Soldiers of Tomorrow: Iron Legions

by Michael G. Thomas

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Columbus Circle, New York, NY

  Thanksgiving Day, 23rd November 2017

  Eiserner Gott twisted as the powerful machine moved behind the low mounds of Umpire Rock. The machine was massive, and though crouching, it still towered above the park. The public had scattered from the walking landships, but many were engaged in firefights with scattered groups of Waffen SS soldiers and heavily armed ORPOs.

  “Status?” Marcus asked.

  Mose König checked the systems. Eiserner Gott lacked the sophisticated systems fitted to the more modern Victoria Class landships, but for all that, was still a mighty beast with powerful onboard sensors and combat systems.

  “Weapons are online. Main guns loaded with AP and howitzers packing HESH rounds.”

  “Excellent. Just in time. Look!”

  Each of them looked at the periscope views, as well as the magnified image on the retrofitted computer screen.

  “I see them,” said Mose, “Thor is lagging behind. It looks like they are being hit by sniper fire.”

  He glanced over to the rebel.

  “Your people, Mickey?”

  The young man nodded.

  “Good. That still leaves us with Hansa to deal with.”

  On cue, the twenty-metre-tall walker crashed through the trees and made right for them. Marcus lifted a hand while keeping his attention locked directly at the machine.

  “Ready countermeasures. Target her weak points. Open fire!”

  The powerful mounted L3 snub-barrelled 150mm cannons put a pair of shells into the frontal armour of the landship, but this time the crew were ready. The movable plates were already dropped down to the front and took most of the impact. Before the smoke cleared, a ripple of fire from the upper hull marked the launch of missiles.

  “On it!” Mose said.

  “This is going to hurt,” said Mickey.

  Marcus directed Karl to move the hull around to present the thickest armour to the enemy. They all held on tightly as Eiserner Gott released defensive shells, launched above them to distract the missiles. At the same time, an air-launched decoy activated, sending a burst of electromagnetic and thermal energy well away from Eiserner Gott. It was more modern technology than normally fitted to these antique walkers, but Marcus had made his technicians fit them over a month ago. He hadn’t anticipated the coming fight, but he’d wanted to match Eiserner Gott to the final specification of her machine class for the proposed museum.

  “Brace!”

  The decoys pulled two of the three missiles away, but not even the intercept shells could stop the third. It dropped down low and slammed into the right flank armour. The dense penetrator punched through the plates and exploded. The impact was heavy and forced the heavy machine backwards, almost tipping it over. Only expert driving by Karl was able straighten it back up before collapsing. Marcus swallowed his amazement as the machine levelled off and then returned fire with the two sets of quadruple 7.92mm machineguns. They had little chance of causing major damage, but were still able to inflict irritating volleys of fire against the armour. A secondary blast rippled through their lower armour, and a great hole appeared in the flank of the machine. Cool autumnal air rushed inside, temporarily overwhelming the internal heating system.

  “System failures!” Mose said, “Targeting is offline. I’ll see what I can do.”

  Marcus pointed at their attacker just as it opened up with its chain guns. Unlike his machine guns, these weapons could cause some major damage. The heavy slugs bit deeply into the armour plate, and one burst rattled along the knees. Eiserner Gott lost her footing, the left leg buckled, and crunched into the ground knee first.

  “Keep firing. Get us into the city! And fast!”

  Karl boosted the power, and Eiserner Gott rose for a second time. Bullets slammed into her, but then she returned fire with a powerful salvo. All four guns opened fire, three landing against the centre of Hansa. The machine stepped backwards and increased in speed until they smashed through the stone wall of the East-West path running through the park. Known as the 65th St Transverse, and now deserted due to increased security for the event. Eiserner Gott lurched across the road as another volley slammed into the machine. Marcus shook his head from the concussion, and then spotted the shape of a distant Henschel E-200 Super heavy tank.

  “A Krokodil! Get back to Main Street, and put some buildings between us and their guns!”

  Karl extracted every remaining ounce of power from the diesel generators and forced Eiserner Gott out of the park, and across the wide Central Park West Street. The place was already engulfed in smoke and dust, making it difficult to see more than a hundred metres in any direction. Fires burned in several tall apartment complexes, adding their own smoke to the smog.

  “Tanks, lots of tanks!”

  Mickey had never seen so much military equipment in one place, and he watched on in horror as they turned their guns on them. Shots passed them and exploded in the street. Mickey sighed with relief, before realising the shots were in fact landing in the crowds of New Yorkers. Some fought back from behind the burnt out ruins of abandoned trucks and armoured personnel carriers.

  “It’s a warzone. Just like Ray said it would be.”

  “Wait,” said Marcus, “They need our help.”

  It was dangerous, especially as they could all see the undergrowth moving in the park as Hansa headed towards them. Another shot from Eiserner Gott’s main guns forced the machine back. It then lowered in height and vanished from view into the smoke.

  “Help them.”

  The dreaded machine swivelled about and opened fire indiscriminately against the SS. The machine guns raked any infantry that made it too close, while the howitzers hurled shells into the street. Explosions rippled back and forth until the SS scattered in panic. The E-200 continued towards them and fired, missing by mere metres as Eiserner Gott leaned to avoid the shot. Both main guns fired in return, with one glancing below the main turret, locking it in place.

  “Good work. Now get us out of here.”

  Mickey pointed to the street leading away from the park, with a tall apartment structure on one side, and large church on the right.

  “Take West 65th Street, right past the Holy Trinity Church.”

  Marcus gave the nod. “Do it.”

  Karl pushed the engines once more, and they bounded over the wrecked vehicles, still firing almost nonstop. As they made it into the next street, the massive hulk of Hansa lurked out of the smoke. The machine was fifty metres away, with her guns and missile system pointing at Eiserner Gott.

  “Everything we have, fire!”

  The war machines opened fire at the same time. Missiles and chain gun fire tore into Eiserner Gott, while the veteran machine hammered its foe with cannon fire. The main guns blew entire sections off the machine, and the howitzers did terrible work to the already damaged components.

  “Kapitän!” Mose König yelled, “She’s coming for us.”

  Wreathed in flame, and with smoke pouring from a fire burning in her engine sections, she staggered ahead. Though mortally wounded, Hansa was still faster than Eiserner Gott, and moving so fast the old machine had no chance to escape.

  “Brace and twist,” said Marcus.

  Mickey grabbed into the handrails. Hansa picked up speed, even as some of the onboard ammunition began to cook off. He almost yelled when a large metal plate blew off as Eiserner Gott maintained heavy defensive fire, and then they clashed. The impact was unlike anything he’d encountered before. Rather than absorb the strike, Eiserner Gott twisted at the hip and threw the machine to the left and into the structure of the Holy Trinity Church. A car or truck might have caused considerable damage, but Hansa annihilated the more than one-hundred-year-old church. The unusual Byzantine style structure collapsed in the centre and broke apart around the tumbling war machine.

  “They’re down!” Mickey said, his eyes wide with surprise, “What next?”

  Marcus’ brow was
tight and his face stern with resolve. There was no messing with the man, and for a second he was reminded of his father, even though the two men could not have been further apart.

  “Move in close. Use the arms. Piledrive!”

  Hansa flailed about on her back as her crew tried to right the heavy lump of metal. When on her feet, Hansa was an agile fighting machine, but not when buried in the ruins of the church. Eiserner Gott moved in close so that the machine was standing over its fallen comrade. The gunners took aim, and then hesitated.

  “Finish it!” Marcus ordered.

  Before they could fire, the first of the Waffen SS heavy tanks rounded the corner and blocked their way back to Central Park. The E-80 tanks unleashed a short volley of shots, both of which ripped into Eiserner Gott’s flank. These tanks were capable of knocking out any tank currently in service, and each round punched through the plating of Eiserner Gott with ease. One hit low, and blew out parts of the control pistons for the right leg. Another slammed into a howitzer, cutting it clean in half. The walker stumbled, and then returned fire. The arm-mounted cannons destroyed the first tank, but the second turned and began to move away. A howitzer shell struck the front wheels and ripped off the track, immobilising the mechanical creature. Seconds later, crowds of civilians swarmed over the wreckage like ants. Mickey clenched his fist with excitement.

  “Yes! I told you Ray would get them out on the streets. New Yorkers will fight. They always will!”

  Marcus shrugged.

  “You might be right. But will they win? The SS take no prisoners.”

  In answer, a pair of Messerschmitt BO 87 tilt-rotor aircraft circled overhead, firing at those on the ground. They carried a small number of onboard weapons, but were still able to cause panic through the crowds of untrained civilians. Gunfire cut down dozens as they fled away from the street, or into the Park and into the hands of the advancing units of SS. A missile launched from somewhere in the park and exploded ahead of the nearest aircraft. The explosion was too far away to destroy the Messerschmitt, but must have caused some damage because the BO 87 turned away streaming black smoke.

  “We have to help them.”

  “Not yet, Mickey,” Marcus grunted.

  He twisted around and pointed at Hansa. The machine was pushing itself up from the mountains of bricks.

  “End her…now!”

  They moved in as quickly as the badly damaged machine would allow. The second Messerschmitt BO 87 moved closer and opened fire. The multiple machine guns flashed bright as the guns filled the street with bullets. Many slammed into the road, but some struck Eiserner Gott as Karl tried to extract them from the blazing gunfire. The right leg moved slower than the left, causing it to slightly drag behind. The machine gun fire clattered along the rear of the machine, but did little more than annoy the men protected deep inside its armour hull. Eiserner Gott returned fire with her machine guns, sending the Messerschmitt BO 87 away in a panicked circle. Eiserner Gott finally made it to Hansa and bent to strike with her arms. The limbs slammed into the crippled Hansa, denting and smashing the armour. Then the panzerfausts launched from the top rack. At close-range, the powerful rockets blew great holes in the machine. The assault was savage, and by the time Eiserner Gott stepped away, nothing was left but the burning, blackened carcass of the Kriegsmarine landship. They paused for a moment and watched it burn inside the ruins of the church. Even Marcus looked sad at the end of the walking machine.

  “It is a sad sight,” said Mose.

  “In the end, it is just a lump of iron and parts. Hansa was a weapon of the SS in this fight. She had to be stopped.”

  Marcus checked their position and then pointed off in the direction away from the Park.

  “Get us back on Broadway. We have a fight to finish.”

  Karl transferred more power to the motive systems. They moved, but Eiserner Gott was having a hard time walking. The left shoulder pivoted as the machine dragged the weakened leg behind it. They moved out into the open junction that combined Broadway with Columbus Avenue; a major intersection with the glorious Lincoln Centre for the Performing Arts providing a picturesque background.

  “Wow,” Mickey said.

  Eiserner Gott drew to a halt at a massive roadblock that prevented access to the South. It was an improvised structure, with metal railings spread between five armoured trucks. Scores, perhaps even a hundred SS were in position, as well as a similar number of ORPO police in riot gear.

  “What now?” Karl asked.

  Marcus reached for the intercom and pulled the toggle. The external speakers activated.

  “This is Kapitän Marcus Klenner of the Marine Stoßtrupp Kompanie. On behalf of the Reich Kriegsmarine and the loyal citizens of New York, I demand you lower your weapons. This atrocity must end right now.”

  There was silence in this part of the city, though it lasted just seconds. On one side the line of SS and ORPOs with their heavy weapons and improvised barricade, and on the other the badly damaged war machine. For all her damage, Eiserner Gott looked majestic, her large flags fluttering in the gentle breeze. The old United States flag almost caught the light as the Messerschmitt passed over once more and fired down into the street. The Waffen SS opened fire, and several wire-guided missiles screamed out, to be knocked down by interceptor weapons. There was no time to answer as three automobiles hurtled past Eiserner Gott and towards the barricade. The police line opened fire, shredding the first vehicle and halting it metres from their position. But the others kept on coming, and one crashed into the line, exploding in an orange fireball.

  “Yes!” Mickey exclaimed.

  More vehicles came down the streets and skidded around to provide cover. Men and women left from inside and opened fire on the barricade. To Marcus’ astonishment, other civilians emerged from buildings where they had been sheltering. Few carried firearms, but many brandished knives, bats, clubs, and anything else they had managed to find. The guns opened fire, and many were cut down as they ran towards the SS. Marcus watched, and his expression was hard and determined.

  “It is time. Put down fire on the barricade. Let’s buy these people some time.”

  Eiserner Gott settled on her haunches and unleashed a terrifying bombardment against the barricade. The cannons blew holes in whatever tried to block the path, and the panzerfausts rained down explosive fire. Marcus watched with satisfaction as many of the ORPOs dropped their weapons and ran. He had no idea if the green clothed police were simply running to save themselves, or if they’d turned against the idea of fighting alongside the SS.

  It doesn’t matter. We smash them now, and we smash them hard.

  As Eiserner Gott moved towards the SS, Marcus actually felt they had a chance to win this fight. He didn’t see the column of tanks led by another E-200 moving parallel to them along Amsterdam Avenue to cut them off. This column was followed by unit after unit of trucks filled with Waffen SS. Some stopped to unload soldiers, and they raced along the adjoining streets to support their comrades. The Battle for New York was balanced on a knife-edge.

  * * *

  Obersturmführer Hans Schneider ducked as shots struck the ground around him. Columbus Circle was a bloodbath, with Waffen SS soldiers engaged in firefights in almost every direction. He tried to stand up, but a sniper round hit the concrete metres from his face. Further away, the rebels had fallen back into the adjacent Gulf & Western office building. Many more were fighting from behind overturned trucks and cars. As he watched, the large Nazi flag that had been hanging from the fifth floor for two days was cut from its mounts. It dropped slowly, caught by the buffeting winds circulating through the area.

  “What is that thing?” snapped the Deputy Führer. Hans Schneider looked back to the second most powerful man in the Reich and found he was speechless. The man looked livid, yet without an ounce of fear.

  “My Führer, we must get out of here and soon.”

  Before the man could speak, a battered looking United States flag dropped down from the fift
h floor of the skyscraper, and then spread out. A cheer rang out through the Circle, and then the intensity of the gunfire increased. The Nazi deputy leader clenched his teeth in anger.

  “No. We will not, Obersturmführer. Where is that fool, Mayor Finn?”

  Obersturmführer Schneider pointed to the North.

  “The Kriminaldirektor took him and Inspector Miller as soon as the shooting started. I don’t know where he…”

  “That is enough of him. Assemble your bodyguard, and tell Hauptsturmführer Meyer and all of your landship captains to get back here. I want these rebels executed where they stand. We end this and fast.”

  Obersturmführer Schneider nodded smartly.

  “As you wish, my Führer.”

  * * *

  Ray let out a burst of gunfire and ducked back into the cover of an abandoned shot-up police cruiser. He was reaching for a fresh magazine when he noticed five ORPOs approaching, but their guns were lowered. He slammed in the new magazine to face them, but the leader held up his hands.

  “It’s okay. We are not here to fight you!” he yelled.

  They hunkered down low for cover and stopped two metres short of Ray. He was deeply suspicious.

  “We are not working for those assholes anymore.”

  He took off his cap and tossed it away in disgust. Ray heard something to his side, and an SS soldier appeared from behind the car. Before he could get his rifle around a single shot rang out, and the soldier collapsed onto the asphalt. The ORPO still had his pistol trained on the soldier, and a wisp of smoke was rising from the barrel.