Navenland
13 September, A.C. 393
st.sierż Natalka Kaja "Mizerykordia" Stolarz M. Saszor55. Dywizja Pancerna "Ataman Mezowski"
20. Zmotoryzowany Legion Kawalerii
1. Kompania "Venerators of Saint Stanisław"
U691 Highway
The U691 Highway extends from Pfeereheim to Hoffnungbach. Formerly serving as one of the transit paths through Teutonia in the former Sacred Union State, the highway now serves as the corridor for Coalition forces to reach the north.
Their success at the river had seen the continued journey of Coalition forces up the river, the Union's decrepit, ancient highway systems guiding the movement of the 184th Infantry "Lexicon" Division's motorized and mechanized regiments, elements of the 55. Dywizja Pancerna "Ataman Mezowski" and two additional regiments' worth of Kezij forces. Word up north had been that the city up north, Hoffnungbach, was a die-hard Claytonist stronghold... presumably due to the charismatic leader that presided over the place with an iron, but fair fist. Nobody knew who this 'leader' was, but if they were seemingly this important, surely they held some relevance in shattering the Claytonist command structure.
The vehicles of 1. Kompania were among this group, traveling not far from the front of the line. It was an advance of impressive scale, though the Euphemians always were cautious — more elements of the division in question would be arriving once a foothold in the town had been established.
A few elements of the 537th Infantry Division were also traveling with them, namely a few survivors of Nox's Sparky unit — by priority, they'd been reassigned to this Euphemian division. Natalka couldn't help but be reminded to the fact that one of her subordinates had gotten involved with one such Euphemian from the division. She hoped they were traveling with them — it would at least keep Krsto a bit happier. Peering ahead, Natalka could see the distant reddish-blue afterglow of the sunset contrasting with Hoffnungbach's lights. This city seemingly had a power grid, which was more than she could say about most of the places they'd been through.
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/// [ZAFOR] - [Zachodu National Guard] - [55. Dywizja Pancerna "Ataman Mezowski"] - [20. Zmotoryzowany Legion Kawalerii] - [1. Kompania "Venerators of Saint Stanisław"] - [SK/OT-93K Kanonraptor "Kudłaty"] - [st.sierż Natalka Kaja "Mizerykordia" Stolarz M. Saszor] /// - "We've encountered no enemy forces thus far. You think all these Coalition troops are scaring them off?"
/// [ZAFOR] - [Zachodu National Guard] - [55. Dywizja Pancerna "Ataman Mezowski"] - [20. Zmotoryzowany Legion Kawalerii] - [1. Kompania "Venerators of Saint Stanisław"] - [SK/OT-94RP Epickionyks "Fura"] - [por. Klaudiusz Kabacinski] /// - “Perhaps.”
/// [ZAFOR] - [Zachodu National Guard] - [55. Dywizja Pancerna "Ataman Mezowski"] - [20. Zmotoryzowany Legion Kawalerii] - [1. Kompania "Venerators of Saint Stanisław"] - [SK/OT-93K Kanonraptor "Kudłaty"] - [st.kpr. Maria Taylor Tell-it-to-My-Heart Olimpia Jadwiga Wolanski] /// - "Something about this place gives me the creeps."
/// [ZAFOR] - [Zachodu National Guard] - [55. Dywizja Pancerna "Ataman Mezowski"] - [20. Zmotoryzowany Legion Kawalerii] - [1. Kompania "Venerators of Saint Stanisław"] - [SK/OT-93K Kanonraptor "Kudłaty"] - [st.sierż Natalka Kaja "Mizerykordia" Stolarz M. Saszor] /// - "Something about the member of this unit who tried to blackmail and assault me gives me the creeps."
/// [ZAFOR] - [Zachodu National Guard] - [55. Dywizja Pancerna "Ataman Mezowski"] - [20. Zmotoryzowany Legion Kawalerii] - [1. Kompania "Venerators of Saint Stanisław"] - [SK/OT-93K Kanonraptor "Kudłaty"] - [plut. Otmar Šimon Horák] /// - "What exactly's ahead?"
/// [ZAFOR] - [Zachodu National Guard] - [55. Dywizja Pancerna "Ataman Mezowski"] - [20. Zmotoryzowany Legion Kawalerii] - [1. Kompania "Venerators of Saint Stanisław"] - [SK/OT-93K Kanonraptor "Kudłaty"] - [st.sierż Natalka Kaja "Mizerykordia" Stolarz M. Saszor] /// - "The usual.. urban developments, I guess. This city didn't get hit too bad by the war — or the ash, it seems. Looks to be something downtown past all the ruins along the outskirts. Are the Euphemian units ahead of us seeing anything, sir?"
/// [ZAFOR] - [Zachodu National Guard] - [55. Dywizja Pancerna "Ataman Mezowski"] - [20. Zmotoryzowany Legion Kawalerii] - [1. Kompania "Venerators of Saint Stanisław"] - [SK/OT-94RP Epickionyks "Fura"] - [por. Klaudiusz Kabacinski] /// - “Let me check.”
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/// [ZAFOR] - [Zachodu National Guard] - [55. Dywizja Pancerna "Ataman Mezowski"] - [20. Zmotoryzowany Legion Kawalerii] - [1. Kompania "Venerators of Saint Stanisław"] - [SK/OT-94RP Epickionyks "Fura"] - [por. Klaudiusz Kabacinski] /// - “Does anyone see contacts ahead?”
/// [EUPHFOR] - [184th Infantry "Lexicon" Division] - [22nd MIR, 184ID] - [APC-M373 "Hip to be Square"] - [Sgt. July Huey-Lewis M. Power-of-Love K.C. Everett] /// - "Nothing ahead... looks to be clear."
/// [EUPHFOR] - [184th Infantry "Lexicon" Division] - [4th MotIR, 184ID] - [IFV-M177 Cerberus "Ironsides"] - [Sgt. George In-the-Air-Tonight J. Mason] /// - "Nothing on my end either. Keep forward."
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/// [ZAFOR] - [Zachodu National Guard] - [55. Dywizja Pancerna "Ataman Mezowski"] - [20. Zmotoryzowany Legion Kawalerii] - [1. Kompania "Venerators of Saint Stanisław"] - [SK/OT-94RP Epickionyks "Fura"] - [por. Klaudiusz Kabacinski] /// - “..nothing.”
/// [ZAFOR] - [Zachodu National Guard] - [55. Dywizja Pancerna "Ataman Mezowski"] - [20. Zmotoryzowany Legion Kawalerii] - [1. Kompania "Venerators of Saint Stanisław"] - [SK/OT-93K Kanonraptor "Kudłaty"] - [st.sierż Natalka Kaja "Mizerykordia" Stolarz M. Saszor] /// - "N—nothing? In this 'Claytonist Stronghold' of a city?"
/// [ZAFOR] - [Zachodu National Guard] - [55. Dywizja Pancerna "Ataman Mezowski"] - [20. Zmotoryzowany Legion Kawalerii] - [1. Kompania "Venerators of Saint Stanisław"] - [SK/OT-94RP Epickionyks "Fura"] - [por. Klaudiusz Kabacinski] /// - “Not yet.”
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Natalka couldn't help but feel a little nervous as they approached the city. The highway led past the debris and rubble of the outer city, ruined skyscrapers and apartment blocks passing them by as they continued on, the platoon commander anxiously checking their flanks as they made past what'd, at one point, been a bustling commercial district. The lack of any form of enemy resistance seemed to leave Natalka anxious — just what was going on here?
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/// [ZAFOR] - [Zachodu National Guard] - [55. Dywizja Pancerna "Ataman Mezowski"] - [20. Zmotoryzowany Legion Kawalerii] - [1. Kompania "Venerators of Saint Stanisław"] - [SK/OT-93K Kanonraptor "Kudłaty"] - [st.sierż Natalka Kaja "Mizerykordia" Stolarz M. Saszor] /// - "Something's not right here."
/// [ZAFOR] - [Zachodu National Guard] - [55. Dywizja Pancerna "Ataman Mezowski"] - [20. Zmotoryzowany Legion Kawalerii] - [1. Kompania "Venerators of Saint Stanisław"] - [SK/OT-94RP Epickionyks "Fura"] - [por. Klaudiusz Kabacinski] /// - “We’ve got whole divisions here. If there’s an ambush, we won’t be in one for long.”
/// [ZAFOR] - [Zachodu National Guard] - [55. Dywizja Pancerna "Ataman Mezowski"] - [20. Zmotoryzowany Legion Kawalerii] - [1. Kompania "Venerators of Saint Stanisław"] - [SK/OT-93K Kanonraptor "Kudłaty"] - [st.sierż Natalka Kaja "Mizerykordia" Stolarz M. Saszor] /// - "..."
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Continuing forward, they passed a sign that read 'Mersebruck' — indicating one of the city's outer districts. If her satellite map was correct, Siegfried AFB was to the northeast — though there was doubt that the site in question had any real enemy presence. Most of Tangaliro's air capacities had been stripped by the outcome of the Transatlantic War... unless something else was at play here. Natalka couldn't feel sure of it, but it was as though something weren't right.
As the unit continued forward, Otmar couldn't help but mutter to himself — Natalka worriedly looking down to see he was doing something rather uncharacteristic of himself: praying. There was certainly something 'off' about all this, though she couldn't exactly put it to words.
"What the.." Natalka could hear audible confusion from her driver. She'd slowed down, bringing 1. Kompania to a halt... had she seen something?
"Maria?" Natalka peered from her station, looking to her. As if her silence spoke for her, Natalka quickly returned to her station and looked up through the viewport. Along the mountains to the west of Hoffnungbach. Along the mountaintops, she could see a few rather tall towers, spherical reflective domes adorning their peaks. A visible reddish glow seemed to emit from said domes, implying some kind of heat in the distance.
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/// [TANGFOR] - [Revolutionary Army for the Restoration of Tangaliro] - [Command of Central Forces "Blue Banner Army"] - [297th "Primogenitor" Unit] - [Supreme General-Scientist of the Central Forces Yang Xieren] /// - "Greetings, invaders. You are graced by the presence of I, Supreme General-Scientist of the Central Forces Yang Xieren. My presence will be the greatest thing you invaders will be honored by — before your inevitable demise. For this is no mere 'Claytonist Hamlet'. You tread upon Hoffnungbach, the bastion of the new Sacred Union State. Forged by my unparalleled intellect, it is a torch of light in an unenlightened abyss. You will have the honor to see this torch burn before you all perish in my presence."
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/// [EUPHFOR] - [13th Air Control Wing] - [E-901 Skyking "East Angel" | #33821] - [Maj. H. Carson] /// - "We're experiencing heavy disruption from the ground."
/// [EUPHFOR] - [184th Infantry "Lexicon" Division] - [4th MotIR, 184ID] - [IFV-M177 [CV] Cerberus "Cortex"] - [Col. Alexander Into-the-Night K. Smith] /// - "Disruption?"
/// [EUPHFOR] - [13th Air Control Wing] - [E-901 Skyking "East Angel" | #33821] - [Maj. H. Carson] /// - "..we don't have a damn clue what's going on in there. If I were to make a guess, they're using jammers."
/// [EUPHFOR] - [184th Infantry "Lexicon" Division] - [4th MotIR, 184ID] - [IFV-M177 [CV] Cerberus "Cortex"] - [Col. Alexander Into-the-Night K. Smith] /// - "Any visual?"
/// [EUPHFOR] - [13th Air Control Wing] - [E-901 Skyking "East Angel" | #33821] - [Maj. H. Carson] /// - "...hang on."
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As the Skyking presumably approached, Natalka kept her gaze fixed upwards — a flurry of missiles abruptly firing away from the city and shooting off into the sky. Quickly, gunfire erupted along the highway, the comms filling with shouts and yells as the unit violently reacted to the surprise.
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/// [EUPHFOR] - [13th Air Control Wing] - [E-901 Skyking "East Angel" | #33821] - [Maj. H. Carson] /// - "Shit—" [static]
/// [EUPHFOR] - [184th Infantry "Lexicon" Division] - [4th MotIR, 184ID] - [IFV-M177 Cerberus "Ironsides"] - [Sgt. George In-the-Air-Tonight J. Mason] /// - "UNDER FIRE! UNDER FIRE!"
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/// [TANGFOR] - [Revolutionary Army for the Restoration of Tangaliro] - [Command of Central Forces "Blue Banner Army"] - [297th "Primogenitor" Unit] - [Supreme General-Scientist of the Central Forces Yang Xieren] /// - "Now behold my city's finest defense, the Arthropoid Relay!"
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Abruptly the sky lit up with what could only be described as lightning that illuminated the hazy grey evening clouds, a bright flash abruptly engulfing the highway further behind — the comms suddenly becoming filled with the screams of whatever Euphemian and Kezij units were further behind. Whatever it was, it lasted no more than a few seconds — but the destruction was more than apparent. That hadn't stopped the gunfire, however — emerging from their flanks were Tangaliroan armored and mechanized vehicles, the Cerberus APCs just ahead of 1. Kompania being abruptly ripped in two.
Panic was an understatement — the reaction was simultaneous within Kudłaty, Maria hurriedly making for a highway exit — Natalka needed not even order it.
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/// [ZAFOR] - [Zachodu National Guard] - [55. Dywizja Pancerna "Ataman Mezowski"] - [20. Zmotoryzowany Legion Kawalerii] - [1. Kompania "Venerators of Saint Stanisław"] - [SK/OT-93K Kanonraptor "Kudłaty"] - [st.sierż Natalka Kaja "Mizerykordia" Stolarz M. Saszor] /// - "No no no NO! It's a fucking AMBUSH!"
/// [ZAFOR] - [Zachodu National Guard] - [55. Dywizja Pancerna "Ataman Mezowski"] - [20. Zmotoryzowany Legion Kawalerii] - [1. Kompania "Venerators of Saint Stanisław"] - [SK/OT-94RP Epickionyks "Fura"] - [por. Klaudiusz Kabacinski] /// - “DRIVE!”
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©392-393 Federal Atomics Computing Division. All Rights Reserved.
Speeding down one of the various roads along Hoffnungbach's outskirts, Maria led the Zachodu motorized unit away from the despair and terror that'd overtaken the highway route, tracer fire filling the skies behind them as they made forward.
With a sharp turn to the right, Maria had abruptly led the unit into a formation of nine PA320 airborne IFVs, a terrified yelp escaping Natalka as it occurred to her just what they'd be faced with.
BOOM
Her gunner had reacted almost instantly, firing off a single round into the formation, one of the Tangaliroan IFVs being reduced to flaming wreckage. Fura, approaching just behind, fired off all four of it’s ATGMs in a panic… a rather idiotic move, seeing as how three of them went flying off into the buildings nearby, only one vehicle being destroyed by its chaotic salvo.
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/// [ZAFOR] - [Zachodu National Guard] - [55. Dywizja Pancerna "Ataman Mezowski"] - [20. Zmotoryzowany Legion Kawalerii] - [1. Kompania "Venerators of Saint Stanisław"] - [SK/OT-93K Kanonraptor "Kudłaty"] - [st.kpr. Maria Taylor Tell-it-to-My-Heart Olimpia Jadwiga Wolanski] /// - "Shit shit shit shit SHIT!"
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The surprised enemy formation began firing wildly in turn, perhaps startled by the abrupt, panicked attack that'd interrupted their movement. Rounds flew past as they reacted in turn, firing into the dust and smoke — rounds pinging off Osad's reactive armor as they struggled to get a shot through the ash and dust that the ambush had kicked up.
The commissar in Fura, however, seemed to have quickly regained his composure as he fired two seperate bursts of 20mm fire at two of the vehicles, setting both up into smoke.
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/// [ZAFOR] - [Zachodu National Guard] - [55. Dywizja Pancerna "Ataman Mezowski"] - [20. Zmotoryzowany Legion Kawalerii] - [1. Kompania "Venerators of Saint Stanisław"] - [SK/OT-94RP Epickionyks "Fura"] - [st.kbz. Anioł Sofroniusz Osinski] /// - “Oh SHIT!”
/// [ZAFOR] - [Zachodu National Guard] - [55. Dywizja Pancerna "Ataman Mezowski"] - [20. Zmotoryzowany Legion Kawalerii] - [1. Kompania "Venerators of Saint Stanisław"] - [SK/OT-93K Kanonraptor "Kudłaty"] - [plut. Otmar Šimon Horák] /// - "Come on!"
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Loading another round in, Otmar had managed to dispatch another one of the vehicles — quickly leveling the fight to an equal footing. Four against four — they fired once more, rounds shredding through the front of Osad's already damaged ERA blocks.
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/// [ZAFOR] - [Zachodu National Guard] - [55. Dywizja Pancerna "Ataman Mezowski"] - [20. Zmotoryzowany Legion Kawalerii] - [1. Kompania "Venerators of Saint Stanislaw"] - [SK/OT-93PRZPW Zabójcaraptor "Osad"] - [kpr. Tobiasz Tederko] /// - “—Shit! Barely made it out of that one. Everyone else is okay.”
/// [ZAFOR] - [Zachodu National Guard] - [55. Dywizja Pancerna "Ataman Mezowski"] - [20. Zmotoryzowany Legion Kawalerii] - [1. Kompania "Venerators of Saint Stanisław"] - [SK/OT-94RP Epickionyks "Fura"] - [por. Klaudiusz Kabacinski] /// - “Shred them!”
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Fura started wildly spraying its autocannon fire into the group of enemy vehicles, either killing the crew in two of them or otherwise disabling them. With another shot, they'd narrowed the enemy down to one — the stunned Tangaliroan vehicle promptly backing out of view as Maria led the formation onward.
As they continued forth, Maria abruptly screamed at the sight of four T-390 龙啸 main battle tanks, swerving out of the way — the platoon narrowly avoiding an engagement with the Tangaliroan tank platoon.
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/// [ZAFOR] - [Zachodu National Guard] - [55. Dywizja Pancerna "Ataman Mezowski"] - [20. Zmotoryzowany Legion Kawalerii] - [1. Kompania "Venerators of Saint Stanisław"] - [SK/OT-93K Kanonraptor "Kudłaty"] - [st.kpr. Maria Taylor Tell-it-to-My-Heart Olimpia Jadwiga Wolanski] /// - "OH FUCK! OH FUCK! THAT WAS FUCKING CLOSE!"
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As the group fled the ruins of Mersebruck, explosions in the distance serving to denote the apocalyptic horror unfolding behind them, Natalka couldn't yet sigh in relief. They were behind enemy lines, with no way of knowing who or what they'd be dealing with out here. They were nowhere near Hoffnungbach now, only the ruins of the towns and neighborhoods beyond the Claytonist stronghold's confines around them. Passing the ashen ruins of what'd been a neighborhood called 'Ziegumm' before the tribulations of UV Day, Natalka noted that the areas ahead were relatively wooded — perhaps a safe respite of sorts.
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/// [EUPHFOR] - [184th Infantry "Lexicon" Division] - [4th MotIR, 184ID] - [IFV-M177 [CV] Cerberus "Cortex"] - [Col. Alexander Into-the-Night K. Smith] /// - "Shit! We're being overrun!"
/// [EUPHFOR] - [184th Infantry "Lexicon" Division] - [4th MotIR, 184ID] - [IFV-M177 [CV] Cerberus "Cortex"] - [Col. Alexander Into-the-Night K. Smith] /// - [gunshots]
/// [EUPHFOR] - [184th Infantry "Lexicon" Division] - [4th MotIR, 184ID] - [IFV-M177 [CV] Cerberus "Cortex"] - [Col. Alexander Into-the-Night K. Smith] /// - "You're on your own now. Good luck." [static]
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/// [ZAFOR] - [Zachodu National Guard] - [55. Dywizja Pancerna "Ataman Mezowski"] - [20. Zmotoryzowany Legion Kawalerii] - [1. Kompania "Venerators of Saint Stanisław"] - [SK/OT-93K Kanonraptor "Kudłaty"] - [st.sierż Natalka Kaja "Mizerykordia" Stolarz M. Saszor] /// - "Just where are we going?.. where do we go?.."
/// [ZAFOR] - [Zachodu National Guard] - [55. Dywizja Pancerna "Ataman Mezowski"] - [20. Zmotoryzowany Legion Kawalerii] - [1. Kompania "Venerators of Saint Stanisław"] - [SK/OT-94RP Epickionyks "Fura"] - [por. Klaudiusz Kabacinski] /// - “We.. we need to.. Well, hide somewhere. Figure out where the fuck we are.”
/// [ZAFOR] - [Zachodu National Guard] - [55. Dywizja Pancerna "Ataman Mezowski"] - [20. Zmotoryzowany Legion Kawalerii] - [1. Kompania "Venerators of Saint Stanislaw"] - [SK/OT-93PRZPW Zabójcaraptor "Osad"] - [sierż. Katarina Kornélie Bartoš] /// - “H-Hide?”
/// [ZAFOR] - [Zachodu National Guard] - [55. Dywizja Pancerna "Ataman Mezowski"] - [20. Zmotoryzowany Legion Kawalerii] - [1. Kompania "Venerators of Saint Stanisław"] - [SK/OT-93K Kanonraptor "Kudłaty"] - [st.sierż Natalka Kaja "Mizerykordia" Stolarz M. Saszor] /// - "But.. where? I— I see some wooded areas ahead. We could try and hang around there until Coalition reinforcements arrive."
/// [ZAFOR] - [Zachodu National Guard] - [55. Dywizja Pancerna "Ataman Mezowski"] - [20. Zmotoryzowany Legion Kawalerii] - [1. Kompania "Venerators of Saint Stanisław"] - [SK/OT-93K Kanonraptor "Kudłaty"] - [plut. Otmar Šimon Horák] /// - "If Coalition reinforcements arrive."
/// [ZAFOR] - [Zachodu National Guard] - [55. Dywizja Pancerna "Ataman Mezowski"] - [20. Zmotoryzowany Legion Kawalerii] - [1. Kompania "Venerators of Saint Stanisław"] - [SK/OT-94RP Epickionyks "Fura"] - [por. Klaudiusz Kabacinski] /// - “Let’s just go there for now.”
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The group slowly made their way offroad, Natalka's vehicle making its way through the small forest around them until stopping at a clearing. Still, the platoon commander remained terrified, even as the adrenaline coursed through her veins: when would reinforcements arrive? An attack of the scale they'd witnessed would've surely made Coalition officers hesitate before sending more units forth. The prospect of a few Euphemian regiments being trapped in the confines of the Claytonist stronghold would surely be cause for caution — especially with whatever 'weapon' the enemy possessed.
Stepping out of her vehicle, Natalka knew she had to remain confident and calm in the face of her subordinates. This was the worst-case scenario — and she would have to get everyone out of it somehow. Crossing her arms, she waited for Klaudiusz to step out of his vehicle — they'd need to plan this out.
The hatch on Fura opening up a little bit later, Klaudiusz first peered around in all directions to make sure there was nothing around, before emerging, rifle in hand and stepping off the side of the vehicle.
"Sir." She tried staying calm, especially given their new circumstances. The only luck they had about them was the fact they'd packed their vehicles with extra, given they'd been expecting to relocate to a new, to-be FOB. That evidently wasn't the case. "I hope training's prepared us for a situation like this."
“I hope so,” he muttered, taking another look around, assessing their situation. “..where do we start?”
"I think the most immediate concern at present should be food, water... and regaining contact with Coalition forces, sir." Natalka proposed.
He couldn’t help but nod at the thought. “Well.. there’s alot of houses around. But it’s been months since anyone’s lived out here. Would there be anything even edible?” he pondered aloud.
Natalka cringed at the thought. "I'm sure we can get basic supplies like that if we get into contact with Coalition forces. H—hell, they might even try to help us out of this mess..." She was trying to convince herself more than anyone.
“Well..” Klaudiusz began. “Of course we need to contact command. If we can’t drive out of this mess, then at least they can try and help.. maybe try and blow up that Weapon?” It seemed he was also trying to remain positive.
"I, uh, think the Euphemian regiment's command was destroyed." She replied, nervous. Abruptly she hugged her superior, adding to that. "..just get us out of this alive, sir." It didn't really matter at this point whether the platoon saw something like this — the situation was tense enough, and formalities probably meant nothing out here.
Klaudiusz evidently seemed quite uncomfortable with this choice of action from his platoon commander, knowing perfectly well what a rather large portion of the company thought about the relationship between the two. This wasn’t exactly the time to interrupt her, though. “Of course.”
Pulling away, Natalka seemed at least a bit less worried by their odds. "As it stands, we should get a better idea of just where we are — if I'm not mistaken, Siegfried AFB is to the northwest. Given their apparent use of jammers... these Claytonists might actually have aircraft. That aside.." She looked around for a map. "..let's just take a look at the satellite map in your vehicle."
Emerging back into the confines of Fura, Klaudiusz couldn’t help but be reminded that he was the only commander in the company that was crewing a Barionyks, as opposed to the earlier Raptor model of APC. Entering after Klaudiusz, Natalka noted the vehicle was much more spacious — there was even a bench situated beside Klaudiusz's own, allowing her to sit beside her superior as she looked on at the rather fancy map glowing on the display. "It's a lot fancier than my vehicle, I see. I hope I get one when.." She hesitated at the word, almost using 'if'. "..when we get back."
“Yeah, I like it. I think it’s a better design, overall.” he said, fumbling with the screen controls. Opening up the appropriate satellite map on the screen, a map of the entire area - most of the major landmarks included, popped up.
"Can we mark this location? I mean, so we can go back to it if we move again." Natalka suggested, unfamiliar with the technology before her.
“Yep,” Klaudiusz said, adjusting some knobs and pressing a button or two. “In the meantime, though, I think I just need to figure out what we’re gonna prioritize and how we’re going to take care of things.”
"And my own orders, sir?" Natalka questioned.
“..none at the moment.”
"I should check up on the unit? See if everyone's alright?" Natalka offered. "It'll keep morale up, a—and we'll have an idea of just how our subordinates are doing in all this."
“Of course!” Klaudiusz nodded. “It’d.. be something to do, at least. Plus I think we’re all gonna need a checkup.”
"Right then, sir." Natalka began out of the vehicle, pausing for a moment. "We'll make it through this just fine." She reassured, perhaps trying to lighten her superior's spirits. Departing from the vehicle in question, Natalka wandered about the clearing for a moment, trying to think of something. Katarina, of course — Natalka was quick to check up on her subordinate, approaching the rear door of Osad and nervously giving it a knock.
The rear door to Osad was quickly opened as a curious Katarina came peaking out. “—Oh! I wasn’t expecting you to come by, Natalka.”
"Are— are you alright?" Natalka seemed pretty concerned, to say the least.
“Y-Yeah...just a little shaken up. We had a close call today, too close for comfort.” Katarina opened the rear door fully, offering the platoon commander entry. Following Katarina in, Natalka took note of the damages that'd been inflicted upon the driver's cabin — 30mm rounds had shredded through, and miraculously Tobiasz hadn't been killed in the process. Of course, Natalka didn't wish any harm upon those under her — even if he was a disgusting pervert.
"I—I see everyone's all right." Natalka nervously noted, looking around the vehicle. "I just came here to say I'm with all of you.. we can make it through this."
Krsto, who was sitting at his gunners station, gave a nod to the platoon commander. “Still breathing.” He joked, turning back into his station to keep watch. The vehicle soon fell into a period of silence as Tobiasz could only reply with a thumbs up from the driver's seat. He had opted to not say anything, fearful of the platoon commander and her comments from earlier.
"Right. Just checking." Natalka paused, looking about. "The company commander's planning our next move since we're, well... alive. You all can relax — take a breath of fresh air! It's getting dark out, but I think we all need some time to enjoy nature."
“How screwed are we?” Krsto questioned, looking towards his superior. “With this new gun, I rely heavily on logistics to supply me ammunition. I don’t know how long I can stretch these, if we’re being honest.”
The platoon commander hesitated for a moment before speaking. "We're going to reestablish communications with Coalition forces, hopefully find us supplies and a way out. Until then, we're on our own — but the towns near us should be able to help us in this regard... I hope."
“Communications is different from outright support. Looting houses may fix our food problems but I doubt I will find a 106mm just laying in someone’s garage.”
"I.." Natalka was a bit nervous. She didn't want to really rub it in — the situation was a grave one, and it was probable that everyone understood this. "Conserve your ammunition, use it wisely. When you've run out, tell me."
“18 rounds counted, I’ll learn to pick my battles wisely.” Krsto nodded, turning back into his station after having been satisfied with his superiors answer.
"So, Katarina, how's everything else doing?" Natalka asked, trying to lighten the mood — much of the unit remained in suspense as to just who the platoon commander had been aggressively alluding to before.
“—Huh? Oh, everything is fine!” Katarina seemed to have been caught off guard as she returned from daydreaming. “It was a quiet vehicle today but all is well.”
"All's fine? I see.. good." She seemed to glance about to the other two crewmen of the vehicle. "If.. you guys need anything, I'm looking after you guys until Klaudiusz comes up with a plan regarding what we'll be doing."
“Do you think we could speak later, boss?” Tobiasz spoke up, most likely referring to the earlier comments made by her.
The idea of this particular subordinate asking to speak with her put Natalka on edge — she considered her words before managing a chuckle. "We could speak right now."
“N-Now?” This made Tobiasz nervous, hoping to avoid speaking in front of his crewman. “It’s kind of personal, I think it should be said alone.”
"I can imagine." She muttered, beginning out of the vehicle. The sun had set by now, an ominous darkness having befallen the area — the horizon occasionally illuminated by an explosive flash or two. Getting up from his driver's seat, Tobiasz made his way out the rear door of the vehicle. Natalka, noting this, led her subordinate just beyond the clearing, stopping by a spruce tree. Abruptly she turned around, quick-drawing her Executor in an obvious gesture of warning. "Do something funny and I'll blow your fucking brains out. Everyone will know what you did."
“My hands are tied, you made sure of it. Like you said, you own me.” Tobiasz expected something like this to happen, though he still remained fearful. “At this rate people might be catching wind of who it was.”
"And what did you want to talk about?" She nervously questioned, only slightly lowering her guard.
“Well...all of this.” Tobiasz let out a sigh, continuing. “I’m on a short leash, now I’ve come to beg for forgiveness. And if that can’t happen, at the very least be able to talk it out.”
"I opened up to you about what happened in Zending and you did that. How do you think I feel?" She questioned, distinct hostility to her tone.
“Abused, taken advantage of, I don’t know. It was stupid of me to do something like that after you opened up about something personal.”
"That and more." Natalka still hadn't let down her guard, cautiously backing away a few steps from him — it was pretty obvious she didn't like the idea of being in the forest, alone, near him.
“I’m not expecting you to forgive me, let alone hear me out like right now, but we need to handle this given the current situation we are stuck in.” Tobiasz leaned up against a tree, keeping his distance. “We are stuck behind lines and cut off, the last thing we need is to be at each other’s throats.”
"..of course I'm going to hear you out." She managed. "You might be an inconsiderate piece of shit, but you're still my subordinate. Speak."
“I am begging you to forgive me, or at the very least put aside our differences until we are in a stable situation. You’ve got every right to keep pressing the issue, and I deserve the same treatment as you received, but I am asking for mercy.”
Natalka managed a chuckle. "Beg? Isn't that what you wanted me to do that time?" She seemed to be joking, of course, as she'd lowered her weapon. "No, you don't deserve the 'same treatment' I received from you. Nobody does. I'm not a piece of shit like you. I can forgive what you tried to do.. but I'm not going to forget it. I'm sure the threat of becoming known as 'that guy who tried to assault the platoon commander' is enough to make you back down."
“And you shouldn’t forget it. I only asked to be forgiven, I deserve this all. It’s ironic that I am the one begging now.”
"You don't 'deserve' anything — you get what I allow you to get.. and I've decided to forgive you." Natalka replied.
“For that, I am grateful.” Tobiasz cleared his throat, continuing. “You could have said my name and ruined my career, I suppose you want me to bask in my guilt?”
"Wanted. I don't need you worried about that here. That last operation was just me keeping you on edge.. to know your place." Despite her usual self, she seemed to let off a menacing aura here.
“You’ve got what you wanted. I’ve been put in my place, and I don’t intend on leaving it anytime soon.”
"Oh, I'm sure that's the case." She scoffed. "Try pulling this with Maria, Katarina.. and I'll fucking ruin you."
“I would never then through that, hell I even regret what I did to you.”
"We'll see if you're a man of your word." Natalka muttered, looking to him amidst the dimly-lit trees. "Do you know how it felt? To have that Claytonist at my throat, chuckling as he went on about what he'd do to me?"
Tobiasz became visually disturbed by the description the platoon commander gave. “No. Of all the things I’ve seen and experienced, I have never felt anything like it. If that’s what I put you through again...I’m sorry.”
"Just don't get yourself killed out here and stop saying sorry; and we'll be just fine." Natalka crossed her arms, looking away. "Do you have family back home? Brother? ..sister?" She questioned.
“I have family, but I am the only child. I can only imagine what my parents feel about their barely adult son being caught up in all this.” Tobiasz replied.
"I'm sure you wouldn't take kindly if some man tried to do the same to your mother." Natalka muttered. "Try and treat others in a way you'd like you and those you love to be treated. I say this not to bring you down.. but as your platoon commander."
“If someone did what I had done, I probably would’ve killed the man.” Tobiasz gave a light chuckle. “Did you ever think about killing me? It must’ve run through your mind a few times, not that I blame you.”
"I'm sure you've thought worse things about me." She replied, still rather disgusted with her subordinate.
“How can you be so sure?” Tobiasz questioned.
"How can I be so sure? ..just think about what you did."
Silence filled the air as Tobiasz thought to himself. “I guess I should own up to what I’ve done. No amounts of apologies are going to just erase what happened.”
"I've forgiven you, but can you forgive yourself?" She mused, looking to him. "Just live through this. I don't care what you did, it doesn't matter here."
“I guess you would be right, priorities have shifted. I assume we will have to loot to survive out here?”
"That's going to be the case, yes." Natalka offered a nod. "I can't guarantee anything right now.. I wish I could. We don't know what comes next. The company commander's trying to figure out a plan."
“At least we know one thing, we are surrounded on all sides. I ask you this with that in mind, do you trust me to watch your back?” Tobiasz questioned, looking towards the platoon commander.
"I trust you to watch my back.. to not stare at my ass, less so." She joked. "You, of course, can count on me to keep the unit alive. You can also trust I won't take note of what you did on your death papers." Natalka hoped her dark sense of humor would at least put her subordinate at ease.
The dark joke made Tobiasz laugh, breaking the tense atmosphere for a brief second. “I’ll keep my eyes where they should be, more often. Hopefully I can keep you alive to sign my papers.”
Natalka managed a laugh. "In all seriousness though, you.. can count on me. I'm here for you — and you're here for me. All of that.. water under the bridge, yes? The rest of the platoon will probably forget with time, too. Sorry I had to make it a public thing."
The reassurance from his superior managed to put Tobiasz at ease. “I don’t blame you for making it a public thing, your driver may cling onto it though. Let’s consider this a do-over, yes?” He replied, putting his hand out as if gesturing for a handshake.
Natalka seemed to refuse the gesture, keeping her arms crossed. "Good enough. Don't expect me to get comfortable around you, though. Hurt my driver and you're fucking finished."
Quickly retracting his hand, Tobiasz cleared his throat. “I didn’t expect you to put all the water under the bridge. You’ve got every right to remain uncomfortable, I just don’t want all of this to get in the way of things. Trust has to be built, not easily given.”
"You should return to your crew before anyone gets concerned." Natalka suggested. "I need an extra word or two with your commander, anyway."
“Yeah, wouldn’t want anyone being concerned or getting any ideas.” Tobiasz looked at the watch on his wrist, leaning off of the tree he has been resting on. “You didn’t have to give any of your time to this. I’m uh— thankful.”
"Caring for all of you's my job," Natalka said, slowly beginning her way to the clearing. "I can't have you all being scared of me... it's unlike me to be scary!" It seemed she was going back to her usual self as they made back for the vehicle. Perhaps it was a little comical, given how she'd intimidated her subordinate before.
“You had me scared shitless if I am being honest with you, the feeling of potentially having my name being dropped was not a good one. Could barely focus on the job sometimes…”
"I wouldn't do that," She made pst a few spruce trees, chuckling. "..not saying you should test me, though."
“I think I know my limits when it comes to you.” Tobiasz replied, chuckling. “I’ll try not to poke the bear too often.”
The platoon commander would've laughed — but a distinct, distant sound made her pause. Rotors. Quickly tackling Tobiasz into the bushes — an impressive feat, given how much more physically imposing he was, Natalka gestured him to be quiet as she looked to the source of the sound. "Shh.. look!" It was a rather awkward position to be in, but given their situation, it was typical to be on edge. Pointing ahead, she gestured to a distinct silhouette in the distance: a Zh-49 in Tangaliroan markings. While Zachod took with them the bulk of the Sacred Union State's helicopter production, it seemed a few airframes were still being fielded by these.. Claytonists. They were an entirely different brand of Claytonist than what they'd fought before, akin moreso to the defunct Tangaliroan military than the boorish, suicidal guerrillas they encountered in Navenland and Kezijcë.
“Think they are looking for us? Maybe they heard of the commotion we caused.” Tobiasz kept quiet, not wanting to potentially alert anything or persons nearby.
"This isn't good.." Natalka muttered, still protectively atop her subordinate as she glanced to the helicopter flying by.
“If they are gonna be flying those things constantly, we aren’t going to be able to do shit around here.”
"I think we'll have to move," She continued eyeing the dark silhouette of the Tangaliroan reconnaissance helicopter in the distance. Still pressed tightly against her Tobiasz's chest, she could hear little else beyond the rotors, her breathing and his own.
“If we’re going to move, you might need to get off me. Assuming it’s safe to move around.” Tobiasz finally made a comment about the situation they were stuck in.
"It's a Zh-49," Natalka whispered, looking on. "Recon helicopter." It was rather unfortunate that she now lay this close to the man that'd found it humorous to blackmail her as a prank, but this seemed an equally unusual situation. Ducking again as it slowed to a hover, her bosom pressed further on her subordinate as she tried to ponder their situation — hopefully Klaudiusz had some plans in mind right now. She didn't want to get up just yet, as it'd be a dead giveaway to their unit's position.
“Well if what you say is true, then we are gonna be here for a while.” Tobiasz remained calm, despite the two situations he was now in.
"N-no kidding.." Natalka probably hadn't caught on, her eyes still set on the helicopter. She remained atop him, steadying her breathing — hopefully the helicopter was alone. If there were ground elements on the move near it, they'd be in for some trouble.
“If that thing is still around, it must’ve seen something.” He whispered, still remaining calm. There was a rather clear tension between the two as Natalka tried to remain quiet. They had no nightvision about them — she'd no way of knowing when all would be clear.
"Hopefully it hasn't seen us." She optimistically whispered back, still shielding her subordinate.
“Even recon has at least one weapon, be it for self defense or not. If it’s seen us, we’d be in deep shit right about now.” He silently chuckled.
"I feel we already are." She quietly answered. Going quiet, she could hear only the distant rotor, the helicopter's lights occasionally traveling about, visible through the treeline. Her breathing was quiet, careful even, as she knew not what to expect — had it seen them, or could it be looking for something else... other Coalition forces, perhaps?
“Damn things gotta be searching the forest floor if it’s using its lights.” As much as Natalka didn't like admitting it, she was a bit scared, trembling as she remained atop Tobiasz, listening to the silence between them and the distant helicopter rotors.
"Just keep still in the bush and we should be fine." She quietly suggested, uncomfortably shifting a bit atop him. "—nh." It was rather awkward being in this spot, but given the circumstances, she was too nervous — and careful — to get off.
“You don’t have to tell me twice, it’s your life and mine that’s in my hands right now.” Tobiasz replied. “Do you still hear it?”
She paused again, the only white noise between them being their breathing as she listened for the sound of the helicopter. "..shit. Shit. Shit!" She lowered herself, pressing against Tobiasz even further as she ducked. "There's a Zh-44 attack helicopter in the air." It seemed it would really be awhile. Tangaliro's Zh-44s were rather poor imitations of the AH-72 Tochockmee — though they could nevertheless make swift work of an armored column.
“I take back what I said earlier, we’re in deep shit now.” Tobiasz whispered.
The helicopter seemed to be making rounds on its northeastern trajectory — either its route was unrelated to them, or it was preparing for an attack run. "..I'm scared." She muttered, keeping watch ahead. "..but I'll protect you.."
“If you think it’s going to attack us, don’t think twice about saving me. You are more valuable than I am.” Tobiasz muttered.
"You're my subordinate!" She anxiously replied, protectively atop him. "If we run back to camp, they'll see us for sure! I.. can't leave you alone like this."
“Who do you think the company relies on more?” Tobiasz questioned, making sure to keep quiet. “..but if you think they’ll see us, then it looks like we’re in this for the long haul.”
"..I don't care." She nervously replied, trying to keep still as the distant rotors continued their rhythm. "I'm not gonna just run off and leave you here."
Tobiasz could only manage a sigh of defeat as he kept alert to his surroundings. “..No use in fighting with you over this now I guess.”
The platoon commander kept quiet as she listened in, laying by her subordinate amidst the trees, the bushes shielding them both from view. It was rather awkward, the silence between the two bridged only by their steady breathing, Natalka occasionally listening to Osad's driver's heartbeat in the silence.
“If Maria saw this shit..” Tobiasz joked, trying to break the awkward silence between the two.
Natalka's features were, even amidst the darkness around them, reddened by his joke. "..s—shut up.."
Tobiasz chuckled at her response, composing himself quickly as to remain still and out of view from the helicopters that patrolled the area. “..just trying to break the awkward silence.”
"I—I better have your vote for best platoon commander this month, too..." She whimpered.
“You’ve got my vote, no doubt about that.” He joked, listening closely to their surroundings.
Natalka managed a chuckle. "You know, I'm sorry about what I said on comms. I really didn't mean half of that.. I just get like that sometimes."
Tobiasz drew his attention back towards the platoon commander. “It’s okay. I shouldn’t have did what I did to get that reaction in the first place. You did keep me on my toes though.” He replied, managing a chuckle. Natalka laughed with him, quickly quieting down as she returned her focus to the situation at hand.
"Right." Her face was hardly visible in the dark, but she was smiling. "Let's make it through all this together." Natalka listened in further for any enemy activity, nodding to herself as the sound of rotors diminished. "I think it's clear.."
“That means you can get off of me, unless you are still scared.” He joked, remaining still.
"I—I'm not that scared!" She was quick to deny it as she rolled off him, looking up to the stars for a moment. Hopefully they'd survive through this, she thought to herself. "I just.. thought this was a good bonding experience with my subordinate. Funny, I know."
Tobiasz chuckled at her reaction. “I certainly didn’t mind this bonding experience, at least we made it out alive.”
"Let's.. alert the others." Natalka dusted herself off and got up, looking up to the stars for another moment. Still she remained careful, concerned by the possibility that these Claytonists were still watching.
Getting up, Tobiasz dusted himself off. Noticing how alert his superior was, he decided it would be funny to somehow get her to hide again. Walking towards the nearest bush between the two, he began rustling some leaves and making small whispers.
Not catching onto her subordinate's prank, Natalka let out a yelp before jumping into one of the bushes, quickly turning around to see her subordinate. Unsure whether it'd been him or someone else entirely, she hurriedly gestured him over.
Quickly walking over towards his superior, Tobiasz kept quiet. “Is everything okay?”
"I—in the bushes!" His 'prank' had been enough to set her off, more than enough memories from Kezij and Navenland serving to keep her on edge. She had her assault rifle at the ready, aimed behind Tobiasz in alertness.
Looking towards the bush in question, he turned his attention back towards her. “It’s probably just an animal or something, Claytonist aren’t the only ones who occupy this forest.”
"I—I'm not taking any risks! Get over here!" She seemed set on this particular noise now.
Following his superior’s order, he got closer to where she was. “Calm down. If it was a Claytonist, they would’ve shot us by now. If your scared so much, I can check it out.”
"I'll p—protect you, don't worry.." Natalka emerged from the bushes, Siedunlander gaze apparent as she approached the bushes. Olek had suffered by going in first for her — and she would go in first for Tobiasz now. Trembling, she raised the branches, aiming to find nothing in particular. There came no sigh of relief from her as she remained ever-vigilant, fearing a Claytonist sapper had simply moved positions. 'Toying with one's prey', as some would say. "H—he could be anywhere. I'll— I'll keep you safe, Tobiasz."
“..Let's just get going. I can protect myself, I’ll be watching your back.” Tobiasz could have come clean and admitted that it was a prank and not some Claytonist sapper, but it would only serve to make things worse. “If he comes out, I’ll deal with him.”
"N—no! I—I don't want to lose another one of my subordinates... it was my fault that happened to Olek! ..I'm not going to let it happen again.." Natalka kept her gun trained behind them as she anxiously backed away, eyes wide with a terror that was nothing short of the Siedunlander Gaze.
Tobiasz hesitantly placed his hand on Natalka's shoulder to reassure her, or at the very least calm her down. “..Nothing was your fault, some things out out of our control.”
"G—go! Warn the others! I'll cover you." She anxiously gestured him back to the clearing, standing guard with her AR-M64A4 assault rifle.
“Sorry, but you aren’t staying out here by yourself.” Tobiasz abruptly lifted Natalka off the ground. “You’re coming back to camp and organizing everyone, can’t have second in command bush sitting.” The platoon commander abruptly let out a confused yelp, legs kicking in the air as her rather imposing subordinate suddenly grabbed and lifted her. It took her a moment to realize she'd probably alert the enemy.
"L—let me go! Let me go!" She pleaded, struggling to aim her rifle behind them.
“Nope. You’re going back to base.” The platoon commander's small stature made it relatively easy for him to carry her. As he made his way through the clearing, he faced minimal resistance aside from a few kicks. Her resistance was short-lived as he carried her over to the 'base', or more aptly put, their encampment in the clearing.
"This is gonna look weird! Put me down!" She complained as they drew nearer to the treeline's edge.
Following her request, Tobiasz put his superior back on the ground, allowing her to walk again. “I’m sure he already knows, but you should probably tell the company commander about those helicopters.”
Natalka was quick to hurry off to Fura, quickly knocking on the rear door. "Sir! SIR!" She called.
