Chapter 5
"W3N Transcript from The Frank Hour'...we thought our space stations and Ion Cannons were the safest of our military assets. We put our most valuable military personnel, our most important command and control systems, and our most powerful weapons in space for this very reason. Little did we know that our space assets had a deadly vulnerability - a single point of failure located in a poorly defended installation ON THE GROUND. Nod exploited this vulnerability at the worst possible time, when our entire political and military leadership was on board the Philadelphia. This is a scandal of staggering magnitude.'"
"It gets worse, W3N investigative reporters dug into this story and discovered that the decision to locate our A-SAT control systems on the ground at Goddard Space Center was made because of cost. SpaceCom would have had to build an entire new orbital platform just for the computers and crew at a cost of tens of billions. This is an outrage. Security in space was an illusion all along - and GDI was almost wiped out because SpaceCom wanted to save some money..." -Intel Database: The Blunder that nearly finished GDI.
Langley Airforce Base
B-2
June 15th, 2047
1947
The skies above Blue Zone B-2 were swarming with aircraft, like a bunch of migratory birds were all heading south, then decided to stop and have a war in mid-air. GDI Raptors and Firehawks tried desperately to destroy Nod Vertigo bombers before they could cause even more damage. Nod MiGs moved in large squadrons, trying to protect the Vertigos or Carryall transports. Then there were the VTOL craft, like Orcas and Nod Venoms and Cobras.
It was a mess, and without Andrews or the GDS Pathe, those GDI birds would have nowhere to rearm and refuel. Which was why John needed to secure Langley, so GDI could stay in the air. But doing so would be difficult, since his landing zone was currently infested with Nod troops, and his own Huron was-
"Direct hit to portside engine! Damage reports are minor breech!"
"Stern point defence is down to 77% efficiency!"
"Raise our elevation by 4200 feet! Let's try to get some altitude and bring our underside guns to bear!"
John gritted his teeth as the Huron was harassed by Nod fighters. The lumbering OCV couldn't hope to hold off so many fighters, even with its impressive array of point defence guns and anti-air missiles.
"Where the hell is my backup!" John roared over the chaos.
"Most friendly squadrons are engaged, sir! They're having a hard time getting to us." The Huron's tactical action officer reported.
"Commander! I have Captain Barrowsmith of the GDS Ogun on the horn for you."
"Tell him to wait! We're kind of busy!" John snapped.
The Huron shook as another missile struck the airship. John knew the Huron wouldn't last for much longer, and he didn't particularly enjoy the idea of plummeting to his death in a crashing flying boat.
"Leftenant! I just got word from a Major Duncan: his squadron of King Raptors are inbound!"
"Mighty Zeus!" The pilot breathed, relieved.
John turned his focus to the holographic display, watching as a squadron of blue dots raced to intercept the angry swarm of red ones. The Nod MiGs immediately broke off to engage the new threat. New symbols appeared indicating dozens of missiles flying in both directions, as the two squadrons clashed.
"Lieutenant, can those birds handle them?" John asked.
"Aye, sir. We shouldn't have to worry about being shot down…for now."
"Good enough. EVA? Get Captain Barrowsmith back on call and let's see if we can find somewhere to finally set down."
Less than a minute later, one of the video screens was filled with a man in a naval officer's uniform.
"Commander Lancaster? Good to finally hear from yah. I'm Captain Barrowsmith, from 6th Fleet. Listen, I got marines on the ground, trying to keep these Noddies off the coast. But they are getting overwhelmed! Can you help 'em out?"
John took a second to understand the man through his thick Scottish accent, but one thing he did pick out clearly, was that a bunch of marines needed help from the Army.
"I can have several Hammerheads loaded with riflemen down there in fifteen minutes. Tell your boys to hold out, and that we need that area clear to set down."
"Understood."
The video call ended, and John was already barking out orders. Ten minutes later, four Hammerhead gunships dropped out from one of the Huron's hangars, and made their way down to the beleaguered marines.
The holographic table was now updated to show the entirety of Langley AFB, but he focused in on the small battle taking place near the coast. About half a company of marines were attempting to hold a beachhead against nearly double the number of Nod foot troops. At the same time, the GDI battleship, the GDS Ogun, sat just off shore, it's guns trained on the enemy but remaining silent.
"Captain Barrowsmith. Any reason why you aren't shelling the enemy?"
"Orders from Fleet Admiral Battersby: we are to minimize collateral damage to the airfield." Barrowsmith answered with resentment.
"Well Captain, you have new orders. Blast away any Nod bastard your guns can hit. If the fly boys have to land on the grass, then so be it."
"I think I'm going to like you, uh, sir. Alright, you heard theCommander! Blast those Noddies to hell!"
John grinned as he witnessed the Ogun's powerful guns begin bombarding Nod's positions. Scorpion tanks and Attack Buggies were shattered like glass, and entire entrenched portions were turned into large craters. Meanwhile, the Hammerheads began chewing through enemy infantry, as riflemen repelled down on ropes. With support from the helicopters, and additional boots on the ground, the marines surged forward, hungry for blood.
"Commander! I've got a Nod armor column moving down from the Airbase!" A officer called out.
"Captain Barrowsmith. Do you see those tanks?"
"Yeah, I see 'em. Arm launcher two and prepare to fire the Peacemaker."
"Commander! Major Duncan wants to speak to you!"
John sighed, feeling slightly overwhelmed and overly tired.
"Put him through."
"Commander, I got a lot of birds up here running on fumes. We need to set down, now."
"I'm working on it, Major. If some of your planes need to make an emergency landing, find a safe spot to put down, we'll tow you in after."
"What about the 'keep off the grass' law, sir?" Duncan said with clear amusement.
"Not sure there's many cops who would ticket a military fighter jet. Now, Major? Keep my skies clear."
John ended the call and once more tried to focus on the battle. By this stage, the Ogun's cruise missiles had impacted in the midst of the armor column, turning all of the Nod tanks, and most of the runway, into a smoldering crater. Units of marines and Army infantry managed to push the Nod forces back, drawing closer to the fence line that marked Langley AFB.
"Captain Barrowsmith. I need your marines to hold our landing site. Have them garrison the processing offices, I'll have EVA set a marker."
"Understood, Commander."
"Pilot, set us down. We need to get our forces mobilized!"
"Aye, Commander!"
The Huron began descending towards the ground, the massive engines rotating to set the metal beast down softly. Before the Huron even touched the ground, the main and auxiliary ramps were lowering, and both infantry and mechanized units were deploying.
"Get those prefab barracks set up. Get triage running, and set up a perimeter defense. Get scouts surveying the entire airbase. Without sat or aerial surveillance I'll need my eyes out there." John commanded smoothly.
His officers jumped to work, and the 7th Division began amassing for the coming battle.
"Commander, Lieutenant James on the horn."
How many bloody people need to call me!?
"Put her on."
"Commander, we have a situation." James began without preamble. "One of our OCVs, the GDS Sheppard, is here at Langley. We haven't had any communication with her commander, until just now."
Before John could respond, James began playing a static filled message, and he could clearly hear gunfire in the background.
"…mander Ryan, to anyone listening. My ship, the GDS Shep…Nod trying to take control. My own crew is committing mutiny! Must be damned sleeper cells…locked them in engineering, but won't be long till they reach the bridge! We can't hold out for…"
John'smind immediately began racing. If Nod somehow got sleeper agents on the Sheppard, could they be on the Huron too?
"Sergeant Major, get security to sweep the ship. Last thing we need is for Nod saboteurs to be onboard."
"I'll get on it, sir."
"Commander, we can't let Nod get away with one of our OCVs. You need to secure the Sheppard!" James stated pleadingly.
"Right. We'll get it done, Lieutenant."
James' face on the screen was replaced with updated satellite images of Langley AFB. John could see most of the runways were pockmarked with blast craters and ruined aircraft. However, one of the runways on the far end of the base was seemingly in good condition. But it was now filled with Nod Vertigo bombers and Carryalls. The base's main command post had been taken over, along with the main flight control tower. John would need to retake both, but his attention was drawn to the massive landing pad that currently held the Sheppard. It was nearly identical to the Huron's home berth back at Andrews.
The satellite images showed GDI paratroopers defending the landing pad against Nod infantry and light vehicles. But with the saboteurs already onboard, it was just a matter of time.
"Alright people, listen up. We need to take this airbase ASAP, or else we could lose air superiority, and quite possibly, all of B-2. But we also can't let Nod get away with one of our air carriers. So I want 1st Battalion to take our armored units to secure the air traffic control tower. We need to minimize damage to the building. Also, have Barrowsmith's marines help retake those hangars. Second, I need Actium Company to assist the Sheppard and her crew. They can take our APCs." John ordered quickly
His officers relayed the orders, and outside the Huron, the forces of the 7th Division began to move. Leading the charge was a full unit of Predator tanks. Following behind was lighter vehicles, such as Pitbulls and Wolverines, as GDI infantry poured into the air base. Nod hastily responded with light vehicles and infantry companies, while heavier Scorpions followed in the rear, supported by old Rocket Buggies.
But John left that battle to his subordinates. He had to focus on Actium Company and the Sheppard. Eight Guardian APCs raced across the ruined airbase to the large OCV berth, firing at random Nod patrols as they moved. Several squads of Attack Bikes diverted from the battle at the Sheppard and moved to intercept the APCs. Knowing the light bikes could easily destroy an APC or two, John made a hasty call.
"Major Duncan, can you provide any close air support?"
"We're mainly loaded for air to air, sir. I got some Orcas, butthey're at bingo fuel. Best I can do is try to manually launch some air to air missiles at the target."
"That will have to be good enough. Give me two of your Firehawks and get them to take out the designated targets."
"Copy that. Break. Sierra 3-12 and 3-9 switch to manual and take out the Commander's targets."
Two Firehawks broke from the ongoing air battle and swooped towards the squads of Attack Bikes. A few launched missiles at the approaching fighters, but the Firehawks were far too fast for them to be a threat. The fighters then launched their air to air rockets, but instead of igniting and streaking towards an enemy plane, they dropped to the ground like an anvil from those ancient cartoons W3N liked to constantly run.
The missiles landed in the midst of the Bikes, and exploded. Numerous Bikes were wiped out, and a few others swerved and crashed from the chaos. But several others survived, and continued towards the APCs. But with their numbers cut down, the APCs were able to defend themselves more easily, with the Vulcan cannons chewing through the lightly armored vehicles.
"Thanks for the assist, Major." John stated as he watched the Firehawks leave the AO.
"No problem, sir. But, uh, we really need somewhere to land, sir."
"I got marines working on securing runways now."
"Marines? Those crayon eaters? I'd rather ask the Space Force to send some Trekkies."
"Show some respect, Major. We lost the Philadelphia today."
"Fuck! Sorry, sir. Its…its been a long day."
"That it has, Major. I'll keep you updated."
John ended the call with a sigh. The day had been a long one, and it was showing no signs of ending anytime soon.
Switching back to his APCs, he noted they were reaching the Shepard, but one Guardian had fallen behind, as it had taken several hits from the Attack Bikes. But no casualties had been reported, so John counted that as a blessing.
Without warning, the Nod infantry trying to get onto the Sheppard abandoned their attack, and turned to face John's newly arrived troops. As the APCs moved to engage the Buggies and cover the infantry as they deployed, Nod soldiers suddenly began firing from the large ramp leading up to the main platform.
"Commander, Actium Company is getting pinned down." One of the Huron's officers reported.
"Redeploy some of our Wolverines. Get them over there ASAP!" John barked.
"Sir! The Sheppard is launching!"
John bolted up from his station and watched the Sheppard's engines rotate in preparation to launch the OCV into the air.
"Get Commander Ryan on the horn!"
"…od have broken the firewalls! They're about to breach the…can't hold…initiating self destruct! May the gods have…no. No!"
The radio channel abruptly cut out with the bang of a single gunshot. John could only imagine the worse, as the Sheppard continued to rise into the air, and no self destruct seemed to have gone off.
"Weapons, target the Sheppard with our laser designators." John ordered somberly.
"Sir, the Huron's point defence guns won't be enough to take her down."
"I know. Paint the Sheppard. Captain Barrowsmith? Do you have any Peacemakers left?"
"Aye, I do. Your EVA has already given me the target. Damn shame about Ryan."
"Today will be a day of loss. But tomorrow will be about revenge, I promise you that."
"Locked and loaded, ready on your command."
"FIRE!"
The Ogun once again shook as it fired another peacemaker cruise missile. John watched the holographic image of the missile fly up from the naval warship, and aim for the Sheppard, as it was still ascending into the air. Just as the OCV's engines began to rotate to let the Sheppard fly off to enemy lines, the peacemaker struck her amidship. The explosion set off a series of sympathetic detonations which nearly ripped the Sheppard in half. The massive airship began to fall back to earth, like one of the gods thrown off from Olympus.
Both GDI and Nod forces scattered as they tried to escape the crashing ship. John couldn't help but take some morbid satisfaction at seeing Nod soldiers be crushed by smaller falling debris. Fortunately his own men narrowly managed to escape, before the Sheppard crashed into the ground, creating a massive explosion that engulfed the entire berth, and sent a pillar of black smoke into the night sky.
"EVA, how many OCVs are left. Including the Huron." John asked quietly.
"Four Great Lake class Orca Command Vehicles remain, Commander." EVA reported.
John visibly blanched at the news. Three of GDI's most powerful, and expensive, assets had been destroyed. Two had been claimed during the last war, and now Nod had just destroyed another. Although technically John had been the one to destroy it.
"Have Actium Company rejoin the rest of the assault. Status update."
"Barrowsmith's marines have taken several hangars, although the area is still not secure to let our birds land."
"Armor units are engaged with Nod tanks. So far we are winning, but we can see more tank columns moving up from the Nod side of the base."
"Combat teams are inside the air traffic tower. Still cleaning it out, sir."
John nodded his head as he took all the information in. With the Sheppard no longer an issue, he could focus on taking Langley itself. But Nod was stubbornly holding on, and the battle was threatening to drag out till morning.
"Okay, divert Actium Company to help Barrowsmith's marines. Then deploy some of our Titans to defend the hangars. They can act as defence while our armored units push Nod back to their side. The only way we can break Nod now is if we get our jets and Orcas refueled and reloaded."
"Yes, sir!"
John's officers shouted in unison, and continued coordinating the battle. Nod forces were still attempting to stop GDI from taking the hangars, but John could see they were taking heavy losses. Occasional glances at the air battle also revealed Nod was losing ground, or sky in this case. Despite catching GDI with their pants down, their pilots and aircraft were simply no match. But more and more GDI planes were being forced to land in parks or shopping parking lots, and would probably need to be towed to the hangars.
John was in the middle of having EVA prepare some utility vehicles for the task, when Barrowsmith abruptly called.
"What's going on, Captain?" John asked absentmindedly.
"Orders from Fleet Admiral Battersby. He needs the Ogun to rejoin the 6th Fleet. Sounds like he is getting ready to make a final push to kick the Nod ships out of Hampton Roads. Sorry Commander, but me and the Ogun will no longer be available for your use."
"Understood, Captain. Go give them hell."
"Will do lad. And take good care of my marines! I'll be back for 'em."
"I'll treat them like my own."
"Good luck to you, Commander Lancaster."
The call ended, and John reluctantly watch the Ogun turn and head back out to sea, sailing down the coast to join the ongoing naval battle.
Loosing the Ogun was going to be a huge hindrance. But John and the 7th would just have to manage without her; at least he still had Barrowsmith's marines.
More tanks and walkers moved away from the Huron, entering into the ongoing battle. The Titans moved off to the hangars, to help secure and hold them so aircraft could land. Meanwhile the Predators led APCs and Pitbulls down the runways and service roads, engaging with Nod armor. Things were proceeding well, except John noticed half a dozen Tick tanks were deploying near a handful of warehouses, away from the battle.
"Command, this is Howler Actual. Objective Echo is secure. I say again: Objective Echo is secure."
"EVA! Get our birds landing now! I want Orcas fueled up and ready for tasking ASAP!"
"Sir! I have four enemy Mantis on radar!"
John looked to see the Nod Mantis drones had deployed to the same warehouses the Ticks had set up at. Seeing that they would lose the hangars and control tower, Nod must have decided to deploy SAMs to prevent his aircraft from landing.
"Order tank groups Sword and Juno to take out those Mantis drones. Move our Titan line up, and have our infantry dig in around the tower. We are going to hold until we get our air support up and running."
John saw every unit move on the holographic display, like pieces in some game. But he knew the reality: he had been on the ground like his men were now. He knew the chaos and the fear as bullets and lasers filled the air, and tank shells exploded, shaking the very ground. Up on the Huron's bridge, John could hear shouted commands and requests for support from his field officers. But he also knew that men and women were screaming in fear or pain, as comrades died and they fought against their enemy. He almost hated how, clean, things felt from behind the lines. But his job was to lead now, to command those men and women into battle, and if necessary, to give commands that could lead to their deaths.
Such was the nature of war.
Ten Predators moved towards the warehouses, supported by two Wolverines and a platoon of infantry. The Nod Ticks spotted them first, and opened fire, scoring a single direct hit, and causing a Predator to come to a screeching halt as it's treads were destroyed. Almost in unison, the Predators returned fire. Two Ticks were outright destroyed, and the other four took glancing shots.
Nod rocket troops attempted to support their armor, but the GDI infantry and Wolverines jumped into the fray, hosing the enemy down with staggering amounts of fire.
The Ticks continued to fire at the Predators, but now the GDI tanks were weaving in and out behind the large buildings, some firing on the immobile Ticks, while others focused on the Mantis drones. One by one, the enemy AA were destroyed, and John happily gave the order for aircraft to begin landing.
Upon seeing Orcas and Raptors land down on the runways, the Nod forces redoubled their assault, only to smash into a wall of GDI armor. But this Nod commander seemed determined to deny John any form of air support, so they kept pushing their forces.
"EVA! How long until we can get some Orcas airborne!?" John shouted impatiently.
"Approximately thirty minutes, Commander."
John gritted his teeth in frustration. While his forces clearly outmatched the enemy, it was clear Nod could win a battle of pure attrition. He needed that air support to break their lines.
"What forces can we deploy? We need additional troops on the line!" John barked at his crew.
"Sir, with the air cleared, we could bring up some of our dropships. We have more Predators and Aegis tanks waiting in the rear."
"I also have word of a stranded Steel Talons unit nearby. I've deployed a platoon to help them out, but we could draft them. According to their CO, they have some Wolverines and Hunters."
"Good. Bring up those dropships. And get those Steel Talons brought over as soon as we can. I want every gun we can get."
John noticed that his officers were beginning to move more sluggishly. He himself had to suppress a yawn. Between the hellish battle in Carolina, and the ongoing fight here, it was beginning to take its toll on him and his officers. He wondered how Athena and Rubicon Company were doing at the Pentagon, and more grimly, wondered if there still was a Pentagon left.
"Tea, sir?"
John whirled around, and found a junior officer holding out a cup to him. John graciously took the cup, and mentally berated himself for having not heard the young woman approach him. Damn, but he was tired. He took a hearty gulp of the tea, and kept on studying the battle.
At this point, all of the aircraft had landed and those that had made emergency landings earlier were now being towed in. Nod had been unable to retake the traffic control tower, but neither had John's forces been able to push any further into the air base. Fortunately more of the 7th Division had arrived via dropship, and more Predators and older Aegis tanks were now joining the battle. Meanwhile, the Steel Talons unit was slowly making their way over, still fighting through scattered Nod troops.
"Commander! Update from Major Duncan. He says his Orcas and Raptors will be ready in ten minutes!"
"Good! Its almost time we finish this fight. Order Barrowsmith's marines to move on the Nod refueling stations. We need them intact, but I would rather deny the enemy access. Tell them to destroy them only as a last resort. Next, I want Orcas providing close air support for our armor. Get Duncan to use his Firehawks and Raptors to take out those grounded Vertigos."
John's officers worked with a bit more gusto, but he could still see they were reaching the point of exhaustion. All the more reason why he needed to end this battle.
"All units, this is Commander Lancaster. Attack! Advance forward men! For GDI!"
The Predator and Aegis tanks once more surged against the line of Nod Scorpions and Ticks. Titan walkers provided cover as Wolverines, APCs, Pitbulls, and the newly arrived Hunters charged against the enemy light vehicles and infantry. The Nod forces did not balk at this attack; in fact, they seemed invigorated by it. No doubt the enemy had been whipped up into a religious blood lust, or perhaps they too were excited at the prospect of ending the long day's fighting.
Either way, the enemy held their ground where it was strongest, or rushed the oncoming GDI where it could have been broken. The two sides clashed, much the same way like they had from 1996-98, or 2030-31. Generations of hate was expressed through rifle and machine gun fire, cannon shells and mortars, rockets and simple bloodied fists.
But despite the enemy's tenacity, John was about to end this battle. Orcas quickly lifted off from the recaptured runways, sweeping over the battle and unleashing salvos of rockets, blowing apart Nod tanks like tin cans. Chin mounted autocannons tore apart light vehicles and infantry, and soon the Orcas cut a bloody swath through the enemy. Moments later, Firehawks, Raptors, and King Raptors took off, speeding through Langley and dropping bombs on the parked Nod aircraft. John cringed a bit as the last, intact runway was riddled with blast craters.
"Commander! The marines are asking for support. Enemy infantry have reinforced the fuel pumps from the command post."
"Get some riflemen and grenadiers loaded into Hammerheads. I want that command post retaken."
"Commander! I've got a visual on a massive Nod armor column! Looks like nearly a full battalion."
John quickly rushed over to the officer's station, and watched the massive convoy of tanks, APCs, and supply vehicles driving towards them.
"Must be reinforcements from Hampton Roads." John suggested.
"Wait…it looks like they're…going around us?"
John leaned in closer to watch, and sure enough, the Nod convoy was moving away from Langley. It appeared as though they were heading towards D.C.
"Send word over to General Granger. Let him know he's got more forces heading his way. But for us, well, I'll count it as a blessing."
A full Nod battalion was going to be bad news for anyone, but John was grateful not having one bearing down on him.
"Have Major Duncan see if he can't thin out their numbers, though. A few less tanks and APCs wouldn't hurt."
"Yes sir!"
The GDI planes flew off away from Langley, chasing down the Nod battalion. Meanwhile, John's own forces were steadily moving through the airbase, pushing Nod back further and further. The marines were now holding down the fueling stations, while infantry squads supported by Hammerheads stormed the command post.
It would seem, as the first day of the war officially ticked over into the second, that GDI would reclaim Langley AFB. John had now seen the start to two Tiberium Wars, he just hoped he would live to see the end to this one.
… … …
GDI Military Command
The Pentagon, B-2
June 16th, 2047
0600
General Granger rubbed his face, desperately hoping the action would help wake him up. It didn't. The synth coffee in front of him also did little to help, even with the combat stims he secretly put in it to help him through the night.
Granger was now in his personal office, waiting at his desk for the call with GDI's top military commanders to connect. With a sluggish thought, he slowly realized that he, along with the three people he was about to speak with, essentially now governed all of GDI. At least, until they could figure out who the hell was the new Director-General.
"Communications established, General." Granger's EVA reported.
Granger didn't reply, as three faces appeared before him via hologram: General Pham Quan, Granger's counterpart for the Pacific theater, who was operating out of B-6 Japan; Air Marshal Didier Beauchamp, head of GDIAF, currently stationed in B-3, England; and Fleet Admiral Julian Battersby, who was onboard the GDS Carville, just off the coast of B-2.
They all looked exhausted, no doubt from the long night of fighting, as well as having the responsibility of greater leadership thrusted upon them.
"Gentlemen, good to see you." Granger greeted.
"And you as well, General." General Quan greeted politely.
"Unfortunate it couldn't be under better circumstances." Air Marshal Beauchamp stated.
"I hate to be so blunt, gentlemen, but I still have Nod ships trying to sink me, and we all have a global invasion to deal with. So shall we cut to the chase?" Admiral Battersby said, rather gruffly.
"Of course, the Admiral is right." Granger conceded. "Gentlemen, the facts are we have lost the Philadelphia, along with the Commander-in-Chief, the entire Board of Directors, and most of our top military leaders. Command of all GDI military personal now falls to us, and Nod has invaded every Blue Zone and most of our major Yellow Zones. Not even during the Second War did we get hit this hard. And of course, the moment we all knew was coming: Kane is back, again."
The three men nodded their heads in agreement. All four of them had been of the faction that believed Kane to be alive and Nod to be a major threat. How unfortunate that there was no one left to say "I told you so" to.
"So what's the plan, Granger?" Admiral Battersby asked.
"As of right now, I am recalling all of our forces to secure the Blue Zones. We loose those, and this war is over."
"But what about our Yellows? We can't just abandon them." AirMarshal Beauchamp interrupted.
"That's why I've deployed ZOCOM forces to secure the Yellows. If Nod really wants to take our Red Zone bases, let 'em. I'm also deploying every Steel Talon unit available. I've told their new commanding officer, Brigadier General Pavel Adamek, to use every half-baked experimental unit they've got. Once we have kicked Nod out of our Blues, rest assured gentlemen, we will visit terrible, terrible vengeance upon them. We will make Kane wished he stayed dead."
"Amen to that!" Battersby chuckled.
"What about the Director-General? Any idea on who is left?" General Quan asked.
"No clue. We're still waiting to see who's left on the chain of succession. But until then, if anyone asks, we are in charge. This isn't some military coup, but we have a war to win and I'm not worried about politics."
Quan smiled, as the answer seemed to satisfy him. The rest of the meeting went on about strategy, where to move fleets, how best to use the Air Force, and which Blue Zones needed extra help from the Army. They also debated on how to use General Gerhardt Krause, the new leader of ZOCOM, and his forces effectively in defending the GDI held Yellow Zones.
The meeting lasted for hours, all the while GDI and Nod forces fought for control of D.C. and the surrounding areas. While the four men discussed strategy and troop movements, men and women fought and died on city streets.
"What about your air assets, Granger? I heard Nod took both Andrews and Langley?" AirMarshal Beauchamp asked.
"They also took out the Pathe. I'll sink every Nod boat for each sailor lost on her." Admiral Battersby growled.
"Yes, we lost Andrews. But one of my Battle-Commanders was able to retake Langley, so I can now support air forces in B-2. I also have some smaller air bases in bordering Yellow Zones taking on the overflow." Granger reported.
"Good. I mostly have to rely on the GDS Von Esling. I'm still waiting on Marine and Army units to secure our lost bases." Beauchamp said, as he directed an angered glare at Battersby.
"Despite Nod loosing most of their naval power in the last war, they're still hitting our fleets hard. Its taking everything I've got to keep our aircraft carriers afloat." Battersby shot back.
"How's Asia holding?" Granger directed his question to Quan.
"Not too good. The China Yellow Zone has always been contested territory, but now I've had to draw back my forces to hold the borders of B-6 and 7. Although help from ZOCOM troops out of the China Red Zone should help hold key regions." Quan reported.
"From what I've heard this morning, we seem to be just holding on. That, gentlemen, is unacceptable. I want Nod out of my Blue Zones, and I want Nod crawling back in their Tib' infested holes. I believe this is enough for today, I'll leave you to your respective tasks. Let's win this war."
… … …
Author's note: Since the US Space Force is a new branch of the military, there isn't any military slang for them or their personnel that I am aware of. So I decided to create the term Trekkie to refer to Space Force personnel. Obviously the term comes from the name given to Star Trek fans, I figured it kind of made sense for servicemen of the other branches to use as a derogatory term.
Raptors and King Raptors are units from C&C Generals. They were mentioned in the short story Operation Final Justice. While GDI tech does advance and change from each game, it realistically makes sense for some things to hold over from previous decades (games);the same is true for the Nod Rocket Buggy.
Next we will be seeing the battle for the White House, and the end of Act 1. I have some big plans for the chapter, so I hope you enjoy.
Until next time.