United States Strategic Command, Codename: "STRATCOM," Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, USA, July 4th, 2018
Rows of desks and computer screens filled the large, darkened room. Mammals sat down, eyes fixed on incoming data and reports from worldwide. A large central screen took up a whole wall and would typically show a satellite view of the entire globe. However, it was currently gray, with superimposed text stating, "Please stand by." The other three walls in the room were made of glass, behind which were multiple floors of individual offices.
A high-level general sat in one of the leading offices, a microphone always present at his side.
"Is most of our Defense Support network still inoperable?" The General said in a gruff yet firm voice.
"Yes, sir." a staffer responded, gesturing to the main screen. "We are basically blind in one eye. We only have limited monitoring capabilities in focused areas. The program lost more than a handful of satellites from the debris cloud caused by that Chinese rocket malfunction."
"Is it related to the issues we have been having with our electronic monitoring and defensive systems?"
"Unknown, sir, but it is possible. The issues with FAA networks and NOTAM are affecting both military and civilian aircraft. Hundreds of Commercial Flights have been grounded, and we're working as fast as possible to restore normal operational capacity. Teams are proceeding to look at the infrastructure on the ground."
"Understood, keep me posted."
"Sir, one of our on-the-ground monitoring posts appears to be picking up something near Alaska, but we are having trouble confirming."
The main screen came to life, showing a satellite view of the coast of Alaska, where dozens of red dots were overlaid onto the map. Slowly crossing the Bering Strait towards the American side.
The general spoke into his microphone.
"Sector 11, be aware we are detecting multiple bogies in your AO," STRATCOM informed.
"Sector 11 to STRATCOM, be aware we have no bogies on our scopes. Experiencing system faults, attempting to rectify."
The satellite image on the main screen changed, this time showing the state of California. More red dots were present over the state coast.
"Sector 8, do you copy?"
There was a pause, and then a screaming voice came over the comms system.
"This is the California NORAD monitoring station! They're all over us!"
"Sector 8! Repeat!"
"We have visuals on hostile aircraft in large volumes! Chinese types! Airdrop formation!"
"Affirmative! Dispatching local units to intercept! Do you have confirmation that the aircraft are of Chinese make and model?"
"Sir! New call coming in from Europe!" A staff member said. "Patching it through now!"
The screen shifted to a view from an exterior camera mounted on an aircraft. A vast countryside of green trees and fields was visible below the plane, with text near the bottom left corner indicating this was Poland. However, multiple red-colored signatures were visible on the ground below.
"This is Lieutenant Nowak of NATO enhanced forward battlegroup Orzysz! We are under heavy assault by Russian and Belarusian ground and air units!"
"Lieutenant Nowak, this is STRATCOM! We read you! Repeat your last!"
"We're under attack from Russian and Belarusian military forces! My unit is down to 65% combat effectiveness! We need immediate assistan- AHHH!"
The communication was cut off by scraping metal and then static.
"Lieutenant! Come in!"
"Sir! Call from Houston!" A staffer yelled. "Hostile Russian units are aboard the international space station! They're massacring our astronauts!"
Bright flashes of gunfire passed by the plane on screen, and the feed cut off. Replaced by the text reading, "Please stand by."
Another voice could be heard over the radio.
"This is London! Russian fighters and bombers have penetrated our airspace! RAF forces are attempting to engage! We're encountering severe errors with our combat systems!"
There was static, and a new voice could be heard over the radio.
"This is ROC Command! Chinese bombers and fighter jets are hitting our cities! 40 percent of defense systems are down! Repeat, 40 percent of our defense systems are down!"
"Put all current alerts on screen!" The general ordered.
Various location names flashed onscreen, each one indicating an incoming notice from a country or city. Calls came in from the Pacific to Scandinavia, from Western nations and allied countries all over the globe.
"Contact the White House and Brussels! Move alert state to DEFCON 1! Repeat, move alert state to DEFCON 1!"
Oakland Suburbs, California, United States, July 4th, 2018
It was a relatively simple monument: a series of stone monoliths with bronze plaques inscribed with the names of fallen soldiers. Surrounding the rock landmark were family homes and tall trees that thrived in the region's semi-arid environment.
Over 3 dozen mammals had turned out to celebrate the 4th of July. They had set up grills, picnic tables, and blankets to enjoy the warm weather. Even a school bus had brought in a group of mammals from further afield. Even a local politician, a mountain lion dressed in a blue-gray blazer, was speaking to potential voters.
His eye caught a boxy green truck pulling up, an FMTV A2, full of a squad of US soldiers.
"Ah! I want to thank the esteemed members of our armed forces for attending our little celebration!"
The squad hopped out and stood to attention, a few mammals clapping while others used the opportunity to take pictures.
A Humvee pulled up, along with a M1030M1 motorcycle.
Cecilia, Stryker, Jacob, and Livia climbed out of the larger vehicle while Liam and Jayleen dismounted the smaller transport.
Everyone had on standard light green US Army fatigues, with tactical gear, vests, and pouches for items. However, there was a bit of uniform variation. Stryker had goggles raised on his helmet and ammo and wore a significant amount of pouches and Kevlar padding.
Jacob was wearing a camouflaged sniper hood made of tough fabric, which draped from the top of his head to his shoulders.
Liam wore a high-cut US army helmet, saying the light headgear was less hindering and helped him maintain quick reaction times on the battlefield. He had extra padding around his knees and shoulders while a bandolier crossed his chest.
Jayleen's battle dress included a defibrillator and related paraphernalia, such as scissors and a medical kit emblazoned with a red cross. She wore a simple patrol cap with holes that allowed her ears to poke through.
Meanwhile, Livia wore a dark green baseball cap and a headset. Her kit contained dozens of bits of equipment, from wrenches to acetylene torches and small metal devices. Everything a combat engineer would require in battle.
Cecilia still had her tan beret atop her head, the hat sporting a small patch with the Delta Force logo. Being the squad leader, her kit included a portable radio receiver with a short antenna stored in a pack on her back.
"Alright, mammals!" Cecilia said, adjusting her uniform. "You know the drill, act respectable, and if someone asks how they sign up, direct them to the army website or the nearest recruiting station."
"You got it, Sergeant," Stryker said.
"Hey, don't think we got to do proper introductions yet since these two took the motorcycle here."
The coyote gestured to her lion and hyena squadmates.
“Jacob , Livia, Stryker, this is Liam and Jayleen. Liam, Jayleen, this is Jacob , Livia, and Stryker.”
The mammals reached out their paws and began to speak.
"What's your story?" Liam said, turning to the mule, who responded.
"Well, my family has been serving this country for literal centuries. Military service is an expectation, that sorta thing. Hell, I'm named after an ancestor of mine who fought in World War 2."
"Nice to meet you." Jayleen said, "I look forward to serving with you."
The conversation was cut short by clapping as the mountain lion politician climbed onto a small wooden stage.
"Thank you very much for attending, everyone! I look forward to enjoying the holiday celebrations with you! And thank you to the members of our armed forces for being here."
The mountain lion gestured to the pair of army squads, prompting the mammals nearby to give them a round of applause.
A pair of planes streaked overhead with a deafening howl, the attendees on the ground cheering and whooping.
"Wow, I was unaware there would be an air show!" The mountain lion said excitedly.
"Air show?" Cecilia said, confused. "I wasn't informed of any air show."
Looking up, she spotted a pale white fighter jet with a swept-wing design blazing through the skies overhead. As the airplane banked, a red star emblazoned on the tail could be seen.
That was when her eyes caught something in the sky behind the swooping jet.
Large transport aircraft filled the air, their bay doors open and dozens of parachutes floating to the ground below.
"What are those?" Liam asked as Cecilia noticed the fighter jet pulling back around. It closed the distance to the mammals, and the coyote's eyes widened as she recognized an aircraft coming in for an attack run.
"Get to cover!" Cecilia yelled, Opal squad diving down near their Humvee.
A missile dropped down from the jet and cut through the air, crashing into the monument and exploding. The blast killed the politician and his staff, blowing apart the monument into chunks of bronze and stone.
Mammals began screaming and running for safety as Opal squad stood up and turned their eyes toward the sky.
"What the hell was that?!" Livia said.
"What's with the transport aircraft?" Jayleen said. "They're deploying airborne troopers!"
"Look! They're dropping armored vehicles!" Jacob noted, pointing to a tank exiting the back of one of the planes. It's descent safely slowed by a trio of attached parachutes.
"When in doubt, assume hostility!" Cecilia ordered. "Arm yourselves mammals! High alert! Repeat, high alert!"
"I don't know how much doubt there is after what just happened," Stryker said.
Heading over to the Humvee and opening the trunk, Jacob and Cecilia pulled out a large heavy-duty plastic crate. Opening it to reveal a cache of weapons and ammo.
Each mammal grabbed a primary weapon alongside a sidearm. Liam wielded a Mossberg shotgun, while Livia used a Mk 14 DMR.
"Unidentified helicopter moving in!" Stryker shouted, inserting an ammo box into his M249 submachine gun.
The helicopter had a rounded, fat-looking airframe with a green and black camouflage. At the very front of the craft was a jet-black spherical module that likely held sensors and guidance equipment.
Jacob leveled his sniper rifle at the aircraft, looked through the scope, and spotted a red star on the side of the vehicle. The star had horizontal red rectangles connected on either side, while the entire symbol was outlined in yellow, with a yellow character in the star's center.
"Sir! Those are Chinese markings on that aircraft!" The rabbit said.
"Pretty sure that was their jet that blew up the memorial," Stryker responded.
The helicopter hovered nearby, ropes dropping from the transport compartment, and soldiers beginning to descend to the ground below. A sniper remained in the aircraft, taking shots at the Americans to cover his comrades.
The soldiers wore dark black uniforms in some areas, with other portions of woodland camouflage. Pouches, harnesses, and vests across their bodies, carrying weapons and additional equipment.
"Hostiles fast roping down!" Livia shouted.
"Mammals! Form a perimeter!" Cecilia ordered. "Hold off those hostiles till those civilians get to safety!"
Opal squad took up position, using their Humvee and other cars on the road as cover.
The other squad of soldiers had armed themselves and were now busy directing civilians to their cars or onto the school bus.
The squad of People's Liberation Army soldiers leveled their weapons and advanced before peppering the parked vehicles with bullets.
"Weapons free! Weapons free!"
Civilians screamed and sprinted away as the Americans and Chinese soldiers began to engage. Both sides took cover behind cars, the glass windows shattering as bullets tore them apart.
Stryker targeted the sniper in the helicopter, striking the mammal and causing him to fall out of the aircraft.
The aircraft peeled away as Opal held their ground, the civilians and second squad of soldiers having almost evacuated.
"Moving up!"
Cecilia crouched and pushed towards the hostiles, parallel to the cars on the road. While two PLA troopers were busy focusing on her allies, she shot them dead.
Her M4 Carbine ran out of ammo, and the coyote immediately swapped to her M9 Beretta and gunned down the last enemy soldier.
"Enemies are KIA! Is everyone ok? Everyone alright? Sound off!" The Sergeant requested.
"Took a hit!" Stryker said, clutching his arm.
"Coming to you!" Jayleen said, reaching into her pouch to grab a bandage and syringe of painkillers. "It doesn't look so bad. It only grazed you."
"Thanks, doc."
"Not a doc yet."
The bus and other civilian vehicles, along with their escorting soldiers, could be seen moving away down the street, leaving Opal squad alone.
"Civilians are clear!" Jacob said.
"Ok, now is someone gonna tell me what the fuck happened?!"
"Those were People's Liberation Army soldiers! Chinese military."
"Then… those must be their planes, right?" Livia said.
The squad looked up towards the sky at the planes deploying troops and cargo. Jayleen was the first to speak again.
"So… this an invasion then, isn't it?"
The squad's radios crackled to life, and an authoritative voice came through.
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
"Opal squad, come in. Opal squad, this is US strategic command. Codename: STRATCOM."
"Solid copy, we read you STRATCOM." The Sergeant said.
"We've been unable to contact most units in your sector. Be advised we have hostile units all over your AO."
"Affirmative STRATCOM, we have visual on enemy forces deploying via airdrop. Do we have any information about what's going on?"
"Negative Opal, we are trying to organize defensive efforts, but there's a lot of confusion. You are to move through your AO and eliminate hostile forces. You have permission to engage any and all PLA units you encounter."
"Understood, sir."
"Good hunting, Opal."
"Alright, mammals," Cecilia said before the squad set off into the suburbs. "Let's show these bastards American might!"
Oval Office, White House, Washington DC, United States, July 4th, 2018
Half a dozen or so mammals in formal clothing sat on a pair of couches inside the Oval Office, engaging in polite conversation.
One such aged mammal in a dark gray suit stood up and adjusted his tie before speaking to the assembled group.
"I would like to thank you all for joining me today before we head out to join the Fourth of July celebrations on the National Mall." The President said. "This is our nation's most important holiday, and I would like to-"
The President was cut off as Secret Service agents with submachine guns and pistols stormed into the room, taking defensive positions around the office.
A middle-aged advisor with round-frame glasses walked in and picked up the phone on the resolute desk.
"Sir! You need to take this now!"
"Excuse me." The President said, sitting at the desk and taking the phone before speaking.
"Hello?"
"Mr.President?"
"Mr.Chairmen."
"It's happening, sir. They're throwing everything they've got at us. A full-scale assault on us and our allies all across the world. Cuban warplanes are attacking our naval yards in Florida. Columns of North Korean tanks are rolling across the DMZ. Hostile forces even attacked the International Space Station. War declarations just arrived from Russia and China, among others."
"My god…." The President said, bowing his head and massaging his temples.
"PLA troops landed in California in an amphibious assault, in conjunction with airborne landings and airstrikes behind our lines."
"How did we not pick up on this? How did they get past the 9th carrier strike group?"
"Unknown, sir. We are still investigating. The initial theory is that they may have hacked into and interfered with our defensive systems. Possibly utilizing spies or infiltrators to access equipment and infrastructure on the ground. Enemy forces on the ISS did attempt to use the station's built-in communication systems to gain further access to our networks but were thwarted. However we also believe that the Chinese took advantage of mammalitarian crisis in the region to draw our attention and military assets. And that the recent rocket accident was not an accident at all."
"What are you saying? That they purposefully created that high-speed debris cloud? To destroy our satellites or force them to be diverted to a safer location?"
"Precisely. Putting it frankly, sir, they may have just got the drop on us."
"So this is it then? The diplomats and politicians have failed. And now it's up to the soldiers and generals."
"I'm afraid so, Mr.President. American and NATO divisions are undergoing full mobilization as we speak. I recommend you get to the secure bunker underneath the White House. Important governmental personnel are being evacuated to secure locations."
"Sigh…. Keep me posted on all updates around the clock. I want a meeting with the Joint Chiefs of Staff within the hour."
"Affirmative sir. I'm sorry that it's come to this…"
"May god help us all…"
Oakland Suburbs, California, United States, July 4th, 2018
Opal squad continued through the streets of suburbia. The long, low, screaming howl of air raid sirens could be heard in the distance as Chinese planes crisscrossed the skies overhead.
Occasionally, the squad would come across an item lying on the ground that looked like it should be in use. A bike, knocked over on the sidewalk. The remains of a picnic, sitting on the lawn, being picked apart by birds.
It was as if everyone had suddenly disappeared in an instant.
"So this is it?" Cecilia said, gazing at a slip-and-slide lying derelict, still spraying water. "We're being invaded. Shit, I gotta call my husband."
"I knew it would come to this." Stryker said, "It was all building to something. Our mission in Dushanbe, that massacre in Russia, the kidnapping of the Russian President…"
"I wish we all realized it. Though you might be overestimating your own insight there." Livia clapped back.
"I can't believe it." Jayleen lamented. "How could they get past our defenses? How could we have not seen this coming? There hasn't been a war on US soil since 1812, right?"
"Not true," Jacob said. "In World War 2, the Japanese took over a series of Alaskan islands. Also, a Japanese pilot tried to recruit some US citizens in Hawaii to the imperial cause."
"Really? That's something they didn't teach us in school."
"We'll do what needs to be done," Cecilia said, a determined look on her face. "We need to defend our homeland and its people. Remember the oath we all took when we signed up. I solemnly swear to support and defend the constitution of the United States from all enemies, both foreign and domestic."
"Damn straight," Stryker said.
"We'll cut this way," Cecilia said, leading the squad between two houses into a backyard.
"Can we get through here?" Jayleen asked, passing through a gate in a fence to an adjacent yard.
"What's the matter, Jayleen?" Liam teased. "You've never taken a shortcut before?"
Opal-1 held up her fist, ordering the team to stop. In a yard ahead of them were mammals in blue-gray camouflage. Pouches, harnesses, and vests across their bodies, weapons ready.
The Chinese paratroopers were on alert and instantly began to fire on the incoming Americans.
"Contact forward! Weapons free! Weapons free!"
Opal's squad took cover behind large rocks and a brick wall, projectiles whizzing over their heads. The lead bullets disintegrating as they hit the stone.
Stryker mounted his LMG's bipod atop the wall and sprayed the area with gunfire. The M249 chattered loudly, its belt feeding into the weapon and the hail of fire taking out 3 enemy troopers.
The rest of the squad quickly eliminated the other hostiles and stacked up adjacent to the house's back door.
"Liam! Your time to shine!" Cecilia ordered.
The lion nodded nervously, his heart racing.
"Hey, you got this," Cecilia said, putting a paw on his shoulder. "Breach!"
Jayleen kicked the door open, and Livia tossed in a flashbang grenade.
The lion pumped his shotgun and charged inside the house. He felt like he would break and run back out the way he came, but a small voice at the back of his mind nagged him.
"Don't panic. Remember your training."
Liam leveled his weapon and scanned the hallway he'd entered into.
"Left. Pull."
In the blink of an eye, Liam snapped his sights to his left and blew a hole through a Chinese trooper, sending him falling backward onto a pool table in a rec room.
"Pump. Forward."
Pumping the shotgun once, another tango emerged from a room in front of the lion. Liam fired again, tearing through the mammal's chest and blowing a red stain onto the eggshell wallpaper. A bloody smear streaked downwards along the wall as the soldier slumped into a sitting position on the floor.
The rest of the squad entered, weapons ready, spotting the Chinese soldier slumped against a wall.
Entering into the kitchen and front room, more hostiles were there to greet the Americans.
"Hostile rusher! Watch yourself!" Jayleen shouted, a soldier with a shotgun advancing and firing. A barrage of buckshot obliterating items and books sat atop the counter. Livia ducked down and scampered backward as blasts of buckshot flew by. Bits of shredded paper fell down on her like confetti.
Jayleen reloaded her MP5 submachine gun and put a few rounds into the shotgunner while he moved against Livia.
"Push forward! Don't let them bog you down!" Cecilia shouted, the squad exiting the house once the remaining hostiles were cleared.
Out on the street, Chinese soldiers had set up barricades and supply crates. Discarded parachutes littered the ground and hung from trees as combatants ducked behind cars for cover.
"Switching to full metal jacket rounds!" Opal-1 yelled, loading her rifle with a magazine that had white tape wrapped around it. "FMJ" was written on the side in permanent marker.
Bracing her rifle against the hood of a car, Cecilia switched the weapon to semi-automatic and took precise shots in quick succession.
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
The rounds tore through a tiger solder, their harder exterior penetrating through him much more effortlessly than standard bullets.
Livia used her marksman's rifle, and Jacob used his sniper rifle to impressive effect. High powered, focused shots from a safe distance killing mammal after mammal like swift agents of death.
The Chinese set up a mounted machine gun atop a barricade and unleashed hell. The weapon chattered loudly as its bullets shattered the glass windows of cars and cratered against the pavement.
"Shit! Stay in cover! Don't let that thing get a bead on you!" Livia ordered, ducking and moving alongside a car as its windshield was shot to pieces.
"Flash out!" Liam yelled, tearing a cylindrical object from his belt. Pulling a pin, he rolled the grenade under a car and towards the enemy machine gunner.
With a blinding flash and deafening blast, the concussion grenade detonated, stunning the enemy soldiers.
With the gunner blinded, the Opal squad unleashed a wall of gunfire that neutralized the incapacitated enemies in mere moments.
"Sergeant Walker to Overload," Cecilia said into her radio. "Made contact with the enemy, initial group of hostiles neutralized. No casualties."
There was the rumble of an engine, and an 8-wheeled, matted green infantry fighting vehicle pulled up behind one of the Chinese concrete barricades.
Its mounted turret spun around, and a stream of lead carpeted the street.
"Hostile IFV! Get down!" Jacob shouted.
"Tossing smoke!" Jayleen yelled, throwing a metal cylinder. The top popped off, and a stream of white smoke poured from it, obscuring the entire area.
"Over here! Into the drainage ditch! Quick!" Cecilia yelled, vaulting over a wooden fence, her boots splashing in the small creek at the bottom of a gully that ran through the neighborhood.
The rest of the squad followed suit, jumping out of sight of the IFV. Moving through bulrush and tall grasses, Cecilia raised a finger to her earpiece and spoke.
"Opal-1 to STRATCOM, we've encountered enemy armor, I need air support on station!"
"Negative Opal-1, Chinese have set up towed anti-aircraft artillery installations in Maple Leaf park, to the north. Move to destroy triple A batteries so we can regain air superiority."
"Solid copy."
"There is a downed helicopter near your position that should have heavy ordnance and ammunition for your squad. You can utilize that against the enemy batteries and hostile IFVs."
"Affirmative STRATCOM, we'll get it done."
"Sending you the coordinates."
"Double time it mammals! We're heading for the wreck of a downed chopper to scavenge it for equipment."
"Then what?" Stryker inquired.
"Neutralize enemy triple A batteries, clear the zone of combatants."
"Oo-Rah."
"Through here," Cecilia motioned silently, pointing to a concrete drainage tunnel under a roadway. They moved single-file through the pipe, coming out on the other side to a dry ditch.
Three Chinese soldiers were on patrol, their backs to the tunnel. In the distance, the repetitive sound of gunfire and combat between other units could be heard.
Sergeant Walker pointed to Liam and then pointed forward.
The lion and coyote advanced silently, drawing their knives, grabbing the enemy troopers, and plunging the blades into their necks.
Jayleen swiftly pushed ahead, pouncing on the last enemy soldier and driving her blade into his throat.
"Downed helicopter sighted," Livia said, pointing.
The dull gray wreck of a Sikorsky Super Stallion was sitting in a yard behind a house. Its blades had been shredded, and small flames spewed from the engines. The remains of the pilots lay slumped over their seats. The back loading door was open, and a few boxes had fallen out.
Entering inside, the squad spotted crates with danger markers, cracking them open to find grenades, claymore mines, and rectangular C4 explosive charges.
In another box were shoulder-mounted SMAW rocket launchers. They resembled long green tubes with a handle, trigger, scope, and a shoulder brace attached forward of the mid-length.
"Oh hell yeah, we always get to work with the best toys," Stryker said, removing one of the weapons from its container.
"Replenish your ammo, grab those SMAWs and those explosives," Cecilia ordered, grabbing spare magazines out of a small tan container.
"Affirmative!"
Stryker and Liam picked up the launchers and stowed them on their backs while Jayleen placed a few satchel charges and claymores into her pack.
"Command, this is Sergeant Walker. Opal has recovered heavy ordnance and is moving towards triple A batteries."
"Command copies." Said the voice through the radio. "Hit 'em hard, Opal-1."
"Squad, form up on me, and let's move out!"
The squad took position behind their leader and moved out of the yard, crossing a street into a small woodland area covered by brush and trees.
"Keep your eyes peeled, your snouts up, and your ears on alert!" Livia warned. "There might be hostiles in these trees."
They climbed up to the top of a small ridge and went prone on the ground, looking over the edge.
A grassy park with bushes, extensive concrete walkways, and decorative walls was directly below them. At the center of the pathways was a fountain that was not running.
On the other side of the park was a roadway, then a grassy sports field, and beyond that were shops and homes. The torn wreckage of a Chinese transport plane was splayed out over the road and field. Its wings shattered, and a significant mark dug into the ground. By now, the paradrops had stopped, but there were god knows how many tangos swarming the region.
"Command, Opal has visual on enemy gun batteries," Cecilia said.
In the park, three towed anti-aircraft guns had been positioned. Their wheels folded up, and their crewmammals firing the weapon's twin barrels into the sky.
Various other PLA infantry patrolled the area and checked out supply containers.
"Those are Type 87 AA batteries," Jacob noted. "If I remember my military intelligence correctly. Be glad it's not the self-propelled variant."
"Come on, we could probably take one of those on with all this ordnance," Liam said.
"Alright, Stryker, Liam, get ready to fire on my mark," Cecilia ordered. "Hit those 2 guns that are closest to us."
The mammals complied as Jacob lined up the reticle of his sniper rifle with the operator of the last battery.
"Engage! Engage!"
There were blasts of air and puffs of smoke as rockets streaked through the air and slammed into the AA batteries. Consuming the weapons and those nearby in balls of fire and dust.
The squad opened fire with their rifles, taking down a handful of Chinese troops before they could get to cover.
"Push up! Don't give them a chance to dig in!"
Jumping over the ridge, the mammals slid down the steep slope. They landed on the ground, efficiently engaging and dispatching the remaining enemies.
"One gun left!" The Sergeant said. "Get some C4 charges on that thing!"
Jayleen raced over and placed an explosive on the side of the battery, stepping back and readying the detonator.
"Charges placed! Standby for detonation."
The group hunkered down as the hyena clicked the detonator, and the resulting blast ripped the AA gun apart.
"Command, this is Opal. Enemy Triple A batteries have been destroyed." Cecilia radioed in.
"Copy Opal. Relief force is 10 minutes out. Hold position till they arrive."
"Understood command."
"Use any and all methods to defend yourself. Hostile forces are moving to your position from the West."
"Affirmative! Livia! Get some defenses set up!"
"Rog! Deploying trophy system!" The fox said, setting up a small tripod, atop which was an LED light, along with 5 pairs of small gray tubes pointing in all directions.
Jacob deployed claymores around their position, red lasers on the devices activating, ready for an intruding mammal to walk by.
As Cecilia observed her soldiers, Stryker ran up to her and spoke.
"Sergeant, should we get back up on that ridge? It's a steep climb up, but that's the high ground; we could easily shoot down from up there."
"This location looks easily defendable, and we have enemy supplies we could utilize if necessary."
"What if they get the high ground on us?"
"That area is clear, the only direction they could come from in the West. We'll hold here so they can't retake this position."
"This is the death zone; this is where you go if you wanna-"
The sound of pressurized gas made the mule and coyote turn to see a pale wall of smoke emerging from down the roadway.
"Grab some cover! Here they come!" The Sergeant said, hunkering down.
A squad of PLA soldiers came out of the smoke and began firing.
"Contact!"
Opal squad opened up on the attackers, and the sound of gunfire filled the air.
One enemy soldier was shot and fell backward to the ground, only to draw his pistol and continue firing.
Jayleen flinched and ducked down as a pistol bullet struck near her, and the splash flew across her face.
"Ah! Damn it!"
She wiped her paw across her cheek, noticing a red smear.
The hyena popped out of cover and fired her SMG, sending another burst of bullets through the wounded mammal that finally put him down.
"Hey!" Jayleen said, turning to Stryker, the closest mammal to her. "Is my face ok?!"
"A few cuts and scrapes, but don't worry, they'll heal. Any hyena guy would still find you attractive!"
The hyena ducked and quickly retrieved a bandaid from her kit, slapping it onto her face as soon as possible.
Large black rectangles began to emerge from the smoke, slowly advancing. Sometimes boots or elbows could be seen poking out from behind the rectangles, which had small shiny windows near the top of the shape.
"Hostiles with ballistic shields!"
Opal squad took a few shots at the incoming troopers, but their bullets disintegrated against the hardened ballistic armor and plexiglass. Other soldiers hid behind the protective shields, one of them pulling a pin and tossing a grenade.
The trophy system detected the incoming weapon and fired a projectile from one of its 10 gray tubes. The projectile tore apart the grenade before it could detonate, and the shards fell to the ground.
"Stryker! Get that rocket launcher up!"
"You got it, ma'am!"
The mule got down on one knee and aimed his launcher. Pulling the trigger, a second later, explosions went off directly in the center of the advancing troopers. The shields, as did their users, clattered to the ground, and the attackers began to break.
The remaining PLA troops were mopped up with precise shots as they tried to fall back into the fading smoke.
"Opal-1, You have OPCON on an MQ-1 predator drone. Be advised we are detecting a large number of tangos approaching your position from the West."
"Opal copies all!" Sergeant Walker responded. "Get ready, mammals! Dig in, and don't waste a bullet!"
The squad took cover behind the stone walls, aiming their guns at the direction hostiles would be coming from.
Cecilia removed the dark gray case from her backpack and opened it. Inside was a keyboard and computer screen displaying targeting data, along with a black and white thermal imaging video feed from a drone in the sky above. A series of hollow red rectangle markings appeared superimposed onscreen, each one an enemy soldier.
"Ordnance away!"
With the press of a button, the drone fired a missile, and the feed switched to a missile-mounted camera. Cecilia had complete control, guiding the projectile to Earth towards the red enemy markers.
There was an explosion as the missile struck the center of the Chinese squad, instantly obliterating all mammals nearby.
“4… 5 plus kills, good shooting Opal-1.” STRATCOM said.
A second squad of hostiles appeared, and the coyote fired another salvo, decimating the advancing mammals.
A larger red rectangle appeared as a Chinese armored vehicle moved up the road.
"IVF is back!" Livia yelled.
A third missile streaked from the predator drone, slamming into the Chinese vehicle. Its armor was shattered, and the vehicle stopped but wasn't destroyed.
"Sergeant, I think that thing might still be operational!" Jayleen shouted, prompting Cecilia to fire again, just to be sure.
The missile hit the IFV, its exterior rupturing and its fuel going up in flames. The crew inside was torn apart, and all that was left was a smoldering wreck.
"Good effect on target!" Overload reported. "Repeat, good effect on target!"
"Hey! Save some for us!" Liam said before the squad's radios came to life once more.
"Opal, you have an enemy helo on approach!"
"You may just get that chance, Liam!" Cecilia said. "Eyes up, mammals!"
The choppy whirr of rotor blades could be heard as a dark, black aircraft silhouette came into view—a Chinese Changhe Z-10 attack helicopter.
It had two cockpit windows and a red star emblazoned near the tail with white numerical markings.
"Lining up for an attack!" Jacob yelled, the helicopter moving in close to target the Americans. "Heads down!"
"And tuck your tails between your legs!" Stryker added.
The aircraft's machine gun roared as it let loose a hail of bullets that raked across the park, sending small clouds into the air.
This was followed by a barrage of missiles that sent even greater dust clouds into the air. Livia was crouched behind a stone wall and knocked down by the conclusive force. The delta force operator gritted her teeth, her bones shaking and her ears ringing.
Cecilia took her shot as the helicopter hovered briefly to line up another attack.
"Firing!"
As the projectile streaked through the air, the chopper started to move. But with the rocket's live guidance system, the shot still found its mark.
The rocket struck the helicopter's tail and detonated in a critical hit. The aircraft instantly spun out of control and slammed into the park's southern section, its spinning blades ripped apart.
"Fly away home motherfucker!"
"Enemy helo destroyed," STRATCOM said as the helicopter's cockpit opened, and a pilot in a blue flight suit climbed out. He grabbed a submachine gun out of the wreckage and opened fire on the Americans before being gunned down.
"Come on, Cecilia!" Liam teased. "Leave some for us!"
"You trying to earn yourself a medal?" Stryker teased.
"Trying to, before the sergeant takes all the glory."
"It ain't all glory, Liam. There's a lot of horror in this business, too."
There was the sound of engines rumbling, and a group of four dull green American Humvees began driving up the road. Machine gun turrets ready to engage any hostiles.
"There's our relief force," Livia said, the convoy coming to a stop.
US soldiers got out and leveled their weapons at the surrounding area as the squad raced over.
"Blue! Blue!" Cecilia called out as her team linked up with the relief force.
A soldier gestured to the vehicles, and the Opal squad climbed in. Cecilia, Liam, and Jayleen in one Humvee, Jacob, Livia and Stryker in another.
"Opal, you have a large enemy presence to your south," STRATCOM informed. "Move to eliminate hostile FOB. Secondary objective is to secure enemy intelligence. Then, move to neutralize hostile presence at the nearby mall. Be advised, Chinese units may still be infiling via airdrop or amphibious landing."
"Opal copies all STRATCOM," Cecilia said. "It's gonna be a long day."
The coyote looked into the distance; she could hear gunfire, shouts, and explosions, spotting columns of smoke rising into the sky.
"Alright, Opal squad!" Sergeant Walker said over her radio. "Time to go kill some more bad guys and save some lives!"
The other Americans piled into their vehicles, and the convoy drove off through the suburbs toward the next fight.
Russian Army Forward Headquarters, Unknown Location, Western Belarus July 7th, 2018
Russian troops patrolled the streets of a small village, keeping watch for intruders and assisting the populace where they could. Helping an older woman carry water or participating in the construction of a home.
Near the outskirts of the village sat a large plaster building with a wooden frame, which was clearly very old. Yet, despite its age, the army had seen it fit to establish a forward HQ inside.
Staff and officers reviewed computer data feeds and contacted far-off locations via radio.
Belka Morozova looked over a map laid out on a wooden table depicting part of the European continent. There were markers for NATO forces and Russian or allied forces, including armored vehicles, infantry battalions, air units, and warships.
A door to the command center opened, and a wolf walked in.
"Barkov, has the former president revealed any more useful information?" The fox asked.
"Negative, Captain; I just received word from the force guarding him. And we don't want to go too hard on him." The wolf responded.
"Yes, he is a valuable bargaining chip. He may have taken a firm approach against our enemies and vastly improved our armed forces, but he did not go far enough. Ultimately, he was not willing to do what must be done. Russia needs to show the world its strength and take its place as the world's foremost superpower!"
"What about acquiring the launch codes for our nuclear ICBMs?"
"Even without them, plenty of destructive options remain on the table. Cruise missiles, thermobaric weapons, strategic bombing… when he reveals the launch codes, then we can add tactical nuclear strikes to our arsenal."
"What about our strategic weapons? We could turn all of Europe to glass!"
"I do NOT wish to stand atop a pile of radioactive ash. NATO also has missile defense systems in place, just like us. They would obliterate our ICBMs, and they are too well fortified to take out at this time."
"What if we are driven back? What if we are on the verge of defeat?"
"If it comes to that, then maybe. But I believe in the might of the Russian army and our allies to win this war conventionally. That will be all." Belka said, the wolverine nodding.
A tan-furred sable in a Russian officer's uniform walked over to the table, and Belka stood to attention.
"General Hermonov! I must say I am displeased that I was pulled away from the front lines so soon. However, I am more than happy to discuss our strategy and offer input."
"Forces in your sector are currently solidifying their gains, and units in other sectors are still catching up to your position. You won't be away for long, and we would appreciate your strategic insight, especially since you have an on-the-ground perspective."
"First, I require a full report on our military operations. Let's start with Europe."
"Yes, captain." The sable said, striding over to the map on the table and pointing to particular locations. "Latest reports from across the front say resistance from NATO has been more formidable than expected, but they have taken heavy losses. We are still in a favorable position."
There was a pause, Belka looking over the map momentarily before speaking.
"Are we keeping an eye on the terrorists?"
The General grabbed another map, this one of the Middle East, and spread it on the table.
"Al-Sayf is still causing problems. I know recent analyses have downplayed their abilities. Still, units who've engaged them in combat have reported that these terrorists are crafty. They utilize everything from technicals and IEDs to scavenged aircraft and even modified civilian tractors that spew toxic substances."
"Are they spurred on by religious zealotry like other regional factions?"
"No, Captain Morozova. Their war is not one of faith but of politics. They despise the Western world, along with us and our allies, for decades, if not centuries, of involvement in the Middle East. We also have received reports of a particularly… unnerving terrorist leader."
The sable pointed to a photograph lying on the table. It depicted a yak in a dull blue hazmat suit with a camouflage cloak around his neck. He had a respirator over his mouth and goggles over his eyes.
"We don't have a positive ID, but Al-Sayf refers to him as 'Doctor Yakx.'" The sable continued. "We believe he received training as an immunologist, but beyond that, not much is known. He is fond of utilizing anthrax, chemical substances, and other forms of biological weaponry."
"I am glad we have the rest of our alliance to assist us against these insurgents. And Western involvement to split their attention. We should be careful, though; if the Americans and their allies can break through Al-Sayf, they could attack us directly."
"Speaking of which, I believe we could use the terrorists to our advantage. To take pressure off our units and force our enemies to focus on them."
"Hmm…. wise thinking. How are we faring in North America?"
"As expected, the Americans were distracted with their national holiday. Tactical objectives were met in Alaska, and Chinese forces are advancing on the city of Sacramento in California. There was some difficulty near Oakland; a US army unit, codename Opal Squad, inflicted serious damage on attacking forces. We were able to steal some Intel about them from the American network before they detected our intrusion."
The general handed Belka a dossier with a picture of a coyote and basic information about her.
"Cecilia Walker." The ultranationalist said, looking over the page. "Sergeant, US Army Delta force."
"I believe an apt comparison is to our own Spetsgruppa A."
"Equivalent of Alpha group, you say? Hmmm… highly trained, well equipped… aha! Look at that, wouldn't you know it! Says they were involved in a battle with Spetsnaz and People's Liberation Army units in Tajikistan. We knew from the beginning that it was a blatant attack on our forces by the Americans. What about the situation at home?"
"Latest polls show that morale is high, especially after we published the footage from our soldier's helmet cameras in Dushanbe. Every mammal can now see the truth of the West's attack on Russia. The truth that the President was too afraid to show. That, when coupled with the terrorist attack by Western-backed agents in Velikiye Luki, has led to strong public support for the war effort. Military recruitment is up by 27%. Factory personnel are taking longer shifts and working more diligently to churn out equipment for our soldiers."
The fox folded up the file and handed it back to the sable before speaking.
"Thank you for keeping me informed, General. I recommend releasing the full official government report on the Dushanbe incident; it will further confirm the truth of what the people already know and show them what the old government hid from them. Keep me informed of any new developments, especially regarding this Opal squad. Additionally, I recommend forwarding the information to our counterparts abroad."
"Already done, Belka."
There was a pause, and then the white-furred fox spoke.
"I appreciate you providing command for my unit. Your tactical skills are exceptional, and I am proud to follow your orders. And proud to call you my commanding officer and my friend."
"Likewise, Captain, your on-the-ground expertise, knowledge, and combat skills are commendable. Your drive and dedication are also exemplary. There are promotions in your future. I think you could make a good general."
"I like the front lines. I want to get my paws dirty. I am the executor of our cause and our fight."
"Leading from the front. Very commendable. You are one of the Russian army's foremost fighters, and that has not gone unrecognized."
A staffer in the room spoke up, and the General excused himself, saying he would only be a moment.
Belka nodded and picked up a remote, turning on a TV nearby.
Flicking to an American news network, a male moose stood before a city. In the background, she could see fighter jets dancing through the sky as AA batteries fired streaks of shells up into the heavens.
Captions with black backgrounds appeared on the bottom of the screen, yet they were not needed by the fox, who knew English. Belka couldn't help but smirk as she watched the combat footage.
For years, the ultranationalists had encouraged military buildup, convinced others of the value of their goals, drew up military plans, ran combat simulations, and influenced Russian politics. All their preparation was finally bearing fruit. They had immense military might and the nation's support on their side. They were finally able to reach out and crush those who sought to destroy Russia and her allies.
Belka focused on the reporter, hearing the words from the moose's mouth with barely contained horror and disbelief.
"Analysts say there is only one name for the new stage of conflict in which the globe finds itself. A hypothetical scenario that billions have feared since the dawn of the Cold War. Make no mistake, these are the opening salvos of World War 3."