Chapter IV:
The decision was made, the "Campaign to Liberion" was going to be carried out and regardless of the cost or other obstacles. The "Military Intelligence" continued to investigate and see what kind of other devices and machinations the Kankers had created. The danger lay not only on the coasts, but also in the big cities, where there were countless civilians who were being used as "hostages" by them and with a possible brainwashing and indoctrination, they would look for the opportunity to produce an incident in which a large group of innocent people would die and thus arouse hatred in the people against the "Witches" and the Peach Creek boys. Therefore, the Liberion Navy stayed away from their shores and avoided making any kind of hostile contact with the "Shadow Neuroi Forces". Many would consider this as a "suicidal act" on the part of the Kanker, using the unarmed population as "cannon fodder" and others would label it as forced recruitment and desperate employment to maintain their defenses and thus "gain" the trust of the other Nations, something that would be impossible for them because of the hatred sown in the hearts of those who had already seen too much blood, death and destruction provoked on their lands.
- The new satellite photographs show us that the sisters have been moving their armies to prevent any attempt to flee to Canada, while our planes have decided not to cross the "Red Line" again so as not to be shot down. This was not easily obtained, many have given their lives for the truth to be revealed.- Said General Kevinstone, whose tone of voice dropped and he was a bit saddened by the casualties in his ranks.
- They are now in a better place, however, we cannot let their deaths be in vain. The Witches and the boys have planned an official route to attack the Kankers. It will be a long one but, if time permits, we will go to the place where it all began.- Minna pointed to the State of California - Peach Creek.
Her finger seemed to glide like an Olympic skater on an invisible ice surface. The military remained silent, analyzing the situation, keeping their eyes fixed on the "Holographic Map" and from there they understood that it was a good opportunity to carry out the next steps in the war and thus put an end to the conflict.
- Both the Pacific and the Atlantic are fortified to the level of an impassable "wall" but not all of them are resistant. That is what the nations of Europe thought when they thought that Byzantium was going to resist until cannon fire put in check an entire system of defense against sieges. The Artillery made a fool of them.- Said one of the Generals.
- It is true but, with respect to going through the Pacific, it is a good opportunity to take them by surprise. If we attack one of their two fronts, then they will have to mobilize their forces. It will be like the "Peloponnesian War."- Trudie said.
- Hm, it would be easy to launch a "virus" but computerized. Athens had a plague during the conflict along with overcrowding and lack of hygiene, causing the death of three quarters of the population, including that of Pericles.- Said Minna with a tone between mocking and serious towards the Kankers.
- Yes, besides their weapons are located on both coasts and they also have a good defense in the style of "Hadrian's Wall"".- Joined a third General, pointing to the West and East.
- What we are going to need is a distraction on the East Coast.- Minna gave the start of her plan.
- How? They could sink the fleet.- One of the Admirals intervened but she raised her hand, stopping those fears.
- They will not use planes, but cannons and missiles. The objective will be to keep the Kankers distracted as long as possible so that we can attack them from the Southwest.- The redhead continued with her plan.- I know it will be a danger, but don't worry, when we reach the California coast, I want you to keep a spy plane in the skies, and when you see the smoke, withdraw the fleet. Minna and I will let you know.- She concluded and there was a somewhat tense, cold silence. The members of the "High Command" moved a few meters away and from there they went to talk among themselves to know what decision to make.
It took them a few minutes to choose the best option, but seeing that time was playing against them, General Kevinstone was the one who went towards them and from there they waited for the answer.
- Agreed: We will follow your "Surprise Attack Plan." As soon as they have their signal ready, we will withdraw the fleet and from there we will keep an eye on what happens. We can continue with the naval bombardments against the enemy fortifications in the West but be careful, we don't know what kind of tricks those madwomen will be waiting for us.- Concluded the Admiral and with that they ended the meeting.
- They have nothing to fear: In 24 hours we will leave for the front.- Announced Minna, while she was leaving the "Operations Room" with Trudie.
Meanwhile, back in Liberion, the coal and iron mines, among other minerals, were being exploited by the Kanker slaves. One of them, a boy of about 17 years old collapsed to the ground, exhausted, hungry and thirsty. He could not move and one of the metal overseers appeared, brandished a whip and set about whipping him hard against his skin until he was back on his feet. Another of the slaves ran to assist the boy, there was no response and a third ran to bring water to give the boy some hydration.
When he arrived with a small bowl in his hands, filled with that vital liquid, a shot was heard that threw him to the floor along with the object that spilled on the floor. The young man felt his left leg burning, groped and noticed, with horror, a perfect smoking hole, giving off the smell of burnt human flesh and with it the blood that soaked the surface. Those who were still working and trying to prevent the fainting young man from being whipped, noticed that a female figure was standing in front of them and with her right hand she had just thrown that projectile.
- Do I have to repeat to them that they can't drink anything without us telling them.- Asked a certain blue hair, who was walking towards them and her eyes seemed to shine intensely with an intense dark red color.
Nobody said anything. They were terrified by what they had just seen. It was as if it were a Science Fiction, Dystopia movie and that presence gave them goose bumps. Sweat beaded on their foreheads. There were no words to describe what they were feeling at that moment. They feared for their lives, they hoped that all that was a "sanction", that no one would suffer a beating but the blue hair stopped in front of the wounded young man and grabbed him, strongly, by the shoulders until she smashed him against one of the walls, hearing the creaking of his bones and the scream he uttered.
- DAMMIT!.- Shouted one of the many slaves.- Are you being brave with someone who wanted to help? This boy is dying, he needs to rest!.- However, the newcomer paid no attention to her. She simply walked over to the metal foreman and from there prepared a laser rifle, with which she aimed it at the slaves.
- Kill ten or twenty of them so that they learn their lesson.- She said softly, and then they noticed that the personage was marching towards them, with the gun in his hand and ready to shoot. Some families hugged each other tightly, others began to pray, while the younger ones were going to confront the foreman, they would free those they could and so they ran towards him, armed only with their fists and stones.
Soon, the first shot rang out.
- Here comes Marie.- Announced May and when the blue-haired girl arrived, she brushed off some drops of blood that fell from the beating she had given to that young slave against the rocky walls of the mine.
- You seem quiet, did something happen?.- Lee interjected, but the other one shook her head.
- No, just a little incident with some boys who didn't want to work, so I had to teach them a lesson.- She answered.
- Checking the border and its defenses: So far no refugees or those trying to pass weapons, ammunition, explosives and supplies to the members of "The Resistance" have crossed it.- Reported May, who had special binoculars of the latest technology, "The electric fence is still working, the patrols are fulfilling their functions, as well as the production of weapons for them.- Added the blonde, lowering the object, while she passed it to Lee.- What do you think?
She scanned the horizon for a while, the cold wind was felt, despite being Spring, the time where Nature bloomed and woke up after the cruel Winter. Persephone was returning to her mother, Demeter, from the "World of the Dead" ruled by the Emperor and God Hades. However, in spite of the beautiful description, made on the basis of words, the panorama was totally different. The skies were completely gray, leaden, the rain would soon fall, as well as the low temperatures, the last ones before the calmest, nicest and most pleasant days began. For those who were living under the yoke and shadow of the Kanker, there was only one hope and that was to be liberated, sooner or later, from those expansionist madmen.
- What do you know about the Pacific Fleet and the Atlantic Fleet? Will they attack?.- Marie asked, breaking the ice on that question.
- We don't know yet, sister.- Answered the red-haired woman, turning her eyes towards her.- The only reliable information we have is that they are anchored and waiting to attack. Even if they try, the same thing that happened to the Persians during the "First Medical War" will happen to them.- She mocked and made that historical comparison.
- In addition, the Militias have not caused us any more problems. The last attack, which took place in one of the factories to free the slaves, happened more than three months ago and then they have not returned, except for small skirmishes.- May added and that was something they also had to take into account if they wanted to avoid any problems that would distract them from their original objective.
- Too bad we lost that factory. Even so, we were able to recover the production of armor for the ships by 100%.- Lee argued seriously.- But we can't let them out of our sight. Those Militias are like rats, you exterminate them and they come back," he warned and then gave the binoculars back to May.- What worries me are the slaves, I have the impression that they are organizing an uprising to escape or something worse.
- Let them try, I have already given notice to all the foremen of the mines in this region: Anyone who refuses to work or who disobeys orders will be shot along with all those close to them.- Said Marie calmly.
- I hope so.- Said the red-haired woman and from there she ordered to return to the headquarters.
The foreman "Shadow Neuroi" lay with a deep hole in his head. His circuits, or what could be called that way, were throwing sparks and a burning smell, produced by the shot of that laser rifle, was present. The boy who was hit by Marie was helped together with the one who needed water, carrying them on his shoulders and from there, a blonde woman was addressing those present.
- We will no longer be your lambs to be slaughtered: we are people, we have rights and liberties. We are not cattle for the slaughterhouse, so we are going to be free, friends.- She announced, and that awakened the determination of those spirits.- Look for more weapons, this wretch must have them somewhere. We will take as many slaves as we can. Protect the pregnant women, the elderly and the children, as well as those who are sick from lack of food and water. Every "Shadow Neuroi" that appears, we will turn it into a sieve for vegetables.- Promised the blonde and with that, the plan to escape from those mines towards freedom began.
They searched the whole place, they removed the chains from many people but they could barely find some weapons, except for the Guards they killed to seize them, managing to form a small "Detachment" of civilians who would be in charge of covering the retreat and protecting those who could not fight against the "Shadow Neuroi".
Soon, once they had secured the mine, the now ex-slaves began their escape, speeding up to avoid being detected by the patrols and drones guarding the Firmament.
Back at the Kanker headquarters, they remained focused on the defense and future conquest that they would carry out, once they had eliminated the "Witches", their "competition", although it would take them some time to seal all the failures and losses among their ranks. Even with them rebuilding with mass productions and other points, they were still in a serious situation, due to the fact that, with the use of resources that they had by Liberion, these had the misfortune of running out, sooner or later, so they would need to go in search of more for their powerful war machine.
- The oil reserves are ready for up to five months, after that we will have to go looking for more.- May warned, looking at the digital graphs.- If we had won the Battle of Volgograd City, things would be very different.
- That was a very severe blow against us, but don't worry, we will take care of recapturing all the territories we lost throughout this war. For now, we will have to prepare ourselves to withstand the enemy siege. This is only the beginning. Remember that many Kings and Emperors had to face different invasions and managed to survive.- Marie calmed her sister, taking her by the shoulders.- For now, just think of the future victory. Luck is going to be on our side and...
She did not have time to finish her sentence. Alarms began to go off, one by one, inside the "Command Room", while Lee approached towards the "Central Board" and typed rapidly, channeling the screens and one of them showed the source of the problem.
A small spy Drone was taking images of what had happened in the area.
- It can't be...- She was speechless and clenched her fists tightly.- A leak!. We have a bloody leak in the iron mines of the North!
- What happened to the Guards? Why didn't they stop the riot?.- May asked, and from there she began to search for more information until she found what she was looking for.
There, on the floor, lay the foreman and many members who had the task of guarding the prisoners and slaves. They had impacts on their heads and chests, in addition to giving off dense columns of smoke and the scene extended as far as the eye could see. On top of that, they were not carrying their weapons.
- What sons of bitches!.- Marie shouted.- They knew very well what they were doing, but they'll see.- She calmed down and then looked at her sisters.- Don't worry, our "Elite Hunters" will go after them.- She confidently predicted.
- Very well, everything has been decided.- Minna announced to those present outside the headquarters.
- What will be our "Point of Disembarkation", Commander?.- Asked Johnny, raising his left hand, while holding "Plank" with his right.
- We will go by the "Pacific Route".- Answered the red-haired girl to the bald boy's question. At that moment, murmurs of astonishment took place in the outskirts, but it was Eddy who raised his hand in the air.
- Guys, guys, guys.- He asked for their attention.- In my opinion, a longer route means better offense against the Kanker defenses. Besides, wasn't it that they wanted to see how Peach Creek would be.- He interjected, and from there the profound silence about the uncertain fate of the town and the neighborhood returned.
- Well, that...- Rolf said, but I can't deny it.- Who am I kidding?. Rolf also wants to see how his house is doing and the looters had better not have taken anything from my barn or they will rue the day they set foot on my family's land.- He warned, first sounding calm and then showing that protective attitude against criminals.
- Yes, I want to see how Peach Creek is doing too. It's ours, guys, what did you think, that we wouldn't come back? Eddy's right.- Nazz backed him up, stepping forward.
- Who knows what our houses are like?. They may have been looted to nothing, or the bombing may have wiped them out, but it doesn't matter. Material things can be recovered, lives can't.- Kevin joined in, looking ahead.- Let's go over there and free our home from those madwomen!
- Yes!.- Exclaimed the other Peach Creek boys, giving their battle cry, filling their "Guardians" with pride.
- Jimmy.- Muttered Perrine under her breath at the sight of the white-haired boy, who had matured into a brave man, ready to face trouble on his own.
- Rolf.- Lynne joined in, as she had forged a great friendship with the dark blue-haired stranger and more so as they were so closely related to rural life, caring for the land, ranching and farming.
- Nazz, Kevin.- Mio and Minna continued, watching both boys, now as a couple. The black hair of Fuso was proud of the blonde, since she had become a true and authentic Warrior in the handling of the katana and that extremely important technique that she now carried in her hands. At the same time, they also had the redhead in that list, since he had adopted a good role of "Team Captain" thanks to his experiences in the field.
- Johnny.- Yoshika observed his bald friend, who was much more sociable and had more participation in conversations. He was no longer distant from the others and that was a good achievement on the part of the Fuso Empire Sergeant.
- We did a good job. Even the Eds have changed. So did Sarah.- Trudie murmured to the others and it was true what her words made known.
The progress they had made, along with the sacrifices and many hardships along the way, led to them getting what they were looking for. It had been arduous and complicated, perhaps they would have thought of leaving the path behind but, in the end, the victory was absolute.
- I know that the decision to go by the "Pacific Route" is one of the longest, but it also has its explanation.- Minna began, raising her hand, back and with it she got the attention she needed.
- Why? Wouldn't it have been better to go by the Atlantic?.- Asked Yoshika, who was also a bit confused along with the other "Witches". The Commander nodded her head, closed her eyes and then slowly shook her head.
- I know, you are all a bit confused but you have your answer.- She paused, licked her dry lips and then went on to give her explanation.- The "Atlantic Route", as well as the Pacific, are guarded by the Kanker. There are fortifications, defenses such as Artillery and their ships patrolling the surroundings".- At first there were doubts and many questions among them, but Minna continued.- Even so, what we have planned is a "Surprise Attack" against the "Pacific Wall", being supported by the Navy in both oceans and thus we will alert their hosts. What we want is to get their response, that they come to where we are to destroy them and then we will go for the Kanker.
- It sounds very risky that plan but...- Said Kevin and shrugged his shoulders.- Nah, I'm not afraid of something as pathetic as a bunch of "Shadow Neuroi".
- I think the same thing: A surprise attack always worked. Look at the campaigns of Alexander the Great of Macedonia.- Mio supported the red-haired man.
- Exactly and once we are inside enemy territory, we will carry out guerrilla style attacks against factories, mines and laboratories, where we will rescue civilian and military prisoners from prisons and Research Centers. The Kankers will not know what hit them and will come out of their hiding place to give us battle, but not to lower our guard: we do not know what kind of dangers we can face with them.- Concluded the red-haired Commander the speech and elaboration of the plan.
A moment of silence. Some were finishing "digesting" it and with that, the first to speak was Ed, who stepped forward to say something.
- Well then, when do we leave? I'm anxious to put an end to this war.- The boy asked with determination.
- Yes, my brother is right!.- Sarah joined in.
- In 24 hours we will leave for the front. So rest, eat well, have your equipment ready, as well as the ammunition for the weapons, the "Striker Units" and practice with your "Magic". As long as you have controlled it, we don't know what kind of tricks the Kankers have in store for us.- Said Trudie as she made her announcement to those present.
With nothing more to say, the boys and the "Witches" went to get ready and rest before the trip.
Twenty-four hours they had to rest and prepare. The war, the last battle was just around the corner: Liberion.
- The defenses are on alert.- May reported.
- The "Elite Hunters" are on the ground, ready to hunt down the fugitives from the mine.- Added Marie, while giving orders to put an end to those inciting internal rebellions.
- Excellent and now let them come. We are waiting for them and with this power we have inside, we only have to give them the last blow against their hearts.- Lee finished, looking towards the horizon.
In the Pacific and Atlantic, the fleet was positioned, waiting to launch their diversionary offensive against the Kanker. They were waiting for the arrival of those reinforcements to start the attack. Many were praying in the ships' chapel, even those who were not believers. They feared and felt it in their body and soul. Like a spear piercing the flesh and piercing the heart, the sailors and soldiers were gathered, men and women, casting and imploring God's protection from the danger that was approaching them. They hoped to return alive to their homes, to see their families, their homes.
- It will not be a battle like any other.- Warned the Commander of the Pacific Fleet to his troops. He lowered his gaze and then remained in that position for a while.-On the contrary, we are facing a combat that can mark the beginning of the end of this dominion by the Kanker or that we become their slaves", he said again and raised his head towards the roof of the Chapel.- Many of you have seen the devastation caused by these monsters. And I do not intend to regret my words: they are not people. Not anymore, but Demons, beings that cannot be compared to animals, since even these do not commit things like these...No...that word is wrong... "things"...Rather barbarities...Yes, that is the right concept to describe their actions.
Many of the sailors and Officers remained silent but tears could also be seen in their eyes.
- We lost so many loved ones at the hands of these wretches. They want to conquer all of us, to keep us like chained dogs, but we will not be their slaves, we will not fall to the Kankers...We will give them what they deserve and they will fall! The "Witches" and the Peach Creek boys will bring them to Justice! They will pay with their lives for all the damage they have caused us!. So, go ahead, Comrades in Arms, Brothers of the Navy, Army and Air Force: Let's destroy the "Empire of the Kanker Clan" forever!.- Exclaimed the Commander and from there came the applause, shouts of excitement, whistles and sirens that sounded in the ships along with the bells.
The "Hour of Truth" had arrived.
[The calm before the storm in all its splendor. A great battle for the Future of Humanity is coming. In the next chapter the journey to Liberion begins. What will it be like? We will see that in the above mentioned.
Many thanks to Matfix, Franco M. Romano and the other followers for reading and commenting on this story.
Take care, friends and we'll see you in the next chapter.
I wish you a good start of the day Thursday from me and also...
Happy May 25, 2022].
