The military bike is a fascinating aspect of the Belkan Armed Forces. In 1937, Belkan High Command requested the development of a new military motorcycle. Up until then all motorcycles used by the Belkan military derived from civilian models, but the needs of a fast-moving Blitzkrieg doctrine military meant that no money should be spared for the creation of a motorcycle that had to be extremely versatile, capable, and dependable. At first, trial versions were built using updated civilian models. Yet, with the widespread adoption of mana engines in the military, the priority shifted to adopting the brainchild of Magitech into an all-new, purpose-built platform. Hence, the creation and adoption of the Zundapp KS 800.
As a bike like none other due to its mana engine, the KS 800 offers the military a stealthy, reliable, competent, and adaptable chassis for but a fraction of the cost of other larger vehicles. Used in pretty much everything from intelligence gathering to utility transport, the KS 800 is more than able to traverse any adverse terrain with minimal servicing. Thanks to its modern ergonomics, the motorcycle is levels above the old civilian models in terms of rider's comfort and carrying capacity. Employed by all branches of the Belkan Armed Forces, it isn't a surprise to see that Thomas the Train is also carrying a pair of KS 800s alongside the usual Humvees.
The motorbikes are there for forward reconnaissance and surveying of track lines that run through hot zones. So, when Sergeant Lukas pulls them out from the vehicle wagon, the intention is to ride ahead of Thomas and ensure the integrity of the rail road leading into the slum. Though the yardmaster here has repeatedly assured that the track is still perfectly serviceable due to its recent closure, one can't be too careful when lives are on the line.
Like many other KS 800s, the motorbikes on Thomas are each equipped with two mana tanks that can easily be hot-swapped with spares in multipurpose holders. The motorcycles are also easy for novices to learn how to use because they don’t have a clutch, and they always start so long as they have mana in the tanks. Since they do not need to camp for long durations like actual military scouts and special forces, they are minimally equipped to maintain their compact size for stowage on the vehicle wagon. Even then, the bike still has an astounding 200 km operational range without swapping mana tanks. These features are more than enough for the crew of Thomas to use it for the task at hand.
Before the train can roll out of its station, Lukas and an aide have already ridden out of the gate. Once again, the Belkans surprise the Polanian citizens with another interesting and fast yet silent appearance. The perk of using a mana engine is that you can go full throttle and the only thing you can hear is the wind. Following the navigation data shown on the small military tablet attached to the underside of his forearm, Lukas soon reaches the track line that Thomas will be taking. Riding along its length, Lukas and his aide can confirm that the rails are still in good condition just like the station master said. Yet, Lukas frowns when he sees an obstruction ahead. It's a damn marketplace of all things, propped up right above the track line. The Sergeant coasts the bike to a stop to call it in.
"This is Bravo to Thomas. Ease up on the engine, we got obstructions on the track line. Polanian citizens have set up a market on the rails. Continue your advance but take it slow and steady till we can clear them out of the way." Lukas said over the radio.
"Thomas here, roger that Sergeant. Be careful out there."
"This is Long Caster, if you can, do it double time. Alpha and Charlie are organizing a retreat using whatever vehicles they manage to scrounge up. That station you're heading to is nowhere near as defensible as the bank, letting them wait for long is tantamount to suicide!"
"Copy that, Long Caster. Will get back to you in a minute." Lukas said before turning to his plus-one. "Dore, follow me in, we're gonna mingle with the locals for a bit."
"On your lead, Sarge. However, I will rest a hand on my rifle just in case." The Private said in a cautionary tone as the pair slowed their motorcycles near a stand of the marketplace.
Understandably, the sight of armed bikers on weird motorcycles garnered attention immediately, with some of the citizens rushing to leave the market altogether. Business has been bad due to the ongoing battle on one side of Warsaw, so when Lukas and his aide arrive and scare the customers away, some of the Polanian stall owners are visibly upset. One of them, who owns a stall that sits directly on a train line, shouts something at them in Polanian. Though both Lukas and Dore are not well-versed in the Polanian language, they still manage to pick up some keywords like cussing and shooing them away for being bad for business.
Dore shares a look with Lukas before the Sergeant tries to settle this quickly, speaking in his somewhat practiced Polanian accent. In short, Lukas is warning them that a train is coming down this track, asking them kindly to move as the train can't be stopped. Yet, Lukas' accent betrayed his identity as a foreigner, and with how anti-foreigner Polania has been these days, it's a given that some Polanians have a bias against the Belkans. As such, rather than being persuaded, the stall owner approaches Lukas and Dore with a butcher knife, saying something crude in his language. His action also bolstered the spirit of the already annoyed shopkeepers and owners of the place. They're all now hurling and shooing the Belkans away. Clearly, these people aren't gonna walk away peacefully, even though it would only take just a moment of their time.
This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.
While Lukas is sure that he can talk them to comply, especially when the train gets here, there is no time left to be diplomatic. As such, he nods at Dore as the knife-wielding stall owner keeps maintaining his aggressive approach. That alone is enough of a case for them to pull out their weapons, stowed in a gun holder on their KS 800s. Lukas takes out an MP9 while the Private that accompanies him holds up his G1. Both Belkans chamber a round into their weapons while aiming them at the now-stunned knife-wielder.
Lukas immediately tells the man to drop the knife, taking the opportunity to try and disperse the crowded marketplace. Yet, when he sees that rather than moving immediately, these people still linger unsuredly in their places. Knowing that it will be stupid to keep on talking, Lukas points his SMG upward, firing off a resounding shot to drive his point home.
"MOVE!" This time, he shouts annoyedly in Belkan.
The previous brave stall owner drops his knife at the gunshot before running away. Others around the marketplace also scurry off, not willing to dare test these armed foreigners anymore.
"Stupid ass people." Lukas curses while both he and Dore step off the motorcycles.
The pair then moves to dismantle the shops and stalls that are laid on the railroad, not caring whether they ruin someone's livelihood for the day. In their opinion, these people don't deserve their pity when shit has already hit the fan like this. The Sergeant and Private manage to clear the marketplace just in time for Thomas to come down from a turn. Lukas radios in.
"Thomas, obstruction is clear. We will scout ahead to see if there's anything else that needs to be moved. Keep it steady and watch out for interference from the Warsaw government. We may have poked a hornet's nest by disbanding the market with a warning shot."
"Copy that, Bravo. Lead the way and we'll follow. We'll also keep our fingers on the trigger just in case."
"Affirm, Thomas. Dore, let's mount up before someone has the great idea to park a tank on the track." Lukas said before getting on his bike.
Revving the throttle a few times, an unneeded but cool action nonetheless, Lukas and Dore speed ahead of the train. Determined to lead Thomas to Ursus station as soon as possible without compromising their only means of extraction.
-----------------------------------------------
Back to Alpha and Charlie, the battle is still raging on with the Polanians finally smartening up. Instead of sending over a whole large formation, they're dispersing them into smaller, more mobile units to reduce the effect of Belkan CAS. You would think that at this point, the Warsaw garrison would have given up already with how they got bombed to near oblivion. Apparently, this is not to be the case. Even when these Polanians are clearly afraid of being punished by the divine, they still run to their death. Either they really hold that much loyalty to their leaders or something else is at play here.
The Polanian bout of courage aside, the fact that they divide into smaller strike teams has limited the effects of Knight Squadron. These strike teams are now pressuring Alpha and Charlie from multiple angles, dispersing their already limited on-the-ground firepower. It's a struggle not just to hold the line but also form a protected vehicle convoy to evac all the slum dwellers at once.
"Children, women, the elderly, and those that can't walk need to board the vehicles! I repeat, only children, women, the old and injured, can board the cars!" Tomasz, the Polanian medical practitioner who has been helping the slum, shouts to the people coming out of the bank.
After a great deal of effort, they have assembled some small pickup trucks and cars to host part of the evacuating Slavs and sympathizers. Unfortunately, most of them have to walk, mostly young and old men who volunteer to run the miles to Ursus station. It's not just them that have to go on foot, however, as some of the Belkans and Rusviets also have to trek on foot to protect the flanks of the convoy.
As the convoy is being assembled, Adam, Surbella, and Rokossovsky run up to Tomasz. Adam asks in a strained voice. "Tomasz, you know the way to Ursus station?"
The medical worker nods, at Adam. "I know a few routes we can take, Lieutenant."
"Good," Adam says. "You will be joining us in the lead vehicle in case we need you to navigate. By this point, the slum must be teeming with the enemy, our planned route may be compromised midway."
"You can count on me, sir!" Tomasz replies reassuringly.
Adam nods with a sigh, turning to Surbella and Rokossovsky. "We got four Humvees, two of which are armed. How should we position them?"
Rokossovsky gives his opinion swiftly. "Since they're more protected than the other vehicles in the column, they will be needed to shore up our front and rear."
Surbella adds. "The MG Humvee will take point with an unarmed one. The rearmost vehicles will be the last unarmed Humvee and the GMV. The 40mm on the GMV will have a clean field of fire in the rear, its heavy firepower will be crucial to deter them from chasing us."
"Sounds like a plan then." Adam commentes. "The train is on a fast approach to Ursus station. We will set out when Knight Squadron bombs a path for us. After that, it will be the most demanding march we and the civilians undertake."
Rokossovsky nods solemnly. "For what it's worth, gentlemen, it's been an honor to fight alongside you under such a righteous cause."
Both Adam and Surbella nod. "The honor is ours, General."