Chapter 12:
M.I.A.
The battle raged on as night envelops the DigiWorld in darkness. The city was lit up brightly through the night. The sound of gunfire and explosions could be heard from nearby towns while burning buildings and thick smoke could be seen from miles away.
While the marines and the Strike Force led the offensive, behind the firefights was a company of U.S Army 11th Infantry Division, sent to aid and evacuate the civilians out of the city. Helicopters flew back and forth between the FOB and the city as they carry supplies and evacuate the increasing numbers of wounded soldiers. Meanwhile on the ground, the Army infantrymen escorted the civilians out of the city to a medical camp established outisde.
Pvt 1st class Jack Quinlan was watching over the lines of civilians as a sentry, his M4A1 held firmly in his hands. The sounds of the distant battlefields made him nervous, fearing that the marines were being pushed back. Although he didn't want civilians to die, he was not ready to die either. This is his first combat deployment, though he liked the scenery the Digital World held, he would rather be in Syria like he was supposed to before the battle of Tokyo.
"Quinlan, come on. We've got new orders." Called Corporal and combat medic Blake Ryan.
The young private shook out of his gaze and ran up with his friend. They joined up with the rest of squad, all of them made a school circle around Sergeant William Kimbles as he showed them a map of the city laid on the humvee's hood.
"We've just got orders from command that a marine tank, callsign "Warpig", is stuck deep in mud in the middle of enemy territory, we've been tasked to escort a team of combat engineers and cover them until they get the tank out of there. A small team of marines is already present on the site but they can't hold much longer. We'll use the Mark 19 and the .50 cals to give us the upper hand and superior firepower. Let's make this quick so we can end this fight once and for all. Hooah?"
"Hooah!" They all replied before they went in their vehicles.
In the lead Humvee there was PV2. Jonathan Miller as the driver, the sergeant in the front passenger seat, Ryan in the back passenger seat and Quinlan on the M2 Browning .50 caliber machine gun.
Behind the lead humvee was the humvee operating the MK 19 grenade launcher, manned by Cpl. Jesse Mears, and the last humvee behind it had the M2 Browning handled by PFC. Bryan Wayne.
As the small 12 men convoy moved through the ruined city, Quinlan made a few quick checks on the heavy machine gun. After the inspection, he placed the .50 BMG rounds on the belt feed slide, closed the cover and pulled the bolt handle, the weapon ready to unleash its powerful and painful stopping power. He carefully scanned his surroundings on the ground and on the destroyed buildings, aiming the weapon in every direction behind the high steel plates with bullet-proof windows.
"See anything, Quinlan?" Asked loudly Kimbles.
"No, sir. I wish I had my NVGs with me now." Complained the private.
Before Quinlan can add more complaints, he heard several loud, ponding sounds and followed by eerie whistles coming from above.
"Ah fuck! Incoming!" He yelled as artillery shells erupted near the convoy, throwing the vehicles off balance.
The vehicles sped through the damaged street, hoping the bombardment would stop. Eventually it did but the convoy received heavy enemy fire instead.
Bullets ricocheted off the steel plates while Quinlan fired the M2 Browning, giving cover fire for his fellow comrades to evacuate the humvee. He fired upon the distant muzzle flashes of the imperials. Mears pounded them with the deadly 40mm grenades, small eruptions blew up parts of buildings and the street, leaving craters and rubbles on the ground. With the help of the tracer rounds, Quinlan knew where his shots went to. The rest of the squad hid behind the vehicles, firing back at the imperial forces with machine guns and small arms fire.
Through the iron sights, Quinlan fired in short bursts at each muzzle flash that caught his attention. Suddenly, he saw at the corner of his eyes a Tankmon behind a destroyed building, aiming its main gun straight at him.
"Tankmon, 100 meters, 1 o'clock!" He yelled before it open fired.
The shell flew across the street and impacted just below the lead humvee. Quinlan felt the vehicle rise up before it flipped violently to its side, throwing the private on the hard stone ground. Quinlan could hear bells ringing in his head while the sounds around him were somehow muted. He was laid down on his back, the impact made him feel numb for a minute. He groggingly stood back up, he looked around him, trying to stand correctly.
Suddenly another explosion erupted next to him, blowing up the humvee with the MK-19, killing Mears and lit the three others on fire. Feeling nauseous and disoriented, he fell to his knees while he could hear the muffled screams of his friends being burnt alive or shot dead. Slowly regaining his senses, he used his M4 as a support for him to stand back up. He spotted one of his squadmates behind the last humvee and ran up to him. However, the humvee blew up and sent Quinlan back on the ground due to his close proximity to the doomed vehicle. He grunted in pain once he hits the ground and tried to open up his eyes. But he can't. With the loss of his hearing and of his sight, he started to panic and tried to called out his friend, Ryan. His breathing increased in small bursts of air as he thrashes around on the ground, trying his best to regain his senses and praying that these were just temporary. He then felt as if someone dragged him on the street. He struggled to get himself free from their grasps before he felt two, human hands cupping his cheeks. The gesture made him feel warm and calm and let the person to continue to drag him, his breathing slowed down, the pain vanished and his body felt numb as he fell unconsious.
University of Londreau, 1934 hours.
"Hit them with everything you've got, marines! Show them how marines fight!" Yelled Raymond to encourage the marines defending the front gates from waves of imperial soldiers.
Just as night approaches, the university was been hit by a massive counter-attack by the imperials. With little time to fortify their positions between the two battles, at first the marines were in a disorganized scramble but thanks to the Strike Force, holding off and pushing off the aggressive force, the marines managed to regroup and held them off so far.
The constant pounding of shells and barrages of tracer bullets halted the assault force for good, however it was also difficult for the allied force to push them out farther more, the battle becoming a stalemate.
With the high grounds, namely the buildings, at their side, the marines opened fire from the rooftops and windows, their bullets taking out hostile soldiers just pass the melee battle happening a few meters away from the marines' firing lines.
"Killer 1-1, this is Echo 1-1. Adjust fire at 300 meters North of our positions." He requested with Sanderson's radio in hand. "Grid: 7 A FJ 452 086, over."
"10-4. Grid 7A FJ 452 086, over." Repeated the mortar team leader, located a few blocks behind the university.
"4 tanks and over 100 enemy dismounted infantry in the open, danger close, over." He informed him. "And they're coming in real fast." He added quickly.
The mortar team leader repeated the info.
"H.E in effect, 5 rounds, over."
"Roger that. H.E, 5 rounds. Fire for effect. Shot out."
Shortly after the news was given, Raymond observed at the battlefield to see a small rain of 5 rounds of H.E 60 mm. The rain of death plummeled on the enemy position continously for three seconds at a total of 25 H.E rounds. The mortar bombardment took out an entire platoon and two tankmon in its path.
"Killer 1-1, same order, this time 50 meters closer to us. Fire for effect!" He requested loudly as he spots a company closing in their position.
"Fire for effect, out."
A second shower of mortar shells rained down on the enemy position, the assaulting company was devastated after the second bombardment. The explosions shook the ground as dirt and debris flew up to the air before raining down.
"Good effect on target. 4 tanks destroyed, estimate of 60 casualties, out." Announced Raymond.
"10-4. Be advise, we're currently dry and we're unavailable for half an hour. Good luck out there." Informed the mortar team leader before gave the radio back to Sanderson.
Behind their small foxholes near the trackfields, 1st and 3rd squad took up the front firing line. 2nd and 4th squad took the building designated "E", one of the large study buildings next the reception and administration building. 1st Force Recon held the gym where they managed to cut off the enemies' right flank.
Raymond ducked down on the grass as a tank shell flew above him and impacted behind him. The shower of dirt covered Raymond's entire body but he casually shook them off and returned fire. Through the ACOG, he fired a short burst at a Sealsdramon trying to sneak up behind a Strike force soldier. The 5.56 mm rounds connected to the special force imperial to the chest and up to its head. He then fired another burst, this time all shots connected to a Commandramon's head, resulting with its head exploding and the infamous red mist appeared before it collasped to turn into data particles.
"How the fuck do they still get so many soldiers?!" Shouted Jackson as he fired a 40mm grenade from his underbarrel M203, taking out 5 imperials in the process.
"Just keep shooting!" Replied Flamedramon from a foxhole behind him while he fires in multiple short bursts.
"Flamedramon, pass me your radio!" Requested loudly Raymond.
The blue dramon quickly took his radio and tossed it at the Lt, who caught it in mid-air and thanked him later.
"Overlord, this is Echo 1-1. Requesting close air support, how copy?"
"Echo 1-1, request granted, we'll get Viper 6-4 to assist you." Informed Overlord.
Soon after the radio buzzed again as the pilot of a Bell AH-1Z Viper called in.
"This is Viper 6-4, lock and loaded for anything. Inbound in two minutes." She announced.
"Roger that, I want a strafing run at everything 200 meters in front of our positions."
"Roger. Strafing run in a minute."
"Uh sir? What about the Strike force?" Asked with concern Cyberdramon.
"That's where I come in." He replied before running out of his foxhole and straight for the melee battle.
Flamedramon just stared at his officer bewildered, most of the marines stared at him in surprise and confusion.
"What the hell? Cover fire for the lieutenant!" He ordered at the top of his lungs as he fires at the imperials near Raymond.
As he runs towards the battle, he fixed his bayonet on his weapon's barrel. He spotted OuRyuumon a few meters ahead of him before he spotted a Sealsdramon trying to strike the captain from behind. He lifted his rifle and sprinted towards the imperial soldier. The enemy had little time to react and slashed his combat knife at the marine. Raymond used his rifle to deflect the strike then used the buttstock to bash the cyborg's ribs, giving distance between them. He charged at it and thursted the blade of his bayonet straight to its upper torso, penetrating its durable steel armour. He kicked the digimon to the ground and shot it several times to the chest. He turned behind him just in time to see OuRyuumon looking down at him in confusion.
"What are-"
"Tell your men to get the fuck out of here! Air support is in a few seconds!" Interrupted Raymond.
The golden dragon swore loudly and ordered: "Fall back! Fall back! The marines are going to obliterate this whole area! Fall back!"
"Cover fire for the Strike Force!" Ordered Raymond as he runs hurriedly to a nearby foxhole.
As Raymond jumped in the same foxhole as Flamedramon, the sound of helicopter rotors and heavy rounds firing from the 20 mm M197 3-barreled Gatling cannon approached them.
The attack helicopter hovered right below them and started to fire its Zuni rockets as well.
The rounds rained down on the enemy while empty round casings fell harshly on top of Raymond and Flamedramon.
The carnage finally ended after a full minute of non-stop firing, leaving only craters and destruction in its wake. The entire assault force was either utterly destroyed or the rest were retreating. Very few digimon survived.
"Strafing run has been a success. RTB for re-fueling and re-arming, we'll be gone for a while, over." She informed the lieutenant before the helicopter returned to the FOB.
Raymond gave out the order to retrieve any wounded digimon on the field while the Strike force behind them just stared in shock at the devastating effects of human weaponry.
As the marines gathered the prisonners and the medics treating the wounds of the Strike Force, Marines and Imperial soldiers, Lt. Vasquez ran across the small park towards Raymond and OuRyuumon who were discussing about the university's defensive perimeter.
Vasquez gave a quick salute to the dragon before he turned to Raymond with a serious expression, his left hand clutching his radio and the other holding firmly his rifle.
"We just got word that Alpha company's tank got stuck in the mud a few blocks ahead of us." He told him.
"Command wants all of us to move out?" Raymond asked, a bit confused as to why they have to move out.
"My platoon was ordered to go there. You, however, must search and find out what happened to the Army relief unit they sent an hour ago."
"Where are they?" Asked Raymond with a frown, knowing that he wouldn't like the next mission.
"Deep in enemy territory. To the East, near the cathedral." Informed Vasquez. "Just bring a small unit, we don't want to grab too much enemy attention. When you find them, call up CASEVAC and we'll regroup here again." He added before he ran back to his platoon.
Raymond stood in silence, scratched his head pensively before swearing loudly.
"Dukeman! You're in charge of the defenses for the time being." He ordered. "Captain, I'll leave it to you to take care of my men." He added with a sharp salute.
"Sure, Leftenant." OuRyuumon replied.
"4th squad and Recon squad on me!"
The marines gather around him at the gym, their weapons loaded and ready to fight again.
"Listen up, a squad of the 11th Infantry Division just went absent an hour ago, their last known position is deep in enemy territory, near the cathedral. This is a recon mission so we won't go guns blazing like we usually do." He earned a few chuckles from the marines. "Once we find them, we'll call up CASEVAC and linked up with the rest of the offensive force here. Retreat?"
"Hell!"
Minutes felt like hours for the marine "recon" team as they painstakingly moved through building after building to avoid any unecessary engagements with the enemy. With the help of their NVGs and Renamon's acute senses, they've reached the ruined cathedral as quickly as possible. Taking cover near the rubbles around the cathedral, they've spotted the destroyed convoy of the missing unit and noticed that at least 25 enemy troops gathered up in front of the massive wooden doors, preparing to breach inside. Raymond silently reached his radio and turned it on as quietly as possible.
"Vanguard 2-2, how copy? I repeat, Vanguard 2-2, how copy?"
"This is Vanguard 2-2, who am I speaking with?" Finally answered Sergeant Kimbles after a small moment of silence.
"This is 2nd lieutenant Raymond of Echo company, US Marines." Raymond silently stated. "We're currently 50 meters behind the enemy assault team, I advise you move back your team so we can eliminate them."
"Roger that. By the way, thanks for rescuing us, sir. We're outnumbered and we've got lots of wounded soldiers."
"You're welcome, just hang tight, evac will be here soon." He then turned off the radio and signaled his team to take up firing positions and ready to fire on his signal.
He looked down through his ACOG sight and aimed at an Andromon's head. He turned on his laser at the end of the grip so he can shoot properly with his nightvision goggles on. He breathed in and fired two rounds at its head. The bullets penetrated the humanoid cyborg top head armour and blew off a part of its skull. As soon as it dropped dead on the ground, the marines opened fire behind them in the dark, catching the imperial forces off guard. In half a minute, the entire breach team was neutralized, a Commandramon was clutching dearly at his chest wounds while a Kamemon stood near a column and stared at the darkness in utter shock and petrified. The marines waited a minute before they advanced towards the cathedral, completely ignoring the two imperial survivors. Sanderson knocked on the wooden doors loudly.
"U.S Marines." He stated.
The doors slowly opened and a beat up and bloodied Army sergeant greeted them.
"Sergeant Kimbles, reporting for duty."
"Renamon and Sanderson, watch our backs. The rest of you help with the wounded, Flamedramon call up the evac and pop smoke 10 meters away of the convoy." Raymond instructed and they soon followed it.
"What's your sitrep, sergeant." He asked as he and Kimbles entered the digimon church.
"4 KIAs and 6 heavily wounded." Reported tiredly Kimbles.
"Sir, Evac is going to be here in any minute now." Informed Flamedramon before he looked up in amazement at the church's ceiling decorations. "I didn't even notice the roof was still intact." He commented quietly.
As the wounded were being carried outside, the first evac helicopter arrived.
"Uh ma'am? What do we do about the Kamemon over there?" Sanderson asked with concern to Renamon, pointing his head at the terrified digimon.
"Leave him. He's already traumatized and lost his will to fight." She coldly replied.
"Jesus Christ, to think that the Imperials would bring kids in combat." He commented sadly.
"He's not a kid. He's barely old enough to be a soldier, though that doesn't mean he is as effective as a Sealsdramon." Renamon told him, taking a glance at the turtle digimon.
She sighed after a small moment of silence and walked to the small digimon, pulling her sidearm out. The Kamemon shook inside his shell with only his helmet on top of his shell and shaking. She knocked lightly on the shell with her sidearm. Kamemon slowly peeked his eyes out and paled at the fox's appearence.
"Follow me." She told him stoically and headed to one of the transport helicopters. She stopped in her tracks, sensing that the digimon didn't moved an inch.
"Now." She said with a hint of irritation.
The Kamemon immediately popped his head and limbs out and ran towards her obediently out of pure fear. They walked towards a helicopter and Renamon ordered him to climb in it.
"Who the hell is that?!" Asked the pilot in protest.
Renamon gave the pilot the cold stare, the one that would pale almost anyone, the one exception being her tamer... and Lieutenant Raymond.
"He's a civilian." She answered back. The pilot gulped and nodded, complying to her orders.
"Take care." She told the Kamemon with a small smile and walked back to Sanderson.
Her spotter had a childish grin plastered in his face as if he just received the best present.
"Thanks, Sergeant, I feel much better." He chirped up.
Renamon glared at him for a second before she softened and released a sigh, shaking her head.
"Things I do for you." She giggled before she returned to her stoic expression. "You owe me one." She added and sat down against a column with her sniper rifle in hand.
"Yes, ma'am." Gary murmured.
Once the wounded and the rest of the squad was evacuated, the marines were loaded in a Super Stallion, taking them back to the university.
"Overlord, this is lieutenant Raymond, the missing squad had been retrieved and returning to base. What's our next mission?"
"Roger that. We thank you for your help. For now your platoon is on standby, we're waiting for the RKs' next move." Responded Overlord.
Stephen took off his helmet and closed his eyes, breathing slowly to relax himself. Feeling completely exhausted, he takes in as much rest as he can.