Chapter 40: Survive this Night

When you suffer a surprise attack, something like an ambush, you don't necessarily think of defending yourself right away. The right reflex would be to get out of the kill zone, then face the enemy and fight back. On the other hand, when an entrenched unit is attacked, like a base camp, it's different, the standard procedure is not always the right one. The enemy we faced that day knew us, he knew what we were capable of and what damage we could do, but they had never faced the Beowulf task force.

-Zell.... Zell..... Zell..... What the hell is going on?

Another soldier picked up the trick and simply repeated.

- We are under attack.

From there Lancell had two choices. Stay on his position in prevention of an enemy attack, or join his cousin and lend him a hand.

-Lieutenant what is happening?

-Gather the men. No.... I want everyone to take their position. We are on high alert.

The procedure would be that we assess the situation and send reinforcements, and if he could that's what Lancell would have done. But being emotional would only do him a disservice. There are about thirty kilometers between him and the factory, it is dark which is clearly conducive to an ambush. Lancell considered this possibility and deduced that it was the enemy's plan to lure him and his armored units out of camp. And he was right.

-Why don't they react ? *Brenda asked*.

Several miles away, hidden in the snowy forests of the north, the rebel assault group stood ready according to plan.

-Maggie and her group must have already blown up the plant. *Said Jessie looking at her watch.* But they don't move, it's strange. Aaron what do you see ?

Aaron was a little closer to the camp, was wearing a Ghili Suit and was undetectable even with a flare. Next to him was a makeshift short wave radio that he had taken care to camouflage. Lying in the grass he watched the camp with his scope.

-They suddenly got out of their routine and got into a defensive position. *he explained*. But they don't seem to know we're there, their defense covers all fronts.

Jessie observed with her binoculars but was too far to understand and moreover it was dark.

-We don't change anything in the plan, we attack as soon as...

The lights went out suddenly and the noise in the camp ceased, the young Jessie remained stunned while understanding this gesture.

-Their commander is far from being stupid. Looks like we really won't be able to attack huh.

-Since when did the Elysians start thinking? *Brenda wondered*. These guys aren't clean.

From where he was Lancell scanned the horizon with his binoculars but he saw nothing.

-It's all Dark lieutenant. *Said Jarod.*

The young man scanned the horizon with a sniper rifle.

-Do you see something, lieutenant? *Asked Xander who also had a sniper rifle.*

-I would like to, but my eyes hurt. Don't I'm sure they sent scouts.

-I hope it will be worn because this gun does not go beyond 800 meters.

-With the Tactical machine gun I can turn it on at 2 kilometers, that should be enough. *Said a soldier nearby".

- No, we're not going to kill him, we're going to do better.

Aaron was barely 2 kilometers from the camp when he noticed that he was being observed. At first he had to tell himself that it was impossible, his disguise was perfect, but it was not so much his presence that was detected but his wavelength. Lancell could detect it in the distance if he used binoculars.

-This guy. Has he been watching me for some time? *He says to himself*. Did he see me? No impossible, I made sure to stay hidden during the approach. Or the radio? No it's too dark, this guy is just doing....

He saw Lancell flashing a smirk and it puzzled him. He also saw the machine gun turn in his direction.

- Hey, you gotta kidding me...

The prison camp where Lancell was located was once an advanced combat post that lies in the middle of the roads traced by the Elyos. It offered a breathtaking view of the surroundings so it was impossible to take it by surprise.

-However, due to lack of maintenance, the grass eventually grew and became high in the surrounding area. *Explained Jesse*. Enough to make any Lynx invisible.

Only the grass was highest on the north side of the camp where a column of crouching men could easily descend on the camp unnoticed. In addition, the forest north of the camp was the closest, Lancell knew that and only crisscrossed this area. Seeing the length is one thing but this gift is exhausting and has its limits, the further the target is the less visible it is, even using binoculars.

-There, over there. Adjust the machine gun to my 11 o'clock. *Fit Lancell*.

Suddenly 3 machine guns opened fire in the tall grass. Aaron lowered his head and made no move so as not to be discovered. The young man said to himself that they were shooting blind and raised his head, but on being more careful the shots were getting closer to his position, and for good reason a bullet fell right in front of him, one leveled above his head.

- Shit, I'm going to end up taking a stray bullet.

The shots were focusing more and more on his area. As an experienced sniper he realized that his position was compromised. He tucked his rifle behind his back and crawled along carrying his gear. The leaden deluge does not reach him as miraculously, he manages to crawl up to the forest.

-It's okay, he's gone. *Said Stavro behind binoculars.* Do you think they're hidden in this forest, sir?

- Yes we will send them a message quickly.

He turned towards the mortars and nodded to them. They launched a first salvo which fell at first a hundred meters from the forest, but after that they adjusted the fire and mortar shells began to rain in the forest. Lancell's message was clear, "I know you're out there and I have the wherewithal to take you down this far".

-They should hold their own with this.

- Are you sure that we should not go in reinforcement of the Factory lieutenant?

-Affirmative. We remain on our positions, *he said firmly.*

But Lancell was not our only commander to have choices to make because unaware of the gravity of the attack on the factory he could not risk going to save them in an unconscious way. On his side Swan didn't really have any problems with electricity, the camp was lit with torches, but he had a very good view. Using his binoculars from his elevated position he understood that the enemy had gone on the attack by seeing the flashes of rocket explosions in the distance. But unlike those in the factory he sensed something was wrong.

-Do you have a problem my lieutenant? *asked one of his sergeants*.

- Yes a big one, the enemy blew up the lines of communication. We have no more contact with the factory.

-Eh ? How do you know that?

He lowered his binoculars and exhaled a breath of cold air.

-Because I just saw these lines exploded precisely.

Everywhere in the North some telephone lines were cut and the relay antennas allowing to communicate with the factory by radio had just been destroyed. Der Linde was not calm, obviously the enemy had understood how they proceeded in only half a day of combat. In other circumstances he would have considered this ability to adapt abnormal, but with an enemy who has been fighting for more than 10 years he was not so surprised.

- What are we doing sir?

-Hide the artillery pieces in the trenches. They must not be visible in the event of an attack.

-Yes sir.

-I also want a group to come down and get to the factory as quickly as possible to see what's going on.

-It will divide our forces sir. Why don't we just wait until dawn?

-Unlike Lancell we can afford it. The airships can't see anything from up there because it's pitch black. In addition we are the closest we can hold if the enemy attacks even with half of our men.

But the enemy in question was not of this opinion. You should already know that the place where Swan was was extremely favorable to an attack on the factory insofar as we wanted to launch artillery strikes. The place was high up with a clear view and a cliff on the other side leading to another end of the forest, it was on this cliff that the artillery was located. The only access area was a forest below and you had to go through steep paths, Swan had cleared the view by clearing the trees with explosives leaving 1 kilometer of sand between them and any infantryman who tried to come up 'their. Swan had dug trenches and set up several machine gun nests. With such defense parameters this hill was like a small fortress, so when the assault started he was more surprised than surprised at their nonsense. Or so he believed.

-We are being attacked, lieutenant. We are attacked. *shouted a soldier.*

- Are they serious there? Where is Raven?

-Sergeant Raven went on patrol outside the camp with a squad he is currently unreachable.

-Damn... Ok, take your defensive positions, the enemy will only come from one direction but with everything he has.

The soldiers took up positions in the trenches and began to rain lead on their enemy. Swan from his command post coordinated the defense and the mortar fire which proved to be terribly effective. But the enemies didn't come out in the open ground, they just stayed hidden behind the trees and just shot.

-It's strange that we haven't even been shooting for 5 minutes but we haven't seen a single one? How come ?

They sent a flare but the open ground they saw was empty, the flare lightly lit the forest and they understood.

-Shit these sons of bitches are shooting from the forest.

If the rebels chose to attack that night it was for the same reason that the Vietcong did, at night all the advanced military device was useless. Air raiding at night or ordering an artillery strike is the best way to confuse and kill his allies, so a wise commander would refrain from doing so. And the enemy opposite was precisely an expert in guerrilla warfare.

-Lars they understood the deception. *Oslo told him.*

-It does not change anything. You are ready ?

Blanka nodded and Lars gave the order. The first shot sounded like thunder, then the shots followed one another. Most hit the bull's eye by eliminating soldiers in machine gun nests. Each time a shooter was killed, the next one was automatically taken down, the firefight then turned in favor of the rebels. The Lynx unit had modified rifles which were actually anti-tank rifles stolen from the factory. Their maximum range was 1.8km and they fired very armor-piercing 50 caliber cartridges, the damage to a human body was just terrible.

-Shit, we lost Sergeant Kepler.

-Stay down and keep your heads down. *yelled another NCO.*

- They don't reply anymore? wondered Oslo. What cowards.

-Normal with such a precise lead deluge. Their commander is advised not to use cannons while the danger zone is less than 600 meters away.

A mechanical noise was heard on the hill. When Lars saw him, his eyes widened in amazement.

-Hoy, hoy, hoy... He's not serious.

Directly in front of them were about 5 light field guns mounted on carriages which had been brought back to the front line. These 120 mm guns had been designed for short-range engagements aimed directly at the forest. But in addition to those there were 3 bigger ones designed for long distance shooting, those were even more powerful.

-Do I seem to be calm and reasonable? *Said Swan who looked at them with a crazy look *.

The lieutenant tugged on the fuse and all hell descended in an instant on the forest. The first salvo swept through the trees and most of the cover and most of the guys in the front line who ended up ripped to pieces. The lynx men who were hidden a little further back inside the forest were now aiming at the big guns. A shot rang out and one of the rebel snipers fell to the ground dead.

-What was that ? *Oslo asked.*

Another shot and another shooter died, second shot and it was the same. Then a burst of machine gun fire took over and in an instant it was an all out shootout. Lars who had survived the disaster looked up and saw Der Linde who had achieved this feat.

-You are not the only ones who can shoot very far. *Tell Swan.*

He had a special sniper rifle that he had crafted himself, normally he only carries 1km but with his elevated position he only had to adjust his shots and the bullets fell on his own. This technique is called "bell shot" and Swan Der Linde was just the best shooter in all of Elysion in my opinion.

- Another death. *Reported a guy.*

-Damn it's not true. How does he spot them?

Swan had memorized everyone's position with the last flare shot. Since they weren't moving they were easy targets for him.

-Blanka fall back...

But Blanka had already changed his position 3 times and was trying to adjust Swan, but this one was hidden so that the enemy shooter could not shoot him without hitting the gun armor or the brick walls around the sliced. Swan was about to make a kill when an explosion sounded again. A gigantic explosion inside his camp.

-What... what?

The young man turned around and saw that all the cannons left on the hill were on fire. All without exception and just around stood about twenty guys armed to the teeth. In the middle of all a man who was obviously the instigator of this attack, this holle raised his arm and shot a red flare into the sky. Nahel Keith Rashford.

-I see. *Says Swan*. You climbed the side cliff. I thought you wouldn't because of how tough she is, but it's clear that you're as determined as we are.

-It's the signal. *Says Lars*. ALL CHARGE.

A large number of rebels came out of the forest and charged up the hill, while Seb's men surrounded Swan. However he kept his calm. The gunners of the remaining guns had time to make a few bursts of fire but the lines were overwhelmed and soon a fierce hand-to-hand combat began between the soldiers of the outpost and the rebels. The scrum very quickly became anything and nobody could give orders. Swan was fighting with a machete in one hand and a 6-shot pistol in the other. His men stood up to the rebels despite the numerical inferiority, to tell the truth even Lars he had trouble believing it.

-But... They're kids. *he wondered looking at the corpse of a soldier*. Kids like us.

-But they're braver and stronger than any we've faced so far, so don't worry. *Said Oslo killing one with a shovel.*

Der Linde's men retreated to the 3rd and final line of defense with the stone walls ending the melee. From there they held the enemy at bay with a barrage. On his side Swan with a small squad had engaged Nahel's men in a melee. After killing some of them his gun went dry. Nahel aimed at him but one of the soldiers charged him with his bayonet. He avoided it easily and mowed it down before sticking a bullet in his heart, he aimed again at Swan who had hidden behind a box of supplies. Nahel stepped forward cautiously and saw Swan throwing 3 grenades at him at the same time.

-Oh the son of a bitch.

Nahel dived behind a stone wall but heard no explosion.

- He didn't unpin them?

Swan was out and with his gun fired through the wall, the bullet grazed Nahel's throat who collapsed to the floor.

- What is this gun he is too powerful for this century. *he says to him.*

Swan walked up to his body and found him lying on the ground, he took the opportunity to reload but no sooner had he opened the chamber than Nahel got up and grabbed the weapon by the barrel before deflecting it. But as if he had foreseen the blow Swan had a pistol in the other hand and aimed at Seb's head while opening fire. Nahel also who had anticipated the shot bent down before the ball left.

- I suspected that you were going to aim for the head.

He grabbed him by the shoulder and knocked him to the ground with a hold but Swan who was slightly taller than him managed to spin and escape, removing his jacket before landing on his legs again. Nahel seeing this gesture stared at him with a murderous gaze.

-You... You're not an ordinary operator.

-And you know how to fight a little too well for a rebel.

Nahel pulled a knife from his boot before getting into position.

-I had a dangerous father.

-And I, a considerate mentor.

Swan pulled out another gun but Nahel threw the knife so fast he didn't have time to aim. Having said that, he leaned over by reflex and at the same time as he fired, he missed his shot by brushing against Nahel's cheek. This one made a roll and recovered the rifle of Swan but before being able to fire a large roll just has its feet.

- But damn it.

It exploded but Seb had had time to take refuge in the tent next door. He had also noticed that enemy reinforcements had arrived which he found odd since he thought they were isolated. In reality it was Raven's squad that had taken them from behind, they were only about twenty but for the rebels who did not know this, Lars ordered to throw dozens of smoke bombs which covered half of the hill, with this they were able to flee into the forest with a minimum of casualties. There remained, however, a snag.

-Go get out of this tent, we won't hurt you. *Says Swan.*

- What really?

-Yes yes. As soon as he points the tip of his nose you shoot that son of a bitch. *He said to Raven.*

Nahel was in a tent, behind him there was a cliff and in front of him about twenty Wolfs.

- Ok I'm coming then. Don't shoot, okay?

What came out of the house was not Nahel but a chair covered in a grenade pack and contrary to Swan's trick those were unpinned.

- Fucking son of...

As the pack exploded everyone found themselves on the ground, Nahel took the opportunity to get out from behind and run towards the cliff. There were only 100 meters and with his gift it was a piece of cake. Those still conscious were still far too confused from the shock of the explosion and their shots did not reach him, but Swan was focused, he grabbed his gun from the tent and aimed Nahel. Not surprised by his speed he opened fire but no bullet go. Nahel jumped up and turned, showing Swan the firing pin of his weapon.

-He really thought of everything. *He said smirking.*

- Did you see that, lieutenant?

-Yes I saw that.

-I don't know anyone who runs that fast over 100 meters. *Raven said."

- Heh... Yes but no this guy just jumped from the top of the cliff. *Said the soldier*. He will die for sure.

-People like him have hard skin you can't imagine how much. And that son of a bitch dislocated my shoulder... *Said Swan.*

He then turned to Raven and whispered in her ear.

-I know a guy who runs that fast.

He then continued on his way. This battle would later be known in the annals as the Battle of GodHand Outpost.

End of the chapter

At the first light of dawn from his outpost, Lancell convoy was operational again, the young officer looked at the colony one last time then climbed into his armored vehicle before announcing on the radio.

-Forward, it's time to rescue our brothers in arms.

-HURRAH.

The convoy finally left the camp and started for the factory. But what Lancell does not know is that in the distance he had a secret admirer.

-They started to move boss.

-Good. I didn't appreciate what he did to us last night. It's time we made him understand. *said Jessie cocking her gun* Show him that we don't mess with the inhabitants of Jericho.

To be continued.