Chapter 18: Cape Helles Landing
February 14, 1941:
It's been 3 days since we took Bergano and its port. Immediately after we took that port, Federation troops started pouring in and Federation ships have blockaded Adriatic and Ionian Seas. Honestly, it's starting to feel kinda claustrophobic in the barracks.
We haven't received any mission sorties for the past few days, not even a scouting or combat mission. I have a feeling we'll be crossing the seas real soon…
February 15, 1941:
Isaac woke up me this morning. He said that new orders had come in and we're needed at the briefing room.
Normally, when I wake up at around this hour, there are still a couple of sleeping soldiers in the barracks but, to my surprise, the only soldiers inside were packing up and leaving. Looks like things are heating up. Anyhow, I get dressed and quickly made my way to the briefing room.
We refurbished one the large rooms in city hall into a makeshift briefing room. The rest of city hall is now a forward HQ for some reason. I've never been a commander, in fact the highest rank I reached was a Sergeant Major, but placing the forward HQ so far away from the frontlines is kinda weird to me.
I know the Federation suffered a major setback 6 years ago when the Empire destroyed their Forward HQ in Imperial territory but aren't they overcompensating a bit here?
Oh well… Who am I to judge, right?
Anyway, with those random thoughts in my head, I reach the briefing room and quickly took my seat as General Barredo enters the room.
"Everyone here?" he said glancing around the room "Good. Let's begin. You're all probably wondering why we took this town and its port and also the numerous Federation units and ships that have been coming in the past few days. Well, our handler just informed me of his intentions"
"We're crossing the sea, aren't we?" Desmond interjected
"Yes we are. Our next objective is taking the port town of Achi Baba. This is going to be a big operation, almost as big as Operation Northern Cross"
"Achi Baba?" Roswell said "Isn't that place in Arras territory, at the very end of the continent?"
"Yes it is"
"Command expects us to march from the end of the continent to the Imperial capital?" Abel asked "Just like what they tried to do with Northern Cross?"
"Pretty much" The general replied as he brings out the a few aerial recon pictures "Command hopes that by opening another front, we can further stretch the Empire's armies since they seem to be holding their own with the fronts we currently have. Now then, back on track; the navy will take us through the Adriatic and Ionian seas for the next few days. Our first objective is securing a beachhead and capturing the town itself. Recon planes have shown that the town is small but has coastal artillery and the buildings are densely packed so we won't have much ship support"
"How about the enemy troops there?" Jane asked
"Intel tells us that the enemy troops there are mostly Arrasians. There are a few Imperial squads stationed there and although they have access to Imperial weapons, it looks like the Arrasians are using their own home-built firearms so be prepared for anything. The Arrasian Army is not to be underestimated. Arras may be an agricultural nation but its army has been known to be one of the most disciplined and well trained force for centuries"
"How about air support?" Franko asked
"The Federation just sent in an aircraft carrier, the HMS Implacable, along with 2 squads of Seafires and Fairey Barracudas. Intel also shows that the nearest airfield is at the Arras-Ostende Border. We more or less have air dominance for the first hour at least"
"What else should we expect?"
The general then brings out a composite drawing of the area. "The navy and airforce will weaken the enemy defenses as much as they could. Once we land on the beach, we'll be charging towards the nearby hills. Expect machinegun nests and mortar crews. After taking the hill fortifications, we'll be securing all nearby roads and the vicinity outside the town in order for our troops to consolidate control of the beachhead"
"How long will the trip at sea be?"
"A couple of weeks"
"When are we boarding?"
"In about an hour. Any other questions? No? You're all dismissed. Prepare for a long voyage"
There wasn't really much to pack though… All I had on me were my guns, a few sets of clothes, 2 books, and a couple of photographs. So I had the rest of the hour to relax in a way.
I decided to take a smoke on top of a bunker overlooking the port. It's been weeks since my last smoke. The battles have been getting more and more intense that I hardly have the time to even light a single cigarette.
As I light my first cigarette, I stare at the ships docked at the port. My first puff was a bit longer than usual, inhaling more from the cigarette before releasing a puff.
Minutes go by of me staring at the ships before it finally dawned on me. These ships don't look like any of the ships I've seen on the newspapers.
"Must be new models" I thought releasing another puff
Almost immediately after that, I felt someone tap my shoulder. "Hey Denzel"
I turn around. "Sora? What're you doing here?"
"I'm part of this operation too" Sora replied sitting next to me "So how're you holding up?"
"I'm as fine as the next soldier"
"Well that's good to hear"
"How about you?"
"I'm still my fresh and spunky self as you can see!"
"Haha. I see… So what brings you to this part of the port?"
"Just wanted to see you. I mean it's been months since we last saw each other. That and I heard a rumor that you disobeyed orders in the last mission"
"Oh that…"
"Don't worry, Sora. I'm fine. What happened was… was just a spur of the moment… It won't be a recurring thing, I promise"
"Right…"
There was an awkward silence between us for the next few minutes. I hate it when that happens. I won't be able to relax and enjoy my smoke with this kind of atmosphere…
My mind started thinking of random topics to talk about, ranging from mundane subjects to very outlandish ones that I'm kind of ashamed even popped in my head.
In the end, I couldn't properly get a single word out. Being so focused on the atmosphere, it took me a while to realize that my cigarette had burnt out.
Upon realizing this, I dropped my cigarette to the ground and stomped it with my foot before grabbing another one from my pack.
"Want one?" I asked offering a cigarette
Sora chuckles. "You're offering cigarettes to a fighter pilot?"
"Not allowed?"
"Not really. It's more of I don't smoke anymore"
"You quit?"
"Yeah"
"Because you're a pilot?"
"Not really. I was still smoking when I was a fresh pilot. It's more of a symbolic thing actually"
"What do you mean?"
Sora closed her eyes and exhaled for a bit before turning to me. "Say Denzel… What do you think of me?"
"Huh? Well… You're kind, energetic… You have this optimistic aura around you but when it's time to get serious, you get serious. Honestly, it's pretty cute"
Sora chuckles. "Cute huh… I thought as much"
"What's with the question?"
"You know, Denzel… I hate you"
"Wh-What?!"
"Or that's what I would have said if we met 5 years ago"
"Huh?"
"I hated Darcsens back in the day"
"… Why?"
"Personal reasons… But I'm over it"
"Oh…"
"Don't look so glum. We're friends, aren't we?"
"Y-Yeah"
"See? I've also done some pretty unforgivable stuff in the past… Stuff that I've yet to forgive myself even but I'm atoning… bit by bit"
"What are you trying to say?"
"There are better ways to atone without destroying yourself"
"… So you know?"
"I've heard bits and pieces but not a full picture and I don't wanna know until you tell me yourself"
"Oh"
"Anyway, I gotta go back to my plane. Those Seafires might feel different from a regular Spitfire so I gotta get used to em. See you around!"
"Y-Yeah. See you…"
… So she knows. Well I guess it couldn't be helped. Rumors of my past are starting to spread. I wonder how they managed to dig up the bits from my past… Far as I know, the whole thing was covered up unless this rumor is some other thing entirely… Either way, people are starting to talk about me…
My thoughts wander to that incident again as I light my next cigarette.
1:00pm:
After lunch, we all boarded the ship and in less than an hour, we were at sea.
I've never ridden on a ship before… The constant rocking and the claustrophobic feel of the interior really made me nauseous. I didn't know I had sea sickness until today…
I think Drifa noticed my plight since she suddenly lent her shoulder and escorted me to the upper deck.
The smell of saltwater kinda helped ease my sea sickness a bit but I could still feel a bit of discomfort at the pit of my stomach.
"Thanks Drifa" I said collapsing on a railing "Ugh… I don't feel so good…"
"No problem" Drifa replied "Try to limit your stay inside the ship"
"Gotcha…"
"How are you holding up? I don't mean the sea sickness, of course"
"I-I'm ok. Why do you ask?"
"You've been the talk of the town lately"
"Oh… Sora told me about the rumors this morning"
"Did she now? Well don't let the rumors get to you. I'll be heading below deck now"
Drifa taps my back. Since she brought up the rumors, thoughts of my past suddenly swarmed my brain so much that I forgot I was feeling sick, not to mention that Sora's words this morning are still buzzing in my head…
Without thinking, I called Drifa. "Hey… Do you think a person can redeem himself after doing an unforgivable act?"
"Yeah" Drifa answered with no pause or hesitation "Look at me. I used to work for the mafia and I did a lot of unspeakable things for years but where am I now?"
"Oh…"
"Don't beat yourself up on what you failed to do. Focus on what you will do from now on since you know you fucked up"
"Right… Thanks"
"Don't expect an immediate answer to your current dilemma. Think it over carefully and you should come across the answer eventually"
"Got it, thanks"
"No problem. I'm off now"
I wave goodbye as Drifa goes below deck, my mind still filled with questions and a lot of self-doubt…
Confused, I look up to the dark cloudy sky…
"… I'll come across the answer eventually, huh…" I thought
March 3, 1941:
We've been at sea for days and I managed to make a healthy routine to address my sea sickness.
I think we're getting close to our destination. I can barely see a coast and several ships firing at it in the distance. Most likely, tomorrow's the day we attack the beach. That and lunch today is steak and roasted chicken.
These meals are way fancier when compared to the usual rations that we eat on a regular day. There's no way command would give us such a gourmet meal without a good reason and the only reason I can think of is that our mission is really crucial and dangerous… In other words, our mission has a high chance of casualties. 'Food to ease the soul' so they say…
March 4, 1941:
Cape Helles:
At dawn, we were quickly loaded to the landing craft. For some reason, command demanded we deploy immediately despite the original plan being that the ships and planes should have softened the defenses before any landing could happen…
The sorting was also chaotic as the previously planned squad rosters are ignored and new rosters were formed on the spot. What the hell was command thinking? Do they actually think that we can quickly adjust to the sudden changes? I swear I'm really starting to personally hate our handler.
I was loaded at the very back of the landing craft with a squad of people I don't even recognize. I'm not feeling optimistic about our chances now… I wrestled with all this frustration as the landing craft leaves the ship, exposing us to the open air and the constant sound of explosions.
Federation planes flew above us, probably to soften the enemy defenses before we get there… I hope they managet o complete their objectives because all these water pillars rising around us isn't making my heart slow down. I felt trapped in a coffin for those first few minutes in that landing craft.
A few minutes in and the water pillars still keep popping up and now I can hear the all too familiar sound of MG bullets hitting metal.
"Come on…" I thought, clutching my rifle tightly "Those guns should have been silenced by now!"
The second I finished that thought, the landing craft on the left explodes. An enemy artillery had hit its mark. Oh God… I still remember seeing the flaming body parts that went flying after that…
Unfortunately, I didn't have the time to ponder on this as seconds later, our landing craft's doors open despite us still being far from the coast!
That door was the only thing keeping those MGs from reaching us… The second they opened, I saw countless soldiers gunned down instantly. They didn't even have the chance to raise their rifles.
Seeing the carnage, we all had the same idea of leaping to the sides but the place I leapt to was very deep. I was caught off-guard when my entire body sank below the water.
I never learned how to swim so I started to panic and swim towards some rocks on my left. Luckily, they gave me enough footing to get my head above the water and a large boulder provided some cover but that wasn't the end of my problems.
In my panic, I lost my rifle… The battle had barely begun and things are already going to shit!
I peek around the boulder and see mostly carnage though there seems to be at least 3 soldiers gathered together in a ditch. If I can get to them, we can all plan our next move… That and I can grab one of the many dead soldiers' guns though it's still quite the distance from where I was…
I was scared, really scared to the point that I had visions of that incident again. Why am I being bombarded by these images now? The regret started seeping into my soul again but I remembered the things Sora and Drifa told me days ago.
"There are better ways to atone without destroying yourself"
"You should come across the answer eventually"
The desire to atone for my sins actually gave me the courage I needed to get out of that boulder. I held my breath and dove underwater.
I used the numerous bodies scattered around the battlefield as cover and luckily, I found another ditch to dive into as set foot on the beach, in it was a dead Federation soldier. Based on the patch in his uniform, he looks like he's from the United States. Seems he was shot in the torso a couple of times and bled out and next to him was his rifle.
It looked like Rain's M1 Garand without the scope. I never used this gun before but 'beggars can't be choosers' as they say. I grabbed my new gun and exchanged the extra ammo I had with the dead soldier's, not like he's gonna need any of this.
I take a peek from the top of the ditch. The MGs were focused on another squad in the beach and it was a straight shot to a trench system that I assumed would lead to the bunkers since it went uphill.
After a few minutes of psyching myself up, I gathered enough courage to finally rise from the ditch and sprint towards the trench system.
Luckily, the 3 soldiers also had the same idea and we all regrouped inside the trenches and to compound that luck, I found a familiar face among the 3 soldiers.
"Luis!" I called
"Oh" he replied staring at me with wide eyes
"Good to see you survived"
"Y-Yeah. Same"
With only me, Luis, a scout, and an engineer, we pushed deeper into the trench line.
I had a bit of a difficulty with my new rifle… After firing 8 rounds, I'd hear a loud ping and the clip would fly out of the bolt, leaving it open.
At first, I was perplexed on what to do since the other rifles I used didn't eject clips like this, not to mention that the way they're reloaded is completely different.
Eventually, I managed to figure out that I needed to insert the clip into the open bolt and the bolt closes by itself once I get my thumb out of its way. Quite the revolutionary way of reloading though I wish each clip had more ammo…
The 4 of us punched through the Arrasian defenses. The Arrasian soldiers were clearly different from Imperial soldiers. For starters, none of them wore that medieval style armor rather, they wore brownish fatigues. Most of them actually wore turbans instead of your standard combat helmet.
Their fighting style is also different. Instead of overwhelming us with heavy weapons and tetsudo formation inspired tactics, the Arrasians were spread out and utilized crossfire to keep us pinned down.
I gotta admit, I got used to fighting Imperials a lot that this new tactic got me pinned down. Luckily though, the engineer had a couple of smoke grenades which allowed us to push through the entrenched enemy positions.
Eventually, we reach the bunkers though by then, I couldn't hear the MGs at all. Maybe the sound of artillery echoing around us and planes flying above muffled the machinegun noises.
Nevertheless, we breached the bunkers but to our surprise, the bunkers were empty. There wasn't a single soldier inside. Checking the machineguns, I found that none of them were loaded. Did the Arrasians run out of ammo?
Either way, the bunkers were neutralized and the 4 of us quickly brought the Arrasian flag down and raised the Federation flag in its place to signal to the other squads that the bunkers on this side of the hill are secured.
About half an hour later, me and Luis managed to meet up with General Barredo and the others. Instead of going through with the original plan of taking the town, the general ordered us to fortify all our positions.
This morning… 950 soldiers were sent to secure the beach and the nearby hill… When the fighting temporarily ended in the afternoon, more than half were dead. The beach and the waters around it were painted red with the blood of all those dead soldiers… And we only managed to secure a small beachhead and the nearby hill; we failed to take the town as was originally planned for Day 1… This didn't feel like war. The opening moments of this battle felt like a slaughter… Soldiers gunned down without even being able to aim at their enemies or, worse, drowned in the deep water because of the heavy equipment they brought…
Nevertheless, we secured a landing zone and reinforcements should be on the way. We just need to make sure that this beachhead stays on Federation hands. Once we've regrouped, I'm sure we can find a way to turn the tide of this battle.
God… I got so used to succeeding in our missions and everything going according to plan despite a few setbacks that today's failure resonated in me and it still does as I write this entry… I guess this God's reminder that we're not invincible.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone