บท 33: Clearing Operation Part 5
The Deforested area of the Ager's forest was simply a scene of stump-filled desolation. The once lush greenery had been reduced to a barren landscape, with blackened stumps and scorched earth stretching as far as the eye could see.
Platoon 1 and 2 advanced cautiously, their weapons at the ready. The Challenger Tank rolled forward, its main gun scanning for any signs of movement. The soldiers moved in a tight formation, their eyes darting around, wary of any potential threats.
"Looks like it's empty. All the monsters that were lurking here probably responded earlier in the battle," one of the soldiers said, his voice low.
"Stay sharp," Alpha 1 warned. "Who knows, maybe not all of them responded."
And ten minutes into wandering to the deforested area, they found no signs of life. The tension eased and Alpha 1 and 2 breathed a sigh of relief. And just as they were about to sip water from their canteens, one of the soldiers raised his hand, signaling for the group to stop. He had spotted something unusual ahead.
"Sir, I see something. Looks like a campsite," the soldier reported, pointing towards a cluster of tents surrounded by a wooden fence.
Alpha 1 signaled for the group to advance cautiously. The soldiers moved forward, their weapons at the ready, until they reached the campsite. It was clear that it had been hastily abandoned. Tents were left standing, some partially collapsed, with personal belongings scattered around.
"Geez, what happened here," Alpha 2 observed.
"It doesn't matter. Let's now plan our next steps. There are two roads. In the east is the way leading up to the strip mine, the west is this magical mushroom road that leads to the entrance of the mine that was spotted earlier by Viper 1. I'd say platoons 1 and 2 take the west while 3 and 4 take the east?" Platoon 4 leader, Alpha 4 said.
"I have no problem with that," Alpha 2 responded, nodding in agreement. "It's a sound plan. We can cover more ground that way and ensure both areas are secured."
"Alright, let's move out," Alpha 1 commanded. "Platoon 1 and 2, follow me. Platoon 3 and 4, take the eastern route. Stay in constant communication and report any findings immediately."
The soldiers split into their respective groups, each platoon leader ensuring their men were ready for any encounters. Each platoon had a Challenger Tank and an M2 Bradley for support. The Challenger Tank rumbled forward, leading Platoons 1 and 2 towards the west, while Platoons 3 and 4 moved cautiously towards the strip mine in the east.
As Platoons 1 and 2 advanced along the magical mushroom road, the scenery changed dramatically. The towering mushrooms created a surreal, almost otherworldly atmosphere.
"Damn…we are really in a fantasy world," Alpha 1 commented as he watched one of the odd-looking creatures that spun its head and emitted a soft, bioluminescent glow. The soldiers moved carefully, captivated by the vibrant colors and strange wildlife surrounding them.
The bioluminescent creatures, some resembling small deer with glowing antlers and others looking like oversized insects with radiant wings, added a magical yet eerie feel to the environment.
"Keep moving," Alpha 2 ordered, though his eyes lingered on a particularly large mushroom that pulsed with light. "We have a mission to complete."
The soldiers continued their advance. As they approached a particularly dense cluster of bioluminescent mushrooms, one of the soldiers noticed a faint, rhythmic drumming sound. He signaled to Alpha 1, who halted the platoon.
"Do you hear that?" the soldier asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"It seems like someone is heading our way," Alpha 2 guessed and he was right. They were monsters heading their way, about 50 of them, and they had a grotesque appearance, with bulbous, mushroom-like caps on their heads and bodies covered in a lattice-like structure that glowed with an eerie blue light. Their limbs were short and stubby, ending in clawed feet that seemed to dig into the ground as they moved.
"Hostiles incoming!" Alpha 1 shouted, raising his weapon. The soldiers quickly formed a defensive line, their weapons trained on the advancing creatures.
The mushroom monsters charged forward, sweeping their bodies as their whip-like tendrils lashed out, glowing with an eerie blue light.
"Open fire!" Alpha 1 commanded.
The soldiers unleashed a barrage of bullets. The M2 Browning atop the Challenger Tank roared to life, sending a stream of heavy rounds into the charging monsters. The M2 Bradley's 25mm autocannon joined in, its rapid-fire rounds ripping through the grotesque creatures. The air was filled with the sound of gunfire and the shrieks of the mushroom monsters as they fell under the withering hail of bullets.
Despite the relentless fire, the mushroom monsters continued their charge, their numbers seemingly endless. As each monster fell, its body exploded in a burst of violet mist, spreading rapidly through the air. The soldiers had little time to react. The mist was thick and pungent, swirling around them in an ominous cloud.
"Watch out for the mist!" Alpha 2 shouted, but it was too late for some. A few soldiers who were caught in the initial bursts stumbled, coughing violently. Their eyes rolled back, and they collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
"That must must be poisonous! We should retreat now!" Alpha 1 said.
"I agree," Alpha 2 concurred and switched frequencies on the radio. "Alpha 2 to Actual, we have a situation. The enemy releases a poisonous mist when killed. We are retreating. I say again, we are retreating."
"Alpha 2 this is Actual, acknowledged. You are on the Sporea Road. Fall back to the campsite."
"Copy that, falling back to the camp," Alpha 2 responded, signaling his men to retreat.
The soldiers quickly organized themselves, carrying their unconscious comrades and maintaining a defensive perimeter as they moved back towards the abandoned campsite. The Challenger Tank and M2 Bradley continued to provide covering fire, their weapons blazing as they slowed the advance of the mushroom monsters.
"Keep moving! We need to get out of the mist's range!" Alpha 1 urged, glancing over his shoulder to ensure everyone was falling back in an orderly manner.
Finally, they reached the campsite. The soldiers quickly set up a defensive perimeter, their weapons trained on the path they had just retreated from.
"Actual, how are Alpha 3 and 4 holding up?"
"They are doing well, Alpha 1," Vincent answered. "They are sweeping all the monsters as we speak. Once they clear out the strip mine, they will link up with your forces and together you will attack the Sporea Road. There are only two places left remaining."
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