While her impromptu aide teams began loading more patients, Kozma asked to talk to her first. “Hey,” he said. “Give them hell Tess Wess, you brainy beauty.” Wesser smiled nervously. Surely that’s the pain meds talking. He winked at her, or blinked? She couldn’t tell with the bandages covering half of his face. Gingerly, she took his good hand and squeezed it.
“You just get better, ok?” she said before watching the drop troopers load her friend into the back of a pegasus. Rapid honking drew her attention as two tracks rolled down the road. She realized on closer inspection that the lead vehicle actually sustained serious damage. Webb leaped out of a gaping hole in the roof and stuck the landing in front of her.
“We’ve got one more wounded,” he cried over the whine of the dropships engines. The back of the track opened and another drop trooper clutching his arm trotted out the back. While he ran into the back of another dropship, Wesser looked at Webb.
“What happened to that track?” she asked.
Webb jerked a thumb at the damaged Iglasio behind him. “Oh, you mean the scouts? Apparently a tinhat kicked off their turret, luckily for them it was unmanned.” The two dropships they loaded up lifted their ramps and began rising into the air. “We should probably tell Captain Reiter-”
Chainguns ripped through the lead dropship. The stricken craft spun and struck a low building as it spun around and burst into flames as its fuel cell ruptured. The other dropship landed in the middle of the street, but the Union dropship had already seen it. A second burst of chain gun fire permanently grounded the second machine.
Wesser ran for cover, tears streaking down her face as the two ships full of wounded burned. While the union dropship passed over, the Cstalio sprang into action. Antiair missiles streaked towards the ugly aircraft.
Too slow and low to evade them, it took the brunt of the attack and crashed a few blocks away. Wesser’s ears still rang when Webb and more drop troopers ran past her, followed by the scout track. They didn’t pose any threat. They were carrying our injured. Kozma.
“Ma’am!” Smith cried. “Let’s get out of the open!” He grabbed her hand and ran with her to the nearest open building. Small arms fire echoed in the streets.
“Our last dropship,” Wesser said as they ducked behind a counter. “We need to protect it, otherwise our wounded don’t have a ride and neither do we.” Smith nodded and hefted a rifle he’d taken from a wounded droptrooper.
“Let’s let the drop troopers take care of the raiders for now,” he said. “And inform them when they get back.” Nearby, the Mortars thundered as they fired on a target somewhere in the distance. Wesser picked up her own rifle and used the counter to stand up faster.
“We need to get back outside, we can’t see the dropship or protect it from in here,” she said. “We don’t have a good angle in here.”
Smith nodded, and they ran back outside. The small arms fire sounded closer, but much less intense. As it did down, The drop troopers ran back alongside the recon track.
“So this is our last one?” Webb asked, waving at the drop ship. It sat on the side of the road, tucked out of sight thanks to the surrounding buildings. Lazy Sue was stenciled across the front with interesting nose art of a woman being fed grapes.
“Yeah,” Wesser said. “That’s our ride home.” I feel naked, I hate this, I’m used to a heavily armored shell. She grabbed at her shoulder and shivered. I know all to easily how soft and vulnerable my body is, even these drop troopers are vulnerable.
More rumbling in the distance. Could be artillery, panzerters, mortars, or a dozen other things. Why is it that we create so many innovative ways to kill each other?
Two dropships swooped low over the rooftops. Mo opened fire with his rifle. He missed twice, but the Merlin brothers brought down one of them. The other managed to dump chain gun fire and rockets into the younger brother’s machine.
As their airborne attacker flew out of range, Mo looked over to see Steele and Merlin looking at the younger brother’s machine. “I’m ok,” Ernest Merlin said. “My cockpit hatch it stuck though, I can’t bail out.” Damn, we need to get him away from the front.
“White 4, get Two out of here, we’ll cover you,” He said. “Wes with me. White three, cover their flank.” Mo shifted to put the older Merlin’s machine in the center of their defensive perimeter with Magyar taking up the right flank.
It all seemed to be going to slowly. Steele grabbed the immobile panzerter and began the aggravating process of dragging him back towards the aid point. Mo looked to his right towards the Northern end of Ironton. In the distance, he could see movement, but not enough to confirm anything.
“All Fox elements, Wolfhound 1, Air Superiority is back on the menu boys and girls!” A pair of Bellaphron gunships zipped by overhead. They blasted something on the ground ahead of Mo and continued their sweep. Where the hell were you a minute ago?
“Wolfhound 1, Black 4, We got a disabled panzerter with a trapped pilot being dragged back to the aid station. Can you keep an eye on them?”
“Roger Black 4, we got eyes on, if you need us, just holler,” Wolfhound 1 replied. Mo sighed. Good, now Ernie and Amy are safe, at least relatively.
“Alright gang, let’s hold this flank,” Mo said. “I doubt the Unis got enough juice left for another serious attack, if anything they’ll come in drips and drabs hoping we crumble.” Hopefully, I’m right.
“Well, we got this flank,” Magyar said. “But who has our backs?”
“Fox 6 is holding the middle,” Mo replied. “Which works in our favor, between him and the Lowe, I’m not worried about the enemy behind us.” He looked back North and reevaluated their formation. “White 3, come around behind me and put yourself at an angle behind me.”
“Suddenly not confident about 6?” she asked.
“No, I want us be easier to move if we have to support him or assault something,” Mo said. “Besides, we have an adjacent unit in front of you, and I don’t want another friendly fire incident in the dark.” Magyar’s machine ran around behind him and took a knee behind a two story strip mall.
“Better?” she asked.
“Better,” Mo replied. More movement caught his eye. In the streets to his ten’ o’clock, APCs crawled forward hoping they wouldn’t be noticed.
They advanced slowly, with infantry stalking down the surrounding streets. Mo flipped his rifle to burst and unleashed 88-mm shells on the column of armored personnel carriers. The three axle vehicles burst into flames as the explosions tossed the infantry like kindling.
Magyar and Merlin joined in the carnage, smashing buildings and vehicles around them. Abandoned cars burned alongside union armored vehicles. In a second, they had reduced the five vehicle column to a burning heap.
So, senseless. He shook his head. What are they even doing at this point, there’s no way they have enough to take Ironton now. Something popped to his left and Magyar cried out.
“My sensors! I’m blind!”
“Don’t panic, did you see what happened?” Mo asked. A twinkle drew his attention to the steeple of a church across the way. Someone was in there. With a blast from his machine gun, he forced the sniper to miss. The 8-mm rounds pitted and scared the old stonework. “White 2, are you ok?”
“I’m fine, but my machine is blind,” Magyar replied. Mo sighed.
“Bailout, we can recover the panzerter later,” he said. “Here, I’m coming to you.” He carefully guided his panzerter over to Magyar’s, keeping his eyes on all of his sensors and scanners. Gingerly, he held out his hand for Magyar to step in, while shielding it with another. Bringing her in close, he popped open his cockpit hatch, and she stepped inside.
“Ugh, it smells like rotting meat in here,” she said as she slipped into the jump seat behind him. Mo shook his head as he sealed his hatch.
“I haven’t exactly had time to put an air freshener or two in here,” he said. “The heat doesn’t help.”
“Why do you have it cranked all the wa
y?” she asked.
“Because it’s like ten degrees outside,” he replied before looking North one more time. They’re coming, I can feel it.
17
While Knight watched a dropship carry away his wounded commander, he turned to evaluate his battered battalion. Six Panzerters, and about as many IFVs with most of their dismounts, and their single mobile howitzer. And Fuller, still begging for his help.
Kennedy refused him. But I don’t have as much leverage with rank. Kennedy believed aiding this man would be foolish, he didn’t want to risk their lives and the division by taking down the corridor for everyone else.
“Comrade, do you hear me?” Fuller cried. “We’re nearing the deceive moment! We just need a little extra push and Ironton and the airport will be ours!”
Knight sighed. “Comrade Kennedy wanted us to respect the greater situation, we can’t allow this corridor to close.”
“Don’t you remember you’re training?” Fuller said. “Were you trained to seize the moment, or remain stagnate in the face of enemy action?” Damn, he has a point. If he is turning the tide of the battle, then I’m failing to support the cause, but he’s never called for fire support once since we’ve had it, despite the battery just sitting there.
Knight looked back at Khan and growled. Good soldiers follow orders. “Red 3, hold the bridge, if it looks like you’re going to be overwhelmed, retreat, that’s an order, everyone else, fall in on me, we’re going to aide the 88th.”
He brought his Martian Troopers into a wide arrow formation centered on him with his other vehicles filling the gap. A single heavy panzerter should be enough to deter the Tharcians for now. At least until the skies clear up more.
After a short march, he came to a low set of forested hills. Just beyond, he could see fires burning in Ironton. Along with his forces, about ten other panzerters spread out along the clearing. Most of their air defenses lay in tatters, but several APCs and IFVs joined him. In all they had about a battalion’s worth of fire power amassed here. Weren’t we about to win this battle?
“Good, you’re here,” Fuller said. “We’re going to concentrate our entire attack along the highway, the advance forces will lead, your group will take the center, and my battered forces will seal the deal, now we’ll move in echelon columns and crush the last of the Tharcian forces in Ironton before pivoting to the airport.”
Doesn’t seem like a bad plan. Maybe all he really did need was numbers. Knight settled his unit into the center of the formation. The remaining panzerters formed a split column behind him, and the vehicles filled the gap. The exception was his mobile howitzer, which he staged with a couple others and a MLRS towards the rear.
“Alright Comrades, on my signal, advance,” Fuller said. Knight watched as the column to his left plodded forward, counting down the seconds to signal his own company to advance over the hills. Shells streaked towards the left column. APCs skidded sideways and crashed. Martians sustained multiple hits before falling.
“Artillery!” Fuller cried. “Counter-battery fire! Now!” The howitzers and single MLRS unleashed concentrated hellfire on suspected enemy gun positions. Without spotters, we’ll have a hell of a time confirming any hits.
Dropships harassed targets in the distance, just beyond the mining town. As the last vehicle from the column to his left passed him by, he signaled his own group to advance. Heavy mortars harassed them, damaging panzerters and knocking out his limited IFVs.
Once the Union entered the city, they discarded any pretext of rapid advancement. Much to his frustration, Knight’s column about stopped to allow the left column to enter the highway first. Panzerters led the way down the wide roads with armored vehicles filling the gaps between panzerters. Infantry ran from building to building, rooting out any resistance.
Knight himself had just entered the city limits when the head of the column in front took contact from panzerters. Two of them. Staggered line. One even used a Union machine gun.
Martians began falling left and right, knocking over buildings and blocking off escape routes. Knight swore to himself. I don’t have time for this.
Kicking his Jupiter into high gear, he crashed through a strip mall and several homes like they were nothing, and blasted away with his strobe laser. The one with the machine gun collapsed in a shower of molten metal. Its partner spun on him and began running and dodging.
I’ll lead him away from the main body, that’ll let them take their objective. Knight found himself in a running battle with the the Tharcian. Though speed wasn’t the Jupiter’s strong suit, it didn’t lose any speed crashing through buildings. I just need to keep him busy.
“All units, now!” Hawke ordered. Reiter emerged from behind the church he’d used as cover. If I live through this, I’m defiantly making an offering to this church. Raising his shield and his rifle, he squared up on the advancing tinhats. This is reckless, but worth it.
“Let’s go, Fox!” He cried as he unleashed the magnetic rifle on the approaching Unis. Sparks flew everywhere. At less than 1600 meters, the 88 mm high-density slugs tore through armor like it was wet paper.
Tinhats crumpled and fell. In all the chaos, he got carried away and his rifle seized up. A blinking readout with an alarm drew his attention. Coil failure, just my luck.
His hesitation allowed the Union forces to rally. Advancing two wide, the Lowe buckled and jerked as shells pummeled the big black target. Lasers created welts in his armor, weak points that shells could exploit.
As the shaking and rocking caught his attention, Reiter covered himself with his shield as the tinhats in front of him suddenly parted. Sparks and dust filled his vision as an enormous impact rocked the Lowe.
To his shock, the upper part of his shield had been sheared away. A tinhat between the other two quickly discarded a fat tube and drew a laser on him.
Roaring out of the dark night, his gunships poured fire power onto the flanks of the Union forces strung out on the highway. Rockets and Chainguns shredded the panzerters supporting elements and knocked out several.
“We got ya back boss,” Wolfhound 1 said as they peeled away, shells and missiles chasing them. Wolfhound gave me a breather, I need to make the most of it.
Smashing the pedal to the floor, the Lowe’s nuclear turbine screamed with the rush of power. Reiter drew the panzerter’s Tesla sword. The cackling blue blade lit up the night, casting his machine and surroundings in an eerie light.
The highway was just wide enough for panzerters to stand two abreast, great for concentrating fire, bad for trying to dodge an enemy with a sword. Reiter cleaved through limbs, torsos, weapons, and heads. With every swing and the occasional thrust, he connected his attacks, each one flowing into the next. In the relatively confined space, the tinhats behind his immediate opponents had a hard time bringing their weapons to bear. No machine guns or recoilless rifles would threaten him.
His ferocity caught the Union off guard, and before long, they began falling back. Fortunately, for Reiter, they weren’t getting far. Forces from Harbinger Company had swung wide and caught the Union from behind, trapping them in Ironton.
Desperation filled the air. The Lowe took concentrated fire from armored vehicles as well as panzerters, all clawing to escape the noose Hawke had made for them. He switched to his twin .50 cals to bust up a trio of APCs when his air radar flashed.
A Union Dropship, trailing smoke and fire behind it, swung into view. Wobbling as it flew, it hammered away with rockets and chain guns. Despite the armor plating between him and the aircraft, Reiter felt every impact through the cockpit frame as the rounds pummeled his hatch.
With his head throbbing, he turned his twin fifties on the incoming craft. More fire blossomed from the craft, Reiter was positive he’d hit the cockpit. But the pilot, even if he was mortally wounded, had a steady hand.
The dropship crashed into the Lowe at full speed. Reiter’s head slammed against the sides of his cockpit. He flailed blindly with his sword. His face plate cr
acked against a bulkhead, his picture of Bartonova sticking to it before cracking further against his picture of Fletcher.
Something was burning. He could smell it. His head throbbed, and he tasted blood. Outside something collapsed, and he felt the mighty Lowe, the titan of Tharcian engineering, fall. As the pictures obscured his vision, he felt oddly at peace as the world seemed to slow down around him.
Bartonova, I’m sorry about what happened to you. If I end up seeing you soon, I’ll let you know just how much. Fletcher, if there’s any good that comes out of this war, I’m glad we were able to save you.
Father in heaven, it’s chaotic down here, and this world is rough. Please protect them.
His head smacked the cack of his chair as if a giant had kicked him. Pain exploded behind his eyes as his vision went red. And then darkness fell.
Much to Adamski’s surprise, Fletcher suddenly dropped her fork. She’d been patiently listening to him and Zorro explain hockey when her eyes widened. Her hand spasmed, and she let go of her fork.
“Are you ok?” Zorro asked. Fletcher nodded as she gingerly rubbed the back of her head.
“Yes, I’m fine, I just… don’t feel as good all of a sudden,” she said. “Nothing to be alarmed about.” Adamski straightened himself in his wheelchair. None of them had been cleared to walk yet, although Fletcher was making excellent progress. Yeah, you would too if you came out of the gate a superman.
He shook his head. “You’re not getting homesick, are you?”
Fletcher shook her head. “No, there’s a lot I like about home, everything is really clean, all of my needs are within walking distance, but my life focused around my duties so much I never really got the chance to become attached to where I was stationed.”
Armored Warrior Panzerter: Eve of Battle Page 23