In mid-April, Noctis had been called over to Stirling's office to discuss about the plans of the upcoming operation that was set in 3 days time. By the night of the 12th of April, Noctis came to his commander's office to be briefed about the operation, and giving Noctis and his men time to prepare. When he was in front of the office, he fixed his uniform and his beret, then knocked thrice.
"Come in!"
Noctis went inside and found Stirling drinking a cup of tea while looking at the operational map.
"You wanted to see me sir?"
"Well... Why wouldn't I have called you for?" He smirked. "Let's get down to brass tacts. This is the Great Vasel Bridge. This is a river crossing at the town of Vasel. A few days ago, the Jerries were able to beat the Gallian Army out of the town, and securing the crossing. At this very moment, they are currently regrouping before resuming their advance to the capital." He explained. "If the Jerries cross that bridge, then they'll have an easier path to Randgriz. It's the last major town before the capital city itself. If Randgriz falls, then Gallia will be damned."
"So where do we come in?"
"Major Caelum, the operation will start in 2 days, at 2200 hours. You will arrive in Gallia in the morning at 0020 hours." He declared.
"A night time operation, sir?"
"Yes. This operation will be a rather risky one, but if we pull it off, we might have a big chance of helping Gallia strike a blow against Jerry."
Noctis pondered, "So let me get this straight, you're sending an understrength force to try and take a town against an army that we might have no chance against."
Stirling then looked at Noctis right in the eye, expressing his serious urgency to the matter at hand. "Major Caelum, I cannot overestimate the importance of your task, the Great Vasel Bridge must be captured before the enemy can get across into the capital city. It's a vital military artery, and the enemy has planned to use to hasten their advance into Randgriz. It must be taken at all costs. Your gliders will land at night, without the benefit of ground support. You will assault the garrison by the urban square, overwhelm it... and hold until relieved."
"So we'll have a group of reinforcements to help us take that bridge?"
"Yes. Which is why you are tasked with clearing their entry into the town for them to hasten the capture of the bridge. You will link-up with them and assist in any capacity possible, which is why I have prepared a large number of equipment for you and your men. You will have enough munitions and anti-tank weapons that will help you in any form. You must take Jerry by surprise. Once you land, you must find their communications bunker and cut them off before they could alert the garrison on the other side of the river."
"But who will be reinforcing us?" Noctis asked.
"For that... You'll rely on the Gallians. Even I don't know who will reinforce you. This mission was asked of me by a Gallian politician, who requested that we send any form of aid to blunt the Imperial advance."
"What's wrong? Are they just that understrength?"
"Unfortunately so. The General who leads the Gallian Central Army is an imbecile. An aristocrat who only gained his title because of his father, which is why I warn you not to heed the command of any Gallian General."
"Understood sir."
"Good." Stirling then handed him a handful of maps and images. "Here are the maps and positions that you will be targeting. Make sure to brief your men as early as now. You will be dispatched in 2 days. Dismissed!"
"Yes Sir." Noctis saluted.
Afterwards, Noctis gathered his battalion by the briefing room. By the board, he pinned a picture of the Great Vasel Bridge to the left side, while the map of the city itself was pinned on the right side of the board. As he waited for the men to arrive, he started sketching arrows of advance and positions on the tactical map in a way that Stirling had ordered. When everyone was present, Noctis started to brief everyone.
"Pay attention everyone. In 2 days time, we will glide down to our first operation. We will be returning to Gallia to assist the Gallian Army in retaking this city. To the left is the Great Vasel Bridge. It's the bridge that crosses the Vasel River that secures a vital road leading to Randgriz. Just a few days ago, the Jerries managed to capture the town from the Gallian Army after a harsh urban skirmish. As of this day, the Imps are still regrouping for their push to the capital city. If they are able to cross the river, then Randgriz would surely fall." He explained, then he moved over onto the tactical map by the right side of the board.
"Now this is where we come in. We will be landing by gliders on the night at 0020 hours while Jerry is asleep. We will split our battalion into 2 groups. The first group led by Captain Leonhart and Captain Jecht will charge into the Communications bunker located here just near the urban centre and knock it out before the garrison on the other side of the bridge is alerted, while the second group led by myself and Captain Strife will attack the urban centre and secure the city gates."
Ïgnis then voiced his concern, "But Noctis, we are an understrength group against an army. There's probably a thousand men strong with armour on that area. We might not have a chance at all."
"He's right, Noct. What are we gonna do?" Prompto added.
"That's why we have the cover of night and the element of surprise. This is where Squall and Tidus' squads come in." He then turned to the two squad leaders. "Think you boys can handle knocking Jerry blind?"
"I'm sure we can." Squall then turned to Tidus. "Tidus, I hope you and your boys are ready to do a marathon. We have to cut their communications in time before they send in reinforcements against us."
"Are you kidding me?!" Tidus exclaimed. "Me, Wakka, and our squad have played football a lot. Running towards that communications bunker will be as easy as scoring a goal." He remarked, sure of themselves.
"Alright then, looks like we got ourselves a turkey shoot once Jerry is blind." Noctis then turned to Cloud, "Cloud, we'll split our group into two. You and your squad will fight your way and secure the city gates and link-up with the Gallian reinforcements. Meanwhile, Me and my squad will fight Jerry in the Urban Square and securing it for the reinforcements. Once they arrive, let me know immediately so I can head over there."
"Gotcha." Cloud replied.
"Alright, looks like we have our tactics laid out." He declared, then he delivered one last speech. "Now I don't do speeches. But 2 nights from now, we will be flying over Gallia and landing nearby a key objective and helping out the Gallians in blunting Jerry's advance. If we succeed, then we might have dealt a big blow on Jerry's ass. Very soon, we might as well be kicking Jerry out of Gallia. Stirling is counting on us. We best sure that we live up to the nickname of the Parachute Regiment, "The Red Devils". Everyone is counting on us so let's not disappoint them."
Afterwards, Noctis dismissed everyone, ordering a big preparation for the incoming operation in 2 nights.
2 Days Later, in Gallia
After Welkin and Faldio had familiarised themselves around the camp, they were called for a briefing just a day before the Gallian attempt to recapture Vasel. Welkin and Faldio headed over to Captain Varrot's office, where they were to be briefed on the last minute before their first operation as part of the Gallian Militia. Not wasting anymore time, Captain Varrot came right to the point.
"I'll cut to the chase. Here's your mission." Showing a picture of the Great Vasel Bridge and a map of the city. "The Great Vasel was taken by the Empire just days ago. It's a key strategic position."
"The Great Vasel Bridge?" Welkin pondered.
"It's a major drawbridge crossing the canal in Vasel, just a few miles away from the capital." Faldio enlightened.
"Exactly!" The Captain exclaimed. "That bridge is a part of the central transit artery leading into Randgriz. Our mission is to take it back. The Empire has been running a blitz with their shocktroops outrunning their defense. Our Third Regiment will retake the bridge before defensive reinforcements can arrive."
Suddenly, the door opens and a man with a husky voice and a portly figure came in, interrupting the briefing. "How quaint. The militia holding a little strategy meeting of its own. How long were you planning on hiding out in here, Varrot?"
"My apologies, General. We'll depart soon."
The General seemed to be dismissive and indifferent towards them, "Whatever. They're just country mice. It's not like they'll be much help."
Varrot proceeded to rebuke him, "More help, perhaps, than your army unit that couldn't hold the bridge in the first place."
"HEY!" the General exclaimed.
The woman snapped back to business, "Regardless, Vasel remains a critical position. We'll reclaim it, I assure you."
"W-well good! See that you do!" The General said, immediately leaving the room embarrassed.
"Who was that?" Welkin inquired.
"That was General von Damon, commander of the Central Forces." Faldio replied.
Welkin had a hint on the force that the General commanded. "Central forces... that's the army branch the militia was folded into, right?"
"That's right. They say the General's an aristocrat. He looks down on the common militia."
"That doesn't make any sense." Welkin remarked, criticising the General's view on the militia.
"Right. Now that the war's begun, we all need to band together and fight to keep Gallia safe. Who cares at this point whether you're in the army or the militia? It's ridiculous." Faldio remarked.
"Gentlemen, let's return to the mission. We'll begin by taking back the western bank to gain a foothold for recapturing the bridge. But I must tell you that there is a catch."
"What sort of catch?"
"I've been told that the Britannians are sending in troops to aid us. They're possibly the most elite that they have to offer. They call themselves the Britannian Parachute Regiment." Varrot described.
"Parachute Regiment?" Welkin pondered for a second time, before being enlightened by Faldio once again.
"The Red Devils, as they called them. They were created by a man named Brigadier Arthur Stirling just months ago. The only thing I know of them is that they are an experimental formation designed to paradrop behind enemy lines and cause chaos."
"And they're going to aid us? That'll make our job easier." Welkin remarked.
"Yes. The only thing I know is that we are to rendezvous with them by the western gates of the city, where they might have possibly cleared out the area for us. Your orders stand. Lieutenant Gunther, I'm sending you and Squad 7 to link up with the Paratroopers and coordinate with them on the attack to retake the bridge."
"Yes, Captain!"
Captain Varrot ended by saying, "The other squads are on patrol. Stay sharp, and be ready to retake the bridge by moment's notice. I'm counting on you out there. You move out tomorrow morning. Dismissed!
TO BE CONTINUED
