2.15 - Main Attack
Operations Control Room, Amethyst Merchant HQ, Magwurt Castle
0621 hours, April 2, 2025
While gazing at the main screen displaying the massive withdrawal from Fort Cambia, LtC. Slane let out a deep sigh.
Every LAV Mortar carried by TF Passer only brought 20 rounds of 120 mm mortar. That's why, even though each salvo produced devastating damage, the number of targets that could be destroyed wasn't that many.
With the size of Fort Cambia that almost matched Magwurt City, the damage caused by TF Passer was arguably not large, and the remaining defender is still more than 80%.
"Looks like we miscalculated this time."
Murmured LtC. Slane while shaking his head regretfully.
Meanwhile, the Tuscan Region higher-ups stared at the main screen wide-eyed. When they found dozens of Cloud Hawks slumped on the ground.
"Ser Slane, what weapon did TF Passer use to take down the Riders?"
"TF Passer uses a 30 mm airburst ammunition and Stinger missile that explodes when it reaches a certain distance from the target."
The heart of every Tuscan Region higher-ups was racing, and it was almost out of control. It is no secret that until now, there has been no effective weapon to counter Riders other than other Riders.
The 2nd world authority has indeed succeeded in developing a fire spear that has an effective range of up to 1 km, or the equivalent of 10 times the standard ballista. However, because of mobilization complexities these weapons systems are permanently deployed to defend strategic assets.
Additionally, the fire spear cost per unit is extremely high while the weapon system is only effective if it is fired en masse. That's why the 2nd world authorities who have an abundant military budget, only use the fire spear in a critical situation.
'With allies capable of warding off Riders effectively, we don't need to be afraid of riders from other regions.'
The Tuscan Region's higher-ups muttered silently as their souls flew up to reach the clouds.
Yet despite the excitement dazzling his eyes, Viscount Rattel managed to calm down in the final seconds before he completely lost his way.
"Ser Slane, can you explain how Stinger missiles work?"
"Well, it's a bit difficult to explain technically, but in short we have a sensor that can pick up on the difference in temperature between the target and the area around it, then use it as a base to guide the Stinger towards the target. This method is called contrast lock-on."
"?"
"We could also use ultraviolet emissions as a lock-up basis if the target temperature was too small."
"??"
"Or combining heat emission and ultraviolet emission to produce a more solid and accurate locking. The combination of the two is commonly referred to as a Rosette Scan."
"??????"
Question marks instantly piled up on the foreheads of Tuscan Region higher-ups, and as they were busy digesting the explanation they had just received, one of the communication specialists in the operations control room turned towards LtC. Slane before saying.
"Sir, a Forward Observer on the west wall reports that the Northern Coalition encampment is showing signs of retreating."
LtC. Slane took a deep breath before saying.
"Don't let them get away.."
"Roger."
In an instant, the display on the main screen changed to Northern Coalition Camp, complete with dozens of markings indicating high-value targets.
- - - - -
2nd Battery of MTV Multi Launcher Rocket System 122, Magwurt Castle.
During its formation, TF Amethyst actually wanted the M142 HIMARS as the backbone of the Rocket Artillery Battery. Unfortunately for one, two, and many other reasons, this intention was not achieved.
The desire to acquire ASTROS II from Brazil as an alternative was also hampered by various reasons. In the end the choice fell on BM-21. It's just that the model taken is a copy version built from scratch, using components available on the market.
Medium Tactical Vehicle was chosen as a launcher and ammunition carrier vehicle. The launch tubes, ammunition, and various other parts were purchased from Poland and the Czech Republic. Meanwhile, a kit that would increase the accuracy of the rocket to 122 mm was purchased from Israel.
Generators, electrical systems, fire control systems, communications systems, integrated networks, or other software are handed over to a black market supplier from the US of A.
The results turned out to be quite decent, and were able to provide saturation in an area of 400 square meters to a distance of 30 km. Its area of effect is larger than BM-21 at 280 square meters thanks to a kit that increases accuracy, so that the distribution becomes more even and no ammunition explodes at the same point.
Of course, the destructive power is lower than BM-21 because some of the ammunition that is thrown by the platform often explodes at the same point. However, MTV MLRS 122 can minimize the area of effect if more fatal damage is desired.
The person responsible for the birth of MTV MLRS 122 was Major Demitri, a brilliant artillery officer in the Russian Army artillery regiment, who would have become a Colonel had he not incurred the wrath of a star officer in his unit.
A few seconds ago Major Demitri heard the main attack launch code from the radio over his shoulder. He was instantly stuttered, but only for a moment.
He then gave various instructions to his subordinates, and in an instant 8 units MTV MLRS 122 were ready to fire.
While grinning from ear to ear, Major Demitri examined the row of target coordinates received by the fire control system, according to the order of target priority and value.
Major Demitri immediately activated the automatic fire system, with the area of effect for each launcher set to a radius of 300 square meters. Then he only needed to supervise the entire firing process from the fire control center in front of him.
- - - - -
2nd Battery of MTV Self Propelled Howitzer 155, Magwurt Castle.
The MTV SPH 155 used by TF Amethyst is a photocopy of the Caesar SPH 155 mm made in France, which was built on the same principles as the MTV MLRS 122, by using components and spare parts available on the market with priority to use the domestic product.
Major James almost choked on the sandwich he was enjoying, when the launch code of the main attack was heard over the radio on his shoulder.
"I thought the mortar battery would be the opening act, who would have thought the main menu was served straight from the start."
In two big bites Major James gulped the rest of the sandwich in his hand, then he cheerfully distributed instructions to the entire crew of the MTV SPH 155 2nd Battery.
Not long after that, 8 canon of the MTV SPH 155 were pointing west and were in a state of ready to fire.
- - - - -
Main Tent, Northern Coalition Camp.
0623 hours, April 2, 2025
With a gaze filled with an expression that was hard to describe, Viscount Grakh looked at the western wall of Magwurt City.
Early in the morning he was forcibly awakened by his assistant, and while his head was still dizzy from alcohol, his assistant read out an emergency message sent from Fort Cambia, stating that the fort had just received a fatal attack, and the three squadrons of Riders stationed at the fort were brought down by the attackers. What's more, General Balthor was killed in the attack.
To make matters worse, when Viscount Grakh asked for confirmation from Fort Cambia, he received no reply, and while he had waited anxiously an order of retreating came from Count Weizz, emphasized that he had to bring home as many of the personnel involved in the attack as possible.
Although he did not understand why he was suddenly asked to make a quick retreat before a single incursion was launched, Viscount Grakh did not dare to ignore Count Weizz's direct orders, of course the retreat can't be done in a few breaths.
"Ser Viscount, please immediately retreat like Baron Eslei and Baron Mhors."
Viscount Grakh deeply sighed, then turned towards the outer perimeter of the camp where a convoy had just started moving. If he retreats now, then the personnel will speculate then anxiety will engulf the camp.
"Just make sure the retreating is complete as soon as possible and we'll be fine."
Booom! Booom! B-boboboooommm!
As if to refute Viscount Grakh's words, explosion after explosion ravaged the convoy that he was observing, followed by pieces of human bodies that flew in all directions.
A few breaths later, another chain of explosions hit the biggest concentration of the Northern Coalition personnel.
"W-What kind of attack is this?"
With a gaze filled with horror, Viscount Grakh looked at the Northern Coalition Camp, which had turned into hell in the blink of an eye.
- - - - -
Western Wall of Magwurt City
The faces of Tuscan Guard members and the residents of Magwurt City, instantly turned as pale as corpses when a chain of thunders was heard from within Magwurt Castle.
Panic and chaos soon enveloped every corner of Magwurt City. The children and the elderly were rushed to the shelter, while the Tuscan Guard members scattered on the streets prepared for the worst while desperately calming the restlessness in their hearts.
However, their worries turned into a big question mark as hundreds of fire spears shot towards the west leaving a hissing sound.
At the same time, the Tuscan Guard members guarding the western wall looked at the Northern Coalition Camp with wide eyes and wide-open mouths. Because without warning, they were asked to witness the wrath of the gods befalling the camp.
In an instant, the Northern Coalition Camp has torn apart, but the rain of explosion that ravaged the camp had no sign of receding.
Several Magwurt City residents then climbed to the west wall, before calling other residents, and soon the western wall was filled with eyewitnesses to the destruction of the Northern Coalition Camp.
'Who is the moron in charge of guarding the perimeter? This is not a fireworks display, but a serious offensive.'
Private Keane, who became one of the Forward Observer complained internally when a girl suddenly stood beside him, on a pile of sandbags that he used to sit when he rested.
While looking at the fireworks that fell on the Northern Coalition Camp, the girl muttered with admiration.
"Whoaah! The fireworks are so huge."
Private Keane took a deep sigh, but he didn't chase away the girl who had appeared out of nowhere. Instead, he ensures that the girl is not pushed or squashed by the people behind her.
*****