So, you find yourself at this point of the story. I have a question for you. What made you interested in this story and previous one in the series? I expect an honest answer. I'll be waiting.

But anyway, welcome back to another chapter. Last time, we've witnessed the continuation of Operation: Axer, from Skandian point of view. One thing is for certain, Sons of Sadera never got such a beating before, especially considering the amount of forces UTDF had at their disposal. And today, we're gonna see the rest of the story, by the eyes of several other people.

Okay, so let's continue the stuff, shall we?

Chapter 9

July 6, 2166

22:39

Black River, Nordian C.Z., Taurus III

Captain Verius Fegran rubbed his eyes, stinging from tiredness. It's been a second hour since 10th Armored Brigade, 192nd Infantry Regiment and 37th Mechanized Brigade of 1st RSAD were making their way through the hilly landscape of northern Nordian C.Z. Although Saderan contingent operated only four hundred and fifty kilometers from C.Z.'s capital, the state of the roads left a lot to be desired. Thin, dirt arteries were filled with supply and fuel trucks. One enemy aircraft, one bomb and from the sky, a line of vehicles lighting up one by one would be visible. Verius thought, that it would be better to look at the area with his own eyes. Thermal vision reminded him of some twisted reality. He opened the hatch in his Shwarzkopf's turret and pulled himself up on his elbows over the level of the armor. He immediately had to put on ballistic glasses, dust and fumes hit his nostrils and eyes. Nothing strange about that, over a hundred tanks and thrice the number of armored vehicles was but a fraction of forces moving South to face the Sons. Powerful wedge of UTDF's forces was extending at the whole length of the frontline, divided into national sectors. Saderans and KCJM, with air support from Soutlandians and Agamotians, took the central sector, the biggest, aimed at focusing the biggest weight of the strike on itself.

"Wyvern 1, this is Warlock, all dragoons are in position. They await only you."Voice of major aroused captain to accelerate the speed of march. He was right, only his battalion from 10th Armored was still twenty kilometers from their starting positions.

"Understood, Wyvern 1 is speeding up."Verius replied, after diving back inside and taking back the commander's place."Wyverns, let's go through the fields."

"But captain, major clearly forbidden us, this is destroying the civilian property."Driver hesitated before revving up the engine.
"Come on, step on it. If you'll go easy on it like with a lady, there will be no property tomorrow."captain replied, not looking away from the screen showing the thermal view before the tank.
"Yes sir…"
Steel monster jerked forward, like a tiger awaiting it's prey. The engine roared. Ten American made angular machines was moving through the night at the speed of fifty five kilometers per hour. They turned towards the nearby field.
"Eh, Verius?"Hernik asked through the radio.
"We're making a shortcut."Verius replied.

"I don't think that a good idea."Niva stated.
"Agreed with the previous speaker."Gerhi added.

"We're already late, so what else can we do?"

There was a short moment of silence on the other ends.
"Alright then."Gerhi said.
"Lead us."Niva stated.

Soon, the rest of the battalion joined the Wybern Company, except the two tanks from command platoon. Verius was already starting to prepare himself for what major Baras was going to say.

On the horizon, they could see an orange glow, time by time torn apart by white explosions. They were closer and closer to the frontline. Several meters over the line of Saderan and KCJM tanks and combat vehicles, air was torn by a terrifying screech. Two formations of Agamotan Air Force F-15As flew towards their fate.

July 6

22:47

In the sky

Major Inuishi checked the state of armament and picked the laser-guided, American bombs bought in latest years.

"Two minutes until target. We're dropping the bombs and climbing to higher altitude to her Soutlandians."Inuishi ordered and armed the four bombs placed on the pylons of Japanese-made machines.

He was answered by agreeing voices of pilots of other machines. He could see a burning town and field. UTDF was giving hell to Sons of Sadera and soon, Agamotian pilots would throw in their three coins. After that, everything will be in hands of the ones on the ground. Instruments glowed slightly. Fighter was fully operational, ground crews did a good job preparing the machines for mission. A-98 that was circling some distance away was giving information to the group. Most of Sons' fighters were fighting against Soutlandians. They beat twenty kilometers in a matter of seconds and soon, they would get rid of their cargo and escape the area endangered by ground fire.
"Now!"major exclaimed in the radio and dropped the bombs.

Machine was shaken, when two hundred and ninety kilogram bombs fell from under the wings and hull. GPS guided warheads immediately corrected their course. Maneuvering with small wings, they started flying in a curved line towards their targets.
"Climb to five thousand meters, speed twenty five hundred!"

Major jerked the joysticks, accelerating and aiming the beak of his craft towards the ominous, night sky. AWACS gave them some unsettling news. Sons' machines were giving Soutlandians a run for their money. They broke through the allied forces and fired missiles towards them.
"This is Sparrow 5, I'm hit! Loosing maneuverability!"
"Eject!"Inuishi ordered.

Major couldn't believe what he was hearing. Soutlandians assured, that the first wave Cyclones and Su-75s wiped out the enemy defenses and they had to have a clear approach towards Eriza! Enemy early warning machine had to circle somewhere.
"This is 7! Enemy missile is after me, I'll try to shake it off! I fired a flare, it was lured by it. Thank Youmi…"one of the pilots said, almost giving major hear palpitations.

If they already lose several machines during the first approach, command will not be pleased. One machine already went to the junkyard and Inuishi couldn't agree on the second. Fortunately, they rest of the squadron managed to evade any surprised. Major hoped, that the pilot piloting 5 managed to eject in time.

"Sparrow Squadron, report!"Inuishi ordered and started looking around in search of sparks signaling the destruction of Agamotian machines.

Except 5, all F-15As of the squadron reported in. They were just ten kilometers away from Vanagard. Second group of aerial reapers was supposed to approach the target by now. Another round of bombs will take care of the air defenses, at least he hoped so.
"This is Sparrow 2."Inuishi's deputy said through the radio."Can you see that, sir?"

Far in front of the formation of Japanese machines marked with Agamotian lily, non stoppign explosions were lighting up the sky. Time after time, barely visible fires reached their target, making it light up like a supernova. Tens of different machines clashed in Taurusian skies. Fighters from different nations clashed with still alien designs used by Sons of Sadera. Major watched this demonic spectacle, ignoring questions from his left wingman. He returned to his senses only when air-to-air missile lit up the sky. At least twenty kilometers in front of Agamotian fighters' formation.
"Turn on radars and arm missiles."

July 6

23:06

With 10th Armored

A few minutes after eleventh, Verius' radio sounded with major Baras' voice. First cracks and noises vanished, allowing the commander of the company to hear crystal clear sound.
"We're moving through the forest towards attack positions in ten minutes. Full discipline from now on. No delays, we're working according to plan."Baras said with hard voice.

This put Verius in place, as he knew, that these words were mainly turned to him and the rest of RAACB. Hernik additionally made the major angry, when he insisted that a rocky bridge will hold several tons of the tank. And Verius, of course, by plowing a few kilometers long field of wheat. To make it even funnier, Verius forgot to propose to form a single column. Battalion of M5s plowed the field with it's wide line.

"Understood, there will be no more problems."
"Me and lieutenant colonel are hoping so, Verius. I will tear legs out of your ass, if another peasant will start complaining to me! Over."

"You know you're screwed, right?"Niva asked.

"I know, thank you very much."captain growled in response.

They were in the village of Fer'Ronda. It was surrounded by extensive swamplands bogs, with only several forest paths leading through them South. Further was a small hill, from which the whole Saderan contingent and KCJM were supposed to fall on SoS' legions like thunder. Inhabitants of the village observed the force moving through with open mouths. Some Nordian troops showed their way with flashlights, towards paths leading through the swamps. Verius slid out of the hatch and looked around the area. Street lamps stood ten meters from each other, lighting the angular shapes of tanks and other vehicles with orange light. He could clearly hear monotonous explosions and artillery firing. His tank was just crossing a small ferry that separated the village from a forest. He looked back at the village, as if he wanted to one last time before battle admire the marvels of life in the countryside. Only battle was in front of him now. With a corner of his eye, he could see several BM-155 MLRS setting up. They were modifications of older BM-150s, so they were a great danger to the enemy. After a while, the picture of several vehicles was covered by the forest. Tanks moved slowly, no more than twelve kilometers per hour. At this pace, they were going to reach the southern edge of the forest within three quarters of hour.
"Hernik, Gerhi, Niva, how are you doing breaking through the forest?"
"Yeah, we're doing okay, we're just kilometer behind you."Gerhi replied.

"Don't worry, we won't be late for the party."Hernik added.

"Can you hear the rumble?"Niva asked.

"Yeah, I do. Our must be hitting them with everything they have. Soutlandians should attack from the North soon."
"I just hope they didn't fuck us sideways…"Gerhi murmured, probably not realizing he still had his microphone on.

"Don't worry, Soutlandian staff promised us, that we'll join with their forces near Eriza."Major Baras had to listen to the conversation from the very beginning.
"We'll make it, even without support. After all, what bad can happen to us with these new versions of war wagons?"Hernik asked, referencing the old days.
"Enough talking, we're nearing the southern edge. Form battle formation. Radio silence until we're out of the woods."
Verius didn't even realize they already made the fifteen kilometers of forest path. He should hide inside the steel monster long ago. They were entering the younger part of the forest, consisting of trees planted by the colonists, at the southern edge of the forest. He was about to lower his head, when low hanging branch smacked him in the cheek. Confused, he nearly fell on the gunner.

"What happened, cap?"gunner asked, jumping from surprise in his position. If not for the helmet, he would hit the armor plate over his head.
"Fucking branch hit me in the face."Verius touched his cheek, fortunately undamaged. Gunner erupted with laughter, but quickly went silent under heavy look.

White trees gave way to the dark background of the lowlands on the screen more and more often.

"You have to see this…"Niva said in radio.

After a minute, Verius' tank entered the open field. The screen turned almost completely white. This could only mean one thing. He changed to the day mode. Landscape several kilometers in front of the battalion was burning, place, where the town of Eriza was supposed to be, there were only clouds of smoke from burning buildings. The sight resembled a sea of flames spreading in all directions. Almost constantly, new explosions torn apart the suburbs and the town itself, throwing fountains of crushed rubble into the air.

"Ever seen anything like this?"Gerhi asked, impressed by the mass of clashing steel and human bodies.

"Yeah, in 'The Return of the King'…"Verius said, looking like hypnotized.

He didn't notice tanks forming on the sides of his machine, creating an armored fist. After a few minutes, the entire 10th Armored was ready to charge at the Sons trying to surround the defenders.

"Battalion attacks Carska Svoboda, Wyvern and Sea Serpent companies move through the northern edge of the village and push the Sons as far as possible from the suburbs of Eriza. Dragon and Griffon follow then and mop up the stragglers. Other battalions will approach the town from the South and push the enemy there. May the gods be with us."major Baras said.

Everything had to be stated here. Near a small town which almost nobody on Taurus III knew.

"I think it's a good moment."Hernik said.

Soon, everyone heard a song made by a Swedish band, speaking of heroism of some soldiers of old.

"This is the commander to all units, forward!"Verius ordered to his company.

Other commanders did the same. Although the battalion was weakened by the month of fighting, they were still a powerful force and the vanguard of the 10th Armored Brigade. Around, 192nd Infantry Regiment and 37th Mechanized Brigade, together with KCJM units accompanying them, prepared for the start of the attack.

Captain could see, as a salvo of missiles fired by the launchers he saw earlier flew high over their heads. White explosions of hit air erupted on the already burning ground.
"Tanks, front! Several machines! Distance: five kilometers!"one of Verius' subordinates said in the radio.

"Load subcaliber!"Verius ordered.

He looked at the monitor. A grouping of irregular shapes was growing on the horizon. Suddenly, the same points lit up with light and disappeared in black smoke. Verius, for a second, was sure that enemy tanks fired and awaited the hit on the M5's armor. Nothing like that happened. Four Skyhawk dropships flew over the battlefield and rained anti-tank missiles on Sons' tankers charging at the Saderans. Several vehicles went ablaze, yet Sons were not without a response. Shoulder fired missiles went into the air and soon, one of the Skyhawks smashed into the ground.

"Three kilometers!"
"Everyone, fire!"
Over fifty one hundred and thirty millimeter guns came to life. Few seconds later, half of the tanks scored hits, but only half of hit enemy machines stood and exploded. Sons responded with fire. Tens of tanks started exchanging blows.

"Three's down, they're on fire! What the fuck did they hit them with?!"one of the corporals commanding a tank in Verius' company exclaimed in radio.

Two other tanks were hit too, but modernized armor withstood the hit. Nonetheless, both vehicles were seriously damaged. Saderans responded with fire, this time destroying much more enemy vehicles. Numerous Sons' tanks erupted with flame, torn apart by shells with tungsten cores. Salvos from tank guns flew through the air time after time, either smashing into the tank armor or into the ground, throwing pieces of dirt into the air. After nearly two minutes of the firefight, distance between two formations decreased to just a kilometer. Now, each hit meant burning vehicle. But statistics started to be in Saderans' favor. The brigade lost thirteen Shwarzkopfs at the cost of nearly forty destroyed enemies, not counting the casualties inflicted by 155s and Skyhawks. Sons' attack started breaking, the Leonidas-21s, so praised by Laconians, started hiding behind burning wrecks more and more often. M5s crews didn't let them breath, guns roared time after time, spewing the tungsten death, speeding at break neck velocity. Verius could already see the buildings, or rather ruins, of what used to be a village near the suburbs of burning Eriza. Sons fell back on the whole line of UTDFs offensive. Two slightly thinned out battalions from 10th Armored Brigade just passed by the village and searched for targets. SoS' brigade that came to challenge them now started running away, or was laying in the suburbs in wrecks covered by flames. Kubliatan and KCJM's Skyhawks, which constantly circled around the area, were supposed to take care of them.

Verius looked at the screen showing the thermal view to the right of the vehicle. Somewhere there, he could notice lower forms of Kingdoms Coalition's A-77 Behemoth tanks, constantly firing their long guns. The offensive was going exactly like the command planned. KCJM infantry probably already got into the town from the North to support the Soutlandians with anti-tank fire. Just few more kilometers, and they will get to the southern suburbs of Eriza.

"All units!"deputy of colonel Rad said in radio."Numerous tanks ahead, its probably another armored brigade! Get ready!"

Suddenly, Verius' tank came to a halt, almost throwing the captain off his seat.
"We're hit, captain!"driver exclaimed."We were hit from the front!"
"Subcaliber and respond with fire!"Verius screamed into the intercom, holding on the holding bars."Don't let them fucking kill you!"

Tank was dodging around the lowland, firing back at the Sons. Another tank from the battalion turned into a pile of burning and screeching metal. KCJM was too occupied with enemy mechanized division, which defended the approach towards the village of Polin. If they don't follow, Sons will be able to close KCJM in a pocket, from which they won't be able to break out of. They couldn't stay behind, but the frontal attack on the brigade was a suicide. It was true they didn't take large losses, but the fight could become tragic for them. Verius was torn out of his thoughts by a joyful scream.

"Soutlandians!"Niva exclaimed in radio.

True, several shapes flew over their heads, firing anti-tank missiles. Right behind them, three companies of Soutlandian Challengers rolled out of the nearby copse, firing their powerful guns. Sons didn't withstand the push from two directions. Vehicles exploded one after another, and escaping soldiers either fell to their knees with arms behind their heads, or were cut down by machine gun fire.
"Don't attack the escaping!"Baras thundered in the comms."Or I will personally deliver a bullet to your head!"

After fifteen minutes, it was over, bridge was under UTDF's control. Soutlandian, Saderan and KCJM crews met at the village of Polin. Behind their backs, they had burning Eriza and thousands of surrendering Sons. It was the first time since the beginning of the war, that they dealt such a blow to the enemy.

Operation: Axer continued by the next three days. As it turned out, however, not everywhere it turned out to go as planned. Skandian forces, although promising beginning, stopped after just one day of fighting. Joint Australian-Saderan offensive in the East managed to continue by two days, before being halted due to the lack of supplies and hardened resistance of SoS' forces. In the meantime, forces on northern hemisphere managed to push the enemy back as far as Jotun River, even reclaiming Lacinta Hill.

The only place where operation straight up failed, was where remaining Nordian forces in the C.Z. were still fighting. Offensive started as planned and stopped dead three hours later. Sons immediately pushed back, smashing what remained of Nordian forces that escaped the Battle of Utgard.

While not everything went as planned, Operation: Axer was going to forever go down in history as one of the most ambitious and well executed plans in military history. Although smaller numbers, UTDF forces managed to inflict the kind of damage Sons of Sadera never experienced before, even during the whole time the war lasted. It would take them some time to recover from the shock and regain initiative they lost temporarily, but ultimately, UTDF would be again in the defensive.

And Sons of Sadera would never forget this humiliation, unleashing a wave of destruction, which hit the civilian populace of the planet as much as it was possible. Due to the low population density, large civilian casualties were averted. But now, as a revenge for Operation: Axer, Sons launched an air campaign, which targeted numerous civilian settlements. It's estimated, that nearly ten thousand people were killed during air raids and bombardments from Sons of Sadera during the attack.

But this didn't break the UTDF, as Zorzal wanted.

It only made the resistance that much harder.

XXX

Alright, this is the end of Operation: Axer. As always, leave a review, follow and favorite. It will be highly appreciated!