Chapter 32 Part 3 of 3 (Patreon)

"Must not have known if they were mortars or traps," Zukal added.

Domonos used his sound transmission device, his eyes flicking over the map.

“Kanoa launch all your people, they’re coming right into our damn teeth. Hit them with everything you have. I’m ordering the artillery to pull back, they’ll cover and move, shooting over one another to hit the enemy. Once they're inside our sensing range they'll be free to pick out their own targets. The reserve support units will assist your Kestrel Units.”

“Yes sir! Target priority?”

"Hit the runners, make them turn back with the sparrows, use explosive and fire bombs. Create lines in the forests to funnel them. Kestrel's hit the large groups."

"Yes sir."

“You heard what I said?” Domonos looked at the aides. He saw the answer in their eyes. “Make it happen. The reserve support units will board the Kestrels and act as attack mages. Enact plan Scorpion. Activate all spell traps across the valley. Make sure our scouts pull back before they’re encircled. If they need aerial extraction they will have to hold in place.”

Domonos' eyes never left the map.

Plan Scorpion is two parts. Artillery units will leapfrog backwards as the enemy closes in. They will coordinate with the other artillery units in their sector leaving movement down to the Company level. Giving them greater freedom. Two they will hit targets of opportunity as they are available, when not available they will launch trap shells. Was there an order to disperse and charge or did it happen in a panic? With them all spread out then one mortar won't be able to kill as many. Their command and control will be hampered, but they do have numbers on their side and they know where they're going. Domonos gritted his teeth, trying to see through the enemy's plan, to scry the future.

"If I was him then I would keep them charging forward as fast as possible to disrupt our lines, create chaos. The further they get the better. If they can cross and confuse our lines that would be the best. Okay, so, we need to make them group up and slow down. The traps will slow them, but they're streaming out of the mountains now."

Domonos' eyes locked onto the mountains.

"Most of their forces still need to cross the mountains."

Domonos grabbed a pointer and moved to the mountain ranges. "We need to cut off these paths. These are where we're getting most units splitting. Cutting off these routes, they'll need to push into central paths." Domonos pointed at non-circled lines. "It will slow how fast they can move people into the valley. And, give us time to deal with the leakers, track them down with Sparrows and Kestrels, forcing them in together for safety in numbers."

Domonos looked at Zukal who nodded.

"See to it. We need to cut off the flow now."

***

Rugrat grabbed the shell from the second ammunition bearer, the formation plate lit up as the mana flexed in the air, dashing into the mortar shell as the spell completed in less than a second.

Rugrat passed the shell to the first ammunition bearer who grabbed it and released it down the tube and ducked as Rugrat got another shell, casting Explosive shot on it.

The mortar pounded into the dirt with a tinny metal noise and blast of hot air.

Rugrat passed the new shell to the first ammunition bearer as the gunner worked the traversing gear and the elevating gear with quick professional movements before bracing the front bipod legs.

The ammunition bearer hung the massive mortar shell, longer than his arm and as thick as his leg before releasing.

There was no time to think as they operated as one machine, feeding the metal beast.

"Rounds complete, rounds complete! Shift one-one-five-one!" The mortar team leader yelled.

"Shift one-one-five-one!" The gunner repeated back as he adjusted and checked the sight.

"Five rounds, HE, double charge!" The team leader said.

"Five rounds HE double charge!" The second ammunition bearer yelled back, pulling out rounds from his storage rounds and tearing off secondary charges.

"Bunker bust spell!"

"Bunker bust spell!" Rugrat yelled back readying the piercing shot spell.

"Ready!" The gunner yelled.

"Ready,” the assistant gunner passed the first shell to Rugrat the mana fluctuated once again as his spell overlaid the formations carved into the shell before he handed it to the first ammunition bearer..

"Fire when ready!"

The first ammunition bearer released and dropped. Rugrat had cast the spell on the second shell and passed it to him.

They repeated the process again and again.

"Target destroyed, shift fire!"

Rugrat felt the waves of mortar fire from the dozen or so other mortar pits on the mountain-side.

"Artillery line Alpha is pulling back to the rear, be ready to move if necessary!" Second Lieutenant Couto's voice rang out in all of the artillery platoon's ears.

"New targets!" The Staff Sergeant yelled, focusing the mortar team. "Target preset Foxtrot, T-D rounds and T shells!"

***

“Move it! Get those formations in place already! The Willful Institute isn’t going to wait for your sorry asses!” Kanoa’s voice bellowed across the landing strip as casting enhancing formation plates were slotted into position in the Kestrel cabins.

The warmth of the sun kissed their skin even as the cold of night licked it away.

None of Alva’s military were cold in the slightest, their hot blood had been ignited with action.

Pilots and crews were rushing out to their landing and take off points. Their mounts were prepared for them as they mounted up.

Support companies that were close by rushed in, split into their squads they were organized and sent to waiting birds.

With Alva’s training they are medics and engineers now, but they were sharpshooters, artillerists and mages before that.

“Launch!”

Formations activated, shooting out warm air underneath waiting sparrows.

Sparrow fighter squadrons with their wings spread wide caught the wind, ascending into the air. A path of formations lit up, carrying them higher and increasing their speed before they left the air field. Formations on the sparrows lit up as they shot out towards their targets, carrying off their pilots.

Another sparrow wing flew into the first active formation launching them through the acceleration formations.

Other acceleration formations lit up, sending Kestrel wings of three and Sparrow wings of eight up into the skies.

Vuzgal’s gates were flung wide ahead of the charging Artillery companies, their panthers a black river underneath them. Their unwavering steely eyes seemed to have locked onto the unseen enemy that entered their valley.

Citizens of Vuzgal watched on as the military might of Vuzgal was roused. Formations across the city flashed with power, as the formations embedded deep within the Alva army’s Conquers armor activated. The slumbering beast was waking up.

“Prepare to rearm and resupply as needed! Get the reserve birds ready!” Kanoa yelled. “Those fuckers want to take your city. Are you going to let them!”