In 1922, in the aftermath of the Great War, as Germany faced the consequences of the Treaty of Versailles, Austro-Hungary dissolved, and the Russian Empire embraced communism, the world began to heal. The air cleared of the smoke from battlefields, and the sounds of nature returned, no longer drowned out by gunfire. Yet, amidst this recovery, a nation emerged in the sparse expanse of Central Asia—the Free Territory of Aralia. Rising up in rebellion against the Soviet Union, it swiftly annexed its Central Asian territories with astonishing speed. Such rapid progress seemed impossible for a fledgling nation, but Aralia possessed something unique—remarkable technological advancements.
Pioneering the development of missiles, advanced weaponry, and fearsome mechs, Aralia wielded unparalleled power on the battlefield, swiftly turning the tide against the Soviets. Their secret lay in a native, fluid-like mineral discovered in the Aral Sea, enabling them to create weaponry far beyond the reach of conventional materials. As their military prowess grew, Aralia became an unstoppable force, prompting nations across the globe to unite in a coalition against them.
The Global Coalition War, consisting of the "Coalition" and Aralia, stretched on for five grueling years, with nations finding themselves outmatched by Aralia's superior technology. Desperate to halt their relentless advance, especially with some countries backing out due to economic strain, the coalition resorted to newly developed nuclear weapons. Yet, Aralia's advanced defense systems swiftly intercepted the missiles, rendering the attacks futile and leaving only radioactive fallout in their wake.
Shielded by protective barriers around their cities, Aralia's populace remained unharmed by the radiation, but the surrounding area became uninhabitable. With foot soldiers unable to venture into the contaminated zone, the coalition devised a new strategy—sending troops into battle in radiation-shielded vehicles. Inspired by the land battleships of the Great War, these "tanks" were operated by a single crew member each. Though not as formidable as the mechs, they represented the coalition's only hope of halting Aralia's relentless advance before their technological superiority became insurmountable.
As the years dragged on, the war extended into its eighteenth year by 1940. Aralia's conquests had been staggering, expanding their territories to encompass most of eastern China and all of Central Asia. Despite the coalition's technological advancements, time was running out, with Aralia teetering on the brink of achieving unstoppable dominance.
However, a glimmer of hope flickered within the coalition—a young Aralian boy, haunted by the atrocities of war and driven by a desire for redemption. With his enigmatic past veiled in secrecy, he defected from Aralia to join the ranks of the Nanyue Confederation, a country that had revolted from China near Indochina, bordered the South China Sea and controlled the province of Guangxi, where he enlisted in a Tank Battalion.
Now, standing on the frontlines against Aralia, he battled against his former comrades, his actions poised to shape the course of the war and the fate of nations. And his name was...
"Private Aleksander, keep your head focused if you don't want to lose your head!" A man's voice crackled on the radio.
Aleksander opened his eyes and quickly realized that he must have momentarily fainted. He found himself still on the battlefield, where the sound of cannons was still raging, leaving no time to wonder why he fainted. He swiftly regained his composure and locked his focus on the battlefield. His short black hair was matted with sweat, and his sharp blue eyes scanned the horizon for threats.
"Copy that, Captain Wu. Apologies for the sudden blackout," he responded over the radio. Captain Wu Xin, with a seasoned look on his face and a few lines of worry etched across his forehead, nodded slightly, his expression hidden but his tone conveying relief and command.
Shortly after Aleksander responded, he quickly adjusted his grip on the tank's controls and repositioned his legs. As he steadied himself, he saw a shell fired directly at his vehicle. In a split second, he instinctively backed up his tank, which was a modified ASU-85 sent by the USSR via a lend-lease program to the Nanyue Confederation, to dodge the incoming shell.
The shell hurled towards him at devastating speed and narrowly missed scraping the armor of his tank, instead striking the ground beside it. It was an Armor-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot (APFSDS) shell, fired by one of Aralia's Light Mechs, the "Өрмек."
The Өрмек, true to its Kazakh namesake meaning "spider," featured eight hydraulically powered legs for swift mobility, enabling it to traverse terrain at speeds of up to 50 kilometers per hour. Armed with a 50-caliber machine gun for engaging lightly armored vehicles and infantry, as well as a formidable 76mm cannon mounted on a 180° rotating turret for confronting tougher adversaries, the Өрмек emerged as the most widely produced combat vehicle in Aralia.
Despite its prominence on the battlefield, the Өрмек remained a formidable opponent for coalition tanks. However, it paled in comparison to Aralia's stronger mechs, highlighting the vast technological gap between Aralia and the coalition forces.
Aleksander, in reaction to the sudden shell barely missing him, tensed up his face, his brows furrowing in concentration. Though the shot had narrowly missed him, the Өрмек mechs were nowhere in sight. Likely obscured by a slight incline of land that acted as a protective wall, the shot had been lobbed towards him like artillery from the Өрмек's cannon, making it difficult to trace back to its original location. He could try to move forward against the incline, but that would risk exposing him to enemy fire—a risk no one was willing to take.
"Oy Aleksander, looks like you narrowly dodged that one, eh?" The speaker's voice crackled through with a hint of laughter, his eyes crinkling with amusement. It was Li Wei, whose youthful face and lively brown eyes reflected his spirited nature, though his dirty-blond hair was now covered in grime from the battlefield. "Good thing you didn't get your head shot off."
Aleksander glanced at his left-side screen display, which provided a full 180° vision of the battlefield via sensors. He saw another ASU-85 tank, emblazoned with the words "Mighty Li" on its side, the letters standing out boldly against the backdrop of smoke and debris.
Then, another voice chimed in over the radio, calm and composed. "Li Wei, it's rude to laugh at someone's near-death experience," she said with a mix of admonishment and concern, her lips downturned in a frown. It was Chen Xiulan, her long black hair tied back in a practical ponytail that contrasted with her striking, serious brown eyes.
He looked to his right screen and saw another ASU-85, this one bearing the text "Fènghuáng," which roughly translated to Phoenix in Mandarin.
"Ah, lighten up, Lieutenant Chen," Li Wei retorted, his voice carrying a hint of playful sarcasm, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "We could all use a little humor in this hellhole."
"Li Wei, we're in the middle of a warzone," Chen Xiulan replied, her voice stern but tinged with amusement, a wry smile playing at her lips. "There's a time and place for everything."
"Aside from that... Lieutenant, how do you propose we break out of this stalemate with the enemy?" Aleksander's voice cut through the tension, a note of urgency underlying his words, his expression serious as he awaited their response.
"Well, we're stuck in a bit of a bind at the moment," Li Wei remarked, her tone tinged with frustration, her hands gesturing animatedly as she spoke. "Those Өрмек will have a field day if we expose ourselves."
"We'll just have to bide our time until the 4th Squadron gives us the signal to engage," Chen Xiulan added, her voice steady despite the tension in the air, her gaze focused and determined. "Patience is our best weapon right now."
"Understood," Aleksander affirmed, his features set in determination, his hands gripping the controls of his tank tightly. Just as he spoke, a loud thunder roared from behind them, shaking the ground beneath their treads. But it was no thunder, but rather artillery shells.
"Well, would you look at that, took the bastards long enough," Chen Xiulan remarked with a small smirk, her tone reflecting a mix of satisfaction and anticipation, a glint of excitement in her eyes.
Suddenly, a commanding voice crackled over the radio, cutting through the conversation like a knife. "2nd Squadron, when the shells make contact with the enemy, prepare to engage!" The authoritative tone belonged to Captain Wu Xin, injecting a sense of urgency into the air, his expression grave as he issued the order.
A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
As the shells sliced through the sky with an ominous whistle, Aleksander's squadron, nestled behind cover, braced themselves for the impending chaos, their hands steady on the controls, their eyes focused on the horizon. The air crackled with nervous energy, each member of the squadron poised for action, their hearts pounding in their chests, their expressions a mixture of determination and apprehension.
Then, with a thunderous impact, the shells collided with the earth, unleashing a cacophony of destruction upon the unsuspecting Өрмек nearby. Flames erupted, casting an eerie glow over the battlefield, while plumes of smoke billowed into the air, obscuring visibility and adding to the chaos of the battlefield.
Without a moment's hesitation, Aleksander surged ahead, pushing his tank to its limits as he charged across the battlefield. With the throttle wide open and the gears shifted into overdrive, he zoomed towards the unsuspecting Өрмекs, his determination driving him forward with unwavering resolve. Behind him, the rest of the 2nd Squadron followed suit, their tanks rumbling in unison as they advanced through the lingering smoke, concealed from view.
"Alright! It's time for a turkey shootout!" Li Wei's voice boomed over the radio as he opened fire, the sound of his tank's cannons adding to the cacophony of battle.
"I've been waiting for this," Chen Xiulan joined in, her voice resolute as she fired her tank's weapons with precision and determination.
Aleksander also joined the fray, his fingers gripping the controls tightly as he unleashed a torrent of firepower upon the enemy, his determination evident in every shot.
As the Өрмекs fell one by one, their hydraulic legs shredded and their frames engulfed in flames, they became easy targets for the relentless onslaught of the 2nd Squadron. With no means of retreat and their defenses compromised, they stood helpless against the barrage of Armor-Piercing (AP) shells raining down upon them.
Undeterred, the 2nd Squadron pressed forward, their tanks advancing steadily as they unleashed volley after volley of devastating firepower. The enemy mechs stood no chance against the overwhelming force of the coalition tanks, their once formidable ranks decimated within moments.
Just as victory seemed within reach, however, the sudden roar of APFSDS shells howled through the battlefield. The deadly projectiles streaked towards the advancing squadron, their origins concealed within the dense foliage of the nearby forest. Aleksander's eyes widened in alarm as he realized they were walking into a trap, the enemy lying in wait to strike at the first sign of advancement.
"2nd Squadron, spread out! Don't give them an easy target!" Captain Wu Xin's voice crackled urgently over the radio, his tone betraying the gravity of the situation.
With no source of cover in the open field, the squadron had little choice but to scatter, their tanks weaving and maneuvering to avoid the deadly rain of APFSDS shells. The unexpected volume of enemy fire suggested a number of atleast 8 Өрмекs lying in wait, hidden from view and poised to strike.
As Aleksander's tank surged forward, he glanced around frantically, scanning the horizon for any sign of the enemy. The vast expanse of the battlefield offered little in the way of protection, leaving them vulnerable to attack.
"Everyone, keep moving forward towards the forest, and try to dodge their shells," Chen Xiulan commanded over the radio, her voice steady despite the chaos unfolding around them.
"Seems we've stumbled across a hornet's nest, huh?" Li Wei remarked wryly, his tone laced with a hint of amusement amidst the tension.
"Good, It's about time we cleaned up some pests," Aleksander smirked, his eyes carrying a hint of bloodlust.
The squadron pressed forward, deftly dodging the relentless barrage of shells hurtling their way. They maneuvered with precision, their movements synchronized as they navigated the treacherous terrain.
As they penetrated deeper into the forest, the dense canopy overhead obscured their vision, casting shadows that danced ominously among the trees. The air was thick with tension, every rustle of leaves and snap of twigs magnified in their ears.
Through the dense foliage, the Өрмекs lay in wait, their metallic forms blending seamlessly with the surroundings. Yet, despite their cunning camouflage, the squadron unleashed a relentless onslaught, their weapons blazing as they fired indiscriminately into the trees.
Amidst the chaos of battle, the metallic clang of shots striking their targets echoed through the forest, a symphony of destruction that reverberated through the air.
During the fray, both the squadron and the enemy were split up into several groups, turning the forest into a total free-for-all for everyone involved.
Separated from his comrades, Aleksander found himself alone amidst the chaos of battle, though the reassuring hum of the radio kept him tethered to his squadron.
"Everyone, destroy every Өрмекs in your sight," Captain Wu Xin's voice crackled over the radio, a directive punctuated by urgency.
Aleksander's senses were heightened to a fever pitch, his heart racing with adrenaline as he remained on high alert, scanning every shadow and listening intently for any sign of enemy movement.
Every rustle of leaves and snap of branches sent a jolt of anticipation through his veins, each sound a potential harbinger of danger lurking nearby. Amidst the cacophony of gunfire and explosions, Aleksander's ears strained to pick out any hint of movement, his instincts honed by years of combat experience.
He continued to scan his surroundings, his senses finely attuned to every minor sound that could be heard amidst the chaos of battle, until... he heard it.
The faint rustle of bushes reached his ears from the far distance, a subtle yet unmistakable indication of movement. Without hesitation, Aleksander reacted, his training kicking in as he swiftly brought his tank's cannon to bear and opened fire in the direction of the sound.
"Got you," he whispered.
The roar of his tank's cannon filled the air as a High-Explosive (HE) round hurtled through the trees, tearing through foliage and underbrush with deadly precision. The shot whistled through the forest, its trajectory unerring until it collided with something metallic, the impact reverberating through the trees with a resounding explosion.
The shell exploded, lighting the mech and the surrounding foliage ablaze. Due to the Өрмек's fragile build, its legs were easily damaged, rendering it ineffective at moving. However, the mech still retained its ability to turn its turret, and its cannon faced towards Aleksander immediately, firing in retaliation.
As Aleksander maneuvered his tank to dodge the incoming fire, his vehicle, the Asu-85, stood out amidst the chaos of the battlefield. Designed as a versatile tank destroyer, the Asu-85 boasted formidable firepower and agility despite its relatively modest size.
At its core, the Asu-85 was defined by its 85mm D-70 rifled cannon, a weapon renowned for its precision and stopping power. Mounted within the tank's casemate design, the cannon offered unparalleled firepower, capable of decimating enemy armor with ease. The sound of its firing was a powerful statement, a declaration of the tank’s might.
However, despite its offensive capabilities, the Asu-85 was not without its drawbacks. With weak armor providing minimal protection for its crew, the tank relied heavily on speed and agility to evade enemy fire and outmaneuver its adversaries. Its casemate configuration offered limited gun traverse, with only 15 degrees of movement on either side, requiring precise positioning to effectively engage targets. The tank's vulnerability was a constant reminder of the risks its crew faced in battle.
Nevertheless, the Asu-85 had undergone extensive modifications to enhance its speed and maneuverability. Equipped with an autoloader, it could maintain being reloaded without the use of a human, bringing it on par with the formidable Өрмек mechs of the enemy forces. These upgrades transformed it into a formidable opponent on the battlefield, capable of rapid, decisive strikes.
He moved his vehicle closer to the enemy mech. He knew that the Өрмек had almost twice as fast a reload time as his tank, meaning that the enemy mech would fire again before his shell could even be ready. Despite this, he advanced forward at full speed, challenging the Өрмек head-on.
The enemy mech's 76mm cannon glinted in the sunlight that managed to seep through the forest canopy, fully aimed at Aleksander's vehicle. Despite this, Aleksander kept his composure and roughly counted the number of seconds it took for the enemy to reload a shell: six seconds. He counted and counted, preparing for the final second.
And then.. that final second came, not for him, but for them.
Exactly when Aleksander counted down to the final second, he immediately swiveled the tank 90 degrees to the right and released the left-side grapple of his tank. This grapple was a modification used by the Asu-85 to scale structures and tow other light vehicles. The grapple shot out and came in contact with the ground, anchoring itself firmly.
Shortly after, the Өрмек fired its shell straight towards him. In the split second in which the grapple embedded itself, Aleksander swiftly turned the tank around 80 degrees to the left while stepping on the brakes. This sudden maneuver, combined with the tank's speed, caused the vehicle to drift. The Asu-85 swung around, dirt and leaves flying as its tracks dug into the forest floor, accompanied by the screech of the tank's suspension. The tank was held in its trajectory by the grapple, stabilizing it amidst the chaos.
The Өрмек's shell whizzed past, missing the tank by inches. Aleksander could feel the rush of air as it passed, a narrow escape. The tank's drift brought it to a halt with its cannon facing the now reloading Өрмек.
The Asu-85’s engine roared as Aleksander steadied the tank, his heart pounding in his chest. He could see the damage he had inflicted on the mech earlier, its legs still smoldering, and its turret sluggishly attempting to adjust. He had a narrow window before the Өрмек could fire again.
With a calculated breath, Aleksander took aim, his finger hovering over the trigger. The seconds felt like hours as he waited for his cannon to be ready. The moment it was, he fired. The 85mm AP shell shot out with a deafening roar, hurtling towards the already crippled mech. This time, the impact was fatal. The shell hit its mark, exploding with a force that sent pieces of the Өрмек flying. Flames erupted from the mech’s core, its systems failing as it succumbed to the devastating blow.
Aleksander let out a small sigh of relief. If the shell had been fired just inches differently, or if he had turned even a fraction too late, he likely would have ended up like the wreck he now saw in front of him—a burning heap of flesh and metal.
The aftermath of the maneuver left his surroundings in disarray. The forest floor was scarred with deep gouges from the tank's tracks, and the air was thick with the acrid smell of burning fuel and scorched earth. His heart pounded in his chest, adrenaline still coursing through his veins as he steadied his breath.
Amidst the chaos, Aleksander's ears began to ring, and he realized he hadn't been listening to the radio. The intense focus on his duel with the mech had drowned out all other sounds. Gradually, his hearing started to return to normal, and he caught the tail end of a transmission.
"-eksander!" The voice crackled through the static.
"Aleksander! State your status!" It was Chen Xiulan, her tone urgent.
His hands shook slightly due to the fight, the adrenaline high beginning to ebb away. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself before responding. The sights and sounds of battle were all around him, but for a moment, he centered himself, focusing on the voice of his Lieutenant.
"Aleksander here. I have taken out one of their mechs. Status: operational," he responded, his voice steady despite the lingering tension.
Chen Xiulan let out a small sigh of relief, her voice softening with a hint of admiration. "That's good to hear, Aleksander. We have successfully taken down the rest of the mechs. Good work."
Aleksander leaned back in his seat, the tension in his muscles easing slightly. The forest around him was eerily quiet now, the sounds of battle replaced by the crackling of flames and the distant hum of engines. He could see the smoldering remains of the enemy mechs scattered through the trees, a testament to the fierce engagement they had just endured.
"Alright! Everyone, we have won this one!" Captain Wu Xin's voice boomed over the radio, filled with pride and authority. "Regroup with the 4th Squadron and return to base. The other squadrons will garrison this place."
Aleksander allowed himself a moment to take in the scene. The sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows through the forest. The once pristine landscape was now marred by the signs of battle: fallen trees, churned earth, and the remains of destroyed mechs. Despite the destruction, there was a sense of accomplishment in the air, a hard-fought victory that had cost them dearly but secured their position.
He could see movement in the distance as the members of his squadron began to regroup, their vehicles emerging from the cover of the forest. Aleksander took a deep breath, savoring the moment of rest before starting his tank's engine and moving to join his comrades. The battle was over, but the war was far from finished. For now, though, they had earned a moment of respite.