Chapter 143: Vulpesylvanian Reconquista
Part 1: Best Laid
TIME: 09:13 EET
DATE: War Day 1068/6 Tertious, 1005 C.S.
LOCATION: Athens, Principality of Vulpesylvania
I was now dressed in the uniform of the Stratarches of Vulpesylvania. The uniform was basically a Union Army General's uniform, from 1865, but in OD Green. I looked like Ulysses S. Grant, but in green. Double-breasted coat, stretching down to my thighs. Pistol and sword belt. Suspender-held pants underneath. Calf-high riding boots. Stetson-style hat.
My issued sidearm was now a Poseidon. I had to keep my mind on the fact that it only held 9 + 1 rounds, I was used to a lot more. The Sword of Rainbow's Light was in its cross-draw sheath at my side.
By and large, our ranks were carried over 1:1 from Equestria, but for identification purposes, all the volunteers had small copper-colored "V" marks on their shoulder strap rank insignia, or over their chevrons.
Prince Stavros: "We will need an additional two weeks to prepare, even with all the supplies given to us, mainly so we can integrate and train our Mechanized units." He nodded and ran a finger across the map. "With our remaining naval units, we can make a decisive strike on the remaining Macedonkian navy."
K: "The Germane Navy will join in that - to clear the way for the special operation required to take out the Rainbow Factory." I nodded to Stavros.
That was the official reason. The unofficial reason was that recon flights showed the Vulpes were outnumbered about 2:1 on the ocean, against vessels at least as capable as their front line fleet. Even incorporating the Inner Islands Defence Fleet, the Vulpes were not expected to win a direct confrontation. So, the Germanes elected to assist, to make sure they could clear the way to the Rainbow Factory.
Forest Spirit: "You want me on over-all command of the 1st Division, yes?" He tapped at their assembly area. Ptolemais.
Prince Stavros: "Yes, with the 1st and 2nd Volunteer Brigades." He nodded.
K: "Well, unfortunately, the vehicles couldn't volunteer, but the Roamans and Germanes have donated a lot of gear - and the Ambleonians donated two batteries of SEPART." SElf Propelled ARTillery.
Cosmic: "And I'll have those." He nodded.
K: "Exactly." I pointed to the border area. "Once you're in position with a solid defensive line - about four days - I want continuous random bombardment of enemy positions at random times of day, until the start of the operation. Pick your own targets, but I want the enemy guessing, off balanced, and demoralized."
McSherbet: "Are... you SURE you want to give me command of the entire Inner Islands Defence Fleet?" He tilted his head, since Prince Stavros had given him the rank of Captain.
Prince Stavros: "You are a pirate. I expect you to do piratey things." He smiled a bit. "They have their own second line ships they are using as recon and screening forces. You should be able to something with them."
McSherbet: "I have a few ideas." He smirked. "The Roaman 255mm shells pack more of a wallop than yours, and they gave us everything they could. Your coastal battleships should be able to handle their coastal battleships, now. With that? We should be able to.. do a LITTLE something." He snickered, balancing on his peg leg, and leaning into the table.
K: "Clean up everything you can, however you can." I nodded. "With this conflict, none of the normal operating procedures apply."
McSherbet: "...can I steal some of their ships?" He tilted his head.
Prince Stavros: "Take prizes? Certainly! If you can manage it!" He nodded, grinning.
McSherbet: "Hmmmm!" He grinned, devilishly. "One PIRATE fleet, coming up." He bowed a bit. "Need me for anything else?"
K: "Just be aware that you do have carrier aircraft you can call on - the Germanes, the Mount Olympus, and the Roamans." I pointed out. "Land-based aircraft should be available, too, from forward operating air bases."
McSherbet: "You got it!" He bowed in a flourish, and slid out of the conference room.
Forest Spirit: "Once we have everything set up, I'll take command of your Marines and perform an amphibious assault here, near Salonica. Combined with whatever Sherby has in mind, I either want the bombardment force to catch the enemy in harbor, or I want them sunk, so they can't act against us." He slid his hoof over the planning table. "The invasion only needs to take the city - advancing Army forces will catch up to us, and we can continue to advance with them. I'll pull back one Brigade to take the island of Thasos." He slid his hoof tip over to it.
Prince Stavros: "You seem to have had this planned for a while." He smirked a bit, a wee twinkle in his eye.
K: "I'll be frank, we did. While I was laid up, I charted out invasion plans. Never a dull moment." I shrugged a bit. "After this, though, my team is going to Equestria for a while. We're exhausted, and they haven't been home in three months."
Rarity: "Not that it hasn't been quite the adventure, darling." She floofed her hair, looking into her compact.
Twilight Sentry: "No kidding." She nodded.
Fluttershy and Golden Wattle stepped up at this point, as I was conferring with General Linkletter and Sacquet.
Golden: "Ah.. erh.. K?" He gave me a tap on the back of the hip.
K: "Yeah? What's up?" I smiled at him. "Got any ingenious ideas?"
Golden: "..well, other than makin' sure everyone's got proper coms, maybe even moving Battalion-level radios down to Regiment level just in case.. nah.. issa.." He held hooves with Fluttershy.
Fluttershy: "We would.. like to get married when we get back." She blushed.. more than a bit.
Golden: "Aye!" He smiled. "An' I was wonderin' if you'd be a Groomshuman." He smirked a bit.
K: "My honor, sir." I bowed a bit, giving them both headpats right after. "Seriously, we've been friends for months. I expect you want the girls to be bridesmaids?"
Fluttershy: "Yes.." She nodded. "..and since it's kind of tradition now.. if it's not too much trouble.." She looked across the huge planning table to Dusk, who was talking with Rarity and Trixie.
K: "..you'd like to see if Dusk wants his second marriage to Trixie to be in the same ceremony?" I grinned.
Prince Stavros: "Ah! I've heard of this." He looked over to Dusk. "You must be QUITE the Alpha Stallion, my good sir."
Dusk: "EH!?" He was taken by surprise.
Golden: "What'ch'a say, Dusk? Wanna.. you know.." He shrugged a bit.
Trixie: "Oh, that sounds fantastic." She smiled broadly. "The GRRRREAT and Powerful Trixie.. would RELISH a chance to show her.. adoring public.. just how good her friends really are." She smiled at both of them. "Rarity?"
Rarity: "Oh, I concur, darling." She grinned, wolfishly. "And I'll have just enough time to get all the dresses designed and ready." She looked over at Fluttershy. "Now.. my dear Fluttershy, darling.." She paced over. "Do you remember the wedding gown I'd been working on that you gave.. ohh.. shall we say.. a very informed opinion on, out of nowhere?"
Fluttershy: "Ohh.. yes." She hid her face with her wing, a bit. "S-Sorry."
Rarity: "Ah, no matter, darling." She hugged her. "I had chanced upon a positively lovely idea that day - design wedding dresses for all of you!" She smiled. "How do you think I seem to always have one ready?"
Golden: "Soo.. you already got one for her?" He blinked.
Rarity: "INDEED, darling!" She beamed a grin. "And, if I got those instructions right, made to order for our dear Fluttershy."
Fluttershy: "Oh! Rarity! Oh, my goodness!" She squeaked, but then beamed a wide smile. "Thank you so much!"
Rarity: "Think nothing of it, darling." She bowed a bit. "My friends only get the finest of my couture." She cocked a brow at Trixie. "You included, Mareiage Partner."
Trixie: "Th-thanks, Rarity." She blushed.
K: "Well, that's settled, then." I nodded. "Who're you wanting as Best Stallion?"
Golden: "Broken Dawn, of course!" He pointed to him, as he was reading one of the captured books from Ambleon.
Broken: "Huh-what?!" He almost fell out of his chair. "Ah-er-well.. thanks! I accept! But, why me?"
Golden: "Well, mate, come on.. if it weren't for you, we'd've never met." He looked over at Fluttershy with adoration.
Broken: "Oh, I suppose so." He blinked, and smiled. "This'll be fun!"
K: "First thing's first - we have to win." I nodded, and tapped the planning table.
Indeed we did. But, our plans and back-up plans were in place, and it was time to prepare for the offensive.
[End of Part 1]
Part 2: Wicked Water Way
TIME: 11:10 EET
DATE: War Day 1069/7 Tertious, 1005 C.S.
LOCATION: HMS Bounty, Aegean Sea
Our new CAG Flagship was finished. Using mostly recovered parts from our sunken warships, along with some equipment brought over with the Equestrian Marines, we had a VERY flexible Special Missions Corvette. Two 5-inch gun turrets, experimental anti-sub rocket launcher, traditional depth charges, 25mm quad guns, and 11mm machine guns, with a twin 533mm Gyro-Stabilized Torpedo Launcher, and the capacity to carry most of CAG?
Yeah, this was our mobile Home Base on the water. It even has a helicopter pad. Oh, and it flies McSherbet's personal pirate flag.
All this from a recovered Orghuzian torpedo corvette.
It was armored, too, now. It could withstand hits from 5-inch guns across most of the hull, and 3-inch AP shells in the superstructure. Machine guns and RPG's were nothing.
Sherby: "Ooooo.. I love my new ship." He ran his hoof over the railings.
K: "Mhm. And it's ours - everyone will get basic seaponyship training, so we can operate it as a team. Only CAG on this vessel - that way, if there's ever any security issues, we can hunker down on here and no one can sneak aboard pretending to be part of her crew." I shrugged.
Seven: "My foxes will operate the bridge, Captain." He nodded.
Lightning Dust: "I've got the engines! I.. I hope." She blushed a bit. "I have help!" She nodded.
Cosmic: "I'm in charge of gunnery direction." He nodded. "Rapid Bearing, when I'm not here."
Rapid: "It's JUST a HOBBY!" He waved his forearm defensively.
K: "Hobby or not, you have the skill for it." I nodded.
Golden: "I got the radio, Sherby!" He smiled. "We gotta few onna team that can do that."
Broken: "I've been assigned to the radar systems." He shrugged.
Sherby: "I usually like to pick my own crew assignments - Captain's prerogative." He shrugged. "But, it looks like everyone's where I would've put them, anyway."
K: "We're going to make sure we're as cross trained as possible." I nodded. "As it is, we have some time before we can attempt an offensive, and the Prince has given you leave to do whatever you can to cripple the enemy fleet. So, what's the plan?"
Sherby: "Well, for starters, I want to take one of the enemy ships as a prize. One of their destroyers should be fine." He smirked.
Twilight: "Any reason?" She paced in with Smolder, Spike, and Raven.
Sherby: "Well.. I'm hoping to steal one, then get among their fleet, and either steal another or cause a lot of confusion.." He rubbed his chin with his fetlock. "I want to make a true Pirate Fleet, and use it against its former owners." He nodded. "We have a lot of spare crew from the sunken ships, still, right? They haven't been sent home or reassigned?"
Raven Inkswell: "They have not." She nodded. "Oh, K.." She gestured to the side as Celestia herself came aboard.
Celestia: "Hello, My Little Ponies." She gracefully stepped aboard. "Rainbow McSherbet.." She bowed her head to him a bit. "..permission to come aboard?"
Sherby: "Princess Celestia!" He beamed a grin. "Always!"
Celestia: "Wonderful." She pulled something from her saddle bag, and handed it to him. "On behalf of the Equestrian Royal Navy, I would have the privilege of promoting you, officially, to the rank of Captain." She opened the case, and used her telekinesis magic to levitate the stars for his rank pin, and affix them to his collar. "After all, if you're going to command the CAG flagship, you should be installed to the proper rank, no?"
Sherby: "ME!? Captain!?" He looked at the stars, and smiled brightly. "THANK you Princess!" He gave a flourished bow. "I will do my best to prove this trust you've put in me."
Celestia: "You have already proven your courage. I know of your adventures as the Pirate of Bullies. Ravaging the true criminals of the seas, in places where official forces cannot." She bowed slightly to him. "And my dear K." She nodded to me. "Our General. I'm certain he'll be able to use all of your talents well."
K: "You know it." I nodded. "He's good on land and sea. I've seen the shenanigans this little pony can get up to." I cracked a grin.
Rainbow Dash: "Yeah, I mean, if ANYthing, he's as slippery as Daring Do!" She puffed out her chest. "They should write books about him instead - at least Sherby isn't a fraud and a liar."
Gilda: "Relax, honey." She smirked.
K: "Alright, let's get this show on the road. Raven? I need some intel on any sightings of enemy vessels.. Sherby has a plan, and I like it." I grinned broadly.
TIME: 17:10 EET
LOCATION: HMS Bounty, Aegean Sea
We spotted our prey. The enemy destroyer, from intercepted radio signals, was named Drin, and had the hull number of 191. She'd been weakened in an air attack, and was making steam back to port in Alexandroupolis.
Importantly, her aft guns were jammed to point starboard. As these ships had no heavy autocannon for AA use, and only machine guns besides their main guns, this meant that Drin was absolutely vulnerable attack from the port quarter. Moreover, it was getting dark, and there was a dense overcast - helped along by Rainbow Dash, Gilda, Fluttershy, and Golden Wattle gathering some loose storm clouds to help block out the sunset.
All of this was Sherby's idea. All of it.
We knew the enemy vessel would spot us as we approached. However, it would do them little good. We knew their destroyers capped out at 30 knots, and Bounty could do 38 knots easily, up to 40 or so with the engines at maximum. We could run 'er down.
Aboard the Bounty, everyone from CAG was ready to go. We would board her and take her, like we had at the very earliest days of the war. Forest Spirit was hefting his Grant, grinning, and Blinda was right next to him.
K: "You two ready for this?" I patted them on the backs.
Blinda: "Oh, it's been a minute, K, but, YES! I very much am." She looked over at Forest Spirit. "I was hoping we'd get to storm a ship together, sir."
Forest Spirit: "Mmm." My bro smirked hard, then broke into a full grin. "I've been eager to test your skills like this, Tank." He nudged her. "You're pretty good."
Redheart: "Uh-huh. Both of you watch it." She cocked a brow at them.
Twilight: "Well, I'm here, too." She levitated her Abrams. "Don't worry, K, I'll be careful."
K: "You'd better." I nodded, pulling the bolt back on my own Grant and racking the chamber.
Steela: "We will make them run in fear." She was hefting a whole EM-2 Browning over her back - one she'd custom retrofitted with a stock, and set up the post that normally slots into the tripod, as a forward grip.
EVERYONE gave THAT a look. Oh, boy. And they were wondering who'd replace Gorcat?
K: "We got this." I nodded. "Norfy, fog." I called to him.
Norfy: "On it." He nodded.
In a few moments, an icy fog engulfed the vessel. Twilight pumped some of her own power in the form of raw mana, into the cloud, to help Norfy's spell. A fog bank was the result - everyone working together. We got within 500 meters of the enemy vessel before they abruptly changed course to try and bring the aft guns somewhat into our field of fire.
K: C> "Sherby.." I called up to the bridge.
Sherby: "WE'RE GOING FULL SPEED! PREPARE TO BOARD! DECK CREW, PREPARE TO REPEL BOARDERS!" He yelled out from the bridge.
K: "You heard the man!" I said, as the ship lurched forwards, reaching maximum design speed, then exceeding it - and just like that, we had an 11-knot advantage over our prey.
They tried to haul over to the other side, using their greater size to try and bully us, but Sherby cut INTO their turn, and FORCED a collision at their port quarter, GRINDING the two ships together. As we impacted, we locked up, and as soon as we did, the ropes were thrown. We hooked 'em good, and as soon as we did, covering fire from our side suppressed their machine gun mount on the port quarter.
I was one of the first up and over, and on to the enemy deck. Quick single shots with my Grant, and I was putting down enemy sailors, or forcing the rest to flee. Behind me was.. well, everyone, it seemed. Forest Spirit launched himself bodily on to a pair of Donkeys just coming out of a hatch, and flattened them underneath him. Quick kicks of his strong hooves either knocked them cold, or killed them, I wasn't sure, as I was moving up, and felt icicles fly past me at high speed from Norfy, and NAIL a sailor to the superstructure.
I wheeled around to face the open hatch, and simply threw a grenade into it, seeing as none of the boarding party had entered. I heard a few screams.
K: "Spirit, Red, Blinda, Twilight, Steela, on me!" I called out.
The fun part of working with seasoned professionals with all this veterancy and experience is that you can switch dance partners constantly, and work like one very large, well oiled machine. The six of us moved forwards, clearing the boat deck as someone lobbed a 40mm grenade to the machine gun nests atop the aft superstructure. I was pretty sure that was Dusty. We moved past the Torpedo Launchers, and Forest Spirit paused to deliver precise rifle fire to the machine gun nest by the forward superstructure, as Blinda fired a 40mm grenade into the one past that, next to the forward 100mm gun turret.
We got into the forward superstructure, and everyone transitioned to pistols. I had my Type-34 PDW in one hand, and the Sword of Rainbow's Light in the other. Immediately inside the superstructure were stairs leading up. We took them, with me on point. Anyone we saw on the way up, we just shot.
Redheart: "Reloading." She stated, as we got to the level below the bridge.
Blinda: "They locked the door." She said, tugging the hatch to the Flying Bridge.
Steela: "Steela.. has key." She glared at the hatch and paced up to it. With one switch motion, she wheeled around and kicked the hatch with her back hooves, wrenching it from its mounting, and sending it into the room.
I rushed in, with everyone at my back.
K: "HOOVES! HOOVES IN THE AIR! SURRENDER NOW!" I shouted at the top of my lungs, picking out the ship's captain, and rushing him, putting the barrel of the Type-34 in his face. "I ORDER YOU TO SURRENDER!" I demanded.
Captain of the Drin: "You order me." He stated, glaring at me.
None of the bridge crew had firearms, though the officers had naval cutlasses on their hips - none went for them.
K: "I do." I stated back to him. "Both personally, and as commander of this vessel. Stop the slaughter, Captain." I said, in an even, and calm voice. I stepped back, and held out my hand for his own sword.
Every one of his officers looked at him, and me.
After a moment's thought, and a few more screams of his crew reaching his Donkey ears, they flicked back a moment, but he looked down at his sword, grabbed it with his off hoof, and detached it from his belt, placing it in my hand, before kneeling in front of me.
Captain of the Drin: "...I surrender to you, Generals K." He lowered his head to the ground.
K: C> "Attention all callsigns, we have secured the bridge." I motioned to Redheart to hand me the ship's intercom. When she did, I placed it in the Captain's hoof.
Captain of the Drin: PA> "Attention sailors. We have surrendered. Cease resistance. We give ourselves to the mercy of our enemies." He looked at me and nodded.
K: C> "Attention all callsigns - the Captain has surrendered. Cease fire as practicable." I nodded back to the Captain.
And with that, we seized our first prize. We were well on our way to retaking that which had been lost by the Vulpines a hundred years ago.
We just needed time, and a bit of luck.
[End of Part 2]
Part 3: Naval Skirmish at Alexandroúpolis
TIME: 17:33 EET
DATE: War Day 1069/7 Tertious, 1005 C.S.
LOCATION: HMS Bounty, Aegean Sea
I was getting back aboard the Bounty, when I saw Maud and Dr. Allcome with Nurse Sweetheart surrounding Twilight...
K: "Fuck... NONONO..!" My heart jumped to my throat - I'd lost her once, not again.. not agai-"
Dr. Allcome: "..being pregnant like this, an-" He looked up to see the horrified expression on my face, and stood up. "She's okay, K!" He held out his forehooves. "She's okay. She collapsed because.."
Twilight: "..the foals kicked." She smiled, looking up from the stretcher. "S-Sorry, K." She blushed.
Flash: "I-I'm so happy.." He was tearing up. "..K, you and Dusk.." He smiled, and came over, and hugged me. "Thank you."
K: "If Dusk wasn't busy with the girls, he'd be proud, too." I hugged him back. "You listen to me, Flash Sentry." I pulled back and smirked. "If you need ANY THING.. you tell me or AJ." I patted his cheek.
Steela: "Steela swears she will protect you as well." She lowered herself by Twilight. "You are very special, miss Twilight Sentry." She smiled to her. "You have made Steela feel very welcome. We are friends." She sniffled a bit. "Perhaps Steela should not want to be a Valkyrie again, but her fate lies elsewhere."
Twilight: "I'd like it very much if you decided you'd rather stay here, Steela." She poked Steela's nose with her hoof.
K: "HOW pregnant is she?" I looked at Cody.
Cody: "Ahh.. about three months?" He smirked.
Forest Spirit: "Twilight! I'm shocked at you." He frowned.
Redheart: "He's not the only one." She frowned. "No more field duty for you, for a while."
Twilight: "Ah, yes. Yes. Agreed." She nodded.
Sherby: "Well, congratulations, Twilight." He beamed a grin. "K? We have the vessel?" He nodded to the Destroyer, and the ship's captain in tow.
K: "We do." I nodded. "This is Captain Miyorkas." I nodded to the captain of the Drin.
Sherby: "Captain." He saluted him. "Welcome aboard HMS Bounty. You are my prisoner, sir." He gave a small bow. "Captain Rainbow McSherbet, Royal Navy." And gave a cheesy grin. "Now, I'm LEGAL!"
Capt. Miyorkas: "I accept prisoner status of you, Captain McSherbet, Pirate of Pirates." He bowed slightly, and looked to Twilight. "Ah.. congratulations.." He cleared his throat, looking to Flash. "I am.. also father. You have challenge ahead, sir."
Flash Sentry: "Ah, yes, ah.." He stood to attention out of respect. "..thank you, Captain, I hope to diligently pursue fatherhood as I had this contest." He nodded to the Drin.
Capt. Miyorkas: "Then you shall raise strong foals, sir." He nodded back.
I handed Sherby, Captain Miyorkas's cutlass.
Sherby: "My first cutlass as Captain in the Royal Navy." He hefted it, and nodded to Captain Miyorkas. "This way, sir." He took the prisoner below deck.
K: "Our enemy is worth respect." I nodded to everyone. "I've seen this many times - the common Donkey in the field is generally an honorable enemy. Officers especially, it seems. It tells me that while we have a real fight on our hands, and some elements within the Macedonkian government and military are dastardly villains, common officers can be treated with mutual respect and honor." I looked around to everyone. "I do expect we'll do just that." And looked to Flash. "You've certainly matured a lot since we first met - you were a bit of a hothead." I smiled. "I'm pleased to see you can conduct yourself with a gentlecolt's honor, as expected of a Guard Officer."
Flash Sentry: "We-eh-yeah, well, Twilight helped with that." He blushed a bit and rubbed his right fetlock behind his head.
K: "I'm sure she did." I nodded. "Alright, everyone, once the relief ship gets here to offload the crew and put our own sailors aboard, we can get out of here. We have more prizes to take." I nodded. "Sherby's plan is starting to work very well.."
TIME: 12:22 EET
DATE: War Day 1077/15 Tertious, 1005 C.S.
LOCATION: HMS Bounty, Aegean Sea
Eight days, eight captured enemy ships. I was astounded. Sherby multiplied his successes by sending the captured ships out to capture more ships, amassing a true Pirate fleet. We had the destroyers Danube, Drin, Morava, and Radika, light cruisers Stiph, and Radovis, and the heavy cruiser Vinica.
Quite the powerful fleet indeed.
While we lacked any decisive fleet units, one Heavy Cruiser alone was plenty of ship. For various reasons, they all had bare minimum crews aboard.
Our objective, now, was to disable the enemy fleet forces at Alexandroúpolis, and slam the door on further Macedonkian fleet actions. We knew the Macedonkians had a squadron of ships docked in Tarpangoslavia, but they were blockaded by the Roamans. That was two battleships and their support vessels.
The chunk of fleet left at Alexandroúpolis consisted of 2 first rate battleships, 2 of their "monitors," 3 heavy cruisers, 7 light cruisers, and 11 destroyers. This represented the last of their naval strength in the Aegean.
If we knocked this out, we would have naval dominance in the region.
For this contest, we could not use any NEIGHTO fleet units, so the Vulpesylvanians had agreed to sortie everything they had in a do-or-die operation to destroy or force the surrender of the entire remaining enemy fleet.
This gave us the balance of the Vulpine main fleet. One Carrier, two Battlecruisers, eight light cruisers, and twelve destroyers. Keeping in mind, of course, that the Vulpine Light Cruisers were more designed as Force Protection Light Cruisers than Offensive Light Cruisers (as the Equestrian ones had been, and we had separate Force Protection/AA Cruisers).
We had a slight advantage. We have a total force strength of 1 Carrier, 2 Battlecruisers, 1 Heavy Cruiser, 10 Light Cruisers, and 16 Destroyers.
Rear Admiral Eleni Fteró: C> "Stratarches, we are ready." She called over the Comms.
I picked her to command the Vulpine surface battle fleet - I knew and liked her. She was being trusted to command half of the largest naval battle her nation had ever engaged in.
K: C> "All callsigns, this is Stratarches K - engage!" I said, taking a seat on the Bounty's bridge.
The plan was simple. Send the stolen ships in first, to fool the enemy into thinking they were allied ships, then hit the shore artillery batteries. With the enemy ships in port, it was unknown how fast they could make steam and respond to our attack.
Admiral Ftero would command the second squadron, all the Vulpesylvanian ships, which would come in if the enemy ships responded faster than we expected.
The shelling started very quickly, with our better gun handlers making good hits on all the observed targets. That was another thing - we had aerial recon showing us where every single artillery and shore battery position was, along with their munitions depots... when those shells hit land, they were landing with precision, knowing exactly where they needed to go.
We DID manage to get VERY close to shore, though, and we didn't get a radio challenge until the shells started landing. I waited until at least three salvoes were out, to respond.
K: C> "Port of Alexandroupolis, this is Stratarches K, Supreme Commander of the Vulpesylvanian Armed Forces. We demand your unconditional surrender." I called to the enemy.
We got no response.
Broken Dawn: "K, I have radar contacts coming out of the harbor.. looks like Destroyers and a few PT boats." He looked over to me.
K: "Send in our Destroyers, and us." I nodded. "Everyone get ready - we'll take the PT boats ourselves." I turned to Golden Wattle, at Coms. "Let Admiral Ftero know they're starting to sortie - I want anti-ship strikes from the carrier, and I want the second squadron in here immediately."
Golden Wattle: "Aye, K." He smirked.
Forest Spirit: "Going all out, hm?" He nodded.
K: "They may show honor, but we can't give them any chances - they're competent, like we are. Maybe not the Flag Officers, but the Command ones." I nodded.
Sherby took the Bounty in, and as soon as we started getting within 5-inch gun range of the PT Boats, we started shooting. They were small ships, and hard to hit, but 5-inch shells were good for disrupting their formation. They broke apart from a formation to individual attackers as soon as they started taking fire. They ignored us, and launched torpedoes at maximum range against our captured cruisers.
Quick rudder work on the part of the cruisers gave them enough time to avoid the large shotgun pattern of the incoming torpedoes, but one got through and hit the Stiph amidships. I turned, looked through my binoculars, and saw her slow to 10 knots. Engine room hit, I was sure.
The enemy destroyers - seven of them - engaged ours immediately. Initially, both sides launched torpedoes, and then moved in crazy patterns to avoid incomings from each other, while firing with their 100mm guns. These ships were exactly the same as each other, so, it came down to crew competence, and even that was pretty close.
Hits were registering on both sides. The enemy had us outnumbered at first, too, but our torpedo work crippled two Destroyers right off the bat. That evened the odds a little. With the PT Boats now withdrawing, Sherby hauled over and went after one of the Destroyers.
Sherby: "Ready port torpedo launcher!" He called out.
Blinda: "Port launcher ready!" She responded.
Sherby: "And.... FIRE!" He commanded.
Blinda: "Torpedoes away!" She called back.
We only had dual launchers, to save space for other things, but two fish was better than none. I saw ours fly towards the enemy, as Sherby hauled over AGAIN, to present starboard, and once he completed the turn..
Sherby: "Ready Starboard!" He called.
Blinda: "Ready!" She responded.
Sherby: "FIRE!" He called, with a grin.
Blinda: "Torpedoes away!" She hit the button, smiling.
I saw our spread of torpedoes go towards the Destroyer that Sherby had carved away from the pack, and we scored 2 hits, one from each attempt. One torpedo hit far forward and blew off the ship's prow completely. The second one hit further aft, next to the aft 100mm guns, and tore open a nice big hole. That Destroyer slowed to a stop immediately, and started to slowly sink.
K: "Going to finish her off?" I asked.
Sherby: "Without question." He nodded. "Main guns, target her aft turrets." He stated.
Cosmic: "Main guns, target aft guns, and fire at will. Range, one-seven hundred. Bearing, zero two seven." He called to the gun turrets.
We started shooting, and given how good WE were, we started landing hits almost immediately. Their aft guns were hit one at a time, before they could rotate to take a shot at us. The X turret was holed instantly, and blew apart. The Y turret was hit next, and holed several times. It stopped rotating, and that was fine.
Sherby: "Torpedo deck next." He instructed, turning us to a better angle.
Cosmic: "Main Guns, aim for the torpedo deck. Range, one-five-hundred. Bearing, zero-seven-two." He stated.
Almost dead on, and our shots were as well. The torpedoes hadn't been reloaded, but the launchers were destroyed. That was enough.
A MASSIVE shell splash landed about 200 meters from us.
K: "Oh, that'll be the battleships." I frowned.
Sherby: "They must've been on alert." He shrugged. "Getting us outta here."
K: C> "Stratarches K to First Squadron, fall back as practicable - their heavy units are coming. Second squadron, execute plan C." I leaned in to the mic.
Golden Wattle: "We lost the Danube and the Drin, but the enemy destroyers are sunk. Our last two are picking up survivors." He nodded to me.
K: "Well, that's half their destroyers. That's something." I nodded. "We can't cover them, so, let them know they have two minutes, then they need to make a break for it." I pointed to Wattle. "We're close to shore, anyone left in the water has a chance to make it there if they have rafts or can swim." It was a tough choice, but, it was the best one to save the other two Destroyers.
Golden Wattle: "Aye, K." He nodded, understanding.
We fell back in good order, and ended up leading the pirate fleet, once we got done with maneuvers. I saw the Vulpe Battlecruisers instantly duel the enemy battleships. It was a bit of a rough match - 8 total 15-inch guns compared to 24 total 13-inch guns. The addition of carrier aircraft launching torpedo strikes helped. I saw the match-up, and I knew it wasn't all that fair, but Admiral Ftero called in the Vulpine destroyers to launch torpedo strikes. With seven of the enemy's destroyers sunk, the battleships had no effective screen to that. The Vulpine light cruisers immediately bullied the remaining four enemy Destroyers and chased them off, right into our Squadron.
We heaved over and re-engaged the enemy light units as their cruisers arrived last. We were somewhat split apart, but we had cohesion between the two Squadrons. We engaged the Destroyers, and chased them down, sinking two, forcing one to beach itself, and the last one had its guns blown off, and torpedo deck damaged, rendering it a non-threat.
We turned to engage the Cruisers. That was a mismatch, and I knew it. Our Squadron fired all the Torpedoes we could, but a gun duel started immediately, and we started taking casualties, with Stiph, already slowed, shot to pieces by enemy Heavy Cruisers. Stiph's torpedoes connected with a heavy cruiser, though, and took it with her. Vinicia was targeted by two Heavies, and while she fought valiantly, she was quickly holed and put into sinking condition. Radovis was left alone with our remaining two Destroyers.
K: "Fall back to open waters." I stated. "We'll come around and present a united front with the second squadron."
Golden Wattle: "Second Squadron reports the enemy battleships are down. We've lost the Tripoli, Kornos, Veroia, Argolis and Salonica, and Duke of Thrace is damaged out of action." He stated grimly.
K: "Carrier status?" I asked.
Golden Wattle: "They're down to two strikes of torpedoes, and one strike of dive bombs." He nodded.
K: "Have them engage the enemy Monitors." I said. "They're almost in gun rage, and I don't want to deal with those guns."
Golden Wattle: "Fair enough." He smirked and relayed the message.
The enemy was down to the two Monitors, two damaged heavy cruisers, five light cruisers with zero or minor damage, one with severe damage, and one that was almost shot to pieces.
We were down to one Carrier almost out of ammo, one Battlecruisers, 7 Light Cruisers, and 7 Destroyers. We had the balance, but this was going to hurt a bit.
K: "Have the Vulpe destroyers engage the damaged Heavy Cruisers, I want them torpedoed." I nodded. "Have the two remaining stolen Destroyers do a torpedo run on the enemy lights, enough to break them up."
Golden Wattle: "Alright." He relayed the instructions.
In short order, the Duke of Attica and the Mount Olympus dealt with the Monitors. It was a clean fight, with the Duke of Attica out-ranging the first one with main guns, and the aircraft from the Mount Olympus using dive bombs to deal with the other one.
Once she was freed up, she turned to help us with the remaining enemy cruisers. The heavies had been torpedoed, and while not sunk yet, were out of action. The light cruisers attempted a torpedo run on Duke of Attica, but were rebuffed by our destroyers doing a false torpedo run on them (they were mostly out of torpedoes, but launched what they had). That broke them up while Duke of Attica bullied them from long range.
When the enemy was down to two Light Cruisers, both ships called out surrender and struck their colors, rather than fight to the death.
K: C> "K to all callsigns - it's over. We won. Take the enemy ships into custody, recover any survivors, and prepare to withdraw." I sighed, slumping into my seat.
The fight to put the enemy fleet under the sea, took us four hours.
But, we'd won.
Now to the land war.
[End of Part 3]
Part 4: Crossing the Border
TIME: 06:11 EET
DATE: War Day 1080/18 Tertious, 1005 C.S.
LOCATION: Néa Málgara, Western Argeios, Principality of Vulpesylvania
In the Naval Battle of the Agean Sea, Vulpesylvania lost the Battlecruisers Duke of Thrace, the Light Cruisers Argolis and Salonica, and the Destroyers Tripoli, Kornos, and Varoia. The Duke of Thrace was damaged so badly, she was declared a total loss. In addition, the Destroyer Corinth was sunk by a naval mine a day before the battle. Of 12 Destroyers commissioned before the conflict, 8 remained. Of 10 cruisers, 6 remained. Of 3 Battlecruisers, 1 remained. Of 2 Carriers, also 1 remained.
Vulpesylvania was going to need new ships to replace its losses. Two captured enemy light cruisers were pressed into service, and one remaining captured enemy destroyer.
For the time being, with the naval threat ended, the entire Inner Islands Defense Fleet was set up to assist with an amphibious assault on Salonica, to take place at the same time as our over-land attack in that direction.
I was commanding the reconstituted 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade, fitted out with entirely donated Germane equipment.
Geschmiedet Stahl: "..General K." She stepped into my tent.. with a Griffon.
K: "Ges!" I nodded to her. "Guten morgen, meine Frau." I bowed to her a bit. "And who is this?" I nodded.
Gneisenau: "Leutnant Seigfried von Gneisenau." He clicked his boots together, and stood tall, but did not salute.
He was quite impressive. About the same size as Gorcat, but dressed in Germane Feldgrau, with the shoulder boards of a Leutnant indeed. The cross-chest strap led down to his Pattern 856 Prussian Officer's Sabre, the standard sword of Infantry-assigned officers, and very close to a Menseur sabre. He had a Menseur scar across his beak, just under the eye, too. His divisional tabs weren't Infantry, though, they were colored for the Land Warfare Research and Development office (Generalstabsbüro für Forschung und Entwicklung zur Landkriegsführung) - that is, a light purple piping around his rank shoulder board.
K: "R and D man, eh?" I nodded to him. "General K. Stratarches, temporarily." I looked at Stahl. "What's with-"
I felt the ground RUMBLE.. a MONSTER?! HERE!? I was about to charge out of the tent, when the Griffon held out his right foreclaw, and slightly bowed his head, then gently gestured for me to come outside.
What I saw was..
K: "THAT THING IS OBSCENE!" I pointed at it.. and it had a large Vulpine armed forces symbol on the main turret.
Main turret. It was basically a rolling ship's gun turret, LARGER than a Tirek Monster Tank, and then in addition, it had several smaller Heavy Tank turrets on it, AAA weapons on the back, and a rear tank turret to fight anything off from that angle as well.
A ramp was lowered in the back rear from underneath, and six Kettenkrads rolled out, each armed with a single rear-facing machine gun, and two rocket launchers strapped to the side for dismounted use. This was in addition to two whole Infantry Platoons.
K: "..Stahl?" I blinked.
Stahl: "Jahwol, Herr General?" She was almost giggling.
K: "What the süsses blau FUCK IS THIS!?" I pointed, smiling madly, and speaking in mixed Germane and English.
Gneisenau: "Das ist der Wasserschwein, Herr General." He allowed himself a very tiny smirk.
Stahl: "Leutnant Gneisenau is the security chief at the Danzig Land Warfare Research Facility." She nodded. "He also greatly aided in the vehicle's design..."
Gneisenau: "Officially, the Wasserschwein is on loan to the Vulpine government by private arrangement between Hist Imperial Highness, Prince Hoffnungsteyer, and Prince Stavros. For.. testing.." He said, making a feeble excuse.
Stahl: "And officially, Gneisenau is on loan.. to you, personally, General." She nodded to me. "As am I."
K: "Good, I appoint you Major General in the Vulpine army." I turned to her and patted her shoulders. "Go get a green uniform - you're commanding 1st Battalion under me." I turned to Seigfried. "As for you.. Leutnant?"
Gneisenau: "Sir?" He turned his head to me.
K: "Hauptmann. Prince Hoffnungsteyer granted me the authority to promote. I do understand that the Germane army is slow in promotions unless a specific need to increase rank is there. I presume your unit was about Company strength?" I gestured to him as Stahl happily trotted away.
Gneisenau: "Ja." He nodded, curtly.
K: "Explains that." I shrugged. "The.. Wasserschwein is yours to command personally, under my orders."
Gneisenau: "Understood, General." He nodded to me, formally.
K: "And I think I'll make that my headquarters, too." I cocked a brow.
Gneisenau: "We designed it for such, Herr General." He nodded, curtly.
K: "Mm." I nodded a bit. "What's it using for engines?"
Gneisenau: "Two Wagner High Vasser Pressure Turbines vith Forced Circulation.. the kind used on our Zerstorers." He nodded. "Zee top speed ist 9 knots."
K: "Naval measurements." I nodded back. "Fitting." And shrugged. "That's about 16 k-p-h. Barely trotting speed."
Gneisenau: "It vas not intended to be a part of the attack, Herr General. It is, essentially, a battle bunker." He shrugged a wing.
K: "Mhm." I nodded slowly. "Also, start carrying a long-arm. I expect everyone under me to be able to function as infantry." I looked at him. "Especially myself."
Gneisenau: "Of course, Herr General." He nodded firmly.
K: "And.. call me K." I stuck out my hand. "All my friends do."
That.. made him finally falter. Military formality and tradition had been his life since he was young. Here, he was being offered the one thing he wasn't ever fully certain about - friendship. Without offering anything, really, in return. Not personally. And here was his temporary supreme commander offering him just that. No mention of his house, his accolades, his scar, nothing - just warm, unabashed, acceptance.
Seigfried blinked several times at me, before offering his claw, and shaking hands with me.
K: "Welcome to the team." I grinned broadly.
TIME: 07:31 EET
LOCATION: Aboard "The Friendship Express," near Néa Málgara, Western Argeios, Principality of Vulpesylvania
I named the gigantic mobile bunker.
I also had a rainbow painted on the side. The crew was almost done.
Why? Why not? Gneisenau, admittedly, took a moment to realize the irony at play, here, but in the end, he got it, and it made him crack a grin.
I was in the main control room, which had a rear office area with communications gear, and was fit for Brigade command, certainly. I had Steela, Rainbow McSherbet, Webley, Dex, Teddy, Firecracker, Big Mac, Octavia, Vinyl, and Slapshot with me directly. And Gneisenau.
I was calling him "Sig" for short, and as you might know by now, once I pick a nickname, that's it.
K: "Sig. Bearing and direction." I stepped out into the command module for the tank itself.
Sig Gneisenau: "Speed ist 8 knots. Bearing is zero-one-two. Ve are about vone mile from the front line, and the front line hast reported ready on your command." He nodded to me.
Two 280mm guns. Two 12.8cm guns. Four 76mm NEIGHTO guns. Four quadruple 47mm guns. Fourteen dual 20mm guns. Nothing was standing in our way.
Extra.. large.
K: "Dex, let the First Brigade know it's time to attack." I nodded. "And Sig, keep the engines running at maximum. I know they'll out pace us to Salonica, but I don't want to be THAT far behind."
Sig Gneisenau: "Of course, K." He nodded a bit. "Our escort will keep pace with us easily."
Our Escort was 4 Rattes. And an infantry weapons company.
All "volunteers." For "testing."
It didn't help that a battalion of Polish soldiers also "volunteered." And their commander was King Solarenski's nephew, Count Eryk Jagiello z Lodz. Part of the Jagiello dynasty that Solarenski married into, he was just as brash as his uncle, younger, and hungry.
I placed him under Stahl's command. Sig knew him, too, from the time that the Wasserschwein was first introduced as a prototype about a week before the conflict started.
Sig Gneisenau: "You know, as soon as this conflict started, King Solarenski and Prince Hoffnungsteyer both said that this unit should be moved to the front lines for testing." He said, offhand. "I also participated in the design of the Ratte - specifically, adapting the main gun for tank use."
K: "Explains the five inch turrets - rather, the 12.8cm ones - on the Wasserschwein."
Sig Gneisenau: "Ja." He nodded.
K: "And it took this long to get it here?" I asked.
Sig Gneisenau: "More that it took us this long to figure out how to take it apart enough for transport on a freighter." He shrugged his wings. "And put it back together once it arrived."
K: "Aha." I nodded. "I noticed your 'kerchief." I pointed to it, sticking just slightly out of his breast pocket. "Would those be a knight's colors, sir?" I smirked, leaning in.
Sig Gneisenau: "They would be a personal matter, Herr General." He, internally, prickled at the sudden familiarity of the human.
Human of Legend or not, he didn't need to get so close, so fast. Supposedly, he knows Germane traditions and customs, and at least some of the language. "Please." He cocked a brow, slightly, at me.
K: "Sorry." I shrugged. "If it's that personal, that's fine - you're not part of CAG, or my Ad-Hoc Vulpine Advisory Team (AHVAT), officially, you're just on loan." I grinned. "For testing."
Sig Gneisenau: "Yes. Testing." He returned to his chart tables.
Dex: "K-Dude!" He called me over.
K: "What's up, Dex?" I moved over to the command area.
Dex: "Bad news. REAL bad news." He frowned. "Air recon spotted TWO of Tirek's monster tanks. Headed for the front lines, sir."
K: "ETA?" I nodded to him.
Dex: "Ahm.. give it thirty minutes?" He shrugged. "Terrain and size and all that - but, they're moving faster than the older ones, sir. And they have proper Anti-Air on back, now. They're going to hit First Brigade."
K: "Wonderful." I leaned out of the Command Area. "Sig? Plot course to First Brigade's position." I looked back to Dex. "Have First Brigade fall back along a stretched line. I want to delay those things getting firing solutions, but.." I shook my head.
Dex: "Can't surrender the momentum. I gotcha, sir." He nodded.
Sig Gneisenau: "Hm." He leaned in to one of the sound powered phones. P> "Engine Room, go to 120% on the boilers." He carefully traced the chart table, and started making notes. P> "Main turret, load Armor Piercing, both barrels." He traced a line, made a note, and looked over at a set of aerial recon photos. P> "Navigation, come to zero one five relative, hold course, best possible speed."
I nodded in admiration. He wa commanding the land equivalent of a warship, and taking the duties of both the main gun plotter, and the ship's captain, all in one. Even Steela gave him a grin.
Soon enough, the Friendship Express would be put to the test.
[End of Part 4]
Part 5: Friendship Express
TIME: 8:53 EET
DATE: War Day 1080/18 Tertious, 1005 C.S.
LOCATION: Aboard "The Friendship Express," across the border into Macedonkia, 20km from Salonica
We were getting close to range with the enemy Monster Tanks. Fortunately, the 28cm guns of the Friendship Express out-ranged the 20cm guns on the Monsters. However, the Monsters were doing 14 knots across land, and we were scratching 10.5 knots with the boilers at 120%.
Sig Gneisenau: P> "Engines, back off to 80% and allow the tubes to cool. We will need every drop from them very soon." He looked over at me. "Any further reports?"
K: "Dex just got a report from the 1st Cavalry Regiment, they're encountering not only Macedonkian T-3/76's, but MUCH larger tanks - proper Main Battle Tanks, armed with what looks like 130mm guns. From the description, it sounds like the Macedonkians are fielding something called "Object 279" tanks, an experimental tank designed in the Soviet Union on Earth, for war on a nuclear battlefield. They outclass most of the tanks we have."
Sig Gneisenau: "We will be rushed by them, I predict." He nodded.
K: "I predict the same." I nodded back. "Your Ratte tanks need to move to ambush positions - if it's what it sounds like, the 279's will have a speed advantage, but guns will be equal, and the Rattes will have superior armor." I shrugged. "Which matters little if we can't hit anything."
Sig Gneisenau: "I shall issue those orders." He nodded. "Would hoof-held anti-tank weapons work? I expect not."
K: "Good guess. Nothing we have right now would kill a tank like that, and might not even be able to score a mobility kill. If it's a close reproduction, as this world seems to do, its tread redundancy would still allow it some mobility even if one tread was destroyed." I nodded to him. "Keep your infantry back - I guarantee they'll come after us with at least two regiments, and they'll be needed to fight off the lesser tanks."
Sig Gneisenau: "Equally, I don't expect anything but the Monster Tanks to present much threat to us." He shrugged. "But, I know better than to underestimate the enemy."
K: "Wise." I nodded, and turned to Dex. "We're about to become a magnet for trouble."
Dex: "Oh, yeah." He smiled, Vy smiled, and my team nodded to me.
K: "Sig. Direct the Express. I'll direct the support team." I nodded to him.
Sig Gneisenau: "Of course, Herr K." He nodded, with a tiny grin.
In short order, we got a call from our air scouts, that the enemy Monster Tanks were approaching with two regiments of supporting tanks and heavy infantry. As expected. Since we lacked cameras, I took Dex out on to the rear deck, down by the rear port side 76mm gun, to direct the support units. I had one AMAZING view of the battlefield.
The Monsters were indeed approaching. I could see them through binoculars. This was about the only part of Vulpesylvania and Macedonkia where a tank battle even made sense. So, of course, the enemy commander would hit us here with the best they had. It also fit with Comintern Pact Doctrine to have a robust front, but almost nothing behind it - every effort for the offense, and any reserve units would be used to plug gaps, but there was nothing behind that immediate reserve.
A 20cm shell landed about a kilometer away from us - they'd spotted us, and attempted a ranging shot. They were quite out of range. I plugged my ears, and Dex put on his headphones - we knew what was coming next.
One barrel from the Friendship Express's turret fired. The 28cm shell screeched through the air, with a tracer on back, making it look like a huge laser. The shell hit the Monster that fired at us, but on the corner, and deflected, before exploding next to it, causing it to buckle and shake. Not a square hit, but a "near miss," and that rattled them both.
The other barrel fired, and as the dispersion went, it didn't need to adjust. The shell impacted the front of the Monster, and detonated, blowing out the front of the tank.
As this was happening, the supporting two regiments attacked us. From hills and brush, out came two companies of those 279's. They were immediately met with fire from our Rattes before they could lay their guns and target us. The 12.8cm guns on the Express also fired. I called into the radio to have our supporting Weapons Company hook around to our right flank, and attack from there, where the enemy fielded those T-3/76's.
I saw four 279's get hit, and explode, their turrets knocked clean off. Our smaller 76mm guns also engaged. As the enemy had no tactical air assets, our 47mm quad guns angled up and fired like mortars, raining HE shells into the enemy light vehicles, in a rainbow arc.
We were on the side facing away from the attack, for protection. The infantry weapons company hit the lesser tanks hard with RPG fire, and raked the enemy troops with concentrated machine gunfire. I watched our troops on the ground closely, and called in Tac Air on standby - we couldn't send them in until the Monsters were dealt with, as they were gigantic AAA platforms.
The Express reloaded its main guns slightly faster than expected, since it used the exact same hydraulic loading mechanism the smaller 24cm guns it was based on, had. The second Monster was finally in range, and fired all three of its 203mm guns at us in a ripple. They guessed at the range, and one shell went right over us. The second impacted amongst their own MBT's, and took out two in friendly fire. The last shell hit our side armor, and I felt the Express shake under the impact, but I didn't see any smoke from the shell hit, telling me, the armor held. I was certain there were some rattled teeth inside, though, and possibly some brown pants.
The Express wasted no time in returning fire - with both barrels at once. Both shells screeched across the sky, and impacted square on the enemy Monster Tank. One shell clearly hit a weak spot, as it plunged deep inside the tank, hit the powder magazine, and caused it to detonate, sending showers of steel over a 1km area.
The first Monster recovered from its hit, and started to approach, though its speed was now reduced. I watched the Express's main gun turret crank over to face it, and as the enemy presented its guns at us, we both fired at the same moment.
Instinct told me to push Dex down all the way below the armored lip of the tank, and cover my ears. I felt us get hit again, but I also heard - and felt - the enemy Monster get hit as well, and likewise detonate.
I looked up, and saw the main turret of the Express had been holed next to the first gun mantlet. It was smoking, too.
K: "Dex." I tapped him, pulling my ear plugs out. "Get off. Get off the tank." I said, calmly.
Dex: "We in trouble?" He looked up, asking calmly.
K: "Might be." I nodded. "Go on. Go." I pointed to a nearby structure. "Get off the tank and set up coms there." I said, as I pivoted on my heel, and ran back to the main hatch.
I got inside and was met with smoke. I looked across the upper deck and saw that we had, indeed, taken a penetration to the top level, in the front, by the observation deck, and the forward ammo stores for the 12.8cm guns.
Yup, time to get out of here. I ran back to the command area, through the slowly growing smoke, and when I got in there, I found a gouge in the wall next to the tank's own command center. I helped up two Germane crewponies.
K: "Verschwinde schnell." I ordered them. "Alle Hufe, verlasst den Panzer! SCHNELL!" I ordered. "STEELA! GET EVERYONE OUT! We're on fire!"
Steela: "J'YES, K! BUT I CANNOT FIND SIG!" I could hear her huge hooves by the Command Center.
K: "I'll get him! GO!" I ordered. "SIG!? WHERE ARE YOU!? CALL OUT, YOU IRON FEATHER DUSTER!"
Sig Gneisenau: "I am here!" He returned the call.. from across the room.
I moved over there, to see that the chart table had been thrown across the room indeed. He was slightly pinned under it, and was pushing his back feet against it.
K: "I gotcha. On three. EIN-ZWEI-DREI!" We both pushed with our legs, and got the chart table off of him.
Sig Gneisenau: "Danke." He got up, and grabbed open a locker that had fallen over, taking out a Polish 'Paul' Assault Rifle. "I think, indeed, we should leave." He sighed, and grabbed two leather bound books, stuffing them in his messenger bag.
K: "We're on fire somewhere near the forward secondary magazine, and we've been penned at the turret and the upper deck." I nodded. "We'll have to see about some better armor there, and probably some damage control." I looked at the chart table. "And a more secure chart table, next time. Steel, not fine wood."
Sig Gneisenau: "You underestimate me, mein herr." He smirked.
Steela: "YOU ARE THE LAST TWO - COME ON!" She called from the back of the upper deck area.
K: "Let's go." I tapped him on the shoulder, as he grabbed some last bits of intelligence and notes, then pulled a Verey pistol off the wall, and fired a flare into the rest of the paper goods, for good measure.
We got out of the tank through the rear infantry deployment ramp, and as we did, the crew were grabbing rifles and machine guns from the wall lockers, as well as ammo cans. I grabbed a rocket launcher, myself, and a sack of rockets.
I noted the Germane version of the RPG was.. not a standard front-loader, but more like a bazooka. Interesting - a Panzershreck, instead of a 'faust.
We got down the ramp, and I led everyone over to the civilian building I had told Dex to take cover in.
This battle just went from a fine limousine ride to a mud slog.
But, at least, we managed to knock out the enemy's Monster Tanks. We just needed to defeat them in the field, and move on with the invasion.
{End of Chapter 143}
