And after an entire month of training camp, and a half cuz I'm lazy, I am finally back!
Chapter 8: Hunter and hunted, prey and Predator
G&K FOB of District S09, 2:51 in the morning.
"And so, that is the current state of affairs." Standing before the large monitor with both his hands behind his back, Tiger concluded his report regarding their given mission of putting a hole in the Sangvis communication network in District S09, the rescue of another AR Team's member, M4 SOPMOD II and also their next major operation.
A raid on Sangvis Ferri's tactical base to eliminate the Ringleader currently operating there, Hunter, to greatly cripple their sphere of influence in the area, and to also rescue the currently held captive AR Team member, ST AR-15.
As expected, upon hearing about this Helian immediately grimaced slightly. A tactical base accommodating thousands of Sangvis troops, a Ringleader currently posted there and an apparent number disadvantage to boot. No matter how you slice it, only inevitable destruction awaits them at the end of this. After rubbing the bridge of her nose a bit, Helian recollected herself and asked.
"Mr Tiger, while it is true that your unit is not placed under the G&K Chain of Command as per Mr Kryuger's order, why did you not consult about this in advance?"
"Because we're in a race against time and because the retrieval of AR Team members remained as the highest priority order, I've taken the liberty of moving forward with the plan instead of bringing this up to the top brass. So should this cause any future inconveniences, I'll be sure to properly reflect upon it." Despite saying that, Tiger's gaze was unfaltering as if declaring such scenario will never happen so Helian could only heave a small sigh.
"I see…However, Mr Tiger, while I know that you aren't one to decide thing on the spur of moment, I must still make sure. This battle, how exactly do you intend to fight it? Not just the clear number disadvantage alone, if it's true that the enemy still have more Manticores at their disposal, your Echelons won't even reach their doorstep."
"Of course, a frontal confrontation would definitely result in our annihilation. So just prior to our talk, I've made contact and requested assistance of two other bases in the area. It's not quite a whole Brigade to even things out, but it's more than enough, more than anything I ever have to work with." As Tiger said that, the monitor screen blinked repeatedly, signaling an incoming call. He pressed a button, and the two Commanders who he had contacted earlier appeared on the screen.
"Greeting, gentlemen. The fact you're here mean my request has come through successfully. Thank you for answering to my call on such short notice."
"But of course. A Sangvis tactical base is a major threat, the sooner we wipe it off the map the better." The Commander on the right, named Kamolovich, a man with tall and muscular build contrary to his age of 23 spoke up as his handlebar mustache rustled with each movement of his mouth. On the left, the other Commander, named Sekigun, also nodded while pushing up his glasses.
"With that being said, enlighten us on what should be done, Mr Adjutant."
"Certainly. First, please take a look at this." Pressing a few buttons, the monitor screen then switched to a footage of the tactical base in question.
"This is real time footage of the Sangvis tactical base taken by one of our UAV currently flying over the area. As you can clearly see, this place is built with the idea of withstanding if not outright repelling a siege in mind." Exactly as Tiger said, with multiple artillery emplacements along the outer wall and an underground rail platform, this Sangvis tactical base is basically an impenetrable fortress.
"Hm…now this is one tough nut to crack." The Commander Sekigun said, probing his chin.
"That's a regional Ringleader for you. With that underground rail platform, they are completely self-sufficient so a battle of attrition would be our worst case scenario." Folding his arms, Commander Kamolovich added on.
"All that aside, the actual problem would be how to actually infiltrate this place. We can't just waltz in through the front door and those artilleries will blow us out of the sky if we approach by chopper." And finally, so did Helian.
"Correct. However, there's yet another method and that is to open the gate from the inside."
"From the inside? Mr Adjutant, like Ms Helian just said, if we can just get inside none of this would be a problem now, would it?"
"Our entire troop, yes. However, if we were to gather the enemy's attention with our firepower, then a stealth infiltration using a small group is definitely possible."
"From the footage, the artillery emplacements and security around here is the thinnest. So we will position our Echelons here, here and here to cause a commotion, forcing them to move their troops, the infiltration team will then sneak in, shut down the active defense system and open the gate for the main troops." When Tiger explained his strategy, Helian, Kamolovich and Sekigun, all three of them simply stayed quiet and listen intently.
"I see…Very interesting, Mr Adjutant." Commander Sekigun said while giving a few nods of approval.
"Good, very good. Now that sounds like a plan!" adding his own compliment, Commander Kamolovich let out an exhilarated laugh.
"So, what will your verdict be, Ms Helian?"
"Well, I'd have to see it to make my judgement, but at the very least it's far from a suicide mission. Very well, you may have full authority and proceed with this operation as you see fit, on one condition however. In order to smooth things out with the top brass on my side, you must produce a result better than what you claimed."
"And it shall be so. Then gentlemen, I'll be seeing you on the battlefield." Transmission ended.
A few hours later.
"Haaaaaaaa~, so sleepy~." Wearing a sleepy expression, with both eyes only half opened, SOPMOD-II let out a really long yawn while sorting the mags into her pouches. Because of the conversation that she and M4A1 had last night, it wasn't until past midnight that the two were able to fall asleep. But that's probably only her for M4 was completely normal and was even fixing SOPMOD's clothes for her.
While still sometimes away until the first ray of sunlight, the entire base was already in full working mode. Having completed their preparations, the duo then made their way to the main hangar where Eagle and all other T-Dolls are already presented.
"Morning to you, Commander~." The first one to greet them was Springfield as Eagle was currently occupied at the table. While being appointed as the Commander, most T-Dolls still referred to her as simply M4, M4A1 or like Springfield, as Commander but in a casual tone. Which, to be frank, the person herself actually preferred it this way more than her two Adjutant and Advisor's 'solemn and salute' one.
"Ah, morning, Ms Springfield."
"With you two here, that should be everyone. The briefing will start soon so in the meantime, here you go." She then handled the two a cup of hot chocolate each, with some white pieces probably marshmallow floating inside.
Feeling the cold wind of early morning brushed pass their cheeks, M4A1 and SOPMOD received their cup with gratitude, with the latter immediately gulping down half of its content. As the hot cocoa entered down her throat, its heat warmed up her body considerably and the bitter taste only served to accentuate the sweetness of the marshmallow even more with every bite.
"Delicious! Sister Springfield makes good hot cocoa!" like a machine being turbocharged, SOPMOD's exclaimed energetically completely different from her state of total drowsiness just now.
"'Sister Springfield', huh. Fufu, that does have a nice ring to it." Just for those two simple words, Springfield began patting SOPMOD on her head like an actual big sister doting on her younger sibling. A few minutes later Eagle then called out as their attention was upon the hologram table.
"All right, is everyone here? Then let's begin the briefing."
"This is our target this time. The Sangvis Ferri tactical base, codenamed 'Sanctuary' for now. With just a glance, I'm sure all of you'd be asking 'what the heck', because that's a lot of Sangvis to kill." Toward the last part of his sentence, everyone could hear a certain T-Doll with a killing spree tendency snickering to herself.
"Worry not though for we have a way to soften them up, as to what the method is, it's best to wait and see for yourself. Anyway, after the grand opening will begin Phase 1 of the plan. Echelon 1 and 2, you're to work with Echelon 601 and 737 to cause as big a ruckus as possible at the front gate. Employ guerilla tactic and use the forest to your advantage."
"Phase 2, we'll be sending in a small team. Echelon 3, you'll be infiltration team. Using the ongoing commotion at the front gate, you'll infiltrate the base from here, Point 7D where security is the thinnest even under normal circumstances. Your job is to shut down their active defense system and open the gate."
"Now, for Phase 3, Echelon 1 and 601 will advance through the front gate and quickly take over the wall, taking out their remaining number and proceed from there. Echelon 2 will split up to provide bird's eyes view from the sky. Because this is their own home turf that we especially cannot let our guard down, report immediately should anything felt amiss. Is everyone clear?"
"Sir, yes sir!"
"Good, then let's move out!"
30 minutes later, Sangvis Ferri tactical base, the 'Sanctuary'.
"So they've come, the G&K maggots." Spoke Hunter with a scoff. Inside this dimly lit room that is the base's Command Center and her personal space, she was observing the situation outside through one of the hundreds floating holographic screens.
"Hm, it seems my offer and warning them fell on deaf ear. Really, the foolishness of these tools and the humans that they submitted to simply knows no bound." As hunter's monologue dragged on, she was suddenly interrupted by the blaring siren.
Has the enemy infiltrated the base, how many, how did they get in, those thoughts popped up in her mind. But it was only until too late did she realize, that was the RAM warning siren.
"Countdown to dawn in 5…4…3…2…1…"
"Fire." As the sun casted its first ray of sunlight upon this dark plane, the thunderous roar of a metallic beast resounded in the atmosphere five times, shaking the entire forest and spooking the wildlife nearby before ceasing temporarily.
From the distance of 5km away, five projectiles were discharged into the air, each travelling at different speed and altitude, all headed toward the same destination. Then, when the Sangvis tactical base was within sight, in a parabolic arch the five projectiles began their rapid descend and quickly made contact with the ground.
Two exploded in the courtyard where hundreds or so Sangvis T-Dolls are currently on standby, two other landed on the south-western wall, taking out the artillery emplacements there along with a large section of the wall, and the last one landed in what seems to be the refinery for the explosion triggered a chain reaction over an entire sector of the base.
"First burst discharge, successful. All shells' impact confirmed. Initiate reload sequence. Resume firing in 3." And the one pulling the string behind the destruction that had just been unleashed was, of course, Tiger. However, it is not him that is the main star of the stage this time, but the metallic beast right next to him.
Another relic of the old war, Panzerhaubitze 2000. Armed with a 155mm self-propelled howitzer, boasting a rate of fire of 13 rounds per minute when working at maximum capacity, the PzH 2000 developed for the German Army was one of the strongest and most successful conventional artillery system back in the day.
Purchased from the black market for one of their job in Afghanistan, the PzH 2000 was then modified by Tiger to be fully automated, requiring only a single crewman to operate its targeting system. And over the year, more and more upgrades continued to be added, making it not only a unique model at this point, but can also hold its own ground against the modern ones, despite its 50-year seniority.
"Heh, when he mentioned 'thinning out their number in advance', I didn't expect this method at all!" watching the spectacle that was once a common occurrence on the battlefield, Commander Kalomovich yelled out with both astonishment and excitement mixed in his voice.
"With nowadays warfare being completely dominated by T-Dolls, we'd have almost forgot, but this is truly how the last two World Wars and a good part of the third was fought. Overwhelming your opponent through superior firepower." With both his hands folded before his chest, Commander Sekigun then showed off his knowledge as his glasses glinted off the light of the monitor.
"This is Eagle of Base 794. Base 601, Base 737, do you copy?"
"Reading you loud and clear, Advisor."
"Solid copy, go ahead, Advisor."
"We've got the green light. Please proceed as planned."
"Roger!"
"Tch, these damn maggots!" The shelling bombardment just now must have struck quite a hit in Hunter's pride as the one who hunts, instead right now she was the one being hunted and overwhelmed. Cursing out of anger, she quickly issued order for her troops to reassemble and begin the counterattack. Unbeknownst to her, however, right at this moment when her entire force is gathering toward the front gate, another group had already infiltrated the base.
Sangvis tactical base, Point 7D.
As a squadron of 5 Sangvis T-Dolls ran along the wall to get to the front gate, one of them suddenly got her core ripped out from behind by a mechanical hand, yet there was no one else beside them there. Sensing that something was off, they quickly turned around and in a blink of an eye,
Two got taken out by a single bullet each, square in the head.
Two got riddled with bullet holes at close range.
The last one got a knife driven into her chest twice, following with an upward slash which ripped along her core.
As the five Sangvis T-Dolls fell down on the ground, their assailant slowly appeared out of thin air.
"Hehe, check that out, new girl. I've got myself more kill count than yours." Saying with a wide grin, Ingram kicked over one of the fallen T-Doll to confirm that she's really down for the count.
"Ah! But I killed mine without using a single bullet, so that counts as double point for me!" with one leg, SOPMOD-II kicked the dead Sangvis T-Doll away and showed Ingram the core as her trophy.
Luckily, most of the Sangvis remaining troops have all gathered at the front gate with only a few stragglers left, they managed to avoid detection.
"You sure got a lot on your plate, huh, Commander." Standing next to M4A1, Eagle patted her on the shoulder as she could only sigh at SOPMOD-II's trigger happy and rather undisciplined nature.
With Eagle as the point man, M4A1, M4 SOPMOD-II, G36, Ingram and Skorpion, with only this small group they're tasked with infiltrating the base during the chaos to shut down the active defense system and open the gate from inside.
By increasing the output of his exo-suit, Eagle can expand the optical camouflage to cover an area of 1m range around him, concealing even the allies around him registered by the goggles. The plan was to sneak in quietly, but that plan nearly went up in smoke when Ingram and SOPMOD-II got a little too ahead of themselves and broke formation.
"Ingram, I've told you many times not to do anything that may jeopardize the mission. And that means you too, Ms SOPMOD." G36 stepped forward to reprimand her two comrades. Because of her bad eyesight, she always seems to be frowning or grimacing but in reality, she's just squinting very hard.
"Ms G36 is right, you know. It's not just the six of us here, but a lot are riding on our success in this. Let loose to your heart content once the real fight starts, but until then, exercise extra caution, got it?" after Eagle added on, both SOPMOD-II and Ingram nodded, with the latter being a little bit reluctant.
"Okay, I won't do it again."
"…Fine."
"Good, then let's continue the mission." Activating his optical camouflage, the group then proceeded with locating a control point that the can use to hack into the base's system. Moving while matching each other's pace, the group then arrived before a small room at the foot of the wall.
Digging her claws into the crack between the steel door and the wall, SOPMOD-II exerted a bit of force and pushed it aside, as her and M4A1 rushed into the room with their guns at the ready.
From the look of things, this room seems to be a control point in charge of this part of the base. These control points serve the same function as a secondary Command Center, where the one in control can issue order to all units and facilities part of the network. However, without a registered code or a master protocol, all access to the network will be denied by the main server. Gaining access the legal way was never the plan to begin with, anyway.
"Alright, I'll begin the hacking sequence now." Said M4A1 as she connected a plug cord from the port on her nape to the control panel.
"Then SOPMOD-II, please provide cover for her. In that meantime, Ms G36, Ingram and Skorpion, we'll proceed to causing a disturbance from within the enemy line."
"Roger!"
"Aww, I wanna kick some ass too!"
Without letting SOPMOD-II complain, the four quickly left the room and headed for the underground rail platform. After striking the enemy with a strong blow that leaves them in shamble, the next step to ensure one's victory would be to cut off their supply chain. Not only that, by taking out the rail platform they would deprive the base of its only chance to call for reinforcement.
However, either by coincidence or completely intentional, the moment they arrived at the rail platform, the Sangvis troops kept in reserves were being deployed to the surface. A miscalculation, the four quickly hid behind the cranes and prepared for a full blown firefight. But, much to their surprise, as soon as they finished deploying the Sangvis troops immediately turned on each other and opened fire.
"Hey! Why did they start turning on each other? Are Sangivs T-Dolls just wired to go complete bonker at a moment notice?" asked Skorpion from behind the crane.
"No idea. What I do know is that, this look like a free for all slaughter fest and I'm about to be a part of it!" yelling out in pure ecstasy, Ingram dived headfirst into the fray just like always, following by Skorpion as the duo began dismantling every Sangvis in sight.
"Ms G36, can I ask you to get a good look of all this from the air?"
"Affirmative." As G36 got her tactical drone into the air, Eagle continued to scan his surroundings trying to identify the exact cause of this in-fighting. He has a few ideas as to why, such M4A1 hacking into the system and tampered with these Sangvis troops' behavior. But he quickly eliminated such possibility for no matter what, the master protocol is required to grant access to the higher interfaces and settings.
Then out of left field, two trains bolted out from the underground tunnel at full speed like mad bulls, crushed all the Sangvis T-Dolls unfortunate enough to be on the track at that time, then when both suddenly braked the cars behind them got derailed and swung at the other two trains, rendering the entire rail platform inoperable.
"Now this is…curious." Was all Eagle could mutter while staring at the explosion, completely dumbfounded. At that moment, a radio call snapped him back to reality. The voice was of Commander Sekigun.
"Advisor, do you read me? What is going on in there? Why are the Sangvis killing each other?"
"I also haven't the slightest clue. However, we can use this to our advantage and speed this whole thing up. Proceed as planned, we'll now begin Phase 3 of the operation."
"Okay, roger that."
"Commander Kalomovich, the front gate should be opened at any time now. Have your Echelon at the ready to advance."
"Alright, I've been waiting for this!"
It was just as Eagle said, a few minutes later the front gate was opened as Echelon 1 and 601 quickly rushed in, eliminated the Sangvis force in the way and quickly took over the highwall. At the same time, Echelon 2 had split up and was now observing the situation from the chopper. At this rate, victory is only a matter of time. However, at the very next moment by the hand of just a single unit the situation was at a complete stalemate. Such is the overwhelming power of a Ringleader.
"What is the meaning of this!? Why is the IFF system messed up all of the sudden!?" inside the Command Center, the many holographic screens floating around Hunter were all displaying an 'Error' message as the main server seems to have encountered multiple system bugs all at once. As a combat model, Hunter shines the most when engaging in solo combat or pursuing and capturing enemy, so she was having a hard time making head or tail of this situation.
"The access configuration has been completely changed? But how? Tch, what now!?" turning to her left, Hunter looked upon a holographic screen to see that the control logic of the main gate and all artillery emplacements around the base was completely destroyed. Switching said screen to the camera feed, she saw the G&K troops waltz in through the front gate and blatantly treaded upon this sanctuary of hers.
"The nerve of these G&K maggots…" clenching her fist tightly, Hunter vented her anger out on the holographic projector. As she exited the main building, from underground an elevator slowly rose to the surface and riding atop it, was two imposing figures, the Walking Tank – Manticores.
"Prey should know their place, flat on the ground!" holding a pair of handguns in her hands, Hunter bolted off toward the front gate where her troops were both slaughtering each other and being slaughtered by the G&K troops.
The moment she arrived, with the two Manticores following suit behind, Hunter immediately regained her control authority over the units that gone berserk as they all turned their muzzles on the G&K troops. Then, by moving swiftly in-between her troops using them as blind spots against the enemy, with 5 consecutive shots she took down two forward Dummies.
"My forward Dummies just went down! It's the Sangvis Ringleader!" RPD, part of Echelon 601 and the one whose Dummies just got shot down, shouted to warn the others.
"Damn you, Sangvis scum!" DP28, also part of Echelon 601, quickly tracked down Hunter and shot an entire barrage worth of bullet toward her. Even then, none of the shot managed to hit home. As a Ringleader designed for combat, Hunter's mobility and agility was, similar to Executioner, beyond anything that the T-Dolls of G&K were used to dealing with. Even if DP28 wanted to think that she got the target locked down in her sight, Hunter's movement was so fast that her targeting module could not keep up.
With the situation in this sector taken care of for the time being, Hunter made a sharp turn and headed for a different sector.
"Kuh, sniper!" a .50 anti-material bullet missed her by a hair breadth and instantly shredded the Dragoon next to her into halves. From the forest thicket, NTW-20, part of Echelon 737 pulled the bolt on her sniper rifle as another bullet was loaded into the chamber. Sensing that, Hunter then sped up and began running in a zigzag pattern.
Just her speed alone was annoying enough, now that the target was running zigzag in the midst of a thousand other Sangvis, even as a sniper rifle T-Doll which boasted the highest accuracy, her module could only make rough estimation for her to lead the shot. As expected, every managed to hit anything but Hunter.
Coming close to a wall, with a tap of her feet Hunter leapt over it with ease and disappeared completely from NTW-20's sight.
"Tch, that damn bitch!" NTW-20 grunted loudly, causing Super SASS next to her to panic.
"Sniper Echelon, report."
"Sorry, Commander. We lost the target."
"No need to apologize. Prepare to reposition, we'll now begin our counterattack on the Sangvis Ringleader."
"But how, sir? Our targeting module cannot keep up with her movement." When NTW-20 asked back, Commander Sekigun smirked before answering.
"Because today, we've got a top-class spotter on the field."
"Hmp, in the end the G&K is just a bunch of small fried. While that shelling bombardment and this whole plan of theirs was commendable, I failed to see how Scarecrow and Executioner's defeat was theirs doing." After jumping into one of the underground passageway to avoid the sniper, Hunter was moving to a different sector to mount another ambush while checking on the situation with the two Manticore. From her calculations, by now they should have wiped out all the G&K troops at the front gate.
But no matter how many time, she cannot connect to their camera feed and while doing just that, the ceiling above her suddenly exploded.
"Nuh-" while managed to dodge the falling debris, the shockwave from the explosion knocked her into the wall. Quickly getting back on her feet, Hunter ran up the stair to avoid being buried alive and at the exact moment, another .50 anti-material bullet pierced through the small air vent on the wall, literally threading the needle and destroyed one of her two handguns.
"Impossible!" she exclaimed and continued moving. Travelling through the building, she continued to be assaulted regardless of whether her silhouette was visible through the window or she's currently behind a wall. From the frequency of the attack, there must be at least two assailants on her tail but the thing that she cannot comprehend was their pinpoint accuracy when just a moment ago, none of their shot could even graze her.
After another right turn, she should be at the hallway leading back to the Command Center. If she managed to reach it, she can send out the remaining Manticore in the hangar and turn this whole situation around. But as Hunter was running, a five-round burst was shot at the floor just in front of her, causing her to stop temporarily and with that chance, two anti-material bullets pierced through the wall and took away her legs.
And as if that wasn't enough, a final artillery shell struck the floor below of the building she was in, causing the entire structure to collapse and buried her under the debris.
"Kugh…" letting out a few coughs from the smoke and dust, Hunter pushed the debris on top of her aside, but her lower body was completely crushed. At that moment, she caught glimpse of the battlefield that was the front gate. Dozens of Sangvis troops, along with the two Manticores, all were reduced to nothing but scrap metal.
"Tell me, Hunter. How does it feel to become the prey?"
"…You!?" as Hunter looked up to where that voice was, standing there was a T-Doll with long pink hair. She wears cold expression that was similar to a scowl. The objective of rescue of this entire mission, her name was ST AR-15.
"What's so strange about this? Your own intel states that we're G&K T-Dolls that can conduct operation completely independent without a human Commander, doesn't it?"
"Cut the crap! How did you gain Sangvis access command!?" irritated at the tone of the one that she deemed as prey, Hunter yelled out of anger and frustration.
"I have no need to tell you. I simply changed the orders from within and plunged this entire base into chaos, although the assaults out there was beyond my expectation, they worked in my favor in the end." Continued talking in a tone devoid of any emotion, ST AR-15 jumped down from atop the debris and pointed her gun at Hunter.
"After all, if someone as calm and rational as yourself had hidden underground all this time, it'd have caused me a big headache, don't you think?" alas, Hunter finally realized where was it that she went wrong. Her biggest blunder yet, was from the very beginning.
"Don't tell me…you let yourself get caught on purpose!"
"On your own word, 'a true hunter choose silence'. Now you can stay silent forever, Sangvis scum." Finishing her sentence, ST AR-15 then pulled the trigger, ending the live of the one known as Hunter.
"However, this time, it seems, it was not me that was the hunter." Directing her words toward no one in particular, ST AR-15 then casted her eyes toward the building opposite from this one, across the courtyard. The underground passageway rigged with explosion, the deduction of Hunter's escape route and the final rifle burst which seized her movement, all was done by her.
However, the constant assault with pinpoint accuracy that driven Hunter into a vulnerable state, was something she could not pull off even with proper preparations. It is just as she said, while she was the one who claimed the trophy, the real hunter this time was someone else entirely.
Then as ST AR-15 turned around to meet up with M4A1 and SOPMOD-II, atop the roof of the opposite building, a figure slowly appeared out of thin air before leaving the place not long after.
Sanctuary – an area where wild games consider it their home, a sort of haven where they can always feel safe. Most hunter will avoid treading upon such place as to not alert their prey. However, a master hunter can use this element to their advantage and corner the beast.
While I really like the idea of multiple commanders just like in the official manga, this'll probably the only chapter where these two other will appear. Later on will only be cameo appearances