Capítulo 12: Nighttime
November 30, 1940:
The coasts are finally cleared! The last pockets of Imperial resistance finally surrendered earlier today.
I thought we'd get at least some rest… I was wrong.
Just yesterday, the Imperials managed to break through the Diebal Mountains. How much manpower does the Empire have?!
Rumors circulate that the Imperials were using walking tanks.
Walking tanks? That's a weird rumor. I've heard a lot of tall tales about Imperial weapons but this is the first time I heard of 'walking tanks'.
But I do remember reading up about some country centuries ago that had 'walking tanks' but come on… really?
But yeah… That just means we're headed south this time…
War is hell…
December 2, 1940:
We're stopping by Randgriz to stock up on weapons and supplies. Sora and Wilson went ahead of us and they should be in Melvere by now…
Also, we're not gonna halt the Imperial advance. We're not even headed to the Deibal Mountains.
General Barredo told us that another militia and army battalion will keep the Imperials at bay.
So instead of the Diebal Mountains, we're being sent to Fort Belgen in the southeast Gallia to reinforce the border and eventually march into Imperial territory.
We'll be joining the 15th Infantry and 9th Armored Divisions of the army.
General Barredo told us our target was a supply base in the Perm Desert, the Imperial territory before the Diebal Mountains.
So we'd cross the border in the southeast and work our way south to choke the advancing Imperial forces.
In the meantime, Squads 3, 5, and 8 pf the militia will be keeping the Imperials at bay.
December 5, 1940:
It was around 4:30pm when we arrived at Fort Belgen.
A medieval castle built on top of a mountain converted into a military fort in 1923. Surrounded by woodland, cliffs, and rough terrain on all sides, a single road serves as a connection between the Gallian town of Yuell and the open grasslands of Tomsk in Imperial territory and this 'fort' is the gate.
The castle is pretty small for something that was built in the medieval period… Only having 2 floors. Maybe this was one of those 'vacation homes' those old nobles had back then.
The 1st floor contained the barracks, an armory, and the border gate itself.
The 2nd floor is mostly an open space with a single… uh… what do you call it? Room? I don't really know what it's called but there's this… tower? That was supposedly the bedroom for the old nobles that used to stay here. Well… today, that small tower serves as the radio room.
The rest is an open space with 4 corners. I guess if you look at this from the sky, it'll look like a square. And each corner was supposed to have an AA gun placed on it.
The way I described the fort was what it looked like yesterday.
Imperial lancer rockets crippled the southern corners, hell the southwestern corner looks like it's ready to fall off the mountain, while Imperial planes utterly obliterated the northern corners.
The 15th Infantry Division suffered heavy casualties in the weeks they've been fighting to keep this place.
The 9th Armored still need another day to get here so I guess the 506th will have this fort mostly to ourselves… Oh god…
The afternoon and early evenings were kind of peaceful. No planes, no Imperials, no shots. It was a welcome break actually…
But it was also weird since there were occasional Imperial squads coming in.
They must have realized how hard it is to take this fort… I mean it's so easy to spot them coming miles away literally down the road.
I guess our only threat now is the airforce.
Speaking of airforce… I wonder how Sora and Wilson are doing.
They're stationed in an airfield near Mellvere.
I've been exchanging letters with Sora throughout this conflict actually.
I gotta admit any conversation with her is quite fun even for someone like me.
Hell writing to her helped me cope with Marvin's death…
The last letter I got from her was 3 days ago. She told me they were going to test a new warplane.
I wonder how that went…
December 6, 1940:
It was around midnight. Since the 15th didn't have much manpower left, we were forced to rotate guards. Although, Arian, Rain, and Desmond don't seem to be too cooperative with us on this department…
Anyway, it was my turn along with Roswell, Marian, Edna, and Aster… We started guard duty at around 11pm so only 3 more hours before we're relieved.
Save for Marian and Aster, we were patrolling the 2nd floor, guarding the spotlights while Marian was by the road on the 1st floor checking on her tank while Aster stationed himself near the southwestern side of the fort.
We were bored out of our minds.
The night was peaceful. And hardly anything happens at night even in 1935, night was almost always reserved for sleep and rest. There's the occasional combat situation but they look more like playground fights than actual firefights. It's like an unspoken rule that armies consider nighttime as rest time!
So in our boredom, me, Edna, and Roswell sat down near the searchlights. Only thing missing from this was a campfire.
We exchanged stories about our civilian lives before the war…
"You were a business man?" I asked, shocked at hearing Roswell's story
"Yep" he replied "I used to run a sugar mill in Texel, near the Imperial border, back in '32"
"What happened to it?"
"Well… The war came. My mill was destroyed, I relocated my family deeper into federation territory, enlisted, and the rest is history"
That's weird" Edna said "You said you were a businessman but why'd you enlist? I heard if you had the money, you can pay your way out of a draft"
"Ha. I knew someone would ask that. Why would a rich businessman go down to the level of a grunt?"
"I-I didn't mean it like that"
"Don't worry, lass. To tell you the truth, I'm doing this not just because of patriotism but also… repentance"
"Repentance?"
"Starting a business isn't all sunshine, dear. I had to do a lot of hard work to get that mill running. I wasn't cruel to anyone, not even to my Darcsen workers but my busy schedule didn't give me much time to spend with my family"
"What do you mean?"
"I have a wife and twins, boy and girl. I tried my best to be a good father to my kids but my work demands I give less time for them…"
"So you think by joining the war, you're repenting for being neglectful?"
"Edna…" I said noticing Edna was a bit disturbed by Roswell's story
"It's not just about repentance. By fighting in this war, I'm hoping that I can give my kids a future where they won't experience what we're experiencing…"
"You think your kids will smile when the next time they see you is inside a coffin?"
Roswell doesn't respond.
"Your kids just want to spend time with you! They don't need a hero! They need-"
"Edna!" I said, placing my right hand on her left shoulder.
She looks at me for a second before hanging her head low. "I'm sorry…"
"It's ok" Roswell replied "I know it looks like I'm running away but if the Imperials roll deeper into the Federation… I don't know what'll happen to my family... Especially my kids. So I'm doing what I think is right. My kids may not understand why I did this now or even years from now… But I do hope they will. And if I do survive this war, I'll make things right"
"How old are your kids?" I asked
"12"
"Then you have to make sure you don't die then"
"I don't plan to"
Roswell then brings out a picture of his wife and kids. Staring at them with great sorrow, I guess he was holding his tears back because I swear he was ready to cry.
It was a gloomy silence for a few minutes before we decided to go back to our patrol.
Edna and Roswell a bit more gloomy than usual… I think sharing stories was a bad idea…
I don't know why but I decided to walk down to the 1st floor.
I wanted to check on Marian and Aster.
I walked down to the 1st floor.
Heading outside, I immediately noticed the distinctive smell of cigarette smoke.
I followed the scent to the woodland on the west side of the fort.
It was Aster. He was sitting down under a tree, looking at… I think it was a picture.
He was clearly sad looking at the photo. Maybe it's a picture of dead loved ones or something?
Man… We all have some kind of emotional baggage.
I heard Aster monologue a bit.
"Croix…" he said "… What should I do?"
I didn't want to intrude any further so I left.
I then went to the gate, immediately spotting Marian's Type 36 Tank.
She parked the tank on the side of the road of the Imperial side of the border.
As I walked closer, I saw Marian emerge from under the tank. She was writing something in her notebook. Her hands were covered in oil and dots of it littered around her face.
"Denzel?" she said noticing me "What can I do for you?"
"N-Nothing, really" I replied "So um… what's in the notebook?"
Marian holds her notebook tightly as she glares at me.
"N-No" I said "I-I'm not trying to pry… I… uh… I just… um… wanted to start a conversation"
Marian sighs. "Ok. Let's talk"
"Huh?"
"You know my sister, right?"
"Y-Yeah"
"My Sister mentioned you in a couple of her letters back then"
"She did?"
"Yes. So… I want to know… about… her death… How did my sister die exactly? The military won't tell me"
I had a feeling that question would pop up when I talk to Marian…
I was there during Elena's funeral 3 years ago… But I didn't have the courage to even look at her family, let alone approach them…
Let's leave my reasoning as 'survivor's guilt' for now…
"Denzel?" Marian said
I didn't know what to say… I was struggling whether or not to tell Marian…
"Well…" I said, trying to get the words out of my mouth
But before I could continue, I noticed movement down the road.
I acted quickly and tackled Marian to the ground as a bullet flies above us, hitting the tank.
"Contact!" one of the soldiers from the 15th shouted as the spotlights illuminate the road, revealing an Imperial squad. Literally a second later, bullets started flying.
"Are you ok?" I asked
"I'm fine" Marian replied
She brings out her Nagant M1895 Revolver.
We open fire on the Imperials that were too close for comfort.
"Get in the tank!" I shouted "I'll cover you!"
Marian nods and runs to her tank while I provide cover fire.
She quickly steps on the gas as enemy lancers rain mortar and rockets on us.
The rockets miss and the tank's turret quickly turns to the enemy squad.
She fires one shell, causing the Imperials to scatter.
After 5 minutes of fighting, I noticed that the Imperials weren't letting up.
I could have sworn we managed to kill a few of them but their numbers don't seem to be going down…
This was not a small squad…
I took cover behind Marian's tank as the others emerge from the fort, their sleep cut short by explosives and gunfire.
The Imperials were steadily advancing up the road and the fact that most of the area was dark made it even harder to even aim my rifle.
A small group of Imperials managed to reach the vicinity of the gate.
We were caught by surprise as they rain bullets on us. I quickly ran to the tank's side.
Several soldiers from the 15th go down as the Imperials move closer.
I quickly break cover as me, Aria, Desmond, Jane, Franko, and General Barredo fire upon the Imperials while Doss and Drifa carry the bodies of the 15th out of the firefight.
The others then gather by Marian's tank.
"What happened?!" General Barredo asked as he commands the others take positions around the area.
"Imperial patrol!" I answered "They suddenly appeared down the road!"
We both paused as we heard the familiar sound of plane engines.
"SHIT!" the general shouted turning to the others "GET DOWN!"
We all took cover as enemy BF 109s fire on our position.
"This doesn't feel like a patrol!" the general said standing up "This doesn't feel like a skirmish either!"
"Rocket!" Desmond shouted as we all run and jump away from Marian's tank.
The rocket hits the treads, severely damaging them.
Marians struggles to move the tank.
Noticing the enemy lancers getting ready to shoot again, I quickly ran to the tank.
I opened the hatch and jumped inside as the others returned fire.
"Marian!" I said grabbing her shoulder "Get out of the tank!"
"No!" she replied "This is Elena's tank! I can't abandon it!"
"Damn it, Marian!" I said pulling her out of the tank
"Hey!"
"I am not letting you be a hero like her!"
Marian's eyes widen, hearing the last words I said.
She finally stopped protesting and we jumped off the tank as several lances destroy the tank.
"NO!" Marian shouted "SIS!"
Angry, Marian picks up a fallen OG-43 and begins furiously firing at the Imperials.
"Jane! Crocker!" General Barredo said as the two approach him "Take command down here! Do not let this line fall!"
"Yes sir!" Jane responded while Desmond nods.
"Denzel! Franko! You're with me!"
"R-Right!" I said as me, the general, and Franko headed inside the fort.
As we ran to the staircase, the fort shakes as if there was an earthquake. We press on despite the shaking.
Getting up to the 2nd floor, the area wasn't looking any better.
A gaping hole on the northern end of the fort. Most of the AA guns were destroyed, save for the one at that corner that was ready to fall off.
Soldiers, weapons drawn, frantically fighting the Imperials even using their rifles and machine guns in a futile effort to engage the enemy aircraft.
"Goddamn it!" General Barredo shouted "You people pull yourselves together!"
He grabs several soldiers' uniforms.
"Pull yourselves together, damn it!" he shouted "You're all supposed to be soldiers! Now get your shit together, find cover, and use those rifles and machine guns against the enemy infantry!"
"Y-Yes sir!" the soldiers said, complying.
"Franko! Denzel!" the general said turning to us "Take command of here! I have a call to make!"
We nodded as we headed to our objectives.
We dug in as best we could. Using twisted metal and rubble as cover. But someone had to operate the spotlights and damn. No cover whatsoever. Operating those spotlights guarantees death by planes, if not infantry.
Minutes go by as both sides continue to exchange fire with no clear winner in sight.
The 109s were giving us a hard time. Every strafing run, we had to either run, hide, or hit the deck, praying a 7.92mm round won't drill down our bodies.
I hope the general managed to call for reinforcements…
We couldn't contact the people on the 1st floor so we have no way to communicate other than to stick our heads out, shout, and hope they heard us.
So driven by adrenaline, desperation, and maybe insanity, I ran on open ground, dodging the 109s' strafing runs, headed towards the last functional AA gun.
I'm still wondering how I'm still alive.
Yeah. I still hid behind cover but most of the time, I simply ran and hit the deck.
Eventually, I reached, the teetering corner.
I didn't even think. I jumped on and went straight for the AA gun, firing away the second I was able.
I was once again reminded on how inexperienced I was at night combat.
The enemy planes were noisy but it's not like I can properly pinpoint their exact location in the sky.
So imagine literally blind firing an AA gun into the air.
I managed to shoot down a few planes… surprisingly until a different plane comes from the darkness.
This plane looked different from the usual 109.
It had 2 engines and looked bigger. Later, I found out these planes were called BF 110s… wow…
Yep… If the fact that it was a full scale attack wasn't obvious before, it was obvious now.
I quickly abandon the AA gun as bombs fall on the corner, destroying it.
The 110s drop bombs around the fort.
I thought the Imperials were trying to capture the fort but it looks like they want to destroy it!
The bombs were dropped barely at the front, damaging part of the fort, mostly at the Imperial side of the border.
I guess night combat isn't something common to Imperials either…
But those planes will turn around eventually.
No more AA guns either so… It was a pretty grim situation…
I was shell shocked for a moment.
"Denzel!" Edna said picking me up
Despite being in a daze, I could distinctively hear and see the BF 110s circling around, ready for another bombing run.
Just then, I saw several silhouettes above them. The skies light up as the silhouettes are revealed to be our reinforcements!
"I hope we're not late!" Sora said over the radio
"Not at all!" General Barredo responded "You're just in time!"
"Roger that! We'll take care of the flyers!"
I also noticed the allied planes weren't Spitfires, Mustangs, or even Typhoons.
One plane flew close to us and I managed to see what it looked like.
One small compartment for the pilot at the front. 2 engines. And a design that makes me think of a kite. I guess these were the new planes they were testing…
The Lockheed P-38 Lightning… A multipurpose plane that was much quieter compared to the other planes.
Those silent engines helped Sora and the others catch the Imperial pilots by surprise as the dark skies made it hard to visually spot them.
The 110s didn't stand a chance as the P-38s swarmed the enemy planes. The 109s didn't fare any better either.
This helped turn the tide as we gained control of the skies, enabling us to push the Imperials back.
It took another hour but we managed to keep the fort… albeit suffering heavy casualties.
Diebal Mountains:
A messenger pigeon arrives at the Imperial camp.
A soldier grabs the message it was carrying and brings it to the command tent.
"Commander Tulius" he said handing the message to a red haired young woman.
She reads the message and couldn't help but give a mischievous smile.
"Interesting…" she said "… Send word to the Perm outpost"
"Yes, ma'am!" the soldier replied exiting the tent.
She then looks at a map of Gallia as Emilia enters the tent.
"You called me, ma'am?" she asked
"Yes" the commander answered "Take the 4th Walker Division and go back to Perm"
"Perm?"
"Gallian troops were spotted near Tomsk. They'll most likely target that base to force us to retreat"
"Yes ma'am!"
Emilia attempts to leave the tent.
"Oh Emilia!" the commander added "My network tells me your boyfriend is among the soldiers marching to Perm"
Emilia holds her breath at the revelation.
"Don't make any mistakes now… Don't forget that you're still under suspicion"
"Of course" Emilia replied, trying to sound calm
"Oh and when you see your boyfriend" the commander said as she stabs her combat knife on the table "Make him feel pain, do you understand?"
Emilia couldn't bring the words out for a second.
"U-Understood" she said
"Good. Now go"
"Yes ma'am…"
Emerging from the tent, Emilia walks a few more steps before she could no longer control the tears.
She quickly hid inside her tent.
She opens her bag, grabbing a photo of her and Aster.
Sorrowful, she could only kneel down and place the photo over her heart.
"Aster…" she said as a few tears fall down her cheeks
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