Unmei Force Shattered Heroes: Dark Day Tactics
Chapter 1: The Caged Town, and Counterattack
It had been several days since the two forces met, as they managed to build up trust between each other, as the mechanics from Reisen's and Weiss's forces proved to be more effective in repairing and maintaining the ground vehicles that Brenner's Wolves had, and the supplies that were offered in return ensured that the two battalions were in optimal condition.
Right now, Weiss and Reisen were inside the headquarters of the 12th Rubinelle Battalion, along with Brenner, Will, and Lin, while Brenner himself was unfurling a large map of the surrounding areas onto the large table.
"OK. See this spot on the map? That's our next destination. It's a small village." Brenner told the group.
"A village? With people?" Will asked back.
"That's right. The earthquakes and tidal waves destroyed most of the cities, but…" Brenner responded back. "In some places, survivors have begun banding together. The village is one such area. Amidst the anarchy and chaos, they've come together to reestablish laws and governments."
"Laws? Why do they have laws?" Will asked back. "The world's been destroyed. There's no one left to help them enforce their laws."
"That's why they're doing it on their own. They need some way to create order." Brenner explained in return. "No one forced them to do it. It's just natural to try and prevent murder nd other crimes. You see, Will? Even in the most unexpected places, humanity shows its inherent virtues."
"Permission to disagree, Captain? It's not proof of virtue." Lin added with a scowl. "It's simply a survival strategy. A society that doesn't punish murderers is a society where anyone can be murdered. A society of sleepless nights, where people live in fear of everyone around them. When faced with that, it only makes sense to band together and agree to prohibit murder. People are motivated by their own interests. The meteors didn't change that at all."
"They certainly didn't change you, did they Lin? I see you still don't factor in human decency." Brenner answered back calmly.
"If I may add my own opinion to the matter." Reisen interjected. "Captain Brenner, what Lin says has a point. When people band together to form the bare bones of a society, it cannot be truly said to be done merely out of goodwill and cooperation. There are many kinds of societies that can arise from the shards of the old one. A totalitarian society is very much possible in some villages, and a meritocracy in others. It is impossible to tell what society lies within a village without analysing the behaviorisms and social cues of its citizens. Just because a society is created, does not mean that everyone truly benefits under it. In fact, some are left worse off before such a society was created."
Brenner was left silent, before he then responded. "I can vouch for the town itself. The mayor is someone that I have personally met. He is someone that I can assure you that can be trusted not to do the wrong thing. Do not think lowly of the virtues of humanity."
"I have done no such thing. I covet such virtues in the face of impending disaster, but Captain Brenner, you fail to notice that where there is human virtue, there is human sin as well. Avarice, wrath, greed and gluttony. Without anyone to keep those desires in check, across this shattered land, they will blossom like twisted flowers on the ashen ground, causing terror and misery across it." Reisen chided Brenner. "Forgive me for my cynical view of matters, but I have seen what people can do to each other under situations like these, and I am only willing to hope as much as it is realistic to do so. Not all forms of laws are made equal to each other, and even if the society is made for the people, that doesn't always mean that it is a fair society. It only means that the people are willing to trust their neighbours and anointed leaders to help them and each other, and that trust can end up being betrayed, as there are always wolves within the shepherd's flock, who will lie and manipulate the masses for their own gains. I ask that you consider these words. Your altruism is your greatest strength, but also your most crippling weakness, unless you learn to utilise it carefully."
"...I see that you are far worse than Lin on that regard, but as much as I hate to concede it, you make a sound argument." Brenner sighed, before turning to Will. "As for you, Will, you and the girl will be safe once we get you to the village. You're civilians, so they'll welcome you with open arms."
"Right." Will responded back, before they left the room, as Reisen and Weiss brought Keiji and Ydine along with them, while Will had the girl he met earlier with him, as the group took a few military jeeps in order to head towards the village, with a escort of tanks and recon vehicles, with a small contingent of forces from the various factions following close behind.
Eventually, they reached the town, as they stopped before the barricaded gates of the village, as several unnerved villagers showed themselves behind the barricades, with their weapons trained on Brenner, Lin, Will and the girl, Reisen, Weiss, Keiji and Ydine. This caused a visible reaction, as Reisen reached for her side-arm, while Weiss did the same, before Keiji and Ydine quickly made them back down, as Will was startled by the display of hostility.
"Hold it right there! Identify yourselves!" One of the male villagers shouted.
"D-don't try anything funny! We've got snipers watching you!" Another one, a younger male, added with some fear in his voice.
"My name's Brenner. I'm captain of the 12th Battalion of the Rubinelle Army. I need to talk to your mayor. Tell him I'm here." Brenner tried to placate the rattled villagers.
"What if you're with those raiders? What if you're here to attack us?" The male villager exclaimed back.
"Yeah, I bet that's it! You came back to kill us all, didn't you?" The youth shouted back.
"That's unlikely. The raiders may have access to military arms, but that does not mean that they have sophisticated technology as we do." Weiss answered back, as an attempt, keeping her voice calm as she talked. "We assure you, none of our forces will remain outside the standard range for non-hostile action, as we proceed. Our vehicles are unarmed. As we speak, my recon vehicles are retreating away from this town to prove my point."
"What's that radius?" The villager asked back.
"2.5 kilometres." Weiss bluntly declared.
"Well, that's not far enough! If you really want to prove yourself, back them up even further!" The villager exclaimed.
"You've got to be kidding me…" Weiss muttered under her breath with irritation. "That distance is for your safety as much as ours. If raiders were to assault this village in an instant, going far beyond that radius will risk the lives of everyone here!"
"I don't give a damn what your directives are. Either back up, or get lost!" The villager snarled back.
"Listen, we don't want trouble. Your mayor owes me his life. Tell him my name, and I'm sure he'll agree to see us." Brenner tried to speak again, and calm the villagers down.
"C'mon guys! Help us out, will you?" Will exclaimed, as he stood in front of the group, with the girl beside him.
"Hey... You're too young to be one of them raiders. Maybe you're OK after all. Wait here! We'll go get the mayor." The male villager remarked, before the villagers on the barricade disappeared.
"About time…" Brenner answered back.
"I swear… these people are asking to be raided if that's their attitude to anyone who comes near, especially any reliable army forces." Weiss grumbled.
"It can't be helped, their suspicion is understandable." Reisen answered back, before the gates opened. "Over there, I believe that's the mayor."
The mayor of the town appeared before them, as he was a portly man dressed in a red suit and receding hair, as he was followed by a band of civilians behind him.
"So it is really you. Your weapons and uniforms have my people scared half to death." The mayor told them, before he then crossed his arms. "What do you want, Brenner? We're trying to live in peace. We don't need your kind here."
"So it seems." Brenner frowned back. "Don't worry, we'll move out as soon as we finish what we came here for. We rescued some civilians a few clicks back, including an injured girl. I want you to take them."
"I hope you're not marching in here and giving us orders. I truly don't. Things aren't that simple, friend. My village is barely getting by as is." The mayor scoffed back.
"No one's giving orders. I'm asking for your help. They're just a couple of kids. They're not going to make it out there alone." Brenner passively said in return.
"And that's not our fault! We didn't make this world, but we have to live in it." The mayor snorted, as the response set Ydine off, at the sheer callousness of the mayor for leaving Will out.
Ydine was about to make a harsh retort, before Keiji jostled her, as he shook his head at her, to dissuade her, as Ydine merely let out a heated huff in response.
"And that is your justification?" Reisen retorted back with a judgemental tone and a similar glare in her eyes.
"Who are you, to proclaim such a thing?" The mayor responded back, with an irate tone.
"I outrank Brenner, as a Major." Reisen answered back. "I will not waste my breath telling you who I serve. All you need to know is that Brenner is my ally in this matter, and I find offence in your flimsy excuse. Just because reality has turned out this way, you would throw them to the wolves? I thought that society is made to ensure that the survivors have what is needed to keep on staying alive."
"Maybe that was true before, but now? I don't think so." The mayor argued back. "Millions and millions of people are dead. I don't think a couple more is such a tragedy. The more people we have living here, the more mouths we have to feed. We can't afford it."
There was only silence for a moment, as Reisen and her group were feeling a lot more aggravated by the mayor's uncaring words, as Weiss curled her fingers into a fist, while Reisen's glare deepened, as Keiji was left silent with a scowl on his face.
"So you think they're not worth saving?" Brenner answered back, with a edge to his words.
"That's not what I'm saying! We don't want to see anyone die, Brenner. You know that. But you don't know what you're asking. We simply don't have the means to take them in. I'm sorry." The mayor answered back, trying to deflect the issue from him.
"I see." Was Brenner's dispassionate expression.
"You're soldiers. You can use your weapons to take what you need." The mayor stated without any filter. "All we want is to be left in peace. Now do us a favour, and take your troubles elsewhere."
"You heard the mayor! Hit the road! We don't need warmongers in our lives! You read me?" One of the people shouted at the group.
As if sparking something, the rest of the civilian group did the same, as the group were hurtled with insults and degradations. Things seemed to be reaching a boiling point, and it happened when Keiji stepped up in front, with a snarl on his expression, before he then pointed an accusing finger at the mayor.
"Shame. Shame on you for saying such a wretched statement without any remorse at all!" Keiji growled in response, as the mayor was taken aback with how direct Keiji was being. "You have the gall to tell us to be like those raiders that you have been living in fear of? Those very words make me feel truly sick inside. I can't believe that these words would come from a hypocrite who would hoard his resources with his own people, than share it with those who are in true need of it! We are not savages who will take what we will, just because we have the power. We are soldiers with a code of conduct and a proper duty! We do not lower ourselves to the standards of extortion, when our duty is to uphold peace across this land! If you think so little of others, then live with that then!"
Keiji then turned his attention to the mayor's group itself. "And all of you, shame upon you all as well, for refusing to stand up for a young man and a girl lost in this world without anyone to help them. If you were in their shoes, how would you feel receiving the same neglect!?" He added with a furious tone and expression.
The civilians were struck deeply by Keiji's biting words, as they were left mumbling among themselves, as the mayor was completely shocked, as Keiji took a few breaths to compose himself, and then turned away.
"...If you really wish to be rid of us so much, then so be it." Keiji declared as his parting shot. "We'll see how your tune would change when these 'warmongers' will have to eventually save you all from the raiders."
"...All units, we're leaving." Reisen remarked, as Keiji passed by her.
Brenner's expression creased with disappointment, before turning to Will. "Sorry, Will, but it looks like you're going to be traveling with us until we find another village." He told Will with an apologetic tone.
"Don't worry, Captain, that's fine with-" Will tried to be optimistic, before Weiss heard her comms crackle to life.
"We got raiders incoming, Commander!" The female voice on the other side. "We only have a short amount of time before they start rolling towards this village!"
"Acknowledged." Weiss answered back, before he then faced the mayor. "It seems that you are actually fortunate. Rather than after we are away from this village, they decided to attack now."
"The raiders? Are you sure?" The mayor asked back, before a village scout rushed over to him, heavily panting, as he whispered something into his ear, as his face paled heavily. "Dear mother of mercy! All those savages!"
"I suppose that this is your chance to earn their gratitude, Captain?" Ydine quipped towards Brenner.
"You've got to help us, Brenner!" The mayor pleaded, changing his tune quickly. "They've destroyed every village in the region, and now they've come for us! They have tanks! We have sticks and rocks! Please! You have to help us!"
"Alright, leave them to us." Brenner answered back. "You get your people out of here. Start evacuating!"
The civilians with the mayor immediately ran away in a hurry, as the mayor staggered around, turning his head back.
"In regards to payment…" The mayor remarked.
"There's no time for that now! Get moving!" Brennere barked in an authoritative tone, as the mayor immediately rushed into the village, as the gates were forced closed quickly.
"Captain, the enemy has a numerical advantage to us." Lin reported back, getting her findings from her scouts. "They also enjoy a significant advantage in firepower, with more tank units on their side."
"Bullets don't win wars. Soldiers do. And I'm betting ours are smarter!" Brenner declared. "Everyone on the jeeps, we will have to relay our orders on the move."
The group immediately did so, as Reisen opened a map of the area, as she began to make plans using it.
"Brenner, I have found that there is a choke-point created by a pair of mountain ranges. I have noted that you have an artillery unit within the battlefield area. If you can have it moved within the crevasse in the southern mountain range, it would be the most optimal staging ground to launch bombardments onto the choke-point and the surrounding area." Reisen notified Brenner.
"A good plan, that is." Brenner nodded back, as he made the orders to the artillery unit to do so, as the tank units immediately used the broken roads to move towards the choke-point, as the mechanised infantry units under Brenner's command moved in position as well. "What about you?"
"We already have placed our sniper units within the mountain range." Weiss answered back. "Once they move in range of them, the snipers will prioritise the enemy recon vehicles, which have light enough armour to pierce fully, and the enemy infantry. We will leave the task of dealing with the enemy tanks with your own."
"Snipers that are armed with anti-armour capabilities…" Lin remarked. "Such units are capable of turning the flow of battle at a whim."
"Not entirely." Weiss corrected. "Remember that a sniper is only effective against those who traverse the ground and air. Do not expect them to be able to bring down aerial units easily, but using them against them still holds some use."
The allied forces immediately moved into position, as the tank squads formed a firing line, as enemy tanks began to come through the large highway ahead of them.
"Here they come, boys! Let's show them a warm welcome!" A tank squad captain remarked. "FIRE!"
The tanks immediately fired, as the combined blasts managed to destroy the majority of enemy tanks, while the artillery that came soon after quickly finished the job. The raider recon vehicles immediately moved to engage the tanks, only for them to come into sight of both sniper squads, as they were perched on top of the mountains, peering down at the scene through their enhanced scopes.
"This is Eagle-Eye Golf Squad." The squad leader of the snipers remarked silently through his comms, flickering around to check, as the enemy infantry were trying to scale the mountain range to ambush the village, while seeing that the recon vehicles were moving full speed ahead. "Enemy foot-soldiers are trying to pass through the mountain range, and enemy recon is also moving to engage allied tanks. Eagle-Eye Bravo, do you have line-of-fire with enemy recons? We will engage the infantry."
"Affirmative, leave the enemy armour to us. You handle the flanking units." Was the response from the other squad leader.
The sniper squad leader immediately turned off comms, before then silently signalling for the rest of his unti to switch aim towards the traversing enemy units. As soon as the enemies were in an open enough area, they dispatched them with well-timed shots, as the enemy ambush attempt was thwarted.
Soon enough, the raiders were routed, as what very little remained of them quickly ran from the battlefield.
"The enemy has been confirmed to have withdrawn." Keiji remarked. "It seems that we have decimated them so thoroughly that their morale has shattered and caused them to retreat."
"Good work, everyone." Brenner remarked. "Now then, we should revisit the mayor. I'm sure that he'd be thankful for the help."
"...Somehow, I doubt that." Reisen objected. "Remember my analogy of wolves in the shepherd's flock? That man is one of them. You may not trust me well when I say this, but the way he conducts shows that he is more than willing to throw people under the bus for his own gains. Even if he makes a flimsy attempt to try and make himself sound reasonable, he looks down on all others."
Brenner didn't respond to that, as the group immediately found the mayor and the villagers nearby.
"Captain Brenner, I'd like to revisit our earlier conversation." The mayor stated, having returned to his normal tone, after the danger has passed. "I'm not above reconsidering my position on your refugees."
"Is that so?" Brenner asked back.
"It is. However, there is one...condition." The mayor added.
"Go on." Brenner gestured.
"As you've seen, we live in constant danger from those raiders. They may well regroup and attack us again tomorrow. Do you really think it's a good idea to leave your kids in such a situation?" The mayor stated.
"Kids?" Will remarked, taking offence to those words. "Hey, I can look after-"
"We know where the raiders' camp is. They've taken over an old army base east of here." The mayor informed the group, ignoring Will's outburst. "Unfortunately, we don't have the weapons or training to go after them."
"I get it. So we wipe out the raiders, and you'll agree to take in-" Brenner nodded back.
"Something like that, yes." The mayor rudely interrupted Brenner. "If you agree to my proposal, I'll consider your request."
"Very well." Weiss answered back, before they headed back into their jeeps, in order to prepare for their next mission, before opening comms with Brenner. "Just to forewarn you, I suggest you don't put your hopes into the mayor honouring his deal. He only guaranteed consideration, and I doubt that he would do more than that. It would be better to just rid them of the raiders, and let them solve their own issues. We can take care of Will and the girl, if need be."
"That is generous, but it is better that they are left in a place where they will not be threatened by constant danger like us." Brenner answered back. "Still, I'll take that option, if worst comes to worst."
In the eastern region, several hours later…
"Listen up, roaches!" A wild man, with a yellow guerilla bandana and shaggy brown hair , declared with a gruff voice, as he was bare-chested and dressed like a guerilla leader, with an ammo belt slung over his shoulder, a necklace made of fangs, and war paint across his face and neck. "Take what ya want! Steal what ya want! Kill who ya want! There's no law but the Beast's law! No prisoners! No mercy! Gwar har har har!"
The rest of his band let out wild screeches and howls into the air, as they were residing in the ruins of an abandoned army base, as they were unaware of the fact that there was a Rubinelle scout unit watching them closely.
"This is Scout Unit Bravo, we have confirmation of enemy presence." The scout leader informed Lin through comms.
"Acknowledged." Lin answered back, before she then turned towards Brenner, as they were in the war room with the rest of the leaders, Will, Keiji and Ydine. "Sir, the mayor is right. Those raiders are camped at an old army base. That's probably where they scavenged their weapons and vehicles."
"They lack the discipline of a competent army unit, but not the fighting skill." Brenner remarked.
"Agreed. And we know there are former soldiers and mercenaries among their number." Lin answered back.
"They may have been fellow soldiers once, but they're just a pack of rabid dogs now. Let's put them down before they do any more harm to the survivors." Brenner answered back, with some disdain in his voice.
"We'll send our units ahead." Reisen answered back. "The areas surrounding the base are mostly forests and ruins, which means that spotting the enemy out is a top priority."
"Perhaps I can be of assistance. If I could just move into the field with my own troops, I can-" Ydine suggested.
"Out of the question. We are not sure of the enemy capabilities currently. To risk your life right now is a dangerous move." Weiss denied, as Ydine winced slightly. "You'll have your chances to lead by example, Sergeant Major, and the decision is only overruled slightly, due to your expertise with forest combat."
"...Alright." Ydine answered back.
The armies immediately deployed the units assigned for the assault operation, as the 12 Battalion utilised several units of infantry and mechanized infantry, with a single unit each for tanks, recon vehicles, bikes, and artillery, as well as a vehicle equipped with long-range flare bombs. The disguised UGF deployed a pair of recon units, and a sniper unit, as well as a mechanised infantry unit, while the UUF used a tank unit, an artillery unit, and two infantry units.
"Captain Brenner!" Will informed Brenner. "All units have been deployed."
"Good. Still no sign of the enemy?" Brenner responded back.
"Afraid not." Keiji answered back. "The dust storm has left us with low visibility of the situation ahead. We will need to properly confirm enemy positions, if we are to use indirect artillery, or engage enemies for first-strikes. Do not forget that this dust storm goes both ways, so the one who scouts most well, and plans accordingly to their predicted enemy movements, will triumph."
"My training was in reconnaissance and intelligence. Leave this to me." Lin remarked. "All units, move out!"
"Scout unit Bravo reporting. Visibility is poor, and we've lost visual contact with the enemy." The scout unit captain answered back. "I can hear something out there. I think they know we're here."
"Understood, Bravo. Get somewhere safe. We're on our way." Lin responded back.
"Watch the woods, sir. I think the raiders are hiding there." The scout leader warned, before ending communication.
"Lin, if their last location is nearly the same as the one they are at, I believe they are in grave danger." Reisen remarked, before gesturing at a certain section of the area map. "This area is surrounded by woods. If they are unlucky to be spotted first, they will be eradicated."
"I know, but there is not much I can do against that problem." Lin bit her lip. "We'll need to use flares to search the bulk of the nearby area. Flare team, launch your ordinance above this point."
The flare launchers immediately fired off a shower of flames, as they illuminated the area nearby, as the scouts noticed that they were surrounded by a variety of enemy units.
"T-This is Scout Team Bravo." The scout leader stuttered for a moment, before taking a breath to calm himself. "There are multiple enemy units located nearby by the flare. It seems that we're in open ground. I do not think that we will be able to walk away without heavy casualties."
"Try to find defensive cover. We're beginning our assault." Lin answered back.
"Hurry, they're already moving towards our position…" The scout leader spoke with worry.
"I'll try and rescue the scout unit. Sniper and mechanised infantry, traverse the mountain range, and assault the enemy." Reisen ordered, as the units immediately moved towards their destination.
Lin could only prepare her own assault, as she carefully made orders to advance her troops down the road and plains, as she constantly requested sit-reps to keep track of the enemy locations, while Weiss was using her sole tank unit to push into the dust storm, with her artillery moving close behind position, and her bikes acting as the vanguard.
Eventually, the forces of the 12th Battalion and the raiders met in battle, as the recons and tanks were first to arrive on the field of battle, firing down on the enemy infantry located within the woods ahead, as they traded fire for a while, before they were destroyed, and the units proceeded to find enemy recon.
On a nearby area of the battlefield, a mechanised infantry unit managed to pass through the mountains, before they managed to find the traces of a battle, which they followed towards a small wood, where they found the remnants of the Rubinelle scouting squad, with the squad leader looking fairly haggard.
"T-Thank heavens. We thought that we were dead for sure." The scout leader answered back. "Enemy recons had gunned down most of our men. The rest of us hid in the deep cover of the leaves, to try and shake them off. Thankfully, the assault distracted them."
"Do not worry, you are safe now. Did you confirm the position of any other enemies?" The infantry squad leader asked back with a nod.
"Negative, I believe that the enemy recons are the only remaining firepower the raiders have on their side." The scout leader responded back.
"Then that means that you've served a great help in this battle already." The infantry squad leader answered back, before activating his comms. "This is Daizo Squad, we managed to find the Rubinelle Scout Unit. Some of them are wounded, and the majority of them have been killed in action. We are now returning to base. Prepare medical aid for them."
"I read you loud and clear." Reisen answered back, before turning to Will and Lin. "It seems that Scout Unit Bravo managed to live by the breadth of their hair. They are in terrible condition with heavy casualties. It will be a while before the squad can be reformed for further missions."
"Pay attention, Will. Remember that soldiers are a precious resource. We know there is risk in war, and some casualties are inevitable. But it's our duty to get as many of them home as possible." Lin told Will.
"Yeah…" Will nodded back.
"It is the tactics of an officer that play a major role in ensuring the least casualties, remember that." Reisen added for Will. "Do not make mistakes on the field, for it is your men that will likely pay the price for it. Treat your own men carefully, and never throw them into a situation that you are not sure about, unless it is an absolute necessity, as Lin had demonstrated. Still, if there is a way to avoid casualties, as long as it doesn't lead to more, consider it thoroughly."
"Aptly put." Lin answered back with the faint trace of a smile, impressed at Reisen's philosophy.
Eventually, the remaining raider units were destroyed, as the combined army stormed the deserted enemy base, as their assets were destroyed one by one, leaving the raiders with greatly diminished supplies to commit their raids.
"The mission is complete. Good work." Lin stated. "All units, return to base."
Reisen and Weiss did the same, as the army made their way back to the village, to report the good news, as the mayor and the villagers were there to greet them.
"You did it! You drove off those savages!" The mayor exclaimed with relief.
"I don't think they'll bother you again." Brenner answered back with a nod.
"Thank you, Captain Brenner! I think my village can sleep soundly tonight." The mayor declared with glee.
"I'm glad. Now let's talk about your side of the bargain. We drove them off. Now you need to provide Will and the other civilians with shelter." Brenner stated with some relief in his voice.
"I didn't agree to that." The mayor declared with a flat expression, as the atmosphere suddenly turned tense, as Brenner's expression darkened, while Reisen let out a snort in response, and Weiss was left glaring daggers at the mayor.
"I said nothing of the sort, Captain." The mayor sneered back. "All I said was that if you scared off those savages, then I would CONSIDER it. Isn't that right, people? That's what I said! Your mayor is a man of his word!"
"Yeah! That's right! That's what he said!" One of the citizens parroted, as Brenner's jaws clenched tight with a barely audible growl.
"I don't believe this!" Brenner exclaimed with frustration.
"Captain, please! Control yourself! Even you can see that this "bargain" of yours affects my entire village." The mayor stated with a mock gesture to calm down. " I may be the mayor, but I do not rule by fiat. We are civilized men, after all. We will come to a decision in due course. Until then...you must be patient."
"Why, you double-crossing-" Brenner growled, his tone getting increasingly hot.
"You have only yourself to blame for your anger, Captain." The mayor answered back. "If you misunderstood my words, then the fault is yours alone. I have done nothing wrong."
"I see." Brenner answered back, as his tone suddenly shifted cold, something that unsettled Will, who was watching all of this.
"Will you threaten us now? Will you let your guns take the place of your honor? Perhaps we should have taken our chances with the savages!" The mayor exclaimed with spite, as the words caused Ydine to growl, as Keiji physically restrained her, even though she tried to wriggle out of his grip.
"...No, Mayor. I won't threaten you. I won't do anything to unnerve these people that you pretend to care for." Brenner spat out, which caused the mayor to freeze.
"Wh-what? How dare you!" The mayor scowled back.
"I remember you. I remember how you were. Scared. Alone. On the verge of death. Do you remember your words to me when my men gave you food and shelter?" Brenner answered back with a sharp tone to his voice. "'I will save others as you have saved me, Brenner.' 'I will construct a village where all can live in peace and rebuild their lives.' Do you remember that? Or did I misunderstand your words again?"
"Who are you to say such? You're a killer! A soldier! A relic of the past! I give these people peace. I give them hope. You give nothing but horror and death!" The mayor exploded, pointing a finger at Brenner, as a spittle flew from his mouth.
Weiss seemed to have reached her boiling point, as she was about to walk forward and teach the mayor a lesson in respect, only for Reisen to seize her by the wrist.
"Let me go, this insolent wretch needs to-" Weiss answered back, before she then saw the expression on Reisen's face, as it was stony, although her eyes shown that she was filled with choking amounts of animosity, all directed at the mayor. "...Reisen?"
Reisen then tugged Weiss back, before she then shoved Brenner aside, as the captain was left shocked at what was happening, as Reisen walked towards the mayor, before stopping only a few feet from him.
"And who do you think prevented the same thing from happening to you?" Reisen spoke with a tone that could be considered glacial in terms of warmth. "You prattle on about being better than us 'savages', even saying that you would have preferred the raiders over us, even though we have only given you aid with only a meagre request. Tell me, mayor. Do you think yourself better than us, when you have stated yourself, that we should take what we want? 'You're soldiers. You can use your weapons to take what you need.'. Those are your words to us. Sergeant Major Shimadai called you out on that fact, and still you use that dull argument against us?"
"Who do you think you are, talking as if you're almighty on this land! I am certain that you are a murderer of millions with that kind of expression, a remorseless soldier who never ever considered her enemies human! People like you should just die!" The mayor roared in her face.
"60." Reisen spat out, as her glare grew hotter. "60 men have died in order to scout out the raider camp. Most of Scout Unit Bravo from the 12th Rubinelle Battalion had died to ensure our victory, so that you would be free of the threat. And you stand by your decision that you prefer the raiders over us, after what we had paid for our request? Is that what you're saying?"
"Less soldiers to rule the world with terror. Now get out of my sight!" The mayor answered back, without any shred of decency.
"...Now I see how it is." Reisen answered back, before she was still for a moment, as the mayor was left paralysed under her glare.
In an instant, the mayor was floored by a short-range hay-maker to his cheek, as it managed to shatter his jaw, and knock a large part of his teeth out, as the mayor was left screaming in pain on the dirt, with blood pooling on the ground, as Reisen looked at the blood-stains on her fist, as the citizens began to insult and shout at her, while Brenner and Will were too shocked at what Reisen did, to even act at all.
However, Reisen paid no heed to the rioting citizens, as she walked towards the fallen mayor, and crouched down.
"...And now, you feel a portion of the pain of the men that died for your self-righteous cause." Reisen declared, as the mayor tried to speak, although his jaw was mangled by the attack. "From the testimonies of the survivors, the deceased were not given a clean quick death. They were left to bleed out, their wounds aggravated, and their bodies torn to shreds. Someone who doesn't understand the horrors and agonies of war would not be able to survive even a single iota of the suffering that one risks themselves in going into, each time they go forth to fight."
Reisen then stood up, and faced the squabbling citizens, before she then took her side-arm out, and fired it only a few feet above the mob's heads, as they immediately silenced themselves, out of fear of Reisen, whose eyes were uncaring and cold.
"I will tell you this out of proper honesty, as befitting of my duty. Yes, I do not care specifically for any of you. Yes, I am not above using my own force and wit to ensure that my goals are achieved." Reisen declared. "But listen closely, for this is a lesson for all of you ignorant sheeple. I have a duty to ensure that the standard of society is protected, that all non-combatants are treated by the rules of engagement. That means that even if I hate people to the very core of their rotten souls, my obligation is to protect them. However, that does not mean that you are entitled to anything of us. We will give you what you need to survive and thrive, but you have no right to outright demand things of us with such degradation. We are as much men as you all are. We bleed, and die like you. No amount of firepower and armour will change that fact. None of you have the right to condemn us for what we do, we uphold a fair order, where every life is valued and respected. Your mayor is the very antithesis of it, and how shallow his intentions are, truly make me even pity this sad waste of space."
Reisen then turned away, not even willing to look a moment back to address the villagers. "As per your wishes originally, we will never meet again." She declared with venom. "Blame your own despot of a mayor for this, and blame yourselves for being conceited people who cling onto whatever opinion is decried the most. Mock me, insult me, demonise me. I will not care about your opinions, for they matter so little to me, when there are far bigger issues. But do not think that you can simply leech off the strong, and expect to be treated above us. The weak obey the strong, so be fortunate that being strong, we still have a moral standard for you to appeal to. Next time you cry for help… the only ones who will listen are Brenner, for he sees the good in all people. As for me… I could care less about you all, unless you're willing to understand what it means to be a soldier in these times, and change your ways. Otherwise… you can die begging for help that you have spited before, which will never come, and you will regret all of this in your last moments, when you hear how other refugees thrive under our wing, being more grateful and accepting than all of you hypocrites."
Reisen then walked away, as she dragged Weiss away with her in one arm, and Keiji with the other, pulling them into her jeep, as Ydine quickly hopped in, as they drove away.
Brenner watched the entire matter with stoic eyes, as he could only sigh and leave with Will.
"I suppose that there's no hope of you and your new friend finding shelter in this village then." Brenner admitted.
"...Actually, Captain Brenner. After what I have seen, and after spending some time with the Opalide and Emerian armies, I want to serve with you, Captain, alongside Major Inaba and Lieutenant Colonel Schnee. I know that they were just too angry about what happened back there. I'm sure that you and Major Inaba will make up with each other."
"Honestly, I don't seem to have much choice. And I admire your courage... All right. I'll consider your words about the Major as well." Brenner grimly stated, before turning towards the fallen mayor, who was being helped by his citizens. "...Good luck, Mayor. I think you'll need it."
Brenner and the rest of the group immediately left in their jeeps, as they headed back to their headquarters, before they parted ways, as Will found Weiss being with the young girl that he picked up, as the head doctor walked up to Will.
"Hey. How's she doing?" Will asked the head doctor.
"Oh, Will! Thanks for coming again today! She's going to be very pleased." The head doctor answered back, before looking at Weiss and the girl again. "The Lieutenant Colonel was quite insistent on visiting the girl. She usually talks with her about things that I don't exactly understand much of."
"Is that so…?" Will asked back.
"She looks forward to your visits, Will. When you're here, she is bright and cheerful. Otherwise, she seems a bit...sad." The head doctor answered back. "Even the Lieutenant Colonel is unable to do anything about that. She seems to be focused on you."
"Really?" Will remarked with some surprise.
"Really. But don't worry about it. We'll take care of her. She's going to be OK." The head doctor answered back, before walking away.
Will walked into the room, as Weiss noticed Will coming in, and turned to him.
"Ah, hello, Will. I take it that you're visiting this little girl as well?" Weiss asked him.
"Well, she always seemed to be happy for my visits. I'm actually surprised that you're visiting her as well." Will responded back.
"It's merely because she is…" Weiss answered back, before her expression fell slightly. "...fairly relatable?"
"...What was that?" Will asked, not exactly catching what Weiss said clearly.
"It's nothing serious. Please excuse me, you two need to be alone." Weiss dismissed, as she stood up and left the room, and shutting the door behind her.
"Um... Hi. How's it going today? I... brought you something! I hope you like it." Will answered back, before producing a plastic flower.
"A flower?" The girl asked gently.
"Yeah. Well, it's not a real flower. It's plastic. You can't find many real flowers anymore. I found it while I was on a recon mission a few miles over." Will confirmed.
"It's... It's beautiful. What do you call it?" The girl answered back with some warmth in her expression.
": Huh? Oh, I don't know. I'm not much of a flower... scientist...guy." Will remarked, sheepishly rubbing the back of his head, as he turned to leave. "Let me ask Lin."
"No, wait! I remember... This is a Cattleya isabella. It's a natural hybrid of the orchid family. Cattleya... Yes, that's it! That will be my name." The girl answered back. "I will be named after this beautiful flower you brought me. My name is Catteya!"
"Uh...Cattelya? Wow, that's...that's uh... That's kind of hard to say, actually. How about we call you Isabella? That's really pretty. It fits you better." Will said with a awkward chuckle.
"Isabella?" The girl answered back, before she smiled. "Oh, I love it, Will! I'm so happy!"
"Yeah? Oh, good! I think it suits you." Will agreed.
"Thank you, Will!" Isabella remarked, as she hugged Will, which shocked the young cadet.
Outside the room, Weiss stood beside the door, before she then eyed Lin, who was listening in.
"You know it's rude to listen in on others, don't you?" Weiss informed Lin, who turned her attention to her.
"I'm merely listening in for any details that the girl… Isabella… would blurt out. It has been proven already that she has an extensive bank of knowledge." Lin reasoned with Weiss.
"I've heard about that." Weiss nodded back. "Too bad that she only knows about things in this continent, and some global terms. She doesn't seem to have any information about us. Trust me, I've checked with her several times in my visits."
"Speaking of which, the Opalide and Emerian armies… Forgive me if I'm a little skeptical, but I believe that I have never heard of such nations before… and I pride myself in intelligence gathering." Lin told Weiss. "Are you sure you are part of an official army unit?"
"Truly so." Weiss answered back, without any hesitation and speaking with a half-truth. "We're part of a nation that rarely leaves information for the outside world to read through."
"If that is so, can you tell me a little about your nation then?" Lin asked back.
"Hm… I can tell you, if you trade me some information about this continent." Weiss pondered.
"Intel for intel, a fair trade." Lin accepted. "Before we do that, we should address an urgent issue, and that is your ally's actions."
"Ah yes, Reisen's outburst…" Weiss remarked, as she seemed to be fairly solemn about it. "I cannot make an apology on her behalf, but she sincerely does what is best for people. Sometimes, it takes the stick to discipline an unruly mob, even if she went a few steps too far."
"I'm actually surprised how well the Captain is taking this. Despite her out-ranking him, and the fact that she makes solid points, he still wants to chew her out the same way he does with me." Lin answered back. "Somehow, I sort of wished that I was there to see that smug snake be taught some manners."
"We all did. I was halfway to throttling that mayor for the gall he had to say such things." Weiss scowled. "He makes it sound like we should be happy to die for him, and offer everything we have as tribute for his unworthy tyranny over his own town. His attempts to hide his own intentions is laughably pathetic, and yet Captain Brenner is willing to play into his hand to make his point. Your captain is respectable, but he needs a bad cop to his good cop routine, and that might be taken by Reisen or me eventually."
"You're right about that. I envy you both slightly." Lin chuckled lightly.
Weiss merely smirked back in response, as both of them left Will and Isabella to their own devices.
Term of the Chapter: Snipers
Designated as Eagle-Eye callsigns in the UUF, and the Takaime Division in the GHDF, the sniper units are equipped with powerful ordinance that allows them to destroy light armour with enough shots. They are capable of making long-ranged shots from most combinations of conditions, consisting of elevation and distance between target and shooter, wind shift, obstacles.
Hypothetical Unit: Sniper
Description: Costly infantry, with indirect fire capabilities. Vision +3 on mountains
Cost: 5000
Armour Type: Infantry
Targets: Ground, Helicopters
Vision Range: 3 (6 on Mountains)
Movement: Infantry
Movement Range: 2
Gas: 99
Primary Weapon: High-Power Sniper Rifle
Attack Range: 1-3
Primary Ammo: 10
Secondary Weapon: N/A
Weapon Effectiveness: Effective against Infantry and Vehicle Armour, Weak against Helicopter
Special: Cannot move and fire on the same turn, and does not counter
A/N Note: As the infantry version of an artillery unit, the sniper enjoys being a unit that could be favoured for the early game, where the range can help blunt any recon and bike advances, and mid-game, where their cheaper price against actual artillery can help produce more indirect firepower. However, do note that like an infantry, they easily fall apart if attacked by any vehicles, and being almost as pricey as a flare unit means that their usage can be a major factor in determining victory or defeat.