Chp. 2: Forward Feelers
November 26, 2015
Southwest Vitoze
Inside the town itself, something resembling normalcy had survived the bombing raids. It was a sign that always kept General Corps d'Armee Pierre LaPointe motivated. With Emmeria's parliament still scattered and the acting President's powers limited, he was effectively on his own. LaPointe was a general, not a political man, but he'd been forced to learn fast. He looked out the rear window of his personal VAB at an elderly couple walking along the street, probably as they had for decades. The world outside the old city disappeared as the APCs and their escorting VBLs followed the road down into a tunnel that led under the Vitoze Walls. The same ones that'd protected the old settlement for millena. The place was rich with Emmerian history, even as the Estovakians loomed. He just wished the streetlamps could be on as the last light of the day was almost gone.
The convoy went back to the surface and made a sharp right towards what used to be a boarding school. The lead VBL screeched to a halt and was greeted by a roadblock. Even a Corps General needed to have the right paperwork. They were moving on before long, and the vehicles finally stopped next to one of the old dormitories. LaPointe donned his helmet and hurried out one of the rear doors. General de Brigade Pieter Descloix was there to meet him as he walked away from the dirty and scared vehicle. They exchanged the briefest of salutes, then shook hands.
"We thought you were dead, General." He confessed.
"I can assure you I am very much alive, General Descloix." He said, not able to find humor in his ordeal just yet.
His adjutant turned and immediately walked inside, with LaPointe and his immediate aides quietly tailing the two.
"Glad to have you back either way; I have no political aspirations. So when I heard the Stovies hadn't killed you, I had to have a drink to celebrate." The junior man added through his thick jowls.
"Let's dispense with the comedy, General; we have much work to do."
"Yes sir."
They hurried up a few flights of stairs to a lounge, where LaPointe was met with salutes, as well as a great amount of relief. Just as much confusion, as talk of being dead or alive went either way until you saw the living man or his corpse. A thin, angry-looking man standing over a sand table lowered his hand and waited for LaPointe to speak.
"I apologize for my absence, but I expect that things ran as normal in that time." He said, stroking back his snow-white hair.
"Yes sir, things remain the same. The failure to cripple us with carpet bombing hasn't changed the Estovakians stance any. They've been moving some troops into the mountains to reinforce a possible flank attack there, but the bulk of their mechanized forces remain in the plains. Right now they retain three full regiments, with substantial air and logistical support. Our latest estimate has shown that we've attrited enough that the Estovakians have to start being more particular." Colonel Saul Emand explained.
"Any sign that Aigion will be employed?"
"For now it remains grounded and under repair. We estimate it won't return to action until after Christmas."
There was a brief air of frustration; the craft was open to attack, but the resources to destroy it weren't there. LaPointe quickly looked at the Curzalani River. A bunch of cylinders representing four reinforced brigades were gathered near the town of Misko. It was the bulk of the man's remaining forces; just about every other unit along the line was now understrength because of the rearranging.
"We have less than six hours before Operation Blizzard commences. Have there been any changes?" He asked.
"None, sir. The elements of the attacking force have been conducting reconnaissance throughout the day in conjunction with the continuing campaign against enemy infrastructure. The 3rd Fleet will continue to stand down until 0400."
"Have our troops encountered any attempts at a crossing by the Estovakians?"
"None so far, sir."...
Lieutenant Stojan Bondar held on tight as his BRM Stalker beat aside the brush and came to a halt. He raised the night scope to his eye and scanned the treeline on the other side of the farm field for signs of movement. The fresh layer of snow hadn't been disturbed by tracks or tires in this area, but it was obvious that the farmhouse and barns nearby were occupied. He lowered the scope and grimaced; he didn't have the resources to search the buildings. Not if he wanted to maintain stealth. He reached down to the control set for his throat mic and pressed the transmit button.
"Kolibri 1 to Gnezdo, come in Gnezdo." He said softly.
"Gnezdo is receiving you, Kolibri." Company headquarters replied.
"Gnezdo be advised, we've come upon an occupied farm near Navigation Marker 3. We lack the resources to properly clear it. Request permission to deviate around the location."
While he waited, he switched to his vehicle's intercom to address the gunner.
"Gunner, keep an eye on the house. Put the 30mm on it but do not engage."
"Yes sir."
He switched back to the radio just in time to get his orders.
"Kolibri, pass along the exact location for Zhuk 3. After that you are cleared to deviate from your course."
"Understood."
Bondar was happy to drop into the (relatively) warm turret of his reconnaissance vehicle to get his maps. He swiveled his low-light viewer towards the farmhouse as he did some map reading. His chilled bones begged to stay down in the turret a while longer, but he pushed away the urge and rose again as he told company HQ where the farm was.
"Kolibri 1 to platoon, we're going to reverse about 50 meters and make a wide arc around the farm. Kolibris 3 and 4, trail behind me and Kolibri 2 and cover the flanks. We'll head for the road intersection half a kilometer to our southeast and reorient there." He outlined.
"Understood, Kolibri 1…should we waste the farmhouse?" His Senior NCO asked.
"Negative; Gnezdo is contacting friendly infantry units to secure and search it. Let's move before they get here and blow our cover."
The vehicle commanders let out quick acknowledgments before the platoon moved back. The BRMs filled the night with a low pur, sometimes more a whine. Bondar yanked down his tanker's goggles and lowered himself more into the turret. The cold wind rushed into any crevice in his layers of clothing. It stung his skin, causing him to tense up. The vehicle bounded over the remains of a stone wall, throwing up a thin cloud of powder. His gunner swiveled the turret to the left while their wingman vehicle swung to the right. Bondar ducked down and switched one of his two displays to the sights for the Metis-M mounted to his left.
"Kolibri 2 has a visual on the crossroads, possibly the river." His NCO piped up.
The two Emmerian snipers watched the BRMs across the river roll into position around the intersection and settle amongst any cover they could find. The first two hid behind some old wooden buildings. The second half rolled behind what used to be an inn.
"Think they'll try and cross?" The one with the rifle asked.
"They won't have a chance to consider it." The other replied as he eased his radio up to his lips.
"Den this is Vulpes 4-3, we have Estovakian reconnaissance vehicles in our sector. We're not sure if they're aware of the ford nearby."
"Understood Vulpes, are they aware of your presence?"
"Not at this time; we're moving to our secondary position to be safe. We will call you when we're there. ETA one hour."
"Understood, good luck."
It was like a big tripwire being set off...
Lieutenant Jacques Cloutier's AMX-56 left its fighting position with ease, sounding like a wild animal eager for a hunt. His driver, Taskin, effortlessly put the main battle tank in drive and into a smooth cruise forward so the rest of 1st Troop could form on him. Lieutenant Gabriel Dumas, 2nd Troop's commander, appeared on the other side of the highway as the eight tanks started their gallop across the empty plains. He scanned the horizon with his thermal viewer and keyed his radio.
"Hyena 3 this is Bronze 1, we're moving with Bronze 2 to link up at your position. ETA is about two minutes." The underweight tanker announced in an almost robotic tone.
"Copy your last, Bronze 1." The last component of the counter-recon force replied.
"Bronze 1-5, hold the positions and maintain your security mission. Have one of your patrols ready to shuttle any casualties back to the Squadron aid station, how copy?"
"Understood, Bronze 1-1. Good luck." The Brigadier-Chef in charge of his Investigation Group replied.
"Hey, Lieutenant." Taskin spoke up.
"Yes?" He replied.
"Why shouldn't you write your jokes on a piece of paper?"
"Forget it, Clifford. You should know by now that the Lieutenant is weary of your antics." Margis Adrien Camille spoke up from the gunner's station.
"At least he doesn't voice his terrible commentary!"
Taskin laughed before he signed off the intercom, and Jacques' face remained the same passive mask. Every fiber of his being had been focused on commanding his troop and accomplishing its mission. Become steel, like the namesake of the 5th Armored Squadron. His personal feelings, which he would keep to himself for now, were a matter for another time. He sought out anything that might need attention as they hit full speed. They passed by a thin row of trees, where two troops of AMX-10RCs emerged to join the advance. The reconnaissance vehicles formed a wedge at the center, loosely spaced but leaving no gaps to be exploited. Jacques could imagine that they were becoming increasingly obvious, but so far the countryside remained quiet. He looked at his watch and, though it was somewhat stupid, hoped this affair would cut into the larger schedule.
"Bronze 1 and 2 this is Vulpes. We've got a second platoon of vehicles across the river. More BRMs near a few hedgerows. Be advised that they've deployed scouts on foot, probably looking for a way across."
"Position?" Jacques replied.
"West of the first group spotted."
"Bronze 2 acknowledges all. Bronze 1, we'll take the first group and leave the second to you." Gabriel chimed in.
"Understood. Good luck, Bronze 2." Jacques grunted.
Jacques and his wingman, Marchel Henin, jerked to the left and brought the tanks into an echelon left formation. The terrain up ahead was almost barren, save for some trees and dirt roads. Jacques consulted his GPS and battlefield management system as they started to approach the scout group's general area. Vulpes had its command post set up near a small village, so Jacques swung his tanks just to the east of them.
"Vulpes, any further information you have that we could use?" He spoke up.
"Not at this time, Bronze 1. I've got my men deployed along a skirmish line as shown on your BMS. We're going to keep our heads down until you've engaged. Stovies got too much firepower for us to take alone." The scouts' commander replied.
"Understood. We're about a minute out; we'll bypass your positions so we aren't bunched up. Bronze 1-3, move to that rise just south of the river for a better firing position. Engage at will."
"Moving now." His second-in-command, Chef Marechal Lucien DeBay, acknowledged.
The tanks slowed as they passed the village; Jacques checked his thermals once more and saw the BRMs between some more trees. It was moving back, heading for a rise in the terrain. Camille spotted him at the same time.
"Gunner has a target! IFV, forward quadrant at 210 Meters. Currently moving backwards." He barked.
"Engage." Jacques commanded.
"Engaging!"
The entirety of the tank's F1 main gun jolted back as it hurled a 120mm armor-piercing round at the vehicle. Jacques watched it reach the Estovakian BRM in no more than a second or two. It cut through the armored vehicle and out the back end, striking a tree nearby. The vehicle stopped and remained still. The autoloader whirred as a fresh round was selected and sent into the gun's breech, but the BRM had been knocked out. Jacques clenched his jaw and zoomed out to look for other targets as its crew abandoned it.
"Gunner, switch to OECC." He added.
"OECC is queued and ready." Camille replied.
A second BRM appeared, 30mm cannon hammering away in the Emmerians' direction. Taskin moved the tank forward onto more open ground, making more room for the AMX-10s. One of the scouts' positions, hidden amongst the ruins of a windmill, raked the first BRM's dismounts with a heavy machine gun. Jacques keyed his radio to help.
"Vulpes elements engaging those dismounts, you're right on target! Sweep left and right, be advised of fallen logs. Estovakian footmobiles are using whatever cover they can find." He reported.
"This is Vulpes 3-1, copy that!" A grateful young man replied.
"They're shifting to the left, now!" Jacques added.
Henin moved forward after firing another round at the BRMs. Two more of the vehicles had moved into the fight, deploying smoke and laying down suppressing fire on Vulpes 3-1's position.
"Gunner has acquired a new target! Two IFVs, right quadrant at 400 Meters and closing!" Camille declared.
"Engage!" Jacques commanded.
"Engaging!"
The gun recoiled and sent a new round screaming at the Estovakians. The second BRM turned its attention towards the two Leclercs and fired an anti-tank missile at the bigger vehicles. It stopped and deployed a second round of smoke as its partner took a nasty graze, but not a knock-out hit. Taskin threw the tank in reverse as Camille fired another round. Jacques deployed smoke and gritted his teeth as the missile flew mere meters over from the turret's frontal armor. At Camille's insistence, Taskin moved the tank forward again so the gunner could get a proper shot off. He caught the BRM trying to retreat while its commander loaded a new round for the Metis launcher.
"Engaging!" Camille barked.
Jacques slowly opened the hatch above him as the situation came under control for the time being. Two of Hyeana's AMXs moved to check in on Vulpes 3-1's position. As he raised a night-vision scope to look across the river, a whistling sound reached his ears over the commotion of battle. A sudden explosion to his left redirected Jacques' attention and put him back inside his tank. He turned his thermal viewer, then went to his periscopes as another explosion threw a veil of snow and dirt over the infrared's sight.
"Enemy artillery incoming, repeat enemy artillery incoming. Bronze 1-1, I suggest we move to alternate positions." DeBay radioed.
"Copy, break, Vulpes be advised that we're shifting to new positions. Driver, get us out of here! Find a new position!"
As Taskin put the tank in reverse, an artillery round landed close enough that the tank shook. Jacques kept his mouth open to protect against the shockwave and held on as the Brigadier went back a few dozen meters and shifted to the right. Jacques warned Henin and gave his driver a second set of eyes as they moved towards the ford the Estovakians had sought.
"Bronze 1 and 2, Hyena has gotten through to friendly artillery. We're going to have a few batteries rake the far side of the river. Hold position once you've moved and standby." Hyena's CO radioed.
"Bronze 1 copies." Jacques replied.
"Bronze 2 copies!" Gabriel agreed.
Taskin put the tank in a position overlooking the ford. As the BRMs retreated, the telltale impacts of artillery began sprouting up around them as well. Taskin moved the tank back again when a few more rounds from the Stovie side landed too close for his liking.
"Bronze, Hyena, be advised that Vulpes has eyes on multiple helicopters moving in from the north. They appear to be Hinds; air support is enroute but it'll be three minutes before they arrive." Vulpes' CO reported.
"Do you have any anti-air capabilities?" Gabriel asked.
"Negative; we're preparing to reposition at this time."
"Bronze 1 will maintain position and provide support until you're ready to move. Bronze 2, we're repositioning for better cover, how copy?" Jacques added.
"Bronze 2 will follow…Hyena?"
"Hyena is moving to establish positions to receive Vulpes. We can't do a thing against Hinds."
"Copy, Bronze 1 I'm gonna try and contact Bronze 6. See what he can give us."
As all this was going on, Jacques wrapped a hand around the control stick for the NF1 machine gun mounted on the side of his cupola. Whatever little good it would do, it was what he was trained to do. Taskin guided the tank down the approach to the ford, where he settled behind a sagging tree and some rocks. Henin was just to his left, sitting atop a small perch deeper in the woods. The approach of the helicopters was measured by the beat of their rotorblades, which created an unnerving sound. A mechanical abomination growling as it lumbered towards its hunting grounds. He searched for the helicopters and keyed his intercom.
"Gunner, standby to switch to Polynege rounds!" He ordered.
Jacques hit a switch and opened the compartment that contained additional rounds for the main gun. He pulled out one of the aforementioned rounds and fed it into the breech via an opening just behind his left shoulder.
"Loaded!" He announced.
As he went back to his thermals, Camille raised the gun's barrel and zoomed his sights in on the first unnatural shape he saw. Well in the distance, beyond the reach of his arsenal, was a pair of Mi-35 Hind gunships wrapped in greens and browns. They were just above the trees, racing along at high speed. He saw flashes from their wings and activated the tank's smoke dischargers.
"Driver, shift positions!" He barked.
Taskin brought the tank back to avoid the Hind's AT-6 Spiral, and Camille readjusted his sights. He spotted the helicopter through a break in the smoke and called it out.
"Hind, front quadrant at 1800 Meters and closing!"
"Engage, engage at will!" Jacques demanded.
"Engaging!"
The gun rocked back as the Hind's missile passed by Jacques heard the whoosh of its rocket motor pass by. The Hind started salvoing rockets at the two Leclercs, but had to pull away as Camille's shot just missed him. Henin's tank took one in the tracks, which immobilized him. Despite that, the tank's turret swung towards a second Hind as the smoke was beginning to fade away. The other two Hinds swung around from the left, taking notice of Hyena and Vulpes in the midst of falling back. Camille swung the turret around while Jacques jumped on the radio to warn the other units.
"Heads up, multiple Hinds moving on your positions! Vuples, Hyena!"
The two helicopters were met by tracers of different sizes as they passed over, then pulled away to higher altitudes. A rocket raced up towards them, but it was in vain. The two helicopters banked around as the second pair laid into the offending Emmerians with more rockets. One of the first pair maneuvered towards DeBay and his wingman, then unleashed another AT-6 at the tanks. Jacques looked at his battlefield management system's display and saw one of the tank's transmitters stop.
"Bronze 1-3, are you still with us? I just lost Bronze 1-4 on my tracker." He asked, voice still making an ice cube look warm.
"Bronze 1-4 has been hit and immobilized. Standing by to receive any survivors." DeBay replied.
"Watch out for those first two Hinds, they're coming around from your rear-right quadrant."
"I see the bastards."
DeBay's tank caught the last Hind as it was moving towards the Stovie side of the river. He fired a single guided round at the trailing attack helicopter and hit it in the fuselage. The machine broke into two parts before unceremoniously falling to the ground. Jacques allowed himself a very, very quick fist pump. He swallowed any shouts of joy and keyed his intercom.
"Vulpes, do you have an update on that air support?"
"Air support is approaching now, we're going to have them chase off those helicopters, then make a few passes against targets of opportunity on the far bank. We're regrouping near an old vineyard about 600 meters to your south."
"Copy that, we'll join you as soon as we've collected our casualties. Bronze 2, what's your status?"
"We lost Bronze 2-4. Will move back with you when you're ready, Bronze 1."
Jacques opened his hatch and looked over to Henin's tank. The three men hurried to their commander's vehicle and clambered up the front, looking for anything to hold on to. Jacques pointed them to wherever he thought would work, asking again and again if anyone was hurt. For now the wounds seemed to be contained, so he took to the intercom to tell Taskin to get moving.
"Bronze 1-5, move that patrol to Vulpes 3's new position and prepare to receive dismounted crews. Light injuries." He added, switching effortlessly back to the radio.
"Bronze 1-7 and 1-8 are enroute." Bronze 1-5 assured.
Camille fired a third round of smoke grenades for good measure as Taskin countied to gain speed backing up. DeBay's tank fell in alongside them until they reached a barren hedge. There, Bronze 2's remnants slid in from the right and held until they were sure no one was following them. The continuing beat of rotors was joined by the low roar of a jet engine. Jacques looked up and saw a Mirage 2000D pass over, followed by the howl of its twin DEFAs. It drew missile shots from the horizon and deployed flares as its wingman swooped in to attack the Hinds. Steel 2 held position while Steel 1 started bounding again to reach the recon units.
"Bronze this is Steel 6, requesting SITREP." Commandant Bobby Gerard radioed. Jacques cupped a hand over his mic and replied as soon as they slowed.
"Steel 6, Bronze 1 and 2 relieved Vulpes 3 with Hyena 2. Small enemy force, mostly BRMs. They hit us with some arty and Hinds. All BRMs appear to be destroyed, one Hind knocked down. Bronze 1 is at 50% strength, but have recovered four crew. Bronze 2 reports 75% strength." He explained.
"No crew recovered from Bronze 2-4." Gabriel grunted as calmly as a man could.
"Understood Bronze 1 and 2. We're going to move up cycling you out of your positions. Bronze 6 will be bringing in heavy reinforcements. ETA is about an hour; hold position with Hyena and Vulpes. Steel 6, out."
