2140
Outskirts of Antonov City
Torrington Valley, Erdani IX
Epsilon Erdani System
Orion Constellation
Milky Way Galaxy
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"Keep it moving, gents! Ain't nobody shootin' no damn USF cunts if we don't get to the fightin'!" Exclaimed a battle-scarred human in the front center of the formation, clad in woodland BDUs with the support of a GX-5 Combat Exoskeleton Suit. An Orbital Jumper emblem stuck on the neck guard of the exoskeleton can be seen with a glistering yet muddled silver bar beside it.
2nd "Bulldog" platoon rucked with the elements of the 3rd Orbital Jumper Regiment along the main provincial road headed towards Antonov city of Torrington Valley. The 107th Mechanized Regiment and 17th Armour Brigade drove by the rucking OJs towards the smoke-ridden city. Hundreds of tanks and armoured vehicles formed the vanguard as artillery and logistical vehicles lingered behind the formation. Several helicopters flanked the formation as they weaved through the skies of Erdani IX. The Directorate military displays a classic definition of a combined arms doctrine as it maneuvers toward its objectives.
"These fuckers are making me jealous. Look at them go! The luxury of sitting on their ass while the rest of us are in the dirt, the war will be over by the time we reach the front lines, man," said Corporal Johnson as the men in the back of transport trucks and Mk2 MPVs taunted the marching divers on the side of the road.
"You would think since the army has hundreds of ships that transport plebes from one solar system to another would have mechanized all their fuckin units and not have us rucking through thirty goddamn miles," complained LCPL Bonovich.
"You all are just a bunch of lazy motherfuckers, get over yourselves, ya'll afraid to get your boots dirty?" said Staff Sergeant Cams as the soldiers bantered on. "Remember what ya'lls emblems mean boys! First boots on the ground! Hoorah!" he continued as some of the platoon's enthusiastic divers cheered.
"I am just saying, this shit is inefficient," the Corporal shrugged. "We could have had the entire fuckin platoon on the rendezvous coords right now if we just had even three MPVs. That shit would be a godsend," he finished.
"Someone gotta walk. Gas ain't cheap, boys," said Lieutenant Gordon. "Keep in formation an' stop bitchin'! We are five mikes out from the rally point!" exclaimed the Lieutenant.
"Gas ain't cheap? Shit ain't fair, Lieutenant. I pay my taxes, if this is the best my tax money goes to, I'll be damned," rebutted Johnson. "Ya'll just be saying that because you're not carrying this heavy fuckin gun. LMG my ass," he finished.
As the 2nd platoon approached the rally point to the left of the provincial road on the empty great plains of Torrington, ear-shattering sounds of good ol'e artillery firing for full effect rumbled the dirt beneath them. A column of H-87 Gustavs formed a battle line along the side of the provincial road. Behind the formation lay thousands of makeshift structures resembling a forward operating base. Dozers and MPS Gen-4 mechs operated efficiently within minutes of starting, with several structures now operational.
"Yeah... This war will be over before we get to fire our rifles," said Bonovich as he looked up towards the crimson skies.
"Isn't that the point? We fight so we get to go home and be with our family," said SSgt Cams as the 57th Bombardment Squadron flew above their heads with dozens of Skyvictors and escort atmospheric fighters, streaks of white behind their flight trail.
"Except there will be no fighting on our side of the story, eh Staff Sergeant? Them flyboys must be having the time of their lives," said Corporal Wales, distant rumblings glew in the silhouettes of the city. The bombing campaign has begun. Orbital bombardment and atmospheric bombers laid waste to the urban city in the distance, dropping thousands of ordnances. The city lit up like the skies of Earth during New Year's Eve. However, only atmospheric bomber ordnances detonated as orbital ordnances failed to get through the city, most likely through orbital shield systems.
"No one can survive that, no one," remarked Johnson as the platoon trudged towards the frontlines. The soldiers watched as the Directorate navy and air force pounded the ever-living shit out of the USF city. The city burned in intensity as the bombs kept on dropping. Signs of life and defiance still raged within the USF ranks as AA batteries and missile launch systems fired with impunity, even scoring hits against some of the Skyvictors as they burned in the skies, plummeting into the city.
"You would be surprised. The Chinese got bombed to shit in the third world war, but still put up a tight resistance when the allied invasion came around," said SSgt Cams.
"Formation halt!" Lieutenant Gordon ordered as the 2nd platoon stopped on the left side of the road. Beside the formation are transport vehicles parked, and other platoons disembarked to join the current formation. Distant gunfire and artillery support rumbled the rally point. Several companies stood in formation in the fields of Torrington, just a couple of meters away from the busy engineers constructing the forward operating base just outside of the city.
"Attention!" The LCol of the battalion ordered as a human clad in what seems to be a standard woodland BDU without armour, four gold stars dotted in the neck guard of his uniform distracted the rest of his outfit and strode along the formation with the battalion commander.
"Who's that?" Corporal Johnson quietly asked as the officers inspected the formation.
"That's General Hoover, now shut the fuck up and listen," said Cams.
"At ease, good morning boys!" The general exclaimed as infantrymen lined up in perfect formation, and the artillery crews seized their operations to listen to the general. Several tank and armoured vehicle crews parked nearby listened to Hoover as they poked their bodies outside of their hatches. Worried and tired expressions lingered on the faces of the veterans from the campaign against the USF rebellion. They have been fighting for years, fighting in the seas, skies, trenches, in cities and in the ships that operate in the expanse. Their faces convey the same, aside from the enlisted ones recently from boot camp. They all wanted to go home.
"Everybody comfortable? Everyone got some chow?" asked the general. Confused yet amused soldiers muttered to their buddies as the general scanned the crowd, a couple of faint chuckles he received.
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"Anyone gon tell him how rucking for half a day fuckin feels like?" Whispered Corporal Wales. His remark earned a couple of quiet snickers from the platoon. "Shut the fuck up Corporal, stand at attention," said Lieutenant Gordon.
"For those of you who aren't familiar, my name and rank is General Hoover Morton, most grunts call me the hound, the three-headed bulldog, Cerberus reincarnated. For those of you who know, you've been with me ever since the start of this goddamn war." The general paced back and forth as he scanned his soldiers, even patting a woman with a bandage encompassing her entire head, leaving only one eye and her mouth and nose exposed.
"Some of you here still remember during the first planet-hopping campaign launched on Epsilon, violent, brutal fuckin two years of constant total war against our once brothers and sisters. I know most of you are tired and want to go home," the general continued, stern yet poignant faces stared at his jaded green eyes. "We all have lost something in this war, ladies and gentlemen. We have lost our friends, our families, and sometimes even ourselves."
"I want you to now think about the consequences of our actions should we throw in the towel and march home. I want you to glimpse a future where your family's safety is compromised. I want you to think about that for a second," said the general as everyone listened profoundly, never taking their eyes off the general. "See what's happening behind me right now? We gave them mercy yet they still fucked with us, we tried to sue for peace and they took advantage of that, I want you all now to think about the massacre of Keller Station, about the sabotage of Jupiter V, I want you to think about the glassing of Centauri X," within seconds the entire regiment's expressions changed representing a rabid dog waiting to be unleashed as the general pushed on with his speech.
"They wanted hell, we'll give them hell!" exclaimed the general while his leashed dogs barked. "Do you all remember when we landed through blood and fire during Erdani II and what it cost? They called me the Cerberus when we outflanked and decimated an entire army group during the skirmishes of Erdani II! Remember when we punched through the impenetrable defensive lines of Jahim Prime!? When we pushed on even on the brink of defeat and won through sheer fuckin will, so when you see what's happening behind me right now on the horizon, that will be the exodus of the chapter of this war!" he continued as the soldiers cheered on.
"Once the bombardment from the air force and fleet command assets has concluded, we will proceed with the initial probings and begin the opening stages of the siege! Carry on and may god bless you all, hoorah!" finished the general. The FOB whirled into action as thousands of servicemen and women geared up for the inevitable siege against the last standing city of the USF in Erdani IX. 2nd "Bulldog" platoon sat idly by as Gunnery Sergeant Mike inspected the unit. Other platoons of the 2nd Jumper Company formed alongside the 2nd platoon, with their respective NCOs keeping their combat jumpers in line and combat-ready.
"All officers and senior NCOs of the 3rd OJ Regiment are to report to the command post immediately!" LCol Porter announced as the inspections concluded, he strode past the formation towards the center of the FOB, and a pack of officers and NCOs from the Jumper battalions trailed behind the captain. The sight and smell reminded him of the brutal siege of Erdani II's capital city of Luz do Sol. The FOB bustled with a frantic pace of coordinated mustering points for designated units. Combined divisions of the Orbital Jumpers and Directorate Army Corps make up the manpower occupying the Torrington Valley overlooking Antonov City. The unavoidable smell of smoke coming from the guns of H-87 Gustav Howitzers and EC-2 406mm Heavy Artillery pieces was overpowered only by the natural scent of hydrogen fuel. Without their issued OBM helmets, their ears would be bleeding from the blasting guns. The group of officers and NCOs approached the command tent as hundreds of personnel worked in tandem coordinating the elements of the regiments. Electronic buzz and chatter filled the tent as the officers entered the post.
"LCol Porter, Captain Browning, Captain James, a pleasure to see you boys still in the fight. I take it that the landings went smooth two days ago." Colonel Bridger said as the officers saluted the colonel as they entered the post, with the colonel saluting back.
"Likewise sir, we are jumpers, our landings are always smooth," replied LCol Porter, the other officers smirked with amusement at the obvious sarcasm, and the colonel smiled back as he gestured the officers to follow him deeper into the post.
"We have reports that the enemy has dug in deep within the city, probing skirmishes are currently testing the enemy's capabilities right now as we speak. The general wants the entire 3rd Orbital Jumper regiment to be spaceborne in an hour from now." Colonel Bridger said as they walked towards the center. General Hoover stood with Lieutenant General Yiugor as they discussed battle plans, a massive hologram sat in the middle of the command podium from where they were standing. The entire view of the city came to fruition as the general and colonel conversed further.
"Attention!" exclaimed Colonel Bridger as the officers and NCOs saluted the generals, they then faced the crowd and saluted back. "Colonel Bridger, welcome to the hornet's nest, have your men gather round the map as we brief on how to approach the mission at hand." General Hoover said as the officers listened carefully at the briefing.
"We have several key elements probing all the sectors of the city, as far as our reconnaissance units reports, all sectors are heavily defended by AA batteries and AA missile sites. An airborne assault is out of the question, several victors from the 87th have already been shot down by these sites during the bombardment. That is why I am mobilizing the entire 3rd OJ regiment to be combat-effective within the hour, several cruisers from fleet command have already been rerouted and are set to arrive at this FOB 30 mikes from now," said the general as he paced back and forth, pointing several key objectives in the holographic map.
"With that said, the 3rd's main objective is to engage a drop insertion bypassing the city's OBSHD-03 systems scattered throughout the city. Our friends from fleet command cannot provide orbital support as long as those orbital shield systems are operational. There are three shield systems scattered throughout the city, our drones spotted these installations earlier this morning, and they are heavily defended," said the general, muttering almost as quietly as whispering occupied the officers.
"Permission to speak sir?" Asked LCol Porter as all eyes turned to him, the general nodded in return. "What are our options in terms of support? If we drop within the vicinity of these installations, we'll be outnumbered and be easily overrun," followed the Lieutenant.
"As I said, orbital precision artillery support will be out of the question as long as the OBSHD systems are actively protecting the city, and CAS missions and casevacs are limited as long as those AA missile sites are active. However, direct and indirect artillery support is available across the board," said the general, "To prevent the dropped Jumpers from being overrun, the elements of the 5th Army Corps will start sieging the city 30 minutes before you drop on designated locations," he continued. The captain merely nodded as he was satisfied with the answers.
"Regarding the disposition of the regiment, 2nd Battalion Victor, Yankee, and Omega companies will drop on Installation 1 on the northern axis of the city. 3rd Battalion Foxtrot, Zulu, and Echo companies will drop on Installation 2 on the southern axis of the city. 1st Battalion Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie companies will drop on the third installation on the western axis of the city, the armoured and infantry elements of the 5th Army Corps will drive away most of the resistance on these installations but still proceed with caution," said Lieutenant General Yiugor. "Getting those shields down will be the top priority, however, secondary objectives are to disable enemy AA assets and artillery pieces so we can commence the full invasion of the city."
"These objectives are vital to the whole operation, securing it may guarantee victory or break it, now you get those orbital shields down and fast Colonel, this is the perfect job for your venerated regiment, too many lives are at stake for you to even consider failure," said General Hoover as many a jumper in the vicinity wore grim faces.
"You and your men are dismissed Colonel, debrief and gear up with the rest of your regiment and get ready to be received by fleet command," followed the general as he saluted the Jumpers.
"Understood sir, we'll give 'em hell," replied Colonel Bridger as he saluted the general along with his men. Hoover then turned to General Yiugor, "Now Yiugor, I want the entire 5th Army mobilized within the hour and ready to bring the hammer down on this goddamned city, probing reports shows that the western axis shows the most resistance on the city, we are going to fight fire with fire, we maximize our dispositions on that quadrant and match their formations. You are going to make a hole in those walls and punch through with the biggest fuckin tanks we can muster," the general finished. Yiugor nodded and saluted the General back and exited the CP.
"Let's get a move on gents, saddle up in 5, and brief your men of the mission ahead," followed Bridger as the rest of the officers and NCOs exited the command post. As they made their way to the 3rd OJ's mustering point, the skies rumbled as the cruisers from fleet command violently soared across the skies, "There goes our ride, sir," remarked LCol Porter.
"Off we jump again towards the abyss eh?" Said the colonel to the lieutenant, "It's what we signed up for sir, besides, ain't nowhere else to be than here, making a difference," replied Porter. In the designated tarmac of the jumpers, the entire regiment steeled itself as they donned their armours and readied their weapons. The clanks of metal and thumps of heavy boots of the GX-5 Combat Exoskeleton Suit littered the surroundings.
As the cruisers got closer, the wind gushed such viciously that unattended items of insignificant weight flew across the tarmac. The jumpers braced and organized themselves in formation alongside each other, rank to rank, company to company. The cruisers lined up in tandem 100 meters away from the regiment and touched down on the makeshift runway of the FOB, their personnel ramps opening downwards.
"Men and women of the 3rd Orbital Jumper Regiment! Today, we go again where duty takes us! Today, we jump! Hoorah!" exclaimed Colonel Bridger as men and women chanted his cries alongside him. The jumpers started embarking the cruisers in droves with their adrenaline spiked to the peak, ravenous for a fight. A fight they will get, and a fight they will regret, for death may never be greeted in silence, but with rage and cries of anguish.