“Sarge, we had cover,” Vincent said. “Dug in positions left over from yesterday. Some had overhead protection. We rode out the auto-cannon fire, waited for quite a while, and went back to work.”
“I don’t know how many we dropped, but we tagged more than a few, sergeant,” Sam added. “After we took down a sniper and a machine gunner, we rode out a mortar attack and departed once they finished scaring the crap out of us.”
Billy’s expression softened as he nodded. “All right. You’re young and you did your job. I was you once… a lifetime ago. Good work. Just to be clear, your job is to inflict casualties, not become them. Got me?”
“Got it,” Sam replied.
“Fully,” Vincent said.
“Keep it up. I’m not fully convinced you didn’t hang it out there a little too far, but seeing as neither of you has a scratch, I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt. Get some chow and some rest. We’re going out tonight. Hawkwood has something big planned for us but he hasn’t said what it is just yet.”
. . .
“Run that by me again,” Hawkwood said to Captain Posey.
“I would like to have our mortars drop shells on the road surface at two specific points, sir. One hit at each position is all we need. In addition to our efforts near the bridge this evening, my engineers must prepare for our actions tomorrow. Part of our preparations involves placing hollowing charges in the road. If we blast or bore a hole through the tarmac, it will be obvious. A patched shell hole will not raise any concerns. Our problem is that Keen Steel has clearly made an effort to avoid hitting the road thus far. Intact roads would facilitate a rapid advance. What few strikes there are were likely misses. Two placed in the planned ambush area would be immensely helpful.”
Hawkwood paused in thought and looked at those gathered in the command post. Sighing he said, “Can this wait until tonight? I don’t want our own mortars to cause problems for those using the road during tonight’s operations.”
“Tonight will be fine, commander. We only need enough time to do our work.”
Leaning on the tabletop map display, Hawkwood said, “We have two choices. One, we stay with the plan and allow our opponents to finish the repairs and take on their armor tomorrow. Two, we alter the plan and pour everything we have into destroying their work in hopes of a stalemate. The latter is necessary if we conclude we have not attrited enough of their infantry. I am of the opinion we have, but I haven’t had eyes on what most of you have seen.”
“The latter would leave us very short on mortar shells,” Posey said. “If it failed there would be little mortar support if Keen Steel did cross with armor.”
“Stick to the plan as it is, that’s my suggestion, sir,” Rod Mitchell growled. “We have a handle on what our troopers are capable of. We’ve given better than we got in return. Taking on armor up close isn’t for the faint of heart, but I’d say we don’t have too many of that sort.”
Holden, Winger, and Senior Sergeant Franklin nodded in agreement, the latter adding, “If we have enough anti-tank ordnance left, we can hurt them once they cross, sir.”
Hawkwood looked to Captain Posey. “What’s the latest on our ordnance situation?”
“Sixty millimeter rounds are nearly expended as we expected. Eighty-four millimeter mortar round consumption is higher than expected, but not excessively so, commander. It does bear watching though and conservation measures may need to be implemented. Small arms ammunition consumption is well under what was predicted. Heavy machine gun and shoulder-fired munitions are also under the projected amount.”
Nodding, Hawkwood said, “We stick with the plan. We need to pin down what we do tonight. First off, if Gifford does press an attack tomorrow morning, what does she do tonight? She won’t stay idle.”
“That would depend on their infantry casualties,” Holden said. “If we’ve chewed on them enough, I’d wager they don’t do much more than feel us out. If she has the troops to spare, she shoves them across and grinds on us.”
Mitchell nodded. “Agree.”
“As do I,” Winger replied. “In any case, I’d say we need to sell her the idea we’re desperate to keep them from crossing. That means attacks on the bridge that seem credible. Doing that and being ready for an infantry push by Keen Steel will be hard to balance.”
“It will,” Hawkwood agreed. “If we lose tonight rather than tomorrow, I want it to be on the attack. Should Gifford come at us with infantry, where will it come?”
“They’ll push troops over at the island,” Posey said. “They’d be fools not to. The marshy ground Savon holds does not favor an infantry attack as the fight there last night proved.”
“They won’t push grunts over the bridge either,” Franklin said. “A major fight there might stop their bridging efforts. Hell, it might take down the bridge. I think Captain Posey has it right: the island. It also pins Carmag in place.”
“There’s wetlands in Carmag’s area as well,” Winger said with a tap on the table top. “Hopefully that dissuades them, but Keen Steel’s heavy walkers haven’t come into play except for some supporting fire. If they do push across the island they’ll do so with infantry support.”
“I agree,” Holden said. “Even if it’s token forces to tie Carmag down, the area needs to be covered. If Keen Steel attacks in earnest, Orff’s troopers might need help. They cover a wide area.”
Hawkwood nodded without taking his eyes from the map display. “We stick to the original plan with a few additions. Here’s what I propose: We feign a major attack on the bridge after dark. I spoke with Commander Newcomen and he agreed to have a platoon move along the river and attack toward the bridge from the east. I’ll task Sergeant Knight’s platoon to do the same from the west supported by the walkers. Should Keen Steel push hard on Carmag tonight I propose we send our rapid attack tracks to aid them. Should we need them in the middle they can return swiftly. Carmag might need infantry help farther west. I’m considering sending a squad or two.”
“Commander Orff is a solid leader,” Winger said. “I doubt he needs help. If he did, he would ask.”
“We may need their aid tomorrow,” Hawkwood replied. “Help tonight might pay dividends in the future should it be needed.”
Winger nodded. “Sergeant Hooton should lead it then. He knows Orff and Carmag’s CO might appreciate you sending someone he knows is solid.”
“Orff might be less likely to misuse the asset as well,” Ensign Battaglia said.
“That means Dan Forrester will be out with a short platoon then,” Holden said.
“It does,” Hawkwood replied with a nod. “We’ll take Hooton’s squad from his platoon and augment it with some from the replacement pool. Place Dan to the east near Savon’s positions. It ought to be less hot there. To be convincing, we absolutely must put a lot of fire on them before we fall back. I want them to feel like we threw all we could at them and failed. If we sell it, they’ll roll out tomorrow morning thinking they have us.”
“How do we recall our troopers?” Battaglia asked.
“The old fashioned way, runners to notify the platoons to be ready to fall back followed by a starburst shell as the signal.”
“For a moment there I thought you were going to say bugles.”
“That’s not a bad idea,” Ray Winger said. “If we had bugles, buglers, and knew what the calls meant.”
Hawkwood smiled. “Something we might consider for the future.”
“Idea, sir,” Rod Mitchell said. “The Red Light’s been known to take the fight up close when it’s on the line. I saw it firsthand four or five years back when Kent kicked the shit out of Marshall’s Rifle Company. Been on both ends of it. ‘Nades and blades, that’s what I have in mind. Confusion and casualties, that’s what it will bring. Mech units like Keen Steel think that kind of action is insane. Hell, most of them think it’s just barracks legends. If we employ it, they might just think we’re desperate.”
“They might at that,” Hawkwood replied. “I
assume you intend to lead the effort?”
“I do. Pretty damned good at it. It won’t require many. Give me six or eight motivated, dedicated troopers and see what happens.”
“Volunteers only, Rod, and none from Forrester’s platoon. He’s short a squad tonight.”
“You got it, sir,” Mitchell replied with a crook of his mouth that almost looked like a smile.
. . .
Twilight’s Last Gleaming
. . .
“Hey, tread-head!” came a call that drew Briggs’ attention.
Straightening from where he leaned against Nasty 96, he smiled at the approaching speaker and gave the trooper an offensive hand gesture. “We vehicle crew aren’t supposed to talk to the cargo, Brennan.”
Brennan laughed before hugging his friend. “How’s the leg?”
“Healing. I can walk with hardly a limp. No extra holes in you?”
“Not a one. A couple of times I actually thought I lost one of’em when the pucker factor got turned up.” Drawing a laugh from Briggs, he added, “Heard you had a scrape.”
“Anti-tank missiles. It’s not a good feeling when you see them nose-on.”
“You regret not going to the docs?”
“Only when they’re shooting missiles at me,” Briggs said with a smile. His expression turning serious, he continued. “How is it in an infantry platoon?”
“Just like we thought it would be. Good team in a good squad… it’s like I hoped it might be but better. Hank Bastrop was my team leader, but he got nicked earlier. They pieced together this motley crew to help out Carmag. They have my bunch riding Track Ninety-Six.”
“Nasty Niner-Six,” Briggs corrected with a slap on the armored side of the vehicle. “Says it right there big and bold. She has a name. Sergeant Fell assures me named vehicles are better than ones that aren’t.”
Brennan chuckled. “I hope he’s right. You have a chance to talk with your fellow vehicle rider?”
“I haven’t seen Myles since we entered the red zone, but Lunatic Red is still kicking. Heard they shot the piss out of Keen Steel yesterday.”
“Yeah? I’d—”
“Load’em up,” Sergeant Hooton yelled. “We’re rolling.”
. . .
“Commander, the Red Light troopers are here,” a Carmag Light Infantry Company soldier yelled into the command center.
“Be right there,” a voice replied.
Less than a minute later, Commander Orff stepped from the structure and smiled when he saw the troopers Hawkwood had sent. “I thought I recognized a voice out here. Ed Hooton.”
“It is, sir,” the sergeant replied with a pleased tone.
“Hoot, it’s been awhile.”
“That it has, sir.”
“I didn’t know you were with the Red Light.”
“Near three years I guess.”
“If I had known I would have checked up on you after Boomoon. Hawkwood sent you? I guess my idea of putting you in the line as a meat shield is shot then.”
Sergeant Hooton smiled knowingly. “You wouldn’t even if it was a stranger, sir.”
Commander Orff laughed. “Assuming you know the plan, I want you to back my troopers where needed. Maybe cover us when we withdraw. Our recon indicates Keen Steel is going to try something tonight. Crossing troops over at the island is the popular theory. We’re playing the same game as your company: fight hard and fall back as if we’re licked or unmotivated to lock horns. I know Jack Hawkwood doesn’t have troops to spare any more than I do, so I’d just as soon return as many of you to him as possible.”
Hoot nodded. “Point out where you want us and we’ll get the job done for you.”
“I know you will. Come with me and I’ll show you the area where’ll you’ll operate.”
Inside the tent was the typical display table with images of Carmag’s positions along the river dominating the screen.
Reaching over the surface of the map display, Orff touched a point part way up the north side of the ridge. “Somewhere in there, Hoot. Dig in and be ready to respond if needed. If you’re not engaged by the time we give up the ridge, cover my mercs when they head for our defensive line here,” he said sliding the finger to a point north of the ridge. “We plan to hold it until morning before falling back into the marsh.”
Hooton nodded. “Can do. If it’s not hot, I’ll place an observation post on top of the ridge in case our opponent thinks they can move north in the dark.”
“Doubtful they will, but a sound precaution. As always, old friend.”
. . .
Corporal Matt Hicks stopped behind a tangle of downed trees. With many large specimens still retaining much of their leaves despite the heat of the energy weapons that downed them, the mess was exactly what he was looking for. With dimming light, he needed to get his team into position before full dark set in.
Locating a gouge in the ground near the southern end of the tangle, Hicks dropped into it and peeked through gaps in the cover underneath the trunk of a large hardwood.
Sam, Vincent, set up here,” Hicks said. “Trim off only what you need to have a clear line of fire to the south and south-southeast. There’s enough lumber here to stop anything less than main guns on the heavies and the trunk provides overhead cover from mortars. If they do start throwing aimed fire up here we pull out.”
“We can’t see the bridge from here,” Vincent said.
“And no one near the crossing can see you either. You know your mission. Cover the attack by the Savon troopers coming in from the east. Improve your position now. Once it gets dark it will be too late. Mossy and I will be at the other end of this mess. If we need to communicate, these trunks will hide any movement back and forth.”
“Got it,” Sam said.
Moss elbowed Vincent and gestured at the two snipers. “And all we get to do is watch these two have fun. Keep your head on a swivel.”
Vincent smiled and nodded.
“You’re sure you have nothing but ball ammo in the chopper?” Hicks asked.
Vincent patted his machine gun’s top cover and nodded again. “I’ll drop the drum and you can look. Not a single tracer in here. If they spot us it won’t be because of me broadcasting it.”
“That’s all I need to hear. Get ready and I’ll check back in a while.”
Hicks and Moss followed the downed trees west and north to the end of the tangle about fifty meters away and soon found a suitable position to operate from.
After digging and cutting to improve the positions, both teams used the remaining light to record data they would need once they went into operation. Using map data, they could lock down ranges to various points in their fields of fire along with compass readings from their position. Elevation above the area near the river would also play a part and was taken into account. Knowing the light conditions would be unpredictable and suboptimal at best, the snipers faced a challenging task.
Hicks moved to check on his greeners while there was still some light and found they had done well for themselves. Having nothing to offer that might improve their position, he rejoined Moss to settle in and wait for the night ahead.
“They’ll have the bridge ready for tanks before dark. Maybe not the heavies, but that isn’t long coming,” Moss said as he looked on through his magnifying optics.
“You’re an engineer now?” Hicks ribbed as he brought his eye to his scope.
“No, but I’m a grunt with enough sense to see what’s what. I’d feel better if the mortar morons would get on the ball and do something about that. I don’t want to tangle with armor in the dark. Done it twice in my life and got to see the inside of a med facility both times because of it. That was just APCs and other light armor. They have tanks sitting there waiting to go, big ones.”
“The company’s mortars have something going. You know that.”
“Sure, but right now it’s just intention. I want results, Matty. A little action beats a lot of yappin’." Shifting his observation to the
west, Moss sought signs of Sergeant Bellvue and his three though he knew the heavy tree cover made it unlikely. Tasked with supporting Sergeant Knight’s platoon to the west of the bridge, Bellvue’s contingent would be covering an attack from that direction while Healey and Davout supported a similar effort by Savon Light Infantry. Hicks and Moss would not only suppress targets near the bridge for Savon’s effort, they would also do what they could for Senior Sergeant Mitchell’s aggressive attack.
. . .
The crews of both rapid attack tracks plus the four that manned the Red Light’s walkers gathered for orders from Senior Sergeant Brown.
“Everyone here know the basics of tonight’s operations?” Brownie said.
Receiving nods and affirmative mutterings, he forged on.
“Support missions. Rats, you head west to provide aid to Carmag and if needed, you haul iron back here should Keen Steel decide they want to duel in the dark. Got it?”
The eight troopers that crewed the RATs nodded.
“Specifics should be on your data receivers.” Turning his attention to the walker crews, Brownie said, “You have the sticky job. You’re tasked with supporting the efforts at the bridge. Bedlam crew, you will operate north of the bridge primarily as a defense against any infantry push across the bridge. Lunatic, you’ll operate to the west in support of Knight’s feint along the river. You have the most experience in supporting infantry, Jacks, so you get the job. Remember, it’s going to be dark and our opponents have an awful lot of firepower parked on the other side of the river.”
“Not our first dance, Brownie,” Jackson replied.
“It might just be your last if you’re not careful. Limit the ninety millimeter fire to necessity only. That goes for all of you. Do me a favor and keep your noses clean. I don’t like vehicle salvage and body recovery missions.”
. . .
Zoners
. . .
As full dark took hold of the sky, silent combat filled the airspace above the battleground—a crescent moon dueling with high level winds pushing clouds over how much light reached the ground below. Matt Hicks glared and shook his head as the clouds gained advantage as they had most of the time since they took positions overlooking the bridge and river.
Free Company- Red Zone Page 22