Chapter 99: Chapter 98, Tactical Interweaving
In the midst of the battle, getting flanked was disastrous.
After the militia behind the rioters were attacked by Kodi’s two infantry squads advancing from two directions, they could barely put up any effective resistance.
If it weren’t for the fact that Battalion 3, facing them head-on, wasn’t quite sure what was happening behind them, and prioritized the protection of the food transport convoy without coordinating an attack from the front as well, the rioters would have collapsed even faster.
But even without that, there was no big problem anymore.
Objectively speaking, Kodi felt that the military skill level of the troops he was now leading still fell short of his old unit’s, but they were a bit better than the mob and better armed too.
At least it wasn’t just rifles with iron barrels anymore.
Meanwhile, after realizing that the cultists capable of unleashing Storm Bullets were the most significant threat among the enemy, he paid special attention to those two foes.
He singled out some of the most progressive-minded and combat-ready soldiers under his command, and personally led them to target those cultists.
Siege warfare had to be fought in this manner.
And after he definitively led his men to kill those two dark mages, the battle was no longer in doubt.
The remaining rioters were either killed or fled.
Kodi didn’t pursue them but instead drew his troops closer to the food transport convoy.
The soldiers responsible for the convoy remained very cautious and did not allow them to get close. Only when Kodi showed his face and the soldiers opposite recognized a familiar figure did they lower their guards.
After exchanging secret signals, Kodi left behind a squad, along with the seventeen surviving members of the original convoy crew, took the wounded, and headed for their designated Distribution Point No. 2.
First, ensuring that this batch of food could be delivered, they could also ensure the normal operation of about ten food distribution points associated with Distribution Site No. 2.
After that, the two squads from that place and the convoy responsible for the escort would be as secure as possible.
As for Kodi himself…
He adjusted the brim of his cap, listening to the intense gunfire coming from a distance.
His battle was not over yet.
“We continue to advance! There are more comrades who need our support!”
“Yes!” the soldiers had just won a victory, and their morale was high.
…
Kodi quickly led his troops to a new battlefield.
The situation here was much more problematic than the one he had just resolved.
This place should be on the transport route of Distribution Site No. 3. A mob had overtaken the convoy. The number of rioters was more than before, probably reaching two hundred, and there were more cultists among them. At a glance, Kodi spotted five.
He knew how troublesome it was to deal with these magic-wielders. Bullets hitting their Storm Shields would require emptying at least three magazines before penetrating, while one Storm Bullet from them was like a hand grenade. Besides, many armed rioters provided them with protection.
Looking at this, the infantry squad responsible for escorting the food likely met their doom. Whether they were completely wiped out or routed with some turning to desertion, they could no longer be relied upon.
Similarly, two infantry squads had come to support from Distribution Site No. 3. Kodi recognized the leader, also a ‘Red Hat’ political commissar.
But the enemy they faced was too strong; they couldn’t break through at all.
All they could do was maintain the line, ensuring the enemy couldn’t break out.
But without a numerical advantage and with the help of the cult mages on the enemy side, they hesitated to use the mortars they had for fear of destroying the food.
In this situation, their line was somewhat precarious.
Kodi immediately led his troops and pushed to the front.
His arrival with several dozen fresh troops greatly eased the situation.
In the midst of the fight, Kodi found another Red Hat.
“Tadeusz! Tadeusz!”
“Kodi?”
The red-hatted one turned his head, looking somewhat surprised.
Kodi had no time for pleasantries, he immediately stated his purpose, “We can’t keep fighting like this, we need to bring our guns into play!”
“But those supply wagons…”
“Stop worrying about that! Win the battle first, then worry about the food!” Kodi said as he pointed outside, “Look over there! Someone is pouring fuel; they’re going to burn the supplies! We can’t let them succeed!”
Having said that, he fired a burst of bullets in that direction, killing the fuel pourer, then quickly pulled his head back in.
“Okay!” The political commissar named Tadeusz also made up his mind. He crouched down, retreated, and began to issue orders.
Soon, the mortar teams from three platoons were in place.
The firepower suddenly increased significantly.
When Tadeusz returned, Kodi continued, “It’s still not enough, we need to figure out a way to handle those sorcerers.”
“Do you have a plan?”
Kodi grinned, showing his teeth, “Nothing particularly good, just fighting desperately. Dare or not?”
Tadeusz hesitated for a moment.
Kodi patted his red armband and asked, “What’s the matter? You’re a political commissar, why the hesitation?”
“Let’s do it!” Tadeusz clenched his teeth.
“That’s more like it!”
The two quickly formed a small squad.
Seventeen men, assembled into two spearhead teams.
They each led a team, dividing into two groups, and began to advance from the outer flanks.
About ten minutes later, Kodi’s team was in position.
He estimated that there were two minutes left until the agreed time to launch a joint attack.
He strictly ordered the soldiers not to show their heads, patiently waiting.
The enemies seemed to sense that the frontal firepower had weakened somewhat. They became restless, sent out some men, and tentatively launched a counterattack.
Seeing this scene, Kodi worried whether the frontal defense, having lost almost a fifth of its manpower, would hold.
But thankfully, it held for those two minutes.
When the time came, the multiple mortars fired simultaneously; the previously silent and repositioned machine gun squads also unleashed powerful fire.
The soldiers also courageously raised their heads and began to shoot with full force.
In that instant, the volume of firepower from the entire troop increased several-fold.
The armed thugs who had seized the convoy were suppressed momentarily. Even the several sorcerers didn’t dare to show their heads recklessly, for even with Storm Shields, as mere wearers of blue robes, they weren’t at the level of the gray-robed or the Divine Envoys. Too many bullets could still shatter their shields.
And it was at this moment that Kodi bellowed, “Charge, charge, charge! It’s our turn to go! Don’t waste the opportunity our comrades have created for us!”
With that, he was the first to rush out.
————
It’s a bit tough, no drafts saved, wanted to post more but didn’t finish writing… more to come this afternoon or evening.