El-Hadhai Operations Depot, Near Sielia, Manae
8 January, A.C. 391
CPT. Atum Hotepth-Ptah of Yevosh2nd Armored Platoon "Golden Gods"
21st Armored Division "Sun Charioteers"
"While the owl, the patron bird of the tuletary god of Akhmanar, Horet, and symbol of impending death and hunters, has remained highly prominent in the Pharaistic culture today, another mythical animal has also remained very important in Akhmanar today, that animal being the mythical winged wolf. Patron animal of Turok, a god associated with life, good fortune and good harvests, the winged wolf is almost the polar opposite to the theme of death associated with the owl, bringing life wherever it goes. Wherever a winged wolf is spotted, good fortune and luck is sure to follow whoever spots it, and those lost in the desert often will find their way back to civilization after being guided by these creatures. A more thorough exploration into the role the mythical winged wolf played has shown that, strangely, no such animal exists today, while alleged records of its existence thousands of years ago are still debated. As elusive as it is fascinating, there have been very little winged wolf spottings in the modern day.—WorldWideWiki, Winged Wolf (Mythical animal)
The day following the briefing, Atum had led his team out in their Sphinx on the route to the supposed El-Hadhai compound outside of Sielia. According to intel, El-Hadhai were truly a force to be reckoned with—the people they were meeting with were all relatively experienced, ex-military militants who made up El-Hadhai's armored element, comprised of a mixture of technicals, old tanks, and captured IFVs.
Meanwhile, the operatives of Team Blackstar would be going on an arguably much more... exciting mission. They were given the order to assist in the kill or capture of Major Givan Zaed by Commandant Narmerkhet. Zaed was a Manaean Security Forces officer who was notorious for a streak of alleged human rights violations, corruption, and other offenses, as well as being an obvious Aenaran collaborationist. If he were to be removed, Aenara's influence on Sielia was sure to wane, allowing El-Hadhai and its anti-Aenaran ideology to easily fill the void, along with MILINT's propaganda campaign.
For now, Atum had turned out of the tank, watching the desert landscape pass by their tank. Unlike Akhmanar, there weren't any occasional oases in sight to reassure them that fresh water and civilization was near. There was nothing but a dirt road going in one direction forward and one direction back, sand dunes surrounding them from all conceivable directions. Still, according to their maps (and their compass), the Sielia outpost wasn't that far away, and the only thing they'd find out here would be animals—no Aenarans or Manaeans at all, since this was a route that was not traveled as much from others. At the least, the most dangerous thing they'd be encountering on this road was probably a Taiidari[1] caravan that was too focused on getting to Akhmanar than they were to wonder why a tank stripped of all its national identification was all the way out here.
Speaking of which.. Atum suddenly remembered something as he fanned himself, clambering back down into their Sphinx to check on the crew. The BDUs they wore now, provided by MILINT, were a plain khaki drab in color and void of all Akhmanari identification, including patches, otherwise making the crew seem as if they were mercenaries. Of course, the Manaeans of El-Hadhai knew that these people weren't actually mercs, but rather, combat advisers sent in from their neighbor to help stave of the Aenaran's hegemonic influence over Manae.
Atum tapped the shoulder of Shakir-hetet with his foot after clambering back into the tank. After this, Shakir was roused from his nap, drowsily rubbing his eyes as he took the headphones off his ears. His coveralls had been partially taken off and wrapped around his waist, exposing a wifebeater t-shirt underneath, soaked in sweat. "Aenaran tanks need to be blown up, commander?"
"Negative, Sergeant." Atum flashed a small smirk, adding, "Not yet. Could you please pass me that dossier next to you?"
Shakir nodded, taking the manila folder from his gunner's hands. "You've read that before, sir. You miss anythin' in there?"
"Possibly." Atum nodded, clambering out to the topside of the tank once again as Shakir moved back to either sleeping, or messing with Nofret—he couldn't tell or care. Their interaction had been brief, as was expected from most commanders, but Atum still had his faith in his men and their ability to complete their mission. Moving away from that, Atum lowered his aviators and hung them by one of the temple tips on the front of his BDU, opening the file to inspect the dossier.
He looked it over thoroughly. At first glance, Atum had thought they had sent him the wrong dossier. Even after the second time reading it through, running his index finger along every word, he still thought they had handed him the wrong dossier about the El-Hadhai's armored and motorized commander, an enigmatic man named Dominick (last name redacted), but referred to simply as "The Impala." The picture showed The Impala as a large, physically imposing man, with most of his body covered up by tactical armor and traditional, long-sleeved and loose fitting Manaean clothing, typical of a Taiidari desert traveler. The only semblance of humanity on the man was his head, as he possessed long, flowing blonde hair that seemed to be white in the photo he was in. His eyes were covered up by black aviators, and to his side was something long and black—he couldn't tell what it was. However, the most interesting thing about this man on the document wasn't his appearance, but rather, his birthplace and nationality, which he read off in his head:
Birthplace: Torch City, Euphemie.
Nationality: Euphemian.
Euphemian...
Why the fuck is a Euphemian leading El-Hadhai's armored section?
Atum placed a hand on his chin, deep in thought as he inspected the dossier.
I don't believe it. I don't. I simply can't fathom this man, this... white man—an outsider—is leading El-Hadhai's armored and motorized section. His report is stunning. Top of his class at whatever military academy he went to, and a stellar military career followed him, too, including an officer commission. Tch. Almost like me, even. After his commission, he deployed to Turmenista and was stationed there for six years before requesting to be transferred to Qarik...and his transfer was approved, reassigned under some armored unit over there. Then, after a year there, he went off the grid, apparently, he was never found after an accident during a pretty bad sandstorm...
Qarik... why the hell would he want to go to Qarik if he was in Turmenista?
Atum put one and two together, comparing it with the other parts of the report. Only recently—one to two years ago, to be precise, the individual the knew before as Dominick had finally came back on the grid and had made himself known as the new armored and motorized commander of El-Hadhai, a then-fledgling insurrection compared to the full on rebel organization it was today.. under the new pseudonym of The Impala.
This seems strange, but interesting. I'll have to ask him about this later.
Atum folded up the dossier and placed it back down in the tank, thinking about it for a moment before he moved to turn on his aviators. However, he quickly reached to his side and pulled up his binoculars, spotting a black dot in the middle of the heat waves that rose up from the sand in front of them. Upon closer inspection, it was a technical, albeit one that was heavily modified and armored, sporting a large, jury-rigged dual machine gun on the back made from two captured Aenaran machine guns, along with a set of impressive offroad tires that Atum noticed last. It was obviously equipped to deal with the sand dunes and rocks as suggested by the tires and the dirt on its otherwise clean white paint. The gunner too was looking at him with binoculars, a small cape waving behind him in the stray wind as he stared them dead on, leaning from the gun that had pointed up into the sky.
"Halt." Atum ordered, Nofret perking up as he stopped the tank immediately. Shakir popped out of his hatch as well, pulling his goggles onto his clean shaven head to protect himself from the glare as Nofret squinted to see what the hold up was, gasping as he saw it. "Hostile contact, commander?"
"No, just a regular contact. It hasn't even engaged us yet, you fool," Shakir corrected the driver, who gave him a nasty look in response. "But... looks to be a technical... at least, one that's got enough damn armor and firepower to blaze through the entire Yevosh Police Department without getting a scratch. What's our ROE, commander?"
Atum narrowed his eyes, lowering the binoculars as the technical gunner waved his hand in the air. Then, a crackle was heard on their tank's radio, and Atum soon realized who they were dealing with. "I don't think rules of engagement are necessary here, Sergeant."
"How so?"
Atum lowered himself down into the tank, activating the radio.
/// [AKHFOR] - [21st Armored Division "Sun Charioteers" ] - [2nd Armored Platoon "Golden Gods"] - [UC-189 "SPHINX"] - [CPT. Atum Hotep-Ptah of Yevosh] /// - "I can hear your request for contact. Know that I won't start shooting you unless you try something stupid. Now, to whom am I speaking to?"
/// [GREENFOR] - [El-Hadhai] - [Armored & Motorized Section "Riders of God"] - [???] /// - "We have been expecting you, noble Akhmanaris. We are the El-Hadhai, defenders of the true Manae and protectors of this land against the Aenaran devils. Come. We will guide you to our base."
/// [AKHFOR] - [21st Armored Division "Sun Charioteers" ] - [2nd Armored Platoon "Golden Gods"] - [UC-189 "SPHINX"] - [CPT. Atum Hotep-Ptah of Yevosh] /// - "Acknowledged. We're right behind you."
Atum turned to his crew. "It's the El-Hadhai. Our escorts to their base. Nofret, get us into gear and continue following them."
The Sphinx's driver nodded, moving on as the tank followed the technical, which had drove out from the sand dune it was situated on top of Around them, two more technicals appeared from defensive positions and moved into a convoy position, with the Golden Gods' UC-189 now wedged between two armored trucks that led the way down the path. Judging by their weaponry—recoilless rifles, foreign and captured ATGMs, and anti aircraft autocannons—these trucks seemed to be setting up for an ambush or, at least, a defense. Had they not known who was coming, Atum knew their UC-189 would be toast.
Soon, they reached the El-Hadhai Armored compound, a large encampment that was made up of several mobile command post vehicles, a vehicle depot, pre-fab structures and barricades, and a radar truck that had the Aenaran flag spray painted out, and more vehicles, mainly technicals and light armored vehicles. What they passed by, however, was the most interesting of all: the El-Hadhai's lineup of tanks consisted of older and cheaper UC-142s and UC-160s, and a mix of some captured Aenaran tanks that were in service with the Manaean Security Forces... all relatively old tanks that, if used properly, were still capable of dealing damage, but were otherwise negligible to modern Aenaran tanks.
Shakir sighed loudly. "Do they expect to do any damage to Aenaran tanks or just get themselves blown up?"
"It's like they're asking to die, even." Nofret grimly said.
Shakir scoffed. "It's gonna be a looong next couple of weeks, that's for sure."
Atum saw this predicament in a different light. Many of these tanks had seen it through tough times and still looked functional, especially one of them, a formidable Aenaran-made and Manaean-owned Ma’mat MBT[2]—one of the older models, in fact—whose chipped red war paint gave it a bloodied appearance. Despite this, the number of white tally marks on the tank was impressive: 20, to be exact, so Atum figured it'd have to belong to someone who was highly experienced in the El-Hadhai...
...someone like The Impala.
Nonetheless, their tank continued moving to a space underneath an awning that was reserved for them, manned by young mechanics that tended to some of the other vehicles at the vehicle depot. Once the engine was off, Atum clambered out of the tank first, landing beside the Sphinx while the others soon followed after. One of the mechanics stopped to touch the side of the reactive armor on the tank, but was halted by Atum, who grabbed hold of his arm tightly at speeds even martial artists would envy. "Don't touch it, unless I give you permission to," He said in fluent Manaean.
"Such manners! I would've expected better from my guest for my gracious host services." A voice behind Atum caused him to turn around crisply, his eyes meeting with his El-Hadhai equivalent. The Impala stepped towards Atum and extended a hand, which Atum took and shook. "Impala."
"Captain. I've heard many great things about you and your men, what you are capable of. You will be of great assistance to our efforts."
"Likewise." He turned to his crew, who were behind him. "This is my crew. Sergeant Nofret, our Sphinx's driver, and Sergeant Shakir-hetet, my gunner. We will be assisting your men in your future combat endeavors against Aenara for the time being, training them, while more of my logistical support from my country's intelligence will arrive to continue arming you."
Upon hearing this, The Impala chuckled, to which Atum took as an insult. "Excuse me, Impala?"
"Yes, captain, I know of that. However, you seem to be oblivious to your real purpose here. Were you not informed of it by your commanders?"
Atum bit his lip briefly. "Aside from a cryptic remark about other missions.. no. What do you have in store?"
"An operation," The Impala said. "A grand operation, one that will make ourselves known as a threat to the Aenaran armored component and leave us open to taking Sielia, once that Givan Zaed is killed. Before, we could only do so much, such as raiding supply depots and performing hit and run attacks, but with you here, Captain?"
He paused for dramatic effect, chuckling. "Well, we've finally found our means of making some noise to these so-called "invulnerable" Aenaran tanks. That is, if your logistics would be so kind as to give us our new tanks.
To this, Atum grinned. "That's why I am here, Impala. They will come in due time. Now, let's see what your men and your tanks are capable of."
Sielia, Manae
22 January, A.C. 391
1Lt. Horus-hemet of Qadesh1st Special Operations Team "Blackstar"
MILINT Acquisitions | SOD Joint-Command (J-COM)
"Always remember: short, controlled bursts. They don't call us the best for nothin'. If it bleeds, we can surely take it out."—Harold Same-Deep-Water-As-You Schwarzkopf as Lt. John Real-Euphemian Striker, Euphemian Marine, in Carnivore, by LAINCORP Pictures (A.C. 387)
/// [GREENFOR] - [El-Hadhai] - [Elite Operations] - [Lyon Nachum, "The Lion"] /// - "I've received word from The Impala. They have entered the AO to intercept and ambush the Aenaran patrol now. Do you copy?"
1Lt. Horus-hemet scanned the area, which had been flushed into a bright emerald green once he activated his night vision on his helmet. His KT-91[3] was slung to his side as he manned the gun on the truck, which was a bit of an understatement to call it a regular gun given it was, essentially, an Akhmanari rotary machine gun mounted onto an armored truck. News from The Impala meant that Atum had finally started his mission and filled his end of the whole deal with El-Hadhai, leading their armored elements on a raid to take out an Aenaran armored patrol that had been preventing El-Hadhai from advancing into Sielia. He had trained them ever since the 8th, so Lt. Horus was hopeful that Atum would do some major damage against Aenara's armored patrol, which would take off any pressures of inbound tanks or other armored vehicles from his own mission.
If he doesn't screw it up, that is. Elitism was never supposed to be a part of Akhmanari military officer relations, but during times like these, he could never be too sure about the abilities of a non-special forces officer.
/// [AKHFOR] - [JCOM] - [1SOD Team Blackstar] - [1Lt. Horus-hemet of Qadesh] /// - "I copy, loud and clear. Looks like Atum has finally filled in his end of the deal."
/// [GREENFOR] - [El-Hadhai] - [Elite Operations] - [Lyon Nachum, "The Lion"] /// - "Indeed, he has! And we shall too, very soon. Major Givan won't know what's coming. Our first team should be coming up to ambush the garrison around Sielia now, leaving us open to push in and strike his estate."
/// [AKHFOR] - [JCOM] - [1SOD Team Blackstar] - [1Lt. Horus-hemet of Qadesh] /// - "Copy. We will be your covering fire: just say the word, and I'll destroy anything in your way."
He set down his radio, nervously looking off to the crackling lights in the background, briefly flipping up his night vision optics from his helmet. Far out in the background, a long lance of lighting extended across the sky, briefly illuminating the incoming dust storm that was about to hit Sielia. Something else caught his attention as he put his night vision back on, however, that being the streak of tracer fire across the sky, accompanied by the pop and crackle of gunfire. The first half of their convoy had begun to engage the Manaean garrison in full force.
Holding on to to the top of the utility vehicle as it increased in speed, Horus reached for his radio.
/// [AKHFOR] - [JCOM] - [1SOD Team Blackstar] - [1Lt. Horus-hemet of Qadesh] /// - "Raider 1, this is Assassin. We're seeing reports of gunfire on your position and we're on our way. Get ready to mark hostiles that I can take out. How copy?"
/// [GREENFOR] - [El-Hadhai] - [Elite Operations] - [Raider 2] /// - "RAIDER 1 TO ASSASSIN... THERE ARE MANY AENARANS AND MANAEAN TRAITORS! LUCKILY, I HAVE COME PREPARED TO KILL AS MANY OF THEM AS I CAN. MOST WILL BE SITUATED ON THE OPPOSITE END OF THE ROAD, GARRISONED IN THE RESTAURANT. WE CAN LET OUR MEN OUT IN THE BUILDING AND CLEAR IT PROVIDED YOU SHOW UP TO ASSIST."
/// [AKHFOR] - [JCOM] - [1SOD Team Blackstar] - [1Lt. Horus-hemet of Qadesh] /// - "Assassin is on its way, one minute out. Stick tight."
From that moment forward, the armored scout car they were in moved into full speed mode, rapidly encroaching upon Raider 1's position. Raider 2 and Assassin had arrived in a flashy entrance, their armored trucks barreling past barricades and weaving around to find firing positions, while the rest of Raider 1 moved in on the town, using empty or evacuated buildings as cover. Horus's truck stopped itself behind a concrete barricade, sparks bouncing off the armored plating as a flash came from the building ahead of them, a small restaurant that the Manaeans and Aenaran advisors had taken for cover. Raider 1 seemed to be audibly pissed by their continued existence, extending a finger towards the building as he screamed. "FOR THE LOVE OF FUCK, SOMEONE PLEASE TAKE OUT THAT MACHINE GUNNER!"
Realizing his opportunity, Horus swiveled over to the building in question, the minigun spooling up quickly.
However, someone had decided to follow through with the orders first. A helmeted El-Hadhai militant rose up with his rocket launcher, taking aim at the building in question. Before he fired, a shot rang out rom the other end of the street, causing his shot to stray off from the building and towards a flash appearing on a nearby office building: a sniper. By pure luck, the AT soldier's rocket had taken out his killer, showering glass and fire onto the streets below, while the rest of the Manaeans slowly gained ground, visible from outside of the building now at some nagles.
Using their panicked advance to his advantage, Raider 1 let out a swear and took something out from his bandoleer, holding what appeared to be a grenade in his right hand. He called for cover before running over to Assassin's position, hiding behind the armored car before pulling the pin and lobbing the grenade as far and as hard as he could.
An explosion appeared across the front end of the building, screaming soon following as some were apparently dismembered or disfigured by the grenade. Swiveling his minigun over to the restaurant, Horus squeezed the trigger and clenched his teeth, a loud BHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRTTTTTTTTT accompanying the firing of his minigun, pelleting the restaurant with 7.62mm rounds.
Finally, he stopped, a sullen silence looming over the restaurant as more gunfire was reported throughout their part of Sielia. Horus got himself off of the minigun, scanning the restaurant's interior for any survivors.
/// [AKHFOR] - [JCOM] - [1SOD Team Blackstar] - [1Lt. Horus-hemet of Qadesh] /// - "I think I killed them all."
/// [GREENFOR] - [El-Hadhai] - [Elite Operations] - [Raider 2] /// - "BEAUTIFUL WORK, ASSASSIN... NOW COMES THE NEXT STEP OF OUR PLAN! FINDING AND KILLING THE TRAITOROUS SCUM GIVAN ZAED! ONWARD, TO HIS ESTATE!"
Right. Horus checked the ammunition to the minigun for a brief moment, smiling in satisfaction as he knew he had plenty of bullets left.
/// [AKHFOR] - [JCOM] - [1SOD Team Blackstar] - [1Lt. Horus-hemet of Qadesh] /// - "Assassin, get moving. We'll be providing covering fire to the El-Hadhai while they storm the building."
Karena's Ocean[4], Manae
22 January, A.C. 391
Cpt. Atum Hotep-Ptah of Yevosh2nd Armored Platoon "Golden Gods"
21st Armored Division "Sun Charioteers"
"This is an advisory to those traveling by car to Manae or Akhmanar through the desert, or those exploring the beautiful dunes and mysterious ruins in the sands of Karena's Ocean: please be wary of the salt fields of the Chaka Pan, which borders the Manaean city of Sielia and Lake Rantu near Djarzurma. While they are a very interesting sight to see when traveling in person, the weight of your vehicle will easily cause even the best of off-road vehicles to become trapped in the Pan's crust. For this reason, traveling on the salt flats by vehicle is strictly prohibited. Please stay on the road and, as always, bring plenty of water. Thank you for your cooperation."—Akhmanar Ministry of Tourism Travel Advisory, A.C. 390
The sun was getting lower and lower on the horizon, bathing the sands in the last golden lights of dusk. Within the dusty arena they were situated in, by of one of the larger sandstone ruins off in the distance, El-Hadhai scouts had placed themselves and their ambush vehicles at random positions, as per Atum's request, scanning the dunes for any armored figures flying Aenaran colors. Meanwhile, the Riders of God and their Akhmanari advisers were waiting anxiously by one of the dunes towards the back of the AO, waiting for the moment that the 8 Aenaran Mammoth Tanks would appear on the other side of the battlefield, towards the sandstone ruins that were occasionally supplemented with the rusty husks of vehicles and aircraft that predated The Fall from wars prior.
8 versus 8. It would've been a fair fight, had everyone else in the El-Hadhai possessed tanks with The Impala and Atum's capabilities. Still, he would make do with what he had. After all, Aenaran tanks weren't invincible to the Golden Gods. Nothing was.
Atum lowered his binoculars as he looked off to the ancient ruins in the background, muttering something to himself as he reached for his radio.
/// [AKHFOR] - [21st Armored Division "Sun Charioteers" ] - [2nd Armored Platoon "Golden Gods"] - [UC-189 "SPHINX"] - [CPT. Atum Hotep-Ptah of Yevosh] /// - "Something's not right here. Normally, one would bring in aerial recon to survey the area. The lack of helicopters is concerning, Impala. Maybe all their flights are grounded from the incoming sandstorm?"
/// [GREENFOR] - [El-Hadhai] - [Armored & Motorized Section "Riders of God"] - [Ma'mat Mk.2] - ["The Impala"] /// - "You aren't wrong, my friend. While the storms here go through quickly, they can disrupt travel easily."
"Hm." Atum turned back into the tank. "Nofret, get ready to move on my signal. Shakir, keep the gun trained on the ruins due north, bearing zero-six-five."
"Copy, commander." Shakir nodded in acknowledgement. The turret whirred as the gun was pointed in the given direction, the tank's engine still idling as they waited patiently. In the background, lightning from the sandstorm made the impending clouds of dust periodically visible, slowly encroaching upon the lights of Sielia as it began to gradually swallow up the city. In the midst of the clouds of dust and sand, occasional explosions and flashes were seen as the crackle of gunfire was periodically heard, along with a stream of tracer fire erupting off into the darkening skies. The Spec Ops Lieutenant, 1Lt. Horus-hemet, was filling in his part of the mission. Thank Horet his ego isn't making things difficult here.
Deciding that he simply could not wait any longer, Atum reached for the radio.
/// [AKHFOR] - [21st Armored Division "Sun Charioteers" ] - [2nd Armored Platoon "Golden Gods"] - [UC-189 "SPHINX"] - [CPT. Atum Hotep-Ptah of Yevosh] /// - "Sphinx 1-1 to Scouts, report in, over."
There were two different Scout units that the El-Hadhai had deployed: Scout 1 was a primarily infantry-focused group that was by the ruins they were currently aiming that, setting up for an ambush and forward reconnaissance. Scout two was a motorized unit that was stretched out through the entire area, forming a box-like formation that would allow them to report the location of enemy armored vehicles, even if they passed out of sight of Sphinx and Sandshark, The Impala's tank unit, from the sand dunes that blocked their line of sight. Both Scout units were armed with Akhmanari-made RG-89 ANUBIS[5] launchers and a variety of other weapons, meaning that any Aenaran armored vehicle that came in too close was going to have a very bad time if they decided to linger around.
Scout 2 reported in first with a three tone bleep on Atum's radio about three seconds after he made his request.
/// [GREENFOR] - [El-Hadhai] - [Armored & Motorized Section "Riders of God"] - [Dirt Bike] - [Scout 2] /// - "Scout 2 to Sphinx 1-1, reporting in. No sign of Aenaran movement just ye—"
/// [GREENFOR] - [El-Hadhai] - [Armored & Motorized Section "Riders of God"] - [Scout 1] /// - "SCOUT 1 TO SPHINX, SANDSHARK, EVERYONE!! We are under attack at the ruins by Aenaran armored vehicles, counting four Mammoths and four armored fighting vehicles! TAKING COVER!"
Soon, the crackle of gunfire and flashing of tracer fire became evident: Scout 1 had begun to engage the Aenarans at the ruins off in the distance. However, the second part they added on was perplexing to Atum. Four armored vehicles? This begged the question—were the Aenarans already expecting them, or had they just made a potentially fatal mistake in forgetting about the Aenaran armored recon? Moreover, why were there only four?
Then, another message came in right as Atum was about to respond, this time, from Scout 2.
/// [GREENFOR] - [El-Hadhai] - [Armored & Motorized Section "Riders of God"] - [Dirt Bike] - [Scout 2] /// - "Scout 2 to all units! We've blown up an Aenaran armored recon vehicle by our hill! Counting about four more, I think, all tanks, on the other side of that dune, we're engaging! Be warned, they may be sneaking up behind you!"
An Aenaran AFV that Atum had almost missed spotting had exploded down at the base of one of the hills: it had been destroyed by a well-placed RG-89 shot, which took it out of commission before it became a problem. That last part, once again, perplexed Atum, as he turned around to view the area behind him, grunting as he heard no sound of armored vehicle or saw no flash of gunfire.
/// [AKHFOR] - [21st Armored Division "Sun Charioteers" ] - [2nd Armored Platoon "Golden Gods"] - [UC-189 "SPHINX"] - [CPT. Atum Hotep-Ptah of Yevosh] /// - "Scouts, Sphinx 1-1 acknowledges. Sphinx 1-1 and Sandshark will be moving in to assist."
"Are we moving, commander?" Nofret anxiously asked, watching the gunfire.
"Not yet. Get ready to do so, Sergeant." Atum said plainly. The tanks of Atum and The Impala's section were lined up, tank beside tank, all awaiting orders from their commanders. Clambering back down into the tank, he activated the commander's panoramic thermal sighting and glanced out at the ruins that Scout 1 was getting engaged at. Seeing nothing interesting aside from occasional flashes, he reached into his pocket to reveal a bright red marker, clenching in his teeth as he revealed a map of Karena's Ocean and Sielia, unfolding it. He took the marker from his teeth, marking down potential targets and their grid references at speeds even he was surprised of, noting locations as reported by the scouts. As he did so, watching the red markings gradually encroach upon their positions in such a manner, it quickly dawned upon Atum that he knew exactly what the Aenarans were planning. Predictable, but, at the same time, he wondered, how could he have been so blind to this?
Damn it. I'm going to have to do this differently.. He set down the map, reaching for his radio.
/// [AKHFOR] - [21st Armored Division "Sun Charioteers" ] - [2nd Armored Platoon "Golden Gods"] - [UC-189 "SPHINX"] - [CPT. Atum Hotep-Ptah of Yevosh] /// - "Impala, I know exactly what they're trying to do. They've split up their platoon. They're trying to box us in, and destroy us in one fell swoop in a pincer formation, however one side was stopped at the ruins near Scout 1. The other force is likely already heading west of you, behind the men of Scout 2 that are on the dune left of us."
/// [GREENFOR] - [El-Hadhai] - [Armored & Motorized Section "Riders of God"] - [Ma'mat Mk.2] - ["The Impala"] /// - "Noted. What will you have us do?"
/// [AKHFOR] - [21st Armored Division "Sun Charioteers" ] - [2nd Armored Platoon "Golden Gods"] - [UC-189 "SPHINX"] - [CPT. Atum Hotep-Ptah of Yevosh] /// - "We're going to have to meet them head on and do the exact same. Your tanks are more heavily armored, especially yours, so I want you to take Sandshark to move to the left flank to the following grid reference: Alpha, one-seven-eight. That should leave you in an ambush position on the incoming four tanks to our left. Meanwhile, I will take Sphinx to help out Scout 1 at the ruins."
/// [GREENFOR] - [El-Hadhai] - [Armored & Motorized Section "Riders of God"] - [Ma'mat Mk.2] - ["The Impala"] /// - "Acknowledged. A solid plan. Come, Sandshark! We're going to burn the mongrel hides of these bastard Aenarans!"
The Impala's Ma'mat broke away from their formation, his four tanks following close behind in a staggered line. Atum looked back into the commander's sight, spotting a large white hot figure passing by one of the gaps in the broken Solaran columns by the Forum, the largest of the ancient ruins building, dating back to the Solar Empire of All[6] as suggested by its architecture. "There! Armored vehicle spotted near the ruins, bearing zero-six-five."
"It's moving rather quickly, and between two columns, Commander," Shakir noted, pulling on his goggles. "I know I'm the best, but at this distance and these odds? I can't guarantee a hit."
Shrugging off his ego, Atum grunted. "Then we'll have to move in ourselves." Atum reached for the radio, but not before ordering Nofret to move forward at full speed. "Full speed ahead to bearing Echo, one-seven-eight—the ruins."
/// [AKHFOR] - [21st Armored Division "Sun Charioteers" ] - [2nd Armored Platoon "Golden Gods"] - [UC-189 "SPHINX"] - [CPT. Atum Hotep-Ptah of Yevosh] /// - "Sphinx 1-1 to Sphinx, move to grid reference Echo, one-seven-eight and prepare to engage Aenaran armor. It's showtime."
As the tanks rocketed down the sand dunes, and as the sun plummeted even more, a large explosion was reported to their left, followed by the cheering of The Impala on comms. An Aenaran tank or armored vehicle had been blown up, but this was soon drowned out by the encroaching and overwhelming sound of gunfire by the ruins ahead of them, as well as a new entry onto their comms.
/// [AENFOR] - [93rd Expeditionary Corps] - [1st Armored Platoon] - [Ma'mat Mk.3 MBT] - [CPT. Halled "Hall" Maccabeus] /// - "So that's where my missing tank is. Impala, that Mammoth belongs to me. I'm here to take it back and put you down."
/// [GREENFOR] - [El-Hadhai] - [Armored & Motorized Section "Riders of God"] - [Ma'mat Mk.2] - ["The Impala"] /// - "Come get it."
/// [AENFOR] - [93rd Expeditionary Corps] - [1st Armored Platoon] - [Ma'mat Mk.3 MBT] - [CPT. Halled "Hall" Maccabeus] /// - "Gladly."
More explosions and claps were reported, from the exchanging of cannon fire behind them. Ahead, however, the mix of UC-142s and UC-160s manned by El-Hadhai had already begun to move around the ruins, which formed a maze-like complex that made infantry and tank engagements alike quick, deadly, and explosive.
Ahead of the Sphinx, the armored bastard Atum had spotted earlier was visible: An Aenaran Ma'mat Mk.2, that had Scout 1 pinned down with its coaxial, enemy infantry close by. With the direction they were coming in from, it made for the perfect flank. Checking his compass on the Commander's sight, Atum grabbed the trigger to the remote control machine gun. The wall ahead of them was chipped and partially broken: nothing their tank could handle. "Full speed ahead, Nofret! Straight through this wall here. Shakir, reorient to bearing three-three-seven, and get ready to destroy him with a sabot."
The Sphinx's engines rumbled as it effortlessly passed through the ancient wall, leading them out onto the other side, where Scout 1 and Aenaran troops were less than 100 meters from each other, engaged in a fierce firefight. The arrival of Atum's tank, to say the least, had startled the Aenarans... who were also less than 100 meters away from the tank. As they scrambled for cover, Atum's machine gun cut them down as Shakir sent a round straight through the side, easily penetrating the armor at their distance. An explosion erupted from the side of the Ma'mat, evidently from some ammunition or something similar as the crew clambered out, on fire. They too were cut down by the machine gun, leaving Scout 1 saved for yet another day.
/// [AKHFOR] - [21st Armored Division "Sun Charioteers" ] - [2nd Armored Platoon "Golden Gods"] - [UC-189 "SPHINX"] - [CPT. Atum Hotep-Ptah of Yevosh] /// - "Scout 1, enemy armor is neutralized. Anything else?"
/// [GREENFOR] - [El-Hadhai] - [Armored & Motorized Section "Riders of God"] - [Scout 1] /// - "Two AFVs, they're infantry transports, at the other side of this Forum!"
/// [AKHFOR] - [21st Armored Division "Sun Charioteers" ] - [2nd Armored Platoon "Golden Gods"] - [UC-189 "SPHINX"] - [CPT. Atum Hotep-Ptah of Yevosh] /// - "Copy that, we're moving."
The enemy comms, to say the least, were going wild after the Aenaran's so-called "most survivable" Ma'mat was destroyed in a single shot, albeit at a close distance.
/// [AENFOR] - [93rd Expeditionary Corps] - [1st Armored Platoon] - [Ma'mat Mk.2 MBT] - [Anvil One] /// - "What the—We just lost Anvil Two and Runner Two at the ruins! They're saying some UC-189 Sphinx without any national ID is here!"
/// [AENFOR] - [93rd Expeditionary Corps] - [1st Armored Platoon] - [Ma'mat Mk.3 MBT] - [CPT. Halled "Hall" Maccabeus] /// - "Mercenaries? Kill them all. The Sphinx is mine."
/// [AKHFOR] - [21st Armored Division "Sun Charioteers" ] - [2nd Armored Platoon "Golden Gods"] - [UC-189 "SPHINX"] - [CPT. Atum Hotep-Ptah of Yevosh] /// - "Keep your ugly iron coffin away from me, Aenaran scum."
/// [AENFOR] - [93rd Expeditionary Corps] - [1st Armored Platoon] - [Ma'mat Mk.3 MBT] - [CPT. Halled "Hall" Maccabeus] /// - "Akhmanaris, eh? I think I might enjoy this more than I already am."
Shutting off the radio for a second as Shakir scanned the area, the gunner sighed. "That was way too close. It was aiming at us."
"Too close?!" Nofret suddenly began to panic, worrying about the possible outcome of the one-sided engagement as a whole they were in. "That was danger close, Shakir! We could've died from that!"
"Nofret, keep it together. If you don't, I will force feed you your feet!" Shakir hollered. At this point, it was evident to Atum that Nofret's anxiety was getting annoying, which would become a liability in the heat of battle and would destroy the team's chemistry. He had two choices after this battle was over: he could stay, manning his post and manning the fuck up while he was at it, or he could leave, and Atum would find someone much more suitable to replace Nofret until he stopped being so cowardly. At this point, Atum was fine with both outcomes.
"Sergeant Nofret, I can easily replace you with someone more capable after this is over, Nofret. Stop being a damn coward. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Comma-"
"Good. Now, get us moving. As you just saw, their shitty Ma'mats are nothing but fancy boxes that can break. Move us forward, so we can destroy those armored vehicles pinning down the rest of Scout 1."
Soon, their tank began moving once more. At the other side of the Forum, two Aenaran armored vehicles were visible, both IFVs that Scout 1 had begun to engage, though with little success due to their autocannons. Atum watched their range plummet on the rangefinder by the second, practically brimming with anticipation for their destruction. Beside them, another UC-160 appeared, belonging to another El-Hadhai team that was in Sphinx, aiming at the AFV that Atum wasn't aiming at.
/// [GREENFOR] - [El-Hadhai] - [Armored & Motorized Section "Riders of God"] - [UC-160] - [Galean Kolmel] /// - "In position, Sphinx 1-1!"
/// [AKHFOR] - [21st Armored Division "Sun Charioteers" ] - [2nd Armored Platoon "Golden Gods"] - [UC-189 "SPHINX"] - [CPT. Atum Hotep-Ptah of Yevosh] /// - "Clear to fire."
Simultaneously, both vehicles opened fire, the two Aenaran APCs erupting into flames and charred metal like a science experiment, once again saving Scout 1. As the UC-142 pulled away, the comms became active once more, from all sides.
/// [GREENFOR] - [El-Hadhai] - [Armored & Motorized Section "Riders of God"] - [Scout 1] /// - "We've done it! Two Aenaran tanks down- make that three, one disabled! These RG-89s are really dealing damage!"
/// [GREENFOR] - [El-Hadhai] - [Armored & Motorized Section "Riders of God"] - [Scout 2] /// - "Scout 2 to all units, we're reporting Aenaran tanks and armored recon being destroyed on the left flank, a—wait a second. Shit! Counting hostile armor times four, coming from north, all Mammoth Mk.3's! It's enemy reinforcements! It's a trap, Sphinx!"
/// [AKHFOR] - [21st Armored Division "Sun Charioteers" ] - [2nd Armored Platoon "Golden Gods"] - [UC-189 "SPHINX"] - [CPT. Atum Hotep-Ptah of Yevosh] /// - "Reinforcements? This was only the scouting party?"
/// [GREENFOR] - [El-Hadhai] - [Armored & Motorized Section "Riders of God"] - [Ma'mat Mk.2] - ["The Impala"] /// - "Impossible. We killed all of them on our side. Why are there more?"
Besides them, the UC-142 suddenly halted, a large flash coming from its side. An anti-tank missile had detonated on its side, fired from one of the Ma'mat Mk.3's that had appeared... but belonging to the enemy commander. Rivaling their Sphinx in terms of its appearance, with all the reactive armor and kill tally, it slowly crept up on their position, neutralizing Scout 1 with ease with its machine guns.
/// [AENFOR] - [93rd Expeditionary Corps] - [1st Armored Platoon] - [Ma'mat Mk.3 MBT] - [CPT. Halled "Hall" Maccabeus] /// - "Hi there. Nice Sphinx you have. Second section, first section, converge on the ruins. It's going to be a fine shooting gallery with these tanks."
The enemy commander was cocky — almost too cocky, even. Gritting his teeth in anger, Atum watched as the enemy commander's tank sized up with him, aiming straight at them. Shakir, at this point, was hollering, the autoloader still doing its job, but not quickly enough for him. "NOFRET! THAT'S A WHOLE MAMMOTH IN FRONT OF US! MOVE THE DAMN TANK!"
"Full backwards, Nofret, now!" Atum ordered, taking the driver out of his fearful trance as they began moving backwards rapidly. Shakir flipped a switch to the right of him, firing off several smoke grenades from the front of the vehicle, concealing their escape. A green tracer flew over them at breakneck speeds, slamming into one of the columns behind them. The HEAT shell caused the structure to crumble, causing a large half of the roof of the old Forum to come down, kicking up even more dust into the air. Had the enemy commander not missed, their tank would've likely been destroyed, or at least heavily damaged.
Once they were in the clear, the color drained from Nofret's face as Shakir glowered at him, balling his fist. "By the Nine, Nofret, are you retarded, or are you just too much of a coward?! What the fuck was that?"
Nofret opened his mouth to protest. "I—"
"You what? Froze up when you saw that tank? You know what happens when people like you do that, huh? They die. D-I-E."
"Shakir, calm down. We need to focus." Atum ordered. "Nofret, get back on your station. Now. We're not out of this yet."
Quickly easing his temper, Shakir rubbed a hand along his clean-shaven head. "Fine. Nothing is on thermals, that smoke I popped is blocking everything. Where are the others?"
Atum raised the radio.
/// [AKHFOR] - [21st Armored Division "Sun Charioteers" ] - [2nd Armored Platoon "Golden Gods"] - [UC-189 "SPHINX"] - [CPT. Atum Hotep-Ptah of Yevosh] /// - "Sphinx 1-1 to Sphinx. Does anyone read me?"
No reply. Grimly, he asked for Scout 1's response, to which they gave no reply. Atum swore out loud, pulling the radio up to his mouth once more.
/// [AKHFOR] - [21st Armored Division "Sun Charioteers" ] - [2nd Armored Platoon "Golden Gods"] - [UC-189 "SPHINX"] - [CPT. Atum Hotep-Ptah of Yevosh] /// - "Scout 2, Sandshark, this is Sphinx 1-1. Sphinx and Scout 1 have been eliminated, and the enemy's brought in heavy reinforcements. Four Mammoth Mk.3's just rolled in, making their numbers five. What about you?"
/// [GREENFOR] - [El-Hadhai] - [Armored & Motorized Section "Riders of God"] - [Ma'mat Mk.2] - ["The Impala"] /// - "Counting you, four. I am not confident in these odds."
Pausing to think, Atum visualized the battlefield from above in his head. There were still three friendly tanks left, along with the entirety of Scout 1, who had an assortment of technicals with ATGMs and recoilless rifles, along with dirt bikes. Really, they outnumbered the Aenarans, but Five Mammoth Mk.3's weren't something to make fun of. The tanks could easily eliminate all of theirs, struggling with Atum's due to the armor and advancements that came with the Sphinx, but otherwise, all they needed was one fell swoop to completely destroy them. At this point, they were pretty much goners...
...or were they?
He recalled a memory that he learned back in his Military Institute days, of an ancient Akhmanari general who defeated an entire Sea People army with the help of the Sun God Atum, using an outnumbered force with one simple maneuver: let the enemy in, making it seem as if your lines have collapsed, when in reality you are simply boxing them in. Back in ancient times, this tactic was used many times to great effect.
Spotting what appeared to be a small, fox or wolf-like animal darting from the smoke in the ruins with some strange appendage on the back, a smile slowly appeared on Atum's face, knowing that the Gods were on his side tonight. Great Turok, I have been faithful to you all my life. I have never doubted you and your good fortune. You've never failed me before—please do not fail me here. Thank you for your sign, Great Turok.
/// [AKHFOR] - [21st Armored Division "Sun Charioteers" ] - [2nd Armored Platoon "Golden Gods"] - [UC-189 "SPHINX"] - [CPT. Atum Hotep-Ptah of Yevosh] /// - "All units, we are retreating."
/// [GREENFOR] - [El-Hadhai] - [Armored & Motorized Section "Riders of God"] - [Ma'mat Mk.2] - ["The Impala"] /// - "What?"
/// [GREENFOR] - [El-Hadhai] - [Armored & Motorized Section "Riders of God"] - [Dirt Bike] - [Scout 2] /// - "Scout 2 to Sphinx 1-1, did you say just say retreat?"
/// [AKHFOR] - [21st Armored Division "Sun Charioteers" ] - [2nd Armored Platoon "Golden Gods"] - [UC-189 "SPHINX"] - [CPT. Atum Hotep-Ptah of Yevosh] /// - "Indeed, we're letting the Aenarans have the ruins sector... but we're bringing them to you, Scout 2. Move to the Chaka Pan, and set up on the dunes around there. You do the same, Sandshark. I'm going to lead them into a trap."
/// [GREENFOR] - [El-Hadhai] - [Armored & Motorized Section "Riders of God"] - [Ma'mat Mk.2] - ["The Impala"] /// - "That's suicide, but I like what you are thinking."
/// [AKHFOR] - [21st Armored Division "Sun Charioteers" ] - [2nd Armored Platoon "Golden Gods"] - [UC-189 "SPHINX"] - [CPT. Atum Hotep-Ptah of Yevosh] /// - "The Aenarans are incompetent and likely don't know about the Chaka Pan. I intend to lead them there, where we will destroy them."
"Nofret, move towards the Hostile Armor. Shakir, prepare a warning shot. We're going to make them chase us."
Shakir nodded in agreement as the tank sped across the ruins, passing by more crumpled remains of ancient civilizations that predated The Fall. The khaki figure of the enemy commander's Ma'mat was visible, its body bulky from the reactive armor as it immediately began to move in to intercept them, the four other Ma'mats following in a staggered line close behind it.
/// [AENFOR] - [93rd Expeditionary Corps] - [1st Armored Platoon] - [Ma'mat Mk.3 MBT] - [CPT. Halled "Hall" Maccabeus] /// - "Enjoying your beatdown, you Akhmanari merc scum?"
/// [AKHFOR] - [21st Armored Division "Sun Charioteers" ] - [2nd Armored Platoon "Golden Gods"] - [UC-189 "SPHINX"] - [CPT. Atum Hotep-Ptah of Yevosh] /// - "Famous last words, Aenaran?"
/// [AENFOR] - [93rd Expeditionary Corps] - [1st Armored Platoon] - [Ma'mat Mk.3 MBT] - [CPT. Halled "Hall" Maccabeus] /// - "You're running. You're making this too easy for me. All units, we're following this fucker."
/// [AENFOR] - [93rd Expeditionary Corps] - [1st Armored Platoon] - [Ma'mat Mk.3 MBT] - [1LT. Gideon] /// - "Yes, sir!"
Looking behind him, the Aenaran tanks had begun moving, meandering over the debris of the ruins that had been created. Flipping a switch, the tank began to emit a thick smokescreen from its rear, a feature added on as per his request. It masked their escape, but the Aenaran tanks continued to follow them, blindly firing into the smoke in their attempt to hit the Sphinx.
As Shakir turned the turret around to keep firing on the move, however, Atum had his mind set on his plan. It was going to work spectacularly, as it had done for the past thousand years or so. The Aenarans were in for a wake-up call, indicated as the sun finally began to set, plummeting the area into the final hours of the day.
Good. Keep chasing me, you assholes. Chase me all the way to oblivion.
CONTINUED IN THE NEXT POST
