War Core 2, Chapter 36.

Chapter 36.

“Sir, we’re ready to engage,” Cartwright called out. It turned out not everything had gone against them. The Ssath air mechs landed to the west and marched on the column, an effort to sandwich the transports between them and the Ssath heavy mechs. Hugh’s light mechs that had been left behind to ambush the enemy were slowly closing in on the threat. Nearly invisible when standing still, the M24’s slow movement was also tough for the approaching air mechs to detect, and with the Ssath focused on the column, they hadn’t even considered an ambush team was lining up for a shot at their backs.

“Take them down,” Hugh ordered. All seven M24’s opened up with their main guns and secondary thirty caliber weapons. Though it had a slightly lower velocity than the 75mm gun that had been mounted on his medium mechs, the main gun on the new M24’s proved to be more than up to the task. Seven enemy bomber mechs crashed to the ground, the main gun rounds easily penetrating the light armor that protected the air mechs. Secondary weapons tore into the smaller fighter-based mechs as the Ssath tried to come to terms with a group of light mechs suddenly appearing out of nowhere.

The enemy confusion was only momentary, but it was enough for a second volley from the main guns to take down another seven of their number. Instead of turning to engage the newest threat, the enemy mechs picked up their speed, weapons firing not at the screen of infantry in front of them, but instead toward the vulnerable transports that were obliging them by walking toward them at a slow and steady pace.

“Focus them down, they’re trying to take out the transports!” Cartwright ordered, pushing his men to cut through the enemy mechs faster than they were. The reinforced squad of infantry that was between the enemy and the transports were finally inside grenade range and the first blasts from those weapons were sprinkled among the enemy attackers. Uncaring as to their own fate, the Ssath just kept firing at the defenseless transports. Three of the civilian mechs were already down and others were exploding one after the other.

By the time Hugh’s forces brought down the last Ssath air mech, the center column and lost fifteen of the transports, their destruction carrying who knew how many innocent civilians to their deaths. The threat of the air mechs was handled, but the heavy mechs were still pushing forward. It had taken Hugh and Jiro a bit of time, but now they had the enemy movements pegged. A quick dash and blast of fire from an avatar would draw the enemy's attention. The other units fired into the enemy flank as they turned, further damaging the mechs. One stumbled and fell after two main battle mechs hit an already damaged section. The mech tried to struggle to its feet only to explode when a shower of rifle and machinegun fire lanced into it.

With one threat down, the final Ssath heavy was much easier to defeat, Hugh and Jiro both lost more troops, but trading a handful of infantry for an enemy heavy mech was a fair exchange. Of course, the exchange might not seem so fair if you were piloting the infantry mech that was destroyed. This battle was supposed to have a higher mortality rate, but Hugh couldn’t allow himself to become distracted about it now, too many living troops and innocent civilians were counting on him. Later, back in the dark battle bay, he would honor the fallen.

“Hugh, I think we’re in the clear, but things aren’t looking too good for David,” Jiro said. Their mechs moved back into formation to protect the three columns, the two human cores reshuffling mechs to make up for the heavy losses that the center column had taken.

While he had been fighting his own battles, the Ssath had made their initial push into the city. The outer ring was taken and given the mounds of destroyed mechs, David’s civilian defenders must have put up quite a fight. The Ssath held back at the second ring, their mechs trading shots with hidden Krixnas infantry. David was frantically building his defenses, pushing the minefield out further from his command post and building more defensive turrets nearby.

“Look at that, sir!” Brubaker called out, the normally unflappable Marine, shocked at the glowing red ball that appeared in the sky. As they watched, the glow grew closer at an alarming rate.

“Break off, everyone scatter!” Hugh shouted out, finally realizing what he was seeing. The transports didn’t respond and continued to scuttle their way forward, oblivious to the new threat appearing in the sky above them. His troop snapped into action immediately scattering to prevent mass casualties when the weapon hit. Hugh knew that he was getting his first glimpse at an orbital bombardment, one that looked like it was heading directly toward him.

“Hugh, it’s not heading toward us, the trajectory shows that it’s targeting the city,” Jiro announced. It did seem that the glowing ball of destruction was heading toward him, but his sensors didn’t lie, the target was the city center, the target was David’s command post.

“David, you need to pull out of there!” Hugh called out.

“I am sorry that I am unable to do so. Thank you for saving what you could, human core known as Major Hugh Logan, and human core known as Jiro Masaki. May you both return to the flesh one day and rejoin your hives,” David said. The sadness and resignation in his words coming through despite the translation protocols struggling to convey the Krixnas scent-based speech.

“We’ll do all we can to save your people, I’m glad we fought together and are no longer enemies,” Hugh replied. The comm channels were silent as the glowing ball, which was in actuality a large shell from a Ssath starship, crashed directly into the center ring of the city. The explosion shook the ground, and despite his distance from the city, Hugh’s avatar nearly stumbled from the shock. Not unlike a nuke, a large mushroom cloud of debris appeared over the city center, the destruction engulfing the second ring and even damaging the third before abating.

“Back to work people, form back up, loosen the formation, and be ready to scatter again if the Ssath starships are still feeling frisky,” Brubaker called out, realizing Hugh was still trying to process what had just happened.

“I think we’re far enough away that they can’t pursue, but be ready just in case,” Hugh said, trying to turn his focus back to the troops around him. Back in the ruins of the city, the Ssath were slaughtering any mech they could find. The destruction of David’s core had rendered the mechs nearly helpless. Unlike the other battles that Hugh had been in, things didn’t just end with a core’s destruction. There was no going back to base and preparing for the next battle. No, the consequences of defeat were clear here on this battle planet, lose and those that serve under you will also pay the price. He couldn’t prove it, but Hugh got the feeling in his gut that the Krixnas piloting those mechs, both soldier and civilian, weren’t going to survive.

The comms were silent as they slowly marched toward the objective in the west. A couple of Ssath mechs pushed out from the city, but they seemed to realize that they would never catch the transports before they reached safety, and turned back shortly after. Hugh and Jiro had lost this one, but going over it in his head, he couldn’t see a way they could have turned things around. Despite three cores working together, the Ssath had outnumbered and overpowered them. Whatever the next battles were, the defenders would have to face them down a core now that David had been lost.

Congratulations! You have escorted the Krixnas civilians to a safe zone. You have received the following rewards.

1. Escort at least 50% of the evacuees to safety. Universal upgrade points awarded, 1.

Bonus objective completed: At least 75% of the Krixnas civilians must reach safety. Upgrade points awarded, 1.

Bonus objective failed: All the Krixnas civilians must reach safety.

Bonus objective completed: Survive the battle with over 50% of your forces remaining. Upgrade points awarded, 1.

Bonus objective failed: Survive the battle with over 75% of your forces remaining.

The battle against the Ssath continues. Your opponent is driving deeper into Krixnas lands, defeating several cores and threatening the capital city. Proceed to the indicated rendezvous point and assist in a counterattack against some of the Ssath forces.

There was no mention of a place to spend his upgrade points, so Hugh would have to wait and see if he would get the chance once he arrived at his new destination. Another universal upgrade was welcome, but this time, he didn’t get any specific avatar upgrade. Pulling up his map, it looked like the new destination was pretty far to the northwest, it would be a long haul for his battered troops, but from what he understood, the soldiers inside the combat pods didn’t feel fatigued as the pods took care of all their physical needs.

“Jiro, are you heading northwest as well? My mission is to join in some counterattack,” Hugh said.

“No, unfortunately for me, I’ve got to continue escorting these civilians further toward safety. Of course, that means we’ll probably be attacked again. You’re on your own for this one, I was good fighting with you Hugh,” Jiro replied, his avatar bowing toward Hugh.

“I have no idea how to my avatar bow, but thank you, and I’ll see you again soon. Good luck with the escort mission, those are always the best,” Hugh jabbed. The escort missions were some of the most dreaded ones in the various games he had played, and the ones the GCA saddled them with were eerily similar to their videogame counterparts. After sorting out his order of march, Hugh took the road that should lead him to his next objective. As soon as he started marching, the Krixnas light mechs he had been granted by the Attached Units upgrade wandered off. Whatever battle he was heading toward would see a new batch of units join up. A quick check of his available forces confirmed that he had taken another beating.

Order of Battle:

1. Infantry mechs (67).

2. Light mechs (7).

3. Light mech anti-air variant (2).

4. Main battle mechs (1).

All his air mechs were gone, along with the pair of artillery units he had been awarded. The main battle mechs had been brutalized in the fight against the Ssath heavy mechs. His infantry had also suffered, but the light mechs, including the variants, had come out unscathed.

His commanders were quiet on the march, and even the normal chatter among the soldiers was subdued. Constant battles and constant retreats without a break were wearing on them all. Worries about the state of the campaign, and the fate of the fallen had dropped everyone into a funk. Hugh knew they needed a boost, an inspiring speech, or promise that victory was at hand. Sadly, Hugh really didn’t have anything for them, he never thought of himself as the type to inspire others and had flown under the radar for most of his life.

As the long march continued, Hugh zoned out, his mind going into standby mode. Like after his first battle, the GCA did something to speed his passage, and it seemed like only a short time had passed when his mind focused once more. A check of the map showed he was only a couple of kilometers from the next objective. Comm chatter startled him, and the sounds of weapons fire in the distance could now be heard.

“Klaus, bring you panzers back into the line, we hold here or the Krixnas core is lost,” A voice called out over the shared link. It took Hugh a moment to place it, it was Stefan Wagner, the German core.

“Jawhol, but if we give up this tunnel, the enemy will have our flank,” Klaus, who must have been one of Stephan’s commanders, responded.

“We have no choice, fight off this wave, and then we can try to push them back off our flanks,” Stephan replied.

“Push them back with what? Our numbers are depleted, and the enemy seems to have a limitless supply of troops,” Klaus said.

“If that is the case, then this goes how we all agreed it would, but I think we can hold them, the Ssath commander isn’t too bright, and his main tactic seems to be throwing troops into the fire and hope that he buries us,” Stephan replied.

“A costly tactic, but an effective one when you have the numbers to do so. I am moving back to support the main line,” Klaus confirmed.

“Stephan, this is Hugh Logan, how can we help?” Hugh asked.

“You are a very welcome surprise, Hugh, I’ll push the battle data over. We’re trying to hold against a Ssath advance, there is a Krixnas core to assist us, but he is, shall we say, less than adept at working as a team,” Stephan advised. Hugh received a data packet, giving the rundown of the fight he was walking into.

It looked like there was a small Krixnas mining hive located inside a deep canyon. Stephan and his forces were trying to hold back the enemy, a task that should have been made easier by the restrictive walls of the canyon, but several mining tunnels were being used by the Ssath to circumvent any defensive lines that the human core would try to establish. The human forces were pushed back to the outskirts of the city itself, while the Krixnas core sent the limited forces he had built into the tunnels to root out the Ssath.

“My mechs are pretty beaten up after our last battle, but I think I can hit the main Ssath force from behind and start to roll them up,” Hugh advised.

The estimate was that the Ssath had about three hundred infantry remaining. Lacking even light mech support, the Ssath push toward the canyon city was strictly an infantry affair. It wasn’t a bad choice, the narrow passages made things difficult on the heavier mechs, but from the kill ratios in the report, Stephan was effectively using his light, medium, and even a pair of heavy mechs to tear up the lightly armored opponents. Ambushes in the tunnels and surprise attacks into their flanks had taken their toll, reducing the number of troops Stephan had to work with. Hugh pushed his data over while quickly reviewing what Stephan had left.

Human War Core, Stephan Wagner, Order of Battle:

Infantry mechs (47).

Light mechs (3).

Medium mechs (4).

Heavy mechs (2).

Air mechs (3).

Unidentified Krixnas War Core, Order of Battle:

Infantry mechs (27).

The Ssath were closing in from each side of the canyon, forcing Stephan to split his forces in order to meet the threat. Most of the Krixnas forces were wandering the mining tunnels and fighting a losing battle there or building fixed defenses around various buildings in the town. The defenses could have made a difference, but no effort had gone into integrating them into the defensive lines that the human core was establishing.

“Stephan, I’m approaching from the east, I’ll clear out the enemy there and then move to reinforce your other troops. Have you talked to the Krixnas core at all?” Hugh asked.

“Other than a few failed attempts at coordination, no. He is rather unresponsive to any request I make of him, maybe you can do better?” Stephan asked.

“It’s worth a try,” Hugh said, surprised to find the Krixnas core was already in the comm channel with them and had heard the entire conversation.

“Krixnas core, do you have a name?” Hugh asked.

“Human core, no, my people are beyond such things,” the Krixnas replied flatly.

“Humans can’t do the scent thing, so I’ll call you Mike if you don’t mind, at least that’s better than just calling you Krixnas core,” Hugh offered.

“Do what you wish, my task is to defend this hive and this task takes my full attention. I have no time for idle chatter,” Mike replied.

“Coordinating our efforts isn’t idle chatter. You need to get on the ball and start working with us if you want to keep your core alive. Stephan is being pushed hard and could use some support until I get there,” Hugh said, getting frustrated at his alien counterpart.

“I have a plan that I am executing, what your cores do is no concern of mine,” Mike replied.

“What gives with you? I’ve worked with two other Krixnas cores so far, and both of them were more than happy to join forces to kill Ssath,” Hugh snapped back.

“I have a plan to follow, that is my way,” Mike replied.

“Your way? Why wasn’t that the way David and the other core?” Hugh asked, confused with the response he had received.

“Being a core is a new experience for me, this is my first conflict and the only guidance I have is to follow is the defense guide I was given,” Mike replied.

“Okay, I get that you’re gone through a traumatic experience, what did you do before you were made a core,” Hugh asked. Time was running out, his troops were nearing the Ssath in the eastern side of the canyon and once that fight started, it would demand all his attention, and talking to a reluctant Krixnas core would be knocked pretty low on the list of priorities he would be dealing with.

“I was a hive overseer for a work group,” Mike replied.

“Ok, that sounds like a job where you had to work together,” Hugh said.

“Correct, but we all knew our place, you humans are different, my people communicate via different means, and once chosen for a position we are permanently trained to fulfill that task,” Mike replied. Hugh briefly wondered what David had been before becoming a core, he had seemed much more personable than this guy. The Krixnas were a hive society, and this guy seemed like he was just a cog in the wheel of hive operation, someone unused to, and completely inexperienced in doing anything other than the task the hive had assigned to him.

“Mike, you’re in a new position now, whether you like it or not, you are a war core. To be effective in that position and to serve the hive, you must work together with us so that we can defend this city,” Hugh offered.

“I am unsure, the scents no longer sing to me and this new form I wear isn’t connected to the hive as it should be. All I know is to follow the guideline given to me, the one laid out in my training,” Mike said.

“Training? How many training missions did you go on?” Hugh asked, beginning to understand what had happened to this Krixnas core.

“No missions, only an orientation. My training was cut short, the war necessitated it. So here I serve, doing what I can for the hive by using the limited instructions I have been given,” Mike admitted.

“I think I understand, my training was cut short as well, not a short as yours has been, but still less than normal. Try to consider the requests both human cores give you as a continuation of your training. Watch what we do and follow our lead, this will be the best way for you to learn and to serve the hive,” Hugh offered.

“That is a new perspective, my training is incomplete, but this is an opportunity to complete it. I shall do what I can, within reason, my main task is to defend the city and my command post.

“Great, first off, resources, do you have any?” Hugh asked.

“Not many, the infantry mechs I had assigned to gather more have been destroyed,” Mike replied.

“Very well, the first piece of advice is to get some more supply rolling in. Reassign the mechs you have wandering around the city to gather more resources. As those come in, forget about fixed defenses and build more infantry. Stephan will contact you with instructions on where to place the mechs you have inside the tunnels, he needs their help to keep his flanks clear,” Hugh ordered.

“I will do as you say,” Mike replied. Hugh switched over to a private channel with Stephan.

“Well, that was strange, we’ve got a total noob, but at least he’s willing to help,” Hugh said.

“That’s more than I got out of him, just having the few units inside the tunnels coordinating with my troops will make a difference,” Stephan replied. Hugh had little time for discussion, as his main gun opened up, obliterating a Ssath infantry mech at the rear of the enemy formation. The battle was underway, and he had Ssath to kill.