Chapter Three.
Pikachu yawned lightly as his slowly made his way up the rocky mountain ridge along with several other electric type Pokemon who has been assigned to his squad. They all wore dark gray arm bands with a yellow lightening bolt through it to represent that they were part of a power restore unit. Leading their squad was a older Electabuzz who had been at the Kanto and Johto territory line when the Johto military had first attacked. He had been reassigned to Pikachu's squad after they had found him retreating with a platoon of soldiers from the line.
"Pika pi?" Pikachu called out weakly as he was tired from the long walk like the others and wanted a break.
Sergeant, when can we stop for a break?
"Electa Electabuzz buzzzzz!" Electabuzz snarled annoyingly at the young Pikachu who had been given the rank of Corporal and was the second in command of the squad.
We'll stop when we reach the observation base which is only a few more miles from here! The Kanto military still has that base under control, but they're low on power! That's where we come in!
Pikachu's ears went backwards upon hearing this, he knew his men were tired and needed a break. They all had been traveling for the past two days and had little break. A few of the weaker squad members who weren't the best at the physical traveling were beginning to trail behind and Pikachu feared they die from exhaustion. Something that was well known of Pokemon during a time of war.
If the enemy didn't get you, then your own human commanders would.
Pikachu missed Ash.
The briefing tent located about half a mile into that the side of the main road of the central mountains was being used the the main HQ for the Kanto forces located at the Western mountain section. The tent was filled with enlisted soldier running back and fourth trying to inform their commanding officers of the current situation in the Northern and Southern parts of the mountain. At a small table covered in a large map stood Red the young Army Captain glared down at the map in deep thought, his orders were to follow the main road that had been made by the Kanto military in order to make transporting goods to the territory line easier. Red however didn't agree with this plan.
If Red were to take his company up the main road he was sure to run into road side bombs, ambushes, and would be an easy target for the Johto 4th Air Corps which had been confirmed to be working with the Johto ground forces in the Western section of the central mountain. Red didn't agree with his commander's plans at all and even though he had been dismissed half an hour ago he had yet to move from his spot.
"Captain, what are you still doing here? I ordered you to take your company and head up the main road half an hour ago," A Lieutenant Colonel bellowed loudly as emerging from a small officer's section of the tent appeared Bruno, the higher ranking officer barely could fit into his uniform as his muscular body prevented him from getting a smaller size. Bruno was a strong and brilliant trainer, as an officer he deeply loved his men and didn't want to see them die, but many of the higher ranking officers feared this love for his men would get in the way of his victories.
"Sir, I don't think taking the main road is the best idea especially with the 4th Air Corps roaming the skies above," Red admitted right away as in most cases he'd be in a heated debate with any other officers who would send him on a mission like this so carelessly but Red saw Bruno differently. As Red was more of the unemotional type of leader, Bruno was different and showed emotion towards his men. Red saw the two of them as one as when his men needed some emotional support Bruno would give it to them and when they needed a swift kick in the ass then Red was there.
"True. I've been given word that the 4th Air Corps has been dived among the Western sector, but intelligence has informed me that a Captain Falkner is in charge of the section you'll be heading on," Bruno explained as he shuffled through a collection of papers his eyes never leaving them as he spoke. He was far to busy to take any type of break.
"I think instead of taking the main road I should take my men about 300 meters to its right along this ridge. The terrain over there will provide enough cover that if we do get spotted by Falkner and his men then we'll have enough cover to fight back. Also, I'm sure there'll be some enemy positions that we can take on the way up there," Red explained as his eyes finally left the map for the first time in half an hour, a sly grin displayed upon his face.
Bruno examined the map for a few minutes before speaking, "That will work fine. A element of tanks will be arriving here by tomorrow so you'll be without tank support for some time, the tanks will take the main road with some infantry and meet up with your men within two days time. Maybe even four if they run into more trouble then expected, I'll keep you posted by radio."
"Yes, sir!"
Red quickly exited the tent where he was greeted by Surge who was playing with his Raichu. Surge had requested to keep Raichu as he had the authority with his rank to do so and the main reason it was passed by Red was because Red knew the company may need an emergency set of power, as there was always a chance they may be split from the main Kanto line while fighting within the unforgiving mountain terrain.
"Did you fix Bruno's plan?"
"You bet I did, we're heading up the mountain ridge in one hour."
Two hours Later...
Ash cursed angrily as he struggled to climb up the rocky mountain side ridge his platoon trailing behind him as he led the way, to his right was Bryson's platoon along with Gary's. To Ash's left was the remaining three other platoons along with Red and Surge leading the whole advance. The main road wasn't visible from their position as the rocky terrain made it hard to see what was around them, for all them could know was there was a machine gun nest waiting for them only a few feet. Yet, it was better then traveling in the wide open on the main road.
"The before action report that the Captain handed out says that this area is the beginning of the Johto territory. The last few patrols they sent up here have been harassed by sniper fire, machine gun fire, and small patrols," Brock stated lowly as he trailed a few feet behind Ash with his personally selected pumper action shot gun slung over his shoulder, being a Staff Sergeant he was given the chance to select any weapon that he excelled with. Brock adjusted his helmet slightly as he continued to walk besides Ash, checking the rest of the platoon behind him every few steps.
"We can take anything they throw at us, " Ash answered back in a stern voice as Brock smirked at his friend's confident personality. Ash had always been confident person as a kid and now that they were older it seemed that it had molded him into a great leader. Yet, he was only human and made mistakes like everyone else, but in combat mistakes got people killed and Ash couldn't offered that.
"Just don't do anything crazy I promised Misty I'd get you back alive," Brock said jokingly with a grin as Ash playfully pushed him the two of them continuing their journey up the rocky ridge.
Suddenly, machine gun fire filled the air the bullets ripping apart the ground before Ash and Brock. The two of them dropping to the ground quickly the bullets ripped apart the air around them, the whole company did the same as they all hit the ground without wasting any time. The sound of the bullets cutting through the air echoed loudly as several men yelling in the Johto native language followed the gun shots. A few men from Bryson's platoon returned fire with their rifles, but quickly stopped as it was hopeless.
"What do we do?" Corporal. Ritchie Hiroshi called out as the young radio operator was only a few feet from Ash and Brock, a large gray metal box attached to his back was the platoon's radio as it kept them connected with the rest of the company. The radio quickly was brought to life as Surge was on the other line of ti barking orders at Gary's platoon.
"Lieutenant Oak! Set up a damn machine gun on the right ridge, we'll provide cover fire from the left side so your men can set up it safely! Ketchum I want you to take up a fire team and advance on the machine gun nest! Once our machine gun hits them with enough lead they'll lay off and your men will move in to take it!" Surge's voiced echoed loudly through the radio as through every breathe he took Ash could hear Red's calm voice instructing his men to take up scattered positions along the left side of the ridge to provided cover fire with their rifles. Gary's platoon was the heavy weapons platoons which consisted of machine guns, mortar tubes, anti-tank bazookas, and a two flame throwers with a fire type Pokemon.
The radio then went dead and Surge returned to Red's side.
Ash looked at his men nervously as he had to pick three other men to accompany them to take out the machine gun nest. Ash thought about taking Brock but he knew he needed him to stay back just in case if something happened to Ash then he could take over the platoon, then Ash's eyes fell upon three men who were squatting to his fare left. The first man was Corporal Taylor and two Privates by the names of Peterson and Henderson. They knew very well they were about to be picked.
"Taylor, Peterson, and Henderson you're with me! First squad lay down a steady cover fire and the rest of you are going to stay down, I don't want to get shot in the back so keep the cover fire accurate!" Ash ordered his men as his eyes then fell upon Gary's platoon who were taking cover within a rocky mountain ridge, Bryson's platoon was a few meters behind them, and ahead of all them was three men along with their Squirtle hiding behind a boulder waiting for their cover fire so they could set up their machine gun.
"Open fire!"
The rest of the company to Ash's left unleashed hell upon the Johto machine gun crew as their bullets ripped apart at the boulder wall they had made for cover. Several Johto riflemen were with the machine gun crew at the time and they quickly returned fire, two of the Johto soldiers being cut down before they could even fire back. The sounds of the Kanto soldiers pulling back their bolts after every shot could be lightly heard, two grenades went off near their position but no damage was done.
Ash's eyes fell upon the machine gun crew from Gary's platoon, they had set up their gun between two large boulders the ammo carrier was feeding in a belt, the gunner was peering down the sights, the stand carrier was adjusting it to the unleveled ground, and the Squirtle was pumping in water into the gun's barrel container so the cold water could cool off the gun when being fired. Within seconds the gun crew was ready and they opened fire, a barrage of bullets ripped at the rock cover the Johto soldiers had the Johto machine gunner took a bullet to the neck. With this Ash and his three men rushed forward, climbing over the ridge they rushed towards the machine gun crew. Diving down into the ground they took cover just in time as another soldier took the role of machine gunner.
"You think they've spotted us?" Henderson asked nervously.
"If they did they won't waste much ammo firing at us! They got almost a whole company firing at them right now!" Taylor called out as a few bullets hit the ground around them from a few riflemen hiding up in the machine gun nest.
"Taylor and Peterson, both of you throw a grenade each! Once they go off we'll rush them, if our machine gun hasn't killed them yet it won't kill them any time sooner!" Ash ordered loudly as the three men all nodded in agreement and quickly pulled out their hand grenades from the belt pouches. As Ash prepared to give them the signal he waited for the rest of him men to stop firing as he couldn't assault the machine gun nest with all of his company firing in that area. With the only gun firing on the Johto side Ash signaled for the grenades to be released and within a few seconds the balls of explosives rained shards of metal upon the machine gun nest.
"Go! Go!"
Ash and the three of them rushed forward towards the machine gun nest the crew and the riflemen still confused by the grenades going off so close to their position. Being the first of his men to reach the machine gun nest Ash was surprised to see four dead bodies laying motionlessly on the ground with their tan uniforms soaked in crimson red blood. A sudden movement caught Ash's attention and he noticed a Johto soldier scrambling for his rifle, Ash raised his rifle and aimed down the iron sights.
The soldier struggled to grab his rifle.
Ash's finger tickled the trigger.
The soldier nervously pulled back the bolt and cycled in a new round.
Ash glared down the rifle's iron sights.
The soldier looked up at Ash and the two made eye contact.
Ash pulled back the trigger.
Blood sprayed from the soldier's chest as the bullet buried itself deep into his chest killing him within seconds of being shot. The soldier's eyes widen even wider then when he saw Ash and then they suddenly were enclosed by his heavy eyelids. Taylor, Peterson, and Henderson joined by Ash's side killing three other soldiers who were attempting to flee.
"We got them-" Henderson muttered lowly with a grin as he admired how well they worked together, but before he could finish his sentence two Johto soldier emerged from a pile of their dead comrades. The first one fired two shots from his pistols into Henderson's back while the second one dug his bayonet deep into his lower back. Ash, Taylor, and Peterson all fired one shot each into the pistol wielding soldier. Killing him instantly.
The other Johto soldier began to scream loudly in fear and rage as Henderson just stood there with his mouth wide open, the Johto soldier threatening to dig the bayonet deeper into Henderson's back. The soldier knew he was cornered and there was no escape, but he obviously was fearful of being taken prisoner. Ash had no idea what he should do. If he tried cycling another round into his rifle then the Johto soldier would harm Henderson even more.
All of a sudden a figure appeared behind the Johto soldier, the figure grabbed the soldier by the back collar and threw him into the ground. Whipping out a shiny silver revolver the figure fired three shots into the fearful soldier's chest. The revolver was so powerful and so close that the bullet holes were gaping, there was no surviving those wounds.
The figure was no other then, Captain Red.
Peterson caught Henderson as he fell to the ground the dying soldier was shaking violently as it was obvious he was going to die. The rest of the company rushed over to see what was going on, Henderson coughed up blood as his eyes weakly starred up at the sky. Peterson grasped his friend tightly as he refused to let him die by himself. Red watched from afar reloading his revolver slowly, Surge ran his hands through his blonde hair shamefully, and Taylor angrily threw his helmet onto the ground. A few of the men looked tearfully at their first causality as Henderson's breathing soon came to an end.
There was silence.
"Company move out!" Red ordered loudly as he knew they could stand around for long and risk a possibly artillery strike, or being spotted by the Johto 4th Air Corps. The company did as told leaving the lifeless body of Henderson behind to be picked up by the support units that would follow. Tracey stood there his camera at hand but not wanting to take a picture of the dead teenager soldier.
"Do it," Bryson stated weakly.
"Huh?" Tracey was surprised the Lieutenant was saying this as just a day ago he was threatening him not to take any pictures of his dead men.
"The world needs to know his story and what this war will do," Bryson spat lowly as he then went on his way leading his platoon upon the mountain ridge.
Click.
The world would know Henderson's story if it was up to Tracey.