Shi Lang gave the order to the teams and they all turned off the electronic devices on their bodies. The outpost was surrounded by metallic walls, and the bulk doors were manually operated. Yes, they used the improvised ancient chain and pulley system for opening and closing the door. This was done to reduce the risk of being choked inside.
The soldiers operating the door mechanism wished them similarly to the others, “Godspeed.” and they pulled the levers to open the doors. Shi Lang and the team rushed out holding onto their guns.
They were just about to cross the threshold when they heard a slight buzz passing their ears. Shi Lang reacted and said, “Teams Split. Five minutes to take cover and then restart all your equipment.”
The people nodded and they all moved. Shi Lang was at the helm as he did not have a team for himself. He was the commander of this group. The rest were following him in neat formations. The boy had sensing ability but someone Matthew had the ability to see further than a normal human, he was a sniper with additional zoom in his eyes.
Matthew called out, “Enemy trenches one kilometer ahead.”
Shi Lang said, “Find the flanks and wait for assault commands. The rest follow me, we are charging ahead.”
The valley where the Burats were holing up, used to be a forest, but to make sure that the enemy cannot take advantage of the cover and sneak up they had shaved down the trees. They took shelter in this place when they had no other way to survive. The resistance forces had acted quickly and dug trenches to create a cover for themselves.
However, since they acted with haste, they did not have the time to take completely uproot the trees. The place was filled with thick trunk stumps. Shi Lang planned to use these trunks as their covers. The boy used hand gestures and the teams split up.
Amelia was the only one who stayed behind him. They all had sprinted for a distance of a kilometer but they were still breathing as if normal. Shi Lang pressed a button on the back of his helmet and then he switched on his communicator. The first thing he did was not to command the teams to attack but to connect the command office.
The communication was established, and the boy said, “This is Incursion Group Leader, Shi Lang, Command, do you copy?”
Den spoke non-emotionally, “Assign a codename.”
Shi Lang thought for a bit and said, “This is Ace. Command, do you copy?”
He did not know why he said that name, but it was something that he heard from Aries during their journey back to the Federation. Den replied, “Copy, go ahead, Ace.”
The boy said, “Commencing Operation, over and out.”
“Godspeed, command out,” said Den.
Shi Lang nodded and gave a verbal command to the team leaders using his communicator.
Jenkins said, “Nades away.”
Every team had four assaulters, they all tossed one grenade to the enemy trenches, twenty-four grenades fell inside the trenches, and before the enemy could react…
BOOM…
The explosions were all changed and sounded like one. Shi Lang called out, “Charge.”
The group advanced while they initiated suppressing fire at the second trench. They jumped the first trench. The sniper teams perfectly used the time they used in charge to take out the half-alive enemies. Shi Lang and the rest successfully attracted enemy attention.
…
At the back of the enemy trench camp, a few high-ranking officers were gathered, they all heard the sound and the glow of the explosion at the front. A tall Burat dressed in black military uniform sneered, “Cannot hold anymore.”
A subordinate nodded and said, “These aliens are detestable. What is the command, sir?”
The officer said, “What else, kill the intruders. Then strip them and tie them up to poles in front of the trench. This shall avenge those who died in the explosion and show these aliens their place.”
His orders were relayed and the forces started to take action.
…
Shi Lang commanded, “Point assault teams will rotate, do not advance to the next trench until this one is clear. Leave two guards at every inter trench connecting point. Group B, you will act only on command, follow the flank along with us.”
“Acknowledge, Group Leader.” responded the rest of the team leaders.
Shi Lang let out another command, “Snipers, take out the overhead targets. Do not wait for them to get close to us. Spotters, mark us on your visors and call out in case of enemy bombardment.”
“Yes, Group Leader.” responded the Snipers of Group A.
Shi Lang was not leading the point position, his mind was occupied with the thoughts of how the enemy will react. The good thing was the battle was being fought inside the trenches and they were not exposed to the barrage of phasor beams.
…
Den and the higher commanding officers sat inside the monitoring room. They heard and saw it all. The senior officer said, “This boy can sure narrow down the risk.”
Another guy said, “Indeed, he took such a haughty code name. I like his balls.”
Den nodded and said, “This boy has the grasp of all the elements. I like how he asked the point assaulters to rotate every five minutes.”
The old officer asked, “Why do you say so, would it not be detrimental to reset that position so frequently?”
Den replied, “Sir, you ask as if you do not know the reason, but since you have asked, I will tell you. These students are used to practicing in simulations and they have no idea of the unexpected factors of the battlefield. If they ignored a potential overhead attack, they will be dead. Shi Lang commanded them to rotate in order to keep them all alert, and at the same time provide them all experience of real combat.”
The other officers nodded. The room did not only have the officers but also, some ground-level soldiers, and they all were surprised to see this kid thinking so deeply in face of enemy resistance.
…
Due to the early EMP burst, the Burat forces were basically lambs up for slaughter in front of Shi Lang and his team. The teams did not hesitate and shot down every target in front of them. The phasor beams that could pass through iron like butter, were reduced to leave gruesome flesh wounds. The wounds were caused by harsh burns that melted the armor on the enemy and then the organs at the point of impact.
All the wounds were at least, five inches deep, so Burat forces died with much agony. Shi Lang and group A cleared three out of ten trenches. And the pressure on the Burat side, increased.
…
Inside the Burat royal palace, a figure draped in folder robe-like attire stood in front of a virtual screen and the situation of the battlefield was visible to him. He asked in a cold voice, “What is Sher-al doing? These outlanders are barging in like a tide. How many soldiers have been martyred? Yet I do not see the enemy losing even one.”
Behind the figure, an old Burat stood tall. He replied, “Do not worry your highness, General Sher-al will stop these aliens.”
The prince snorted and left the place fuming.
…
Shi Lang was now leading point with Amelia. His gun was stuck close to his shoulder and he was shooting every soldier in front of him with dead accuracy. He used his ability and dealt with the enemy at the corners swiftly as well. His speed was faster than everyone else who had led the point charge.
Just when they were about to advance ahead through the inter trench connections, he jerked back and said, “Halt. No one advances.”
Jenkins asked, “What is it?”
Shi Lang said, “I do not know, but the instincts cried loud as soon as I took a step in the connecting alley. Have the flank team do a reckoning.”
Jenkins nodded and relayed the orders to the group hiding around the flank positions. Group A was all leaning against the walls of the trench. The enemies were taller than them and the trenches played a perfect barrier for them.
Matthew said, “I feel excited, this is the heat of the battle.”
Shi Lang said, “Control this heat, or it will burn us all. Do you understand?”
“Yes, group leader.” said the boy.
Group B sent the report and the situation was something they did not expect. The enemy was holding traditional gunpowder ammunition. Their bodies might be strong and their armor might be strong as well, but the impact of a fifty cal. would still leave them with some broken bones.
Shi Lang thought for a bit and issued a command, “Let Group B engage. Group A Snipers will provide support. You all make sure to spot and aim at the enemies who try to manipulate the heavy caliber weapons. As soon as group B attracts the attention, we will move ahead.”
“Roger, Group Leader.” responded Group B.