Where the Young Sleep
Chapter II
Armin looked through the bodies carefully. Most of them were dead from multiple hot shot las bolts to their bodies while others were killed by the blast of frag grenades. "Looks like a platoon element made it through. You think there are more of them in the city?" He looked up to see Gustav approaching him with his rebreather off. "I think this was the advance element. Hopefully 3rd Platoon has sealed the approach. If not, I'm sure we'll be going to the gap next." The Corporal snickered as they looked through the dead bodies for intelligence. "Ah fuck, let the spooks look for intel. More dead assholes anyways." Otto said as he sat down on a table the Dants had used to mount a light stubber. A few poorly aimed las shots hit the window and the Grenadiers all ducked. "Sir, I think you need to let the Novgorods know that they're shooting at friendlies." Armin called out. Ostler swore a few times about the legitimacy of the Novgorods birth before going over the radio. "This is Captain Ostler Konig 5th. You're shooting at friendlies now." The lasfire stopped quickly as the nervous response came back. "Uh.. sorry. My men thought it would be a good opportu-." Ostler cut him off quickly. "I will meet you in the store. Don't shoot us." As the Konig guardsmen got up from the ground, Ostler swore some more before waving Armin towards him. "Sergeant, bring 1st squad. Let's go meet the Novgorods."
It took a while to find the Novgorod officer, a few of the nervous guardsmen who couldn't have been older than 18 or 19 standard all looked around and pointed towards what seemed like a random room. They all had nice and warm jackets but that was it. Lasgun power cells were carried in pockets of their jackets, while they had only older las rifles. Older bull barreled lasguns, with drum power cells. They fired quite quickly but weren't very accurate. Eventually, they were able to locate Lieutenant Klimeni, another young one who looked as if he was maybe 20. Maybe. "I am Lieutenant Artyom Klimeni, of the Novgorod 204 Rifle Regiment. I am very grateful for your assistance." Armin looked around and blinked slightly. It looked like there were over 60 guardsmen crammed into the two storefronts, and they had really only come across a platoon strength of the enemy. Of course, it didn't help that most of the guardsmen here were just barely old enough to shave and he was sure, terrified out of their minds. "I am Captain Stefan Ostler, Konig 5th Schutzen Regiment. Were you briefed on what had occurred?" The Novgorod officer shook his head. "My company was holding the far southern side of our position but we were overrun by a Dants attack. My platoon had retreated here, I had asked for reinforcements but I'm afraid that the best we were able to do is to hold our positions here." Armin had left the two officers to talk, and sent his squad to look around. He saw a few Sergeants here and there, but they were all still 19, maybe 20 years old. "Hey you fellows ok?" He knelt down beside a few of the Novgorod guardsmen who all looked at him. "Thanks to you. I'm Sergeant Torichek." One of the young guardsmen with Sergeant stripes held out a hand. "Sergeant Steiner." He shook the younger Sergeants hand and looked around. "Where are your heavy weapons?' Torichek shook his head. "We are a rifle platoon so no heavy weapons. Normally, we have a heavy weapons platoon with our stubbers and mortars." Armin lit two tabac sticks and handed one to Torichek. Torichek took it and took a few puffs from it. "Where's the rest of your company then?" Torichek looked at him blankly. "Most likely dead, overrun. We had our one month training onboard the Navy ship that brought us here, I'm surprised that we are still alive." Armin blinked at his comment. "I knew that the 204 was a new unit but that new…" His new friend grimaced apologetically. "We were supposed to be moved to garrison a newly conquered world but then this happened.." Armin shook his head. "Your platoon did well, you were able to hold the enemy advance here. It may not seem like a big deal but it is. If the enemy had advanced further, they would've been able to bring in reinforcements and overrun the artillery regiment. That would've been a very very bad day." Torichek smiled slightly. "Hear that boys, we were able to do some good after all." He called out to the other guardsmen there who all seemed to puff up their chest just a bit more.
The rest of his squad had the good sense to look away, they kept their rebreathers on which hid their reaction. On Konig, it was widely acknowledged that the only purpose of a newly raised unit was to hold their position at the very least. It was the main requirement for a Konig regiment to go from being a replacement holding regiment to actually being registered and sent to the Guard as deployable. If it was a Konig regiment, the enemy wouldn't have been able to break through in the first place. The sound of vehicles stopping outside and tracks in the snow made the more experienced Grenadiers check their underbarrel grenade launchers while the green Novgorod troops stepped outside to take a look. A rather pompous looking officer in the Novgorod olive green uniform stepped into the storefront, flanked by two guardsmen in noticeable much better equipment than mass of the Novgorod platoon huddled inside the storefront. "Sir, I am able to report that we-." Before Lieutenant Klimeni was able to finish, the officer that had stepped in put his hand up. "Enough, you are under arrest Lieutenant for abandoning your position in front of the enemy. You are to be court martialed." The two guardsmen would relieve the Novgorod officer of his pistol. For the first time, Armin realised that Klimeni didn't carry a rifle, only a laspistol. The Lieutenant looked stunned at the announcement, being led away by the two arresting guardsmen while the new comer looked over at Captain Ostler, looking him up and down. "I am Colonel Istanov. I thank you for your assistance. As you can see, the 204 Novgorod rifles do not take kindly to officers who retreat." Ostler clicked his heels together and bowed slightly. "I am glad to be of assistance Colonel. Are you the commander of the 204th?" Istanov shook his head. "I do not have that pleasure, that would be Brigadier Betrovin." Ostler nodded and gestured outside. "Thank you Colonel. It is a pleasure to render assistance. By your leave Colonel?" Istanov, clearly gratified by the display of officerly conduct by the Konig officer, nodded and bowed slightly. "Of course, please, at your leisure."
Once they were outside, Armin was able to see that the Novgorod officer had brought with him an entire platoon of what looked like an entire platoons worth of Chimeras painted in the olive green of the Novgorod regimental colours. Ostler summoned the drivers who pulled in after a few moments in the Konig Tauroxs, each painted in the striped pattern of shades of brown and green along with the smattering of ice and snow smeared on from the weather. "Emperor's bowels what was wrong with that officer.' Gustav said over the squad vox. Armin shook his head and looked back to see Istanov talking to Torichek and handing him what looked like Lieutenant pins. Battlefield promotion. "Only an idiot thinks an infantry platoon armed with lasguns will hold a position against an enemy attack that came in with heavy weapons." He muttered. He heard a slight chuckle from behind him, turning to see Captain Ostler. "Sir." He clicked his heels and stood at attention. "Relax Armin, trying to get me shot?" It was commonly known that it was a bit dangerous to snap to attention for officers. Of course, the Konig regiments had traditionally demanded such respect from Enlisted to Officers regardless of circumstance. "Sorry Sir." Armin looked at the officer who sighed and looked back over at the newly promoted Lieutenant Torichek who was standing at attention as the overly well-dressed Colonel spoke to him. "I would be surprised if he survives the week." The officer commented. Armin nodded, he had similar thoughts. "Sir, I would be surprised if he survives the day." Ostler looked over at him and sighed, nodding slightly.
As soon as they got back into the vehicle, an emergency transmission came in over the company net. "Enemy armour, I count, 20, no, 30 tanks incoming. We can't hold that many tanks attacking at once." That was the voice of Lt. Kassel, 3rd Platoon commander. "Requesting artillery fire. Emperor's guts there's at least 40 tanks now." 40 tanks, that was two tank companies. "40 Tanks and at least 100 Infantry coming through." The vox piped up again with the voice of Lt. Kassel. "Pull back, we're moving in to support. We have to hold the position." Ostler's voice chimed over the vox. "1st Platoon, link up with 3rd. 2nd platoon, follow me in." Armin tapped the gunner on his shoulder. The gunner sat across from him staring at the screens that were linked to the autocannon on top. "You have any anti-armour?" The gunner shook his head and pointed at the crates that were as a standard, loaded in the Grenadier company Tauroxs. "Nein Sergeant, only standard reload carried." Armin quickly went through the crates that were strapped in behind the driver. "Power cells, power cells, power cells, fuck here it is. Krak." He took a flakboard box out of the crate and passed it down the seats. "krak grenades for the underbarrel. Load up on them. We're going to need them."
"Coordinates are 24439891, danger close." Ostler called over the radio. The artillery battery prompted responded in the leisurely manner of the 60th Frensham Artillery. "Acknowledged 24439891 Danger Close Fire mission. Firing now, impact 30 seconds." From a few kilometers away, the sounds of guns fired could be heard. Soon enough, the first shells touched down in front of the advancing enemy armour. The brown A70 tanks stopping abruptly as the ground in front of them exploded. "Thank fuck they're only A70. If this place could manufacturer Leman Russ tanks…" Gustav didn't have to finish that sentence. A70s were a threat to them that was a fact. However, lacking many of the standard automated systems that were in the Vanquisher tanks that the Konig 5th used, they were at least not a threat to the Konig's armoured company. "Ja ja, but I don't see a single one of the Panzer company here so…" Ralf Engel, one of the Grenadiers that carried the heavy volleyguns of 1st squad replied back. A few seconds later, the rest of the artillery came in. A barrage of at least 14 more shells hit the ground, knocking out a large portion of the Reaver battle tanks from direct hits or from the force of impact. After a long pause, the Grenadiers stared at each other. "Hey where's the rest of the shells?" Ostler asked. A standard artillery barrage was usually double or triple the weight of fire that the artillery battery had just fired for them. "Supply shortage, only quarter barrages authorized." Ostler swore loudly, talking about how he was going to violate the artillery officer with a multitude of sharp implements if he made it out of there. Armin could see why. Even though the artillery barraged knocked at least half a dozen enemy tanks, there were still a few dozen more that were approaching slowly, now more cautious and watching out for spotters. He was reminded again of how thankful he was that they had basically infinite ammunition, requiring only things to burn in order to juice up the hellgun power cells. Amongst the company, there were 6 anti-tank rocket launchers but against the remaining 30 plus tanks, it wouldn't do much. "Sir, I may have a way to pause the enemy attack, at least for a bit." Armin said over the platoon vox. Ostler responded back quickly. "Ok, do it. Let me know what you need." "Since they're A70s, we can hit them with Krak grenades in their turrets. Blown out turrets at least means no firepower." Ostler thought about it for a few seconds. "Ok, do it."
"Fucking Steiner with the bright idea." Niel swore as Armin led first squad up to the second floor of the building. "That's fucking Sergeant Steiner to you." Armin responded back. Niel rolled his eyes and shook his head as they crept up to the open window carefully, those who carried hellguns had already loaded Krak rounds. "On my mark." Armin aimed his hellgun carefully, keeping himself inside the window to prevent himself from becoming a large target. Four of the A70s had moved in first towards the gap in the buildings. "Fire." At his mark, the four people who carried Hellguns in his squad fired off their under barrel launchers. Three of the four hit their marks, but Niel quickly reloaded his launcher and fired it, sending the Krak round right into the space between the turret and the chassis, the turret detonating as the Krak round exploded the magazine. "Ok fuck we have to move." The four burning tanks were blocking the way in for now, it was all they could really manage. Armin and the rest of his squad quickly ran for it, barely making it to the first floor before the second floor was hit by a barrage of 105mm tank shells that would've shredded them if they were still upstairs. "Ok well done, we just have to take care of the infantry that might come through." Ostler said. The Captain pulled the company back to occupy a series of 3 floor apartment buildings directly in front of the road that the four burning tanks now blocked off.
Armin and 1st squad were on the second floor of a building, hellguns and volleyguns resting on window sills. "Hey Arne, don't fire the autocannon unless I give the command." The Sergeant would radio the gunner of his Taurox. "Ja don't worry I got it." The atmosphere was tense, eyes underneath the hooded brims of the stalnhelm helmets watching carefully every crevice and space in between the burning tanks. "They're pushing through! Grenadier company, open fire." The command came over the company vox, and a few dozen hellguns fired in response. Armin put a six round burst through the chest of the first one that came through while Niel and Otto fired more precise single shots to save ammunition. Grumbling to himself about being showed up, Armin set his hellgun selector to single fire and began to take more careful aim, a stub gunner who was setting up with his assistant loading a feeding tray was hit four times by Niel while Armin fired a single shot through the assistant's head. "Pick your targets, there are more of them coming through." The enemy fire had worsened, Armin now ducking down as automatic bursts of las bolts strafed across the windows as more and more of the Dants infantry were pushing through the gaps towards them. He peeked over the window sill slightly to see the enemy progress when he saw Otto get hit right in the head by a lasbolt. He quickly ducked down just in time too as the enemy fire concentrated. Soon enough, there will be a stubber firing at them and the walls won't be useful as cover anymore. He grabbed his vox operator and dragged him back, taking off his helmet to check his head. Otto groaned as Armin looked at him. No penetration, helmet stopped it. He smacked the vox operator a few times, Otto groaning more and sitting up slightly. "Fucking assholes, why does it always have to be the face." Armin shook his head as he pulled the vox operator to a sitting position. He got back to the window sill and peeked over. Four of the enemy A70s had tried to ram past the burning wreckage. It didn't give them access but it gave them enough room to start firing their 105mm cannons onto the first floors of the buildings. A barrage of 105mm shells would detonate in a building held by other units of their company. "3rd platoon, multiple casualties from enemy fire." The voice of Lt. Kassel was calm, but that was in a way, expected. After all, the Grenadier officer didn't expect to live this long after seeing the amount of enemy armour that was coming through.
"Niel, see if you can put a rocket there." The younger Grenadier nodded and picked up the anti-tank rocket tube that 1st squad had been allocated and expertly loaded the rocket in. Before being transferred to the Grenadier company, he had been part of the Panzerjager Company. "Backblast clear." Armin told him. Niel fired, the rocket trailing through to fly in between the burning wrecks of the two A70s that they had killed earlier. After the smoke cleared from the rocket detonation, the A70 was still there but now its turret was tracking towards where the trail of smoke had come from. "Fuck hit it again hit again!" Armin yelled out. Niel grunted and loaded a second rocket before firing it. This time, the rocket hit somewhere vital and the front turret plate was jammed in place, unable to move anymore. "Third time is the charm." He handed Niel another rocket, Niel loading it expertly and firing a third time. This time, the rocket penetrated. The turret detonated in a spectacular fashion, flying off from the chassis as it burned. "Great shot." Niel however still grunted to himself. "I wish I had a battle cannon to use." Nevertheless, he loaded a rocket into the tube again just in case. "Sir, we need more rockets, down to two left only." Ostler came diving in with a satchel that he dumped beside Ostler. "Very good for morale Sergeant, you think we will live that long?" The officer laughed as he waved over for Otto who looked worse for wear. "Get me the Frensham battery." After hitting a few buttons and dialing in the channel, Otto handed the earphone over to the officer.
"I need another fire mission, same coordinates." Ostler yelled into the radio. "Sir I have previously informed you of the supply shortage." The response came back in the same dry tone as previously. "Hey asshole, if you don't give me another fire mission, over 30 A70 battle tanks are going to overrun us and then head straight for you. So fire the damn guns." It seemed that the artillery officers sense of self-preservation overruled the ammunition supply issue, as a minute later, close to 40 shells landed amongst the infantry trying to get in. However when the smoke cleared, there were still at least 20 tanks remaining that were now actively trying to ram through the burnt tanks. It was however at that moment, that a slight miracle came through.
"This is Panzer Company, I enjoy my schnapps slightly iced ja." Armin raised an eyebrow and peeked over the window just in time to see the first Vanquisher appear. A volley of high velocity shells hit the sides and rears of the A70 tanks, blowing up a half dozen in the first attack. The now attacked tanks quickly turned around to face the new threat with their thicker frontal armour but the frontal armour of an A70 Reaver was no match for the large high velocity cannons of the Vanquishers. The Panzer Company came in by platoon, three platoons of four Vanquishers each firing on the move. Behind them came the four Macharius Vanquishers, their dual cannons firing with devastating results. The A70s that were hit even in the thickest part of their armour exploded from the high explosive shells that punched through easily. In moments, the battle was over. The Vanquishers by platoons, stopped behind where the A70s had come through and began idling, their turrets moving slowly to scan over the horizon for further enemy intrusions. "Holy shit Kalvin you even brought the Macharius tanks." The Grenadier Captain shook hands with the commander of the Panzer Company, Major Kalvin Schulz who was grinning from ear to ear. "You're a very lucky man Stefan, since the Wikingers are on strategic reserve, the Panzer company was designated priority, and I gets full fuel and shell load out. If you're unlucky like the Panzerjager company, then you get half compliments of shells, while the other half comes to my Vanquishers." He cackled as he turned to admire his work, over 30 burnt out tanks and countless dead Dants rebels littering the ground. "Although you crazy Grenadiers actually managed to slow down an enemy armour attack. Not too bad, not too bad at all."
With the attempted breakthrough stopped for now, ambulances had arrived. "It looks like 3rd Platoon took some heavy casualties. I heard 10 out of the 24 are down." Otto plopped himself next to Armin and Gustav, who had been smoking tabac sticks. The vox operator stared at the two senior Grenadiers until Gustav sighed and handed him one as well. "Can you believe their luck, their position was hit by a full platoon of A70s. The whole ground floor was blown up to bits." Armin sighed softly. With 3rd Platoon at such a loss, most likely what will happen is they will receive replacements, reinforcement of some kind. If they were lucky, they might pull an intact squad from one of the Schutzen companies, one of the more veteran rifle squads. If they were unlucky, it would be random personnel selected from cooks and clerks taken from headquarters.