One hour had passed since the battle. Squad fifteen had torn the Imperial camp apart for intelligence but had found little of value. Questioning the Imperials they had captured hadn't yielded anything either. Scouts from their squads fanned out and were searching the ruins. They'd found three small Imperial outposts and got involved in small skirmishes with the Imperials manning those outposts.

By the time the fighting ended anything of value had been torched by the Imperials. It was clear the Imps were looking for something they just didn't know what.

"Anyone heard anything about the other attacks?"

"No. Since we haven't heard anything they must be ongoing."

"True. It also means they're not going horribly."

"So, what's our plan?"

"Since we haven't received new orders we'll hold here. Have your scouts found any more outposts?"

"No. They've nearly completed their search of the ruins so we shouldn't expect to find any more outposts."

"Damn. Looks like we won't find out why the Imps were so interested in these ruins."

"Have we captured any high-ranking Imperials?"

"Sadly no. We haven't captured anyone higher than a Sergeant and they either don't know or won't tell us."

Their radios crackled, "First Mechanized Company do you copy, over?"

"We read you Captain. Over."

"The assaults are winding down. All objectives have been completed. Hold your position for now. Out."

"Looks like we have our orders. Let's dig in."

They left the command tent and stepped out into the scorching heat of the desert. Jackson broke away from his fellow Lieutenants and headed for his tank. Chase had taken the track off and removed two of the drive wheels.

"How's it look Chase?"

He didn't look away from his work when he answered. "That lance destroyed one drive wheel and damaged another. It will be around forty minutes until we can move again."

"Thanks for the update." He started to climb the tank. He entered the turret and flipped on the radio. "Brooks, do you copy? Over."

"Loud and clear Jackson. Over."

"Position your squad at the entrance and place a few fire teams on the cliffs flanking the road. I don't want the Imps coming in the same way we did. Out."

He climbed out of the blisteringly hot turret and jumped down.

"Fuck me. It's hell in that turret and I was only in there for a few seconds."

He headed up to the command tent and met up with Lane, Newman, and Sharp. He stepped forward and pointed at the map, "I've positioned my squad here at the entrance. Brooks will position fireteams on the cliffs that flank the road."

Lane spoke next, "I've positioned my squad on the East side of the ruins. There's nothing but open desert in front of them. If the Imps attack from the East, they'll be cut down."

Newman followed, "I've positioned my squad along a secondary road that leads into the ruins." He pointed it on the map.

Sharp opened his mouth but Jackson's radio cut him off.

"First Mechanized Company do you copy?" The Caption's voice was urgent.

"Loud and clear sir; what do you need?"

"We just received a priority request from Caption Varrot. Militia Squad One is getting hammered by the Imps. You're the closest company that can assist. Lieutenant, take your squad and assist them immediately!"

"Negative sir my tank is out of action."

"Well send another squad! Out!"

Lane stepped forward. "I'll go sir."

He nodded, "Get a move on Lane. We'll hold here."

She sprinted out of the tent. "Nash, is the tank ready to move?"

"Yes ma'am! Why?"

"Mount up! We're moving to assist Gallina Militia Squad One!"

"Understood ma'am!"

She reached her tank and quickly scaled up and into the turret. Her sudden arrival shocked her loader and gunner who duly climbed after her.

"What's the rush ma'am?"

"We're assisting Squad One. Nash! Where the fuck are you!?"

"Ten seconds out!"

"Grant, do you copy?"

"Yes ma'am. Wh-"

"Mount the squad up immediately; we're moving out!"

She cut the transmission before he could respond. Nash scrambled into the driver's position and fired up the engine.

"Where are we heading ma'am?"

"South-West."

"Roger. Rolling!"

The engine revved to life as the 34-ton tank rolled forward. Nash took the quickest route out of the ruins. Lane unbuttoned and saw her squad's half-tracks waiting for them. They rolled past and they fell in line behind her.

"Step on it chase. We need to get there as fast as we can."

"Roger."

He depressed the pedal and the engine roared as the tank increased speed.

"Lieutenant, how far out are you?"

"Five minutes sir. Status on Squad One?"

"Imperials are kicking their teeth in. From what I've been told a woman leading the assault."

"A woman?"

"I was just a surprised as you. I don't have much information for you Lieutenant so watch yourself. Out."

"WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT!?"

Lane's attention snapped to her gunner. "What did you see?"

"A fucking lance of blue light!"

"Blue light? Is it a new Imp weapon?"

"Maybe. What the hell do they have that shoots blue light?"

"I think we're about to find out."

Lane unbuttoned and brought up her binoculars. Squad One had fallen back and was taking cover in more of those massive trenches. An Imp medium tank was pushing them with a squad in support. She couldn't see anything that might have caused that lance of blue light her gunner clams to have seen.

"Gunner! Target that medium!"

"Roger! Away!"

The gun flashed as the shell rocketed out of the barrel. Dust was kicked up as the shell landed short.

"Short! Adjust up five degrees!"

"Adjusting!"

"Loaded!"

"On the way!"

The second shell bounced off its frontal armor!

"We got its attention!"

"Squad! Dismount and get into those trenches!"

The half-tracks broke off and headed for the trenches while the gunners sprayed rounds in the Imps' general direction.

A blue lance shot out from behind the tank and vaporized a portion of the trench!

"Fucking hell!"

"Gallian reinforces this is Lieutenant Landzaat."

"Lieutenant what is that light?"

"Something we can't beat! We have to fall back now!"

The lance lashed out and obliterated an M1PC. There was nothing left of the half-track or the soldiers inside. The others slammed on the breaks and the infantry dismounted. Another lance destroyed a second M1PC.

"My god..."

Lane tracked the lance and found her target. A woman with a lance in one and hand and a shield in another. She wore a black uniform, her sliver hair fluttered in a non-existent wind, and she was bathed in a blue flame.

"GUNNER! I WANT HER DEAD!"

"AWAY!"

The shell screamed toward her! She raised her shield and swung it at the shell! Her eyes widened and her mouth fell open in shock as she deflected the shell sending it flying into the sand dunes.

"...The fuck?"

"FIRE AGAIN!"

"Loading!"

"She's pointing that damn Lance us!"

Through her binoculars, she saw the lance glow blue and energy swirled around it. Dread settled in her stomach, her body felt weighed down, and then adrenaline filled her veins.

"DISMOUNT, DISMOUNT!"

She scrambled out of the tank, jumped off, rolled, and sprinted to a sand dune. There was an awful whine, followed by thunder, then heat, and finally, darkness.

"Lane's tank is gone!"

Grant's head snapped to where Lane's tank was. Now, all that's left are the tracks.

"What the fuck was that!?"

"Who is that woman!?"

"Is she even human!?"

"PULL YOURSELVES TOGETHER! IF WE PANIC NOW WE'RE DEAD!"

"I think we're already dead sir!"

"Not yet Private! Where's Lieutenant Landzaat!?"

"He's in the trench in front of us!"

"Stay here and cover me! On my mark!"

"MARK!"

The soldiers around him unleashed a barrage of fire allowing him to reach the next trench relatively safely. He jumped in and startled a scout.

"The hell did you come from!?"

"Not important! Where is your Lieutenant!?"

"Down that way!"

A whine reached their ears. They both hit the deck but the blue lance never came. Instead, the whine stopped and a slow, deep whooshing sound took its place. Grant looked up and saw blue projectiles flying over the trench. He stood to a crouch and moved as quickly as he could in the direction he had been pointed in. It didn't take him long to spot Lieutenant Landzaat. He was barking orders to a fireteam. He didn't hear what he said but they nodded and sprinted down the trench.

"Lieutenant Landzaat!"

He looked to him, "Sergeant Grant Squad Eighteen!"

"Nice to meet you Grant! Wish it was under better circumstances!"

He peeked over and fired. "We need to fall back!"

"That woman will cut us down!"

"She's not a woman! She's a Valkyria!"

"Well whatever she is we have to kill her! You've been fighting her longer than we have! Does she have any weaknesses!?"

Landzaat crouched and thought for a second. "That shield can deflect everything we throw at it but it can only be in one place at a time. Get around her flanks and hit her from multiple directions."

Grant got on his radio, "York! I need you to take a fireteam and flank that woman!"

"Easier said than done sir! She has a squad of Imps covering her!"

"Ah shit! That tank is back!"

Grant peeked over and saw the medium roll out from behind the building. Its forward-mounted MG opened up.

"That might complicate things."

Landzaat turned to four squadmates close to him and ordered them to follow him.

"Hang on Lieutenant! I'm coming with you!"

He turned and opened his mouth but didn't say anything. Instead, he nodded. They sprinted down the trench and climbed over. They sprinted across open ground to the ruins and hurriedly made their way to the Imp positions. They didn't stop as time was of the essence.

Grant was acting as rearguard for their fireteam when a shot rang out! He turned and saw a scout fall.

"Sniper!"

They scattered and found the closest cover. Grant slowly peeked around the ruined wall. He looked for any obvious spots where the sniper could be. He pulled back and moved to the other side of the wall. He slowly peaked out and spotted a tall ruin a few hundred meters from his position. He looked behind him and saw Landzaat using a destroyed wall for cover. He whistled to get his attention.

He looked at him and Grant pointed to the building where he thought the sniper was. Landzaat nodded and turned to the lancer next to him.

Grant took a deep breath and sprinted to the next ruin! He reached the building and caught his breath. He looked around the right side of the building and didn't see anything. He slowly moved forward with his SMG at the ready. He crouched down behind a fallen wall and scanned the ruins in front of him.

"Wish I had some binoculars right now."

He slowly moved forward and caught sight of the building he was moving towards. He worked his way around behind the building and spotted a doorway. He slowly entered and found a bare room. The walls were cracked and had crumbled in some places allowing rays of light inside. There was a wooden staircase that looked like it was about to rot away.

He moved up the stairs ignoring the creaking and cracking of the boards under his feet. He reached the top of the stairs and saw the sniper. His rifle was resting against the window frame and he had pieces of cloth around his position. He swapped his SMG for his knife and slowly crept upon him. He shifted and Grant saw his eyes dart to him. The sniper turned and brought his rifle up but he was too late.

Grant slammed into him and pinned him against the wall! He hit with such force that the wall cracked and gave a little. Grant buried his knife in the Imp's neck before he had a chance to recover. His eyes filled with fear and he started choking on his own blood. Grant pulled his knife free and back away. He pulled his sidearm and shot the Imp in the head. He walked into the window and waved. He saw someone wave back and exited the building. He met Landzaat and the rest of the fireteam, "Nice work. Now we can-"

"Lieutenant! That woman is falling back!"

"What!? WHY!?"

"Don't know! She took a fireteam with her. The rest of the Imperial squad and that tank are still engaging us!"

"Understood. We're going to try and cut her off."

"Landzaat that's a-!"

He cut the radio. "I know where she's going. Let's move!"

Grant grabbed his shoulder, "Lieutenant. You know as well I do that this is a bad plan. She has a fireteam covering her. We won't be able to ambush her."

"We can. I know the route she'll take. We can set up and hit her from every direction. I'm not going to let this opportunity to kill her slip between my fingers. Let's move!"

He brushed off Grant's hand and started sprinting. The three other members of the fireteam followed.

"Fuck." Grant followed after them.

He slowly caught up to them. Landzaat lead them to the edge of the ruins and ordered the two lancers into a two-story building.

"Lieutenant."

He turned, "Grant. I hoped you would join us. We're setting up in this building," he pointed to the three-story building in front of them. "Set upon the second story we'll be on the third."

He nodded and they entered the building. Grant moved to the furthest window on the left and pressed his back against the wall. Now, they waited.

The minutes slowly ticked by and there was no sign of their target. Grant wiped the sweat off his forehead once again. The sound of crouching sand reached his ears. He peaked out the window and saw the woman, or Valkyria as Landzaat called her, sprinting down the road faster than anyone he had ever seen. She was actually kicking up a small amount of dust.

The crack of a Gallina rifle followed by a rapid-firing SMG broke the silence!

She skidded to a stop and raised her shield stopping the rounds. Grant aimed at her head and squeezed the trigger. Once again the shield stopped the bullets. He shifted his fire to the unprotected areas of her body but she blocked them all.

"You have to be kidding me." He reloaded, "What are those lancers waiting for?"

He fired again emptying his magazine to no effect. "We're going to run out of ammo before we can kill her."

Over the roar of gunfire he faintly heard the Whoosh of a lance firing. He saw the smoke trail and the lance slammed into the ground right in front of the woman. She was obscured by dust and he heard a second lance fire. It hit something in the cloud and exploded. Everything fell silent. His heartbeat and deep breathing filled his ears. Then, that terrible whine. The dust glowed blue and faster than his eye could track a lance shot out and obliterated the building the lancers were in!

He instantly ducked, "Fuck me!"

The sound of Landzaat's rifle echoed in the building followed by the SMG.

"Sergeant Grant. The Imps have fallen back. What's your location?"

"Get to the South-East side of the ruins ASAP!"

"Understood sir!"

He looked out the window to see the Valkyria jump onto a rooftop before leaping over their building. He sprinted to the other side and saw her sprinting to another ruin sight. Following behind her was the medium tank and three trucks. He heard Landzaat's voice echo downstairs. "Welkin! We couldn't stop her! She's heading your way!"

Grant heard the rumbling of tank treads and walked across the room. He looked out the window and saw a Gallian light tank with infantry mounted on top passing by. Following behind it are the three remaining M1PCs from his squad. One of the M1PCs pulled out of line and stopped. Grant exited the building and sprinted to the half-track. He started to climb in when a hand was held out.

"Lieutenant Lane," he said, supersized, "I didn't think you survived."

She helped him up, "Nearly didn't. Sadly, I was the only survivor of that attack."

"Sorry to hear that ma'am."

When he sat down the half-track started rolling.

"What's the plan ma'am?"

"Squad one and most of Squad six will secure these ruins while Lieutenant Renard of Squad Six and a fireteam move on to the next ruin sight with our squad. More reinforcements are inbound but they won't be here for a while."

"Do we know why the Imperials retreated from here?"

"No."

Around thirty minutes later they approached the ruin sight. They could hear gunfire and the booming of big guns. They headed for the massive coral-like structure in the center of the ruins where the fighting was concentrated. The fireteam dismounted the tank while it was moving and moved ahead. The M1PCs halted, "Dismount."

Grant followed Lane and they moved ahead of the convoy. Ten of their squad members moved into the ruins off to their left. The sound of fighting grew louder and louder as they approached the center. The light tank's turret rotated to the left while the tank itself stopped. A flash and a boom followed as the short barrel 75 mm cannon fired. It fired again and grant saw pieces of metal fly upward.

Lane's radio buzzed, "Enemy light tank destroyed. Squad seven is engaging two Imperial squads with a medium in support."

The tank rounded the corner and its MG opened followed by its 75 mm firing. Grant went through a broken wall and cut through some ruins before meeting up with the fireteam from Squad six. They were engaging Imps who had taken cover around a massive tank that was armored to the teeth. The main gun looked like it belonged to a battleship. Thankfully, it was destroyed.

"Damn, Squad seven took out that thing," he said, surprised and impressed.

One of Squad six's members answered. "This is Lieutenant Gunther we're talking about. The same guy who managed to swim his tank across a river. If anyone can take out that thing it's him."

To his right York and Sharp joined him. "Good to see you Sergeant!"

"We thought that woman vaporized you!"

"She wasn't even close!"

He stood up and fired a long burst before ducking down. Across from him another Gallian tank, a model he didn't recognize, destroyed the enemy medium tank. A small fireteam was behind it firing at the Imperials. The Imperials were slowly falling back. Lieutenant Renard's tank rolled into his view and fired.

"Come on! We'll move further down this wall!"

Grant, York, and Sharp followed three Militia down the wall. They passed the behemoth of a tank and Grant saw how much damage it had taken. Its armor was scored by dozen of lance hits and tank rounds. There are hundreds of small bullet holes marring its armor and smoke continues to rise from the various holes blown into the armor. Three large fires are raging on top of the tank and are slowly engulfing the top of it. An explosion rocked both the tank and the ground! A hole was blown out on the side of the tank! Smoke billowed out followed by fire.

"The Imps are falling back!"

"Lieutenant Renard! We have the Imps on the run!"

Grant didn't hear the response but he heard both tanks advancing. He looked up the hill and saw Squad Seven's tank leading the charge. Following behind is Renard's tank along with two half-tracks.

"Lieutenant Lane, orders?"

"Press the attack Sergeant."

"Roger." He turned to York and Sharp. "Let's move!"

He vaulted over the wall and sprinted towards what was left of a Gallian camp. He took cover behind some sandbags and engaged the Imperials. York and Sharp joined him a second later. To his right more Gallians were fighting and the Half-track could fire down on the Imps from its position. A shell slammed into a sand mound creating a wall of sand obscuring the Imperials. Squad Seven's tank rolled into Grant's view and fired again.

"Press the advantage!"

Renard's tank rolled past Squad Seven's tank and pressed the attack. His tank turned the corner and fired. Squad Seven's tank rolled forward and the squads moved up to them.

"Infantry take point. The Imperials may have set up an ambush."

Lane and two other squadmates had joined Grant and his fireteam. They moved forward and the grand started to slope upward. They took cover behind a destroyed Imp half-track. Lane brought out her binoculars, "What do you see ma'am?"

"Imperials just fell back over the hill." She lowered her binoculars and grabbed her radio.

"Imperials have fallen back over the hill. We're moving forward."

"Squads Seven, Six, and Eighteen be advised multiple allied squads are converging on your position. The first squads will arrive in five minutes. Press the attack at your discretion. Out."

"All squads advance."

The tanks lead the advance followed by the M1PCs and then the infantry. The tanks crest the hill and opened up with their cannons and MGs. The M1PCs followed up soon after.

Grant and his fireteam reached the top and saw a great expanse of desert. A portion of the Imperial force was fighting them while the rest retreated. He laid prone and fired down at the Imperials who were using anything and everything for cover. Six Imperial tanks, four light and two medium, were engaging. Their shells bounced off Squad Seven's tank but they kept trying. The light tanks switched their fire and destroyed one of the M1PCs; the other two backed off behind the hill.

Richard laid beside Grant and fired. She racked the bolt and the casing bounced off Grant's arm. He didn't feel the heat and kept firing.

Over the sound of gunfire and explosions, he heard engines approaching from behind. A second later a Gallina light tank rolled by and stopped on the front slope. It fired kicking up dust around it. The shell flew true and an Imp light tank exploded. A second explosion marked the destruction of an Imperial medium tank.

The Gallian tank in front and off his right exploded! He flinched as shrapnel buried into the sand in front of him. In the corner of his vision, he saw another light tank fire. There wasn't an explosion so the shell must have missed.

Lane and split off from Grant's fireteam and was leading her own. She had her binoculars up scanning the Imperial line. She was marking targets for the sniper in her squad.

"Imperial Captain. He's using hand signals."

"I see him."

Bang!

"He's down."

She searched for another target and saw the second Imperial medium tank detonate.

"The Imperials are starting to break."

"All Squads in combat be advised more reinforcements are inbound. First squads will arrive in fifteen minutes."

Lane lowered her binoculars, "Son of a bitch."

"What is it ma'am?"

"Lieutenant Gunther, Lieutenant Renard that woman is trying to rally the Imperials. Engage her immediately!"

"Roger."

Renard's tank rocked backward. The shell went long missing the intended target but killed well over a dozen Imperials.

"Ready! Fire!"

BOOM!

Lane watched as the woman deflected the shells with her shield. It exploded above and behind her and she entered a guard stance.

"...Son of a bitch."

"She just deflected a tank shell."

Everyone just stopped fighting. They were in shock at what they had just seen. This woman had just done the impossible. She turned to the retreating Imperials and swung her lance. She followed them a second later.

"General Everhart the Imperials are retreating. Request permission to pursue."

"Negative. All squad leaders report to the main ruin site for immediate debrief."