The Gallian offensive broke through the Imperial line in multiple locations during the night. With their line broken the Imperial fell back to the city fighting small delaying actions all the way. They lost a lot of equipment and men during the retreat. Despite this, the Commander of the surrounded Imperials refused the Gallian offer of surrender. So, the Gallians prepared to liquidate the Hilwarsen Pocket.

"How does it look?"

"The Imperials are dug in heavily. They've fortified the neighborhood, but I can't see further into the city."

"Mark hard targets for artillery."

"We won't be using artillery."

"Why not?"

"We have orders to limit damage to the city."

He sighed, "That's going to make this harder."

"It is."

"I can see where they're coming from though. The Imperials have done enough damage to our country already. The last thing we need to do is make it worse."

"Yeah. Head on back to camp and report what we see. I'll stay here."

"Got it." He crawled down and headed back to the camp. He passed by a few scouts who are resting. A strong gust of cool wind ripped through. "Damn that wind." After ten minutes of walking, he reached the camp. The sentries nodded as he entered. He headed straight for the Command tent. The guards stopped him. "State your business."

"Report on the Imperial defensives in Hilwarsen."

"Go on in."

He entered the tent and headed for the Captain. "Sir. I have the latest report."

"Let's hear it private."

"The Imperials continue to dig in, but they haven't moved any heavy weapons into the suburbs of Hilwarsen. We haven't seen any signs of armored vehicles either."

"Sounds like it's much the same as it was yesterday." He looked at the map for a second. "Go on son, I know you have something to say."

"...Sir, we've been waiting for the past thirty-six hours. When are we going to liberate Hilwarsen?"

"Significant portions of the army have been moved to the Naggiar Plains including most of the forces assigned to liquidate the Hilwarsen Pocket. General Everheart has been requesting reinforcements, but she's been denied every request." He picked up a paper, "This came in early today. We are to attack with our forces within the hour. Get to your squad Private; we're all about to have a busy day."

Thirty minutes later, the Gallians are waiting for the signal to begin the attack. The job of liberating the city fell to the Third Mechanized Division with another division in support.

"I'm getting tired of waiting man."

"Relax. In a few minutes, all of us are going to be really busy."

"I know but, damn I hate the wait."

"I'm right there with you man. Just, find something to do to pass the time."

"Like what? I've already checked my gear three times."

"Well, check it a fourth time."

Further down the convoy Jess, Parker, Sherman, Dalton and Phelps are gathered around one of the half-tracks. Phelps is currently playing cards with Parker. "Jess, you have any idea when the attack is going to kick off?"

"Only that it will start within the hour. If anything changes, I'll let you know."

Sherman sighed, "Fuck I hate the waiting." He's currently checking his rifle to help pass the time.

"Everyone in the division feels the same Sherman. Do what you can to pass the time and keep your mind occupied." He chuckled as he finished checking his rifle. "Running out of things to do Jess."

"We all are."

A few seconds later, Jess's radio crackled to life. "All squads begin the attack." Parker, Sherman, Dalton and Phelps dropped what they were doing and mounted up or sprinted off to their squad. "Get off your asses and mount up! We're moving out," Jess yelled before mounting up. The members of the First Mechanized Company quickly mounted up as the vehicles started moving. The tanks pulled away from the M1PCs as they didn't have to wait for infantry. It took only a few minutes before the tanks are engaged.

"Gunner! Watch your fire!"

"Don't worry Lane! I'm not going to bring a building down!" He took a few extra seconds to aim. "Firing!" The HE shell slammed into his target destroying it. "Excellent shot!" The tanks slowly advanced on the Imperial position. The Imps have a shortage of anti-tank weapons so they're not in much danger. Behind them, the half-tracks have caught up and their MGs open fire. The infantry quickly dismount and move forward under the cover of their vehicles. Facing such firepower, the Imperials retreated into the suburbs.

The infantry followed them into the suburbs and slowly moved forward with armor support behind them.

"Street fighting. Great."

"Suck it up corporal. Nobody likes street fighting."

"Focus up people. Double-check those windows."

The infantry formed lines down both sides of the road with the armored vehicles a few meters behind them. Lane turned out of her tank and raised her binoculars. She can't see any sign of the Imperials. She lowered them and grabbed her radio. "Anybody see anything?"

"Negative Lieutenant."

"All clear here ma'am."

"Sector is clear. There's no one here."

"They're here alright. They're just hiding. Stay on guard." She lowered her radio and raised her binoculars again. The road started to curve in front of them. "Drive, slow down."

"Aye ma'am."

She watched the infantry as they moved forward. "I don't like this Lane."

"I don't either. Street fighting is a tank's ultimate weakness."

Gunfire exploded in the distance. "This is Sergeant Dalton Squad twenty! We've been engaged by an Imperial force! Out!"

"Sergeant Dalton, I have a fireteam ready if you need assistance. Over."

"Negative. We got this. Out."

"Lieutenant, we have activity down the road. The Imperials have set up a defensive position at a four-way intersection-" Gunfire cuts him off. "Sharp! Take a fireteam and flank the Imperials!"

"Yes ma'am! You six are with me!"

The seven-man team headed down a one-way side road. "Driver! Get us up there!"

"Aye ma'am!"

Lane's tank rolled forward and the MG opened up. The infantry has taken cover in small alleyways, doorways, behind cars, and behind Lane's tank. "Driver. Move us forward slowly."

"Ma'am!"

Her tank slowly moved forward. Five members of her squad used her tank as mobile cover. Richard moved up to the tank and looked through her scope. She's looking for targets that pose a threat to Lane's tank. She sights in on a shock trooper and fires putting a bullet through his head. She moved into a building and reloaded as she moved up the stairs.

She reached the top floor, opened the window, and readied her rifle. She spotted an Imp trying to set up a machine gun and killed him before he had a chance. She reloaded and started looking for another target.

Sharp and his team weaved their way through side streets and alleyways. With all the gunfire it's difficult to tell that they're getting closer, but they are. With quick hand signals, his fireteam took cover. He can hear Imps shouting orders, and they're getting closer. "Get ready." He leaned out and raised his rifle. Six seconds later, five Imperials came running down the side street.

Three of them are killed while the other two are injured. Sharp and a shock trooper move up. One of the Imps goes for his rifle; the shock trooper fired a burst into his chest killing him. The second raises his hands in surrender when he found himself staring down Sharp's rifle. "Good choice. Search him." A scout patted him down while Sharp and the shock trooper covered him. The rest of the fire team moved further up the side street. Once the scout stripped him of his weapons, he hauled him to his feet and escorted him to the rear lines. With that done, they moved up to their fireteam.

"What do we have?"

"The Imps have set up a small camp. I don't see any guards; they're probably fighting the rest of the squad."

"Let's take advantage of that. Move up and secure the camp."

The fireteam quickly moved in and secured the camp with no resistance. "Let's move in and- "CONTACT!"

Sharp looked down the road and saw an armored car with five Imperials in support moving toward them. "Heads down!"

The heavy machine gun of the armored car opened up. The rounds ripped through the camp and tore into the sandbags. The autocannon fired obliterating a sandbag position and the soldier behind it. "Dammit! Does this camp have any anti-tank weapons!?"

"Not that I saw sir! Supplies here are pretty sparse!"

"Fuck! Fall back! We don't have the ability to destroy that armored car!" They fell back losing two more from the armored car. They took cover in one of the side streets and set up an ambush in case the Imps followed them. The sound of gunfire prevented them from hearing anything. Sharp tightened his grip and tried to calm his pounding heart. Something is tossed around the corner. "GRENADE!"

They ducked and the grenade exploded sending lethal fragments of metal and stone flying. Luckily, no one is killed but two are injured. A burst of gunfire ripped through the street. Sharp fired blindly hoping to hit the shock trooper. His gun clicked and he reloaded. Across the road, a shock trooper leaned out and fired a quick burst before heavy return fire forced him to take cover. Another shock trooper tossed a grenade. It exploded and the fire slackened for a second. The Gallians capitalized on the break and unloaded at the Imps. A large dust cloud is forming as bullets break off or shatter stone and concrete.

The armored car made itself known as its autocannon ripped through the buildings. Large pieces of stone started falling on Sharp's team. "Fall back further down the street!" They quickly repositioned. They set up again and waited. "Friendlies coming from behind!"

Sharp looked behind him and saw a scout and a lancer coming up. "A lancer! Fucking perfect! Imps have a damn armored car that tore us apart!"

"Point it out to me Corporal and I'll take care of it."

Sharp nodded, "Move up!"

The fire team moved forward. Surprisingly, they didn't encounter any resistance. "Where the hell did they go?"

They reached the end of the side street, and a scout poked his head out. He ducked back into cover as bullets riddled the stone wall. "Found them!"

"I can see that! Covering fire! We need to push out!"

A shock trooper moved up to the scout and they provided covering fire. Sharp and the rest of the team sprinted out and rushed the Imperial camp which has been occupied. Sharp fired on the move killing an Imp shock trooper before he took cover. "There's that fucking armored car! Take it out!"

"On it."

He casually stood up, took aim, and fired. The lance slammed into the side of the vehicle and cooked off its ammo. Fire spewed from the turret; surprisingly, it didn't detonate. "Excellent work! What's your name!?"

"Corporal Lee Foster."

"Thomas Sharp. Good to meet you Foster."

"You too Sharp."

"Imperials are coming out of the buildings!"

Sharp took aim and fired hitting one Imp and killing him. Two more rushed out and are killed by shock troopers. The other Imperials in the building took cover and fired out the windows. Sharp leaned out and fired killing another Imperial. "Not gonna lie, feeling a little useless right now."

"You got a sidearm Foster?"

"No."

Sharp ducked down to reload and handed Foster his sidearm. He took it and checked if it was loaded. "It's not much but, it will have to do." Foster fired the entire magazine, eight rounds, before ducking to reload. "Shock troops! Get in there and clear the building!"

The shock troopers rushed the building and quickly cleared the first floor. They cleared out the rest of the building meeting no resistance. "There's the rest of our squad!"

Lane's tank entered the intersection with the rest of the squad covering. Three squad members headed over to Sharp's fire team. "Sergeant Grant."

"Corporal Sharp. Excellent work taking this camp."

"Thank you sir. Are we continuing to the city center?"

"We are corporal. Fall in."

"Sir."

They walked back to their squad. Their armored vehicles, consisting of Lane's Firefly and two M1PCs, have halted while the infantry move forward. Another squad from their division followed up and turned left to push down the other road. Their armor started moving forward slowly. "Let's get to the front." They started jogging and got to the front.

"This is Lieutenant Newman. We've secured an Imperial camp and are continuing towards the city center. Out."

"Lieutenant Lane reporting. We've secured an Imperial camp and are continuing towards the city center. Out."

"Lieutenant Jackson reporting no contact. Continuing towards the city center. Out."

"Lieutenant Sharp reporting. We've hit stiff resistance but are advancing. Out."

Grant, corporal Sharp, and Foster moved to the front of their advance. They stayed off the main road as they advanced. "Watch those windows and rooftops."

Richard hugged the corner of a building and raised her rifle. "You see anything?"

"...No. And that's what worries me. Come with me." She moved off with York following. They moved down a side street to another road. Richard pointed to a bell tower, "If we get up there, we'll have good vision of the surrounding city."

"Good idea. I'll find someone with a radio. Wait here." Richard thought for a second and moved on without him. She quickly crossed the main street and took a side street. She stopped for a second and listened. When she didn't hear anything, she continued on. She stopped at the end of the side street and scanned with her rifle. She didn't find anything, but she didn't move immediately. She continued to scan for a few more seconds before moving toward the clock tower.

She reached the entrance and carefully pushed the door open with her rifle. She waited for a second before moving in. The church is empty and hasn't seen use in a couple of months. She ran her hand on one of the benches and found plenty of dust. She wiped her hand on her pants and headed toward the altar. She turned right and walked through a door and up some stairs. When she reached a ladder, she slung her rifle and started climbing. She reached the top after a few seconds of climbing. She raised her rifle and started searching for Imperials.

"Dammit. I told her to wait. Come on, let's get to that clock tower."

York had found a radioman, but it seems Richard was too impatient to wait for him. They headed for the clock tower. "There it is." He slung his rifle over his shoulder and raised his binoculars. "Cover our six." He searched the top of the clock tower and spotted Richard. She looked in his direction and he quickly waved at her. She gave a small wave in return before turning back to her rifle.

"She's up there alright." He scanned the buildings, "I don't see any Imperials. Let's move." They quickly crossed the main road and entered the church. "I'll stay down here. Head to the top of the clock tower."

"Sir."

The radioman quickly opened the door and climbed the ladder. "You see anything yet?"

"...No. This city is a ghost town." She lowered her rifle and blinked a few times before bringing it back up. The radioman slung his rifle and raised his binoculars.

"Hang on. I have something."

"Where?"

"That road, about three hundred meters from our position. They're setting up a defensive position and our squad is heading right for it. Tell Lane, she needs to know."

"On it. Lieutenant Lane, Imperials have set up a defensive position along your line of advance, over."

"Understood. Thanks for the intel. Out."

Richard started searching for a high-ranking Imperial to kill. Sadly, she can't see one and she doesn't want to alert the Imperials that they've been spotted. "I don't see any heavy weapons. They probably have lancers hidden in the buildings." The radioman relayed this info to Lane. "Our squad is about to engage."

Their leading scouts are engaged as soon as the Imps see them. They quickly take cover in or behind buildings. The rest of the squad quickly arrived and engaged with Lane's tank not far behind. The coax opened fire and then the main gun fired. The shell destroyed a portion of the Imperial position on the road. The Imperials who survived quickly retreated into the house.

"Richard, look." Moving down the street is a twelve-man Imperial fireteam with a light tank in support. "Lane, you have Imperials moving for a flank."

The light tank's gun fired hitting the rear half-track. Thankfully, it hit the troop compartment doing no real damage. The half-track quickly backs up out of the line of fire. The second half-track turns and backs down the road with the gunner firing away. Members of their squad not engaged attacked this Imperial flank. Two lances hit the retreating M1PC destroying it and killing the crew.

Richard took aim and fired killing one of the lancers. She reloaded and fired again killing the second lancer. The radioman fired as well but at such range, he's struggling to land hits. The light tank took the lead and led the Imperial attack. A lance slammed into the light tank, but it wasn't destroyed. Its hull-mounted cannon fired. The explosion from the shell killed the lancer and three more squadmates.

Richard continued to pick off the Imperials and they are finally noticed. The light tank's turret started to rotate but a lance slammed into its radiator completely destroying the tank. With their AT capability destroyed, the M1PC rolled out from behind cover and engaged. The machine gun cut down multiple Imperials before they got into the buildings. Their squad members quickly rushed the buildings and killed the few Imperials left.

"Looks like our squad punched through this engagement easily enough."

Richard didn't say anything. "Let's get going. We can scout ahead."

"Look out!"

Dalton ducked as the light tank in front of him exploded. The shrapnel killed the squamate next to him. He peaked over his cover and fired killing an Imperial and taking cover. Behind him, Sharp's Firefly fired blasting a hole in the road and killing two Imperials.

The Imperial medium fired hitting the M1PC destroying its engine and killing the driver, but not the gunner who continued to fire. The Firefly fired sending an armor-piercing shell towards the enemy armor. It punched through the front armor killing the crew. The Imperials began a fighting retreat with squad 20 in pursuit.

"We've got them on the run! Press forward!"

Dalton moved forward and took cover behind concrete stairs. He fired killing three Imperials as they retreated. The squad moved forward covering each other as they moved from cover to cover. Suddenly, a hail of fire lit up the squad killing several members caught in the open. Sharp's tank rolled forward to assist but is hit by an AT gun and backs off. "Imperials have two heavy MGs and an anti-tank gun at the end of the street! If we try to advance, we'll be cut to pieces!"

"I noticed! Keep your head down rookie!"

"We need to outflank them! With me!"

Dalton led a flanking team into the side streets. They only met light resistance that did nothing to slow their progress. They reached the end of the road and saw the target building. They immediately came under fire from the Imperials in the building. "Phelps! Take a fireteam and flank the building! We'll keep their attention!"

"Sir!"

"Everyone else! Get into this damn building!" Dalton fired his magazine before he entered the building. His team has occupied the first floor and is engaged in a firefight. He moved up to the second story finding much the same. He opened a window and fired. When his gun clicked, he ducked down, reloaded, and readied a rifle grenade. He stood up and fired into one of the windows. The grenade exploded inside the building and smoke started drifting out of the shattered window.

The whole building shook and the windows that weren't broken shattered into pieces. "What the hell was that!?" The building shook again, "I think the Imperials are mortaring us!" The building shook twice more. "I think you're right!"

Machine gun fire pinned everyone on the second story. "We have their fucking attention! Where's Phelps with that flank!?"

Dalton kept his hand down as bullets flew through the window. "Can someone get eyes on that MG!"

"It's on the second floor!" BANG BANG!

A burst of MG fire ripped through the scout killing him. "Fuck!"

There is a large explosion followed by the sound of falling debris. "HOLY SHIT!" Dalton peaked out. A massive hole has been blasted into the building killing all the Imperials on the second story. Pieces of concrete rain down on the street below and a massive cloud of dust is starting to obscure the building. "That's one way to deal with the problem!"

Dalton looked down and watched his fellow squad mates rush into the building. Gunfire followed shortly afterward. "Let's get down there!"

In the time it took to exit the building, their squad had cleaned up what Imperials remained in the building. The damage caused to the building was caused by a light tank firing a mortar at it. "Where the hell is Phelps?"

"No idea sir. He wasn't in the building, was he?"

"No. I sent him to outflank it. Lieutenant Sharp! Permission to take my fireteam and find Phelps and his time?"

"Granted sergeant. The light tank will go with you in case you need the extra firepower."

"Thank you sir! Alright people! We have a fireteam to find! Move out!"

The assault force split away from the squad and moved out. It wasn't long until they heard the sound of gunfire. "Sounds like Phelps is engaging the Imperials."

"Well, we know what held him up. Why did he move so far down the street though?"

"We can ask him when we bail his ass out."

Dalton moved up to where Phelps is taking cover. "What the hell happened Phelps!?"

"Be happy to explain when we take this small Imp camp sir!"

"They have AT!?"

"No! Just a machine gun keeping us pinned here!"

Dalton waved the light tank forward. The tank rolled forward and engaged. Its short barrel cannon destroyed the MG killing the crew. With armored support, the Gallians quickly captured the small camp. "Now with that done why the hell did you deviate from your mission?"

"We were engaged by Imp special forces. They retreated and we followed them here. They are long gone by now."

"Special forces? What did they look like?"

"I didn't get a good look at them. Their uniform was black with gold highlights, and they didn't seem to wear helmets."

"That's not much to go on, but it's something. Lieutenant Sharp, do you copy? Over."

"Send traffic sergeant. Over."

"We have Imperial special forces operating in the city. Their uniforms are black with gold highlights, and they don't wear the standard Imperial helmet. Over."

"Sold copy. I'll pass it along. Return to the squad. Out."

"All squads be advised; possible Imperial special forces are in the city. Out."

"Special forces? The hell are they doing here?"

"No idea."

"Keep chatter to a minimum people."

Squad twelve is moving up one of the main roads. They're making good progress despite Imperial resistance. Four armored vehicles, two Fireflies and two M1PCs are following the infantry.

Newman turned out and examined the buildings around him. It's unnatural for such a large city to be so quiet. He doesn't like it; it puts him on edge. He raised his binoculars and looked up the road. All he sees are empty buildings and a few cars on the side of the road. Suddenly, a glint in a window catches his eye. He ducked so quickly that he nearly fell on his ass. The sound of the shot echos through multiple city blocks as a bullet flies through the air right where Newman's heart would have been.

"Sir!?"

"Put a shell in that window!"

He complies and fires. Unfortunately, he had AP loaded so the shell didn't explode it just drilled through multiple layers of concrete. "Load HE! Fire again!" When the shell hits this time, a hole is blown into the building. While this was happening, the convoy had stopped, and the infantry have taken cover behind buildings and vehicles.

"Did we get him?"

"...Maybe. Driver, take us to the front. All vehicles hold position. Sergeant Jessica, have the squad advance once we take the lead. Out." With Newman's tank leading, the squad started moving again.

"This is Lieutenant Jackson; we have reached the city center and are engaging heavily dug in Imperials. Assistance is required. Over."

"Jackson this is Newman. We're close by and are moving to assist. Over."

"Much appreciated Newman. Out."

"Let's pick up the pace people!"

The vehicles increased speed and the infantry picked up to a jog. The sound of fighting grew louder the closer they got to the city center. "CONTACT!" The infantry scattered as a machine gun opened fire killing five. Imperials busted out windows and fired down on the Gallians. The gunners on the M1PCs are killed before they have a chance to return fire.

"They're in the buildings next to us!"

"We need to clear them out! You! See if there is a back entrance!"

"Yes sir!"

The M1PCs have backed off allowing the light tank and the Firefly to reverse. The coax machine guns provided unending fire on the Imperials occupying the buildings. "Sir! Permission to fire the main gun!"

"Granted! We can blame the damage on the Imperials!" The main gun fired blasting a large hole in the building. "Gunner, watch your fire! I don't want to crush our own troops!"

The light tank fired its mortar round destroying a huge piece of the occupied building. "Limit the use of the mortar rounds!"

Most of their squad has rushed into the occupied buildings to clear them. It was brutal room to room fighting, but they cleared the buildings. The armor moved forward and caught a MG team as they retreated. Their machine guns made short work of them.

"Newman, where are you!?"

"Almost there Jackson. We ran into an Imperial ambush that held us up. Over."

"Understood. Get here ASAP. Out." He turned out, "Mount up on the tanks and half-tracks! Jackson needs our help now!" They followed his order and quickly mounted up. They made good time and soon, the city center came into their view. Squad fifteen is heavily engaged and Newman can see small fireteams who are pinned and can't retreat back to the squad. He can see three AT guns, multiple Imperial strong points, machine guns, and buildings that have been occupied and turned into small bunkers.

"We'll be slaughtered if we attack from the front. Jessica! Load up the half-tracks, take the light tank and outflank the city center!"

"Sir!"

"Everyone else, Squad Fifteen needs our help! We won't let them down!"

While most of the squad assisted Squad Fifteen, Jessica took her assault force to attack the Imperials from the rear.

"This doesn't feel right man. Squad Fifteen is fighting like hell with our squad right alongside them. Here we are sitting on our asses."

"I know. I feel the same way but if we're successful, taking the city center won't be a bloodbath."

The three-vehicle convoy is quickly moving down the road with the light tank leading. Time is of the essence so they're going for speed instead of a cautious advance. Something Jessica knows could come back and bite them.

"AIRCRAFT!"

Four planes came in low and fired their ordinance. Rockets slammed into the city and they broke off. Jessica and her strike force could only watch as the planes flew off unbothered by return fire. "We need a damn weapon that can shoot them down effectively."

"Agreed. That's up to the designers though, not us."

"THEY'RE COMING BACK AROUND!"

"THEY'RE COMING FOR US!"

"DISMOUNT!"

They quickly jumped out of the half-tracks just as the aircraft started their run. Machine gun rounds killed the gunners and drivers of the M1PCs. The fireteam returned fire with the tank firing its main gun at them. Sadly, all of this fire is ineffective. "Well, they know where we are now!"

"Recrew the M1PCs! We need to move quickly!"

"We're already moving fast ma'am!"

"Well let's move faster!"

They mounted up moving faster than before. They've assumed battle positions in the M1PCs so when they come under attack, they can effectively counter. They turned left at an intersection and a lance slammed into the tank. They quickly dismounted and moved to assist the tank while it tried to back out of the line of fire.

"What have we got!?"

"Small Imperial assault force with a light tank in support! Their uniforms are different though!"

"Different!? How!?"

"Their uniforms are black and it looks like they have a fuckin skull for a helmet!"

"They must be the Imperial special forces we were warned about! Let's show them how Squad Twelve gets things done!"

"They're pushing up!"

Jessica hugged the war and fired at the Imps as they advanced. They're using the tank for cover which is suppressing her fireteam. A grenade came flying at her. It landed in front of her and she quickly tossed it back; it exploded in midair.

The light tank fired its gun. Instead of firing directly at them, it fired at the building bringing down pieces of concrete on their heads. A lancer quickly fired and ducked back into cover. The lance hit low only rattling the tank. The tank halted and fired at the lancer. Its infantry support continued to push forward calmly.

Jessica tossed a grenade around the corner and when it exploded, she leaned out and fired the entire magazine. Behind her, their light tank rolled forward and engaged the Imperial light tank. At such close-range armor didn't matter and the Imp tank is knocked out. The Gallian fireteam sized the advantage and counterattacked. Instead of retreating the Imperials met the Gallians and engaged in hand-to-hand combat. It was a short but vicious fight as the Imps were better trained in CQC than the Gallians. Once the last Imp fell, Jessica took a second to examine a body.

"These guys were good. What are they doing here though?"

"No idea Lewis." Jess took the face mask off and to her surprise a Darcsen greeted her. "A Darcsen?"

"What?" Lewis looked at the body. "The hell are they doing in the Imperial Army? The Imperials treat them like slaves, right?"

"Yeah. Why would the Imperials allow a Darcsen to join their army?"

"A better question is, why did he want to join in the first place?"

Jess stood up, "Unless we capture a prisoner who is Darcsen, we won't have an answer."

"Well, these guys don't seem to be the surrendering type."

"Agreed. Let's keep moving."

"Sergeant! You need to see this!"

Jessica moved up to the scout. "What do you have?"

"The Imps are assembling a large force. I can see eighteen soldiers including six of those special forces members. They have two medium tanks and a heavy tank along with an armored car." Jess took his binoculars and observed the force for herself. "Newman needs to know about this. Lieutenant Newman, the Imperials are assembling a large attack force to reinforce the city center. We need reinforcements if we're going to take them on. Over."

"...Understood. I'll see what I can do. Out."

"Let me know if they start moving. If they do, we'll engage them without reinforcements."

"Got it."

Jess headed back to the tank which is where her fireteam is gathered. "We moving out ma'am?"

"Not yet. The Imperials have a strong force up the road. We're waiting for reinforcements before we hit them. If they start moving, we're hitting them with or without the reinforcements. Use this time to check your gear and treat your wounds." Jess walked back to the scout to keep her eyes on the Imperial attack force.

Lewis, curious, walked over to another Imperial body and pulled the mask off. A Darcsen greeted him. Lewis shook his head, "Why did you join the Imperial army?"

"Is that a Darcsen?"

"Yeah. I want to know why he joined the Imperial Army."

He scoffed, "It's a Darcsen and an Imperial one at that. Why the hell do you care?"

He looked over his shoulder. "We all know how the Empire treats Darcsens." He looked back at the body. "What could have made him join the army with how they're treated?" The scout shook his head and walked off leaving Lewis to his thoughts. He put his questions away and started checking his gear.

"Sergeant, good news, a squad from our Regiment is close and heading to reinforce you. Out."

Jessica headed back to her fireteam and told them the news. They're glad to be receiving the reinforcements. "Sergeant! The Imperials are moving out!"

"Dammit! We can't wait for our reinforcements! We'll have to stall them. Move out!"

The light tank took the lead and fired at the heavy tank. The shell slammed into the side armor but failed to penetrate. The light tank backed off as the heavy tank traversed and fired. The shell slammed into a building destroying part of the wall. The fireteam quickly moved up and engaged. The vicious firefight lasted for a minute before the Imperials brought their tanks to bear. The Gallians quickly retreated with half of the Imperial assault force pursuing including one medium tank.

The light tank fired but the shell hit the gun mantlet and bounced off. The medium fired hitting the light tank, penetrating its front armor, and killing most of the crew. The commander climbed out, jumped down, and moved behind his tank. He drew his sidearm and fired at the Imperials. "Dammit! We lost our tank!"

"We still have our lancer! Destroy that tank!"

The lancer took aim and fired. The lance hit the right track destroying the front drive wheel and immobilizing it. "Hit it again!" He stepped out again but is shot before he could fire. He falls bleeding from multiple gunshot wounds. A scout quickly pulled him behind cover and went to use his Ragnaid. "Don't."

"Don't!? Why the hell not!?"

"He's already dead. There's nothing you can do for him."

Before he could check, the wall exploded inward blasting both of them back. A sharp pain exploded in the back of the scout's head. He laid there for a few seconds before he slowly opened his eyes. His vision is blurry, and everything seems to be moving. His head is pounding and trying to move his head causes the pain to spike. He can just see the Imperials moving forward and one is coming towards him. He has lost his rifle and his body still isn't responding so he can do nothing as the Imp raises his rifle and fires.

"Where the hell is our support!?"

"Don't know! Keep fighting!"

The Gallians have halted the Imperials as their tank is immobilized and not able to assist. Both of their M1PCs are providing fire support keeping the Imperials pinned. The Gallians are slowly pushing the Imperials back but they can't truly counter-attack until they have their own tank support.

"Look! Our tank support is here!"

Two Gallian light tanks engaged and destroyed the Imperial medium tank. A squad of Gallians covers them as they advance. Their M1PCs provide fire support from the back. Jessica's fireteam takes this opportunity to counterattack the Imperials. The Imperials are routed. They don't wait they press their advantage chasing the Imperials down and killing them.

"Keep moving! The rest of the Imperial force headed for the city center!"

"Everyone mount up! Time is of the essence!"

They quickly mounted up either on the half-tracks or the tanks and moved out.

"Sergeant, what is your status?"

"We're moving on the city center now. Over."

"Copy that. We're starting our push now. Out."

"I see the government building. Looks like the Imperials have turned it into their headquarters."

"We'll have to take it back."

Fire came from the city hall hitting the soldiers riding on the light tanks. "DISMOUNT DISMOUNT!"

The light tanks and half-tracks opened up with their MGs. They racked fire across the building keeping the Imperials inside pinned.

"Storm city hall! We will reclaim our city!"

The squad sprinted into the building through the emergency exits at the back. The fighting inside is brutal with close-quarters firefights and hand-to-hand combat. Despite this, they slowly clear the building. Room by room floor by floor.

The light tank and M1PCs came around the building and fired upon the Imperials. Caught between them and the First Mechanized Company the Imperial defense starts to collapse. Most fight to the death but a few surrender. City hall is secured a few minutes later and Hilwarsen is finally free from Imperial occupation.