Chapter 21: The Irnetia Crisis Part 3
Irnetia Sea, Central Calendar Year 10641, Month 5, Day 27
Lieutenant General Cheng Xiaogang sat in the bustling mess hall aboard the Type-075 amphibious assault ship, the clatter of cutlery and distant hum of ship operations providing a constant backdrop. As he ate, a young staff member approached, balancing his meal tray carefully.
"We'll have a decisive battle soon, right?" the young officer asked, in between bites of his own meal.
Cheng looked up, his gaze steady. "Yes, we will. But I expect minimal casualties on our side. Our preparations have been meticulous."
The young officer nodded eagerly. "The results of our past operations speak for themselves. We've proven our superiority time and again."
Cheng's expression turned steely. "Indeed. Our success hinges on flawless execution."
The officer's eyes gleamed with anticipation. "Let's ensure every detail is hammered out, sir."
Cheng managed a rare smile, his demeanor momentarily lightening. "Yes, we must crush any resistance swiftly."
As they conversed, another officer passing by noticed Cheng's choice of food. "Commander, are you having huoguo again? You really love this stuff."
Cheng chuckled softly. "Ah, huoguo. It reminds me of my college days in Sichuan. The fiery flavors, the camaraderie around the hotpot—there's something about it that fuels our spirit... and promises victory."
Finishing his meal, Cheng pushed his plate aside. "Enough reminiscing. It's time for the briefing."
With that, he rose from his seat, the weight of impending battle settling back over him. The young officers exchanged glances, a mixture of respect and anticipation clear in their expressions as they prepared to delve into the detailed planning ahead.
1 hour later
Aboard the Type-075 Amphibious Assault Ship Anhui's Operation Room.
"Gentlemen, we will begin the briefing for the operation to capture King Irtis XIII in Kilcrus, the capital city of Irnetia."
The briefing commenced.
"For this mission, our own Special Assault Teams will handle the capture. Let me introduce you to Captain Rong Wei, the leader of our elite assault unit."
Captain Rong Wei and his team members stood and bowed.
"Greetings, I am Captain Rong Wei of the Special Assault Team. In this operation, we will ride the helicopters alongside you, the elite of the 7th Marine Brigade 'Floods Dragon'."
Rong returned to his seat. The lights dimmed as a projector displayed the operation's map and summary.
"The objective is to secure King Irtis XIII. As soon as we capture him, we will withdraw all personnel from the Kingdom. This is our primary principle."
The screen showed an image of King Irtis XIII, provided by the Ministry of State Security (MSS).
"First, the Command Element 'Typhoon' will oversee the overall command and direction of the operation. I will be in direct communication with all units to ensure seamless coordination."
"Major Liu Xue, your Intelligence Unit 'Ghost Eye' will be responsible for real-time intelligence gathering and dissemination. Your team will provide updates on enemy movements and any potential threats. Maintain constant surveillance using our UAVs from the UAS Flight 'Shadow Wing' led by Lieutenant Wang Xin."
"Lieutenant Colonel Wang Lei, Logistics Support 'Iron Horse' will handle supply, maintenance, and transportation. Ensure all units are fully equipped and ready for rapid deployment. Your support is crucial for the operation's success."
"We will conduct a surprise attack using only helicopter-borne forces at the castle. Once secured, we will arrest King Irtis XIII. However, if locating the King takes too long, it might become difficult to guarantee our escape. We must ensure we capture him swiftly to prevent prolonged conflict."
The operation images shifted.
"To deceive Irnetia into thinking China is genuinely invading, we will perform a diversionary tactic."
The explanation continued.
"First, our type-055 destroyers will target Irnetia costal defense with CJ-10A (DF-10A) land-attack cruise missiles. The 7th Marine Brigade will then conduct an amphibious assault and head straight to the capital, bypassing towns. Major Li Wei, Armored Company 'Steel Fang' will provide armored support with Type-99 main battle tanks and ZSL-10 (Type 10) armored personnel carriers. You will be positioned on the plains in front of Kilcrus to create the impression of a full-scale invasion. Your presence will draw enemy forces away from the castle. Captain Sun Tao, Artillery Battery 'Thunderstorm' will use PCL-181 long-range artillery systems and PHL-03 truck-mounted self-propelled multiple rocket launcher batteries to create chaos in civilian areas. Your objective is to divert attention and resources of Irnetia's defenses. Coordinate closely with 'Steel Fang' to maximize impact. Lieutenant Zhang Hong, Engineer Platoon 'Iron Fist' will provide mobility support, fortification, and obstacle clearance. You will ensure our units can maneuver freely and establish defensive positions if needed. During this time, we will conduct attacks to inflict moderate damage and tension. Just before the heliborne operation begins, we will launch an intense assault to deceive Irnetia into thinking this is a full invasion. For air defense, our destroyers anchored offshore will provide cover with intermediate-range surface-to-air missiles."
"Will we use fighters for air cover?" a young officer asked.
"No. Flying fighters over the city would alert them to an air assault. Instead, we will rely on ground-based defenses and our naval assets to neutralize any airborne threats. Captain Li Na's Reconnaissance Company 'Ghost Stalker' will conduct deep reconnaissance and surveillance. Your team will provide critical intelligence on enemy movements and ensure our units avoid ambushes."
The projection changed to the Royal Castle, Lampall's blueprint.
"Once the enemy's attention is directed towards our ground forces, we will initiate the heliborne operation on the castle's plaza. Major Liu Yang's Assault Helicopter Flight 'Night Raven' will provide aerial assault capabilities and troop transport. Your helicopters will deploy our Special Assault Teams directly to the castle's plaza. Elite units will infiltrate the castle and secure King Irtis XIII. If we engage palace guards, eliminate them without hesitation. Captain Hu Jun's Attack Helicopter Flight 'Steel Talon' will conduct deep strike missions and neutralize any mage threats. Maintain stealth and precision to avoid detection. Once the King is secured, we will withdraw all units. We must complete this within 15 minutes to avoid enemy reinforcements. If we fail, the operation will be aborted. Major Wang Mei, Medical Detachment 'Lifeblood' will establish mobile field hospitals and be on standby for rapid medical evacuation. Your team will ensure any casualties receive immediate care and are evacuated swiftly."
Another officer raised his hand.
"Can we trust this blueprint?"
"The blueprint is provided by the MSS, obtained from a spy within the castle. Black areas are rooms the spy couldn't access."
"Will the Special Assault Team fight at the front?"
"Yes, the SAT members will work with the 1st Special Operations Battalion. Their marksmanship training ensures fewer mistakes. They will rappel from helicopters, as they are not trained for parachuting."
"Will the assault occur during the day?"
"No. The 7th Marine Brigade will draw the enemy's attention from morning and escalate attacks at dusk. Helicopters will deploy at night. Timing details will be provided later."
The projection shifted to display the missions of the 1st and 2nd Special Operations Battalions.
"Lieutenant Colonel Chen Yong, your 1st Special Operations Battalion 'Shadow Fang' will provide direct support to the Special Assault Team. Your advanced IFVs and UAVs will be crucial in securing the perimeter around the city and ensuring no reinforcements reach the royal compound. Your primary mission is to establish a secure zone for the extraction team and to provide immediate backup if they face heavy resistance inside the castle. Lieutenant Colonel Liu Hua, your 2nd Special Operations Battalion 'Storm Serpent' will be responsible for creating secondary diversions and blocking potential reinforcements from Irnetian military units. Your IFVs and precision strike capabilities will enable you to conduct hit-and-run tactics on enemy supply lines and command centers, causing confusion and delaying any organized counterattack. You will also be on standby to support 'Shadow Fang' if the situation demands it."
The briefing continued late into the night, as every detail of the diversionary tactic in Kilcrus and the capture of King Irtis XIII was meticulously planned to ensure the rapid conquest of Irnetia before the Holy Milishial Empire could intervene. The fate of the mission, and potentially the entire campaign, rested on their shoulders.
12 hour later - The Beach of Isrela - 40 km from Kilcrus
Captain Lars Krane's morning began with a tense meal of eggs and coffee in his cramped command post, perched high amidst the rocky cliffs overlooking Isrela beach. The air was thick with anticipation, punctuated by distant rumblings of artillery and the nervous shuffling of his men preparing for what lay ahead.
"Captain," Lieutenant Iona's voice cut through the tense atmosphere, drawing Krane's attention to the map spread out on the makeshift table before them. "Scouts report enemy movements along the coast. They're coming."
Krane nodded, his jaw tightening with resolve. "Prepare the defenses. Every gun manned and ready. This beach must hold."
No sooner had he spoken than the ground beneath them shook violently. The bunker reverberated with a deafening roar as DF-10A missiles struck with surgical precision, ripping through concrete and steel. Krane cursed, scrambling for cover alongside Iona as explosions rocked their sanctuary.
"Incoming! Take cover!" Iona shouted, diving into a nearby trench as debris rained down around them. Krane followed, adrenaline coursing through his veins as he watched in grim silence.
Through the haze of smoke and dust, Krane glimpsed the advancing enemy: Chinese Type-99 tanks and ZSL-10 armored carriers, emerging from the sea on their Type 726 LCAC air-cushioned landing crafts like monsters rising from the depths. The beach defenses of Isrela, formidable though they were, seemed inadequate against the onslaught that unfolded before them.
"We've trained for this," Krane reminded himself, his voice a steady anchor amidst the storm of war. "Hold your ground! Stand firm!"
As the battle escalated, Krane coordinated his men with a blend of urgency and determination. He directed fire teams to adjust their positions, dispatched reinforcements to bolster weak points, and urged his troops to maintain their resolve against overwhelming odds. Irnetian infantrymen armed with automatic magic machine guns and breech-loading single-shot magic rifles hunkered down in their extensive system of coastal defenses, unleashing torrents of magical projectiles at the advancing enemy.
But as the enemy drew closer, Krane knew the inevitable truth. The sheer firepower and relentless advance of the Chinese forces threatened to overwhelm their defenses. "We can't hold them here," he muttered grimly, his mind racing through the limited options available amidst the chaos of battle. "Prepare to fall back to secondary positions."
With a heavy heart, Krane issued the order to retreat, rallying his men to disengage from the crumbling defenses. "Regroup at the second line! Protect Kilcrus at all costs!" His voice echoed with the burden of command, steeling their spirits for the trials yet to come.
Amidst the chaos and uncertainty of Isrela beach, Captain Lars Krane led his embattled forces in a strategic withdrawal, determined to defend their homeland against an enemy whose might seemed inexorable. The air filled with the clang of magic-enhanced rifles and the thunder of artillery as the Irnetians fought desperately to stem the tide of invaders, their resolve tested to its limits amidst the carnage of war.
But as the retreat became a frantic scramble, the Chinese unleashed a devastating final assault. Phosgene gases, billowing greenish clouds of death, engulfed the beach, choking the defenders and rendering their defenses useless. Panic swept through the ranks as soldiers clawed at their throats, gasping for air amidst the toxic haze.
In the chaos, Krane found himself gasping for breath, his vision blurring as he struggled to maintain consciousness. Around him, men fell to the ground, their bodies convulsing in agony. Through tear-filled eyes, he glimpsed Lieutenant Iona, her face contorted in a silent scream as she collapsed beside him.
Then, silence descended upon Isrela beach, broken only by the distant rumble of Chinese engines and the haunting moans of the dying. Captain Lars Krane, gasping for his last breaths, realized he was the sole survivor of the massacre. His body wracked with pain, he crawled towards the cliffs, driven by a desperate urge to escape the suffocating horror that had consumed his comrades.
As darkness closed in around him, Krane collapsed at the cliff's edge, staring out across the battlefield where so many had fallen. The bitter taste of defeat mingled with the acrid scent of gas, a grim testament to the relentless brutality of war.
Lahlua Plain, Central Calendar Year 10641, Month 5, Day 29
The Lahlua Plain, stretching between Isrela Beach and the capital Kilcrus, stood as a desolate buffer, crucial for any military force aiming to reach the heart of Irnetia. Barren and devoid of significant vegetation, it provided an ideal battleground, offering clear sightlines and minimal cover—a strategic nightmare for those attempting to defend against a technologically advanced adversary like the Chinese 7th Marine Brigade 'Floods Dragon.'
As the Brigade's forces landed and swiftly bypassed smaller towns, their advance came to an abrupt halt upon reaching the Lahlua Plain. There, waiting for them, was Duke Haku's formidable Irnetian force—20,000 infantrymen armed to the teeth with automatic magic machine guns and breech-loading single-shot magic rifles. Supported from above by 50 menacing wyverns and backed by a cohort of 100 sturdy battle golems, the Irnetian defenders believed they could halt the Chinese advance.
Unbeknownst to Duke Haku and his troops, the real devastation awaited them from the sea. Offshore, stealthily positioned Type-055 destroyers loomed, their HHQ-9 missiles primed and ready. Above them, the air buzzed with the arrival of Changhe Z-10ME attack helicopters, each armed with precision AKD-10 anti-tank missiles—a deadly combination against the magical creatures standing against them.
The engagement began with a deceptive calm. Irnetian infantrymen, emboldened by their numbers and fortified position, awaited the enemy's approach. Duke Haku, a seasoned commander, surveyed the plain from his vantage point, issuing confident orders to hold their ground against the incoming assault.
Suddenly, the skies erupted in a thunderous display as the Type-055 destroyers unleashed their HHQ-9 missiles. From the sea, these missiles streaked towards the unsuspecting wyverns circling overhead, guided by advanced radar and targeting systems. The first salvo struck with surgical precision, catching the wyverns in mid-air as they attempted to swoop down on the Chinese forces below. Explosions blossomed in the sky, scattering fiery debris across the plain as the once-mighty creatures plummeted earthward, their roars of defiance cut short by the overwhelming firepower of the PLA Navy.
On the ground, the Irnetian infantrymen, initially stunned by the sudden aerial assault, quickly regrouped, their automatic magic machine guns and rifles roaring to life. Streams of magical projectiles streaked towards the advancing Chinese troops, yet their efforts were soon overshadowed by the devastating response from above.
The Changhe Z-10ME helicopters, agile and lethal, darted into action. Pilots expertly maneuvered through the air, their sights locked onto the hulking figures of the battle golems. With precise timing, the AKD-10 missiles streaked from their pods, homing in on the magical constructs with deadly accuracy. Each impact sent shockwaves through the ground, shattering golems into twisted metal and magical essence. Duke Haku's confident commands turned to desperate pleas as his defenses crumbled under the relentless assault from air and sea.
Amid the chaos, voices of desperation and disbelief echoed across the plain. "Hold steady! They can't break us!" shouted one Irnetian officer, trying to rally his men against the onslaught. Another, witnessing the devastation wrought by the missiles, cried out in vain hope, "Send for reinforcements! We must hold the line!"
But the battle had already tipped decisively. The 7th Marine Brigade, meticulously coordinated and technologically superior, advanced with precision. Their casualties remained nonexistent as they systematically neutralized each threat. The Irnetian forces, overwhelmed and outmatched, could only watch in horror as their defenses crumbled before them.
By the time the dust settled on the Lahlua Plain, silence descended over the battlefield. The Chinese forces, having suffered no casualties, swiftly resumed their march towards Kilcrus, leaving behind a scene of wreckage and shattered defenses. Duke Haku, his once-proud army now decimated, could only stare in disbelief at the devastation wrought upon his kingdom's last line of defense.
As the Chinese 7th Marine Brigade 'Floods Dragon' pressed on towards their ultimate objective—the capture of King Irtis XIII—the battle on the Lahlua Plain would be remembered not for its valor or heroism, but for the stark demonstration of modern military supremacy against a magical backdrop of desperation and defiance.
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The secret port of the Nigrat Union buzzed with activity as the Holy Milishial Empire's rapid reaction force prepared for deployment. The port, hidden from prying eyes and shielded by powerful wards, was a testament to Milishial's prowess in blending magic and technology. At the heart of this hub stood the imposing figure of Colonel Akito Markto, overseeing the preparations with a meticulous eye.
"Status report," Colonel Markto barked, his voice cutting through the din of activity.
"All units are reporting readiness, sir," Major Elise Kain, his second-in-command, replied crisply. "The 1001st Special Operations Battalion is fully equipped and awaiting final orders."
The 1001st Special Operations Battalion, an elite unit of 500 soldiers, was one of many special operation force of Milishial. Each soldier was equipped with an Alexander Golem Frame, a marvel of Milishial engineering. Standing at four meters tall, these mechas bore a striking resemblance to the knightmare frames from the popular anime Code Geass. With sleek, angular designs and a host of magical and technological enhancements, they were the pinnacle of Milishial's military capability.
Colonel Markto strode through the staging area, where rows of Alexander Golem Frames stood ready, their pilots making final adjustments. The air was thick with a sense of urgency and anticipation. Every soldier knew the gravity of their mission: to protect King Irtis XIII and prevent Irnetia from falling to the Chinese invaders.
"Colonel, all Alexander Golem Frames have passed final diagnostics," an engineer reported, his voice tinged with pride. "We're ready for deployment."
"Good," Markto nodded, satisfaction evident in his stern expression. "Major Kain, ensure all pilots are briefed on the latest intelligence. We cannot afford any mistakes."
"Understood, sir," Kain saluted and turned to relay the orders.
Dominating the port was the colossal Pal Argonas, a marvel of magical engineering. At 337 meters long, with a wingspan of 175 meters and a height of 47 meters, the Pal Argonas was an awe-inspiring sight. Weighing over 70,000 tons, it was heavily armored and bristling with dozens of 10-inch guns and missiles. Despite its size and firepower, it could fly at an impressive speed of 700 kilometers per hour, making it a formidable force in both air and sea.
Engineers and technicians swarmed over the Pal Argonas, performing final checks and ensuring every system was operational. The massive magic vessel, more akin to a flying battleship than a seaplane, would serve as the primary transport and support platform for the 1001st Special Operations Battalion.
"Colonel Markto, the Pal Argonas is ready for takeoff," the flight commander reported, saluting smartly.
"Excellent," Markto replied, his gaze fixed on the towering behemoth. "We have ten hours to reach Irnetia airspace. Ensure all personnel are aboard and secured."
As the countdown to departure began, Markto addressed his troops one final time. "Listen up, everyone. Our mission is critical. King Irtis XIII's life depends on us, as does the stability of Irnetia. We will be dropping directly into hostile territory. Stay focused, trust in your training, and remember: failure is not an option."
A resounding "Yes, sir!" echoed from the assembled soldiers, their resolve unshaken.
The Pal Argonas' engines roared to life, the deep hum resonating through the port. Slowly, the massive vessel lifted off the ground, its powerful thrusters propelling it into the sky. As it gained altitude, the 1001st Special Operations Battalion readied themselves within, finalizing their preparations for the airdrop into Irnetia.
Colonel Markto stood at the helm of the Pal Argonas, his eyes steely with determination. The journey ahead was fraught with danger, but the Holy Milishial Empire's finest were prepared. In ten hours, they would be in Irnetia airspace, ready to defend their ally and turn the tide of the conflict. The stage was set for a clash of titanic forces, where magic and technology would intertwine in a battle for the fate of a kingdom.