Chapter 18:
The Bloody Hill
A week later.
Several days of grueling battle has passed and the end was nowhere in sight. Though the coalition force managed to get air support and air dropped supplies, the casualty reports were still going high. Word from Command announced that the main IDDF force is now re-pushing the enemy lines and day by day, reinforcements would arrive.
Raymond slowly chewed on his cereal bar inside the M-ATV with his radio headset on, listening intently on the military traffic. Words were exchanged between the forces of the IDDF, reports of several mini victorious skirmishes and territorial gain piled in. Each victory meant a step further to finally get some reinforcements they've waited for a full week.
Suddenly, Raymond heard multiple thundering noises coming beyond the fortifications. Marines and Paratroopers scattered themselves and shouted everyone to cover, the whistles of death nearing the camp.
Raymond jumped out of the vehicle, sprinted towards a foxhole digged by some soldiers and dived in. The ground around him shook violently, sending large clouds of dirt in the air. A building got demolished and some vehicles got destroyed. The Fusion Fighters artillery reacted as quickly as possible and fired back in response.
The humans in the hill ran to the Hesco barriers and took up firing positions. Orders were being passed around at a frantic rate as they heard the roars of their enemies coming out of their trenches located more than 200 meters away.
"Holy shit, lads! Here they come! Give them hell!" Shouted a British Sergeant before the barriers lit up.
Raymond joined with the soldiers on the barriers and fired multiple long bursts from his L85A2. The mortars soon pounded the charging force with H.E and cluster ammunations.
In just five minutes, the day turned into a hectic and chaotic firefight. Imperial foot soldiers were being gunned down while trying to climb up to the hill through the deep and slippery mud craters.
The Browning Heavy Machineguns from the outposts spewed out their deadly rounds down at them. One by one, infantry soldiers dropped dead but it wasn't enough to fully stop the main charging force.
Jumping over the defenders trenchlines, Raymond took his radio and shouted at Guilmon. "Guilmon! Broken Arrow! Blow them now!" He signaled.
A moment later and the entire friendly and empty trenchline blew up in a blazing explosion.
The tons of C4, dynamites and other explosives were set in the trenches as a booby trap, a last resort to decimate the enemy. Plumes of dirt shot up, burying several digimon alive. The sheer amount of explosives was enough to shake the earth and creating an avalanche of mud that slowed down the offensive. However, the explosions also left the defenders and the attackers disoriented, the loud noise was enough make anyone near the area deaf.
Hearing bells inside his ear drums, Raymond rubbed his ears and shook his head frantically. Eventhough he expected a loud detonation, he nor everyone else anticipated to be this loud. After regaining some senses after a few seconds of shaking, Raymond slowly stood up and took aim. He fired a shot but missed since the bells in his ears were still disorienting him. Another problem that he did not expect was that some of the Hesco barriers were shredded and the dirt fell out, rendering the first lower cover useless.
"Get back to the fight, Marines!" Yelled Raymond, fully recovered. "DD! Get me the Major now!"
While the Olive Hill Fort was under attack, the castle was being shelled by hostile artilleries and frequent air raids. Walking at a quick pace through the courtyard, Major Ramsey was shouting orders left and right, followed behind by his 2 IC and a couple of radio specialists.
"Sir, Echo 1-actual of the Marines is requesting you." Informed a Specialist.
"Let me guess: he wants reinforcements."
"Yes sir."
"What's the status report on Olive Hill?" Ramsey demanded.
"They're getting overrun and are outnumbered as we speak." Sergeant-Major Colls responded.
"Thought so. These Imp blokes think they can distract us from that hill. Sergeant-Major, I want you to take 3rd platoon, the japanese recon team and four Warriors. Flank right to the enemy formation, that should break their assault and give some relief for the chaps at the hill." Ramsey ordred sternly. "Get me the RAF, Specialist. I'm gonna show these fockers who they're messing with."
"Aye, Major!"
Gathering the paratroopers around him, Colls climbed on to the hood of a Mastiff PPV and stated loudly:
"Listen up! We're sent as a relief force for the Marines back at Olive Hill. As we speak, they're being overrun by an entire battalion of Imperials. We will act as a distraction, leaving some breathing room for them to re-arm and regroup. Give those Digi bastards hell and no mercy! We're paras!"
"And Ready for anything!" The soldiers shouted their motto in unison.
The castle's main gates opened and the armoured vehicles rushed out to the battlefield. The four FV 510 Warriors covered the convoy's flanks, spewing out 30mm rounds from their L21A1 RARDEN cannon. The M240s and .50 cals mounted on the light vehicles barked furiously, tracers went in every direction as the convoy steered to the right side of the hill. With less than a 100 meters apart, the paras in the vehicles opened fired, small arms bullets suppressed the enemy. Making a ninety degree turn, the convoy stopped at the side of hill to let the infantry out. The paratroopers took firing positions on the ground or behind the Mastiffs. Several grenadiers launched 40mm high explosives grenades overhead their positions.
Inside the hill fortifications, Marines and Paratroopers were retreating from the Hesco barriers and took cover behing the dug out foxholes a few meters away from the mortar team. As the imperials slowly climbed over the barriers and barb wires, the defenders gunned down as much as possible before the imperial force approached their 2nd and last defensive line.
"Here they come! Fix bayonets!" Ordered Dukeman before throwing another frag grenade out.
Flamedramon fired in semi-auto his rifle to conserve his ammo until he noticed the barrel of his weapon was starting to smoke and reddening. He fired a shot but the bullet got jammed in the barrel.
"Crap! Gun jam!"
He desperately tried to unjam the bullet when suddenly he heard a Commandramon screaming at him. With a brief second of reflex, he threw his M16A4 at the enemy and hurled a fireball from his hand.
"Flame Fist!" He shouted furiously as he launches the attack at the digimon.
The fireball set the digimon ablaze. The imperial trooper screamed in agony from the burning pain before going on a blind and suicidal charge towards Flamedramon. The blue dragon quickly took out his sidearm and fired a couple of rounds to the chest.
With the 2nd defensive line now overrun, the coalition force's soldiers made their last stand in a brutal and savage melee combat in their muddy foxholes. It was a handful of soldiers, less than a company size against an entire battalion.
The humans used everything they had to destroy their foe. From the bayonet to the entrenching tool, bashing the foe's head with the weapon's buttstock or bare hands. The humans' warcry rivalled those of the Imperium. Adrenaline pumped in each and every soldier, fighting with every bit of brute force and determination to destroy the other from the face of this world.
Fighting side by side, Guilmon and his partner/friend, Lcpl. Harris, held their ground in front of the mortars. The digimon launched his attacks and took care of any nearby hostile while Harris open fired, switching constantly between his M16A4 and M9. In mid-reload, Harris saw a Sealsdramon charging at him. He was about to call help to Guilmon only to notice that his digimon friend was in the middle of a fight with a WereGarurumon. Harris quickly parried the Sealsdramon's strike with his rifle, however on the second strike, he wasn't fast enough and caught the blade through his right hand.
"Ah Fuck!" He shouted in pain before he elbowed his opponent to the ground.
He quickly and painfully took out the blade from his hand and knelt on his enemy, throwing punches filled with animalistic rage.
"You! Fucking! Piece! Of! Shit!" He growled at each hit.
He grabbed the hand-held shovel behind him and resumed bashing the digimon's head until there was only a pool of blood that came out from his masked-face, pouring on the barren soil. Guilmon watched his friend in horror as Harris keep up with the bashing, not showing any signs of fatigue.
"Guilmon! Guilmon!" Cyberdramon shook his paled digimon friend hastilly.
The hazard digimon shook back to reality and looked back at Cyberdramon. The cyborg digimon was covered in mud, bruises and blood, either it was his or someone else's, he couldn't tell.
"Guilmon, man the mortar. Help is on the way, I'll cover you." Cyberdramon told him before taking his LMG and open fired.
Guilmon turned back to find Harris, he was sitting on the ground, his head hung low and hidden by his hands. He was breathing shakingly and seemed to be lost. His hands were completely covered in blood.
Taking out the combat knife from the Commandramon's chest, Raymond then fired two shots at center mass. A Sealsdramon jumped in his foxhole and knocked his rifle out of his hands. The digimon took his knife and went for a thrust. Catching his hand, Raymond barely avoided the strike and hit the digimon's snout with a powerful elbow strike. The blow was enough to knock the digimon back and give some space between them. Raymond followed his attack with a kick to the torso, then bashed his head with a nearby shovel. Knocked out and unconscious, Raymond let out a sigh of relief and grabbed his rifle.
The Imperial force has once again started to retreat. The 3rd Recon team along a handful of paratroopers arrived in the outpost and immediately fired at the enemy. Shortly after, attack jets from the JASDF and RAF flew overhead and gunned down enemy positions. Bombs were dropped and salvos of heavy machine gun fire annilihated the imperials' artillery units.
Mustering as much troops as they can, the Marines, JSDF and Paratroopers chased down the hostile foot mobiles out of Olive Hill. Dorulumon and Shoutmon, with a few dozens of their soldiers, charged out and met their foes in the open battlefield. Worn out and disoriented, the remaining forces of the 30th Legion held their grounds and fought to the last.
Slowly going down the hill's muddy and ruined slope, the Marines and Paratroopers opened fire at the enemy's left flank, much of their infantry were too focused on the Fusion Fighters.
Ordering the formation to a halt, Raymond and his platoon took positions and fired. Switching from one target to another, Raymond had his right eye glued to the ACOG of the L85A2, firing two to four rounds per target. Loading a new mag in, he knelt down to get a better recoil control and better aim. Thirty shots later, he tried to find for a new STANAG magazine before switching to his sidearm and advance towards the enemy's flank. His men followed suit, the formation closed in and linked up with the Fusion Fighters and the rest of the British Company.
Forming a ball of energy, Shoutmon jumped to the air and hurled his energy in the shape of an eighth note at his opponent. "Fiery Fastball!"
The beat down Ignitemon didn't react fast enough to block the attack and so was knocked out to the ground. Landing with a harsh grunt, the Ignitemon limply tried to crawl away. Then he felt a powerful blow to his chest and was kicked to lay on his back. Stomping on his already broken ribs, a Marine pointed his M16A4 rifle to his face. The digimon gulped.
"M-m-mercy..." He croacked out in fear.
The human was about to shoot until he heard Shoutmon shouting at him.
"Don't! He surrendered."
"Lucky basterd..." The Marine growled before releasing the digimon and grabbed him by the arm.
The soldier was about the retort at the small dragon digimon but got suddenly bitten by a Gaogamon. The human cried in pain and horror as his right ribcage was simply being torn apart by the oversize canine digimon. Ignitemon ran away and cowarded behind Shoutmon.
Spitting the human out of his powerful maw, Gaogamon then glared at Shoutmon and dashes towards his new foe.
"Spiral Blow!" He shouted before releasing a powerful vortex wind from his mouth.
Shoutmon grabbed Ignitemon and firmly planted his McField Mic to the ground, bracing himself for the incoming vortex. The attack was strong but Shoutmon managed to hold his ground, being pushed only by a few meters.
"Gaoga Hound!" The beast digimon jumped at Shoutmon with his jaw wide open, aiming to bite off his opponent's throat.
Fortunately for Shoutmon, he had quick reflexes and wielded his mic like a baseball bat, in position and ready to strike. "Rock 'n' Roller!" He shouted confidently before swiging his mic across Gaogamon's snout.
Gaogamon was sent across the field a couple a meters away, his body crashed to the ground ungracefully but got back to his feet quickly. In the mean time, Shoutmon was already preparing for his next attack. Sprinting towards his opponent, Shoutmon was building up the attack deep within his chest, feeling the rush of his blazing emotions. "Soul Crusher!"
Using the mic to unleash the powerful and blazing attack, the fiery energy engulfed Gaogamon to flames before he was deleted.
"You okay back there?" Asked Shoutmon with a strained smile to the Ignitemon, who simply responded with multiple nods.
After taking out two more imperials, who pulverized in to data clouds, Dorulumon aimed his tail drill at the last remaining imperial officer.
"Surrender and we'll end this senseless bloodshed now! Your troops are tired and outnumbered!"
The Piedmon simply laughed before responding.
"As if I'll surrender to a mindless mutt like you! I'll rather kill you now, dog!"
"How about you surrender to Devil Dogs?" Sarcastically asked Raymond.
Aiming his sidearm at Piedmon, he was then followed by several Marines and Paratroopers, who all aimed their weapons at him. Renamon then appeared next to Raymond and aimed her sniper rifle to the head.
"Tch! Fine... I surrender." Piedmon finally said with reluctance, he dropped his swords on the ground and lifted his arms out.
Moments later, the fighting died down and was finally over. Marines and Paratroopers cheered as transport helicopters and air support arrived. Now reinforced with the rest of the Digital Marines and Paratrooper 2nd Battalion, the humans gathered the prisoners and the wounded.
Though marked as a victory, it was also marked as the bloodiest battle since the human intervention so far. With a casualty report of 5,000 dead and 2,000 wounded, the battle for the Forest Zone crippled the IDDF and the Imperium who suffered twice as much of casualties.
But with the final liberation of the Forest Zone, the South Continent was finally free from Imperial control and the IDDF can now receive more soldiers and proceed in the liberation of the central regions.
The Royal Knights and their Strike force arrived at the battlefield hours later after going through the same situation with the imperials on their side. They were sent as a relief force and to help maintaining order in the zone while the IDDF regain its forces.
Upon arriving in Rhosyn Gaden Castle's courtyard, the Royal Knights were shocked at the condition of the castle and of the humans. The humans were in horrible shape, covered from head to toe in mud, grime and blood. Alphamon quickly gave orders to the Strike force to aid the humans at evacuating the wounded and the prisoners while the Royal Knights will aid them with any medical care.
Wandering around the courtyard, seemingly staring at the humans with sympathy and sadness, Dukemon, Magnamon and Dynasmon were looking for a particular human but were having a hard time due to the mess the humans were covered in. Then Magnamon spotted a human discussing with a Guilmon and another human. Recognizing the human's scarf wrapped around his neck and his messy short black hair, the knight of Miracles ran up to him.
"Raymond, is that you?" He asked with a bit of uncertainty.
Raymond turned around and beamed him a tired smile. "Hey there, Magna, didn't notice you guys were here."
Magnamon gave Raymond a quick hug, which caught Guilmon, Dukeman and the other Royal Knights off guard.
"By Yggdrasil, you look awful." Commented Magnamon with worry.
"Nah, it is but a scratch." He said jokingly.
While the others were conversing, Dukemon and Guilmon stared at each other with curiosity. Inspecting one another like a mirror, they exchanged a few words before they started pondering to make sense of this awkward situation.
"Brother?" Guilmon asked.
Dukemon nodded ecstatically and they did a high-five happily.
"You okay there, Dukemon?" Asked Dynasmon confusely.
"Yeah! I have a brother now!"
Dynasmon looked at his friend dumbfounded and chuckled awkwardly.
"Haha...okay. I'm gonna leave you two to catch up." He said as he backed away slowly.
Night finally arrived, the officers of the IDDF and the Royal Knights gathered in the briefing room in Shoutmon's residence.
"The casualty report so far has been 78 KIA and 38 wounded along with 20 KIA and 11 wounded from the Marines." Major Ramsey reported grimly. "They...uh... they hit us really badly out there."
Colonel Eversman let out a tired sigh. "They took us all by surprise. Ironic that we claim to expect such event."
"And how's the situation back at your front?" Inquired Colonel Hazama.
"We've managed to push through the enemy blockade to the Mesozoic Kingdom but we've suffered quite a lot of casualties in doing so." Captain OuRyuumon answered before Alphamon could.
"Well at least on the bright side the Germans and the French could now easily push through the west." Stated Eversman.
"Now that we've got the South continent liberated." Started Raymond. "What are our next orders?"
"For now, we should halt the offensive until the end of this year so we could re-organize our troops and supplies. Expect entire divisions rolling in here for Christmas." Richards replied with a bit of sarcasm in the end.
"Speaking of re-organizing..." Announced Eversman. "I'm giving a promotion to both of you." He metionned to Raymond and Richards, who had surprised looks on their faces.
"A promotion, sir?" Asked Richards in disbelief. "It's kinda too soon for us to get one." He pointed out.
"I know but with our numbers quickly diminishing, platoons are left without any real leaders and certain companies are getting shorter. We have received 5000 new recruits that will fill in those empty companies. And so, Richards, I'm promoting you to Lieutenant-Colonel, making you in charge of the 1st Battalion."
Raymond gave a light pat of congratulation to Richards who was still in disbelief.
"But who will be taking commands of Echo company?" He asked.
"This Echo company no longer exists. It is now Alpha company and Captain Raymond here will take command."
"Sir!" Raymond stood straightly and saluted to the Colonel sharply.
"Alpha company is consisting of Echo company and of our Recon company. That means Alpha will be at forefront of our assault force." Eversman informed.
"And why Raymond is going to be leading the assault?" Asked out of curiosity Duftmon.
"His knowledge on Digimon and the fact that he basically commands the Recon company are a few reasons. He is also the best man we have in the whole battalion, admired and respected by many." He explained.
"Really?" Raymond was surprised to hear that.
"Oh yeah. Even the Resistance talk about you, in particular that BlackRenamon you've met a few months ago. Stories about you spread around the villages around FOB Ginza."
Raymond blushed a little in embarrassement and coughed to hide his blush.
"So how many companies are there now?" Asked Richards.
"For now, 3. Bravo company will be commanded by Captain Middendorf from 2/5 Marines, a highly respected man and a smart one. Then there is Charlie company, commanded by Captain Desmond."
Both Raymond and Richards nodded in acknowledgement.
"Now with that said, we should plan for our next assault." Started Hazama as he points at the map on the briefing table. "The JGSDF 2nd Infantry Division and the Digital Marines will take the left flank through the Metal Empire-"
"Are you sure you want to do that?" Interrupted UlforceVeedramon with concern.
"What do you mean by that?" Eversman asked.
"What he meant is that the Metal Empire can't be trusted." Alphamon started to explain. "Five years ago, the Metal Empire was plunged in a civil war during our war against the Imperium. The civil war was fought between the new Republic party under JumboGamemon and the totalitarian rule under Chaosdramon, who also commanded the D-Brigade. Chaosdramon won and the Republic is currently being hunt down. The Metal Empire now became a secluded but advanced and prosperous empire ruled with an iron fist. Before the civil war, they were our best ally but with the new change of supreme leader, the Metal Empire state to be neutral in the war. However recently our scouts and spies spotted the Metal empire exchanging military technology with the Imperium and are getting close."
"Look Alphamon, I know going into a territory that you don't like is problematic but we don't have the time or power to deal with these internal political problems. We need as much help as we can get and if we have to make a deal with them, we will." Hazama told him sincerely.
"That's kind of hypocritical to say that, don't you think Colonel." Said Raymond with concern. "I mean it's like if we allied ourselves with North Korea."
"I know what you mean but we do not know this world well enough to make these types of decisions. We'll just have to suck it up and hope for the best." Eversman told him with a bit of regret in his voice.
"And what about us?" Shoutmon asked, feeling left behind in the conversation.
"You can provide us artillery support and can send detachments to assist us at holding the main front." Duftmon told him.
"I'll see what we can send." Shoutmon then called for Knightmon to prepare a detachment.
Then everyone turned their heads towards the balcony when they heard some singing from the outside. A group of British paratroopers were singing "I'm dreaming of home" around a small camp fire near the vehicles. Their voices were accompanied by two bagpipes. The deep voices of the soldiers were filled with solemn but also with a small glimpse of hope, hope of going back home in one piece.
"What are they singing?" Asked Magnamon with curiosity.
"I'm dreaming of home, a song sung by the soldiers back in World War I." Answered Ramsey before silently singing.
"It sounds beautiful... but at the same time sad." Dukeman noted loudly, charmed by the song.
Royal Knights and other digimon stared at the group in awe and sympathy.
"Why are they singing at this time of the year?" Asked a curious Knightmon .
"Christmas is coming." Raymond answered casually.
Once the song was over, the soldiers cheered and applauded loudly before going back to their work in silence.