2.16 - Capture
Operations Control Room, Amethyst Merchant HQ, Magwurt Castle.
The Tuscan Region higher-ups felt their hearts churning mercilessly, when they closely saw the TF Amethyst's efficiency and effectiveness in producing destruction.
Once an area was destroyed, the marking in that area immediately disappeared as the marking appeared in the new area, and each marked area was a location where the concentration of Northern Coalition personnel was very high.
A question mark filled the Tuscan Region higher-ups forehead when LtC. Slane said.
"Targets above 7 km will be hit using MLRS and Howitzer, while closer targets will be hit with a mortar."
However, after they saw how the Northern Coalition Camp was destroyed, they soon realized that MLRS and Howitzer were the main weapons, and the mortar that hit the Northern Coalition cavalry elements 5 km on the south, east, and north of Magwurt City, was the secondary weapon.
'If I didn't see this as a human handiwork, I would have thought that the Northern Coalition Camp was suffering from the wrath of the gods.'
Muttered Viscount Rattel.
'They are not merchants, but conquerors who are on vacation.'
Muttered Jeve Rattel.
'Damn Khartoum, he must have known the military capacity of TF Amethyst but didn't tell me on purpose.'
Muttered Maine Rattel as she turned her head towards General Khartoum, but she immediately gasped when she saw that the general was as shocked as the other Tuscan Region higher-ups.
'I thought Kiowa Warriors are their ultimate weapon. Don't say the MLRS and Howitzers aren't their main weapons either.'
General Khartoum muttered while in his heart, for the first time in his life he sympathized with the enemy he was supposed to kill.
'The Northern Coalition has not taken a wrong turn, but it has been going the wrong way from the start.'
While the Tuscan Region higher-ups were busy with turmoil in their hearts and minds, LtC. Slane casually gave instructions to an officer.
"Send Viper and Kiowa to obliterate the Northern Coalition outpost that cannot be reached by artillery."
"Sir."
LtC. Slane then walked over to Viscount Rattel with a cheerful smile.
"Ser Rattel, TF Amethyst can provide the deterrence to protect Fort Cambia, but to operate it I think the Tuscan Guard personnel are more suitable."
"..."
"TF Amethyst will provide 50 trucks and escort to shift 1,800 Tuscan Guard personnel to Fort Cambia, at the same time we will launch a clean-up against remaining Northern Coalition forces."
"Understood."
Viscount Rattel answered steadily.
- - - - -
Hills on the western tip of Berril Plains, the Borders of Tuscan and Kandez Region
0937 hours, April 2, 2025
Inside a hole 0.5 meter deep and covered in a camouflage net, using a high-power telescope Centurion Pavell scanned the plain spread out in front of him.
Since a few days ago, he and his three colleagues had accompanied 12 personnel of STA (Surveillance & Target Acquisition) Platoon to monitor the western border, in anticipation if Kandez Region decided to participate in the campaign organized by the Northern Coalition.
However, until the Northern Coalition main force arrived in front of Magwurt City, there was not the slightest sign that Kandez Region was going to get involved, and this morning he received notification that some elements of the Northern Coalition were retreating might pass their position.
Centurion Pavell doesn't understand, why the Northern Coalition main force that just arrived last night suddenly decided to retreat this morning, moreover why they chose the route to Kandez Region and not head straight north.
Besides, he also received orders to avoid contact with the Northern Coalition elements who moved to his position, even though the element's strength was much smaller.
When he saw a plume of dust in the distance, Centurion Pavell immediately saying.
"Looks like we have another guest."
Sgt. Leslie who sat beside Centurion Pavell answered.
"Let them pass, our job is to make observations not versus-contact."
Centurion Pavell was about to nod, when he realized that among the dozens of horsemen he was observing, there was one person in a very flashy and glamorous outfit.
"Sergeant Leslie, there seems to be a high-value target among our guests this time."
Without a word Sgt. Leslie immediately used a long-range digital camera to inspect the guest that Centurion Pavell was pointing at.
The flock was still more than 1.5 km away, but through the long-range digital camera he used, he could clearly see the face of the middle-aged man Centurion Pavell was referring to, including the insignia on his left chest or the rank mark on his shoulder.
Sergeant Leslie reflexively grabbed the radio and pressed the PTT button.
"Wide Racoon, Miwa Control, come in"
[Miwa Control, Wide Racoon, go ahead.]
"We obtained a target-opportunity with possibly a Viscount, requesting permission to snatch and grab, confirm."
[Understood, please wait for confirmation from Miwa Godfather.]
With a pounding heart Sgt. Leslie waited, because every second was precious to him, considering the target he was aiming for was going at full throttle and would pass his position in a matter of minutes.
Fortunately, when Sergeant Leslie was about to call the operations control center in Magwurt City one more time, a radio call came in.
[Miwa Control, Wide Racoon, come in.]
"Wide Racoon, Miwa Control, go ahead.]
[Snatch and grab are green, succeed or fail immediately go to the coordinates of Delta 0-6-0-2, Echo 1-2-6-0, Osprey will pick you up, and good luck.]
"Received and understood, Wide Racoon, out."
Sgt. Leslie immediately gathered STA personnel and gave a brief briefing. The STA unit he leads consists of four sub-units, each equipped with a Lapua Magnum AWM with an effective range of 1.38 km, HK M110A1 with an effective range of 800 meters, and HK416 with a grenade launcher for sporadic shots of up to 400 meters.
While the STA personnel listened to Sergeant Leslie's direction with eyes glistening full of killing intent, Centurion Pavell and three of his men could only cry silently.
'Why do they seem so excited even though they know the number of opponents is three times greater? Looks like this will be my last battle.'
- - - - -
Viscount Grakh feels fortunate that he has such a perceptive bodyguard. While he was disoriented by being forced to see the Northern Coalition camp's destruction at such close range, his guards swiftly took him out of the danger zone by taking an inconspicuous route.
Previously, Viscount Grakh had mocked Kandez Region higher-ups as cowards because they refused to join the coalition he proposed. But now he feels very lucky because Kandez Region higher-ups' decision will help him escape.
While looking at the hills that formed the boundary between the Tuscan and Kandez Region, Viscount Grakh smiled from ear to ear.
'Once I enter Kandez Region territory, I no longer need to worry about hunting efforts that Tuscan Guard and Amethyst Merchant will launch.'
Viscount Grakh had indeed lost more than half of his most valuable bodyguards, but as long as he was alive he could easily re-form a new bodyguard unit.
The moment before he and his remaining bodyguards arrived at the foot of the hills, Viscount Grakh proudly said.
"Once we return to Tarai Region, I will make sure you and the families of your fallen comrades are properly rewarded."
An ear-to-ear smile immediately bloomed on the lips of each of Viscount Grakh's bodyguards. They will not only survive the hellish hell that fell out of nowhere, but will also receive a legit reward. So naturally, their hearts are filled with overflowing joy and longing for the home and family they left behind.
"That's why don't be discouraged and keep on---"
Bang! Bang! Bang! Ba-ba-bang!
Without any warning a chain of loud 'Bang!' was heard, and followed by the fall of Viscount Grakh's bodyguard to the ground. Within a few breaths, only three bodyguards in the closest position to the Viscount were still alive.
While Viscount Grakh and his three bodyguards were still stammering, trying to understand what had happened to them, from a shallow hole not far from their position three STA personnel in ghillie suits rose to their feet, and approached them while shouting.
"Drop your weapons, get off your horse, then lay down on the ground and put your hands behind your head."
Seeing the three strangely clothed people daring to yell and command their lord while brandishing a weirdly shaped staff, Viscount Grakh's three bodyguards instinctively pulled out their long sabers.
Each of Viscount Grakh's bodyguards was not only skilled in close combat, but also adept cavalry personnel. That's why the Viscount's three bodyguards didn't see anything to watch out for from the three strange people approaching them.
And somehow, both Viscount Grakh and his three bodyguards forgot that a moment earlier dozens of their comrades had collapsed for reasons that were still unknown.
With full confidence, Viscount Grakh's three bodyguards galloped their horses towards the three STA personnel. A fatal mistake that had to be paid using their lives.
Ratatar. . . ratatar!
A short series of outbursts and Viscount Grakh three bodyguards instantly fell to the ground like their comrades.
The smile on Viscount Grakh's lips instantly evaporated, and while he was still dumbfounded, one of the STA personnel pulled him off the horse until his body fell to the ground with a loud thud.
"I am Viscount Grakh of Tarai Region. If you don't treat me with respect, I will have Viscount Rattel hand over your heads as an apology."
Without heeding Viscount Grakh words, the STA personnel disarmed the Viscount before handcuffing his hands, gaging his mouth, and putting on a headcover roughly. At the same time, one of his comrades radioed Sergeant Leslie.
"Top, the target-opportunity is likely to be Viscount Grakh from Tarai Region."
[Understood, I will report it.]
The STA personnel who had just radioed Sergeant Leslie then approached Viscount Grakh and said.
"Don't try to run away or get cranky during the trip, and we won't kill you."
Hearing a warning filled with killing intent, Viscount Grakh immediately swallowed hard before nodding his head. Moreover, he had the impression that his captors didn't care whether he was a noble or a street thug.
*****