Chapter 63: | 063 | Operation Hammer of Dawn: Defensive Line
In the first defensive line residing a couple of clicks westward from the delta site were the 1st Infantry Company, the 2nd Mechanized Company, and the 3rd Armored Company.
These companies numbered over 600 soldiers and a hundred military vehicles, signifying their capabilities of defending the first defensive line.
Many soldiers prepared themselves behind their sandbags as they heard thunderous echoes brought about by the artillery shelling of the delta site.
Crimson lights flickered in the distance along with resounding bellowing cries of death and suffering. It was quite a sight, but a familiar one to the soldiers of the United Army.
"Prepare yourselves!"
"We are the defense line that separates them and the Port of Dawn. We must not fall." One of the lieutenants leading their platoons uttered a short speech.
It was a simple yet foreboding of what was to come.
"Sir, reports are coming from the aerial cavalry. Hundreds of magibeasts have been directly impacted by the artillery battery. However, dozens of them managed to survive and are stampeding in our direction."
One of the platoon radio operators reported to his lieutenant about the upcoming defensive battle.
The lieutenant nodded in understanding after receiving the report of the radio operator and turned his head towards his men.
"They are coming in our direction. The 4th Artillery Battery has killed hundreds of them, so we of the 31st Platoon of the 1st Infantry Company must not disappoint!"
"Take out our M72 Laws, the forward command has authorized their utilization." With his orders, several infantrymen took out M72 Laws.
It was a weapon that was always represented closely to the infamous RPG-7 of the Union. It was capable of handling armored vehicles, more than enough against the incoming magibeasts.
"Let's roast these abominable pigs." Seeing his men arming the laws, the lieutenant smirked and looked at the horizon where their adversaries would be stampeding.
"Can you eat them, though?" One of the infantrymen inquired as it would be useless to let consumable meat rot in the plains.
"If you want to get diarrhea before dying, you're free to do so." The lieutenant lightly chuckled as most soldiers had the same idea before knowing of the effects the meat of the monsters could bring to their bodies.
It didn't take long before the stampeding magibeasts could be seen from the horizon. When the soldiers saw them, their gaze immediately became determined.
The distance between the first defensive line and the stampeding herd was one and a half clicks. But it was far enough for the 3rd Armored Company to lay waste to the magibeast.
*BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!*
Several Abrahams fired at the charging magibeasts. Their deafening blasts resounded throughout the line as smoke escaped the confines of their barrels.
Dust was blasted off, causing them to shroud the forefront. But it didn't take long for them to dwindle from the line of sight of the first defensive line.
A number of magibeasts fell to the ground with a hole in their head. They soon crashed, bringing down the magibeasts behind them.
Obviously, it was far from enough.
*BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!*
The Abrahams fired their second salvo and brought down dozens of magibeasts in the distance. Blood splattered throughout the plains as bits of flesh were discarded to the ground.
When the herd of magibeasts reached a click away from the defensive line. It was the Bradleys' turn to start unleashing lead to the stampeding monsters.
*BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!*
*BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!*
Their 25mm cannons laid waste to the scales of the boar-like magibeasts, like a hot knife cutting through butter.
It didn't take long before the magibeasts were riddled with holes, but these monsters seemed determined and brimming with madness. They didn't stop charging towards the first defensive line.
*BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!*
*BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!*
The Abrahams fired once again and the Bradleys followed. They decimated the ranks of the stampeding magibeasts, causing dozens to fall and become corpses lying amongst the tall-slick grasses.
It didn't take long before the charging herd reached 0.2 clicks or 200 meters away from the first defensive line. It was now the infantries' turn to start laying hellfire on the magibeasts.
The soldiers in the first defensive line pointed their M72 Laws towards the stampeding monsters and didn't hesitate to fire them at them.
*Woooshh!* *Wooooosh!* Wooosh!* Wwwoooooosshh!*
With the pull of many triggers, several Laws fired ordnance toward the charging monsters. They pierced through the air and immediately impacted the magibeasts.
*Boom!* *Boom!* *Boom!* *Boom!* *Boom!* *Boom!*
Although the damage the Laws gave to the magibeasts wasn't as devastating as the first attacks from the Abrahams and the Badgers. They still killed several monsters, which gave the infantry against these car-sized monster boars.
"Don't stop firing!"
"Give them hell, machine gunners!"
"Take them out!"
Voices and orders from the lieutenants commanding their platoons echoed throughout the first defensive line.
On the other hand, the infantrymen efficiently and rapidly reloaded their Laws while also beginning to start firing their 50. Cal machine guns.
*BBbbbrrrrrttttt!tt!* *Brrrrttttt!* *BBrrrrrttttt!*
A couple of machine gun bunkers fired at the incoming magibeasts, bringing about a storm of leads. It was becoming harder for the magibeasts.
Combined with the firepower of the Armored, Mechanized, and Infantry Companies. The first defensive line seemed to resemble an impenetrable fortress.
And even the magibeasts riddled with madness could understand the difference of power. They stood no chance against these metallic monsters that challenged their authority over the island.
So, when one magibeasts turned to the side of the battlefield. Many followed like a wave, and so, the first battle between the war of the United Navy and the magibeasts of Crescere ended with the UN's victory.
As the echoes of the magibeasts hooves resounded, the cheers of the soldiers resounded louder in the great plains of the eastern grassland.
"Yeah!"
"Freedom!"
"Damn, I'll buy all of you beer!"
Smiles were everywhere when the stampeding magibeasts changed their direction.
In the forward command tent of the first defensive line, Lieutenant Colonel Joven was met with the reports of the aerial cavalry regarding the status of the herd.
*The stampeding herd of over a hundred magibeasts has changed their directions. They are currently separated into three groups. One heading north, the second heading south, and the last heading east.*
"Understood, the 2nd Mechanized Company and the 3rd Armored Company will be handling the northern herd." Lieutenant Colonel Joven responded.
*Affirmative, Lieutenant Colonel Joven. The cavalry will take care of the south.* Lieutenant Colonel Aquila decided to take care of the southern herd.
Though... The agreement of the two lieutenant colonels makes one wonder about who will handle the herd stampeding to the east. Well, the answer to that was simple.
In the heavens above the eastern grassland, a great beast slithered amongst the blue skies and the clouds that lay adrift in its comfort. It was jet-black in color, reaching a length of 350 meters.
Electrostatic escaped the confines of its black scales as its golden eyes seemed to shimmer amidst the fluffy white clouds.
Its dominating and arrogant gaze was pointed at the ground where dozens of magibeasts hurried in their escape deeper into the great plains.