Deception City: A World at War Novel (World at War Online Book 5)

by Mitchell T. Jacobs

  “Thorn Company is coming first,” Karen spoke up. “We’ll be making a night run with one of the patrol ships tomorrow. They’ll bring them south to Waukegan, and from there they’ll ride north to our positions.”

  “Who are they replacing?”

  Anna looked over at the Black Wolf contingent. “First unit off the line will be Alpha Wolf. I don’t want to keep the company divided any longer than it has to be, and they can go into reserve on the western end of the line.”

  Selene was looking forward to that. Her first experience as a copilot in a helicopter had given her a taste for flying, and she wanted to do more. She knew the basics, at least, but remained nowhere near combat-worthy status. Blake had offered to teach her more, but Selene’s duties at this end of the front precluded that. But maybe with some time in reserve she’d get the chance.

  Typhoons kept trickling north, build in the forges of Central City, carried on rail cars to their port facilities near Gary, and then transported across Lake Michigan by ship to Waukegan, where they were finally assembled and handed over to Raven Flight. It staggered her to think how advanced their logistics chain had become, capable of supplying huge armies in the field with all manner of supplies, ranging from bullets to tanks and beyond. It was a far cry from the days where they had to scrounge for every last bit of ammunition.

  They might eventually have enough transport helicopters to make the entire battalion airmobile, but they needed crew members to make that happen, and not all of them could come from Raven Company. They were already stretched to the limit, and their best pilots were most valuable in attack helicopters, providing aerial support to troops on the ground. That left them with little leeway to expand unless they were able to recruit significant numbers of new troops, and Selene doubted they could get enough competent pilots in time.

  But if they could get a few pilots from each company they could gather enough strength to perform operations with the entire battalion if needed, giving them unprecedented flexibility. Ragnarok couldn’t ignore the possibility of an entire battalion suddenly dropping into their rear areas and wreaking havoc. They would need to take at least some precautions, taking away valuable resources from the other fronts.

  And all of that would be made possible because Ghost Battalion wouldn’t be forced to hold a spot on the front lines. Instead, they could play to their strengths as light infantry and raiders.

  Gray raised a hand. “Question.”

  “Go ahead,” Anna told him.

  “You said that Alpha Wolf will be moved into reserve on the western end of the line. How seriously are we considering the possibility of Ragnarok actually attacking in that direction? There’s nothing but thick forest there.”

  “Very,” Zach spoke up. “Sacred Sword is currently preparing fortifications in the region for an anticipated attack.”

  “That may or may not come,” Gray replied.

  Zach shrugged. “True, but given the choice I’d rather not be caught with my pants down.”

  Selene still remained uncertain whether the enemy would actually attempt something through terrain like that. Then again, she had seen something like it firsthand at Green Bay. It had been swamps and marshes instead of forest, but the effect had been the same. Despite the difficulties, despite miserable terrain, strong fortifications and fierce opposition, Ragnarok had pressed their attack and forced Ghost Battalion back into the city.

  Many outside observers would say that Ragnarok won the battle simply because of their numbers, but Selene would vehemently disagree. Numbers didn’t explain why they kept coming across a narrow strip of land, completely exposed to withering enemy fire, even after suffering horrendous casualties. It didn’t explain how they adjusted once their initial assaults failed, using artillery, heavy weapons and air support in concert to finally break through.

  Selene knew full well that they were facing a skilled, determined enemy who would fight like demons, no matter what they faced.

  Would the enemy command see strategic value in attacking through such a problematic area? She didn’t know if they would, but if they did then nothing would stand in their way. Once they were committed, Ragnarok simply wouldn’t quit until they were completely defeated or victorious.

  “I have another question,” Neil said.

  “Go ahead,” Anna told him.

  “Is this going to be enough? We have one company with one platoon as backup. Are we really counting on that to stop a determined attack?”

  “They have the gunship wing,” Robbie pointed out.

  “And how effective are they going to be? Can we get air superiority?”

  “Perseus Squadron will be on standby,” Liz said. “They might not be able to completely control the skies, but they can at least keep the enemy off Raven Flight’s backs.”

  “Still though, is that really going to be enough?”

  “Well, first they have to get across the river, which isn’t going to be easy,” Nora said. “Then once they’re across they have to fight their way through the really dense forest, which either means sticking to the paths or burning their way through the undergrowth. If they do the first one they’re walking into a slaughterhouse. If they do the second that’s going to take a while. Enough for us to hit them with air power and artillery.”

  “And still, is that going to be enough?” Neil insisted. “We’ve all seen enough of Ragnarok to know that they’re not going down easily. If they’re attacking through the area then I’d say it’s pretty certain they have a plan for the terrain and the defenders.”

  Selene felt that way too, but what else could they really do about it? At the moment they lacked the ability to move any reinforcements in that direction, because they were already stretched precariously thin.

  “It’s not going to be easy, that’s for sure,” Anna replied in a shockingly frank tone. “I believe that they can hold out, or at least stall their advance for a while, which will allow us to move reinforcements to the area. Once Thorn Company arrives we can have a fully constituted Black Wolf Company in reserve with the entire helo wing at their disposal.”

  “We just have to hope that Ragnarok doesn’t come knocking before then,” Liz said.

  Selene noticed several grimaces.

  “Oh, don’t say that,” Gray groaned. “That’s just tempting fate.”

  “Everything we do is tempting fate,” she shrugged. “I really don’t see how one off-handed remark will do anything to change that.”

  “Yeah, just like every snowflake believes they won’t be the one that finally causes the avalanche,” Gray replied.

  Anna looked around at everyone present. “Make no mistake, we’re overstretched and vulnerable right now. The success or failure of this entire offensive is going to be decided within the next few weeks, and we can’t afford to fail. We’ll fight with whatever resources we have on hand, and we’ll find some way to win. That’s our way.”

  “One last question,” Selene spoke up.

  “Yes?”

  “Can I start making preparations for moving my platoon? I want to be ready as soon as possible.”

  Anna nodded. “Permission granted. Anything else? No? Then that’s it. Stay sharp and we’ll pull through. Good luck everyone.”

  * * *

  “I have a feeling we’ve been tricked,” Selene said as she walked with Nora and Zach back toward headquarters.

  “It does seem likely,” Zach agreed. “I would have thought they’d be making more strenuous efforts to get us out of the district, but if this is just a holding action it makes perfect sense.”

  “We should have avoided the city entirely and concentrated on cutting it off from Madison,” Selene said.

  “That may or may not have worked,” Zach pointed out. “Keep in mind that we’d have to defend our positions from both east and west, which they were probably counting on. Plus, Milwaukee made pretty good schmuck bait.”

  “Yeah, it’s an important place, but how much could they have done with it if
we cut them off from their supply lines?” Selene asked. “I know we’d have to deal with attacks from both sides, but still, they’d have it rough too.”

  “I don’t think there’s a right answer,” Nora chimed in. “I think they managed to stack the situation in their favor so they’d benefit from it no matter what happened. If we went into the city? They’d force us into the quagmire we’re in right now. If we struck west? They’d just taken the city. If we tried to cut them off from Madison? They’d hit us from both sides.”

  “Sometimes it really kind of sucks having to fight a smart enemy,” Selene said.

  “I’m sure Ragnarok feels the same way.”

  “Mm. Just saying, why can’t we get some idiots we can just steamroll for once?”

  “Where’s the challenge in that?” Zach asked.

  “Oh come on. You mean you can’t enjoy stomping all over someone who has no way of touching you? I mean, you can’t do that all the time, but at least as a change of pace?”

  “I can understand that,” Nora said with a smile. “The looks on the faces of some of the Ragnarok troops when I attacked them in the mech suit were priceless.”

  “Well, it is what it is,” Zach shrugged. “Some games are really, really difficult and unforgiving, and I think we stumbled right into the middle of one. One that’s completely of our own making too.”

  “Our own making?” Selene asked. “Most of this is Ragnarok’s doing.”

  “Aren’t you forgetting the fact that we attacked them first and started the whole war?” Nora pointed out. “We’ve done a pretty good job of provoking them.”

  “Then they shouldn’t have been so aggressive about swallowing up all the smaller companies,” Selene replied. “You can only corner people so many times before they start lashing back.”

  “We can’t really be that displeased about it,” Zach said. “This game is one big constant war. What else are we supposed to do, sit around picking grass?”

  “As I recall, we did that a lot in the early days.”

  Zach scowled and then tried to suppress a laugh. “If you can call resource gathering picking grass.”

  “Eh, it’s only one or two steps removed from it,” Selene said.

  “Whatever. Anyhow, this game is all about fighting, so why wouldn’t we all be looking for excuses to do it?”

  “I just hate losing,” Selene told him.

  “There’s a shocker,” Zach commented dryly.

  “But wins don’t really mean much if there’s no challenge to them, do they?” Nora asked.

  “That’s what they keep telling me,” Selene replied. “But sometimes you just want a little break.”

  “Well, it’s coming. Just hold out until then,” Zach told her.

  Selene nodded. Just one more day.

  * * *

  “Thorn Company is at the southern end of the city, moving through the gates as we speak,” Zach said over the radio link. “They’ll be moving up to join you soon.”

  “Good,” Selene replied.

  Finally. After weeks of fighting and then holding. Alpha Wolf could come off the front lines and go into reserve. It should have made her happier, but Selene felt uneasy today. Something about the atmosphere felt off.

  “Alphas,” she called out over the radio to her squad leaders, “see anything?”

  “Nothing,” Gavin told her.

  “Nothing on my end either,” Logan added.

  “Nothing for me either. Anything specific you’re looking for?” Ethan asked.

  “You don’t see any movement?” Selene asked. “Has anyone fired at you today?”

  “Come to think of it, no,” Gavin answered. “Maybe they’re delaying for a little bit?”

  Maybe, but if they were that would certainly be unusual, Selene thought to herself. Skirmishing happened along the lines at all hours, and it rarely ever stopped. This could be a coincidence, or something much bigger might be in the works…

  “We’ll see. Keep sharp,” she ordered. Selene switched channels. “Wolf Lead?”

  “What’s up?” Zach asked.

  “Something’s very wrong here,” she told him. “The Ragnarok side of the lines has gone completely silent.”

  “And what do you think that means?”

  Selene paused for a moment, trying to gather her thoughts. Did she really want to say it out loud?

  “It could be that they’re just reorganizing, or some of their more aggressive players aren’t on today,” she said. “It could be nothing.”

  “Or?” Zach asked pointedly.

  Selene took a deep breath. “I think they might be gathering their strength for something. Maybe an attack. This feels like the calm before the storm.”

  “Have you seen anything?” Nora chimed in on the link. “Any movement? Any reports of artillery or large troop concentrations?”

  “None,” Selene admitted. “This is just my combat instincts telling me that something big is about to go down.”

  The other two didn’t respond for a minute.

  “I’ll keep an eye out for now,” Selene finally told them.

  “No, put your guys on alert,” Zach ordered. “It might be nothing, but I’m not one to take chances. I’m reporting this to battalion command. I’ll advise them to go on alert, citing the complete lack of activity on the enemy’s side.”

  “Thanks,” Selene told him.

  “Don’t mention it. Let’s hope that your instincts are wrong,” he said.

  She hoped so too, as she looked out the front of her platoon command post, but something just felt off to her. Selene could feel it in her bones. The storm loomed just over the horizon, and it was only a matter of time before it hit.

  But did that line up with any of their predictions? If Ragnarok was going to attack in the west, then why would they be preparing a major offensive within Milwaukee? Wouldn’t they need the troops to achieve a breakthrough, or to exploit their success once they did so?

  Her wrist alert went off. “Alpha Wolf?”

  She answered. “This is Alpha Wolf. Haven’t heard from you in a while, Evy.”

  “I could say the same for you. My company’s moving up to relieve you. Lead units should start arriving within a few minutes,” Evy replied.

  “Good. Be advised that we’re on alert. Ragnarok might be planning something.”

  “Understood. We’ll be careful.”

  Selene’s wrist alert went off again. “Alpha Wolf,” she replied.

  “Selene, I have eyes on an enemy sniper,” Miko said on the other end of the line. “Looks like he’s scoping out our positions.”

  Selene frowned. “What for? Is he looking for targets?”

  “If he is then he’s choosing very carefully,” Miko replied. “Should I kill him, or do you want me to observe him first?”

  “Try to figure out what he’s doing,” Selene ordered. “If you think he’s becoming too much of a threat, shoot him.”

  “Got it.”

  Selene was about to call back to company headquarters when she heard a moaning sound that grew louder and louder by the second. Her blood ran cold as she opened a channel to the entire platoon.

  “All units, cover! Cover!”

  A few seconds later a deluge of explosions went off.

  Selene felt the earth shaking around her as the rockets hit. One close blast rattled her teeth and send dirt and small chunks of rubble cascading down on her.

  Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam!

  She took the opportunity to look at the radio readout on her HUD. Sure enough, all the channels were dead. Ragnarok definitely wasn’t playing around this time. An all-out attack was sure to follow.

  So much for being able to leave the front lines. Right now the only way they’d be doing that was in body bags.

  The phone lines in the headquarters started ringing. Selene had to grab each one in turn and confirm her status with her squad leaders. Normally she would have a few more here to help her, but Ragnarok had caught them at a time when she was
the only one online. By the time the others logged in they would probably be needed at the front lines.

  At least they had backup on the way, though that remained entirely dependent on Thorn not being hit by the enemy artillery strikes. Even with that possibility, she welcomed their presence. Selene had fought alongside them at the Ghost Line, where they had proved their skill and tenacity. They would need every bit of it to fend off the coming onslaught.

  The line from Company HQ rang as the bombardment lifted.

  “Selene, you there?” Zach asked.

  “I’m here,” she replied. “A little worse for wear, but still kicking.”

  “Good. We’re calling in counterbattery fire onto the enemy positions. Has Thorn Company reached you yet?”

  “It was going to be a few minutes, just before the bombardment hit.”

  “OK, I’ll see if I can raise them.” There was a pause. “OK, Nora’s headed to their last known position on ATV. We’ll try to get them up.”

  Another one of the phone lines rang. “Thanks, I’ll keep you posted.” She picked up the other receiver. “Alpha Wolf.”

  “Selene, they’re acting really weird,” Gavin said on the other end of the line.

  “Wait. What?” she asked. “Who’s acting weird, and what exactly are they doing?”

  “We have Ragnarok troops in front of us, but they’re not pressing their attack.”

  “Wait, what?”

  That didn’t make any sense. If they were launching an all-out attack, Ragnarok would have used the chaos from the bombardment to close the distance.

  “Are they attacking at all?”

  “We’re trading fire, but they’re not trying to assault us,” Gavin clarified. “But they’re probably not going to pass up the chance if we give it to them.”

  The pieces began to fall into place in Selene’s mind. “Got it. Hold position and wait for further orders. Call if the situation changes.”

  “Copy.”

  Her mind raced as she hung up the field telephone. Ragnarok was launching an offensive supported by heavy artillery inside the district, but they weren’t pressing their attacks. That could only mean one thing.