all their progress, all their conquests, will be all for nothing.
"Give me some good news doctor." Haltzar said as he was hoping some news on their projects would at least lift his spirits somewhat.
"Well sir. The projects are going as planned and should be ready for full deployment in about a month." The former nazi scientist responded to the supreme leader. "However we have been running into some setbacks as of lately. A few imbeciles keep losing track of their tools and sometimes even misplace important parts for the tanks. One of the tank's fuel tanks even started leaking from a puncture we aren't able to tell was caused by."
Haltzar sighed. "You tell those monkeys of yours that if we have any more such setbacks that I'll be addressing them personally to address my frustration and what's a stake as of this moment, and that I may not be as merciful as of next time." Haltzar was losing his patience, and anyone causing any setbacks would most certainly pay if this continues on.
"I assure you supreme leader I have already addressed them and will assure you that this never happens again." The scientist stated. "We will be right on schedule and we will turn this war around."
Little did they know that a small cybernetic fly was monitoring and listening in on the entire conversation. Having listened enough, the tiny machine detached from the wall and took flight, exiting the room unnoticed. It flew over the E-100s currently under development and several stacks of AAMs that were posited next to S-262s. The scientist and engineers were oblivious to the small fly as it flew over out of sight and landed in the palm of one of the patrol guards stationed within the facility.
Looking at a small tablet, the soldier was able to see what the small drone recorded and stored that footage into a file before sending it off with a few pictures of the tanks and missiles being produced. Putting the drone and tablet away he walked around the premise of the workshop as if patrolling the area, not drawing much suspicion from anyone, and approached one of the tables the engineers were using. Carefully swiping away a blow torch they were using to weld pieces together and walked off to 'misplace' it.
"General Shepherd! 1st Air Calvary has reported! Castle-3 is now under their control and they are holding position, helicopters are returning for rearm and refuel!"
"Excellent. I want armor columns accompanied by groups of motorized infantry to secure a pathway towards the castle." General Shepherd ordered as he looked at a real-time digital map created by satellites covering the entire continent. "Have the 21st Armored Brigade push through to Village-11 and secure the sight. Have the 2nd Helicopter Squadron maintain air support for friendly forces against enemy heavy armor. Transmit new commands to the Arsenal Bird and have it expand its air space to counter any enemy air patrols that may be present."
"Sir yes sir!"
An entire column of tanks consisting of four M1A3Ds, two M850s, and a single UAHT-1211A1 were mobilized and moving further into hostile territory, accompanied by M4AAWPs M4IFVs with dual 40mm autocannons and several JLTVs carrying troops.
As expected they came under fire from multiple enemy positions that were waiting for them but were able to easily dispatch them with their superior weaponry.
Bullets bounced off the armor of a JLTV as one of the troops inside manned the CROWS from inside and returned fire. An M850 Grizzly rolled and fire from both its main guns, destroying the entrenchment full of Aryan soldiers.
M1A3s countered enemy armored forces as Abrams went toe to toe with Tigger Is and IIs. The Aryan tanks were slow and failed to accurately track the mobile American tanks while the American tanks had no issues whatsoever, making every shot a hit and easily devastating the Aryan forces.
Two Mouse tanks went up against the UAHT-1211A1 but were unable to do any real damage besides chipping off the black paint coat around it. While the massive drone tank was easily able to destroy the Aryan super heavy tanks with ease, destroying one with a single shot from its 240mm main gun and blasting the other one with AT missiles from its rear-mounted dual launchers.
"Commander! We're closing in on Outpost Castle! Reconnaissance teams have reported enemy occupation and that their aircraft have pulled away!" One of the tank commanders of a Tigger I said to the lead commander in his Mouse tank. An entire division of tanks of all shapes and sizes accompanied by half-track transports and over carrier vehicles was making its way across the plains on course for the castle structure they were currently using as an outpost.
They were originally being sent to the frontlines but their orders were now changed to secure the castle and figure out what was going on after they lost contact with the men stationed there. Now it would appear that the loss of contact was a result of enemy occupation.
"All tank as standard assault lines! Ready to lay siege to the fortress and support infantry to secure the base! Eliminate all enemy presence!"
Above them however, the Americans at the castle were watching through the eyes of a portable UAV troops could carry around with them as it circled above the Aryan vehicles without even being noticed.
The Air Cavalry commander watched as the enemy tanks were charging across the flat grassy plains, closing in on their position with the intention of taking the fortress back. Already his troops were setting up positions and trying to figure out the workings of some of the AT guns that survived their initial attack. Reinforcing already set up but damaged fortifications of wood and sandbags.
"Command this Commander Holland of the 1st Air Calvary! Requesting immediate artillery strike on enemy armor, coordinates attached, over!"
"Good copy commander. Artillery is authorized and in hot. Standby."
From the given coordinates, the MLRSs and Artillery platforms began adjusting their weapons prior to the enemy's current position and adjusting based on their movement speed and time for the projectiles to reach their target.
The crew were already quick at work as they loaded shells into the guns accompanied with shaped sacks of explosive material for the propellant. The type of shells being loaded was rocket-assisted terminal guidance munitions that would use UAV and satellite footage to track and intercept their targets while airborne.
All in sync, the cannons fired from 155mm to 200mm. The MLRSs followed suit as they too let loose their arsenal of rockets and the Jadgbrams' fired their railguns, creating an entire volley of death and destruction.
Given the projectile speed of a railgun, the Jadgbrams' were the ones to make the first strike as a railgun shot hit a Tigger I and split it in half like a knife through butter. The other tanks' commanders were shocked by the sudden event that it took them another five tanks meeting the same fate to realize what was happening.
"We're under attack! Scatter! Scatter!" At that moment, an HE artillery shell struck a Panther IV and blasted it to pieces as hatches, wheels, and what was left of the turret were sent flying off in multiple directions while the hull broke from the welding points, the force too great for them to hold together. Fire enveloped what was left of the tank as its brethren steered clear of it and continued under the continuous artillery attacks.
A Mouse took a direct hit from a 200mm shell and exploded as the turret was sent flying out and the hatches popped open with flames shooting out.
The transport vehicles were given the same fate as a rocket struck a half-track vehicle and smashed it to pieces while covering the entire area around it in an explosive inferno.
Tanks and vehicles broke their original formation as the artillery continued to hammer down on them, almost always hitting their tanks directly or artillery map ting off the side and flipping a vehicle with the force of the impact.
"Damn it! Just how accurate is their artillery?" The division commander shouted as a shell struck the side of his Mouse tank, making it list a bit before falling back on both treads, not being much affected by the blast because of its weight and armor. While the tank took no damage, the crew weren't as lucky as they were thrown around inside and the gunner was knocked unconscious by his head hitting the controls and bleeding.
"Well ain't that a pretty sight." The Air Cavalry commander said as looked out through his binoculars as the artillery was pounding away at the enemy tanks. "Let's say we join the party. Once you have those AT guns working you have permission to open fire." Immediately, several of the AT guns still working fired off at the enemy line and began hitting the Aryan tanks. Though not as accurate or as powerful as current American AT and artillery pieces, they still packed a punch as they easily penetrated through Panther IVs and sometimes even a Tigger I.
The commander of the entire tank division flew open his hatch as he struggled to climb out of the vehicle. His vision was somewhat a bit blurry and he heard an eerie painful ringing in his ears as he made it out and slid down the side of the turret and hull, tumbling onto the ground.
As his vision recovered somewhat and he was able to render in what was happening around him, he watched as his entire division was being destroyed. He heard the screams of tankers as they tried desperately to exit their now in flames Tigger II as it was hit before exploding from the ammo cooking off.
Was this the power of the Americans? Was this really what their Reich now faced? Was this to be their decided fate? Many questions began filling his head as something punched completely through his Mouse tank and set it ablaze. That's when reality kicked in as he now saw the predictable future. They already lost the war before it even began. "Supreme Leader Haltzar...what have you done?"
The Mechium Province, while not having any ground-based vehicles to operate, we're no slouch to the war effort as their forces were able to hold their own against the Aryan's tanks and soldiers. Their infantry moved up a hill as they immediately came under heavy fire from machine guns. However, these golems were made of steel, and were able to absorb the incoming fire as they returned shots with their magi-shooters. Meanwhile, one of their behemoths brothers stood out and fired his heavier caliber magi-shooter, sending a projectile of volatile magic at the machine gun nests and causing massive damage. "Come brothers! Let us advance forward towards victory! In the name of the creation spark!"
The smaller golems cheered as they rushed out and began shooting with their magi-shooters, engaged in a full-on firefight as both sides exchanged shots. However, a behemoth got struck by an incoming tank shell as it exploded being an HE and caused the large golem to fall over lifelessly as the flame in its eyes faded away and floated up into the air before disappearing. "I will avenge my brother!" Another behemoth came up and began firing on a Tigger II that fired that shot and began chipping away at its armor as it melted later after layer before penetrating the crew compartment and killing the crew inside, leaving a large melted hole through the tank.
"Shit! Who the hell did we piss off?" An Aryan soldier supplying ammo for the machine gunners asked as he watched the tank get destroyed. "It doesn't matter anymore!" One of the gunners said as he let loose with his MG-42 and shredded a few golems made of wood and stone, one being made of ice.
"Where is our air support? We should be having five bombers and fighters in support of our defenses!"
"They've been getting intercepted by enemy aircraft! They can't even get to our lines before getting destroyed!"
"God damnit we won't last that long without them!"
"We got more friendly tanks coming in from our flank!" Just as someone said that, three Mouse tanks accompanied by two Tigger Is and several Panther IVs showed up and began firing on the golems. More precisely the behemoths as the larger golems were overwhelmed by the tanks' combined firepower. Their life flame rising out of their now dead bodies and disappearing into the air.
"Everyone withdrawal and regroup now!" The lead golem of steel ordered as the rest changed direction and began to retreat behind the hill to regroup, giving the Aryans time to breath as they drove the living material creatures away. "Should we counterattack?" Someone asked by their commanding officer shook his head. "We don't have the manpower or the logistics of performing a counter-attack. Hold the position for now."
From their little lookout bivouac site, Rhys finished pouring water into the bag that held the bag of his food and wrapped the cut open top part, and let it lean against his bag to cook. He was already into the mixed nuts and dried berries that came with his MRE as he scooped a handful of dried raspberries and stuffed them in his mouth. He didn't waste any time on the chewing as he downed them with a swig of water from his canteen as he didn't enjoy their taste.
"Hey, elf boy." Someone said as he looked up to one of his squad members who was addressing him. "Anything I can help you with Tucker?" The elven ranger asked as the demolitions expert of their squad sat down. "Just wanted to get to know how you're doing? First war and all that."
The elf nodded. "I'm fine. Though I never thought my first deployment would've been a war of this scale." He said as he heard the crumbling of the food bag inflating from the chemical reaction cooking its contents inside. "Eh, I would say this my first major war to take part in, but I couldn't say the same for my...or, our country now."
"Yeah, I read of it history class before getting citizenship. The first and second world wars. The US wanted no part in it but we're forced to participate by the central and axis nations." The elf responded as he recalled what he learned in those history classes.
"So anyway. I always wondered but didn't bother to ask." The demolitionist said as he moved on to the Amin reason he came to talk. "What was it like in the elven kingdom? Living in a land mostly based off agriculture before moving into the city life of modern society?"
The elf shrugged. "Honestly, I barely even remember life back then. Though I will say it was much quieter than living in a city where cars are always passing by endlessly. Though I guess silence is a bit of a luxury for people around in the states?"
"If you live in an Urban area yes. You want a lot of peace and quiet you move to suburbs or rurals."
His nose caught a whiff of the smell of cooked meat as he turned to his bag and opened it, revealing the food as snide now being cooked as it was chicken, pork, and beef mixed with rice and a sauce. By elven tradition, he would never eat meat his whole life. However, to join the military service as a ranger, he would have to unfortunately abandon that custom as it was required of him to eat meat for substantial amounts of protein and substance. Also because it was what the military's meals were mostly made off of. He grabbed the small plastic spork that came with his MRE and stuck it in as he grabbed a good chuck and consumed it. No doubt his family was a bit disgraced of him for eating meat, but he didn't care about that. He had a job to do.
"I will say, the food is great compared to what my grandfather said he ate during his service as an elven ranger." Which was mostly oats mixed with bits of wheat and berries.
"What about beer? You fellas drink beer ever?" Tucker asked to which Rhys shook his head. "Consumption of beer or any alcohol is not allowed within the elven kingdom. Hell even after moving to the US I haven't had any."
"No beer?" Tucker asked sounding surprised. "Well, we need to fix that. Tell you what, when we get back stateside, I'll buy you your first glass. Deal?" The elf began to think for a moment before looking back up at his squadmate. "Alright. Deal." The two shook hands just as their CO came rushing into the campsite. "Rhys, get up here now, and bring your rifle!"
Without thinking, Rhys set down his food, went towards his belongings, grabbed his sniper, and went out to where the CO and a spotter were primed down. Tucker also came up to see what was going on. "I hope your as good of a shot as the boss says because we got ourselves an HVT." The spotter said as Rhys proned down and set up the bipod on the front of his rifle, looking out to where the spotter was looking at being a small village four miles out. It was occupied by enemy forces as Aryan troops were setting up fortifications and weapons emplacements.
"Our guy is in a leather black suit, red band on his left arm. Should be noticeable among the rest." The spotter said as Rhys adjusted his scope and began searching for his target. "Got him. He has a cigar and is leaning against the far-right house."
"That's him. Think you can make that shot?" Rhys didn't respond as he began running the calculations in his head, angling his gun up to compensate for bullet drop and guessing the wind speed as it blew against his face. He would only have one shot at this so he had to make it count. There were times where the wind blew another direction or eased up, making him rethink and wait until it became stable.
Waiting for the right time, it finally came as he pulled the trigger, making his gun lurch back as a single bullet left the suppressed barrel. The spotter kept his eye on the target as he waited for impact. A few seconds passed and he was beginning to believe the shot was a miss before suddenly the Vanguard commander's head exploded in a cloud of red mist. The other Aryan soldier around jumped back in surprise and horror as they began looking around panicky for where the shot came from.
"Four miles, holy shit. You were not kidding about this guy boss." The spotter said amazed as Rhys was even proud of himself, retreating as he moved back into the campsite. "That's gotta be a new record in our world. Nice shot soldiers." The CO congratulated Rhys as he sat back down and went back to his meal.
"Scratch that. I now own you two beers." Tucker said as he came up to the elf. Little were they aware that Rhys' actions wouldn't go unnoticed by an elite group of soldiers as he would be given a chance of transfer later after the war.
Far above the Aryan territory, in a section that was far away from the frontlines, several C-17s were in flight as they passed over the range of any radar installations and moved deeper behind enemy lines. Inside each of them were members made up of several SF branches of the United States Armed Forces. Rangers, SEALs, Raiders, and Green Berets made up the Ghosts as they were chosen from their respective branches and made into the more elite group that would be taking part in Operation Tank Killer.
"Gentlemen! Listen up and listen well because this will be the last time you'll be hearing me say it!" The CO on board the plane said as the soldiers sitting at the sides stood up at attention. "Ghosts, you're current objective is to be deployed via air into certain sections of enemy territory that we believe hold enemy superweapons called a P-1000 Ratte. In simpler terms, you'll be hunting a giant tank. Now usually hunting tanks would be a job for both air and satellites, but as of our first encounter, we believe they are fielding large camo nets their hulls to hide them from us. However, by an inside source, we have rough locations of where these tanks are. Your task is to find one of them. Each team will be assigned to their sector we labeled sector alpha, sector bravo, sector charlie, and sector delta. You men are assigned sector delta. Locate and destroy the tank. That is all for now."
They were only about two minutes from the drop zone as the pilot alerted them over the intercom as the Ghosts began gearing up, fixing on their Exo suits, parachutes, gear, and new Integrated Munitions Rifles, a brand new infantry weapon that could be integrated into various weapon types to suit the wielder's needs by adding on various attachments and parts, allowing it to serve as an assault rifle to a SAW or a sniper. With them was a metal box as parachutes were attached to the edges ready to deploy upon reaching a certain altitude. A Mule drone would also be dropping with them.
"Stand by for drop!" The rear bay doors began opening as the entire cabin became depressurized and filled with the thin cold air from outside. The Mule and the metal crate were the first to be dropped as they flew out of the cabin and into the open air.
"Standby...go! Go! Go!" The lights turned green as the Ghosts jumped out and began headed towards the ground below them.