章 25: "The Full-Scale Assault On The Capital"

As Coles observed the chaotic scene of the UPKF soldiers retreating from the battlefield through a drone, anger flared in his eyes. His normally composed demeanor shattered. He clenched his fists, the knuckles turning white as his mind raced through the consequences of this retreat.

"What will the headlines say?" Coles muttered under his breath, his voice laced with urgency. His thoughts were consumed by the repercussions of this setback, knowing that public perception could shift drastically in the wake of such a retreat. He understood the power of public opinion and the potential damage it could inflict on the reputation and morale of the UPKF.

Coles knew that the media would seize upon this opportunity to question the effectiveness, and competence of the UPKF all while mocking them for the same. It was not just about the loss of territory or the immediate impact on the ongoing conflict—it was the long-term ramifications that concerned him the most.

His mind whirled with thoughts of how to spin the retreat, how to downplay its significance, and how to regain the public's confidence. Coles was acutely aware that the headlines would shape public opinion, influence political decisions, and potentially sway the course of the entire war.

As Coles entered the room, the atmosphere grew tense. Lieutenant Peters and Sergeant Williams stood by, their expressions an acute mess.

Coles wasted no time. His voice carried an air of authority as he addressed his comrades, "Gentlemen, we must act swiftly and decisively. The retreat cannot be seen as a defeat. We have something significant on our hands, and it is our duty to ensure that the public understands the gravity of our actions."

Lieutenant Peters leaned forward, his eyes searching for reassurance, "But sir, how do we explain the retreat without revealing our true intentions?"

Coles nodded, acknowledging the challenge they faced. "We need to emphasize the strategic advantage gained from the retreat. We withdrew to regroup, repositioning our forces in a more advantageous position. We must highlight the larger plan at play, one that will ultimately lead us to victory."

Sergeant Williams chimed in, his tone resolute, "And what about the casualties? We cannot ignore the lives lost during the retreat."x

Coles said, without a hint of sorrow, "Let's review the casualties from the retreat. I want to ensure we know about the count."

Lieutenant Peters, his gaze fixed on the casualty report, began, "We've lost fifteen soldiers, sir. Each one fought valiantly until the very end. Their names and ranks are listed here."

Coles nodded, his eyes scanning the list. "Remember their names and etch them on a stone wall and that's enough."

Sergeant Williams spoke up, his voice shaking from the audacity of his higher-up, "Sir, we must inform their families and provide them with the support they need during this difficult time. We owe it to them and to the memory of our fallen comrades."

Coles, wearing a cynical smirk, interrupted, his tone dripping with sarcasm, "Ah, yes, Sergeant Williams, let's not forget about the families. After all, it's not like we have a budget to uphold, right? I'm sure the War Department will be thrilled to hear that we're prioritizing 'supporting families' over their precious funds."

The room fell silent, the team exchanging glances of disbelief. Coles's callous remark struck a nerve, going against the very principles they believed in.

Lieutenant Peters, his voice laced with anger, countered, "Sir, honoring our fallen comrades and providing support to their families is not something we can dismiss. It's about showing respect and compassion, not just for them, but for the values we falsely claim to fight for."

Coles, his smirk still in place, leaned back in his chair, dismissing their concerns with a wave of his hand. "Well, Lieutenant, I'm glad to see your priorities are in order. Just make sure you let the families know that 'honoring fallen comrades' isn't on the War Department's checklist. They'll be thrilled to hear that."

Sergeant Williams, his voice filled with restrained agony, spoke once more, his words measured, "Sir, with all due respect, the well-being of our soldiers and their families should never be compromised for the sake of a budget. They deserve our support and respect, regardless of any financial stuff."

Coles's expression hardened, his eyes narrowing as he glared at the team. "Well, Sergeant Williams, it seems you have a lot to learn about the realities of war. Honor and compassion have their limits when it comes to the bottom line."

With that final cutting remark, Coles rose from his chair and stormed out of the room, leaving the team stunned and disheartened.

Lieutenant Peters and Sergeant Williams watched as Coles stormed out of the room, his rudeness lingering in the air. They exchanged a glance, silently acknowledging the weight of the situation and the challenges they faced.

Sergeant Williams sighed heavily, his shoulders slumping with the weight of the encounter. "I can't believe his fricking disregard for our fallen comrades and their families. It's like how a dipshit would act, to say the least."

Lieutenant Peters nodded, his expression filled with determination. "We can't let his ass discourage us, Sergeant. Our mission remains the same."

Sergeant Williams agreed, his voice resolute. "You're right, Lieutenant. Despite Coles's lack of empathy, we need to focus on our next move. We've been discussing a full-scale assault on the capital using our air forces. It's risky, but it might be our best chance to make a significant impact."

Lieutenant Peters leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with craziness. "Yes, the capital assault. If we can strike at the heart of the enemy's power, it could turn the tide of this war. We'll need meticulous planning, coordination, and every available resource at our disposal."

Sergeant Williams nodded, his mind already working through the logistics. "We'll have to gather intelligence, assess their defenses, and identify key targets. Our air forces will play a crucial role in this operation, but we'll need support from our ground troops as well."

Lieutenant Peters looked at his comrade, a sense of trust and unity growing between them. "Sergeant, let's rally our troops and start preparing for this assault. We may not have that dipshit of a leader's support, but we have each other and the soldiers who believe in our cause. Together, we can overcome this setback and achieve victory."

Sergeant Williams stood up. "Agreed, Lieutenant. We'll make this assault a turning point in this war. We'll show everyone, including Coles, what true leadership and dedication mean."

Sergeant Williams stood in the command center of the UPKF headquarters, a sense of urgency in his voice as he addressed the assembled air force personnel through the speakers. The room was filled with the low hum of activity.

"Attention, all air force personnel. This is Sergeant Williams. We have a critical operation ahead of us, one that will require precision, skill, and determination. Our objective is a full-scale assault on the enemy capital. We will strike hard and fast, using our air superiority to dismantle their defenses and cripple their command structure."

The room buzzed with murmurs as the air force personnel exchanged glances. They understood the gravity of the mission and the pivotal role they would play in its success.

Sergeant Williams continued, his voice projecting authority and confidence. "Our ground troops will pave the way for our aerial assault, neutralizing enemy anti-aircraft defenses and securing strategic locations. Our air forces will provide close air support, suppressing enemy fire and targeting high-value assets. This will be a coordinated operation, demanding flawless communication and swift execution."

Just as the briefing seemed to conclude, a voice from the crowd spoke up, "Sergeant, what's the name of this operation?"

Sergeant Williams paused for a moment, his eyes scanning the room before a confident smirk formed on his face. "This operation, ladies and gentlemen, shall be known as Operation Thunderstrike. And mark my words, it will be a storm of fury and devastation that the enemy will never forget."

A wave of excitement rippled through the room. As the personnel dispersed to their assigned positions, the headquarters reverberated with the sounds of boots marching and equipment being readied. The temperature rose due to the engine reverberating loudly

And then, with a sudden rush, the unmistakable roar of engines filled the air. The walls of the headquarters shook as air vehicles thundered out, taking to the skies one by one. The ground trembled beneath the weight of their departure.

As the sound of the departing air vehicles faded into the distance, the headquarters fell into an eerie silence. The only remnants of their presence were the lingering gusts of wind. The fate of Operation Thunderstrike, the lives of the brave men and women involved, and the outcome of the war itself hung in the balance, shrouded in uncertainty and teetering on the edge of triumph or tragedy.