Chapter 8: Origins of Hate - Part 1
[Infirmary – Dover Base] – 2 Days Later
It's been two days; Mac and Dan were still unconscious. The Witches remained with their usual tasks and for those two days and nights some Witches took turns in watching over the duo which Minna had the most part of. Erica who told that she could wait but she didn't have the endurance and had to retire.
"I can…. still go on…" Erica insisted even though she has a hard time staying awake.
"No more Erica, give it some rest." Minna ordered and asked Trude to bring Erica to her room.
Mio was staring at the duo; it was her turn to look after the duo with Minna. The base Physician also assisted in monitoring the duo's vital signs, this became a pattern for two days.
"It's getting troublesome the longer they remain like this." Mio stated with her arms crossed.
"I know, but we tried everything we could to wake them up." Minna sighed in disappointment and thought of all their troubles.
Indeed they tried everything. From soaking them with cold water and hot water from the bath, pinching them hard enough, blowing some air on their ears, placing foul-smelling things close to their noses, making terribly loud noises such as breaking glasses, metal clanking, firing blank bullets for the loud gunshot sound and even Lucchini tried poking their faces with a stick, all but nothing worked. How unusual that Lucchini haven't seen Shirley for most of the time.
Speaking of Shirley, she has been busy lately on tuning up her Striker Unit. She improved it personally and thinks that she might break a record once a test flight has been done. Although she didn't participate in looking after the duo, she clearly shows that she cares by visiting the duo one time.
Mio's concern has been with Lynne and Yoshika for the last two days, they've been performing poorly in their training, probably because they are worried about the duo.
"Do you have any plans currently in mind Minna?" Mio asked to break silence.
"Well, the weather has been nice lately and the recent intelligence report says that the Neuroi won't be attacking anytime soon, so I guess going to the beach would be a nice idea." Minna answered plainly as she looked at the duo.
"When do you plan to announce about it?" Mio inquired.
"I was hoping to tell everyone as soon as Mac and Dan wake up." Minna looked at Mio before looking back at the duo specially Mac.
"We'll just have to wait and see huh." Mio looked at the Physician's notes.
"Yes, that's the only thing we can do right now." Minna sighed and crossed her arms.
"One thing I wanted to ask if you already submitted their enlistment to High Command." Mio asked making Minna blink her eyes.
"Mio please, I don't want to talk about it and who knows if they could hear us." Minna spoke in a worried tone.
"So it's still not official because you want them out of harm's way, are you prepared for the consequences?" Mio looked at Minna in the eye.
"They might get angry or hate me for it, but what I'm doing is only for their own safety." Minna sternly spoke.
"You really care for them huh?" Mio smiled warmly.
"This is not their world, so they shouldn't be involved in our war." Minna closed her eyes and smiled.
"As a matter of fact they already got themselves involved." Mio smirked.
"Mio, I'll do whatever it is necessary for them to survive and return to their world." Minna looked at Mio with a serious glare.
"I'm sure you will." Mio turned around and looked at the window.
Minna and Mio remained silent as they watch over the unconscious duo. Minna is still uneasy about all that she discovered and she herself is surprised that she can act normally in front of Mio.
[Mindscape – First Neuroi War]
November 30th, 1917
Cambrai, Gallia
The duo was sent to the First Neuroi War, despite both knowing that this is only a simulation of their minds. The events that happened are somehow real at some point. The manifestation of such mindscape was different than the previous one that they had on Trude's past during the Fall of Berlin. They were given bodies similar to their own and they were attached to the Karlsland 2nd army infantry division that was assigned in the attacking forces to break the Neuroi lines along the Bourlon Ridge. Of all things to consider, the most disturbing is that the battles fought were very realistic.
Sitting at the trench overseeing no man's land, Mac and Dan recalled the events that happened to them when they arrived at the Mindscape.
Mac, how long do we have to be in this mindscape? Or how long can we remain sane inside this…
I still can't believe all those shit happened.
My only concern is when we're going to wake up.
Yeah, that's one of my concerns too.
Like all brilliant plans, the Allies' strategy to retake Cambrai and the Bourlon Ridge went into the shithole very quickly. It had worked brilliantly for the first day of November 20th, as a creeping barrage of artillery fire paved the way for a rapid advance of Britannian tanks and Karlsland Storm troopers that tore through 11 kilometers of fortified Neuroi ground for only a few thousand casualties. After that though, command soon discovered that all the holes made by artillery turned the entire field into a quagmire and the Britannian Tank Corps stopped dead in its tracks as its new vehicles broke down across the front line. The Neuroi were quick to counterattack, and soon the familiar pattern of bloody trench warfare emerged and the Allies desperately tried to hold onto their newly gained ground.
By the time they realized the problem and knowing that they need to keep things going. Additional reserves have been deployed to reinforce the frontlines, fortifying the trenches and fielding more artillery pieces, MG emplacements and some 240 mm trench mortar batteries.
Of course, High Command was hardly willing to lose their latest gains in this bloody war of attrition and fresh reinforcements along with infantry Witches with some utilizing the Female variant of Mk IV Tank Striker that was based on the Mk IV Tank were rapidly funneled in to further reinforce the defensive line along with the reserve units that hasn't seen any battle including the troops and Witches from Liberion which had just mopped up the last of the Neuroi that landed in Azteca which nobody knows how the Neuroi landed there in the first place.
Also joining the soldiers heading to Cambrai were several of the air Witch Squadrons using brooms and some others using the first generation of Aerial Striker Units while wielding high caliber pistols, rifles and the new Karlsland SMGs, and a number of conventional squadrons of Biplanes from Britannia's RAF, these forces were stationed on forward bases to the north of Bourlon Ridge which is ideal for providing air support in the upcoming major offensive.
Despite this increase in troops and firepower, none of which was comforting the poor infantrymen in the forward trenches at the moment which now had the unenviable task of holding their ground against a storm of Neuroi ground forces, as some of the larger Neuroi blasted their lines with heavy lasers and Neuroi salvo soared over their heads. For now the situation is normal, they can see the Neuroi movements on a hill that is basically where those Neuroi emplacements were but those are out of the range of their field guns and mortar batteries, so they'll just have to sit and wait.
Dan looked around and sighed while they were in the safety of their trench, the tanks aren't. These tanks are the same as the WWI tanks from their world, calling the variants as Males and Females. The tanks are positioned behind the trench line with their guns pointed at the horizon. Their last engagement went well with minimal casualties thanks to these tanks. Dan looked at the right side of their trench and saw young Witches carrying heavy machineguns to be emplaced on the trenches.
That's bullshit…Witches are treated like trash.
It seems the infantry Witches are treated differently than the air Witches.
That's not fair.
I guess it's understandable; the Witches can do these menial tasks faster since they can lift heavier stuff than the regular Joes.
It's not right to have them do this kind of stuff, they're just kids!
This is war so just let it go.
No, I'll help her…
Dan stood up leaving Mac who was looking at the horizon; he raised his sleeves as he approaches a young Witch carrying a crate. The number of infantry Witches were somewhat fair, each division has their own Witch unit commanded by a Witch officer. But there are also several Witches attached to regular divisions like the Karlsland 2nd Army which has a lot in their division. The reason for this is that Witches are a big help mainly in the logistics role, their ability to haul and move stuff became of great importance in strengthening the defensive line as well as distribution of supplies in the trenches.
"Hey, let me help you with that." Dan offered his help as he reached for the crate.
"No it's okay, besides its too heavy for you. But thanks anyway." The Witch walked away smiling carrying a crate.
"Hey soldier, yeah you!" A loud yell called out and Dan looked around only to see a guy pointing a finger at him.
Dan approached the man that called him and out of respect he stood straight and saluted. The man looked at Dan from head to foot and smirked.
"What's your name soldier?" The man asked.
"Darius Bodewig, Karlsland 2nd Army." Dan introduced himself to the man who was wearing a greenish service dress with a Brodie steel helmet.
'Hmm, a Britannian' Dan thought to himself.
"Well I'll be blunt but you don't look like a Karlslander to me."
"Does it matter? I wear a Karlsland uniform as you can see." Dan raised his voice a little.
"You also speak in Britannian accent very well for a Karlslander."
"I don't mean to be rude mister…?"
"Gilbert Welsh, Britannian III Corps, 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards." The man named himself.
"Ah, so you will be joining the upcoming offensive?" Dan asked in a serious tone.
"Yes, most likely but right now we'll have to hold this bloody trench." Gilbert answered in deep tone.
Dan couldn't understand why this Gilbert sounded disappointed, but he knew that anyone would also feel the same if you are holding the frontline.
"The Witches will probably be the spearhead for the advance and we will be right behind them, I don't understand why we must put the burden to their shoulders." Gilbert added.
'If you're worried about the Witches then why don't you volunteer to be at the spearhead asshole?' Dan cursed in his thoughts.
Mac, this Gilbert guy is hitting my nerves!
Nobody told you to interact with NPCs damn it!
That's a good one!
"Anyway, I'll be returning to my trench Gilbert, it's nice to know there are people like you who cared about the Witches." Dan smiled and bid farewell.
"Hope to see you during the advance, Darius." Gilbert gave a smirk.
As Dan walked back to their trench, Mac was looking at the horizon, flashes of red are seen over the horizon and with mouth wide open and his eyes were quickly filled with terror before he yelled at the top of his lungs.
"INCOMING!" Mac screamed and ducked while holding his steel helmet.
A loud whistling sound screeches through the air for all present to hear, thus came next a thunderous explosion that shook the very ground, what heard next were cries of pain and death.
"Man the guns! They're coming for us again!" A Britannian officer screamed as his men rushed to their posts, standing on firing blocks and manning the Vickers machine guns and light "Pom-Pom" guns alike, as the three male Mark IV tanks behind the trenches steadied their sights and prepared to fire on larger targets.
"Witches form up and get to your gun emplacements, I need more guns be emplaced on the trenches. Move it, we got to hold this line in the name of the Kaiser!" A Karlsland officer barked and aimed his SMG at the advancing Neuroi horde.
"Jawohl!" the Witches saluted and ran to their posts.
Some distance ahead, they could see a wave of black shapes advancing towards them, most looked a combination of humanoid and insect-like aside from their robotic movements and laser cannons where the arms should be, some larger ones walked among the lesser Neuroi carrying what looks like an artillery piece mounted on its back. Such creatures appeared crude and slow moving but the firepower it delivered makes it an enemy to be reckoned with.
"Where in the hell did those Neuroi got those artillery weapons?" Dan asked one of the Storm troopers.
"Those must be the abandoned weapons of the Gallian Army!" A storm trooper answered.
"Witches, assemble to the front!" A Karlsland Officer ordered the Witches.
The infantry Witches are called into action and were deployed along the normal infantry battalions. They were able to hold the trench and reinforce the defense while the wounded are evacuated, MG nests were built by the Liberion Witches on the west side of the trench facing the Neuroi that advanced towards the Karlsand trench at the center, while the Britannian Third Army is located on the east of the Karlsland trench, M1917 Browning MGs and 3-inch trench mortars were also utilized.
Further behind the first trench line are series of specialized mortar batteries, these are 240mm trench mortars deployed by the Royal Britannian Artillery Corps. Exchange of salvo continued, mortar batteries roared, men fell from Neuroi salvoes and fresh reserves take their place while the Neuroi continued their slow advance. Royal Britannian Tank Corps were on defensive role as they used their guns as fire support to attack the Neuroi within their effective range.
Dan, get your ass over here now!
I'm on my way!
Mac raised his Gewehr 98 and started shooting not worrying about missing his mark because there are just so many targets he could hit an infantry Neuroi without looking. Also, thanks to their 'Instant Learner' ability they can use any equipment they get their hands on. Dan arrived and stood next to him, another explosion happened on the location where he was.
Damn, that was close. I'm gonna miss that small talk with Gilbert.
Stop dillydallying and start shooting!
Alright!
"We need artillery support!" A Britannian officer shouts at the radio.
In response, field artillery from the human lines sent a light barrage at the advancing Neuroi, tearing through dozens, and destroying a few of the Neuroi Tanks with direct hits, these Neuroi tanks were the Saint-Chamond tanks left behind or abandoned by the Gallian Army when they retreated which the Neuroi absorbed for their use. Still the rest advanced uncaring, until they were within the effective range of the MG Nests. Some of the Artillery Neuroi aimed its massive gun towards the trench and fired.
Red orbs soared above the soldier's heads as they ducked for cover, the orbs hit their mark causing a massive explosion and one of the mortar batteries were no more.
The Karlslanders roared in defiance and fired all their defense batteries; furious at the death of their brothers in arms they delivered their own barrage at the artillery neuroi to shatter their advancing horde.
The line were all mixed up, Britannian soldiers moved from their trench to assist in the Karlsland line, Liberions made flanking maneuvers, however this proved to be more difficult since the number of Neuroi that they encountered is too numerous to be flanked thus they dig in only to be blasted to nothingness by the larger Neuroi creatures.
"Open fire!" A Britannian officer yelled and the soldiers fired their guns.
The air was filled with different sounds of weapons fire. Hundreds of infantrymen aimed their rifles and fired into the oncoming wave, the machine guns were quick to join in, firing in prolonged bursts to bring down the bigger ones. Mark IV Tank guns and 3 inch field gun emplacements focused on the Neuroi tanks, bringing down several with concentrated volleys in quick succession.
"Come you aliens, show me what passes for fury amongst your misbegotten kind!" A Karlslandian Storm trooper raises his SMG and sends a full burst at the advancing Neuroi only to be hit by a stray laser that blasted his head off.
Mac ran towards the dead soldier and picked up the Karlsland SMG, he checked for ammunition in the still twitching corpse and grabs the spare mags of the SMG.
That's a cool SMG, I want one!
Wait for someone who has one to die then.
Aw rats!
The Neuroi shrugged off most of the human fire; even their standard infantry needed multiple rifle shots before going down permanently. Streams of lasers burned dozens of unfortunate soldiers who were too slow to take cover. Neuroi Tanks fired their laser cannons turning a Mark IV tank and two 3 inch field gun batteries to a burning wreck in mere seconds. Some of the bigger Neuroi over 2 meters tall, used their height advantage to fire down into the trenches targeting those manning the machine guns with its auto cannons, they were only to be downed by direct mortar fire, but still all the while the Neuroi drew closer and closer to the human lines even as hundreds of their number fell to desperate human defense.
"We're gonna need more firepower if we need to hold this." The Karlsland officer drew his pistol after his rifle ran out of bullets. "How's our line of communication?" The officer asked to his aid.
"Our lines are cut off sir; it will take time to lay down the telephone lines and reestablish communication." A storm trooper answered.
"Damn it, get me a runner fast!" The officer called out.
A runner came forward; the officer wrote something down on a piece of paper and gave it to the messenger.
"Go son, we're counting on you!"
"Jawohl!"
Mac and Dan are a few meters away from their CO.
"Sir, are we getting reinforcements anytime soon?" Mac yelled asking their CO.
"Pray that we get some, private." The Karlsland officer responded and chuckled.
As the officer raised his head to see the approaching enemy, he was hit by a stray beam and his head is now missing as the body fell on the ground twitching.
"Oh shit!" The officer's aid cursed as they looked at the dead officer.
However, the worse is yet to come as the officer's aid looked up and saw countless red orbs.
"Take cover!"
Countless red orbs coming from the Neuroi line rained down on the Karlsland trench, hitting field gun emplacements and mortar nests which also killed the people manning them in seconds including the runner that was assigned to send a message to HQ.
"Get down, keep your heads down!" Mac yelled as more men died in droves, bodies being scattered and hurled upward by the explosions. Mac kept his head low while holding his steel helmet tight as he navigates the trench. Calls for help and dying screams were echoing all around him.
Storm troopers scrambled fleeing for dear lives; some even curled themselves inside small fox holes and tunnels within the trench believing that they would be lucky enough to survive.
"Oh shit! Don't go into the tunnels!" Dan screamed as he ran toward at the tunnel entrance.
"Get out of there now!" Dan screamed before he was blown away by the shockwave from a red orb that exploded at the tunnel's entrance.
"Fuck!" Dan cursed as he rolled and crawls away from the collapsing tunnel.
Orbs exploded left and right killing or wounding soldiers and Witches alike, large chunks of debris and parts of the trenches were destroyed, however not all experienced a quick death.
"AAAAHHHHHH! HELP ME!" A soldier walking on fire screamed as he cried out in pure agony.
Mac saw this and ran towards the burning soldier; he then tackled the soldier to the ground.
"Roll damn it, ROLL!" Mac yelled as he pulls the fabric of the burning soldier's uniform without thinking about his own safety. He kept pushing the guy to roll while the exploding salvo of red orbs landed all around them.
Dan saw his friend was busy helping a soldier but noticed a red orb coming down on Mac.
"Mac, look out!" He reacted quickly, running at his best effort at the muddy ground full of blood and gore; he managed to tackle Mac to safety before the orb hits the ground killing the burned soldier and left a deep crater.
"Shit, where the fuck you've been?!" Mac asked angrily.
"Not time for questions, go go GO!" Dan pushed Mac to stand up and both ran to avoid being hit by another incoming salvo that continued to fall on the Karlslanders.
What's worse, lying around the trenches were ammunition boxes being hit resulting in violent explosions that sends deadly shrapnel within the trench killing the soldiers and Witches running for cover from the Neuroi salvo.
Dan saw the situation they are currently in and his instinct for survival kicks in.
"Crap! Not here, this way come on!" Dan pulled Mac and chose a different route, Mac saw burning ground along crates of ammunition that are on fire and waiting to explode, wounded soldiers crawling helplessly away from the crates, dead Witches full of shrapnel on their bodies and bloodied faces on the side of the trenches .
'Fuck.' Mac cursed mentally.
Another wave of salvo lands on the route that they just avoided, killing the wounded in the process.
"Keep on moving Mac, stay with me. I can't have you dying now because we need to see through this till the end alright?" Dan looked at Mac with a determined face.
"You're right; we need to survive till the end." Mac agreed and ran on the same pace as Dan.
While running they saw the helpless wounded, they can't do anything but run as the salvo keeps landing behind them, Mac grit his teeth at the sight despite knowing that this is only a simulation of sort. Dan on the other hand was covering his mouth, the sight of blood and gore is just too much for him, the bodies of the dead, the pleas for help almost warped his senses, he felt everything around him in slow motion.
Until Dan saw a group of Witches gathering the wounded at the corner of the trench line, he also saw a lone small Witch curled at the side covering her head with her hands.
"Mac go and join the group of Witches over there, I got to do something." Mac was puzzled, but he only nods in agreement.
Dan ran to the lone Witch cowering as the Neuroi salvo continued. Upon reaching her location, he extended his hand and spoke.
"Come with me if you want to live." Dan proclaimed.
"I'm scared; I don't want to be here!" The small Witch screamed in panic.
"Then move! It's dangerous here, on your feet soldier!"
Another explosion happened just 2 meters from where he's standing, focusing on his surrounding Dan couldn't explain it; his senses were at its peak, he can feel the thoughts, and these thoughts were of the dead and dying. Screaming at him to run and survive, some screaming to continue fighting, thoughts of regret, asking for forgiveness and those who also accepted their deaths. He focused again until he felt the Witch grabbed his hand.
Dan! Get over here!
Mac yelled his thoughts, bringing Dan back to his senses.
Uh, what?
Get your asses moving!
A red orb landed behind Dan which sent him into panic. He pulled the small Witch up and they ran as explosions occur all around them. The small Witch however was having trouble running.
"Alright fuck it!" Dan cursed as he scooped the little Witch by the waist.
"Ahh!" The Witch yelped.
"Hang on tight!" Dan yelled.
Red orbs landed to his front, then at his right and behind as he continue running, his eyes were teary, his face full of dirt, his body is sweating and his breathing is heavy, his adrenaline doing it's magic as he ran towards Mac.
'Come on you fool, hurry up!' Mac cursed mentally, he didn't care if Dan could hear his thoughts or not.
Mac was staring as he saw his friend being showered with near misses, but Dan still managed to run. He saw the Witches beside him were also looking, worrying about those two who were still within Death's reach.
"Witches, form up and deploy a protective shield on my signal." Mac ordered, the Witches nodded and understood.
Dan saw the group of Witches was waving at him.
Mac what the hell is going on?
Just keep running damn it!
"Please put me down!" The small Witch yelled.
"We're almost there!" Dan screamed and threw the small Witch at the feet of the gathered Witches as he slides and rolled toward the side of the Witches who stood their ground.
"Now!" Mac yelled. The gathered Witches deployed their shields, shielding the soldiers under them.
"Phew, we made it!" Dan gave a sigh of relief as he stood up.
"You did great." Mac praised.
The other pockets of survivors saw this and utilized the same manner however not all witches have strong shields and those witches died protecting the soldiers next to them when their shields failed.
"Mein Gott!" A Witch next to Mac gasped as the survivors on the other side were hit or probably dead.
Out of desperation some soldiers climbed up the trench and ran on the high ground towards Mac and Dan's location, however...
"No! Stay down!" Mac yelled at the soldiers on high ground.
Screams of soldiers were heard as they died by being shot to pieces, those who were about to reach Mac's trench were hit at the back and staggered towards him.
"Come on, just a little further!" Mac screamed and stretched his arms.
One of the soldiers made it and rolled down the trench; Mac and Dan managed to catch the soldiers fall but...
"You made it..." Mac spoke softly at the soldier who was smiling. But Mac's expression is sad as he held the soldier's hand that started to breathe heavily, the soldier was puzzled at this.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
The Witches looked away, some were crying while covering their faces. Dan and the other soldiers just stared blankly at the soldier.
"You'll be alright..." Mac spoke again.
The soldier looked at his chest and saw a burnt hole, and then his face became horrified and went into panic. Mac held his mouth and held him by the shoulder, pinning him down.
"Shhh, shhh it's gonna be alright...hey look at me, look at me." Mac spoke calmly, the soldier cried as he started to weaken.
"Are there any medic or a Witch with healing magic here?" Dan asked while looking around.
Nobody spoke even though there was a field medic present; perhaps the medic knew that it's no use.
"Uhm, urgh...hmrrrmm!" The soldier is dying as Mac kept him down while covering his mouth.
"Shh, shhh...you did well, that's all that matters." Mac looked at him in the eye and the soldier knew that he's going to die.
"Be at peace..." after Mac spoke those words, the soldier's eyes closed.
Some Witches cried, other soldiers held their heads and cursed at the loss while Dan and Mac were silent. The rest of the soldiers gathered while the Witches helped the wounded. Those who didn't make it were placed at the side of the trench.
The soldiers at the Liberion trench went frozen and horrified as their Karlsland allies were bombarded by countless orbs. The Britannian army was also shocked and terrified at what they just witnessed; they couldn't do anything but to keep silent as the Karlsland line was covered with smoke and went silent after the bombardment. Then they saw Karlsland soldiers evacuating the trench who chose to gamble and ran towards the Britannians only to be shot to pieces by the advancing enemy.
After a few minutes, visibility on the Karlsland trench is close to zero. Most of the survivors are wounded; others were in state of shock, those who relied on their fox holes and tunnels were buried alive as the tunnels collapsed on them. Witches who used their shields as an umbrella of sorts to protect the soldiers next to them are now unable to move due to fatigue and possible mental trauma upon seeing that there were too many who didn't make it. Most gun emplacements were gone, only large craters and scattered burnt remains. The trench line is broken and the Neuroi barrage left large craters enough to fit an entire platoon. There was dead silence in the Karlsland trench and only the march of the screeching Neuroi army is heard.
"What the hell just happened?" A Britannian soldier managed to speak up and asked but no answer was given.
"What do we do now sir? The Karlslanders are probably done for!" A Liberion soldier pleaded to their officer but the response was complete silence.
Mac and Dan are still struggling after they managed to get to safety. The shit storm of Neuroi salvo succeeded in smashing their line and completely disabled all of their defensive gun emplacements. The number of wounded is high with some losing body parts and in need of urgent help. The morale is abysmal as most soldiers are still in the state of shock; no one is taking command as the officers are probably KIA or MIA. The Karlsland Witches are now doing what they can to bring the wounded to safety to be treated. Luckily for them, the Neuroi army stopped their advance and switched its attention to the other lines.
A Liberion officer saw the Neuroi army turned to them.
"They're on to us! Hit them with all we've got!" A Liberion officer screamed and their line opened fire; their own field artillery barrage roared to blast the enemy and inflict heavy damage to the Neuroi army that quickly retaliates with a salvo of their own directly over their heads, but the Liberion witches were quick to react and protected their comrades with their shields. This protective shielding considerably reduced the casualties in their ranks for every salvo the Neuroi threw at them.
"The Liberions are giving them hell! We will not be outdone, avenge our Karlsland brothers!" A Britannian officer ordered sending signals to their field gun batteries to start firing. Britannian Witches were also sent along the trenches, to provide protection just like what the Liberion Witches were doing.
Back at the Karlslanders. The pockets of survivors from Mac's group were all rounded up; most of them were still dazed and confused. For most of the Witches are helping the wounded, Mac and Dan were at the site where the dead remains are piled up, both are staring at it blankly.
"Such thing like this is normal right, during the war?" Dan landed a hand on Mac's shoulder, both looking at the pile of dead remains.
"Such deaths could have been avoided...if only we were..." Mac pondered, he held his chin and breathes, and the smell of charred remains overwhelmed his thoughts. Mac held his stomach and covered his mouth.
"This is probably the best simulation ever don't you think?" Dan chuckled as he looked at their current situation. What happened next sent a chill down Dan's spine as Mac grabbed him by the neck and pulled him down towards the front facing the pile of dead.
"Look at this. Do you still fucking think that this is a damn simulation, huh?" Mac asked angrily.
"Dude, what's wrong with you? Let me go man!" Dan taps his arm.
"What's wrong? What's wrong is we could have been one of these corpses if this damn simulation was cruel, why do we need to experience this?"
"As if I know the answer, but what I know is that this happening right now is history and we are here to witness it until the end."
Mac grits his teeth as he let Dan go. He then gazed at the dead once again but this time focusing on the soldier that died in his arms earlier. He had a suspicion...
"Look man, I know you're angry but we need to..." Dan didn't manage to finish his sentence as he was hit by Mac's fist.
"Argh, what did you do that for?" Dan asked in protest.
"Is it still a simulation, how do you feel?" Mac asked as he stared down at Dan.
Dan was puzzled why but he felt the pain and it was so real, then he focused and he indeed felt everything, the air, the ground, the atmosphere, his feels the thoughts around him. He looked at Mac and became horrified. No simulation can be so realistic.
"How is this possible?" Dan asked in horror, such thing is definitely impossible.
"We need to survive, if we want to return back." Mac looked at the survivors and grits his teeth.
"Do you think we will…?" Dan asked still confused.
"If we die here, then it's over."
Dan grits his teeth, so it was real after all and there is no explanation how or why it happened to them. Mac turned around and looked at the soldiers and Witches again. He sighed and walked toward them, on his way he saw the small Witch heading toward Dan but just ignored her.
"Are you alright?" The small Witch came over to Dan.
"Yeah, I'm just a little dizzy, what's the situation?"
"Uhm, we are uh...well, we are…" The young witch stuttered, not sure what to say.
"We will continue to hold this line!" A voice roared taking the attention of the soldiers and witches, his voice also awaken the shocked troops back to sanity. The statement of the man who spoke was clear enough that even as cannon fire and explosion roared. The man who spoke was Mac.
Shit, what you are trying to say Mac? We can't hold this line anymore and we're seriously fucked, the Neuroi simply handed our asses to us! Are you shocked in the head that you can't think straight anymore?
….
"This is madness, we have no CO and we are out of options, our only choice is to retreat and regroup with the rest of the 2nd army!"
"If we leave this line, the other lines will collapse, the Liberions are fighting, the Britannians are holding as well, if we leave then they will have to leave their lines and we will have to start over again!" Mac responds.
Mac sighed and pointed at the Liberions.
"As you can see, the Witches of Liberion are utilizing their shields to protect their ranks; we should regroup and restore order in our line while the enemy is occupied." Mac explained.
"So you're in command now? You're just a private like the rest of us!" One of the soldiers asked in a weary tone.
"I don't want to die there, its hell out there!" Another soldier spoke, his voice in panic.
"Hell? There is no such thing, soldier! It's a figment of old idolatry, nothing more. We have no need for a place of horrors beyond death. The Neuroi makes it for us, here, in the real!"
"But we…" The soldier was about to respond but…
Gasps of alarm were heard when Mac pointed his pistol at the soldier who spoke. But Mac turned the gun as if handing it to the soldier.
"We cannot leave this line, we have too many wounded that we must leave behind if we are to retreat, the stakes are very high and it is not acceptable if we fail our Vaterland. If you think I am wrong then shoot me! Someone, anyone, since you've joined the Karlsland Army you have only two choices. Fight for our honor or die in glory. We are all brothers and sisters in this battle; we fight to honor our Vaterland, and we fight in the name of the Kaiser."
Silence took over until Mac spoke again.
"We have been wounded sorely. Yet still we stand, with fire in our eyes and valor in our hearts. Let them think us beaten, for now. We shall teach them otherwise."
The soldiers and Witches looked at each other before looking back again at Mac.
"Ausfstehen!" Mac yelled and all soldiers looked up.
The soldiers sitting down stood up and gathered around, those who are wounded but still able to fight also stood up; the trench is now an open wide crater. They all lined up in an organized formation. At full attention standing proud holding their weapons, the Karsland Witches followed and formed squads of their own. All attention is focused on Mac who stands in front of them.
"Brothers and sisters the battle is upon us, we know our duty and we will do it. We fight for our honor as soldiers of Karlsland 2nd Army, for our Vaterland and we fight in the name of our Kaiser! And if we die this day we die in glory. We die heroes' deaths but we shall not die no, coz it's the Neuroi who will taste death and defeat!"
Soldiers and Witches looked at him, their chins up and eyes focused and determined.
"There is no enemy! The foe on the battlefield is merely the manifestation of that which we must overcome. It is doubt, fear, and despair. Every battle is fought within. Conquer the battlefield that lies inside you, and the enemy disappears like the illusion it is."
Silence reigned in the gathering of soldiers as they listened to a mere private orating in such manner. No one opposed, no one objected, deep in their hearts they knew the man was right, it is all about duty and honor, to fight for their Vaterland in the name of their Kaiser.
Dan walks to the front and he was carrying a pole. When Dan raised the pole, it was revealed to be a Battle Standard, the left side is the torn war flag of Karlsland, white became dirty and the black cross stained with burnt marks, it still had the black eagle inside the circle and the insignia of the Karlsland Forces, while the right side hangs the National Flag of Karlsland, the red flag with black cross at the center, the very symbol of Karlsland.
"This is our Battle Standard; I will require a Witch to be the Standard Bearer!"
"I will!" a small Witch walked to the front. The same Witch that Dan saved from the barrage.
"Do you realize the duty and honor of being the Standard Bearer?"
"I don't really understand it sir, but I feel like I need to carry that banner, I will take it to the front, I will protect it with my shield, I will keep it safe, keep it raised and show everyone who we are."
"Well said, but we don't need to tell our names to our enemies, we are all here gathered for a single purpose, to fight the enemies of humanity, we are the Karlsland's finest, we are the hammer of the Kaiser, we name ourselves the Imperial Guard of Karlsland! By our might we shall crush our foes; we will demolish everything that stands in our way even if we have to level an entire mountain!"
The soldiers looked at one another, puzzled at what the man just said.
Yes, the Imperial Guard.
Mac pointed at the people at the front, he selected four individuals. All are tasked to bring messages to different areas. One is tasked to run towards the Liberion trench, the other one tasked to run towards the Britannian line, two are tasked to send the message to the whole Karlsland trench for reestablishing order.
Dan I need you to do something for me.
That was an epic speech man, where did you learn to orate like that.
Never mind about my speech you need to do something.
Okay shoot it.
Here are your objectives…
Over time, as the battle continued to rage on the Liberion and Britannian lines, many in the Karsland trench are thankful that the Neuroi have divided its forces and focused on two separate fronts, giving the Karlsland line the chance to reorganize their positions.
This still however puzzled Mac of all things to consider why the Neuroi stopped their attack? As the Karsland troops regain their firing positions, and established makeshift emplacements, Mac gave the order not to fire unless they are being fired at. This also gave Mac the idea that the Neuroi's combat directive is to attack at the direction of where the shot was fired. He suspected this is the case and by concentrating on the battle ahead, he noticed it while watching the ongoing battle at the Liberion lines.
I have a bad feeling about this Mac.
You'll do it anyway right?
Yeah sure, are you sure you can handle this without me?
I'll manage; victory will be ours if you succeed in your mission.
Godspeed, don't die brother.
Same to you.
Mac returned his gaze at ongoing battle and observed the Neuroi attacking the Liberion trench. The Neuroi fires in rapid succession at every gun emplacements that fire at them. The Liberion Witches were quick to react and shielded them, the riflemen attacks and ducks after firing, for every human fire, the Neuroi quickly retaliates. It goes the same with artillery and mortar batteries, each salvo is returned with red orbs being thrown at them from the Neuroi positions, Liberion deployed their reserve Witches to act as a protective umbrella for their mortar batteries.
With the information he gathered, he chose to gamble all the resources in hand.
"It's time to change our battle doctrine." Mac spoke and selected the soldiers that look competent to lead their own squads.
"Just how are we going to do that, acting officer sir?" An acting squad leader asked.
"A battle for supremacy against many foes is a battle of the best kind. There are few considerations, only those concerning where to place your next shot. It is war in its purest form." Mac explains as he drew lines on the ground.
"But sir our numbers are few and…."
"We may be few, and our enemies many. Yet so long as there remains one of us still fighting, one who still rages in the name of duty and honor, then by the Kaiser and our Vaterland, mankind shall yet know hope." The Karlslanders within earshot smiled at Mac's words. There is still hope for them after all.
On the Britannain trenches, the Britannians are giving all they've got but the number of Neuroi doesn't seem to go down. While at the Liberions, they are completely hammered salvo after salvo of Neuroi bombardment. For every bombardment, they must take cover and when they do the Neuroi advances, this attack pattern of the Neuroi worked as they close in to the Liberions. The Witches are starting to get exhausted by protecting their comrades as well as their defensive batteries.
"We're already at our limit, the Neuroi are giving us hell!" An officer yelled.
"But we can't just leave this line, the Britannians are going to leave theirs too if we retreat! Then the whole line will collapse and it will again take a lot of lives and resources to retake the damn line!"
"Think about this, if we don't fall back we will end up like the Karlslanders!" Another officer spoke.
"No! I will defend this line even if it's the last thing I do, and ya'll do the same!" The senior officer barked.
The words delivered by the Liberion officer somehow had a huge effect in the soldiers who heard it. As the battle continued, the more the Neuroi continued their ruthless assault, the more the defenders held their lines…in heroic fashion.
The Karlslanders gathered, ready to charge at the hated foes.
Soldiers stood formation holding their loaded rifles with bayonets attached. Witches lined up in front of the soldiers. A lone Witch stands in front of them holding a Battle Standard. A soldier raised a flare gun; the soldiers stood proud, eyes locked to their front, gripping their weapons waiting to bring death on the alien filth.
Mac walked in line with the front row. He looks at them in the eye as he passed them, he was sure that this could be their last fight. Even if he dies here, he wants to make a difference; if Minna didn't want them to get involved in the war then at least they became part of history.
He took a deep breath and raised his SMG on his shoulder as he walk.
"What is the terror of death? That we die with our work incomplete. What is the joy of life? To die knowing our task is done. I stand alongside soldiers of honor, and the soldier who acts out of honor cannot fail. His duty is honor itself. Even a soldier's death-if it is honorable-is a reward and can be no failure, for it has come through duty. Seek honor as you act, and you shall know no fear. So remember this... for a soldier the only crime is cowardice."
The shot is fired and the signal flare flies up for all to see.
"Für den Kaiser!" Mac roared and ran out of the trench.
A wave of Witches and soldiers rushed out of the former Karlsland trench yelling and focused on charging the Neuroi. For the Liberions it was suicidal, for the Britannians it was madness but for the Karlslanders it was glorious because here they just made a fine example of the first ever Karlsland version of the Japanese banzai charge in the First Neuroi War and no one even know it except Mac.
The Neuroi turned toward their attackers and took aim however they didn't fire as their enemy is not firing at them, Mac's suspicion was right after all, the Neuroi directive is clear only to fire at the enemies that fire at them.
As the Karlslanders closed in, the Neuroi formed up while still being fired upon by the Liberions and Britannians, they staggered and are confused, and their combat directive is not prepared for the humans' bold move.
The Liberion and Britannian Witches watched as they saw a small Karlsland Witch at the front of the charge, her small frame is dwarfed by the Battle Standard that she's holding and yet there she was, fearless and determined to bring the fight to the Neuroi.
"What in the bloody horse's ass are these Karlslanders thinking?!" A Britannian officer barked as he looked at his binoculars. The Britannians couldn't believe how bold the Karlslanders were.
"The Karlslanders have lost it sir, they're gonna get themselves killed." A Liberion soldier spoke in the Liberion side.
"Mhmm, No, I think not." The Liberion officer disagreed.
The distance was now at 50 yards and the Neuroi is still not firing, the threat of the advancing humans is minimal as they considered the charging humans are only carrying spears and clubs. The spears are actually long rifles with bayonets while the clubs are either SMGs or 3 inch mortars being carried by soldiers.
"Remember my brothers! You are not to fire until I tell you, CHARGE!" Mac roared pointing his SMG forward.
As the continuous firing of the Liberions and Britannians succeed to inflict further damage to the confused Neuroi and with the Karlslanders already within reach. The Neuroi attempts to adapt in this new battle doctrine, they began to break formation and divided.
"Halten!" Mac yelled and the soldiers with long rifles formed a single line, behind them were Witches.
"Let's show the Britannians and Liberions how to fight this war!" Mac raised his SMG and aimed at the Neuroi.
"Waffen bereit!" A leading soldier yelled.
The soldiers raised their rifles and aimed, the soldiers got the Neuroi on their sights as the Neuroi staggers.
"Feuer!" Mac fired his SMG and all guns followed.
The Neuroi infantry at the front fell, the second line of Neuroi aimed its arms only to be shot down by the next line of riflemen again. The Karlslanders utilized a 2 man rifleman formation; the first line will fire and reload as the second line advanced and open fire. This repeated strategy resulted in a continuous firing as they move forward. With the new battle doctrine, the Karlslanders were closing in slowly and downing Neuroi with deadly precision.
"Again, feuer!"
Volleys of shots from a line of riflemen unleashed their deadly combined fire. This continuous firing lasted for 10 minutes of delivering death to the Neuroi. But it wasn't meant to last as Mac knew and expected.
The Neuroi line managed to adapt to this tactic quickly and divided their formation again to focus on the nearest threat, they aimed to fire at the Karlslanders. This was what Mac was prepared for; the Karlsland Witches came out of the formation and ran into the front of their line to protect their brothers.
"Witches, Phalanx Formation!"
The Neuroi fired its weapons only to clash with a wall of magic shields deployed by the Karlsland Witches, the Neuroi paused to analyze the situation, and this was something new again for them. The Liberions and Britannians saw what the Karlslanders did, it was brilliant.
"The Karlslanders have done it, let's go!" The Liberion Officer barked and raised his fist.
"Go to where sir?" A soldier asked nervously.
"To charge at the enemy of course, for FREEDOM!" The Officer yelled as he ran out of the trench.
Liberions charged and left their trench. Liberion Witches were at the front deploying their shields to meet the incoming Neuroi fire. Flags and banners were raised like the battles of old. The Karslanders saw this and increased their morale as the battle will be close and personal with the Neuroi.
"Those bloody yanks, they're asking for their deaths!" A Britannian officer cursed.
"What do we do now sir?" A Britannian soldier asked.
"Send message to HQ and ask for reinforcements, the rest of you for now will provide artillery support to them."
"But Sir, our communication line has been cut off after the barrage."
"There is always a way son." The officer smirked and pointed at the small wooden boxes on the side of the trench that looked like ammo crates, these boxes however contained something else.
"Pigeons?" The soldier yelled and took a piece of paper to write a letter.
"Have it released as soon as we joined the fray…."
"Yes sir!" The soldier saluted.
"Alright you blokes, follow me to glory! All hail…." The Britannian officer called out.
"BRITANNIA!" The Britannian soldiers responded roaring and ran out of their trench to join the fight.
Messages were delivered by war pigeons to Allied HQ that the Karlslanders charged at the enemy with the Liberions and Britannians followed; this however infuriated the Generals of the said armies. The news also spread like wild fire not only to officers but also to the new arrivals at the front. It also succeeded in reaching the other bases near Cambrai, particularly the Airbases to the north and several forward bases near the border of Cambrai.
"What are those soldiers thinking?" The Liberion General asked.
"It seems we will have to move ahead of schedule." The Karlsland Field Marshall held his chin as he looked at the tactical map. "Prepare my field car; I'm going to the front." He pointed at a Karlsland soldier. "Send word to all our forces on standby and get ready to move out."
"Jawohl."
But the Britannian General was skeptic about this.
"I will not commit my tanks in a rash move, our tanks will take the major role in the upcoming offensive and I will not let them be destroyed because of soldiers who disobeyed the order to hold the line."
The Liberion and Karlsland General looked at the Britannian, both showed anger.
A guard came inside the Command HQ and saluted.
"Sir, a runner from the Karlsland 2nd Army has arrived sir."
The Karlsland Field Marshal blinked in surprise.
"Let him through."
"Jawohl."
The soldier came in and saluted.
"You've come a great distance to report son, tell me what message you have brought us?"
"Sir, our soldiers are now going to take the Hill 212, we will need the support of the Britannians tanks to make this work, and we are also taking the field just down the Hill 212 where the Neuroi artillery emplacements are located, what's left of the 2nd Army joined with the Liberions to take down those Neuroi emplacements with support from the Britannian 3rd Army. We request the quick deployment of tanks and air support to take the hill."
"This is absurd, without my tanks you won't be able to take that hill, I didn't agree on this plan. I will not let my tanks be destroyed in this operation for they will have a crucial role in the upcoming offensive."
There were several growls heard inside the tent.
"The soldiers will indeed fail if you do not send your tanks damn it." The Liberion General spoke up.
"Like I said, I will not send my tanks only to be destroyed."
The soldier who brought the message chuckled.
"I don't think something is funny son." The Liberion General spoke.
"Permission to speak, sir?" The soldier asked as he looked at the Karlsland Field Marshal.
"Permission granted."
The soldier looked at the Britannian General and smirked.
"Victory often rests on the correct weaponry being in the right place and at the right time. Even the most destructive weapons of war are worthless if absent from the battle, such claim that your tanks will have a crucial role in this war can only be proven in battle."
The Britannian General was silenced and made the Liberion General laugh loudly.
"Well said son, tell me...what is your name soldier?" The Karlsland Field Marshall asked.
"Sebastian Yarrick, sir." Dan chuckled mentally as he used a fake name.
"Now Private Yarrick, can you tell me who leads our men out there in the field?" The Field Marshall asked and Dan aka Yarrick smirked.
"That would be Private Ursarkar Creed, sir." Dan answered.
"That guy has the guts to rally your troops that way and also managed to influence our boys and the Britannians to join them?" The Liberion General spoke praising the accomplishments of 'Creed'.
"Yes sir, he sure knows how to do just that." Yarrick agreed.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go and save our boys." The Liberion General spoke as he rushed out of the tent.
Dan could only smirk at this as he followed the Field Marshal out of the tent. This could get interesting.
'The cavalry is on it's way Mac, hang in there.' Dan thought.
A/N: I have no excuse, just an apology...
Sorry because it took so long to post this Chapter.