Black Wolf

by Mitchell T. Jacobs

  Zach laughed. “At least you can't say we didn't contribute.”

  Anna signaled the entire force on the ridge. “Everyone, we're about to come under attack from Ragnarok forces. They outnumber us by more than two to one. If we're driven back, there's a very good possibility that we're going to lose our armored forces. If we lose our best trump card then we're all going to be wearing Ragnarok colors within a week. Hold this position and make them pay for every inch of ground. Zach?”

  She nodded to him Zach cleared his throat and spoke. “Alright people. We hold this spot until the last of us falls. Don't be wasteful with your ammo, but don't be stingy with it either. Our goal is to kill as many of them as we can.” He looked up over the ridge to see Ragnarok ATVs approaching. There were at least two dozen down there. “Black Wolf, Redd Foxx, crush 'em!”

  One gunner tumbled off their ATV, shot through the head. Zach saw Miko reload and take aim again. Then the whole line erupted in smoke and flame. Heavies and the vehicle mounted guns opened fire at long range, sending a devastating barrage of lead at the approaching riders. Ragnarok had made a fundamental mistake. They had neglected to scout the area in front of them and had walked straight into an ambush.

  The front line of riders fell off their ATVs, torn up by the hail of bullets thrown out by the machine guns or nailed with accurate shots from the snipers up on the ridge. The others behind them swerved, trying to avoid the tumbling bodies and vehicles ahead of them, but to no avail. The firepower that Redd Foxx and Black Wolf were throwing out was too great. One of Redd Foxx's heavies shouldered a recoilless rifle and fired. A pair of ATVs were completely disintegrated along with their riders. The remnants of the ATV force tried to turn around and flee, but again Hydra's firepower began to tell. Out of the half-dozen ATVs that had attacked, only five managed to escape the death trap. The rest of them had been cut down without mercy.

  “That's the first wave gone, at least,” Liz said through the radio.

  “Yeah, but that wasn't all of their force,” Nora pointed out. “They still have a lot of troops, and now they know that we're dug in up here.”

  “Do we have the flanks guarded?” Zach asked.

  Liz nodded. “There's a squad to either side in the woods. They'll use hit and run on anyone that tries to go that way, and they'll call for reinforcements if needed.”

  “Are you sure that's going to be enough?” Zach asked.

  “We don't have many more options,” Anna said. “If we send any more to the flanks then we'll weaken the center of our line too much.”

  “We might be able to ask for more troops from the attack force,” Danny ventured.

  “We'll see what they can do.” Anna got on the line with Gina. “Hydra Lead, this is Fox Lead.”

  “I hear you Fox Lead. Holding up alright?”

  “We took care of the first wave of attacks, but there's a lot more coming. We're concerned that we don't have enough troops to hold the line back here. Can you spare any reinforcements?”

  Gina was silent for a moment. That didn't bode well, Zach thought. “We may be in a bit of trouble here. Raider Lead just told me that their picket lines up in the Old Chicago safe zone just spotted a Ragnarok force moving south, and it's pretty big. They've responded faster than we anticipated.”

  “So do you suggest we break off the attack?” Zach asked.

  “I don't think we can. The northern force can get away, but we're going to have to go through the forest. And if we have troops on our tail it's going to go very badly,” Gina said.

  “How are they doing up north?” Liz asked.

  “They're making progress. Most of the watchtowers have been destroyed, but they're still working on clearing out the bunkers.”

  “I don't think we have to retreat,” Liz said. “I think we can fight a pitched battle against them and win.”

  “Uh, are you crazy?” They have us hemmed in on two sides, and we're split into two groups that are cut off from each other,” Zach said.

  “What do you have in mind?” Gina asked.

  “Give us some reinforcements up here. We can hold the line against the Ragnarok forces coming up from the south. Then take the rest of the troops and go north to help out Marauder and Crimson Eagle. You should be able to take care of the defenses and have enough time to dig in before Ragnarok's main force gets here. Once they do they'll be facing you dug into a well fortified position. If we can wipe out their southern forces then we'll come up north to help you.”

  “There's an awful lot of risk in this plan,” Gina said.

  “Yeah, but it sounds like a ton of fun too,” Zach said. “And isn't that what we're here for?”

  There was silence on the other end. “Well, we've achieved our objectives, anyhow. Let's see if we can do some more damage to them. Anna, I'm leaving you in charge of this part of the line. Storm Hawk will be coming to back you up. Hold the line, and deliver a knockout blow to them if you can. I'm going to take the rest of the armored company up north and help out Marauder and Crimson Eagle.”

  “Got it,” Anna said. She adjusted her channel. “You there Lee?” she asked.

  “Yeah, I hear you,” came the response.”

  “OK, we're up on the ridge dug in,” she told him. “I'm going to send two more squads into the woods on each side to keep us from being flanked. Get up here as fast as you can and dig yourselves in as well. We're going to have a huge number of troops coming at us pretty soon.”

  “Got it Anna. See you in a minute.”

  She turned to Zach. “Any ideas on what they'll do?”

  “Well, if I was attacking I would stack my forces against one of the flanks and try to overwhelm it,” Zach mused. “I would also use a frontal attack as a distraction so they couldn't reinforce it.”

  “Right, but the forest is going to slow them down a bit,” Anna pointed out. “Two squads using guerrilla tactics should be able to keep our flanks clear. If we run into trouble they can always radio us for support. Can you put one of your squads on standby to reinforce them if there's trouble? I'll have them stay and fight on the front line, but if the flank needs help then they'll be the one to go.”

  “Sure thing,” Zach said. He switched on his radio. “Danny, your squad is going to serve as the emergency backup for the flanks. Fight on the front lines, but be ready to pick up and move if you need to.”

  “Will do.”

  Will buzzed in. “Fox Lead, they're coming. I count around eighty or so coming up the center. Be warned that they're bringing a ton of firepower. A lot of heavies.”

  “Thanks Will. Keep watching.” She sighed. “Well, it looks like they were trying to get the jump on us. Luckily we managed to strike first.”

  “What do you mean by that?” Zach asked.

  “The way their group is set up sounds an awful lot like one of the scouting formations we use,” Anna explained. “We use a forward scout element made up of light troops and fast moving ATVs, and then we back them up with heavy support teams. This sounds a lot like that, only on a much larger scale.”

  “But you said that they're trying to get the jump on us?”

  She nodded. “I'd wager anything that they're trying to find away around the forest so that they can surprise Lerna Bastion from the south.”

  “Knowing them, they're probably on the horn with David acting all offended,” Zach said.

  Anna smiled. “Yeah, that sounds a lot like them.”

  “They're coming,” Selene warned, calmly but with a tinge of urgency in her voice.

  Zach peered over the crest of the ridge. Squads of Ragnarok troops were advancing on them, trying to take advantage of any cover that the dips and brush provided. Their uniforms, a dull woodland pattern, made it hard to see them against from a distance, but it was clear that there were a lot of them. And Will was right, he noted as he looked at them through his binoculars. He counted a half dozen automatic grenade launchers, around ten or so machine gunners and three carrying RPGs. And those were the ones he
could see; doubtless there were more of them in reserve.

  “Hawk Lead, I need you up here fast,” Anna said. “I can't send my squads away until you're here.”

  “Roger, we're moving as fast as we can,” Lee answered.

  Zach looked back over his shoulder. Storm Hawk was coming, but it would be a few minutes. And judging from the look of things below, they weren't going to have a few minutes.

  Anna tuned her channel to all present. “Target heavy weapons and leaders. Fire!”

  Once again, a storm of bullets rained down on the enemy. This time, though, they were ready. A few of them fell, but most of the Ragnarok troops had found cover and stayed organized. There was no panic like there had been during the assault on the base with the armored company, or when they had managed to ambush the ATV squadrons. And then they opened fire.

  Zach was forced to duck down into cover as Ragnarok returned the favor with a storm of lead and explosives. The sound was deafening; Ragnarok firing at the troops on the ridge, trying to keep their heads down, and Hydra firing right back.

  “They're trying to send a squad off to the right flank,” Selene warned. “There's nothing I can do about it. They've got us pinned down pretty good over here.” She paused for a second. “Logan's down. Joon is patching him up. We-”

  A series of explosions suddenly went off behind them. They were close enough to throw Zach off his feet, thought he managed to come through unscathed. He helped Anna up. “What the heck was that?”

  “I think they've figured out how to lob grenades out of their launcher,” Miko said. “I think I know where they are, but I can't get a shot on them. They've positioned themselves behind cover.”

  “So they're blind firing?” Zach asked.

  “Hawk Lead, we're in serious trouble up here. Step on it!” he heard Anna say, her normally calm demeanor starting to become a bit frantic. Zach could hardly blame her.

  “Fox Lead, Fox Lead, we're being attacked on the left flank.”

  “I'm trying to get reinforcements to you Gwen. How long can you hold out?”

  “They've got a lot of troops against my squad. We'll try to hold for as long as possible, but it's not going to be pretty.”

  “I'll go with Danny's section and take charge of the left flank,” Zach said. “Send us reinforcements when you can.”

  “Right, but I can't send all of them in case they decide to attack us on the right flank as well. Gwen's call sign is Fox 4. Link up with her and do what you can.”

  Zach gave her a thumbs up. “Danny! Scramble for the left flank. Nora and I will be going with you. Selene, you're in charge of everyone else in the center part of the line. Mount up in the Mule and let's go.”

  Danny was already in the Mule, firing bursts with his heavy machine gun. The rest of Wolf 2 mounted up in quick succession. Zach and Nora jumped after them. Xavier backed the Mule up, and a few seconds later they were racing to the left flank.

  “Decided you wanted in on the fun, huh?” Danny asked.

  “We're going to need as many guns as we can on this end of the line,” Zach said. “I'm supposed to have overall command of the left flank, but I think it's going to end up breaking down. I'll be following your lead if that happens.”

  “Grand. Well, you guys get to experience one of our real operations first hand,” Danny addressed the rest of his squad.

  “Haven't we already done several?” Joe asked.

  “No, he's talking about how our big fights tend to turn into suicide missions where half of us die,” Javy said. “Although if you're quick and smart you'll probably make it.”

  Zach tuned his radio. “Fox 4, this is Wolf Lead. Do you read me?”

  “I hear you Wolf Lead,” Gwen responded. Zach could hear the sound of intense gunfire in the background. He could hear it getting louder in front of them as well.

  “I have ten of us mounted in a Mule, plus the vehicle crew. We'll be there in a minute.”

  “Can you set up a defensive line? It'll be a lot easier for us to use our stealth skills to break off than it will for you to to jump into the middle of a firefight.”

  “You sure?” Zach asked. Breaking off from a firefight would be a difficult maneuver to pull off.

  “Oh please, we're Redd Foxx, remember?” Gwen replied. Zach was pretty sure she was smiling on the other end.

  Zach brought up his map. “OK, I can see where your marker is on the radar. We'll set up a line about two hundred yards to the rear of you and signal you once we're ready. Fall back as best as you can.”

  “Got it. And make it quick. They're going to make this really tough pretty soon.”

  Zach sent everyone a waypoint on their radar displays. “We're setting up our defensive line along this point. Get into cover and be ready to fend off a rush. Ragnarok has a lot of guys. And make sure that you don't hit Redd Foxx! They're going to retreat on my signal, so don't get them confused with the enemy.”

  Danny looked back at his squad from his station. “We've trained for this. When we get to the waypoint, dismount and get into a line formation. You know where you're supposed to go. Everyone ready?”

  A chorus of ayes and yeses met him. They were fast approaching the point of no return. Five hundred yards, then four hundred, then three hundred...

  “Zach, Storm Hawk is at our section of line now,” Anna said. “I'm sending over two squads with Liz in command. They're on foot, so it may be a few minutes before they get there. Sorry, but we need the firepower from the Mules over here right now.”

  “That's alright. Good to know,” Zach said.

  The drop off point was in front of them. Xavier brought the Mule to a halt. Zach was amazed at how fast Wolf 2 managed to dismount. Most of them didn't even bother using the doors at the back. They simply leaped over the sides of the open top Mule to the ground below. Danny stayed at his place in the gunner's station, directing traffic. Zach and Nora made their way out of the back doors, struggling to keep up. It had been a while since they had been in the field.

  “Danny, where do you want us?” Nora asked.

  “Hang toward the center,” Danny replied. “Ryan and Joe, shift over to the right end of the line. Zach and Nora will take your spots. We'll see if our fearless leaders remember how to fight.”

  Zach made his way to the center of the line and took up a position behind a twisted clump of trees. He noticed that Avery was hanging back about twenty yards, concealed by a tree and his camo cape. To his left, about thirty yards or so distant was Jermaine. Nora took up a position about thirty yards to the right.

  “Alright, just as we've planned, except we have two more bodies,” Danny said. “If you're getting overrun, holler. Xavier and I will come back you up in the Mule. Otherwise, we're going to be back here taking pot-shots.”

  Zach signaled Gwen. “Fox 4, Wolf 2 is in position. Fall back immediately.”

  “Copy that, Wolf Lead.”

  Zach heard the gunfire slacken, then stop. The woods became eerily quiet. Zach checked his carbine and grenade launcher one more time. He had ten magazines for the carbine and five grenades for the launcher. There was some spare ammunition in the Mule's storage containers, but none of them could count on being able to get there in the middle of a firefight. All of them would have to make their shots count until their backup arrived.

  Fox 4 suddenly materialized out of the trees about twenty yards in front of them. He had seen it many times before, but Redd Foxx's stealth skills were still amazing to watch in action.

  “You see us Fox 4?” Zach asked.

  “Yeah, I can see you on radar,” Gwen replied.

  “You see where the Mule is?”

  “Yup, I can see that too.”

  “Regroup around that, get your squad reorganized and act as the reserve to plug holes in the line. Any estimates on how many troops they have?”

  “Probably around fifty or so. And we didn't take out too many of them either. It was all we could do to stay alive.”

  “Got it. Be re
ady.” That certainly wasn't good. The rear line was overstretched as it was, and there was little hope for any more reinforcement. Most of them would be too busy fighting the main assault up on the ridge. They would probably have enough troops to hold their ground once Liz's group arrived, but until then they were heavily outnumbered. And there was a good chance that Liz would arrive to find nothing but corpses by the time she got there.

  The terrain in front of them wouldn't help matters either. The forest was thick, and the line of sight was very poor. Open terrain would have favored them far more. Instead, the forest would allow Ragnarok troops to get in close and force them to fight at short distances, where their numbers advantage would really start to count. That would help short range classes like assaults and engineers, but it would hurt heavies and especially snipers, who counted range as one of their primary advantages.

  Danny apparently had similar thoughts, because he buzzed them all. “Just like in the main line, don't be stingy with your ammo. Don't waste it, but we need to throw out as much firepower as possible. Try to make them think we have a platoon over here instead of two squads.”

  Zach could hear rustling in the trees ahead of them. Ragnarok was advancing on them, though it sounded like they were being cautious. They had probably figured out that Fox 4 had fallen back to a new defensive line.

  “Danny, I can hear them coming down the center,” Zach informed him.

  “OK. Avery, you fire the first shots and make sure you get a kill. Everyone else, fire at targets of opportunity.”

  The sounds in front of them were getting closer and closer. Zach gripped his carbine and aimed down the sights, waiting for someone to emerge. He could feel the tension in the air mounting. The cracking of branches and twigs coming from the front, the sound of gunfire from the front lines coming from the back...

  Zach didn't even want to think about how it might be going up on the front line. They had better positions, but Ragnarok was bringing a lot more troops up there as well. This could very well turn into a complete disaster. And yet the prospect of it all thrilled him. Here he was, on the battlefield as a grunt. He wasn't thinking about the implications of the battle, or how it would affect Hydra's grand strategy, or his existential nature. He was simply in the moment, enjoying every second of it, whether they won or lost.