Chapter 7: The Silent Assault.
The morning sun barely peeked over the horizon, casting long shadows across the camp as Ava and Miko stood in front of their troops. The Arbor Defense Force, lined up in their positions, braced for whatever was coming. Their faces were hardened with the knowledge that today could be the day they faced the full force of the Reclaimers.
Ava moved through the lines, offering words of encouragement and advice to the recruits. She stopped beside a young ADF member whose hands trembled on his rifle. "First minute's always the hardest," she said quietly, locking eyes with him. "Keep your focus, breathe, and remember your training. You've got this."
The recruit nodded, swallowing hard, and straightened his posture. Ava offered a brief smile before continuing down the line, her senses on high alert.
Suddenly, the radios crackled with static, then fell silent. The sudden lack of communication sent a ripple of unease through the ranks. Ava frowned, tapping the radio on her shoulder. "Miko, you hearing this?"
Miko, standing just a few feet away, gave a tight nod. "Nothing. Complete blackout."
Before either of them could react further, the first explosion rocked the ground near the camp’s edge, sending dirt and debris flying into the air. "Contact!" Ava shouted, her voice carrying across the field. "Take cover!"
More explosions followed in quick succession, the unmistakable sound of artillery fire filling the air. The Reclaimers' attack had begun, and they were hitting hard, aiming directly for their defensive lines.
The ADF scrambled into their positions, some diving behind makeshift barricades while others readied their rifles. The sounds of rockets screaming overhead and the heavy thud of impacts shook the ground, sending shock-waves through the defenders.
Ava sprinted toward a group of ADF soldiers hunkered down behind a barricade. "Hold your positions!" she commanded, grabbing one of them by the collar and pulling him down just as another rocket exploded nearby, the force of the blast throwing dirt and shrapnel in every direction.
"Stay low, stay focused!" Ava barked as she peeked over the barricade, scanning the treeline for enemy movement. The Reclaimers were advancing quickly, using the cover of smoke and explosions to move closer to their position.
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Ava signaled to Miko, who was already firing toward the treeline, his rifle cutting through the smoke with precise, deadly shots. He nodded back, acknowledging the signal, and began coordinating the counteroffensive.
The battlefield became a cacophony of noise—rockets whistling through the air, gunfire erupting in bursts, and the distant rumble of artillery pounding the enemy’s suspected positions. Ava moved through the chaos, her eyes scanning for weak points in their defense while keeping her own rifle ready.
A young Sentinel faltered nearby, his eyes wide with fear as the explosions intensified around them. Without hesitation, Ava grabbed him, pulling him behind cover just as a mortar hit the ground where he had been standing seconds before. "Get your head in the game!" she snapped. "Focus on staying alive and keeping your team safe."
The young soldier nodded shakily, gripping his rifle tighter as he took a deep breath and rejoined the fight.
Miko appeared at Ava's side, his face grim. "We’re barely holding them off. This blackout of comms... it’s deliberate. They knew how to cut us off."
Ava gritted her teeth, her mind racing. The Reclaimers had prepared for this—isolating them from command, using their numbers and brute force to overwhelm their defenses. "They’re trying to blind us before they crush us," she muttered.
Suddenly, the artillery positioned behind their lines roared to life, firing shell after shell into the Reclaimers' advancing forces. The sky lit up as explosions ripped through the enemy’s positions, momentarily slowing their momentum. The ground shook under the barrage, the noise deafening.
"Give 'em hell!" Miko shouted, firing his rifle between artillery blasts.
The brief reprieve allowed Ava’s troops to regroup. She moved quickly, shouting orders and helping the wounded to safer positions. Despite the relentless attack, her voice remained steady and commanding.
As the artillery fire subsided, the radios crackled back to life, their familiar static-filled voices a welcome sound. "All units, report!" came the voice of Commander Sterling through the comms, his tone sharp with urgency.
Ava pressed her hand to her radio. "Second section, still holding. Minimal casualties."
Other units reported in as well, confirming that, despite the brutal attack, their lines had held. For now.
"Stand by for a potential second wave," Sterling ordered through the radio. "We can't let them push us back any further. Hold this position at all costs."
Ava exhaled, her eyes scanning the treeline where the smoke from the artillery strikes still hung thick in the air. "They’ll regroup and come at us harder," she said quietly to Miko.
"We need Talon’s intel, and fast," Miko replied, his voice filled with tension. "Without knowing their full force or numbers, we’re just holding on by a thread."
Ava nodded, her chest tightening with the weight of the situation. She knew the battle was far from over, and the next wave could be the one to break them. Talon needed to return—and soon—if they were going to have any hope of surviving the coming storm.