Chapter VII:
The sky remained clear, they did not have far to go to reach their objective: North Africa. There were some who were nervous, a little, it was common, the first time in a battlefield, where, perhaps, they would not come back alive. Nazz was focused on the mission, Jimmy stayed close to Sarah and Perrine in the hope of being able to fight close to them, although he would also have to fend for himself something happened in the middle of the combat. Eddy turned his gaze towards the albino, the albino looked at the short man but they said nothing, there was only silence until Yoshika was the one who stepped forward to talk to them.
- All right, listen, stay close to your comrades, don't separate, stay together and when the fighting starts, attack with everything you have. Remember, if someone is wounded, do not abandon them. In a matter of minutes we will arrive in North Africa and the attack may already be starting.- Said the Fuso Empire Sergeant to those present.
- I just hope that everything we learned works out, it's our only option.- Double D launched a prayer into the air, getting lost in the middle of nowhere and with that they continued with the flight.
A few kilometers from the "Line of Defense", the Armies of those Nations were ready and in position to contain the enemy advance. The Commanders gathered there were discussing when the Kankers would start their offensive, many were certain that it would be at any moment and that they only had to wait, as the only option. Uncertainty, meanwhile, was taking its toll on some Soldiers, who were nervously pacing back and forth, receiving advice from their Instructors and Officers to remain calm, otherwise morale would plummet in a matter of seconds before everyone else. Just like a virus that affects one organism and then attacks the others, in an unbeatable "Domino Effect".
Meanwhile, in the "camp" set up by the Kankers, they were at the last roll call. Their armies would destroy the rivals that would resist them, it would be a half day battle and nothing more, however, May was the one who was worried about the future results and seeing that the "Second Hive" would arrive in a few hours, she hoped she would not have to use it against the enemy defenses.
Being in the "Operations Room", the blonde was looking at the reports, in digital format, on the differences between both sides. They were evenly matched, but the defenders were unaware of the presence of the "Second Hive". After the destruction of the last one, they were not going to allow the same mistake to be repeated. They just needed to wipe them out and then all of Africa would be a "colony" for the "Shadow Neuroi". Obviously they would have to take care of the waves of refugees who would want to defend their homes, the militias of those countries had also been summoned, having their background in the fight against terrorism and they would not allow some "robots" to take over the lands of their Ancestors. If they won, those who took up arms were going to be executed, a complete bloodbath without distinction and those who surrendered would have to kneel before them.
- "These people are not going to let themselves be trampled by us".- May thought, frowning and showing an icy expression before the tenacity of the African people.- "The Italians were defeated in 1896 in Ethiopia when they wanted to conquer it and it was not until the arrival of Benito Mussolini to power in the 1920's, when they modernized their armies", she gave those examples, within the historical context. "Egypt is going to offer serious resistance to us, the best thing to do would be to send a fairly large group and threaten to destroy the Pyramids".- He smiled wickedly. Yes, that could be the demolishing blow that would bring down any attempt of resistance, they all knew the Egyptians very well and could not allow those magnificent works of the Past to be erased from the map but that expression was erased, immediately, just when she noticed something important in one of the History books she was carrying with her.
Marie entered the "Operations Room" and May left the book open to an extremely important chapter on the History of Egypt, one that caught the attention of the dark blue hair, who took it and read it for a few minutes, receiving the permission of her sister so that she could see it without problems. Immediately after, she launched a small laugh into the air.
- Do you really think we could have problems, May?.- Marie asked the blonde, who could not doubt it.
- Remember that any mistake, even the smallest, can doom the success of a mission.- She said seriously and closed her eyes.
- Yeah, but it's not like that either: This is not the Battle of Magnesia.- She emphasized and compared those times with those of the Past.
- No, of course not, but the Egyptians were confident that they could defeat the hosts of King Antiochus III The Great of Syria and lost in the Battle of Pannius, before the power of the enemy Phalanxes.- The blonde emphasized and that caught her sister's attention.
Marie cleared her throat and searched for the right words so as not to raise any suspicions or doubts about the blonde's intellectual capacity. You will see that we are going to triumph: by today, at sunset or perhaps much earlier, our flag will fly over Cairo.- She augured confidently, while he withdrew from the place, since he had to prepare his forces.- Don't take too long, Lee will order us to advance.- She asked, as a last piece of advice, and after nodding, she left the "Hall".
He returned to his book, reading it: The Battle of Panion, the defeat of Ptolemaic Egypt at the hands of the Seleucids, who annexed new territories under their Empire until the arrival of a future Power. Generals Publius Cornelius Scipio Scipio Africanus of Rome and Hannibal Barca of Carthage. One was the victor at the Battle of Zama, triumphed in Asia Minor over King Antiochus III The Great of Syria but was forced into exile with his family because of the alleged "accumulation of power" within the Senate of Rome, something that many of the members, as was Marcus Porcius Cato, feared that Scipio might rise to proclaim the Monarchy, an old system that they did not want to see again in the City of the Tiber.
The other, Hannibal Barca, the son of the famous Hannibal Barca, who initiated the conquest of Hispania and that later his son continued together with his brothers and Generals Asdrubal and Magon, as well as with the Chief of the Cavalry, Maharbal. Known as the "Father of Strategy" but the Senate of his country ignored all requests to conclude the campaign against Rome, being defeated at the Battle of Zama by "Africanus" and thus returning to Carthage. Then he was betrayed by the Oligarchy that was installed in power, seeing that Hannibal was taking charge of the economic affairs and imprisoning those who filled their pockets with the people's money, he had to go into exile with his people and fight in several Kingdoms until his death.
Yes, they could become Generals Scipio and Hannibal, they just needed a victory that would put their enemies in check, bring down the morale in their ranks and lead to the absolute fall of all the other military forces that were imposing resistance. Africa would be the tomb of them all, their plan could not fall; they had a vast Army, they could win, of that there was no doubt but May was paying attention to even the tiniest details so that they would not affect the advance.
Soon, the girl was called to present herself and be with her sisters, so she went outside and watched the troops that would attack the enemy at any moment. Before leaving, the girl left the book of Ancient History open, with the help of a bookmark, in the chapter on Asia Minor and the Seleucid Empire, from there she set course for the outside.
In front of the Armies, Lee, May and Marie turned with a serious, cold, calculating look. He looked towards those lands, only a few kilometers, victory was within their reach, only a handful of idiots could offer resistance, one that would be in vain. So Lee approached the box and began to speak to the forces deployed down there.
- Good morning.- Shgreeted and those beings did not respond, they remained silent, obedient to their commanders.- Soon we will begin the offensive that will put an end to the defenders in North Africa. Once their fortifications and outposts fall, Southern Europe will be ours and from there we will begin the expansion towards the rest of the world...-The tone of his voice became more intense as he got closer to what he was looking for... However...- A pause, he swallowed saliva and then showed a smile of complicity. There are certain scum, rats that want to get in our way and ruin our party... and those are the "Witches"!.- She exclaimed and that was a wake-up call for the Armies.- Yes, you heard me, they want to destroy our grandfather's legacy, besides they took our boyfriends from us but they are going to pay, we will make them suffer a devastating defeat this day and no one will stop us.- She swore, clenching his fist.
The silence lasted but they could feel the loyalty that those artificial creations had and they were not stupid, no, they had intelligence, they were strong, they had already sowed devastation, death and destruction in several points of the Planet and now what did it matter if some wanted to defend themselves? Let them do it, soon they would be burned by the flames together with their war machines.
- From this moment begins the fall of Europa and all those who stand in our way! Without mercy, "Shadow Neuroi", destroy all those who come to hinder our march!.- Lee finished and after that the ships were lit, the camp rose and from there they began preparations to launch their offensive.
Fast and silent, lethal, the machinery began to move, what before was a uniform "mass" became a real display of the military apparatus they had with them and it was just the beginning of something much bigger that they carried with them. Suddenly, the sandy soil of the Sahara Desert began to tremble and there they could see the "Second Hive", majestic, enormous, resplendent and full of "Shadow" reinforcements that had arrived to be the "Spearhead" against the enemy.
From their Central ship, the Cruels contemplated the march of their Armies. The "Main Front" was on the charge and would be the one to initiate the attack, the weapons were ready, as well as the other aerial apparatuses.
- On my signal, unleash Hell.- Lee asked one of the "Shadow Neuroi", who nodded silently and left to transmit the orders given by the redhead.
On the "Line of Defense" established by the North African Armies, the Soldiers had already taken up positions early, the Artillery, the tanks, the Mechanized Units together with the ships and the airplanes were in position. Helicopters were circling overhead, circling until they disappeared in the clouds. The observers were watching to make sure that the enemy did not appear. One of the commanders was talking to another about the outcome of the future fight, if it came to fruition.
- What do you think this confrontation will be like, General Ahmed.- One of them asked a man with a dark complexion and a patch over his left eye, and neatly dressed in an officer's uniform. He had seen too much action and was about to retire from the Army when he was called to arms to defend Egypt from the enemy's clutches. At that moment, at the questioning of one of the officers, Ahmed clenched his fists tightly and looked up to Heaven.
- It will depend on the success and the resistance we can offer them. The rest lies in Allah's support.- He replied and the young man fell silent, just as the scouts were returning in a jeep that crossed the Sahara Desert at full speed.
- General, General, the enemy is on the move, they are only a few kilometers away from getting here.- Warned one of the envoys, while the soldier nodded his head.
He knew very well that the time to fight was near, he once again raised a prayer to Heaven, he asked for the safety of his family, his people and the homeland where he was born. Soon, he walked to where the troops were and they responded with high morale.
- This day we will defend to our last drop of blood and breath our Homeland! We will drive out those invaders who have destroyed countless cities, razed our villages, fields and expelled countless families from their lands! Soldiers, this will be the day when we will make History and if we fall, we will take as many of them to the Hereafter!" General Ahmed gave his battle cry, while the men and women, both Army troops, militiamen and volunteers raised their weapons as a sign that they were going to put up a good fight. BE FEARLESS, BROTHERS, FOR THAT IS WHAT THEY WANT, THEY WANT US TO BE SUBMISSIVE, OBEDIENT BUT I WILL NOT ALLOW, NOR WILL ANY OF YOU LET THEM RULE US!.- He bellowed and from there they took up their weapons.
Lee spotted the "Line of Defense", a smile appeared on her face and having her sisters on both sides, she headed towards her soldiers, who were waiting for the final order.
- Now: Unleash Hell.- Ordered the redhead and without saying anything, that detachment of soldiers went to prepare the cannons and other weapons of their ships.
("Smokers Sighted", OST 09 from "Waterworld")
Those weapons were loaded and ready to act, a series of violet glows were emerging from inside the machines and the targets of the first bombardment would be the fortifications and defense systems that the North African Armies had.
- They are already here.- Warned Ahmed and launched a prayer to his God.- Allah, protect all of us.- He prayed for the spiritual help of that Deity, while the enemy cannons were shining. Immediately, he stood up and ran towards the gunners.- Start firing now, we are going to prepare a "Smoke Curtain" right now!.- He ordered at the top of his lungs and no one said anything, unleashing the first wave of projectiles that hit the thick armor of the enemy ships, causing a series of shocks that the Cruels did not even feel.
Once the Artillery started with the "show", the Air Force of those countries together with the Navy joined to fulfill their task.
- He asked himself Double D and walked about 20 meters away where he could see the explosions and columns of smoke rising from below. Eila and Sanya went to where they were, he nodded to them and the Northern European girl loaded her weapon.
- The attack has already begun, let's go ahead, friends, let's defeat the Cruels.- Encouraged the silver-haired girl, who descended with Sanya and Double D towards the Sahara Desert.
- First round of shells concluded, General!.- Reported one of the Gunnery Sergeants.
- Start with the second wave, we have to contain them!.- He ordered, which left the other one a bit serious.
- General, with all due respect, we are not doing them the least possible damage, at this rate we are going to lose all the ammunition in a few minutes.- Warned the soldier, but Ahmed had already made his decision.
- It is an order, First Sergeant Arath and it must be fulfilled to the letter.- He confirmed his position and will, so he had to recognize his tenacity and left to give his words to the others.
Again began the cannonade against the enemy "First Line", without doing them almost no damage but that would allow them to gain as much time as possible. Ahmed watched with a cold face, although sweat was beading on his forehead, he remained in his position. The Artillery did not cease under any precept or time, they continued with the attack without ceasing until they began to notice something else advancing towards them.
Rising majestically, just like the "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse", the "Shadow" advance ships appeared in front of the enemy forces, causing the defenders to be unable to respond in due time and from there they began bombing the aforementioned positions. The charges of those ships fell with a resounding whistle that tore the air like a blade and the first buildings fell by the devastating explosions, especially the arsenals of weapons and ammunition, which raised huge columns of black smoke and tongues of fire that seemed to touch the heavens.
The attack had begun, the barricades and barbed wire had been reduced to mountains of rubble along with a few anti-aircraft defense systems, which were burning like hell. The barracks and outposts had been evacuated, while the casualties, among the dead and wounded, kept the members of the "Sanitary Corps" busy, who carried them on stretchers to the hospitals built underground.
- Don't give up! Courage, Soldiers, Courage!.- General Ahmed encouraged them, but he himself recognized that all was lost. The artillery had finished with its second wave and the ships were covering them, putting them under the enemy's sights: "Allah, protect us," the soldier prayed to his God, while the air was filled with shouts and intermingled orders.
- The barracks and headquarters are already ablaze. So are the arsenals and outposts.- Marie informed Lee.
- Excellent, let May go to the front and take care of eliminating the resistance of those soldiers and from there we will secure vast extensions of territory from North Africa and Southern Europe.- Ordered the redhead, while the other one set off to resume the bombardments.
Fleeing, screams, wounded, blood, fire, all that made up a "true picture" of devastation, death and destruction. General Ahmed and his commanders were still urging to continue fighting, but that already seemed to have a resemblance to the Battle of Cannas, where Hannibal Barca massacred the Legions of Rome and caused hundreds of casualties, including the death of many Senators.
- General, at this rate they will exterminate us all: we must give the order to evacuate, now.- Approached one of the officers of those armies.
The poor dark-haired man did not have the necessary words to help him describe what he felt inside: anger, disappointment, hatred. Those three emotions prevented him from saying enough and now they were facing the greatest military disaster in history. They had held out as long as possible, however, seeing that the enemy continued their advance, the enemy had to make a most "tragic" decision.
- Our priority is to protect the civilians and our wounded. Give the order to...- But when he was about to finish his sentence, from the "Radar Post", a group of operators had detected something approaching them.
- My General!.- Called the Major in charge of that station and they could hear a voice over the radio.
Ahmed ran and picked up the receiver to see who they were.
- Identify yourselves.- He ordered earnestly.
- "I am Major Minna Wilcke of the 501st Joint Wing, Strike Witches".- The girl introduced herself and surprised the General.
("Saving Pearl Harbor", OST from "Medal of Honor: Rising Sun")
- We are above you and flying to your aid, hold on!.- The redhead ordered, as they watched the attack from above. Once the communication was over, Minna and the others took their weapons.- Alright, friends, it's time to give the Kankers their comeuppance, remember everything that Sergeant Yoshika told you and let's show them what we are made of!
The Eds and their friends nodded their heads: It was time to demonstrate what they had learned and the power they now possessed within themselves.
- We will not fail them, Commander Wilcke!.- Swore Eddy and together with Ed and Double D they were the first to descend, followed by the others and the "Witches".
The Battle of Africa had just begun.
[As I promised, this chapter and the last one will be long, plus, now, the battle has just begun but it won't be an easy one: they are going to have to put everything they learned on the table if they want to succeed.
On another note, friends, I hope you had a great Christmas and New Year's holiday season. The Three Wise Men remain and for that I bring you this new chapter and then I will start writing the last one to close "Arc II". In February I will go with the third one.
I send greetings and thanks to all of you, especially to Matfix: Thank you very much for the support and congratulations, my friend.
I'll be seeing you. Take care and good start of the day Tuesday from me, Comrades].
