Here's chapter two. I'm sure all of you RA1 fans remember this mission as
well. There will be some that some of you might not recognize in future
chapters.
Chapter 2: Blockade Déjà vu
Zach was on sentry duty. His squad had been stuck here for a week or so. Currently, there had been no Soviet activity. Commander Rommel was away on some assignment and Zach currently did not know what to do. He checked the time again. Eleven bloody o'clock. Another hour and he could hit the sack. Just then, the patrol called in.
"This is Base," Zach said.
"This is patrol 5," said the soldier on the other end, "Nothing in sector two. We're heading home."
"Roger. Out."
Zach scanned the area. So far, they had not had any real excitement ever since that battle with the Soviet contingent. Another hour passed and he finally went to bed.
Zach woke up at about five, dreading what another day would bring. He put on his clothes and went to get some breakfast. Their base defenses had been strengthened by several gun turrets as well as camo-pillboxes. Just then he saw Commander Rommel walking through the camp. Zach snapped to attention as the commander walked by. He stopped and turned to face Zach.
"Who has the duty been son?"
"Sir everything is calm sir."
Rommel nodded and continued walking. Zach tried to figure out what exactly Rommel had done during his absence. He shook his head and went to get breakfast.
After getting his food, he sat down by Gunter and Fritz.
"Wonder where the commander went," he said.
"Probably some classified assignment," suggested Gunter, "You know the high command. They take everything so seriously. Wonder if they ever laughed at a joke."
"Doubt they have time to laugh," said Fritz.
"Oh no! They got you too?" then in a joking tone, "Careful Zach. If you get promoted you might become a grouch like Fritz here."
Zach cracked a smile before he spooned more soup. He had just finished when the alarm went off. Everything was still for a few seconds before they were all racing out. Zach rushed back to his bunk and got his M-16. The soldiers created a defensive screen and prepared to hold off any attackers. Rangers powered up and moved out to join the perimeter. Just then, a few patrols returned, some with bullet holes in their vehicles. Rommel came out immediately.
"What happened?"
"Ran into Soviet troops sir," said the patrol leader, "Soviet armor headed this way!"
Rommel nodded. "Rocket infantry, prepare to hold off Soviet armor. But be careful about what you shoot. We have armor reinforcements coming in too."
"What kind?" Fritz asked.
"Panzer Mark IIIs from the 11th Panzer Division."
"Mark IIIs?" Gunter said incredulously, "How long will those things last against heavy tanks?"
"Long enough," said Rommel.
"I thought we cleared this area of Soviet forces," Zach grunted as he ran alongside Gunter.
"Maybe those Soviet bastards have come back for more ja?"
The soldiers waited nervously as time passed by. Two other reconnaissance teams returned, one bearing information on the location of the enemy base. Rommel immediately debriefed them and prepared a plan of attack.
It was almost an hour before the Mark IIIs showed up. They were small tanks with 75mm cannons. There was a total of eight in the battalion.
"We're supposed to use them to take on a Soviet armored regiment?" Zach said incredulously.
"I thought you Americans were optimistic," Fritz commented.
"We're optimistic, but we aren't suicidal."
"I'm sure Commander Rommel will figure something out. He usually does."
Sergey examined the plans. The man sitting before him was a genius. He made a mental note to recommend that he get some sort of award for coming up with such an idea.
"I will forward it to Moscow," he said, "I am sure that the Kremlin will look upon this project favorably."
The scientist nodded and left. Sergey looked over the designs again. This was what was needed, a weapon that would forever dominate the battlefield for the Soviet people. He cracked his neck, having been in the same position for too long. Sergey put the papers away in their file and sat back. The installation he was in charge of was underground. There were dozens of warehouses filled with the Sarin nerve toxin. Another section stored the uranium ore that the scientists were experimenting with. The installation was connected to a submarine base which they used as a place to launch prototypes of the new Tactical Attack Submarines that were being designed here. This installation was truly the one thing that was not expendable to the Soviet nation, the Rodina. The atomic research was being moved to another installation, which didn't really bother Sergey. Also, the Sarin gas was being stored in other locations now. However, the key research being conducted here was still intact, and would remain so.
The turret opened fire, blasting apart the Soviet tank. Three more were behind it and provided cover for the infantry from the pillboxes. Two Rangers charged out, too fast for the tanks to hit, razzed the infantry hiding behind the tanks and retreated. Several rocket infantries fired their missiles, knocking out two more tanks before the Mark IIIs finished off the last one. Zach remained back in the base. As a simple rifle infantry, there wasn't much he could do against tanks. Gunter had gotten a missile launcher and had joined the defense while Fritz stayed with Zach in the interiors of the base.
"Wish I could go out there and give them a piece of my mind," said Fritz.
"You might come back in a few pieces," said Zach.
Fritz shrugged. "So you Americans do have a sense of humor."
"Funny, I thought it was you Germans who were cold and emotionless."
The talking was just another way the soldiers were bleeding off the stress they were feeling. Suddenly, they received orders to board the APCs. The soldiers ran out and got on their designated APCs. There were a total of sixteen Mark III Panzers now, and it seemed that the commander wanted to attack. The tanks went off first followed by the APCs. They crossed the small ridge north of the base and approached the enemy base. Zach heard explosions outside and knew that the tanks were engaging Soviet forces. Suddenly, their APC charged in and opened its hatch. They charged out and joined the battle.
Bodies laid everywhere as Zach and Fritz ran into the frail. Rocket infantries fired upon a few surviving Soviet tanks, blowing them to pieces. Zach fired a few bursts from his rifle, catching a Soviet soldier in the head. Fritz fired as well, bringing down a group of them. A grenadier suddenly appeared and tried to grab onto Zach. He kicked him in the groin and knocked the man away with his rifle butt. Zach then ran through the man with his bayonet. He pulled out his bloody blade and continued to fight. The Mark IIIs were engaging another Soviet tank, combining their firepower to bring it to a halt. Zach joined a group of infantry mopping up and hunting down any stray Soviet soldier. They caught a small squadron and mowed them down, taking two themselves. One soldier fell to the ground, a bullet having blown through his head. Blood dripped off his face as he fell, soaking the snow red. Another was hit in the knee but continued firing until five more bullets pierced his chest and finally brought him down. The Soviet soldiers all fell a few seconds later, their bodies collapsed on top of each other.
Zach was getting back onto the APC when he saw Gunter being carried away on a stretcher. He ran over to see how his friend was doing. Gunter had a patch covering his right shoulder and his leg.
"Hey. What happened?"
"Some bastard clipped me when I wasn't looking," he said, "Think Fritz got him though."
Zach nodded. "You'll be okay. They'll patch you back up."
Gunter smiled weakly before they placed him inside the APC and it drove off. Fritz walked up behind Zach and clapped a hand on his shoulder.
"He'll be okay," he said to him.
Zach nodded again and turned to head back to his APC.
"You know what this was?" Fritz asked as they walked over, "This was blitzkrieg. Lightning war."
"Is that why Commander Rommel wanted to hit so hard so quickly?" Zach asked.
"Yes. The commander knew that the Soviets would concentrate their firepower upon the tanks, so he brought along use and several Rangers. We mowed down their infantry, including their grenadiers which could really do damage to our tanks, and our rocket infantry helped take care of the tanks. Wish we had air support though."
Zach knew what he meant. The Yak fighters the Soviets deployed managed to strafe their base twice before the rocket infantry shot both down. They returned to base and just when the two were about to head to their separate bunks, they were called to Commander Rommel's office. They walked in and saluted.
"At ease gentlemen," said Rommel, "I've just been called to handle a mission regarding a Soviet weapons facility. I'm supposed to gather a team and take them underground to try to find and neutralize some chemical weapons the Soviets are storing there. Corporal Gustoff, you're now Sergeant Gustoff and you're leading the team down. I want you to pick the people that are going with you."
"Yes sir!"
"Private Keith, you're being promoted also to Corporal. Both of you are fine soldiers, and I trust that you won't fail in this mission. Dismissed."
"Yes sir!" both said.
They walked outside and went to work immediately. They selected seven other soldiers and a medic to come with them. From there, they boarded two APCs and were on their way to the Soviet installation.
End of Chapter 2
Hope you liked this one.
Z98
Chapter 2: Blockade Déjà vu
Zach was on sentry duty. His squad had been stuck here for a week or so. Currently, there had been no Soviet activity. Commander Rommel was away on some assignment and Zach currently did not know what to do. He checked the time again. Eleven bloody o'clock. Another hour and he could hit the sack. Just then, the patrol called in.
"This is Base," Zach said.
"This is patrol 5," said the soldier on the other end, "Nothing in sector two. We're heading home."
"Roger. Out."
Zach scanned the area. So far, they had not had any real excitement ever since that battle with the Soviet contingent. Another hour passed and he finally went to bed.
Zach woke up at about five, dreading what another day would bring. He put on his clothes and went to get some breakfast. Their base defenses had been strengthened by several gun turrets as well as camo-pillboxes. Just then he saw Commander Rommel walking through the camp. Zach snapped to attention as the commander walked by. He stopped and turned to face Zach.
"Who has the duty been son?"
"Sir everything is calm sir."
Rommel nodded and continued walking. Zach tried to figure out what exactly Rommel had done during his absence. He shook his head and went to get breakfast.
After getting his food, he sat down by Gunter and Fritz.
"Wonder where the commander went," he said.
"Probably some classified assignment," suggested Gunter, "You know the high command. They take everything so seriously. Wonder if they ever laughed at a joke."
"Doubt they have time to laugh," said Fritz.
"Oh no! They got you too?" then in a joking tone, "Careful Zach. If you get promoted you might become a grouch like Fritz here."
Zach cracked a smile before he spooned more soup. He had just finished when the alarm went off. Everything was still for a few seconds before they were all racing out. Zach rushed back to his bunk and got his M-16. The soldiers created a defensive screen and prepared to hold off any attackers. Rangers powered up and moved out to join the perimeter. Just then, a few patrols returned, some with bullet holes in their vehicles. Rommel came out immediately.
"What happened?"
"Ran into Soviet troops sir," said the patrol leader, "Soviet armor headed this way!"
Rommel nodded. "Rocket infantry, prepare to hold off Soviet armor. But be careful about what you shoot. We have armor reinforcements coming in too."
"What kind?" Fritz asked.
"Panzer Mark IIIs from the 11th Panzer Division."
"Mark IIIs?" Gunter said incredulously, "How long will those things last against heavy tanks?"
"Long enough," said Rommel.
"I thought we cleared this area of Soviet forces," Zach grunted as he ran alongside Gunter.
"Maybe those Soviet bastards have come back for more ja?"
The soldiers waited nervously as time passed by. Two other reconnaissance teams returned, one bearing information on the location of the enemy base. Rommel immediately debriefed them and prepared a plan of attack.
It was almost an hour before the Mark IIIs showed up. They were small tanks with 75mm cannons. There was a total of eight in the battalion.
"We're supposed to use them to take on a Soviet armored regiment?" Zach said incredulously.
"I thought you Americans were optimistic," Fritz commented.
"We're optimistic, but we aren't suicidal."
"I'm sure Commander Rommel will figure something out. He usually does."
Sergey examined the plans. The man sitting before him was a genius. He made a mental note to recommend that he get some sort of award for coming up with such an idea.
"I will forward it to Moscow," he said, "I am sure that the Kremlin will look upon this project favorably."
The scientist nodded and left. Sergey looked over the designs again. This was what was needed, a weapon that would forever dominate the battlefield for the Soviet people. He cracked his neck, having been in the same position for too long. Sergey put the papers away in their file and sat back. The installation he was in charge of was underground. There were dozens of warehouses filled with the Sarin nerve toxin. Another section stored the uranium ore that the scientists were experimenting with. The installation was connected to a submarine base which they used as a place to launch prototypes of the new Tactical Attack Submarines that were being designed here. This installation was truly the one thing that was not expendable to the Soviet nation, the Rodina. The atomic research was being moved to another installation, which didn't really bother Sergey. Also, the Sarin gas was being stored in other locations now. However, the key research being conducted here was still intact, and would remain so.
The turret opened fire, blasting apart the Soviet tank. Three more were behind it and provided cover for the infantry from the pillboxes. Two Rangers charged out, too fast for the tanks to hit, razzed the infantry hiding behind the tanks and retreated. Several rocket infantries fired their missiles, knocking out two more tanks before the Mark IIIs finished off the last one. Zach remained back in the base. As a simple rifle infantry, there wasn't much he could do against tanks. Gunter had gotten a missile launcher and had joined the defense while Fritz stayed with Zach in the interiors of the base.
"Wish I could go out there and give them a piece of my mind," said Fritz.
"You might come back in a few pieces," said Zach.
Fritz shrugged. "So you Americans do have a sense of humor."
"Funny, I thought it was you Germans who were cold and emotionless."
The talking was just another way the soldiers were bleeding off the stress they were feeling. Suddenly, they received orders to board the APCs. The soldiers ran out and got on their designated APCs. There were a total of sixteen Mark III Panzers now, and it seemed that the commander wanted to attack. The tanks went off first followed by the APCs. They crossed the small ridge north of the base and approached the enemy base. Zach heard explosions outside and knew that the tanks were engaging Soviet forces. Suddenly, their APC charged in and opened its hatch. They charged out and joined the battle.
Bodies laid everywhere as Zach and Fritz ran into the frail. Rocket infantries fired upon a few surviving Soviet tanks, blowing them to pieces. Zach fired a few bursts from his rifle, catching a Soviet soldier in the head. Fritz fired as well, bringing down a group of them. A grenadier suddenly appeared and tried to grab onto Zach. He kicked him in the groin and knocked the man away with his rifle butt. Zach then ran through the man with his bayonet. He pulled out his bloody blade and continued to fight. The Mark IIIs were engaging another Soviet tank, combining their firepower to bring it to a halt. Zach joined a group of infantry mopping up and hunting down any stray Soviet soldier. They caught a small squadron and mowed them down, taking two themselves. One soldier fell to the ground, a bullet having blown through his head. Blood dripped off his face as he fell, soaking the snow red. Another was hit in the knee but continued firing until five more bullets pierced his chest and finally brought him down. The Soviet soldiers all fell a few seconds later, their bodies collapsed on top of each other.
Zach was getting back onto the APC when he saw Gunter being carried away on a stretcher. He ran over to see how his friend was doing. Gunter had a patch covering his right shoulder and his leg.
"Hey. What happened?"
"Some bastard clipped me when I wasn't looking," he said, "Think Fritz got him though."
Zach nodded. "You'll be okay. They'll patch you back up."
Gunter smiled weakly before they placed him inside the APC and it drove off. Fritz walked up behind Zach and clapped a hand on his shoulder.
"He'll be okay," he said to him.
Zach nodded again and turned to head back to his APC.
"You know what this was?" Fritz asked as they walked over, "This was blitzkrieg. Lightning war."
"Is that why Commander Rommel wanted to hit so hard so quickly?" Zach asked.
"Yes. The commander knew that the Soviets would concentrate their firepower upon the tanks, so he brought along use and several Rangers. We mowed down their infantry, including their grenadiers which could really do damage to our tanks, and our rocket infantry helped take care of the tanks. Wish we had air support though."
Zach knew what he meant. The Yak fighters the Soviets deployed managed to strafe their base twice before the rocket infantry shot both down. They returned to base and just when the two were about to head to their separate bunks, they were called to Commander Rommel's office. They walked in and saluted.
"At ease gentlemen," said Rommel, "I've just been called to handle a mission regarding a Soviet weapons facility. I'm supposed to gather a team and take them underground to try to find and neutralize some chemical weapons the Soviets are storing there. Corporal Gustoff, you're now Sergeant Gustoff and you're leading the team down. I want you to pick the people that are going with you."
"Yes sir!"
"Private Keith, you're being promoted also to Corporal. Both of you are fine soldiers, and I trust that you won't fail in this mission. Dismissed."
"Yes sir!" both said.
They walked outside and went to work immediately. They selected seven other soldiers and a medic to come with them. From there, they boarded two APCs and were on their way to the Soviet installation.
End of Chapter 2
Hope you liked this one.
Z98