Naomi's peered down into the thick mist, searching for any movement or shadows cast by their flares. Absentmindedly she chewed on her gum, It had become second nature as she thought to herself. 'In order to secure victory, we need to break these enemies first then regroup and if I wait too long I may be too late and we'll be outnumbered.' She fretted.
Unbeknownst to her, Kaiser's held the same concern. He however remained steadfast in holding his position whereas Naomi decided against it. She held faith in her team but worry moved her to action nonetheless.
The Firefly pushed forward slowly as the T29 followed, lagging behind somewhat as the Firefly was naturally faster. "Stay alert they may be preparing an ambush. M36 team one more roundabout then return to the far edge to prevent an enemy withdrawal" ordered Naomi.
"Roger!" the M36 sounded over the radio. Slowly through the trees and fog, past boulders and rocky surfaces that plagued the hillside they proceeded downwards where they would fan through the valley until they made contact or cleared the area. If the latter occurred then the M36 would catch the enemy fleeing in open site. "Enemy sighted!" came the announcement.
"Understood" responded Naomi over her comm. Though commanding the tanks currently engaged in the area, Saunders academy boasted of its individual leadership and liberty practices. This teaching differed greatly from Transcendence's strict chain of command system where the two schools' doctrines separated greatly. Saunders would attack in groups while leaving command to individual commanders whereas Transcendence used small units with varying levels of command in place. The only reason Kaiser and Naomi were facing each other now was due to both having requested their commanders to detach and target the other.
Naomi's seniority was respected however it was not an order, it was more along the lines of favorable advice than an absolute law. Even if she told the M36 to hold it may still engage, the risk of conflict within the M36 crew between obeying or doing what they thought was right was always a possibility. But Saunder's defended its teaching despite cry's against it as they said: "it's a part of a bigger picture, not a competition".
Only one side was aware of these weaknesses, however, and it was Transcendence. Deciding to join the fray, Naomi gave an order to the T29 to push forward and tail what she assumed was a retreating enemy. Pushing past ominous trees and the occasional boulder or protrusion of hill they raced less the M36 be overwhelmed.
One silhouette raced past her. The dark shape at a distance sped by as she looked out her visor. Then a second came upon her right. Eager to not let another enemy escape Naomi and the T29 driver fired as the second silhouette approached their braking vehicles. Bright canon flashes blinded them in the misty fog as their eyes adjusted to it and sought confirmation of their shots. There was no way they could have missed at this range.
The impacts landed on the side of the hazy figure as it spun to the side and away into the fog. Grinning at the small victory, Naomi snickered as she listened into the static in her headset.
"We've been hit, ma'am! I repeat our M36 is disabled two shots off our right as we were pursuing!"
The realization struck like lightning. They hadn't been told how many enemies were sighted nor were chasing. Had one vehicle lured them into a chase? 'Where are the other two?!' Amidst her panicked thoughts, a shot rang out from behind. Its impact smashed against the T29's engine compartment. The impact dealt a harsh blow to its speed and nearly started a fire but did not disable it.
Peering through her rear visor Naomi saw the two terrain features they had passed begin to move. Breaking away and into the thinning yet ever-present fog.
"T29 Rotate turret left, engage the fleeing enemy's!" Shouted Naomi quickly into her mic in compliance the T29 shifted both chassis and turret to sling a shot at the enemy's tracks as they proceeded at an angle uphill. The shot landed but failed to disable the tracks as the enemy disappeared.
'Dammit!' She cursed in her mind. What now? Proceed and follow the fleeing enemy or fall back and restart their search of the enemy? The former risked another ambush yet the latter risked an encirclement with the now-injured T29 and even worse less time. "We're committed now she griped under her breath. "T29 Follow closely and do not lose sight of us, Firefly will push forward and engage, you will provide support once capable and pressure the enemy to retreat or dig in as we flank."
"Understood Ma'am!"
Slowly her vehicles proceeded uphill, soon contact was initiated again. A single shot rang out. Naomi listened silently. 'The 85 perhaps?' Every dozen or so seconds another shell would fly past into a tree or overhead with a few bursts of MG tracer rounds following suit to locate their positions. As she pushed, her vehicles did not return fire. Instead, she patiently waited for their shots to betray their position and to enter a range she could not miss.
The enemy soon came within 100 meters, a blurred mass of a silhouette, uphill and pulling away slowly in reverse. The Firefly increased speed, pushing as fast as possible to the right in n attempt to flank while the T29 lumbered forward unflinchingly bouncing an occasional shot.
Naomi's eyes stared, unblinking through her scope. her focus solely on the target as she squeezed the trigger, she questioned which vehicle it was, hesitating. The silhouette seemed too large. The target in her sight shifted, A vehicle had hidden behind the first without firing. Both vehicles halted, shifting their gears and lurching before racing towards the T29.
-Transition-
On Kaiser's orders, two tanks were tarped and covered with foliage. The IS-1 had lured the enemy M36 into the valley where its friends would hopefully cripple or destroy it. To prevent the IS-1 from being pursued further the KV-85 would initiate an ambush from behind the pursuers after the enemy passed their position. With the dissipating fog still present, they remained immobile passing as terrain while their enemy drove past. The KV-85 then retreated, luring their enemy uphill with sustained fire as the IS-1 circled back
His team had been in disbelief when he had briefed them. They thought he was insane when he explained the second phase.
The Tiger which had raced away onto a higher slope, sat still as Kaiser strained to see the flashes of light and the dull glow of tracers happening adjacent to them. Due to the time being spent in combat the fog was now beginning to disperse rapidly. Glancing towards the sky, one could see the sun's rays beating down, breaking through the trees and brush his vehicle resided in. There was no longer any fog covering his position and as it dissipated lower into the valley he began to make out the vehicles pushing on his allies.
Quickly Kaiser leaned over his gunner's seat. "Sir?" She asked in high-pitched surprise at the close proximity.
"Sorry Belle, just need to make a few adjustments for the plan. Not that I don't trust you but please bear with it for the moment. This is Vital." Belle strained, pushing herself further into her seat as he made minute adjustments to the Tiger's aim. Despite his focus, Kaiser was aware of how uncomfortable she must have been, discomfort of men or not.
Once comfortable with his adjustments, Kaiser leaned back in his seat allowing Belle, reddened cheeks and all, to take a breath of relief. Turning on his mic he spoke one word to his teammates. "Now".
The KV-85 lurched forward and downhill. As planned, their enemies did not see the IS-1 hiding behind the KV-85 until too late. The two vehicles raced directly towards the T29, who responded with a shell landing between the two vehicles. Reloading, the T29 turned its barrel drastically in an effort to lead its shot onto the IS, deeming it a larger threat. The KV-85 and IS-1 quickly passed the Firefly who had lost its line of fire and began to traverse its chassis for a shot.
The T29 finished its reload and aimed. Watching the enemy figures race downhill it waited for the time to strike. The T29's projectile screamed towards its target but skimmed off the IS-1's turret. As it fired, the KV-85 and IS-1 widened their distance from each other, revealing a large chain, linking the rear of their vehicles together. A hulking pine tree passed between the two vehicles catching them by the linked chain and forcing them to a near halt well before the enemy's fire from the rear. The tree that had caught them bent over, breaking in half from the sheer force. As the vehicles lurched, slowing to a stop from the chain all fired.
In the small frame of time provided by the stunt, their enemies had fired missing due to the unpredictable stop. Now reloading, it was the KV-85, IS-1, and Tiger's turn to fire. Shooting simultaneously the KV-85 hit the T29's left track, stopping its already slow retreat. The IS hit the T29's machine gun port and destroyed the MG, ceasing its fire. The Tigers had aimed at the chain, already at its limits and possibly fractured, it broke apart allowing the KV-85 and IS-1 the freedom to maneuver. The two vehicles now freed, resumed their course assaulting the T29.
The Firefly traversed and fired at the KV-85 destroying its left track as it moved to the right of the T29, firing a shot into the turret. The T29 slowly turned its turret to retaliate as the IS-1 maneuvered to its left and fired into the rear of its turret disabling the vehicle.
Close the distance after its first shot, the Firefly fired point-blank into the KV-85s side, easily penetrating. The IS-1 emerged from behind the disabled T29 to fire on the Firefly. The shot missed just over the rear chassis. Taking the opportunity the Firefly fired another shell into the side, disabling the KV-85. Now the Firefly and IS-1 began a dance around the wrecks exchanging shots. Peeking from behind the impromptu cover they would fire, either missing completely or hitting the already disabled vehicles. The crews inside surely were not fond of the impacts from their allies.
The IS, unfortunately, missed more consecutive shots while the Firefly landed. The first two bounced yet the third caught a protruding track, snapping it in half.
Going for the kill the Firefly emerged from its cover.. Absorbed in their bout neither surviving vehicle remembered the third party that had remained absent, unknown to the Firefly they had been observing and speeding towards them.
The Tiger interrupted the bout, ramming the rear right side of the Firefly. As the Larger vehicle sped past the Firefly who was sent spinning into the disabled KV-85. Prepared for the collision the Tiger had its turret rotated to the rear anticipating its position. Slowly it lowered its 88 at the Firefly. The Firefly's engine roared in response and pushed itself in an effort to move as its own turret began to rotate in a desperate attempt to survive. Both vehicles locked on and fired.
The Firefly's shot glanced off the slanted rooftop of the Tiger's turret but the powerful 88 landed straight into the exposed side of the Firefly, rendering it defeated as a flag erupted from the turret. Inside the Tiger Kaiser leaned back in relief. Breaking an unspoken rule of his. Never show weakness. He had done that twice in exposing .his tanks rear to the firefly just now taking a deep breath of relief. It didn't matter now though, the results showed.
Even with blood rushing in his ears along with the joyful cheers of his crew Kaiser could practically hear Naomi shouting inside of the defeated tank before him.
As a second breath of relief escaped his lips Kaiser quickly straightened himself and opened his hatch, radioing his team. "Sitrep?" he asked into the mic as he ushered his driver to join their alleys in the valley. A small pause settled and some static from someone scrambling to grab their headset was heard.
"Val here and as you can see we are no longer able to continue. The Firefly got us at the end." Drifting off on the last words, it was clear she was annoyed at the defeat.
Kaiser confirmed her report. "Understood, I had hoped we could all make it out, but the enemy performed better to our expectations. Send my apologies to your crew."
Valerya emerged from her hatch, now clearly visible as the fog was practically gone, and smirked at him. "I know you're being sincere but damn do you not sound like it." she quipped. Kaiser shrugged over at her as her sister radioed back.
"Natalya here, we have sustained some track and possible suspension damage. Not hurt too bad but we will be slowed considerably. If necessary, you can depart without us and we will catch up to you, Sir."
"That is if you don't end the match before they arrive" taunted Valerya.
Kaiser interrupted the two. "Admirable but unnecessary, I'd rather not risk an ambush on either of us alone, I'll confirm the teams situation before we proceed."
"Yes sir" the sisters responded.
Raising his index finger, Kaiser signaled Katya to transmit to their primary channel. She did so and Kaiser was patched through to Virtanen and Knight. The immediate response was the sound of metal on metal and rounds ricocheting amongst shouts. "Virtanen? Knight? This is Kaiser, my squad has defeated three enemy vehicles, one casualty, what is your situation?"
Knight was the first to respond. His side seemed to be less chaotic compared to Virtanen's. "Not so hot here Sir! The enemy seems to have predicted our actions. Me and Colonel Virtanen have separated into our squads and been engaged. We're currently at one of the lodging centers taking refuge behind the buildings-"
A loud explosion reverberated through the mic interrupting his report. "One friendly vehicle disabled and one immobile but active. The enemy commander is circling, stopping only to fire down on us and tighten the encirclement, requesting support!" finished Knight exasperated.
"Understood Major hold your position, we will come to assist as soon as possible if the enemy commander is truly there." Hesitated before moving on, Kaiser assured his junior.. "Remember there's always another option Knight, breath and think calmly. We'll be there as soon as possible."
"Aye sir!" responded Knight. "Sooner would be more appreciated, however!"
The call ended abruptly. Kaiser paid no mind as he switched to Virtanen. "Virtanen, what is your situation?" A short haughty laugh came through before he spoke. "Not too bad on my end, that brat Arisa, doesn't seem to take kindly to me, however."
Virtanen's words caused alarm for Kaiser. "What did you do?"
"Why do you assume I did something?!" asked Virtanen with a grunt. Kaiser didn't entertain him and silently awaited his response. "Alright fine I may have pushed her buttons."
Kaiser sighed into the mic. "Tell me once I save your ass, what's your location and situation?"
"Forest Northeast of Knights position and close combat. The thick tree line is preventing accurate shots for the longer barreled vehicles. We can barely traverse as opposed to the short-barreled M4's."
"Understood" confirmed Kaiser, "Casualties?"
"One for One" huffed back Virtanen, "The ARL-44 for an M4."
"Stay alive, we'll be there shortly have your operator shoot us your exact coordinates."
"The Major seemed like he needed more help than I don't ya think?" joked Virtanen before a shout of "watch out!" was followed by the grinding sound of lurching steel. "But help won't be refused here either" he amended.
With those final words, the transmission ended. Kaiser looked towards Natalya and her IS-1. "Prokov make ready to move out and prepare your tow cables we're giving you a hand." Natalya saluted and hopped out of her tank with two of her crew members. "Laura, Katya help them attach to our vehicle."
"Yes Sir" the Two responded as they followed suit. Kaiser glanced over to Valerya, laying atop her turret, head resting on her hands as she kicked her legs in the air with a grin. The usual grin wasn't at him nor her sister, following her lethargic wave he saw who her taunts were for. She was watching the Saunders Crews as they exited and prepared their vehicles for the inevitable retrieval and ride back to the starting fields.
"Lt. Prokov!" Shouted Kaiser catching Valerya's attention as she sat up. Lowering his voice to a normal tone he spoke loud enough for her to hear and to be discreet against their enemies. "Prepare your own vehicle and try not to rub too much salt in their wounds." The small girl returned a smug grin, waving a sincere farewell, and nodded.
After a few minutes of preparation, the vehicles were set up for departure. Kaiser took a moment to observe the battlefield. Splintered trees, upturned dirt, the split cable, and perhaps most satisfying to him were the crews of the defeated tanks mucking about. One girl, in particular, caught his eye. Sitting upon the barrel of the Firefly with her arms crossed, bitterly spitting out a wad of gum.
As his Tiger passed by the defeated Firefly, Naomi's chest raised and lowered in a huff. Words weren't needed, instead, he sent a wink her way and turned before she could shout at him. Her reaction would surely have been rewarding but there was no more time for games, his fellow cadets needed him.
-End Chapter-
