A/N:
Poke A Poodle: Thanks for the review!
ATP: Thanks for the review! As for Giselle, probably not. Not too sure about what to do with her yet, but it ain't going to be very nice.
Chapter 4: Evacuation
The base was filled with a massed flurry of Mi-8s, Mi-17s, and Mi-26s taking off, landing, refueling, and loading. Civilian vehicles were also leaving in droves as the murderers drew closer. However, their desination was 200 kilometres east to the nearest UN POC Site, POC Malakal, in the next province over. That was 200 kilometres directly through the wilderness and rough grounds, as the only single road led North or South. North only led to Sudan, a country with extremely shaky relations with South Sudan, and South which led directly to the blood-soaked Rubkona.
A full day had passed since his journey. Lieutenant Itami looked South down the road, watching for enemy movement or survivors. So far, only enemy cavalry had been seen, peeking from the opposite tree line, not a single survivor had walked up the road. Captain Tahir barely believed the Japanese when they retold their story of giants and magic-wielding "Romans", only seeing the wounds of the men and the KIAs did she decisively take action. Tahir quickly called UN Command in Juba, the capital, and reported on the attack. Only after the shock and confusion of an ancient, aggressive magical force had washed over Command did helicopters dispatch immediately to move the displaced peoples. An Indian Colonel was also flown in to command the mass evacuation.
The only real threat at the moment would be the mounted wyverns that strayed close to the busy helicopters. The unarmed fleet of 6 Rwandan Mi-17s, 5 Russian Charter Mi-8s and 5 Mi-26s were taking off and loading as if they were participating in the Berlin Airlift, evacuating as many civilians as possible. Each helicopter returned every 2 hours as they unloaded the people at the Makakal camp. The "Roman army" learned of these actions quickly, with their flying mounts only attacking when they heard the thumps of rotor blades. Of course, the UN beat them back with Indian BMPs and Chinese WZ-551Bs blowing apart the dragon wannabes with 30mm autocannon shells. Additional suppressing fire came from Mongolian BTR-60's 14.5mm heavy machine guns, their faster firing tracers quickly scaring off the riders.
With time, the rather quiet day soon became night. Due to a lack of funding, night vision equipment had not been assigned to any peacekeepers. The surrounding woodland and open fields were flooded with light as the men and women anxiously scoured the area with spotlights as the 117,654 civilians continued to leave, either by ground or air. Only 8,568 people were able to leave by air so far, with another 6,839 leaving on UN trucks and local vehicles. However, that left 102,247 defenseless refugees and 700 UN civilian personnel behind with only 4,442 Peacekeepers and 704 lightly armed UN police officers. Only 5,166 soldiers and police officers protect a population over 23 times themselves in an area 1.5 by 1.5 kilometres large.
At 2100, as another pair of Mi-17s and a Mi-26 took off, a delegation of the so-called "Romans" marched up to the front gate with a white banner. A single soldier, donning in set of shining silver plate armour, in contrast to the normal dull steel strips of the common legionaries, stepped forward and shouted.
" Dēdet sē an moriētur imperātor, quaerit Herm Fule Maio."
They instantly marched away after the message, leaving the sentries completely baffled. A meeting was called, the Commanders of each nation's soldiers reporting to discuss this incident. Lieutenant Itami was the last to enter the tent. As he ducked through the entryway, he was greeted by a 6' 2" dark-skinned woman wearing desert camouflage.
" I'm sorry about your guys, Itami," Iris Tahir said, with an outstretched hand.
Itami gripped it, " Thank you." He replied grimly. He looked around the room to see the other 6 men in the room nod sympathetically. Youji then turned to the Rwandan major besides the Canadian.
" 2nd Lieutenant Kamazi went down fighting," was all he could say before his voice caught. An expressionless nod was the reply.
A rather thick Indian accented voice then broke the awkward moment.
" Okay, now. The barbarians gave us a message earlier as some of you may know."
The colonel pulled out a camera and played the recording. He continued.
" Our translator said that it was Latin and the gist of the message is for us to surrender to a Herm Fule Maio. What do you think you want to do?"
" Do we know their combat strength?" This came from the South Korean captain.
" We saw at least 10,000 men, giants, and orcs, with more coming out of the construct," Itami replied, " They have the wyverns and fireballs as well."
The Russian contractor spoke next.
" My helicopters will continue to evacuate the people. I was paid to transport things so I will stay for as long as it is safe."
The Mongolian major followed him.
"My BTRs will protect your aircraft for this landing zone," He then turned to the group, " I will also start loading my vehicles in case the compound falls."
A nod from the Indian and the PMC and Mongol ducked out of the tent.
" My men will hold the Southern fence line. My vehicles will load the civilians and leave." The Chinese continent leader reported.
The colonel instantly countered him, " Leave the vehicles with guns, we need them."
A crestfallen expression fell over the Chinese major. " Out of 30mm ammunition," he murmured, as he sulked outside.
The room was awestruck by his statement. For them to have used up all of their ammunition would mean that the Chinese hadn't packed enough ammo for a day of engagements, let alone only 8 hours of fighting!
The Rwandan Major was next.
" We will provide escort for the civilian vehicles and evac the civilians with the trucks." He followed after the Asian man.
That left the Korean, Canadian, and Japanese left in the room with the Indian.
" All three of you only have small troop continents, you can leave if you load up as many civilians as you can." The colonel stated.
Iris started first, " I already discussed this with the troops. We stay."
" We will evacuate as many as we can before retreating," the Korean replied.
" I will round up the volunteers and stay. The others will leave." Itami finished the conversation.
The three saluted and left the tent.
Iris waved and broke off, " let's get to work, people."
The Korean gave a nod and also walked away.
Itami just sighed as he trudged back to the Japanese building. His head was drooped low, tired from the 10-hour sentry duty he had finished before the meeting. He thought back to the moment he arrived at the POC site.
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Itami had just stepped out of the Humvee when he was thrown to the ground. His head smashed into the edge of the door.
{ITAI!} (ouch)
A clear liquid was dripping onto his plate carrier. Looking up, he saw Risa, wrapped around his chest, balling her eyes out. He just awkwardly stroked her head, whispering that he was fine. A giggle followed around him. Glancing around, the entire Japanese contingent, the remaining 44 people had gathered at the commotion and were staring at the couple, all holding in a laugh with varying degrees of difficulties. Itami lifted the petite woman onto her feet, picked her up, and walked towards the barracks, glaring at the soldiers around him. A loud " Oooooooooo" sounded as he left, chuckles and laughter broke out as he stepped into the building.
Just thinking of the event made Itami smile. Risa was sooo embarrassed after the incident.
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After discussing with the Japanese, it was decided that only 2 Komatsu LAV and crews would stay behind to defend. Kurata, Kurokawa, Kurbayashi, Tomita, and Itami would man 1 LAV while the other LAV would only have 3 soldiers manning it. All other soldiers and UN personnel would leave as soon as possible. This was rushed as two cohorts of the "Imperial Army" were seen marching just 500 metres from the fence, panicking the civilians. Risa was forced onto the last Mi-17 by Itami as she did not want to leave him behind. The Russians had to pull her off of the Lieutenant. The last flight of a Mi-26 and 2 Mi-17s took off, no more aerial evacuations would take place.
With the situation forcing itself upon the defending participants, the remaining peacekeepers were ordered to dig in and hold off the "Romans" if they attacked, for as long as possible to allow civilians to flee on foot. The South Sudanese refugees had begun collecting their belongings and ran East as fast as they could. The mass exodus of men, women, and children flooded out the East gate and dispersed into the wilderness, as the remaining peacekeepers checked their ammunition and gear for the coming fight.
The Indians, Chinese, and Rwandans each left 500 troops behind with the vehicles needed for their own retreat. The Mongols, angered by the stories of rape and cold-blooded murder happening to the south, left 800 men to exact some revenge. The 10 Canadians stayed with their 2 TAPVs while the Koreans, mostly medics and engineers, retreated with only 40 volunteers staying. The men and women settled in for the battle, with the first shot fired at 0800 hours the next day.
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So no cookie for anyone yet. Wait for the next chapter and thanks for reading.
