A/N: Ahh... well, you guys must be getting irritated that the original SSS are not appearing. But didn't I say that you guys must be patient? 2 more chapters! Wait for 2 more chapters! In the mean time, just sit back, relax, and enjoy the battle scenes.
Angel Beats!
What We Live For
Operation 42
Battle of the Valley
"Move out!"
"Steel battalion is going first!"
"All soldiers to your transports!"
The movements of the SSS2 as they rushed to their designated places was a certain sight to see. Tanks of Guild were starting to move out by squadrons. Assault troops were heading into the APCs and the military trucks that were used to move supplies.
"Fifth Assault group is to use APCs 50 and 51!"
"Fort groups can use the tanks as transports!"
"We need more transports!"
"More trucks are en route!"
As the soldiers piled into their transports, those who were still waiting for their own transports were each doing their own last minute preparations. Some were stuffing additional ammunition into their packs or vests. Others were writing letters or carving their names on stones, leaving them behind at the centre of the Fortress where a mountain of similar letters, personal belongings, stones with markings on them and other things were laid out in a ring around the spot where Kyou made her speech. The place where they had thrown away their lives or any hope of survival. These artefacts would be the only proof that they lived, that they had fought and died, that they, as the SSS2, were once here. Kyou did not really think it was necessary to put it around the spot she made her speech, but whatever makes them happy or satisfied, she guessed. Another group of Assault members were going through some sort of 'pep-talk' by their squad leader.
"We're going in with the first wave! We're going to hit them fast, hard and deep in their nether regions where the Sun probably doesn't want to shine there anyway!"
The 'drill-sergeant' classic type of squad leader. Just where did they come out from anyway?
"Our enemy is big, mean and ugly! The moment you drop you will be waist deep in their waste droppings! And you will love it! Am I clear soldiers? !"
"SIR! YES SIR!"
The squad of fifty shouted back.
"Good! You kill anything that doesn't look remotely human, black in shape or is one hell of an ugly NPC, YOU GET ME? !"
"WE GET YOU SIR!"
"GOOD! Now get in your transports! Do you apes want to live forever? !"
Kyou watched as the squad rushed towards their own APC transports. She shook her head, thinking that she might have pumped them up too much. She noticed over at the side where Yamato was checking her weapons next to her tank. Kyou walked over, letting several trucks cross before she headed into the tent of the current Guild leader's tank. Mechanics were rushing to and fro, finishing up any last-minute adjustments and problems. Still, Yamato had made her tank into one hell of a mean looking machine, with rocket launchers, gatling guns, front spikes and even two secondary turrets mounted on each side. Which tank needs a secondary turret?
"You're heading in with the first wave as well?"
Kyou asked as Yamato strapped her giant cannon to the back of her tank.
"Someone has to make the last minute adjustments to the tank formations on the ground. Besides, I belong on the front lines"
Yamato smirked, pointing to the black band of the Guardians tied around her arm. Kyou sighed, but smiled anyway.
"I guess that's also what makes you a great leader."
"That makes me a battle maniac of a leader. Nice speech by the way."
Yamato pointed out, walking over to the side and putting on her own vest, slotting ammunition magazines into the proper holders on the vest.
"Don't remind me."
Kyou muttered as Yamato slotted a fresh clip into her pistol and holstered the gun.
"There are no clear definitions on what a good leader is and is not. There isn't anyone who can tell you what you said or did was right or wrong. It is all up to you, how you interpret your own actions and how everyone else reacts to it. In this case, everyone seems pumped up so I guess it was worth it."
Was it really? Kyou would not really know. Maybe she would never know.
"Anyway, looks like this conversation will have to wait. It's time for me to go."
Yamato said, strapping on her helmet and climbing up her tank.
"Yeah... be careful out there."
"No worries."
Yamato replied with a thumbs up.
"See you on the other side."
With that, Yamato disappeared into the tank and the hatched closed. The tank roared to life as the mechanics scrambled to close off all hatches and detach the fuel pump. Yamato's tank, Hammer 1, jerked forward a little before it started off, rolling out of the tent and off to join the remainder of Hammer battalion. Kyou closed her eyes. The battle has begun. Her eyes opened once more, showing her own determination, her own resolve.
"You go to your battlefield... I'll go to mine."
As they moved through the snow covered forest, the silence that befell the entire army was suffocating. No one spoke a word. Only the roars of the engines of the vehicles cut through the dead of silence. The trucks rolled in line after the tanks that took the front, ploughing the snow ahead for the trucks and ground troops to walk through easier. The pace was slow enough for the ground troops to keep up their walking pace but fast enough that everyone needs to move in order to catch up. The mass movement of the entire SSS2 was like a mass migration but the air of the SSS2 was nothing like that. The air was heavy, dead, and silent. They were prepared, motivated by Kyou's speech. But they all knew the truth in her words. That most, if not all, would not make it out alive. A young Fort defender looked up to the cloud covered sky as he sat on the back of a T-74 tank. And then he opened his mouth as he started to sing a little.
[Tune from Over The Misty Mountains (Cold) by Howard Shore]
"Over the hills and great mountains tall.
Through valley streams and down endless falls."
Some looked up as they heard the song. One by one, they started to join in with the song.
"The lands of dead, and fields of red.
Of plains are wide, claims of an ocean tide."
The soldiers in the trucks sang in a low, solemn tune as their transports bumped across the fields.
"The screams of torture goes into the night.
As we climb ever reaching endless heights."
The guild drivers began to sing along, adding accompaniment to the song. Their song echoed throughout the silent forest, hallowing to their uncertain future.
"The trees were mourning, ablaze with time.
Through canyons old, all life shall fold."
The soldiers sang as they marched, trudging through the thick snow. The slow melody laden heavy with their wishes, their despair, their life, their soul... their beats.
"Dead with pain, and sadness hold.
March with honour, we face the cold."
Yamato stayed silent as she listened to the song the soldiers sang that was broadcast all over the network. She would not stop them. She had no reason to. She simply sat there, listening silently to their song. Their requiem.
"We face our future while stained with blood
We lost our homes, our friends to floods."
The funeral march. The song to lay down those who had passed. It was a song well sung for Fort defenders as a parting song for their fallen. It was a song all knew within them.
"The swords holler out our pain
We naught to lose and no less to gain.
Our banner rose high, so we may die
Our ways parting through our tears and cry."
The soldiers of Assault sung as they marched.
"Our shields lay battered and torn
Rest our easy our souls of worn.
The grand shadow of our walls
Lay scattered shadowed once tall."
Defenders of Fort looked high as their voices sought the sky.
"The hammers that stoked the tongues of fire
Spread our sins through straits and dire.
Through halls of guild, our lives we build
Carve through darkness and red stained fields."
Members of Guild hummed along with the tune.
"From shadows our eyes we spy on lies
Enemy and friends we see all ties.
Darkness of corners we shall find
To all evil and failings we shall bind."
The spies of Intelligence joined in.
"We call upon all to set eyes of us
Be blind to all else that moves thus.
Run through halls we survive war
Not for power or riches galore."
Survivors of Diversion sang strongly in chorus.
"We march through hell, till the tome of bells
Ring through valleys and hills shall tell.
Our deeds spread across this land
Hear our cries sweep across the sands.
Kingdoms rise and fall on time's whim
But we survive and endure though hope is dim.
See our light in darkness does flicker
The test of time will make us bicker.
But stand tall we shall
For we shall fight or fall.
Thrown to strife, war is our life.
We face the darkness within our hearts.
As we keep marching on, Glory awaits the dead.
Glory awaits the dead."
The tanks stopped dead in their tracks, halting in one long line. The troops stopped their march, taking up positions next to their armoured comrades. The engines of the transports hummed dully as the entire SSS2 stopped before the line. The front line. Yamato popped the hatch open of her tank and stuck her head out. They had not yet reached the school grounds but they were close. This was the front-line An SSS2 soldier ran towards Yamato's tank from the direction of the school. It was a scout from the advance party. The scout stopped by the tank and saluted Yamato.
"Ma'am, glad to see you have arrived."
The scout said.
"How's the situation?"
Yamato asked, taking the binoculars that dangled around her neck and peering through them.
"The enemy is too numerous to even count. It seemed that they had sensed your approach and have begun to make their move. They are pushing forward into the forest to this position even as we speak."
The scout replied. Yamato could see the enemy. The dark mist like bodies of the Shadows. Their blood red bead-like eyes that seemed to pierce through her soul. But she would deter.
"I don't see any Angels."
Yamato noted out loud.
"Yes, it seemed that only Shadows are being used to attack as they are more numerous. All Angel type enemies are currently being concentrated on the school grounds together with the remaining Shadows."
"Hmm..."
Yamato pondered on this move. It was an extremely basic battle tactic and would not be unheard of in most gaming AI programs. But this sort of thing was a little too complex. There was a mastermind controlling these enemy troops. Yamato put her binoculars away, letting the chilling winds frost her breath.
"... It's like a black storm."
She muttered, describing the enemy that were heading their way.
"Reports indicate over a million Shadows are with this enemy force."
The scout added. A million. That sounded right.
"So ten for each man... sounds interesting."
Yamato smiled at that thought. Maybe it was just her mind that snapped, or did this truly not even faze her? No matter, they will fight, no matter what. She tapped her comms unit on her helmet, connecting to all SSS2 within range.
"Attention, this is Commander Kusanagi. The enemy is right before us and though they outnumber us, do not be afraid. We have enough fire-power to stop them and even push them back. Do not falter. All tanks, prepare high explosive rounds. All ground troops are to deploy themselves around the tanks. All artillery guns are to take aim and fire only on my mark. Is that clear?"
'"YES MA'AM."'
Came the unified reply. Yamato nodded and went back into her tank, closing the hatch above her head as she began to turn the weapons systems of her tank on.
"All fire teams are to prepare for close quarters combat."
She ordered through her comms unit while turning the targeting system for her rockets to full wide scan range.
"I need all artillery batteries to fire upon the coordinates I'm about to give. Yoshika, upload the coordinates 500 metres straight ahead of our position. A full swipe."
"Aye ma'am."
"Yamato is to continue course to point Echo. Do not engage with current force, I repeat, do not engage."
'"Understood."'
The reply from the battleship came in. Yamato nodded and tapped her comms unit once more while she flipped a few more switches.
"Systems online, missiles are active. Guns loaded. Command, this is Hammer 1, we have enemy in sight are preparing to engage, how copy over?"
Forward Base Command Post, Mobile Command unit vehicle 'Avalon'
Kyou took up the speaker and replied through it.
"This is command, we hear you loud and clear. Preliminary reports show that the enemy is spread out across the entire field and may overrun your position."
Kyou said, looking over the war map on the tactical table within the mobile command unit. The mobile command unit was a custom built command post from large shipping containers and placed upon a truck with a tank's engine to run it. It was like a portable office, complete with radar units, real-live updating tactical maps and even a coffee machine. Coffee is really important to Kyou. Taking a sip as she looked over the screen that displayed the area of 100 Kilometres in diameter. Blue dots represented friendly forces whilst red would represent enemies. Simply and efficient. Several members of Fort's strategy squad who survived the battles before, joined Kyou in the command unit and were discussing plans and ideas. Most of them would be in-charge of issuing immediately strategies to counter small skirmishes and had control of over a small group of units. Kyou and Yamato, however, had overall command.
'"... So what do you suggest?"'
Yamato asked over the comms. Kyou looked up to the strategists of Fort who began using thin canes to tap the screen where lines etched themselves on screen as the cane was dragged across its surface. Kyou monitored the plans drawn up by the strategists for a moment before she replied.
"Get the 70th battalion East up the slope. Have them deal with the right flank. Get thunder battalion to deal with the Western flankers."
'"Thunder battalion is meant to thin out the enemy heading straight for us. If you focus their attack away from-"'
"It's fine. I've got that covered."
'"Got that covered? ... Fine, I'll trust you on this."'
"Not going to ask?"
Kyou mused. Yamato snorted over the line.
'"Huh, since it's you it should be fine. Just make sure whatever you've got planned isn't late. The front-line would not be able to withstand a straight-on attack like this."'
Kyou could only smile at that as she eyed the screen where several dots were coming in from the West of the enemy forces. While the screen showed them as being unknown, Kyou knew exactly who they were.
"Don't worry, I will get you covered."
Western Point, 100 km from front lines
Running, running as fast as they could, the large group charged through the thick snow.
"Hurry! We must pick up the pace!"
"But ma'am! We can't run any faster!"
"Shut up! You can run and you WILL run faster!"
She snapped back. She gritted her teeth, only hoping that the worst has yet to come.
"Come on... let us make it in time!"
Front-lines
It was tense. Everyone had loaded their weapons and aimed it forward, expecting the enemy to come within sight at any moment. No one spoke a word, the silence was like a knife, cutting through the nerves of every single person on the field. Yamato continued to look through the scope of the tank, zooming in a few km ahead of her own position. She could see them, thundering towards them like a dark swarm of demons. But they weren't in range yet. Almost. If Kyou did not divert the artillery away, those Shadows would have been craters by now. But Kyou had a plan. She always did. For now, she had to concentrate on the enemy ahead. She looked away from the scope, turning to the computer screen next to her. They need to be at least 50 km away.
"Remember boys! Don't fire till you see the whites in their eyes!"
She overheard a voice from outside shout.
"But captain, their eyes don't exactly have any whites."
"... You know what I mean!"
Yamato sighed, shaking her head in dismay.
"Commander, enemy is within range!"
Wataru, Yamato's gunner reported. Yamato nodded, looking back through her visor scope. The enemy's range was indicated through the visor and the target indicator turned red. They were in range. She tapped her comms unit.
"Hammer 1 to all units. Enemy is within range. And units, choose your targets and wait for my signal."
'"Roger"'
Came the unified reply. She turned to her screen, activating all rockets and preparing the trajectory data. She peered through her scope once more, locking in the data for the rockets to link up with her visor's scope. 40... 30... 20... She could hear the rumbles of the enemy as the dark swarm of Shadows charged without hindrance through the snow covered hills. But she will stop them. She will stop them here no matter what.
"... All units, FIRE!"
BOOM
BOOM
BOOM
The tanks fired their explosive rounds, causing the ground to rumble. The explosive rounds impacting and creating blasts that engulfed the enemies around the point of impact.
"Fire!"
The infantry opened up their guns and rocket launchers, felling any Shadows that were left standing from the initial wave. But a swarm of dark beings like the Shadows never rest. More came to fill in the ranks of the fallen, charging faster and more ferocious than before. Like a hive of insects, they charged without care for their own individual safety. They only hungered for the lives of the SSS2.
"Don't give them time to breathe!"
"They don't breathe in the first place!"
"Then don't give them a reason to start!"
Yamato scanned the targets through her scope, the computer's targeting computer immediately signalled a lock-on status.
"We have target-lock, hell-fire missiles, fire!"
Yamato flipped the switch as the rockets on the side of her tank flew out into the air, sailing through the sky before shooting straight for their targets, causing large bursts of explosions.
'"Enemy forces breaching in from the East."'
'"Iron battalion is on it."'
'"Target in sight."'
'"Frag them."'
Iron battalion moved up from the rear, engaging a group of Shadows that diverged from the main group and attempted to flank the front lines.
"Hammer 1 to all Hammer. We've got them pressed. Move up."
Yamato ordered.
'"Yes commander."'
"Yoshika, full throttle."
'"Hammer 4, engaging."'
'"Hammer 3, moving up."'
'"Hammer 10, you're too far ahead."'
'"Hammer 8! You're still using explosive rounds! We're going in for close quarters!"'
Yamato's tank shuddered as the next round was fired.
"Are the rockets ready? !"
"Not yet ma'am!"
Wataru shouted back. She gritted her teeth.
"Load next round! FIRE!"
'"Steel Battalion, moving in to assist Hammer Battalion."'
'"This is Vice Battalion, the commander needs help. Moving up."'
Both Steel and Vice battalions moved up with their ranks, following in the Hammer's stead. More tank battalions began to push forward, encouraged by the advancement of their leader. But the enemy was still fighting strong, unwavering and unrelenting, forcing the tanks advancement to be slow. The infantry followed closely with the tanks, firing as they moved through the deep snow.
'"Target in kill-zone."'
'"Reign Battalion, lock-on targets... Launch all rockets."'
The entire Reign Battalion unloaded their rockets into the air, raining fire down on their targets. The troops forced their way forward, pushing through the enemy as hard as they could, gaining ground inch by inch. The Shadows were tough, fighting back despite being severely injured.
'"Enemy flanking from the East!"'
'"Knife battalion, moving to cut off enemy forces."'
'"Enemy in range."'
'"Keep fragging them!"'
'"Hostile down, engaging next target."'
'"Load explosive rounds."'
'"Primary target eliminated-"'
'"Secondaries!"'
'"Infantry squads, move up to support."'
'"Javelin Battalion, engaging."'
'"All tanks are to move up! Fill in the gaps and don't let any Shadow through!"'
'"Enemy! 20 degrees, right!"'
'"Target acquired and engaging!"'
'"Fire!"'
The battle was on the offensive, the combined push of the tanks from Guild with the infantry forces of Assault and Guild ensured that the Shadows were not gaining any ground that they had lost. But the enemy was not going down without a fight.
'"Anvil two has been swarmed! Get out of there!"'
'"W-we can't! They're breaking through- AHHHH!"'
'"Argos Battalion! Pull out of there! Those are Blasters! They'll blow through your tanks in one blast!"'
'"Argos 4 is down!"'
'"Dagger Battalion is taking heavy fire!"'
'"Axe Battalion, moving up to assist."'
'"C-Cannibals!"'
'"Use corrosive rounds!"'
'"They're too close!"'
'"Where are the infantry? ! We're getting swarmed out here!"'
'"Those cannibals are too tough! Our rounds just keep bouncing off!"'
Yamato gritted her teeth as the enemy was starting to adapt and fight back. The infantry, who were suppose to provide cover for the tanks in close quarters, were being pushed back due to the presence of Spawners, sending large numbers of small Shadows against the infantry. Blasters, suicidal Shadows, were detonating themselves against the tanks, destroying each tank with one detonation to the right area. Cannibals, the wretched Shadows that feed on the bodies of its own and foes alike, were almost as tough as solid concrete blocks after they had fed on a few bodies. The Shadows were pushing back, hard. The infantry were being swarmed, tanks were being isolated and destroyed and still no sign of the reinforcements Kyou promised.
'"Don't let them get the better of us!"'
'"Where are the reinforcements? !"'
'"We've been left here to die!"'
The morale of the troops was faltering fast. She needed to do something, as the leader of the front lines
"Reinforcements will come! I believe in Kyou and all of you should as well. Reinforcements will come, so just hold out!"
She snapped through her comms unit. Turning around, she primed and armed the second set of rockets.
"Hammer 1, firing!"
She let the missiles fly, sending many more Shadows burn in a fiery death but it did not seem enough. More and more Shadows were appearing.
"Tch, the rounds really do bounce off."
Yamato muttered as one of her corrosive rounds literally ricochet off the tough hide of the Cannibal and exploded harmlessly elsewhere.
'"Then you'll need a bigger round. This is Viking Battalion moving up, you boys might want to move out of the way."'
The Viking battalion of P-1000 Rattes moved up, digging up the earth as they pushed forward across the field. Armed with more guns than a Fort defender's dream gun nest, each Ratte had additional infantry standing on it, using machine guns mounted on the sides to fire down at any stray Shadows that dared to charge at it.
'"All Vikings, lets pave the road."'
'"All cannons loaded. FIRE!"'
The Rattes opened fire, each round literally punching holes through the enemy lines before exploding. The sheer force from their guns was enough to pierce not only the tough exteriors of the upgraded cannibals, but it had enough force to bowl over all others that stood around the trajectory path of the round. The sheer force of the guns had forced the Rattes to sink deeper into the snow than they already were.
'"Viking 1 to Hammer 1. We'll buy the Battalions time to reorganise the line."'
Yamato heard through her comms.
"Hammer 1 to Viking, don't you dare die on me."
'"Wouldn't even dream of it, ma'am."'
Yamato sighed, looking over to the tactical map. She needed to reorganise the line. With the Shadows breaking through at different points, it was hard to
"Hammer 1 to all call signs, reform back the line. Viking Battalion will buy us time to push the enemy back and get back on the offensive."
'"Yes ma'am"'
"Steel battalion, pull back to point Echo-4."
'"On it."'
"Javelin Battalion, round about to sector Tango and provide firing support for Argos Battalion. Argos Battalion, pull out as soon as Javelin gets there."
'"We'll try ma'am!"'
'"Javelin Battalion, Solid copy, command. Moving up to assist Argos."'
"Vector Battalion, unload at point Alpha. Tell them it's time."
'"At once, command."'
At the rear of the front lines
The driver flipped the switch on the panel above his head and turned around to face the passengers who sat silently in his APC.
"All right, it's time to hit dirt. Hold on to your seats ladies and gentlemen, it's going to be a bumpy ride."
All of his passengers remained silent, each taking out their own weapons in response to the driver.
"Well, that's one way to tell someone you're itching for a fight."
The driver smiled wryly to his co-driver.
"They were never one to talk much anyway."
His partner replied as he turned the auto-cannon turret on while pulling down the visor for the forward camera.
"Sigh, so let's get this show on the road."
The driver said, switching his comms unit's frequency.
"Vector 1-1 to all Vectors, we're moving up. I repeat, we are Oscar-Mike. Point Alpha. Stay in formation."
'"Vector 1-3, roger."'
'"Vector 1-7 solid copy Vector 1-1."'
The entire convoy of APCs started to move in unison, moving through the ranks of tanks and infantry units that were between them and the front lines. Although these tank and infantry units were ready to fight, it was probable that Yamato would not let them engage the enemy, not here. She would save their strength for the final push. Tanks and infantry moved out of the way, letting the APCs pass at full speed.
"Speed is looking good. How are the auto guns?"
The driver asked his co-driver. The co-driver continued to look through the visor whilst making adjustments on the console before him.
"Some dumb mechanic placed the wrong ammunition in turret 2. Looks like it won't fire."
"Well, the armour plating on this APC should hold out. ETA to drop point Alpha."
"Five minutes, ten clicks out."
The driver smiled at the answer.
"All right then, it's time to push it. Vector 1-1 to all Vectors, we're going in. Stay in your lanes, full throttle and do not stop or slow down till you reach your points, understood?"
'"We copy, Vector 1-1."'
'"Solid copy."'
"Punch it!"
The driver slammed the throttle down, forcing the APC's engine to give an extremely loud roar, pushing the heavy troop carrier faster through the snow.
"Hump ahead!"
His co-driver shouted in warning but the driver simply smirked.
"I know."
The APC hit the dirt hard, and with its speed it flew up into the air, over the tanks that formed the front lines, landing a few feet in front of the tanks and flattening the Shadows unfortunate enough to be underneath at the point of landing. The APCs of Vector battalion rushed forward, cutting through the front lines or like Vector 1-1, flying over the line. The APCs fired their auto guns as they ploughed through the enemy forces to reach their destination. Drivers of Guild always deliver, no matter how, no matter where, even if the said destination was in the middle of the enemy ranks, the drivers would still go for it. Their motto truly told their lack of sanity. 'We stop for no one'. At least put on some brakes.
"Reaching destination in 5!"
"All hands, prepare to unload, we're dropping right in the middle of the storm!"
The driver shouted above the gun fire and the Shadows being knocked around by the APC.
"3... 2..."
"This is it! All hands! Touch down! Give them hell!"
The driver released the rear hatch even before he took his leg off the throttle to apply the brakes. The APCs skipped to a halt as troops began pouring out from the rear hatches into the cold and into the middle of enemy fire. But these were no ordinary soldiers. Running out of her APC, she immediately took aim at the nearest Shadow and blew a hole wide open through its head with her shotgun. She tapped her earpiece to establish a connection to the network.
"Hammer 1, this is Saya of Guard 1. We have reached point Alpha."
'"Status on Edge and Wolves."'
She looked over to side where the other APCs had stopped and the other troops were unloading, jumping straight into the fray even before they could get out of the APC.
'"This one is Hideo of Edge. This one is vanquishing the evils."'
'"This is Iori of Wolves. We have reached objective point and are engaging the enemy."'
'"Hammer 1 to Guard 1. Orders are the break the enemy forces. Regroup with Edge and Wolves at point Charlie Delta."'
"Understood command. Guard 1 is proceeding with objectives."
Forward Base Command Post, Mobile Command unit vehicle 'Avalon'
The battle was currently at a stalemate. With the Shadows being so numerous, the line was spread too thin to push the enemy back.
'"This is thunder Battalion. Enemy approaching our sector."'
"Command to Thunder, retreat to sector Delta-7. Fence squadron will cover your retreat."
'"Understood command."'
They just lost another sector. Fujibayashi Kyou bit her fingernail (a bad habit) as her eyes scanned the battlefield on the tactical map. In order to add immediate relief to the front lines, Yamato ordered the deployment of the three most elite fighting forces in their army. The shock troops of Assault, Edge. The elite hunters of Fort, Wolves. And finally the Guardsmen of Yamato, Guard 1. With these three elite fighting groups on the field, the front lines were slowly pushing forward. The only problem was the flanks. Her eyes kept constant watch on the group of grey dots that were heading towards the rear end of the enemy forces. They were moving fast, but in order to prevent themselves from being detected by the enemy they had to take additional precautions. It was necessary to catch the enemy by surprise and cut them off at the bottleneck point which separated this valley from the main school grounds. If they can cut off the enemy at that point, the front lines can push forward with their full might. Now they were just fighting a battle of attrition. The SSS2 never did well in battles for attrition.
"Damn it. We can't lose the high ground..."
Kyou muttered, noting the area that Thunder Battalion was forced to retreat from. She had no choice. If Yamato committed her elite forces to the field, then Kyou saw no reason not to herself.
"Command to Big Bear."
'"... This is Big Bear, go ahead command."'
"Tomoyo, it's time. Move out."
'"... Understood."'
Sector Delta-5
Getting up to her feet, Sakagami Tomoyo cracked her knuckles, stretching her arms as the rest of her squadron got to their feet, rifles and weapons raised. The squadron of Tomoyo, consisting of a hundred well armed soldiers, chosen by Tomoyo herself from the Assault force's main infantry groups. While not as elite as Edge, Wolves or Guard 1, they were all trained by Tomoyo at some point in their long service to the SSS2. In other words, they were all battle hardened veterans.
"Well boys, it's time to clean the house. Move out."
Front-lines
"All right, the line is reorganised. Hammer 1 to Viking Battalion. Pull back. We'll take over."
Yamato ordered through the comms channel.
'"Viking 1 to Hammer 1. Glad to hear that Command. Viking battalion, pull out!"'
"Yoshika, full throttle. Wataru, load corrosive rounds."
"Aye ma'am!"
Hammer 1 sped forward, its treads kicking dirt as it sped straight for the enemy. Leading the entire line of Tanks as they pushed forward, speeding past the retreating Rattes Viking battalion, Hammer 1 primed its guns, ready to fire.
"Missiles armed, locked. Target acquired. Hammer 1, fire away!"
The barrage of rockets from the advancing tanks fired off, creating a thick smoke in their wake. The rockets flew over high, impacting down and engulfing the enemy in fiery explosions. The tanks broke through the smoke, ramming through the enemy line with their new found momentum.
"Target, 10 o'clock! Fire!"
'"Javelin battalion, engaging."'
'"Anvil Battalion, coming up on your left."'
'"Infantry is moving up! Don't let the tanks go unprotected!"'
Yamato picked out another target, turning the turret to the enemy.
"Fire!"
The tank shuddered as the round burst out from the turret, impacting and punching a hole through the enemy.
'"Command to Hammer 1. The enemy on the Western front is cleared out. Thunder Battalion will now move up to assist you."'
"We hear you loud and clear command. Best news I've heard thus far."
'"And it'll only get better."'
Fifty Kilometres from Front-lines, 'Bottle-neck' point Whiskey
Standing on top of the hill, overlooking down at the point below, she had to wonder just how did the enemy manage to squeeze all of their forces through this tiny point? No matter. The dark horde of Shadows that swarmed in the valley below had to be taken care of, even if they were bunched up together to look like one giant hairy black carpet. Time to step on the carpet. Pulling the cloth over her mouth, she drew a small knife, holding it in a back hand position. All of the dark clothed people behind her drew their daggers and swords, their dark eyes gleaming with hunger for revenge. The time to strike was now. She threw her hand up to the sky.
"WE ARE THE INTELLIGENCE DIVISION OF THE SSS2! WE SHALL STRIKE ANY AND ALL THAT STAND BEFORE US! FOR THE SSS2! ATTACK!"
"BY YOUR ORDERS, TESTAROSSA-SAMA! FOR THE SSS2!"
The waves of Intelligence division troops all jumped off the cliff, brandishing their weapons as they crashed down into the valley, piercing the Shadows below them. Testarrosa Iris, current leader of the Intelligence Division, jumped down with the rest of her troops.
"Kyou, you owe me big time for this."
Forward Base Command Post, Mobile Command unit vehicle 'Avalon'
"Grey unknowns have made contact with enemy forces at point Whiskey."
Came the report. Kyou smiled at that.
"So Iris, it really is you."
She muttered.
"Enemy forces are cut off and are in disarray!"
"Enemy line is breaking up!"
This was really good news and it told Kyou something.
"The enemy can be confused. They can be thrown into despair as long as we cut them off from their source. All hands, press the attack!"
Front-lines
"You heard the lady, all forces, attack!"
Yamato ordered, giving the order for the rest of the reserve tanks and infantry battalions to move forward. A loud roar of a war cry echoed throughout the valley as the tanks and infantry forces rushed forward, pushing the enemy forces back. Like a tsunami wave, the combined forces of the Guild tanks, the Thunder artillery, the Fort and Assault infantry forces, the Shadows were forced back, the battle being pushed into the SSS2's favour.
"Don't give them a chance to recover!"
"Infantry forces, move up! Kill anything that still moves!"
"Flamers forward! Burn any residual essence left! Don't let even a single drop of their vile existence to be left!"
"Tanks, forward advance! Trident formation!"
Yamato popped the hatch of her tank open, pushing herself up to take a look. The Shadows were on the run. They could do it. The impossible could be made possible. She could see that in the eyes of every soldier, every man, every woman in this battle. They were not eyes of despair, but eyes of hope, eyes of vigour, eyes that showed victory. She watched as the troops began their advance, the army pushing forward. Some regiments of infantry were chasing down remaining stragglers whilst the rest cheered on as they marched. She spotted someone standing there and knocked on her tank, signalling Yoshika to halt. The tank stopped right beside the weary group who stood at full attention, waiting for her orders. Guard 1 had fought hard and suffered cuts, wounds and bruises. But they held on strong. They showed no sign of discomfort, only eyes of confidence. Guard 1, her elite squadron.
"Commander, Guard 1 is reporting."
Saya reported.
"Good. Get yourselves patched up then report back to your transports. We're going up for the final push."
Yamato said. Saya nodded and headed to the rear with the rest of Guard 1. Yamato hated to give such commands, but this was an emergency. She could let them rest for too long. This war will not wait for them to recover. It was now or never. She tapped on the hull of the tank.
"Let's move."
She said and her tank jerked to a start, moving through the snow field covered with splintered trees, shelled craters, burning tanks, bodies of SSS2 soldiers and blood stained snow. This was not a scene of victory but it still was. A victory that cost them so much and in order to ensure that they keep this victory, they must be prepared to lose even more. The tank rolled forward, following the line of tanks that formed the front guard for this push. They were kept in reserve in the previous battle for this purpose. Fresh tanks and troops made up the bulk of the front-line forces for this new offensive push forward, though they would not be able to see much action until they reach the school grounds. The enemy they would face are mainly Shadows that were confused, unsure on how and what to do, thus not really giving any challenge. This gave the forces that were engaged in the battle before to rest and recover.
"Command, what is the enemy forces?"
Yamato asked, tapping her comms unit.
'"The enemy is on the run and any pockets of resistance can be dealt with. For now, just keep pushing. The enemy may be in disarray but don't let down your guard. There's still a hell lot of Shadows between you and point Whiskey."'
Kyou's voice warned over the radio.
"Hmph, not any real challenge, if you ask me. They either stand there, waiting to be shot, or just run around like headless chickens."
'"Ha ha ha, then would you rather fight the large enemy forces like before continuously?"'
"Not for now. I'd rather have a Key Coffee."
'"Next one is on me."'
Yamato smiled at that. She could afford a smile... for now.
"By the way, how did you manage to break the enemy forces? We do not have any strike force hitting point Whiskey."
'"They are ours, but at the same time, not ours."'
Came Kyou's reply. What is up with these higher ranking people and cryptic messages? It was really starting to bug Yamato.
"Care to elaborate? Or would you rather let me see for myself?"
'"Either way is fine with me, though you would not believe it if I told you."'
"So you're telling me to take a look for myself?"
'"I did not say that."'
You were implying it though, Yamato thought.
"... Fine, I'll go take a look."
Yamato sighed in defeat.
'"Good. Oh, and tell her that I do not owe her anything for this."'
"... Huh?"