The grim news of Sacra-Hill’s fall spread quickly across the outpost. The closest city to the Forward Operating Base (FOB) at Leythbrook, Sacra-Hill—a symbol of freedom for the Beastkin—was now ablaze, its civilians trapped in a nightmare. The Austorian 2nd Army, known as the "Slaver Army," had launched a brutal assault. The exact motive was unknown, but the devastation was undeniable.

As Eagle 12 began its three-hour journey toward Sacra-Hill to relay video and intelligence back to the Tactical Operations Center (TOC), Colonel Rjion Merryclaw convened his officers in the “WarRoom.” Massive screens around the room displayed live updates: aerial footage of Sacra-Hill’s fires, maps tracking the distance from the outpost, and unit readiness statuses flashing red to green. Smaller monitors built into the conference table showed the incoming datalink from Eagle 12 and readiness callouts for each unit.

Merryclaw’s aide distributed the operation orders, spelling out the mission’s objectives. The priority was clear: the Austorian forces in Sacra-Hill had to be stopped, and the city’s inhabitants needed immediate rescue. Surprisingly, the orders dictated that Sacra-Hill itself was to be left to burn—preventing the Austorian Empire from claiming a critical urban foothold. A secondary objective involved destroying the Austorian side of the Salin friendship bridge to block further Austorian incursions, buying neighboring kingdoms time to retaliate.

The feed from Eagle 12 flickered onto the main screen as it neared Sacra-Hill. The video revealed a haunting image: flames clawing at the sky as Austorian soldiers pushed civilians back into the burning streets. A tense silence settled over the room as the officers absorbed the grim reality before them.

Colonel Merryclaw turned to his officers, his gaze hard. “The Austorians are willing to turn Sacra-Hill into a slaughterhouse. Our mission is to stop them and evacuate as many civilians as we can.”

The assembled leaders of the 1st Army, 1st Infantry Division, and the elite 1st Brigade Combat Team quickly began strategizing. Lt. Colonel Johand Ridgefall, leading the 1st Infantry Battalion along with the 1st Armor and Artillery Battalions, took charge of the initial ground strategy. Supporting units included Major Darjel Rukland’s 1st Support Battalion and the 2nd Engineering Company, while Major Adin Softpaw of the elite Seraphim Special Operations Brigade and Lt. Colonel Hyberd Mountjab of the 1st Air Brigade rounded out the command.

Merryclaw pulled up a tactical map of Sacra-Hill on the central screen and outlined his plan. “We’ll move ground and air units to Leythbrook, then strike from there. Infantry will engage the Austorian front, while Seraphim conducts an air assault to secure an exit for the civilians.”

Ridgefall nodded but raised a concern. “The road march through the Trenbres Forest will slow us down, Colonel. It’ll take time to get into position, but once we’re there, we’ll pull out the Seraphim and the civilians.”

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Mountjab, the Air Commander, leaned forward. “Then let’s skip the march and go in with air assault. We deploy Seraphim and the Infantry’s newly trained Air Assault company directly into Sacra-Hill. We’ll hit them hard and fast, secure a cantonment area for the civilians, and wait for the main force.”

Ridgefall shook his head. “Dropping into an active combat zone without heavy support is a death sentence, Mountjab. We need armor and artillery for a sustained fight. Or did you forget the entire 2nd Austorian Army is just north of the city?”

Softpaw leaned in, voice steady. “Our Seraphim teams are outfitted for rapid engagements. We can secure the main entry points and hold until the main force arrives.”

Rukland, commander of Support, added, “But without armor, we risk heavy casualties. Our focus should be on evacuation, not prolonged engagement.”

Mountjab’s frustration simmered beneath his words. “We’re running out of time, Ridgefall! Every delay means more civilian lives lost.”

Ridgefall scoffed. “And you think rushing in with light infantry will save them? You’ll walk right into an ambush—or get stuck in the burning city!”

Softpaw shot back, “We’re trained for rapid insertion and extraction. We can quickly establish a secure zone for the civilians while you roll in with armor.”

Ridgefall crossed his arms, holding his ground. “And what happens when you’re surrounded without backup? They’ll cut you to pieces.”

The tension thickened, and Merryclaw’s patience finally snapped. He slammed a fist on the table. “Enough!”

Silence fell as Merryclaw’s sharp gaze moved between Ridgefall and Mountjab. “We don’t have time for this pointless bickering. Ridgefall, Mountjab—find a compromise. The city is on fire, and every second costs lives, gentlemen.”

The two exchanged glares but finally nodded, realizing the urgency.

After further discussion, they reached a compromise. The attack helicopters, tiltrotors, and up-armored recon trucks would race directly to Sacra-Hill to secure the civilians, moving them into a designated cantonment area on the outskirts. Seraphim and Air Assault forces would then protect and hold the perimeter until the main force arrived from Leythbrook.

Meanwhile, the artillery unit would set up in the nearby village of Qu-till, establishing a forward position to support both the initial deployment and the main push into Sacra-Hill. Once the civilians were evacuated from the cantonment area, all units would fall back to Qu-till, then return to Leythbrook for resupply and consolidation.

As they finalized the plan, Ridgefall studied the maps and the list of equipment: tanks, armored vehicles, artillery, attack helicopters, tiltrotors, and an entire brigade’s worth of infantry ready to mobilize. The sheer scale of the operation struck him.

“With this amount of firepower, Colonel…” he began, a hint of awe in his voice. “Are we planning to push the Austorian 2nd Army back—or wipe them out completely?”

A smirk crossed Merryclaw’s face. “Yes. We’re going to show the Austorians exactly what we’re capable of. This assault on Sacra-Hill was a provocation, and we’re going to answer it.”

Ridgefall nodded, a newfound resolve in his eyes as he absorbed the scope of their mission.

Merryclaw faced his officers, his voice steady but brimming with intensity. “Gentlemen, let’s give them a fight to remember. And when it’s all over, drinks are on me. Good luck, and Godspeed. To your units!”

The officers rose, saluting Colonel Merryclaw before filing out to relay the orders.