The choppers flew in the sky, all headed for the last Terran outpost, which was where the students will be dropped. The Burat Royal family was coping inside a palace made in the center of the valley. The data provided to Shi Lang and the rest showed these details clearly.
The chopper in the front was boarded by all the team leaders. They were not given time to come up with a proper strategy. So Shi Lang decided to use the travel time to their advantage and narrow down all the risk factors. In the center of the cabin, a holographic representation of the whole region was rotating.
Shi Lang said, “The red area is under enemy control.”
The model was represented in red and green color grounds, with white lines creating the three-dimensional model. Jenkins said, “The enemy forces are not budging at all. We do not have a buffer area. As soon as we step in the red area, we will be under their crosshair.”
The rest of the people nodded. Shi Lang said, “They have allowed us some support aids but we can only use it twice.”
The data they read back in the spaceship did not only list the things about enemy and task but also stated the resources at their disposal. They could call in two waves of heavy artillery support cover, twice. Artillery cover was a precious resource. If they could use it properly, it will be a crucial asset in their victory. However, messing up the usage will cost them a lot. They could even lose their lives.
Matthew, a top student in Battle class, said, “We can use one heavy artillery shower to get ourselves a buffer distance. Can we not?”
Amelia said, “Not good, the enemy will retaliate after suffering damage, the shower will fuel their rage. They will be like caged beasts and they could do something unexpected, we will be exposed to unaccounted risk.” she said calmly.
The analysis was correct. If the burats found that the enemy forces pushing them back, the resistance will increase and they will have to face more trouble. The cabin descended in silence. Shi Lang said, “They use EMP to scramble communication, right?”
The rest nodded, Shi Lang said, “We can try and have the command exchange the artillery cover with two long-duration EMP. What do you think?”
Jenkins said, “I will contact them right now.”
He used his army communicator and connected to the high command. A monotonous voice sounded, “This is Ja-sum Terran Command, state your designation, ID, and purpose.”
Jenkins said, “Honorary Cadet, Edwards Jenkins. Requesting connection with C.O Den.”
Instructor Den was their commanding officer during this task. The operator confirmed the details and said, “Connecting.”
A beep sounded and Den’s voice was heard, “This is Den.”
Jenkins said, “This is Jenkins, Sir, is it possible for us to exchange the two artillery cover showers with two long-duration EMP bursts?”
Den was surprised and then after a few seconds he said, “Have you considered everything by this request?”
Jenkins raised his head to look at Shi Lang who nodded to him silently. The former said, “Yes, Sir.”
Den replied, “Granted, I will inform the ground post in charge about this. Colonel Jacob will execute the strike upon your request. Also, the next time you contact, use code names, over and out.”
That said, the communication was suspended. A boy from the group said, “Wait, if we fire EMP would it not disable our own communications?”
Shi Lang shook his head and said, “If you switch off all the electronic devices, then fire an EMP burst, it will not affect us. We know the timing of the attack, the enemy does not. The long duration EMP will give us an hour. We will have to clear out the enemy in the front during this one hour. Also, the bigger problem is the telepathic connection of the Burat Royalties with the forces.
We do not know if they have a specific range of communication or not, but if they can really communicate, then we will have to watch out for sudden reinforcements on the enemy side.”
The people nodded, Amelia said, “What you said is correct, but this is a risk we cannot avoid. What is the engagement plan?”
Shi Lang said, “They are using trenches to make things difficult. We have ten teams, five teams lead assaulters to create false attacks, the rest flank and invade. Group A will have the snipers cover the frontal fire squad. Group B will take out strongholds and heavy weapon operators.
Group B Assaulters are to get inside the trenches and sweep the place. Our objective is to move as deep as we can. Take the point to defend it. Scouts are not allowed to attack. They are to be the concealed strength. Is this clear?”
The people nodded and said, “How much deeper can we go?”
Matthew said, “A lot, it will be a slaughter in the effective range of EMP burst. Their technology is similar to ours and might lose their phaser weaponry to the burst, but we should assume they have some sort of backup ready in case they face an EMP burst.”
Jenkins nodded, “Correct, however, in case of an EMP they will have either propelled ammunition or cold weapons. Either way, we can take them on. Worst case scenario will be them holding micro nukes.”
The people chuckled. Mirco Nuclear weapons might sound small but the damage will be enough to vaporize a few blocks. It would not be so easy for the enemy to hold on to such a weapon. Shi Lang said, “We have our abilities. Keep the defense ability assaulters in both grounds in the front. Attack type ability users side by side with them.”
The people nodded and they all relayed the messages to their own teams.
…
In the command center, Den was sitting with a few more high-ranking officers. They were all watching the monitoring screen, and listening to all that was been talked about inside the chopper cabin.
One of the officers commented, “They have a plausibly good strategy, but I want to know, how they will execute it, after all, it is not like only they could come up with this strategy.”
Den nodded and said, “To my surprise, they actually appointed Shi Lang as the group leader. His analysis skills are acute, the way he assigned them based on their abilities, this can be a crucial point.”
A grumpy-looking man said, “I want to see what he can do, personally. This guy has been to Ragnarok and came back. My clearance level allowed me to take a look at his records inside the camp, I would say, he is hiding his skills a way too deeply at the moment.”
The people nodded and Den said, “It is expected of those who go to that place and live to tale the tale. He may not say much just yet, but the frontier will bring out what he has learned over there. We can watch it then.”
The people nodded as they agreed with this opinion.
…
After twenty minutes, the choppers landed on the helipads made in the last guard outpost of Terran command. Shi Lang and the rest of the people disembarked and the boy said, “Assemble.”
The teams all fell in neet queues and columns. Shi Lang said, “Attention. Jenkins, Take command, I will go and report to the outpost In charge.”
Jenkins stepped forward and said, “Yes, sir.”
Shi Lang turned around and walked to the small make-shift office. This was where the outpost in charge would be present. The boy rapped on the door and said, “Honorary Cadet Shi Lang reporting, Sir.”
A cold voice sounded from inside, “Come in.”
Shi Lang walked inside and saluted the officer sitting on a wooden chair. The officer was a lady. She wore an eye patch and had a cold vibe about her. Shi Lang said, “My team would like your permission to act, Sir.”
The officer nodded and said, “You can begin. I will have them let you pass the gates. Godspeed.”
Shi Lang saluted and with a thank you, he left the office. He came back to his group of students and said, “We are about to begin so, put aside everything. You have your objectives, now I will tell you about your duties.
First, your life belongs to the military.
Second, you will guard your comrade at the cost of your lives.
Third, if you can make it out alive, you can capture some rich tough nuts among you, and have them drown you in booze.
Understood?”
The group replied, “YES, SIR.”
This small speech had gotten their morale high and soaring. The surrounding soldiers also shared the emotion with them and they cheered, “GODSPEED.”
This was a gesture used to bless those who were going to battle. Shi Lang and the others thanked the soldiers on duty with a crisp salute and then the group marched to the outpost gates. As the people stood in front of the gates, Shi Lang said, “Contact Artillery Squad, we begin now. We will have five minutes to switch off comms and other equipment. We are beginning.”
…
*