Alright folks. Welcome back to the story. We're continuing from where we left off last time, with Operation: Axer in full effect, as UTDF forces launch an unexpected counteroffensive against Sons of Sadera forces all across the planet. Everything seems to be going (at least partially) according to plan. Although resistance they met, they are moving forward as much as possible. So, let's see howsit goin'.

But before that one, let's do some reviews.

To Supreme Supra: Well said.

Okay, with this done, we can jump right in.

Chapter 8

July 6

23:35

Near Tepika, Skandian C.Z., Taurus III

Twin moons were rising higher and higher. It bathed the world in pale glow, hazed by poisonous miasma from the burning town and wrecks that littered the suburbs. Operation: Axer was lasting five hours already and nobody has any doubts that UTDF forces were going to break Sons of Sadera's defensive lines. Air squadrons that were kept in reserve by the majority of fighting were now unleashed, raining steel and fire on enemy positions. Order was given exactly six hours ago. Sons' troops were given order to retreat East as fast as possible, while at the same time holding their lines. Task of suicidal attack on defending SoS' units belonging to 8th Armored Legion and their support units, was given to two brigades. One hundred and eighty tanks, both the ones that already tasted battle and the ones who didn't, under the command of newly promoted lieutenant colonel Erika Laghar, had to perform a quick raid and roll over Sons' units. Striking at Tepika, lieutenant colonel Laghar was supposed to capture the river crossings on the go and turn South to hit the enemy from a flank. Both staff and Erika were well aware how little chance of succeeding the offensive had. Hearing questions about potential losses, staff members kept their mouths shut. Supported by an entire air wing, tanks had to go as far as possible and after that, soldiers just had to survive.

Lieutenant colonel Erika Laghar was rhythmically jumping on the commander's seat of M5 tank. It was still her tank, but it was recently retrofitted with additional radio and navigational equipment, stayed a bit in the back, several meters behind the first line of armored avalanche. Ninety tanks from 107th Mechanized Brigade, fifty two from Erika's battalion and the rest from 2nd Battalion of the brigade, took place in the center of the wedge. Two battalions, thirty Panther 5 tanks each, from 57th Tank Brigade covered the flanks of advancing formation. Third battalion was in the back, serving as a mobile reserve. By the last five hours, they pushed seventy kilometers forward. Now, formed into almost kilometer wide wedge, they advanced towards SoS' positions, Erika looked through one of the periscopes. Clouds of dust obstructed the vision, but even then, she could see the steel monsters jumping on the potholes.

"Ten kilometers until target. Prepare for battle. Enemy is surely aware where are we going to hit."Erika's short order was quickly met with response from commanders of other battalions.

Gunners searched the area before vehicles, seeking for targets. Low-profile turrets of M5s and Panther 5s came to live, scanning the land with their one hundred thirty millimeter guns. High in the sky, one could see lights coming from the engines of J-157 and Cyclone fighters, as they flew over the formation, firing a salvo of rockets. Alarmed, SoS put their machines in the air. One strike was supposed to stop UTDF's dreams.

"This is lieutenant colonel Olafsson, enemy contact. At least a battalion of tanks to South-East from current position."said the commander of 57th Tank Brigade in Erika's headphone.

It has begun.

"You have a green light to open fire, hit them with everything we have!"Erika ordered to tall crews.

Next, she quickly shifted in her seat and said a quick prayer. Now everything was in the hands of the gods. If everything goes wrong, at least she and her troops would have a place in Valashalla. Or so she hoped.

Due to a steady sound of high-power hydrogen engine, lieutenant colonel was unable to hear how just half a kilometer further, Panther 5 battalion engaged SoS' Leonidas-21s. First salvo of UTDF's anti-tank shells made the three kilometer distance within two seconds. Eight SoS tanks vanished, covered by a ball of flames and spewing oily black smoke everywhere. Sons answered almost immediately, and the decreasing distance between the two sides only made their job easier. White smoke came out of the barrels of thirty seven surviving Leo-21s. Sons' tank crews were no worse in training and combat that Skandians. Over a half of shells hit their mark, several Skandian tanks stopped. Crews either jumped out of burning vehicles, or targeted more SoS' vehicles. Yet five crews were not as lucky. Hit by anti-tank shells, tanks exploded. Skandians started taking first casualties. Offensive didn't slow down. Infuriated by the loss of companions, tank crews fired armor penetrating M1001 shells towards Sons.

"Tanks in front of us!"Erika's gunner shouted next to her.

It was true, just two kilometers away in front of the first line tanks, familiar shapes started appearing. Low profiles of Leo-21s were climbing on top of hills surrounding Tepika.

"Everyone, fire at will!"
Roar of dozens of guns broke through even rumbling of engines. Steam covered everything and lieutenant colonel could not depend on the periscope. Thermal vision module recently mounted into the turret changed everything. For a thermal signature, smoke and steam was not a problem. When Erika looked through the thermal vision, the world clearly turned gray. White silhouettes of M5s from her battalion thinned out a bit, Sons had to be biting back. On the background of dark gray ground, she could see enemy tanks moving towards them disappear in white clouds of smoke. Suddenly, a tank driving just sixty meters in front of command vehicle literally disappeared. White stain covered the thermal vision screen and by a few seconds, she couldn't tell what's going on. Sudden turn thrown her at a communication equipment protruding from the turret's wall. After few seconds, Shwarzkopf passed by burning wreck of a Skandian tank. From the distance of a kilometer, even reactive Chobham-3 armor wouldn't help. Shell hit the turret connection with the hull and torn apart the armor. Crew died immediately, charred by the wave of unimaginable heat.

"Sons are falling back! They're running to the town."driver said. His words sobered the lieutenant colonel. Only hardened humps of her helmet saved her from a concussion.

"Continue the offensive, eliminate enemy armored vehicles, we have to make space for the IFVs."

Erika Laghar was pleased. Reports coming from battalion commanders were all she needed. First skirmish was a complete victory for Skandian tank crews. Both brigades left nearly forty tanks on the approach to Tepika, while simultaneously destroying twice as much enemy vehicles. If pilots maneuvering in the dark sky will give them peace, then maybe some of them will reach their goal to the South.
Over a half of 103rd Brigade's tanks was equipped with passive missile defense systems. Rex was equipped with infrared emitters, capable of creating artificial heat sources, which lured the fired missile. Thanks to it, it missile stupid, unable to decide which target to strike. Second ability of Rex was jamming rangefinders, which rays lost themselves in fired aerosol.

"Major Ti'Fara, we're gonna clear you the approach to the town, you have to cover the tanks and eliminate the bridge defenses. All according to plan. Understood!"
"Sir, yes, sir, lieutenant colonel."

Skandians had no more than three kilometers until the buildings. Lack of fire from anti-tank missile launchers didn't heralded anything good. Sons' tanks waiting in narrow alleyways will give Erika a heart attack. Somewhere between the buildings, there were more Leonidas-21s awaiting them.

"Missiles!"
Scream of one of the crew members almost deafened Erika. Howling Rex system informed the crew about approaching guided anti-tank missile. Similar alarms were heard by numerous crews of 103rd Mechanized Brigade. Erecan XI-8 missiles, fired from tripods hidden between the buildings, sped towards the Skandian tanks with speed of five hundred meters per second. M5 crews had only ten seconds to react. Rex worked as intended. Artificial infrared radiation came out of antennas. Emitters created mock targets, which lured the missiles' sensors. Some crews lacked agility. Sons waited with firing the missiles until last minute. Four more machines hit by the missiles crackled with torn metal and stopped, moving a few more meters by the force of immersion. Some tanks hit by missiles survived. Chobham-3 absorbed the explosion energy and protected the actual armor from penetration. Rest of fired missiles passed by their targets, fooled by Rex. Crews were making revenge. Loaders loaded the high-explosive shells into the guns. Time after time, anti-tank missile launchers disappeared in rubble, fire and smoke, torn apart by accurate tank fire.

Tanks made their way into the town, supported by nearly sixty infantry fighting vehicles. Good old BMP-V3 were perfect. Forty five millimeter autocannon chopped Sons like grain. Only when Leo-21s that survived the first battle went into action, infantry's situation became worse. IFVs' thin armor was unable to withstand being hit by armor piercing tank shells. Before Skandian tanks returned fire, nearly ten IFVs were torn apart. Enemy infantry was a danger too, as it fired on the tanks and IFVs from the buildings from time to time. Accurate hit from Sons counterpart of RPG missile could disable the tank from further fight.
"Why so long?! We have to break to the bridges as fast as possible!"Erika exclaimed in the radio with all strength of her lungs. Each second wasted between the structures cost them more wrecks and dead.

"Heavy resistance at the crossing. We need tank support! SoS' air force is getting active! Our Cyclones and J-157s are being scattered more and more!"major Ti'Fara exclaimed.

He knew how the situation looked. Several Sons' tanks and armored vehicles dug in on the eastern bank of the river flowing through the town. Capturing the beachheads on the other side without heavy support could cost two motor riffles battalions designated to this task unimaginably much.

"Damn it."lieutenant colonel said, lowering her head."In five minutes you will be reached by a tank company from 57th Brigade. Pin enemy down with fire and secure the way for tanks. We can't allow ourselves further losses in the town.
"Understood, lieutenant colonel."major replied. He had to accept the order, there was no other option.

Entire battalion to which lieutenant colonel Laghar belonged, was stopped by a giant hole in the road leading to the bridge. Cluttered paths on both sides needed several minutes of maneuvering the powerful tanks. If Sons were better prepared, there would be a bloodbath.

"Remove this mess!"Erika suddenly appeared in the hatch and glanced around."I want to have a clear way here in fifteen minutes!"

Battalion willingly performed their order and soon, there was no sign of the hole. Filled with rubble from surrounding buildings and flattened by the engineers, it stopped being an obstacle after a few minutes. Battalion was on the move. Infantry, moving near the buildings, supported their colleagues on the other side and the vehicles moving through the middle of the street.

"Lieutenant colonel!"major Ti'Fara exclaimed, clearly pleased."We managed to break through to the other side of the bridge, Sons are falling back! One of the three bridges is ours."
"Great job, major. Secure the remaining bridges, we'll be there in four to six minutes."
"Understood, lieutenant colonel."Riffle cannonade drowned the words in comms.

Erika Laghar observed the foreground through the commander's hatch. Tepika was in ruins, the sight of collapsed buildings was similar to the one she saw in various historical publications about wars in Milky Way before Gate. Burning buildings there and there, rubble covering the streets and overturned cars spoke of the town's agony.

Battalion actually reached the bridges after a few minutes. Only then did she realize the cost of capturing just one bridge. Two tanks and one BMP were burning out on the riverside boulevard. Dead infantry covered the approach to the crossing. Fire exchange still continued on the other side. Sons orientated in the situation and decided to impeded the taking of the crossing for as long as possible. Other two bridges, each several hundred meters away, were still contested. Skandians and Sons fell, cut down by accurate series from machine guns. Roar of nearby explosion thrown Erika back into the turret. If a high-explosive shell landed near the M5, her upper body would be torn off from the rest by a wave of flying rubble pieces. Armor piercing missile fired from the other side just pierced the houses' walls and rammed into the pavement, throwing some pieces of asphalt up.

"Track down that motherfucker and kill him!"Erika rarely used strong words, but now, she was too shaken to not do it. Soon, tank was shaken by a shot from the gun.

"Got it!"gunner exclaimed happily, what marked the end of another danger. SoS' tank, it from just a couple hundred meters, exploded in a fountain of fire and smoke.
"This is major Ti'Fara, we captured the second bridge, enemy is in full retreat!"

"Good, hold the beachheads until tanks cross to the other side."Erika ordered and major disconnected."Open a channel with the artillery!"
"This is major Ister, seventy…"Officer did not finish, Erika's scream stopped him from recitation of the rest of the formula.

"Yeah, yeah, hit the quadrants from D-9 to D-11, full salvo!"

"Understood, fire from both batteries on quadrants D-9, D-10 and D-11, heads down, lieutenant colonel."
"Awaiting the package, over."Erika stopped looking at the map on small screen and turned the intercom to internal."All units, disengage and take cover. Rocket artillery is about to hit the second bank."
Located in the South, 845th Rocket Artillery Regiment was taking looking after the entire part of the frontline. One squadron was designated specifically to support the tanks advancing on Tepika. According to plans, twelve Ferris MLRS were supposed to rain fire on retreating Sons. Erika Laghar just gave an order. After three minutes, unguided missiles were fired from each of them. One hundred ninety two 250mm missiles made the way of thirty kilometers in just forty five seconds. In a blink, three hundred meter wide belt turned into a real hell on earth. Hurricane fire thundered with tens of simultaneous explosions, fountains of earth and twisted metal flew up, covering the view. For half a minute, destruction and death ruled over the eastern bank of the river. Retreating SoS' units were decimated by the artillery. Silence, which took hold after the artillery storm, was undisturbed. Lieutenant colonel, although sitting in the tank, was hearing dull rumbling in her ears.

"All units, start crossing."

Tanks, IFVs and infantry rose up for the assault. On the other side, only sporadic fire showed that someone survived the bombardment. Sons were on the run, none vehicle was destroyed while crossing the bridges.

When Erika's M5 found itself on the other side, she breathed a sigh of relief. First stage ended with a success. Piles of burning wrecks and pieces of torn apart bodies showed the effectiveness of the American-made artillery. Now came the time to break through to the South.

"Infantry, board the vehicles, we're advancing on Baldrun region, move it!"

Few minutes later, armored formation moved to attack again. This time, armored fist was making it's way South, clearing itself a way towards enemy northern flank. Erika hoped, that it will as successful as before.
"Helheim, this is Jotunheim, hurry up, Sons' defenses are getting hard to break, we're losing more and more assets. Soon, we won't even be able to turn Sons' attention from the tanks!"Commander of Jotunheim, the fighter wing that covered the tanks, was more and more nervous. Pressure of SoS' air force was growing stronger by the minute, only thirty Cyclones and J-157s were left from forty eight.

"This is Helheim, we're advancing on Baldrun region, we have to clear our way South. Keep the Sons in the air, if they start hitting us, they'll cut us into pieces in a few minutes."

Erika knew, that without air support, the whole offensive wouldn't succeed. These few Gepards and Tunguska-5s, which followed the tanks and IFVs, would mean nothing in a fight with entire fighter wing. On short distance, European and Russian systems were irreplaceable. But Erika knew, that Sons will fire at them from a safer distance. Erak City's air defense was in a similar condition. Decimated by enemy air raids, it was unable to fully cover the city's air space.

"We're doing our best…Over."

For the next hour, two brigades were breaking through the back lines of SoS' units. Panic caused by Skandian tanks suddenly appearing on the horizon was unimaginable. Skandians could fire wherever they pleased. All the repair bases, ammo and spare part depots were perfect targets for UTDF tank crews. Time after time, flames erupted into the sky from ammo and burning fuel. Sons dropped their weapons and ran in all directions, resistance was minimal. During the hour long raid on enemy back lines, skirmishes were sporadic. Single tanks, or even armored platoons or mechanized infantry, were destroyed in a blink of an eye. First strong site of resistance was met by Skandians at Berdur & Co. factory. Two tank platoons stood before the armored avalanche, supported by an anti-armor company and several armored vehicles. Rolling over the enemy cost lieutenant colonel Laghar's brigade fifteen vehicles. Sixty minutes after crossing the bridge in Tepika, UTDF brigades were approaching an airport at Baldrun suburbs.

"Three kilometers until the airport, enemy infantry is retreating East. The way is clear…"Colonel in charge of 57th Tank Brigade suddenly went silent.

"Colonel Olafsson! Are you there?!"Erika exclaimed, trying to contact the brigade commander, to no vain.

Panther 5, hit by an anti-tank missile, exploded. Torn and red hot metal fell several meters around the destroyed vehicle. Black pile of smoke joined numerous others that littered the night sky.

"Commander's dead! Sons' tanks in the front! I see dozens of enemy vehicles!"commander's deputy, major Fengar, replied, screaming into microphone inside his Panther 5.

"Occupy them with fighting! 57th Brigade is to occupy the enemy with fighting, while we take over the airport! You are to break through the enemy and push as hard as you can towards us!"
"Understood, lieutenant colonel!"

Sound of explosion stunned the officer, shell exploded next to the tank. Tank, driving several kilometers per hour, was shaken. Erika Laghar clung to the periscope. She could see white smoke blooming from positions around the airport.

"Third battalion! Flank the enemy and attack the airport from their flank! Rest is the same, eliminate all targets and occupy the enemy with fighting!"Erika ordered.
She didn't see the low profiles of enemy tanks speeding towards Skandians. It seemed, that the fire had to come from some hidden positions. Charge on the airport started to not look so good. In just a few seconds, lieutenant colonel saw three tanks disappear in fire. More crews said farewell to their lives.

Erika finally recognized the enemies. Dug in along the runway, Mastiff-D tank destroyers were firing at the tanks with their 130mm guns. She didn't analyze this situation for long, as the vehicle was soon destroyed by a direct hit, hit with cumulative shell. Third battalion was just entering the airport's runway. Tanks continued firing in rapid succession. Infantry fighting vehicles that accompanied them fired their autocannons at the enemy.

Suddenly, the battalion vanished in a cloud of fire. Sounds of numerous explosions, mixed with the sound of jet engines, rolled over the airport. Erika gulped. Several SoS' machines must have broken through the Cyclone and J-157 cover and drop bombs on the attackers. Judging from the strength of the explosion and number of burning wrecks, Sons had to drop at least ten high-power bombs. Half of the advancing tanks and IFVs was burning. Crews and infantry, turned into living torches, were quickly dealt with by a laser machine gun fire of the defenders. Erika looked through the hatch to see the SoS' aircraft. Three black, delta wing shapes were leaving the area. Two of them suddenly exploded, third managed to make a sharp maneuver and left the danger zone. Familiar shapes of Cyclones and J-157s flew several meters over the airport.

"Jotunheim, this is Helheim, they're attacking our tanks from the air!"
"This is Jotunheim, we lost almost half of our craft, just a bit longer and we'll be unable to continue fighting! Just break through them already!"
"How long can you provide support?"
"Ten minutes, after that, we'll have nothing to fight with."
"Understood, Jotunheim, we're leaving the airport and move further."
"Understood, Helheim, go as fast as you can. Over."

Dull crack marked the end of the call. Destroying the Sons units on the airport had to stay in the planning sphere. If Skandians won't reach their destination quickly, enemy pilots will simply destroy them from the sky.

"All units, disengage the enemy, get a fucking move on towards the target!"

Lieutenant colonel's order was received with relief. All tanks and IFVs started moving forward at full throttle. Two wedges of Skandian formation passed by the airport and sped towards the target area ten kilometers further.
"This is major Fengar, we lost almost twenty tanks, battalion is unable to continue further fighting. We have barely half of the assets."
"Drag yourself to the target, major! Don't engage the enemy if it's not necessary. We have ten minutes of air cover and after that, we're alone."
"They will tear us to pieces!"major exclaimed with clear panic in voice.

"That's why you have to reach the target as fast as possible."
Lieutenant colonel Laghar tried to stay calm at all costs. If the commander of the whole offensive breaks, other officers will start giving absurd and uncoordinated orders. Then, none vehicle will reach the target.

For few minutes, depleted formation of tanks and IFVs was driving at full speed, with no enemies in front.

"Five kilometers until target, we might make it!"Uger exclaimed with excitement.

Erika remembered, how at the beginning of the war, stress was visible in the whole crew. All their fear was already beaten out of them by the time they fought the enemy. Now, they wouldn't even feel surprised by a sudden death. They were hardened veterans now.

Sudden rumble and crack tore the lieutenant colonel from her thoughts.

"We're hit! Contact to the right, two clicks, Leo-21!"

Gunner was the first to react, loaded shell left the barrel. They missed! Shell flew right over the Son's turret and rammed into the ground, few meters further. Enemy tank fired and also missed. Whistle of the shell was clearly heard next to the side of M5. Second shot from the Skandian tank turned out to be deadly. Ammo explosion inside the tank tore the turret off and threw it a few meters away.

"Three kilometers until target, enemy in front, several dozen tanks. By Orlog's teeth!"

Most of the tank guns speeding towards the saving target was silent. This meant only one thing, they got rid of all the ammo. Sons fired everything they had, more and more machines stopped dead, destroyed by accurate fire. Suddenly, white smoke trails appeared in the sky, following bright fires. Glowing sparks rammed into SoS' positions and exploded.

"This is Jotunheim, that was our parting gift, ammo's out, we're going back to base. Command denied us rearmament."

Half of forty eight machines left the battlefield. During the raid, they returned for new bombs and missiles twice, and then single squadrons took over the cover. Last air-to-surface missiles fired from the pylons under their wings got a bloody harvest. Most of enemy tanks defending the highway was burning. Rest escaped to the sides, fearing another salvo from UTDF machines.
"I can see the target spot! Just a kilometer!"Driver was in a state of euphoria.

"Keep the direction and speed, major Fengar. You go first, we'll cover you."

"Acknowledged, lieutenant colonel."

Just fifteen minutes later, last tank of 57th Tank Brigade was on the other side of the highway, while 107th Brigade took the other side. Rest of enemy forces, fearing more air attacks, fled. Nearly one hundred and fifty kilometers long battle path of two brigades was marked by death and conflagration. They started the offensive with nearly three hundred vehicles, of which majority was made of M5s and Panther 5s. Only slightly over one hundred tanks and IFVs reached the target. Both brigades reported seventy percent losses. Erika hoped, that staff would come up with something new, because they couldn't allow themselves another pyrrhic victory.

The Charge of Two Brigades, as this attack would be called in the future, turned out to be very important for this part of the frontline. By striking at enemy back lines and by taking the U7 highway, once allied units filled the gaps, majority of SoS' forces advancing on this axis were encircled and rid of supplies. They continued to fight for the next seven hours, but ultimately, they were forced to surrender, what resulted in the largest surrender of the war, with nearly seventy five thousand SoS troops giving themselves up.

This included the soldiers of 2nd Armored Legion, who failed to stop the two brigades. Majority of them surrendered, what also allowed Skandians to capture a lot of valuable equipment and by that, they moved enemy lines seventy five kilometers away from Erak City, what really interrupted enemy plans, as Sons had just thirty five more kilometers before they reached the city. Newly promoted former deputy of general Kerrel didn't allow himself to be captured and committed suicide by shooting himself in the head.

Without a doubt, Sons of Sadera just experienced the largest defeat in the whole war. But everyone knew, that with their efficient supply and reinforcements, they will replenish losses sooner or later. Yet this showed, that they were not completely invincible.

XXX

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