We're coming back to The Will of Revenge after the last chapter's actual beginning of the war. Ester, although she didn't feel proud because of that, left the planet to fight another day. In Andromeda, SoS' invasion of Taurus III, Narum Prime and Emloy have commenced, with Narum Prime falling almost immediately. Now, everyone is doing everything to stop both Laconians and Zorzal's troops.
But now, let's check the reviews.
To Supreme Supra: Thank you.
Now, let's commence.
Chapter 4
May 28, 2166
02:11
Colonial Administration Building, Conference Room, Soutlandian C.Z., Taurus III
Harlen sat at the top of the long table in the conference room. On the seat to his left, he had Tim, still working as his adjutant. Several guards also stood in the room, dressed in full combat gear and standing guards at the door.
Except them, there were only two more people who could make it to this meeting in person. First of them was colonel Sigurd Gergon, commander of Skandian C.Z.'s garrison. As most Skandian men, he had a long, brown beard tied in some braids at the end. He also had a long scar going from his forehead, through his left eye and ending at the corner of his mouth. This scar made his eye completely white.
Second man was general Margs Utgar, Nodian counterpart of Sigurd. He also had a long beard, but not as well-kept. He grew up in some backwater village in a forest, what resulted in it constantly being invaded by bandits. The experiences from that time hardened him and there were legends, that he once slashed through an entire camp of bandits and then tore a bear apart with his hands, because he saw it as fun.
And the commanders of other C.Z.s garrisons were only present in virtual form, as the sky over their parts of the planet were already full of enemy aircraft. Apparently, New Araluen, Taurus City and New Perth were already under fire.
"Thank you for gathering, ladies and gentlemen."Harlen started."This meeting is very important, regarding our current situation."
"We are all aware of it."colonel Nira, commander of Falmartian garrison, said.
"I know. And after already a day of fighting, I would like to hear of the situation in your C.Z.s."
Sigurd was the first to speak:
"As of now, we ordered a martial law in Erak City. Troops entered the streets and are making sure that nobody comes out of home if it's not important. We also sent forces to stop enemy troops advancing towards the city."
"How are you doing with that?"colonel Highbar, commander of Australian garrison, asked.
"First five hours were not kind for us. We lost two full battalions trying to hold the enemy off. Next, when 88th Independent Tank Brigade moved into action, we stopped them near the village of Rorun."
"And now, how does it look?"general Trik, commander of Araluenian garrison, asked.
"After seven hours of fight, 88th retread to the secondary positions. They are being reinforced by elements of 5th Infantry Regiment, but for now, it's just a temporary solution."
"Any prisoners?"Tim asked.
"Some. We questioned them and discovered, that the unit leading the offensive towards Erak City is the so-called '2nd Armored Legion', led by some general Kerrel."
"Anything else?"Nira asked.
"No. They're holding everything more important."Sigurd groaned."Not only that, but they are constantly repeating some propaganda bullshit, such us 'we will regain our legacy' or 'our new Empire will dance on your graves'. I'm already sick of listening to that."
Harlen nodded and turned to Margs.
"What about you?"he asked.
"I can with full certainty said, that we stopped the enemy."Margs replied."First battle took place near a road between towns of Reta and Fir'na. Two battalions of 74th Mechanized Brigade successfully held off three enemy battalions. Then, they retreated beyond Reta and set up the defense line there. Rest of the brigade joined them soon after and the latest report, which comes from just four hours ago, says that enemy units are still stuck, although they did score a major progress in town of Erio."
"Good. And how is the Joint Corp doing?"
"All units, both Skandian and Nordian, forming the JC are already on their way to the frontlines. They should get there within a week."Sigurd replied.
Harlen shouldn't be surprised. Taurus was a big planet. Twice the size of Earth, after all and the units of JC were in their barracks when everything started. But he hoped, that somehow, they will be able to at least slow enemy troops down, as even he knew, that stopping them completely might not be impossible.
"And you just the air raids?"he asked remaining three commanders.
"Yes."they replied at the same time.
General sighed. He rubbed his head, thinking about any other possibility they had to stop them.
"Alright, people."he finally said."It's been almost twenty four hours since all of this started. We need to finally get it together and make sure that if these fuckers want to take the planet, they have to pay for it dearly."
"But what should we do?"Nira asked."We have only fifty thousand men across the planet."
"Australians have the least forces of all of us."Trik pointed out."They only have one company of tanks and a battalion of mechanized infantry."
"We never thought we're gonna need more."Highbar replied.
"Maybe you should?"Sigurd asked.
Harlen growled.
"Don't you try arguing."he said."We need to work together if we want to make it out alive."
"And besides, we don't have only fifty thousand people on the planet."Tim pointed out.
"What do you mean?"Nira asked.
"Did you forget about the fifty thousand troops, which came here for Offworld Storm?"
Silence fell among the garrison commanders and it took few seconds for them to speak again.
"But they just came to train."Trik said."Will they even want to fight?"
"They will have to."Harlen replied."Just like us, they also want to go back home, so I think they will want to fight."
"We're gonna see, I guess."Margs said.
"I'll take care of it after the meeting, but there is also one more thing we need to talk about."Harlen pointed out.
"And that would be?"Highbar asked.
"We need a unified system of command for all our forces across the planet. A staff with officers from all armies, which will make decisions that will help us to put on a fight and all responding to a single high commander."
"And who that commander would be?"Sigurd asked.
Harlen winced.
"I'm…still thinking about that."he admitted.
Again, commanders became silent, not knowing how to comment on this. Such solution could really help them hold the enemy off for a longer time. But there was not many people, who could actually hold it all together.
"I have a proposition."Tim said.
All eyes turned on him.
"Really?"Sigurd asked."Who do you think could perform that role?"
"I propose general Ordell to take up the role of the commander."Marine said.
Hearing this, Harlen widened his eyes and looked at his current adjutant.
"Wait, what?"he asked."I couldn't possibly…"
"I agree with the Yankee."Highbar said."After all, this idea was yours, general."
"Besides, we all heard about your command abilities."Nira added."With you leading us, we might actually have some chance."
"Agreed."Trik agreed.
"So, who agrees for general Ordell to be the supreme commander of all our forces across the planet?"Tim asked.
"Aye!"Nira, Trik and Highbar said at the same time.
Sigurd and Margs just nodded their heads. Harlen looked at them and simply sighed.
"I just don't believe it."he said."But I guess I can't back off from it. Okay, I will take this position. I also want you to order your officers to synchronize your command systems with ours. After that, we can start planning any form of actual defense. Understood?"
"Yes, sir!"everyone replied.
"Good! Now, get moving! We have a planet to defend!"
Three commanders disconnected, while Sigurd and Margs stood up and walked out of the room, escorted by Harlen's look.
"You know you threw me into an actual cesspool?"he said to Tim.
"You know it's not true, Harlen."Tim replied.
"I do, but I still have some doubts about it…"
"Don't worry. We'll get out of it, somehow."
"I hope so, Tim. I really do. But now, let's get out of here. We have a defensive plan to design."
The two of them stood up and went out of the room.
May 28
02:47
Lunar Terminal, Moon
When they arrived here, the whole Lunar Terminal was filled with atmosphere so dense you could cut it with a knife. Thousands of soldiers and tens of ships were currently based here after evacuating from Earth. Their ship barely made it out after escaping a bunch of Laconian Frigates, which gave chase after them. But the most important thing was, they made it here. But when they disembarked, they were directed to one of the waiting rooms of the terminal.
It's been almost a day since then and Ester, Elsa and Norrine were currently in the same waiting room as from the beginning, with 1st Warrior Bunnies and Norrine's soldiers helping the wounded.
"Norrine, if you continue walking like that, you will make a rut in the floor."Ester said.
Major didn't stop walking around, only took a quick glance at Ester and Elsa.
"I'm just sick of this whole waiting."Norrine hissed."We came here so many hours ago and since then, we were just sitting here, while we should be out there, fighting for Earth!"
"But you didn't oppose coming here."Elsa pointed out.
"Because I thought that we'll just reorganize, form a plan and go pound some Lacon asses! And instead, our people are dying there and we're sitting here! I hate it!"
"Calm down, please."Ester said.
"NO! This bitch Harika is keeping us here, while we can't help our people! I will just go there and fucking kill her!"
"You know it will end badly for you?"
"Screw that! I wanna GO OUT THERE!"
Saying that, she stopped, swung her arm and punched the wall next to her. However, as she did so, Ester noticed something strange. As Norrine's arm was coming closer to the wall, blue sparks seemed to jump out of her hand. And right before she hit the wall, her entire arm was covered in blue flame and when it hit, it left a burnt mark on the wall.
Seeing this, Elsa spitted out the water she was drinking.
"What the…?!"she exclaimed."Was that…?!"
"Magic."Ester said."Norrine, are you…?"
"What? One of the people that suddenly manifested magical powers?"Norrine replied."Yes. Yes, I am."
"Why didn't you tell us?"Elsa asked.
"What was there to tell? Besides, I knew you would find out eventually."
"Well, that certainly was unexpected. By the way, which magic school did you go to? Hamburg, Munich or Berlin?"
"Why you asking?"
"My sister happens to be one of the teachers in Berlin."Elsa scratched back of her head."And I thought, that she might have taught you…"
"Well…"Norrine scratched her chin."How old is your sister, by the way, to be a teacher there?"
"Twenty nine."Elsa replied.
"And I am thirty."
"Oh…Sorry."
"There is no need."Major waved it off."I'm an autodidact. I learned how to control my power myself. And I also got myself a uniform made out of fireproof material."
"Huh, interesting."Ester summed.
Right then, she saw 1st Warrior Bunnies approaching them. Six Warrior Bunnies sat on the chairs next to them. They looked pretty tired and some actually had bags under their eyes. Delilah looked at Ester and smiled.
"Enjoying the free time?"Delilah asked.
"Like hell."Norrine said."We should be there…"
"Same."Emmy sighed."But man…Helping all these wounded really can tire someone."
"You just discovered America."Ves said.
"And why are you still sitting here instead of helping us?"Heley asked.
"We're just waiting for any news regarding our next moves."Ester replied."Speaking of which, maybe you heard some rumors?"
Delilah looked at her team.
"Yeah, we heard some."she confirmed."It seems, that Earth and UNSA aren't the only ones attacked."
"No?"Elsa asked.
"No."Ves said."Apparently, Nashini, Chakdrik and Shakayans are currently being pushed back by the rest of the Concordance. Nakatan forces are said to already be in Nashinian System."
"Some people also said that the reason why Lacons are already here, is that there was a traitor in higher ups of Unified Detection Greed."
Unified Detection Greed was a joint project between Earth and all it's allies in the Milky Way. It was a giant, interconnected network of radars, space stations and satellites, all connected to a common server on Earth. The UDG, as it was called in short, was created to detect the danger and allow UNSA and it's allies to respond to it within the quickest time possible. It was the main 'Guardian of the Free Galaxy', as some people called it.
"Pretty hard to believe."Elsa said."Only the most competent and loyal people were chosen to oversee it."
"Maybe."Norrine said."But remember. Everyone can be bought."
"Or blackmailed."Ester added.
"True."major agreed.
"Anything else?"Elsa asked.
"Yeah."Emmy replied."Contact with Unknown Regions suddenly was cut off."
Ester risen her eyebrow. That was interesting.
"Anything more about that one?"she asked.
"None."Delilah said."It just stopped and nobody knows why. Fleets of UR nations won't allow anyone to enter."
"Great, if we didn't have enough problems."Norrine hissed.
"I said, calm down."Ester told her.
"Oh, and Tertans are already sending forces to aid us."Macy said."Some say, that they might try and break the Siege of Earth."
"Would be helpful."Elsa stated.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Right then, a voice came through the PA:
"All military personnel, please gather in the main hall. General Secretary Harika will give an announcement. Please, come there as fast as possible. I repeat: All military personnel…"
"I think we should go."Ester said, standing up.
"Finally. Maybe we'll learn something important."Norrine said.
"Alright, let's go then, ladies."Delilah said.
Warrior Bunnies and Humans proceeded to make their way towards the main hall of the building. On the way, they passed by numerous soldiers, which also were going in that direction. Looking at them, Ester could notice, that they were from dozens of different nationalities or alliances of Earth. EU, United States, China, African Union, Intermarium, Moscow Accord, ASEAN, Shanghai Defense Pact…All colors and symbols. But they all stood under the unified flag of United Nations.
Once they reached the main hall, it was already filled to the brim with hundreds of soldiers. Some were here even despite their wounds and injuries. They all talked among each other, thinking about their current standing and situation.
"It sure is noisy here."Kenya said.
"Ehem."Delilah agreed.
"Let's just hope we'll hear any concretes soon."Norrine murmured.
"Don't worry."Ester waved her hand."If General Secretary called us all here, she needs to have something important to say."
"By the way, is she even here?"Elsa asked.
"Maybe. We're gonna see."Emmy said.
Talking continued for next few minutes, before it just gone silent. Everyone looked in the direction of the side entrance to the hall and saw that General Secretary, in escort of several UNSA Marines, came up to the center of the room. She looked at the soldiers gathered in the hall, with uneasy expression. She sighed.
"I'm very happy to see so many of you here."Harika said."It's very uplifting to know, that you got out without harm. Mostly, at least."
Everyone felt the uneasiness in her voice. Truth be told, Harika wasn't exactly the most liked General Secretary of the last few decades. It might be hard to believe, but before going into politics, she worked as a…comedian. But after a long and tiring work, she climbed her way to the most important position in Human hierarchy. Some people were even openly saying, that if the war was to come, she would more likely lead them to destruction than to victory. But, as every leader, she had as many supporters as enemies.
"What I am trying to say"she continued"is that our current situation is very hard. As you know, Laconian fleets and armies have laid siege to Earth, Mars and the entire Solar System. We're still not aware how did they got through the Unified Detection Grid, but as of now, by taking us by surprise, they mostly eliminated our fighting force in the system."
Load of unsatisfied grunts filled the hall. Many people felt cheated, seeing Laconian forces already on Earth. After all, by the entire time since Great Galactic War, they were told, that it's impossible to attack Earth directly now, considering how much improvement in defensive technology was made since UNSA-SDF War in 2100 and GGW. Actually, it was thought, that if Laconians were to ever make their way to Earth, they would be met by full might of UNSA and Home Fleet. Nobody ever expected to see Laconians here already on the first day of the war. Let alone with fleets of stolen Holy Order vessels.
"However, as it was said, I have an announcement."General Secretary then took a deep breath."It pains me to say it, but…me, my cabinet and most of the world leaders decided, that we should retreat from Sol and entire Local Sector."
Silence, which then filled the hall was almost deafening. Soldiers just looked at the General Secretary, not knowing what to say. Harika looked back at them, waiting for their response, probably expecting the response.
And the response came, when everyone started screaming through each other, asking questions and mainly accusing her of betrayal and calling her a whore, but these were only fewer, although Norrine was among them, with Ester and Elsa barely stopping her. Harika finally got enough courage to scream herself.
"Calm down, calm down!"she exclaimed."It's not like we're gonna leave Earth and just surrender to the Lacons!"
"Then how is it?"someone shouted with thick Eastern European accent.
"As of now, Home Fleet is, as you might have seen, in shambles. Most of their bases and ships were destroyed. What you see around the Moon is probably all that's left of it. I manged to contact Prime Minister of Mars and she also said, that most of Martian Navy is either destroyed or stationed within spaces of their client planets. To that, we also have to add the fact, that entire Concordance declared war on us and our allies and right now, our fleets, both those within our space and within spaces of our allies, are tied with stopping the enemy. It really is hard for me, but…this might be the only appropriate course of action as of now."
Once more, silence filled the room. If the situation presented by General Secretary was true, then it must have been very bad.
"As I said, this decision was made by me and majority of the world leaders."she continued."Most leaders decided to stay, like presidents of Russia or United States, while some also made it out of the planet, while others…didn't make it."
Some people winced.
"But, we're not planning on leaving for longer, as I said."Harika took another deep breath."We're first planning to help our allies in repelling the attacks of the Galactic Concordance. If they fall to the enemy, we're not gonna have any chances of reclaiming Earth and Local Sector, or even winning the war."
Soldiers started agreeing with her words, as they listened further and further. They knew, that even with all their power, UNSA could not defeat the Galactic Concordance alone. Only with the help of their allies could they have any chances of winning this new conflict.
"And what about Hadadrians?"someone else asked."Didn't we sign up a treaty with them?"
"I did call Hadadrian chieftain."General Secretary replied."But when I mentioned, that Lacons laid their hands on old HO equipment, they said they're not gonna join the conflict."
"Fuckers…"another soldier said.
"I wouldn't say that."Ester said."I was on Targon. The Hadadrian Super Battleship we had there was destroyed by HO Super Carrier, so maybe Hadadrians are just scared, that Lacons might have put their hands on some."
Murmuring spread around the room, as people agreed with her words.
"So, when are we leaving?"Delilah asked.
"We're gonna leave the Lunar Terminal and Local Sector within the next twelve hours."General Secretary replied."We will set up the temporary headquarters of our forces on New Terta, as leader of Tertan Protectorate already agreed on this."
"Good on you, Aqi."Ester thought.
"I want you to be ready within the next twelve hours. After that time, we're leaving."Harika continued."That is all I wanted to say. I hope you understand out decisions."
With that, Harika turned around and left the hall, alongside her escort. Soldiers looked after her for few more seconds, before slowly starting to walk away in separate directions. Some of them were displeased, others had hardened expressions while others showed no emotions whatsoever.
Ester and her companions were also leaving.
"I can't believe she just said that."Norrine said."She wants to abandon Earth…No, entire Local Sector. Unbelievable!"
"Calm down, please."Elsa tried to calm Norrine down."You heard what she said. We're not leaving forever."
"Like that's any encouragement."major snorted.
Ester just didn't want to get into this. She had her own things to think through. Especially the fact, that Ursula and Conny were still down there.
"Ester."familiar voice said from behind them.
Colonel turned around and was actually happy to see a middle aged man in a black suit approaching them. Slightly gray hair were ruffled and his suit had some stains on it, but he still presented himself pretty well in it.
"Allow me to introduce myself to some of you."the man said, clearing his throat."Director James Sanjrani of UNSA Intelligence and Counter Terrorist Agency. Pleased to meet you."
"Oh, so ICTA HQ got evacuated, too?"Kenya asked.
"Indeed."Sanjrani nodded."We barely made it, because we were evacuating under Lacon fire. We lost some personnel, but most important people made it out."
"As always, VIPs get out first."Emmy murmured and received a nudge from Delilah.
"No, we were leaving as the last."director said."Others left before us. But that's not the point. I wanted to talk to you immediately after I noticed you were here, but I had some matters to attend to."
"And what did you want to talk about?"Norrine asked.
Sanjrani came up to the nearby bench and sat down on it.
"The war lasted for only a day and already all our operatives are busy in the field. Sabotage, intel gathering, assassinations…All that stuff. This makes us short staffed and we can't do every task we need to do and I'm sure that as the war progresses, our possibilities will only deminish."he explained."This is why I have a proposition for you."
Ester already knew, where this was going.
"Go on."she encouraged him.
"I would like to recruit you. As a special operations unit."James finished."What will you say?"
Colonel looked at her companions. Her eyes met Delilah's. In them, she saw the same answer she wanted to give.
"Agreed."both Ester and Delilah said.
"Wait, really?"Norrine and Emmy asked at the same time.
"You really want us to give our services to the spies?"Emmy asked."We might as well sell our bodies to them."
"Agreed."Norrine nodded.
Ester risen an eyebrow.
"Emmy sees intelligence services as nothing but cowards."Delilah explained."She knows they are important, but doesn't hold them in high regards."
"Norrine appears to have the same mindset."Elsa stated.
The two in question nodded.
"Don't understand me badly."James continued."You won't be given some meaningless missions or won't do espionage. Only tasks I will be giving you, are the ones demanding more shooting and killing, like extracting important people or breaking into enemy facilities."
Norrine and Emmy looked at each other again.
"Okay then."Norrine said."If that's how you present it…"
"You were pretty easy to convince."Elsa stated.
"Who would refuse an opportunity to kill some bastages?"Emmy shrugged.
Norrine nodded.
"So, when can we begin the work as this 'special operations unit'?"Ester asked.
"Immediately after we leave Sol. I want you and your troops to be at constant combat readiness."director stated."Now, go and tell your soldiers the news. They might be interested in it."
"Yes, sir!"everyone said and saluted.
Sanjrani nodded his head as a form of goodbye, stood up and walked away, with Warrior Bunnies and Humans watching as he walked away.
"So…we're intelligence now?"Elsa asked.
"Seems like it."Ester replied.
"By the way, ho do you knew the head of ICTA?"Norrine asked.
"Oh, we go way back."Ester downplayed it."When sixteen years ago we brought Pina and others on Earth, he was in charge of our security."
"That explains it."Emmy said.
"I think things might get very interesting soon."Macy stated.
"Yeah. Let's go inform the others. They gotta know what awaits us."Delilah said.
Others agreed with a nod.
They then went and informed both Fighter Infantry recruits and Norrine's Marines about the proposition from ICTA. Surprisingly, all soldiers agreed for that and seemed pretty eager to perform missions in service of the intelligence agency. But to get ready for the departure from the system, soldiers started packing their things and when the time come twelve hours later, they boarded their ship and joined the fleet of remaining Home Fleet, Martian Navy and civilian vessels. Laconians noticed this fleet leaving the system, but didn't pay much attention to it. For them, the fact that main UNSA force in Sol was escaping, was a reason to celebrate, as they almost effortlessly took over the home of mankind.
Although that, there still was resistance in the system. Forces that were left on surfaces of Earth and Mars continued to resist the invaders, while on stations and moon outposts first resistance cells already started appearing. So it was sure, that if Laconians wanted to take over Solar System, this would not be an easy task.
May 28
11:05
1st Armored Legion HQ, Xirum, Nordian C.Z.
Energetic pull on his arm woke up general Klausus Ho Margas. General had a feeling of sand under his eyelids. Two and a half hour sleep didn't give him strength, only slightly suppressed the headache, which accompanied him since yesterday's evening. He slept in his clothes, so he didn't bother dressing up, he just put on his boots and was ready to begin a new day. The tent in which he slept didn't belong to big ones. There was enough place to only place one bunk, a small table and two foldable chairs.
His adjutant was currently pouring him some coffee into a metal mug, when legion's communications chief entered the tent.
"Dier, don't you dare telling me, that we've got new orders from HQ."
"No, general, I just wanted to report, that everyone's already here."
"Good, I'll be there soon."
Margas, searching in his pocket, finally found the painkillers. White package with yellow writing 'Keyley' on it was brought to his staff from one of local pharmacies after soldiers enjoyed few hours of robbing. He took two, thrown into his mouth and drank some coffee. He took a deep breath and went outside.
Gray day started to dominate over the camp. Traces of fog, which not too long ago wrapped itself around trucks and armored vehicles, now slowly vanished among the growing mess. Camouflage hologram was displayed over the whole camp. General went to two APCs forming walls of temporary HQ. Officers sitting there were tending to a breakfast, made out of field field rations. Among them were commanders of individual brigades, cohorts and more.
The unit furthest North, armored unit of colonel Geded, was only represented by an intelligence officer. Similar situation was with recon battalion, which together with Geded's tanks formed a mobile operations group.
"Good morning."first to notice Margas, was legion's logistics officer.
"At ease"general greeted the gathered"it seems we have a busy day ahead of us.
Margas sat down on a metal stool and looked at the holographic map being projected in the air. SoS' units, marked with blue on the map, formed a cancer-like growth on Taurus' surface. When he last looked at the symbols on the map, which was eight hours ago, everything looked a bit worse. Currently, the grouping, in forefront of which his forces were, forced their way forward a lot.
He was given a plate with something what looked like a gugan chop, made of a cow-like animal from Ereca. He sighed and looked at the second grouping. From the information given to him by intelligence officer, he learned about heavy fighting in which 2nd Armored Legion was engaged against Skandian forces.
However, now blue triangles, which Erecans used to mark their units, were pushing further towards Erac City. Less numerical Skandian units, marked in red, were scattered along a road connecting towns of Nelholm and Kortar.
"Gentlemen."legion's operational officer started."In thirty fourth hour of Operation: Home Liberation, we're making good progress on the way towards Erak City. Within the next few days, we should encircle the city and take it. After that, we shall take river crossings here and here."The pointer pointed at the town called Lacinta Hill."The beachhead will be taken with help of 100th Air Mobile Brigade."
"When is the landing operation supposed to take place?"commander of mechanized brigade asked.
"As I said, after we take Erak City. We also need to make contact with special forces operators that are in the area, observing the crossings with our scouts. Should be enough for two to three hours of dropship flight. If everything goes according to plan, we should be on the other side of the river in a few days."
"Pretty god."Margas thought, ending his meal. Headache almost completely vanished, leaving only unpleasant memory."Any news about the enemy movements?"
His question startled the reporting officer.
"From listening and intelligence reports, we can tell that they're just now starting to get it together. Yesterday, fighting in Skandian C.Z. pushed their forces further West. However, they did started putting their aircraft into the field and we're getting reports, that some of our units have already been bombed, but this won't be any huge problem. We should deal with this problem in a matter of days. They literally put everything that has wings in the air and it seems, that their air squadrons are quickly starting to lose combat prowess."
"I would prefer a better air cover."Words of the air force major, which had to coordinate air operations with armored forces, interested everybody.
"Of course. I won't hide, that we did have some problems yesterday, but today, we should be ready with it."
"We'll see."not really convinced Margas said.
XXX
Five kilometers further North, next to train tracks placed in parallel, masked with tree branches, Leo-21 was taking position.
From around fifty other tanks, Cyclops recon vehicles and Mastiff APCs, Decimus Sedvis' tank was taking one of the frontal places in the column. Sitting in an open hatch, Decimus could see two more tanks before his. Around three hundred meters from them, stood recon Cyclops from the recon unit, which moved alongside the armored column of the cohort.
On the right of the moving vehicles, behind the tracks, was a solid wall of the forest, waking sergeants anxiety. Perfect place for an ambush. From the left side of the road, full of fields and clearings, there was no such danger. Dozens of kilometers of open terrain, on which everything could be clearly seen.
Moving protective goggles on his eyes, Decimus took a look at the sky. At now completely calm, but could be full of enemy aircraft within minutes. And then, he heard the voice of cohort's commander in his earphones.
"This is Gladius Alpha One to all units. Possibility of hostile contact. I repeat: Possibility of hostile contact."
This news shouldn't be so surprising. After all, after staggering progress of the first few hours of the invasion, Nordian forces managed to halt their advance and now, in fact, their unit was tasked with breaking that deadlock.
Decimus constantly looked at his watch to see, if minutes moved. Vehicles in the front the column, until now moving fast, slowed down. Before the scouts, a road bridge could be seen. From beyond the forest, a small river was flowing here, cutting through the road.
"Dear Emloy!"Decimus exclaimed, seeing as vehicle disappeared in a cloud of smoke. Soldiers sitting on top of it's armor were all thrown away by a powerful gust. Their bodies found themselves between the personnel carrier falling forward into the river and the concrete structure of the bridge.
Jumping back inside his tank, sergeant took off the goggles and looked through the periscope.
"Did you see that?"
"What?"mechanic just now realized, that something was wrong.
One voice rose over everyone in the earphones.
"Chariot one, look out! Enemy vehicle in front of us!"
Searching through the terrain before him, Decimus could see an Omar IFV.
"Cumulative!"
Semiautomatic carousel loading shells into the gun spun around him.
"Ready!"
"Fire!"
Sound of the shot and cannon's recoil blended into one. 140mm shell left the barrel and flew at the speed of two thousand meters per second towards Nordian vehicle, soon changing it into burning wreck.
"Cumulative."
"Ready."
In the foreground, dust and smoke from burning vehicles started mixing together, forming white-black mist.
Scream of pain in the earphones meant, that not only did Andromeda Branch take losses. From three Cyclops, all were already burning. Thin armor designed to protect from light arms fire were not enough to stop any higher caliber. Tank shell was going through both sides of the machine, leaving only bloody mishmash of bodies.
"Jeos, go left."
Mechanic violently turned and drove the Leo-21 off the road. Behind them, they left steel cauldron of burning machines.
"Another Omar, fire!"
Vehicle tried to back away, but before it could, it was hit in the ammunition storage. It quickly erupted in flames, becoming a grave for it's crew.
Not seeing further targets for his tanks, Sedvis opened his tank hatch. He slid his head out and looked back. A cold shiver went down his back. What he saw, terrified him.
Actually small skirmish cost his unit three destroyed Cyclops of the scouts, two Mastiffs of the infantry and two tanks of his cohort. Bodies of SoS' soldiers were thrown around like ragged dolls, massacred by a naughty child. Calls for medics mixed with screams of wounded and burned people.
On the other side, six Omars and Ford Breakers from the unit that ambushed them, burned.
Loud 'zzzzyygg' told him that it wasn't over yet. Shots from machine guns and snipers started cutting down SoS' soldiers which left their cover. Bullets ricocheting from the turret forces Decimus to slide back in.
Sitting in his Leo-21, colonel Geded activated his radio.
"Immediate support needed. Transmitting coordinates."
"Better mark them with a red flare. If you can."
"We'll try."
While searching for the ammo for flare gun, Geded heard a hum. Sound of powerful engines was heard from the back of the column. Four PI-904 dropships started firing on the positions behind the river from the height of just twenty meters.
Placed on the front of the machines, four-barrel plasma machine guns were spitting fire. From the pylons on the sides of the hull, unguided rockets fired with one second frequency were being fired, leaving white smoke behind them. Nordian positions, showered with fire, went silent. Lack of effective AA weaponry denied the survivors any way of retreat. And this time again, Taurusian sky didn't give it's defenders needed support.
XXX
First day of the war already behind is, nobody knows how much is still in front of us. Harlen is now basically the leader of all military forces on Taurus III and it's in his hands to stop the SoS from getting anything out of this. Ester and the gang, in the meantime, have been recruited by Sanjrani to serve as his operators. What will come out of it? Read on and find out out.
That's it for now. Remember to leave a review, like and favorite. It will be highly appreciated!
Farewell for now!