Brooks, Sara, and Cole's teams arrived back at the base and headed straight for their tent while they headed for the Command tent. They opened the flap but General Larson wasn't in; his second in command was through.
"Sir, we discovered some information during our scouting mission."
"I am aware. The scout you sent back told me everything he knew. I will inform General Larson as soon as he wakes up. Get some rest you three, you earned it."
"Thank you sir."
They exited the Command tent and headed to their squad's tent. They took off their gear, climbed into their bunks and quickly fell asleep.
The next day dawned. General Larson had just entered the Command tent when his 2IC walked up to him. "Sir. I have the scouting report from last night. According to this, the Imperials are hunting escaped Darsons from Fouzen."
"Hm, doesn't surprise me."
"There's more sir. The Imperials devoted two teams of four to hunt down the escapes."
They stood over the regional map of Fouzen. "Fouzen is a fair distance from the area they are searching. I doubt they managed to get all the way here from Fouzen."
"Well sir, there are multiple smaller mines around Fouzen located in these areas."
"Indeed. This mine is the closest to the area the Imperials were scouting." He thought for a minute. "I still don't believe I have the forces necessary to liberate Fouzen. We'll hit the mines closest to the base. There four will be our first targets. Get me the leaders of squads twelve, twenty, three hundred-and-three, and three hundred."
"Of course sir."
He stepped out of the tent and waved down a passing scout. "Private, find Lieutenants Newman, Sharp, Langley, and Lynn. General Larson needs to speak with them immediately."
"Understood sir."
He went back into the tent and stood next to General Larson. After four minutes, Lieutenants Newman, Sharp, Langley, and Lynn entered the tent. They stood in front of him at attention. "You wanted to see us sir."
"Indeed. We are going to disrupt the Empire's mining of Ragnite by attacking these four mines at night. Newman, your squad will attack the first mine. Sharp, your squad will attack the second, Lingley's the third, and Lynn's the fourth. Any questions?"
"Sir, are we to rescue the prisoners?"
"If you can do so but they are not the objective. The main objective is to do as much damage to the mines as quickly as possible. Any more questions?"
They didn't speak up. "Alright. Brief your squads. The operation begins when night falls. Dismissed."
As night fell once again squads twelve, twenty, three hundred-and-three, and three hundred left the camp and headed to their targets. Newman's squads' target was the mine furthest to the left; it was also the furthest away from the camp. Their plan of attack was to hit the mine from three angles. The map had shown it was tucked against a cliff with a gradual slope leading up to the mine.
As Newman's squad approached the mine they split up. Two groups headed up the inclines to get above the mine while the third headed for the entrance. Newman held his hand up and crouched down. He grabbed his binoculars and scouted the entrance. A wooden fence with barbed wire stretches from one side to the other and a wooden gate is in the center. Two watchtowers are behind the gate and he can see snipers in both. There are two small guard posts at the fence but he can't see anyone inside. He lowered his binoculars and waited.
Eight minutes later, two explosions echoed from the mine! Two guards ran of out each guard post and took cover! Newman's snipers fired at the Imperial snipers killing both of them! Newman's team opened fire on the four Imperials at the gate! They killed one and the other three hid behind cover and blind fired!
Newman ordered two shock troopers to flank them. They left the forest and positioned themselves to attack. They fired in bursts killing two more Imperials! The last Imperial tried to sprint into the guard post but he was killed before he could. Newman's team quickly entered the mine and came under fire almost immediately! Five Gallians fell and the team ducked into whatever cover they could find!
Newman fired at the Imperials and ducked down to reload. Beside him, Parker threw a grenade at the Imperials which exploded a few seconds later!
"Sir! Two trucks coming up behind us!"
Two transport trucks stopped on the incline when they saw the fighting. The first truck started to turn around while the second one backed down the incline. "Don't let those trucks getaway!"
Gunfire riddled the first truck shattering the windows, popping the tires, and killing the driver! The second truck managed to getaway.
They slowly pushed the Imperials back but they still couldn't see the mine proper. At the top of the cliffs, muzzle flashes could be seen as the other two teams fired down into the mine! "Lieutenant Newman! This is Sergeant Jessica! We've been engaged by Imperials at the top of the cliff!"
"Understood sergeant. Keep me posted. Out."
"Sir, that looks like barracks to our left. Maybe that's where they keep the Darcsens."
"Worry about that later Parker. Right now, focus on the battle."
"Yes sir."
They reached the top of the hill. Laid out in front of them are multiple trucks the Imperials have been using to transport the Ragnite. Carts containing Ragnite ore are on the railroad tracks that lead into multiple holes that have been blasted into the cliff walls. At least a squad of Imperials are ready to meet Newman's team. They duck into what sparse cover they can find!
Newman ducks behind a small dirt mound and sees three of his fellow squadmates fall! A shock trooper dove behind the same dirt mound and fired a quick burst! "Nice to see you Sherman!"
"Good to see you too Newman!"
"Machine gun!"
"Heads down!"
RATTA RATTA RATTA RATTA RATTA RATTA RATTA RATTA RATTA!
"We have to take out that machine gun!"
"Easier said than done!"
"Try to pin the crew down! The Lancers will handle it from there!"
"Suppressing fire!"
A hail of Gallian gun fire clashed with the roar of Imperial fire! Two Lancers took aim at the MG nest! One was killed but the second fired sending a lance screaming toward the MG! The crew didn't have time to react before the lance slammed into the sandbags blowing the MG off its mount and killing the crew!
"MG destroyed!"
"Good! One less problem to worry about!"
Newman popped up and a bullet grazed his cheek! He ducked down and saw some of his squadmates pushing forward. He fired five shots and ducked to reload before repeating it twice over. To his left, Sherman was hit in the shoulder and ducked down! Newman did the same as rounds tore into the dirt mound! The fire started to slacken off.
"Now's our chance! Moving up!"
Newman vaulted over the dirt mound and sprinted down a small hill. He slammed his shoulder against a small excavator and fired at an Imperial using one of the many carts for cover. Sherman sprinted down after him and crouched down against its track. There was an explosion to their left blowing two Gallians out of their cover! One was killed instantly while the second was alive but badly wounded. He was killed before anyone could get to him.
"Lieutenant! This is Jessica! More Imperials have engaged us at the top of the cliff! We might have to fall back!"
"Understood sergeant. Hold them off for as long as you can. Out."
"Lieutenant, we can move to assist Sergeant Jessica's team. Over."
"Take your team and assist Jessica's. We can deal with the rest of the Imperials in the mine. Out."
Foosh! BOOM!
"Somebody kill that Lancer!"
"Since when the hell do Imperial Lancers have mortars!?"
"Since now!"
Bang! Bang bang!
"Got him!"
"Nice shooting!"
Jess flinched as bullets tore into the tree she was using for cover. She fired back hitting one of the shock troopers before entering cover again. To her left, two scouts traded shots with the Imperials. One of them readied a grenade and threw it without really looking so it fell short. The explosion and shrapnel caused the Imperials to take cover reducing their fire. When they popped back up, they were met with a hail of Gallian fire pinning them down!
RATTA RATTA RATTA RATTA RATTA RATTA RATTA RATTA!
"Machine gun!"
Five Gallians fell to the hail of automatic fire! Hot tracers zipped over their heads kicking up dirt and sending splinters flying! The Gallians tried to fire back but were largely ineffective. "Suppress that machine gun!"
"No way! We're be gunned down!"
Jess sprayed rounds until her gun clicked. She reloaded as rounds tore into the tree! The fire slackened off and she slowly poked her head around the tree. She looked for the machine gun but couldn't find it. When it opened up again, she saw where the tracers were coming from and fired in that direction! She emptied the magazine and reloaded before doing it again!
"Did I kill the crew!?"
"I don't know! I don't even know where the gun is!"
"Scan the area where the tracers came from!"
One of the scouts brought up his binoculars and looked for the MG. "I can't find it! Considering that it hasn't fired in the past ten seconds I'd say you killed the crew!"
He put away his binoculars and brought up his rifle. He fired at an Imperial scout and killed him! Beside him, his fellow scout fired and ducked down to reload. Further back, a shock trooper fired in bursts until his gun clicked. "Imperials on our right flank!"
"We've been outflanked!"
"Sergeant Jessica. My team is coming up behind the Imperials to your front. Hang on a little longer."
"Understood corporal!"
The crossfire they found themselves in was deadly. Thankfully, only a few Imperials had out-flanked them and most were scouts but three Gallians were quickly killed because of the crossfire. Jessica was hit twice but stayed on her feet and fired back hitting one of the scouts! She crouched down, reloaded, and continued firing killing a scout. She laid prone and used her ragnaid.
A lance flew over her head and smashed into a tree behind her! Cracking sounds came from its truck as it started to fall! Luckily, the branches from other trees changed its direction and it missed the Gallians landing with a loud THUD!
RATTA RATTA RATTA RATTA RATTA!
"That machine gun is back up again!"
"We need to destroy the gun not just kill the crew!"
"Can you through a grenade that far!?"
"I'll give it a shot! Cover me!"
The nearby scouts and shock troopers laid down a barrage of fire in the direction the tracers were coming from! The scout stood up and readied a grenade. "FRAG OUT!"
He threw it as hard as he could and ducked back into cover. The grenade exploded blasting a shock trooper out of his cover! He struggled to get up and a bullet tore through his head.
"Sergeant Jessica! We've engaged the Imperials from behind!"
Jess sighed in relief as the ragnaid significantly lessened the pain she felt. "Good to hear Corporal. Out to you. Lieutenant Newman, our situation has stabilized somewhat. How's the attack on the mine? Over."
"We've pushed the Imperials back to the caves. We'll enter, set the charges, and then get the hell out. Out."
Newman put his radio back and fired at the Imperials who were retreating into the mines. "They're falling back into the mines! Orders sir!"
"Hold. Let's regroup first. Corporal Sherman, take a team and search the barracks."
"Yes sir. You four are with me!"
Two shock troopers and two scouts fell in line and followed Sherman. They quickly made their way to the first building. It was very clearly cheaply and hastily built with holes and make-shift patches in the thin and flimsy walls. Sherman ordered two of his men to search the left row of buildings while he and two others would search the right row.
He walked up to the door and pressed his ear against it. He didn't hear anything so he stepped back and pushed the door open. Inside are dozens of small bunk beds that are stained with dirt and dried blood. There are no sources of light in the building. There is no floor just the bare earth and they have to duck down to avoid hitting their heads on the low ceiling. "Fuck."
"I think this is where they keep the prisoners."
"Yeah. Where are they through?"
"They might be in the mines. Come on, let's check the others."
They found much of the same in the other buildings and headed back. "Newman."
"Sherman. What did you find?"
"Nothing sir. The buildings are empty. If they kept the prisoners there, they may be inside the mines."
He nodded. "Sergeant Jessica, what's your status, over."
"We're slowly pushing the Imperials back. Over."
"Understood. We're about to enter the mines so we may be out of contact. Out."
He waved his men forward. "Move in."