章 3: The Red Musket Part 3
"You're goddamn right, son, now give me a map"
An hour later…
"T90 at 4 o'clock, we're in its line of fire! Scarface, quick evasive maneuver!"
Ivan, hands gripping the steering controls, reacted with lightning speed, wrenching the tank into a hard left turn, its treads churning up the earth beneath. The T90's 125mm gun roared, its menacing projectile slicing through the air like a harbinger of doom. Inside the Red Musket, a deafening hiss echoed as the enemy's sabot round narrowly missed the turret.
"Gunner, sabot, tank! Traverse left" Cpt Tiger instructed,
"Identified!" Archer announced, his eyes glued to the fire control, a predator locking onto its prey.
"Steady" — Tiger
Armstrong, the tank's loader, moved with practiced efficiency, his muscles rippling as he grabbed an APFSDS round from the ammunition rack. With a swift, practiced motion, he inserted the round into the breach of the 120mm smoothbore cannon. "Sabot up!" he declared, signaling the gun's readiness.
"Fire!" Cpt Tiger's command echoed through the tank, a prelude to the thunderous roar of the Abrams' main gun.
The sabot round, a spear of destruction, streaked through the air, its trajectory a deadly promise. It slammed into the T90's heavily armored turret with pinpoint accuracy. The enemy tank fell silent, its offensive capabilities reduced to a smoldering ruin.
"Tank struck!" Tigers voice held a hint of grim satisfaction, a testament to their lethal precision.
Relief, however, was a fleeting luxury on the battlefield. "T80 at 1 o'clock, distance 800 meters! It's on the other side of that building. Load a sabot round again and let's see if we can shoot through the building," Cpt Tiger's voice cut through the momentary respite.
"On!" Archer's response was immediate.
Armstrong, a whirlwind of efficiency, ejected the used shell and inserted a fresh round into the cannon. "Up!" he announced.
The Red Musket's turret swiveled, its aim unwavering, targeting the T80 through the skeletal remains of the building that stood as a flimsy barricade.
"Fire!" Cpt Tiger's command unleashed pent-up energy.
The sabot round tore through the air, its path undeterred by the shattered windows of the intervening building. It slammed into the T80's hull with a resounding crack, piercing the armor and wreaking havoc within.
Suddenly, Captain Tiger clicked his tongue. "Two enemies approaching on both sides. 72 at 2 o'clock 90 meters and 90 at 8 o'clock 50 meters.. They're looking at us."
Archer let out a predatory grin "Those bastards keep on coming huh, guess we need to do that."
"Never thought that we were gonna do it again too soon." Armstrong opened the ammunition rack and grabbed another Sabot round and carried it then he giggled nervously, "Well bring it on!"
"Scarface, we're gonna do Duoblitz. Target at 8 o'clock, turret 1 o'clock ." Tiger ordered Ivan then followed by immediate response from Ivan "Roger!"
Developed by Red Musket after acquiring the M1 Abrams tanks, DuoBlitz is a tactic demanding exceedingly precise coordination among the crew. It comes into play when confronted with two enemy tanks approaching simultaneously, necessitating their elimination in rapid succession.
The gunner locks onto the first target, ensuring a precise shot. Concurrently, the commander maintains focus on the second tank, ready to engage immediately after the gunner's attack. To facilitate this swift targeting, the driver skillfully rotates the tank itself, although M1 Abrams turret can do full rotation within 9 seconds, this maneuver could reduce it. On the battlefield, every second matters. While the tank boasts a sophisticated gun stabilization system, the gun still remains on target even if the tank is rotating. Red Musket deactivates it in favor of the unmatched precision of manual aiming. The loader must reload the gun within a critical two-second window, ensuring the seamless execution of the DuoBlitz maneuver.
Tiger informed Ivan where the target and the turret training position so he could calculate precisely how much turn the tank needed.
Immediate tension arose inside the tank, Archer's eyes were glued to the first target, his hands were already sweaty while holding the gun trigger and his foot couldn't stop fidgeting, tapping the floor. Armstrong was also already sweating and it was visible to his face, he was tense while waiting and preparing for a quick reload.
Tiger remained fixated on his commander's screen while Ivan prepared for a swift turn. Red Musket was exposed in the open field, vulnerable to enemy detection through thermal imaging. Finally, the awaited order came, "Fire!" Tiger barked in a calm, calculated voice.
Archer responded with a steady pull of the trigger. The battlefield echoed with the loud thump of the tank's cannon, followed by a flurry of activity from Tiger, Armstrong, and Scarface. Without waiting for confirmation of the first shot's impact, they seamlessly transitioned to the next target, they just put trust in Archer's skill and a calculated gamble on his success. In a fraction of a second, Ivan initiated the tank's rotation, followed closely by the turret's swift movement. Armstrong, unfazed by the frantic pace, maintained his balance while reloading the tank with lightning speed. As soon as Tiger acquired sight of the second target, he fired without hesitation. Another deafening boom reverberated across the battlefield, followed by the satisfying silence of two simultaneous explosions. Both were a hit.
Armstrong, his eyes glued at the tablet that mirrored from their reconnaissance aerial drone, confirmed the hit. "Target neutralized," he declared, but there is still no celebration inside the tank.
"All right, cease fire! Cease fire!" Tiger said
The ruined city is filled with burning metal perfect for a blacksmith's workshop. And for the Red Musket, they know that that number will just pile up. "Cpt Tiger gravely announced "Column of seven T80 tanks at 11 o'clock, a distance of 1000 meters."
"C'mon give us a break will ya!" Archer rant.
Ivan took a glance at the fuel gauge of the tank and its already low. And even though he didn't announce it, he knew that the crew knew they were already low, not only on that but on ammunition.
Armstrong slammed the ammunition door seal. "Damn it!" Within 30 minutes of intense non-stop fighting, Red Musket already depleted its 50 rounds.
"That's it boys. We're done here, let's go back and hope that the Hornet's already operational, let's retreat for now." Cpt Tiger comfortably and calmly said.
Ivan rotates the tank and heads south where they can meet up with the rest of Black Powder squadron and the 16th infantry division. After rotating the tank, Ivan twists the throttle downward and the tank is in full speed retreat.
Just as they're rolling, Cpt suddenly stood up to his hatch and he furiously looked up in the sky. There's another kamikaze drone heading to them and it's not only one, it's 3 drones locked and pursuing them because of the heat signature coming from the engine full throttle of the tank.
Cpt Tiger clicked his tongue, "Archer, drone incoming, switch up with me!"
Tiger decides that because he knows how precise Archer's marksmanship is just as he demonstrated before. He even joked Archer before calling him phalanx, not a spartan formation phalanx but the CIWS one or the Close In Weapon System Phalanx. It's a machine that uses a gatling gun to intercept incoming threats like missiles by shooting at it and detonating it before it even hits what it is defending.
"Fucking hell! Those suicidal drones again huh?" To his left side, Archer gets his sniper rifle.
"Hey, you sure are going to use that thing against that drone?" Armstrong mockingly asked.
"Why not? I can hit and shoot it down with one bullet."
"Heh! This brat is cocky as ever. Well then, this time I won't lose!"
Armstrong arose from his hatch also and dismounted the SAW machine gun so he could aim it freely.
Tiger and Archer finally switched up position and the Captain is now controlling the gunner position. He is now using a thermal sight, looking for the enemy, and Sgt Scarface is just driving the tank. Both of them placed their faith in Archer and Armstrong.
Both Sgt Archer and Pvt Armstrong aimed their guns at the first upcoming drone. First drone is at 500 meters. From that distance, the drone is still like a small dot in the sky. But because of their excellent marksmanship, they were able to somehow hit the wings and avert it from its trajectory. However, the second drone is already at 200 meters and rapidly descending to Red Musket. At that moment, Armstrong finally turned the switch of his machine gun into full automatic. The recoil of M240 is strong but Armstrong's name lives up to his physique, controlling the fully automatic machine gun just fine. Like his arm acts like a recoil debuffer. At only 100 meters, Armstrong was able to hit the kamikaze drone, both Cpt Tiger and Pvt Strong Armstrong duck to avoid the blast. There is a loud bang, Armstrong able to detonate the explosive charge of the drone. But there is still one more drone and they don't have time or distance to shoot it down. It's probably the end of them, but Ivan and Archer wouldn't let that happen and the other crew knew it so they closed the hatch and brace themselves.
There's a 5 floor building in front of them. Tiger aims the main cannon in front of them and using the last HEAT round that he loaded while Archer and Armstrong shooting down the drones, he pulls the trigger. With a deafening roar, the High Explosive Anti Tank round tore through the concrete, creating a gaping entrance. Ivan, with nerves of steel, slammed on the brakes to the left sending the tank into a 180-degree drift, expertly avoiding damage to the gun then the tank slammed into that blasted wall. They're already inside of the building, and they got the cover now. The kamikaze drone, still locked on Red Musket, hit the rooftop of the concrete building. It can't penetrate the thickness of 5 layers of concrete so it just explodes upon impact.
Cpt Tiger released a whistle, "Good job, boys. Let's move out now." The tank started to move again. There's no time to stop or else they will become sitting ducks. They are aware that enemy tanks are already chasing them. But to their surprise, a single T90 is already aiming at them.
"T90 ahead!" Tiger informed Ivan but as expected, Ivan was already prepared so he traversed the tank at lightning speed and again saved their precious tank from being hit. After that, Ivan moves forward, "Hey! Don't you ever think about ramming an enemy tank again!" Tiger reminds Ivan, his voice has a mixture of genuine humor.
Ivan chuckled. "I won't."
"H-hey!"Archer genuinely with fear exclaimed But Ivan rushed the T90 in front of it at full throttle but he quickly turned it hard left, they almost scratched each other but Ivan's driving was so precise and then the M1 Abrams accelerated while swaying to avoid incoming gun fire from that enemy tank.
Through the desolate city streets, a heart-pounding chase unfolded, a ballet of steel and fury as the T-90 pursued the Red Musket. The two armored behemoths thundered through the ruins, their tracks churning up dust and debris, their engines roaring like enraged beasts.
The Red Musket, its ammunition depleted, relied on its maneuverability to evade the T-90's relentless pursuit. Scarface, the driver, expertly weaved the Abrams through the rubble-strewn streets.
The T-90, its gun belching fire, kept up the pressure, its shells whistling past the Red Musket, each near miss a reminder of their precarious situation. Captain Tiger, ever resourceful, devised a plan to buy them time.
"Scarface, activate our smoke generator, Armstrong, use our grenade launchers to disorient them, and Archer, keep hit em with coax, aimed at their sights, we'll make them blind."
"Yes sir!"
Tank started belching white smoke from behind and the coaxial machine gun spitting its lead to the enemy.
"At my signal, launch smoke grenades," he ordered.
Reaching beneath his seat, Tiger fumbled for something in the cramped confines of the Abrams' interior. Armstrong, puzzled, watched as Tiger finally extracted a bulky object.
A olive-green tube stretching over a meter long, with a smaller box-like device attached to the side, its screen displaying targeting information. It was a Javelin missile launcher,
Armstrong's eyes widened in disbelief. "How in the hell did you fit that in here?"
Archer, equally astonished, could only stare. "Goddamn it, Captain Gritz! How did you hide that?"
Tiger chuckled, "Always make a pocket for your rocket. You never know when you'll need one."
Ivan, the driver, shook his head at Tiger's antics but couldn't help but wonder what else their captain had stashed away. Feeling around his position, he discovered an RPG tucked beside him. It was a simple metal tube, slightly curved with wooden grips, its conical warhead menacingly pointed - a weapon of raw, close-quarters power.
And on his other side, Ivan found a Stinger missile, its sleek, cylindrical body painted a dull gray, housing an infrared seeker head that gave it a distinctly modern, almost futuristic appearance.
The missile's compact size belied its deadly purpose, capable of bringing down even the most agile of aircraft.
"Unbelievable…" Ivan thought, a mix of amusement and awe washing over him.
Captain Tiger opened his hatch, "Archer at the count of 5, deploy our smokes, and Scarface after I fired the javelin missile, hit the TRUE top speed of our Red Musket.
"Roger that!" Both of them affirmed in unison. The captain set up the javelin missile, he decided not to use the usual mode which is the top attack mode, instead he switched to the direct fire mode. He ready himself for the attack then he starts the countdown.
"5, 4, 3, 2…1. Deploy the smoke!" With that Archer launched the smoke grenades, it is located in front of the turret. Although the enemy can still see them through smoke by the use of thermal imaging, it will still somehow reduce their visibility, then, Tiger, seizing this opportunity, rose from his position, the Javelin missile launcher braced against his shoulder. It's in direct fire mode and it works like an rpg where the attack is in almost straight line.
With a sharp hiss, the missile streaked forth, a fiery messenger of destruction. It arced through the smoke, a deadly comet illuminating the haze with an eerie glow. The T-90, its crew momentarily disoriented, never stood a chance.
The missile slammed into the T-90's hull with a thunderous roar, the impact sending a shockwave through the desolate cityscape. The enemy tank erupted in a blinding fireball, a violent sun birthed amidst the ruins.
The Red Musket's crew watched in stunned silence as the T-90's turret, ripped from its body by the force of the explosion, soared skyward. The three enemy soldiers inside had ceased to exist, their lives extinguished in a violent instant.
There was no celebration, no triumphant cheers. The Red Musket's crew, their faces grim, their eyes haunted, could only stare at the twisted metal silhouette against the gray sky. They knew that in this unforgiving war, their fate could mirror that of their vanquished foes. Does someone really deserve to go out that way? What would their mother say if they found out their child is nothing but dust? But Red Musket knows there is no turning back now, they won't regret it, but they will never forget.
The eerie silence that had settled over the Red Musket was shattered by the crackle of the radio.
"Red Musket, Red Musket, this is Hornet. Over."
Captain Tiger grabbed the receiver, his voice crisp and professional. "This is Red Musket, Hornet, come in. Over."
"Red Musket, we've completed repairs and are ready to counterattack. By the way, that was quite a fireworks display you put on."
"Copy that, Hornet. However, we're retreating for now. Escort the 16th and watch out for enemy armor and mines. Over."
A brief silence followed, broken by another voice on the radio. "Red Musket, this is Warpig. 5th Russian Mechanized Infantry and Combined British and German Armor Division is en route to retrieve the 16th Infantry Division. Orders from higher up are to reclaim this city. Its railway is a strategic location. They've also brought Leopard and Challenger squadrons. Over."
"Copy that, Warpig. However, we're low on fuel and ammunition. We're retreating for resupply. Over." — Tiger
"Red Musket. This is the 5th Mechanized Infantry. Please retreat to Location Alpha, one of our BTR will escort you in case you encounter some runts along the way. Now leave this to us comrades!"
"Red Musket, This is also the Combined Armor Div. Great job at holding there but I hope you lads left us some armored targets."
The Red Musket meets up with the Black Powder Squadron. Together with Hornet, they will retreat for needed resupply and repair. The Warpig and Crimson Jungle will be in direct order of 5th Mechanized infantry temporarily.
"We're going home for a while… boys. We fight for another day."
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