Story - Chaos Rising

Continued from "Tempest"

      The 2^nd regiment was moving towards the position given to them by the 1^st regiment just a couple days back. The 3^rd regiment reached their position, and began intercepting supplies. HQ told them that soon they would need to shift positions to stay clear of Imperial forces that would head back to meet them. The 3^rd regiment is currently in the middle of a firefight with a caravan guard tasked to protect the shipment of supplies. The 4^th and 6^th battalions are still on the move towards the battlefield, and the supply depots for aircraft had recently started functioning fully.

Series Introduction: [ The Corinosian Introduction ]

Star Date: 12.01.06, Location: Pythoria, Listarian Northern Mountain Range

Captain Griffin: “Kipler, Halther, come here for a minute.

2^nd Marine Kipler: “Right away sir.”

Halther tripped and fell on his way over.

Captain Griffin: “Halther, get a hold of yourself!”

2^nd Marine Halther: “Sorry, sir, won’t happen again.”

Captain Griffin: “Now then, I need Kipler to contact HQ and explain the current situation. Halther, prepare the explosives for use.”

The 2^nd regiment finished their preparations to advance early in the morning. They decided to get moving quickly afterwards. They had not heard from the 1^st regiment, so they needed to move swiftly.

Captain Griffin: “Are you able to walk, David?”

Lieutenant David: “Yeah, the medic said I should be fine, but I will need to take it easy in combat. Not much running. I told him that if bullets start heading my way, I don’t care if my legs break, I’ll get the heck out of there as quickly as humanely possible.”

Captain Griffin: “Just don’t run if you don’t need to.”

Lieutenant David: “Of course sir. I’ll go gather my men so we can move out a little bit faster.”

Captain Griffin: “Tell anyone you see on the way to start heading out too.”

The 2^nd regiment began moving towards the 1^st regiment, which was in need of assistance.

      The 1^st regiment was still under siege. They had taken position near a cliff. The terrain was full of large and jagged rocks, dense trees and other vegetation, and some makeshift fortifications for added cover. The Imperials were having issues landing a single hit, but the Listarian forces were outnumbered severely.

Major Ytriub: “Are communications back on yet, we need to call for reinforcements soon!”

1^st Marine Gregory: “I regret to inform you, but I think our radio was shot.”

Major Ytriub: “Curses! We just have to hope that the 2^nd regiment is nearby, and in condition to fight. How are our supplies doing Peter?”

1^st Marine Peter: “We have enough to last us for a couple weeks. Do you think we should use some of these explosives?”

Major Ytriub: “We might need some of those for a distraction. Distribute some to the 1^st marines stationed near the front. Let them know they are to only use them in the event that the enemy moves forwards towards our position or on my command.”

1^st Marine Peter: “Understood, sir.”

Major Ytriub: “Gregory, is there any chance you can fix that radio?”

1^st Marine Gregory: “It’s possible, sir, however, it might take a couple hours. If it takes anymore damage, it won’t be fixable.”

Major Ytriub: “Well then, I guess we’ll need to just wait and hope. Heh, I wish our sniper rifles weren’t dropped a couple miles back.”

While the 1^st regiment did what they could to survive, the 3^rd regiment was busy intercepting supply caravans.

Colonel Jacob: “I’m tired of this stalemate. We need to advance and secure the caravan.”

2^nd Marine Qua-ti: “What do you suggest, sir?”

Colonel Jacob: “I need you to send a message to all of the marines at the backup front. Tell them to report to me immediately. The enemy is not moving up, so they are unneeded there, and I have a better use for them.”

2^nd Marine Qua-ti: “Right away sir.”

Colonel Jacob: “Vince, how does the radar look?”

Captain Vince: “I don’t see any enemy forces incoming, but experience shows that the enemy possesses stealth bomber technology. Their bombers cannot be detected by radar.”

Colonel Jacob: “Well, I don’t think they will be willing to bomb their own supplies. But if we do end up capturing the supplies, I’m guessing they will. When we secure the supplies, I need you and your squad to move them in the opposite direction as quickly as possible. Once you’ve gone about a mile, leave the supplies there and radio to HQ, and let them know where we left them.

Captain Vince: “Consider it done, just give me the signal, and my men will be ready to move out.”

Colonel Jacob: “Major, I need you for a second.”

Major Terrance: “What is it, sir?”

Colonel Jacob: “I am thinking of a simple flank attack, but these Imperial Forces are rather adept to hold out for so long. I am going to need to get forces on the other side of the enemy. That’s where you come in. I need you to create a distraction, while Lieutenant Benjamin leads a feint attack.”

Major Terrance: “Sounds like a plan. Who’s forces will end up on the other side?”

Colonel Jacob: “The soldiers that made up the secondary front will move to the right and left flanks, far off, and then move to the other side of this narrow valley.”

Major Terrance: “I’ll ready my men, just give us the signal.”

Colonel Jacob: “Be sure to let Lieutenant Benjamin know what the plan is on your way back.”

Major Terrance: “Right away, sir.”

2^nd Marine Qua-ti: “Sir, the soldiers where be here shortly.”

Colonel Jacob: “Excellent! I need you to bring a message to the front as well. Be careful so you’re not shot. Let them know that when the signal is given, that they will begin firing upon the enemy. Tell them to throw a few stun grenades as well. Our men are going to need a lot of support fire.”

2^nd Marine Qua-ti: “I’m on it, sir.”

Colonel Jacob: “Captain Vince, I need you to radio HQ, and inform them of the current situation and plan.”

Captain Vince: “Yes, sir.”

      The 3^rd regiment continued their plan. Colonel Jacob was going to attempt to position forces on the other side of the enemy. When they go in to secure the supplies, the enemy will have minimal cover. Meanwhile, the 2^nd regiment was heading to Major Ytriub’s position. Worried about the lack of communication with the 1^st regiment, Captain Griffin was moving his forces as swiftly as possible. They ran into a few Imperial scout forces, but instead of engaging, they picked them off with marksmen. Hopefully, the scouts didn't have a chance to alert other Imperials.

Captain Griffin: “David, I need you to watch our rear flank. We are moving quite quickly, and I don’t want to be trailed.”

Lieutenant David: “I’m on it, sir.”

Captain Griffin: “Kipler, has HQ mentioned any news from the 1^st regiment yet?”

2^nd Marine Kipler: “No, sir. They have not received word from the 1^st regiment for a couple days now. They asked us to investigate, and report back to them immediately.”

The 2^nd regiment hastened their pace further. While help came to support the 1^st regiment, the 1^st regiment was beginning to suffer more casualties.

Major Ytriub: “The enemy is advancing, and it does not seem like our stun grenades are holding them back enough. Peter, I need you to set up charges at the front as quickly as you can. We are going to fall back shortly.”

1^st Marine Peter: “Understood, sir.”

Major Ytriub: “Gregory, notify me as soon as that radio is up and running. We need to send a full report of the situation quickly. Now that the Imperials are moving up, I need you, Rain, to send up a flare.”

Lieutenant Rain: “Yes, sir. What if that alerts nearby enemies?”

Major Ytriub: “I am sure the Imperials already know about our little skirmish here.”

Lieutenant Rain: “That makes sense, sir. I’ll get right on it.”

      Lieutenant Rain sent up the flare, it went into the air for about a mile before it exploded in a flash of an intense mixture of scarlet and various oranges. The 1^st regiment’s front line retreated as the Imperial Forces advanced. They set up position at a secondary front made up of some rocks and makeshift barricades. Once the Imperials reached the front line, Major Ytriub had the charges blown, and ordered his men to open fire upon the enemy. He had also tasked Peter to use smoke grenades on themselves.

Major Ytriub: “Hold your fire; we don’t want them to know our position. Send word to the right and left flanks to open fire themselves.”

Lieutenant Rain: “Right away, sir.”

Major Ytriub: “Peter, I need you to send a few stun and concussion grenades towards the enemy.”

1^st Marine Peter: “I’m on it, sir.”

      The right and left flanks opened fire upon the enemy. The smoke was still too dense from the charges, that the Listarian forces were unsure of what they were firing at. The bursting of the grenades cleared the smoke. Shocked and dismayed, the 1^st regiment discovered that there were no Imperial Forces where they were firing.

Major Ytriub: “What is this sorcery? How can this be? They were just there. Peter, Rain, do you guys have any idea where they could have gone?”

Lieutenant Rain: “No, sir, I’ve never seen something like this happen before.”

1^st Marine Peter: “No idea, sir…”

      Suddenly they heard gunfire from the right and left flanks. Major Ytriub concluded that the Imperials were far more formidable and versatile than he previously though, and ordered his forward flank to disperse and assist the right and left flanks.

Major Ytriub: “We are going to report this to HQ as soon as that radio is back on. We can’t let other regiments fall for this same trickery again, it could cost them greatly.”

Lieutenant Rain: “Sir, I just got word that we lost the left flank, and the right flank won’t hold off for much longer.”

Major Ytriub: “Order a fall retreat on the right. Captain Calinoza, I need you to gather the dispersed forward flank, and form a new front on my position. It’s time for our final stand; there is no retreat, since we have no exits.”

Captain Calinoza: “Yes, sir. Do you think we will make it out alive?”

Major Ytriub: “I suggest you send out your last prayers. We’re stuck in a hard spot right now. Gregory, how’s that radio?”

1^st Marine Gregory: “Sir, I only need about 10 or 15 minutes to finish this up.”

      The forward flank regrouped in the center, and what was left of the right flank fell in with the others. The 1^st regiment waited patiently for the enemy to show themselves.

Major Ytriub: “Soldiers, if you have any grenades left, I need you to throw them in front of you, towards the trees. Aim anywhere someone can take cover. For those of you without any grenades left, just wait. If you see any movement, then open fire on that spot.”

      When the grenades were thrown, a few Imperials moved. Just as Major Ytriub had expected, the enemy was just waiting. The 1^st regiment successfully neutralized a couple dozen hostiles. But, once things became calm again, several soldiers waiting near Major Ytriub fell over.

Major Ytriub: “What is the meaning of this?”

1^st Marine Peter: “Sir, I regret to inform you, but they have been shot dead.”

Major Ytriub: “How can this be? They were in cover, and we didn’t hear any shots.”

      Suddenly several small flashes came from on top of the trees. The Imperials put marksmen with stealth rifles in the trees, where they could gain an advantage.

Major Ytriub: “Unbelievable. I thought we were fighting a regular army here! These guys are employing guerrilla tactics.”

1^st Marine Peter: “I guess all that is left for us to do, is fight.”

Lieutenant Rain: “The situation looks grim, but we won’t make it out alive with talking.”

Captain Calinoza: “Maybe that’s what we should do, talk to them!”

Major Ytriub: “That’s a terrible idea, how do you suppose we do that? Who made you a Captain?”

Captain Calinoza: “You did, sir.”

Major Ytriub: “Oh, right. Enough talk, we need to suppress the Imperials as long as possible. I hope that flare was seen by a friendly force.”

      The 1^st regiment continued their fight. The 2^nd regiment ran into Imperial reinforcements heading to help out those assaulting the 1^st regiment. Captain Griffin’s men were close, but they were slowed down by that engagement. The 3^rd regiment’s plan was a success, and they will be attempting to secure those supplies as quickly as possible. The 4^th battalion reached HQ, and is going to form the front flank in this battle. They are waiting for the 6^th battalion to form the left and right flanks. Listarian Aircraft will enter play soon. 

To be continued...