Chương 19: Town Yell
[Interface fully active], flashed across the helmet.
"05," spoke the voice, "-location is on the hill of Yell. Five Klicks to the west lays an outpost where the battle rages. Using satellite, I've managed to gather footage of the area." [Video Loaded], a town in ruin with buildings broken and without a sign of life. A residential area which the IG-4 captured in hopes of gathering hostage. Teddies were torn in half, windows smashed, cars on fire, smoke, bullet holes, uneven cracks in the walls, a clear sign of explosives. Mortar fire had ravaged the western side of town. Streets beyond the point of use, access inside the town itself was blocked, [Ended].
"Should we head over there?"
"Wait, 05, before we start, I'll give you a summary of what you're wearing. We'll start with the body-suit. Light, powerful, and resistant to bullets from 7.62mm below. Bear in mind, it's there for protection and not to use as a complete defense. Walk into a barrage of bullets and its death. You're not invincible. Next up, functions, the suit will grant better mobility than the average joe. A human can jump about 31 cm, the suit allows you to jump 1 – 4 meters easily depending on energy. As for strength, the normal benchmark is 90 Kg, the suit allows up to 500 Kgs depending on the energy. This also includes your sprints; you can run for hours on end without getting tired. You're basically better in every single physical aspect," detailed information of what could be done flashed on the helmet. "As you've noticed, the helmet has multiple UI all depending on the user's configuration. I'll update screens and display information that is relevant to the activity at hand. A range finder, thermal vision, and the ability to see through walls. Although not that detailed, the advantage is immense," cycled through the many settings, "-the fun part." Another display, "-weapons, you're equipped with the DLS-40, a sniper that should feel very natural. A revolver, the RS-2, and lastly, a silenced automatic assault rifle that can be switched to semi-automatic. Named Jewel-SR, 31 bullets in the mag, it uses 5.56 mm. An effective range of 500m, should be plenty enough in tight spots. Ammo will be replenished overtime via the energy-conversion system. Just make sure to not finish everything, any questions?"
"Could I please have the inventory?"
"There you go,"
[Loading inventory…]
[5x 5.56 mags]
[20x Lapis .33]
[10x 6 Mg Special]
"Thank you," an energy meter appeared on the left of the field of vision, "-Cess, what is the energy-conversion system?"
"A system that allows the suit to operate as well as generate ammo so as the guns are always replenished. You haven't the privilege to access said information."
"Ok, what now?"
"I recommend heading East," a map appeared on the top right.
"Yes," fully black and inconspicuous, the suit held no particular uniqueness. A standard army issued uniform in the eyes of any who might have come across his path. Sniper on the right shoulder whilst the rifle was hung diagonally across the chest, it allowed easy movement. Revolver on the left hip with a big backpack, the climb down the hill began. Airplanes flew, helicopters over the horizon, the main road was filled with broken cars used as cover. Aided by the interface, it zoomed to give a clearer view of the road around 1.5 klicks away.
"Bodies of IG-4 and AN-C," said the Ai, "-the reality of war I presume."
"Mindless destruction, this place must have been a nice place to live in."
Close to the warzone of town Yell, a platoon consisting of 3 squads of six members drove in trucks along the edge of town. South West was controlled by the AN-C whilst the IG-4 held the North East. Headed for the outpost, the townhall, covered by multiple roads and alleys of road, both sides fought for control of the center of town. Divided diagonally by an extension of the main-road; crossing the 4-lane road was a death sentence. Watched by snipers from both sides, any who dared step onto said road would die. A total of three flyovers existed to provide access and link each side of town. Each apart by two kilometers, the fight was mainly turned to those. Natural protection from the open; the first to overwhelm the flyover would gain an easy passage into the enemy's territory.
"Second Lieutenant Rashford," saluted three teams' squads of six. Arrived a few minutes in the infantry unit, the leaders of which held the rank of Sergeant.
"Sergeant Miles," turned the lieutenant with a reflective sunglass, hair covered by a helmet and a gun on his back, making out facial differences was hard due to the uniform. "Good to see that headquarters has seen the value of helping Town Yell," glanced behind, "-Privates with no insignia, how lovely."
The wind blew harsh, dust paired with the smell of burning wreckage lingered as a ghost. The townhall stood as a remanence of prior glory. Broken windows all along the first floor, the building was of a C-shape that faced away from town. In said manner, it was possible to have an outpost with medical camps, a strategic unit, and a few resting men from nights prior. Hard was it to ignore the whimpering of injured fighters to the right.
Giving once overs to the squad leaders, "-at ease." From formal to relaxed, the men stood with hands behind their back. "I see that the army has enlisted females as well," frowned, the ladies stood straight neutrally. Disciplined, Rashford made a few rounds to examine the soldiers better. "Alright," back to the front, the minutes felt as if hours. "Platoon 039, welcome to hell," stern, "-you'll be briefed in a moment. Take the time to get acquainted with your officers," faced away, he walked into the town-hall.
"Second Lieutenant Rashford," said Miles with a sigh, "-a peculiar man with a good record," turned to his squad, "-alright people, have the supplies unloaded."
"Yes, sir."
"Miles," grouped the squad leaders, "-I have a feeling that we're going to step into the lion's den."
"Parker," smiled Miles, "-we've been fighting for 1 year. As far as I'm concerned, the next street over is the lion's den."
"Again, with that obnoxious confidence," sighed, "-go on Malley, tell him," urged Miles.
"I just want to go home," he nodded.
"Say that again," breathed, "-as long as we keep our heads calm, we should be fine."
"We might be," trailed Malley, "-what about them?" referred to the rookies, "-drafted because of urgency."
"Yeah, well, that's the brass's call, we're pawns in a game of chess."
"Look, the lieutenant is asking for us."
"Alright, let's go." Sunglasses, helmet, and a grey-camo uniform to match the urban battlefield, three squads were dispatched from headquarters. Miles, Parker, and Malley; if it wasn't for name-tags, recognizing a person through the gear was almost impossible. Chatter and friendship never grew in the moment of the fight. Teamwork is brought by discipline. Words that came straight from the General, a sort of motto for people to follow. Thus, the feeling of companionship slowly grew to be worthless. Human interaction was there, sadly, the reality of war had forced many to close their hearts. The pain of losing a friend, the pain of seeing one die in front of their eyes. A stone-heart and strong will to fight a never-ending battle.
Stood before a desk on which held a map of the area, "-each squad take these three points. A, B, and C," it landmarked the flyovers, "-I had reports that a returning team from the south will join us as soon as tomorrow. The enemy is well-established to the North-East. Your mission today will be daunting, after a full assault early in the morning, the middle flyover is at risk of being breached. Take to the streets on foot and guard the middle for three hours. I'm sure they're going to force it again, the IG-4 are reckless bastards. Point A and C will be covered by my team," paused, the information was allowed to sink. "Recapping the operation, from 14:00 to 17:00, you are to guard point B, do not lose the battle no matter what. Regardless of what happens, I want the squads to separate at 17:00, even if the middle is pushed, a recovery team will rotate to ensure the retreat. Phase 2, 17:00 onwards, the squads will watch defensively – install mines, throw tear-gas, do what is needed to force them into backing out. The southern platoon will pass through town on way to the North-West. Once grouped, we'll take over Yell."
"Permission to speak, sir," requested Miles.
"Speak,"
"The Southern platoon, are they the armored division?"
"Someone knows the war very well. I applaud the dedication, make sure to not die, the IG-4 are very tough to beat."
"Permission to speak," requested Malley.
"Speak,"
"What about civilians?"
"The town-folks on our end have been taken to a refuge to the south. Sadly, the north-east section is beyond intelligence's range. There might very be people in those ruins. The priority of this mission is to ensure that the town isn't conquered."
"Understood, sir," said in tandem, they stepped out into an empty corridor leading into the main hall of the building. Turned over tables, blood on papers, drag marks of moved bodies, many civilians were killed during the first exchange.
"The briefing," said in a saddened tone, Miles had removed his helmet revealing pale-skin, freckled nose, a scar on the forehead and chubby nose, "-not that he said it aloud, you understood what he meant, right?"
"If you're speaking about the civilians, then there's no hope. Our mission is hard as is, if we fail here, the enemy will force their way and cut off our supply route to the south. Yell must not fall," argued Parker, "-I want to help them, sadly, that's not possible."
"I-I guess,��� helmet back on, "-the mission assigned will be hard. One step at a time, let's go, Platoon 039."
"Yeah, let's do this," quick fist bumps, and the Sergeants left to their individual squads.
[Time: 15:30], "05, we're here," spoke Cess.
'Town Yell,' stood 1.5 klicks away from the outer edge, the place felt silent. 'I can't shake the feeling of having forgotten something important. I don't have a name, there's a singular thought in mind, save those in need.' Stood elevated from the town, "-Cess, do you have a detailed map of the town?"
[Map enhanced].
"Do you know the enemies' position?"
"That's a tall order," face in a window on the top left, she pouted.
"I'm only asking since I know that I don't have allies, I'm a one-man army with the goal to stop the war. It's vague and incoherent, yet, I feel something warm inside."
"Yeah, enough of the riddles," she chuckled, "-give me a moment, I'll hack into radio channels."
[Multiple Frequencies detected…]
[Error – Encrypted] [Beginning Decoding]
[Successfully decoded] [Launching Scouring program…]
[Connection with GPS established] [Now showing enemy position]
[Scouring Program completed…] [Summarizing]
[Infiltration complete].
"I'm done," exclaimed Cess.
"Was there a reason that the process had to be broadcasted on the display?"
"I wanted to show off."
"S-sure, what did you find?"
"Their plans and frequencies, here's a summary."
"I see," read, "-these are information on AN-C, right?"
"Yeah, I can't get access to IG-4's server. Give me a few days, I'll have their entire network under control."
"Quick question, are the enemy position tracked in real-time?"
"Yeah, that is the advantage of being technologically advanced. They rely on their gadget a little too much. What's your plan, 05?"
"There's only one way to win a war, and that is for one side to destroy the other. I should get on the AN-C's good side. If humanity isn't forsaken by god, then saving the trapped civilians should suffice."
"As you wish, 05. The mission is in your hand, I'll assist with the fullest of my ability. Saving the world and its people doesn't seem that bad an idea."
"Cess,"
"What is it 05?"
"Thank you."
"Don't mention it, partner."
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