by JR Handley
After scanning their faces, seeing the uncertainty, Lance took a breath to calm his flagging spirits. I don’t think they’re sold yet. I will just have to lay it all out there, quickly, before I lose them. “There are many smaller trails throughout those mountains, you all know them. Yes, they are too small for a company to pass through, but if we split the main assault into several smaller columns and converge on the clearing just to the rear of their fortified front, we will have them. We will roll their flank, and then it’ll be like shooting fish in a barrel. The key here is timing. Before we march we’ll set a timer on our Aimees, and from there it’s up to the NCOs to keep us on track. When the clock ticks zero, the river and rear feints raise hell, the frontal assault flank can make some noise afterwards, and when they’re scurrying to respond, we roll into them. I call my plan Operation Guinshrike because we only get one shot at this, there is no Plan B.”
This time, when Lance scanned their faces he could see a glimmer of hope. Yes, the others probably know of these paths, but given the lack of independent thought, it hasn’t occurred to them to split their forces. “Okay, now that you’re all sold on the plan, let’s divvy up the tasks. Sergeant Tendaji Conteh will lead the 1st Section of 3rd Squad to either one of the river fords and will be the feint-in-force element for that flank. If you have your best riflemen snipe the enemy, it might add authenticity to the assault. Further, you’ll have your grenadiers aim to cause chaos and confusion instead of merely taking out targets. We want them off their game, but by all means take a few out of play as well. And when you assault, make a long thin front to convince them there are more of you.
“For the rear flanking element, that will be led by Sergeant Isabella Mayer. Mayer, you’ll lead the 1st Section of your 4th Squad through the woods, paying close attention to your compass, and get to the rear in time to shock the hell out of them. Who knows? You might have a straight shot through the city and into their rear. If the opportunity presents, use it and snipe their officers, sergeants and go down the chain of command from there until the latrine digger is leading them. It’s a long shot, but mainly you’re there to raise a ruckus.
“The frontal assault feint-in-force will be led by Sergeant Mosi Okeke and include all 32 of our Minis. When they’re throwing sabots down range, those frakks in the 828th won’t know it isn’t all of us. This will confirm their idea that the main assault is the frontal one. To support this assault, three of our AuxTechs will be there – Holly, Tyce and Jolon. The other AuxTech, Basil, will stay with the main body just in case any of our other weaponry malfunctions. The other AuxTechs will keep our automatic rifles in play and the enemy’s heads down. By all means, Sergeant Okeke, take out any of the targets you can in the process.
“Finally, the remainder of the company will march through those mountains like their arses were on fire and roll the flanks of our enemies. The key is timing, timing, and timing combined with a synchronized timer. That’s the plan, any questions?”
When Lance was done giving his battle plan, Captain Grigonna spoke up to voice her opinion before anyone else could. It was clear she wanted to re-assert her authority, and thus ignored the precedent of letting the pre-battle strategy discussion happen from the most junior to the most senior. In theory, this was to assure that the lower-ranking sergeants didn’t give the opinions of their superiors merely to curry favor, but instead actively engaged in the discussion. However, the current level of indoctrination meant that few Marines thought for themselves anymore.
“Sergeant Scipio, I applaud your plan but don’t think I don’t know that you left that gaping error for me to fix. Damnit, I’m a Marine officer, not some crècheling you need to coddle. That said, there is one minor flaw with the plan as you presented it. Sergeant Mayer’s rear attack won’t work because those are dense forests, and without the benefits of an AI to navigate, it’s risky. The compasses available are too susceptible to the magnetic variations on Tranquility-4 to work, so you’d have to line of sight the march. You’d have to do that from the outer edge of the forests through to the other end. It can be done, but not in the two days allotted. You’re going to have to pull that feint, but if you put it as a separate unit which will also attack from the Dynia River, that will lend credence to the idea that it’s a feint and there will be a brief window where they’ll expect us to assault from that front. They can each use one of those two fords and keep the enemy worried about what’s going on there. We’ll have to capitalize on that window and assault the front flank, forcing them to choose. When the time is right, we have the Minis charge to keep Chaos Company busy. The automatic riflemen’ll hate us, but Sergeant Okeke will have to charge the front and hold the assault long enough for us to engage. How do we keep them in the fight long enough for the main body to roll the flanks? Charging across that open field would be suicide.”
This time Lance looked chastened, having not expected her to see what he had done by giving her a flaw to fix in his plan. I knew she’d pull the rear assault, but I am surprised that she chose to put them at the Dynia River Flank. I figured she’d pull them back to the main body. “Ma’am, we have the three AuxTechs fire the grenade launcher on their SA-71 carbines at designated points to create craters for us to leap frog across. All of the rain we’ve been having has weakened the ground in several areas and we exploit it. Yes, I know the Aux aren’t Marines, but there’s nothing in regulations, past or current, that says they can’t be armed. When ready, we have them create the craters needed to keep enough Mini Gunners in the fight to keep Chaos Company focused on the enemies in front of them. Once we start rolling into them it’ll already be too late. Ma’am, it was my intention for you to lead the final push into the soft underbelly of the 828th, maybe claim some trophy for your wall off their commander.”
While Lance waited to see if his commander would accept the olive branch he was offering her, he subconsciously tensed and untensed his muscles in a self-soothing ritual he’d learned as a Novice. Rather than answer, Captain Grigonna simply grunted before giving him a nod full of hidden meanings and undertones he didn’t want to get into.
— Chapter 19 —
Old Akoni City Courtyard
Chaos Co., 16th BN, 828th TAC RGT
Once the Stork Shuttle dropped off Chaos Company into the courtyard in the middle of the ancient city, Captain Bolverk Arahi called his sergeants and officers to him. When he scanned the faces of his sergeants, he saw the same lust for victory which possessed him, and smiled to himself. He nodded to each of them, waiting for the Stork to take off before he even attempted to speak, noting in amazement how loud the shuttle was without the noise buffering of his combat armor.
After the Stork was out of ear shot, he began to address his Marines. “The plan is rather simple, since the only avenue for their assault, the front, is already fortified by our predecessors. Within two days, depending on when they decide to charge to their defeat, we will have wrapped up this battle and the 6907th will rue having tinkered with their Aux pets and new toys.”
When the sergeants of Chaos Company stopped laughing, sneering at their peers who’d become their adversaries, Captain Arahi was able to begin anew. “We know where they’ll assault, because this position is normally held by instructors to test the Cadets, and we’ve all either fought here or read the after-action reports. The whole premise of this exercise is that it’s unbeatable, and intended to teach the Cadets humility as their betters crush them. Normally they’re only judged on how they lose, but the 828th is going to be judged on how many we let ‘live’ through the event. Knowing this, we can assign minimal support to our flanks and rear. I have assigned 4th Squad to serve as our flank guards and mobile reserves. The terrain provides natural protection, so they’ll be there simply to repel their feint-in-force attacks. Sergeant Kobe Hiecht, you can even use your troops to have fun crushing the faux strikes since we know that’s all they are. In fact, I’m ordering you to kill every one of them. I suspect they’ll try feinting from across the rive
r, but if they try swimming it they’ll be sitting ducks for you to squash. Since we are without comms, if something major happens, send a rifleman as a runner to deliver the message.”
Taking a deep breath, feeling confident in his inevitable victory, Captain Arahi paused and let his plans sink in. This should be a crècheling run for these Marines and Cadets. He was shocked when Sergeant Hiecht, his 4th Squad leader, spoke up in what he’d intended to be a solo operation. “Sir, with all due respect, shouldn’t we follow the standard protocol and have a squad cover each flank, while detaching a section to serve as the mobile reserve under the XO’s command? These frakks in the 6907th are fighting funny, so let’s be ready for whatever they might do. For all we know they’ll charge us nekked and try humping our legs while we stand around in shock at the audacity of their play. I wouldn’t—”
Sergeant Hiecht wasn’t given the chance to continue his sentiment, but was instead cut off by his commanding officer. “Sergeant, I know you’re no coward so I’m going to stop you from sounding like one. They can’t breach those forests, cross that mountain, or ford that river with neither AIs nor combat armor. Trust me, young one, humanity just isn’t capable of it. So go position your Cadets as instructed. One section on each of the impassible flanks, with your command section and remaining one as your mobile reserve. Your only job is to keep their feints-in-force out of our lines. Can’t have them mucking up my victory. Now go get into position and wait for the victorious conclusion to this exercise. Dismissed!”
— Chapter 20 —
Whiskey Company’s Feint-in-Force,
Movement to Position
Before he went off to supervise the execution of his plan, Lance had every sergeant sync their Aimee’s chronometer to the one on Captain Grigonna’s, timed to start the attack in exactly one and a half days. He followed behind his fellow NCOs as they went to their Cadets and started passing on orders. I kind of like having my own assistant, my own aide-de-camp, thought Lance as he made sure Basil stuck to him like glue. I used to hate being micromanaged, but this isn’t the time to have them mess up our victory… too much is riding on it.
When Sergeant Mosi Okeke quietly called for all of Whiskey Company’s Mini Gunners to fall in on him, Lance headed over to their formation in time to hear his pep talk. I knew he’d be the Marine for this part of the job, he’s probably drooling at some tale of blood and gore. I’m just glad that crazy Marine’s on our side.
“Right, Cadets,” said Mosi, “this is the plan. We keep the big guns for the frontal assault. The Minis will win this battle. Ignore the nonsense Sergeant Scipio spouts about rolled flanks, we win this battle. We will dig in along the front and keep their heads down. Then the feints-in-force along the Dynia River will pull off their reserves. Our AuxTechs will fire their grenades at marked spots, creating cover, and we rush the line. While those bastards in the 828th are busy playing with the main element we go in for the win. Free barrel of grok for the Cadet who caps a sergeant, and two for their officers! Forward to Victory!” Lance shook his head, amused at Mosi’s take on his role in the coming battle. At least we know that they’ll think the frontal assault is the main thing.
The Mini Gunners quickly carried their gear towards the existing trenches and fortifications, reminders of the hundreds of Cadet battles fought over this ground. Lance watched them get their shovels out and start enhancing the fortifications. The seriousness with which they attacked their task impressed him, though he supposed the prize of exempting their regiment from the Cull would motivate the lowliest slacker. When Lance was satisfied that Mosi had his group in hand, and was capable of positioning them along the line, he headed off for where Sergeants Mayer and Conteh were forming up.
Upon arriving at the secluded corner of the staging area where the feinting units were preparing, Lance nodded to both of the sergeants, watching as they gave each of their detached commands a synopsis of the coming battle. After they explained the overall plan, they both expounded on how they had the most important role, because this only worked if they kept the main body of the 828th glued to the front line. Once the sergeants had made that clear, Lance walked the line, shaking each Cadet’s hand, and reminding them that this was one step closer to earning their tattoo and the right to the title of Marine.
As Lance was preparing to head off and prepare the main body of the assault, Isabella Mayer grabbed his arm to stop him. “Sorry, Lance, normally sergeants would do this over the LBNet but we’re doing this the old-fashioned way. Just wanted to thank you for saving 1st from themselves. You saved the regiment from the Cull when you turned that lot into Cadets and maybe Marines.” Her face softened for a second, nodding to the main element where most of the Cadets were formed up and waiting for him. “My little brother’s in your 2nd Section, he’s the section leader. I probably shouldn’t say anything – he only knows that we have the same last name – but watch out for him will ya? No favors, just prepare him for the life ahead of him?”
Lance assured her that he treated every one of his Cadets like they were his family and strove to prepare them for the cruelties of Marine life. After she relaxed, he ordered the River Detachment to move out, double time since speed was of the essence, while reminding them that they’d meet in the middle of the 828th’s lines in just under two days.
Convinced that they were aware of how important speed was, he sent them on their way and headed to the main assault force to prepare.
— Chapter 21 —
Main Assault Force, Whiskey Company
Immediately after Lance left the other two elements of his battle plan, confident that the sergeants leading them would execute the plan as ordered, he headed over to where Captain Grigonna was briefing the main element. When he got there he decided to stand next to the other sergeants listening to his commander, though he paid special attention to the faces of his Cadets. Will they stand up to their first real combat test? Every other exercise they’ve had has been scripted, but this is as close to real as they’ll get for their terrestrial combat training. Then it’s on to their void training, and graduation. Then, by Horden’s Hairy Bullocks, they’re Marines and it’s too late.
When the captain finished her briefing, she asked if he had anything to add, so he stepped forward and began addressing the Cadets. “Cadets, I want to win more than you know. I don’t want to see any of the Mighty 6907th fall to the Cull, but I can’t stress enough about the need for safety as we cut through those mountains. You fall from those heights and you’re dead, permanently. There are some narrow parts of those trails, so situational awareness is your mantra, and speed is your battle cry. And when we roll into their flanks, those turds in the 828th are gonna be fighting mad. Hand to hand combat’s a real possibility, so if someone has to die, let it be them. Remember, after we win, it was only possible because everyone played their part so don’t show boat your peers in the other elements. If we win, it will be a total victory and it will have been a team effort. Finally, let’s kick arse and try not to get killed. Now, stand ready for the captain to give the order to march. Forward to Victory!”
While Lance was giving his speech, the captain was strutting around, glad that she got the chance to lead again, having chaffed under the training billet. Captain Grigonna seemed to be in her element, so when Lance turned the show over to her she immediately gave the order to head out and do their unit proud.
— Chapter 22 —
Mobile Reserve Force, Chaos Company
Sergeant Hiecht couldn’t stop pacing as he waited with the Cadets in 1st Section and 4th Squad’s Command Section. It had been several hours, almost a day already, and still nothing. Sure, the occasional harassing fire from the 6907th machine guns, but nothing of substance. He continued to pace around the courtyard where his mobile reserve sat, waiting for some sign of action. His assistant squad leader, Cadet Sergeant Russel Bruley, came up to him as he paced, and voiced the concerns he’d tried expressing to his commander.
“Sergeant, shouldn’t the
y have attacked by now? Isn’t their inaction proof that something’s odd? I mean, they’re playing with new toys so wouldn’t they try attacking in new ways to emphasize them? What if the frontal assault is a feint-in-force? Shouldn’t we–” Cadet Bruley was never allowed to finish his sentence. If I let him question orders, even when I agree with him, he’ll destroy the chain of command from within. If I turn out to be right, after that Captain’s Call with Captain Arahi, there’s gonna be hell to pay for me. Might as well shield these Cadets.
Hiecht merely held up his hand, grunted and shooed his young assistant squad leader back to his Cadets. “Have the Cadets stand down, I don’t want them getting drowsy. We need them fully rested, so I want a 50-50 guard rotation switched every other hour. With half able to catch a nap we’ll be better rested for the grand finale. They rest in place, in full kit, with no grab-arsing. Make it happen. I will go see how our flanks our holding up. You’ve got the mobile reserves until I get back. When it kicks off, go to the sound of the guns only when you receive orders to do so. Stay alert, stay alive. Dismissed.”
As Hiecht headed off to check out the three flank positions, he couldn’t help but hope the strict demeanor he’d adopted since joining Captain Arahi was the best way to lead his Cadets. Captain Arahi seems a bit paranoid lately. By assuming that victory is already his, before the battle, he’s encouraging boredom and complacency. This can’t end well, even if we win this exercise.
