"Sah! Enemy gunships inbound!"
"Form squares then, and prepare for anti-aircraft action," Finnegan replied. The infantry began to form small squares, with the Celtic IFV's and Churchill guns moving into the center of the formation. These would be the key weapon in the Regiment's fight against the horde of gunships. The IFV's fired smart SAMs from their octuplet launchers, guided by the Regiments TacNet. The missiles reached altitude, and set to anti-gunship mode, they accelerated straight towards the targets, their usual payload of anti-fighter flacettes mostly useless against armored gunships. The Churchills fired next, loaded with flak shells, these also guided by the TacNet. Just before the cannon fired, a laser sight estimated first the range, and then the speed of the target, and then the rails accelerated the round. This system was deadly effective, having been proven during the Lunar Uprisings. Two of the Churchills were designated anti-aircraft weapons, firing clips of deadly linear rounds, their coolant creating a smoky haze around the guns.
Back at the ridge, General Stanley looked up with dismay at the closing shields, and further dismay at the approaching gunships. The three regiments around the DZ formed their own squares, while Stanley communicated with Hunter.
"Roger that old bean, I'll try and locate the nearest shield pylon to your position. Twenty-four additional regiments are en route, along with two additional monitors, so we should have this under control in a few hours. Hold tight then,"
At the edge of system, the reinforcements began to arrive, setting a course around the engagement, heading for the British fleet in system.
The divine fury was about 17,500 kilometers and was the flagship of the Ruivan Navy. the ships fired upon the Coalition.
