Chapter 47

Joint Training In Urban Warfare

  We were rapidly getting close to the time when Rayquel and I would need to go on our Temple Run. To help speed up the process, and to show inter-galactic compatibility, we were now training with Dwenvarians. Yep, space dwarfs. Why space dwarfs? Simple, this was an inter-galactic dick measurement competition.

  The Dwenvarians wanted to prove that their space-mechs were superior to any ground force we could implement. For the most part they were correct, their space-mechs could take down almost any pairing of soldiers. The general consensus was a minimum of two groups were needed to take down one space mech. This meant the mechs were a force multiplier, making one Dwenvarian worth four highly trained operatives. The number of troops went up exponentially when you factored in more than one mechanoid operator. With two, rather than four groups, it was estimated that eight groups, or sixteen soldiers would be needed. From there the number of soldiers needed just increased exponentially.

  All this was to say that the one hundred human cadets, or fifty pairs of human soldiers were allowed to try their might against a squad of ten mechanoid operators.

  Everything was done with safety in mind. While the cadets and the operators were using their tower granted powers, there were safety measures in place. First resistance bands were worn by everyone, that had a direct lifeline to a healer. Should any blows be registered as lethal, then the combatant would be immediately disqualified and set to leave the field as quickly as possible.

  For attack spells, the caster was not supposed to target the participant, but rather target the equipment wherever possible.

  I watched as Wizard me and Jess took up center position. My pulse thrummed when I looked at her, but it was more of a dull ache than what it had been before.

  The combat zone this year was urban warfare. While not official, this was to represent a combat in a major human city. While official markings of buildings and signs were not replicated by the giant illusionary structure everyone was on. The city that the Dwenvarians were bunkered down in, and the human cadets had to take back, looked a lot like an old mixed nationality city from our home planet. There were buildings that seemed to represent every nation and faction of humans.

  “A few rules to tell you about. First this is a repel and destroy scenario. Humans win, when they force the last Dwenvarian mechanoids to leave the field of battle, or all mechanoids are destroyed.” General Tigran said, pointing the group of human cadets.

  Then turning to the Dwenvarian cadets who were also out here to prove their might, she began with their rules for victory. “The Dwenvarian mechanoid unit needs to either destroy the whole city or eliminate each of the operatives who are trying to reclaim their homeland. Note, infiltration team, you are aware that there are hidden supply caches for the enemy. Should the human operatives get to those caches before you destroy them, they will have access to weapons that can change the course of this battle.” The General said.

  “Once you two compete against each other, the victor will perform a scenario against the Endarian team.”

  The part about the victor facing he Endarian team made sense, as the Endarians were the ones hosting the competition. As such they got to choose when they would go. There was a slight condition, as the Endarians would then need to go against the previous losing team, if they won. This way each group got to go at least once, and a clear winner would be chosen. In the case the first losing team won, there would be a sudden death match where all three forces would compete against each other. While some might argue this is what should have been done originally, the logistics of such a game were a nightmare. Also, this was meant to be a competition to showcase the combat prowess and readiness of the different forces.

  The use of cadet soldiers was just a pretense to let the losing factions save face. As you can probably guess, Rayquel and I were part of the Endarian forces. Originally there was an objection, until it was noted that only Rayquel and I would be attending as the Endarian forces. This meant an entire class of students would be allowed to try their prowess against two soldiers. Well one true soldier and her trainee. That was how the Endarians got around the whole cadets only thing. It was common for an older soldier to pair with a younger cadet, to help show the ropes of combat. In fact, most of the Endarian pair bonds for Thessia Academy of Excellence, were bonds just like mine with Rayquel.

  That was why I had to do several tests to be here. First, I had to have blood drawn, teeth molds made, and bone shavings procured, all to prove I was only eighteen. See apparently there are lies, there are damnable lies, then there are genetic tests.

  After the Dwenvarians confirmed my body’s age through the tests, I was allowed to compete. Honestly, I thought about how they knew what to test for from humans, but I quickly ended that long morbid train of thought. Instead, I hoped for the best, and wished they just accepted human medical records versus conducting their own experiments.

  For the Dwenvarian, the set up was simple, they had to first choose the spot where their ten mechanoid units would be placed. From there the humans would then have a chance to set up their fifty two-person teams around the edge of the city. Then once they were set a timer visible to all through their gear, and to the audience would visibly count down from ten. Then combat would begin.

  The mechanoids had a conventional commander and subordinate control structure. They implemented the 1-3-6 rotation. Three mechanoids on the left side, three on the right. A slightly off rotation of three mechanoid team leads in the center and one sort of mastermind in the center. The one in the center was the big duck, as they were the largest mech, which meant they would be the one to receive orders from command the clearest.

  Watching the combat formation, I couldn’t help but thing the Dwenvarians were a bit lack luster in their approach. Then again, this was a training program where the combatants were meant to showcase their talents.

  Since this was the first joint competition where all three unified space faring races were to compete together, it of course was being broadcast to many around the universe.

  Of course, this particular scenario placed the power directly in the hands of the Dwenvarians, they had the mechanical advantage, while the use of fighter planes on the planet surface, particularly in a city environment would not be advised. Especially as part of the condition to victory was prevent excess damage to the city, the humans went for the less destructive approach of having all fifty teams go in on the ground. Seeing that, I shook my head.

  “You don’t like their choice to all go in on the ground?” Rayquel asked.

  I knew there was a camera on us, but I didn’t care at this point. “No. For this type of a scenario a thirty-sixty split would be best. Air and land forces combining. Of course, they haven’t had much live fire training where the ground moves in support of the air, so I can see why they would just throw everyone in on the ground.”

  “Wouldn’t the ships destroy more of the city that they are assigned to protect?” Rayquel asks the obvious question; I smile a little as I realize she is playing this up for the viewing audience.

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  “Yes. But it would be a limited scope. The aircraft would pin the mechanoids in place, while the soldiers made their way forward. Again, this shows a lack of cohesion as a team.”

  “START!” The mechanical voice shouted out in all languages. With that one hundred soldiers on foot went to take over a city from ten mechanoid soldiers.

  Almost instantly the humans began taking heavy damage from mechanoid suits that took parts of buildings apart to use as either projectiles or as shielding.

  “Oh my god.” I exclaim seeing the way the humans run like ants to three different areas.

  “What is it?” Rayquel asks.

  Shaking my head, I continue my commentary. “They are practically telegraphing where the supply caches are. If the leaders have any insight, they will go to those three areas and…”

  I was cut off as the three sub-leaders began taking off in different directions each going past the perimeter that had already been established by the six outer soldiers.

  With this, the mechanoids showed off clearly well-developed attack skills. The six on the outside held the initial perimeter, while the three sub-leaders bounded forward trying to establish holds on key points. In this case the three points were the hidden weapons caches.

  Spells and small arms fires shot at the mechanoid lieutenants, but to no avail. The Suits were relentless in their destruction. Each choosing to plow into nearby buildings as a means of pinning down soldiers.

  “Stop!” With that command all the suits and soldiers who were running forward stopped. Buildings that were falling down and would easily crush cadets were halted. Each soldier was given a chance to protect themselves, to see if they could individually or as a team protect themselves against the falling debris. If they could, either by using Telekinesis or some other power they were allowed to continue. Otherwise, they were forced to leave.

  The break lasted no more than a minute but was meant as a chance for both forces to take a quick break, while also rethinking their strategy.

  To no real surprise almost all the soldiers that would have been pinned were dismissed from the field. While a few were able to stay. With that the field was reset. Buildings instantly toppled, and people were given three seconds to prepare to begin again.

  Safety was of course the key factor in this training scenario. While the buildings had been conjured, they could still do real damage if not treated properly. As such moderators and staff were on hand to witness, record, and officiate the proceedings.

  To be honest, it was a slaughter. The humans could offer up little to no resistance against the Dwenvarian forces. I felt bad, knowing that if I was still a legal human resident, I could partake in their combat operations and help them easily win. Instead, I had to wait my turn to play.

  ZZZAAAPPP!

  A lightning bolt a mile high and thick as a building shot down from the heavens to the seemingly defenseless lead mechanoid unit.

  Cameras changed to show Kyle Goldman, or Wizard me, on the screen. His eyes flashed violently as his biodata was brought up for everyone to read.

Name: Kyle Goldman Age: 18 Race: Human Magic Class Type: Wizard

Magic Aptitudes:

Earth 99+% Fire 99+% Portal 99+% Spirit 98% Healing 87% Air 75% Water 75% Time 12%

  Seeing his base stats appear brought a moment of nostalgia to me. Looking at everything I almost wondered how he created lightning, but then realized he used some type of hybrid spell.

  The spell was probably overkill.

  “Stop!” The voice shouted, a second later the torrent of lightning that had been directed at the one mechanoid unit ceased. Then it was a race as both Wizard me, and the lead Mechanoid unit dropped at the same time. The lead Mechanoid was dropped due to damage taken, the pilot was asked to leave. A second later he was clearly seen wobbling and shaking on his way out of the ship. He was in a bad way, as his protective gear had been burnt out and singe marks lined his face.

  In all Wizard Kyle didn’t do that bad. Kyle collapsed to the ground and was quickly supported by Jess.

  “Three, two, one… GO!” The announcers started once the leader of the mechanoid forces was safely off the field.

  “What?” I could see the look of confusion on everyone’s face. Well, every human face, as they all looked on in wide-eyed surprise that they were still supposed to keep fighting.

  Seeing their reactions, I just shook my head in annoyance. This was going to be a slaughter, as apparently the human forces either weren’t given, or didn’t know the true command structure of the Dwenvarian. For the forces to retreat, the leader and at least two of the sub leaders would need to be taken out. That or my personal favorite method, kill them all and be done with it.

  But seeing the look of exhaustion on Kyle’s face, it was clear he put everything he had into that one attack. Again, great if that was all it took to win, terrible when you are dealing with a command structure that has multiple lines of contingencies.

  Seeing the attack on the leader, the three sub leaders all turned from their occupied weapons caches and turned to the area where Kyle and Jess were.

  RUMBLE!

  Even the six perimeter troops opened long range fire on the area.

  The first sub lieutenant came close.

  ZAP!

  A giant bolt of lightning struck out from Kyle’s outstretched hand.

  “Stop!”

  Once again combat was paused as the second mech was disabled. The sub commanders had less protection than the leader, as the leader was meant to be a stationary fortress, while the sub commanders were meant to be mobile combatants.

  Again, the kid was a real badass, taking down two of the three required mechanoids needed for a victory by himself. Of course, once combat started again the two sub commanders came in together and collapsed a building on top of Wizard Kyle.

  Jess tried to save them, which she somehow managed to do. They were allowed to continue, despite a building falling on top of them. It wasn’t until one of the mechanoid leaders got on top of the rubble and made to jump on the area with the thermal bodies that both Kyle and Jess were eliminated.

  With their leaders down, and the want for weapons caches destroyed, the humans were slowly and methodically eliminated. The ground forces just didn’t have enough force to take down a mech. The humans were granted the kill of a perimeter mech, but that was mainly the account of friendly fire taking out the mech more than anything.

  One could say the soldiers darting between the legs could have caused the fire, but still they were taken down by an overzealous mech user. That or maybe the sub commander didn’t like their perimeter guard. Either way, the end results were clear. The humans had sixty-six percent of a victory, while the Dwenvarians had one hundred percent.

  After the initial onslaught by Kyle and Jess, the rest was a pure rout.

  Pulse.

  I felt a pulse as a minor vison played out in my mind, at least it tried to. I squashed the vision right there, as I didn’t want to be distracted.

  “We will have a one-hour break to reset the course. Then we will have the final match begin.” The announcer said.

  With that Rayquel and I drank a bit more fluids, stretched. A few people tried to ask us questions, fortunately Rayquel handled all the questions for us. She was the more diplomatic of the two of us, as I was more likely to say something crude or offensive.

  With that I just focused on my own meditation, and relaxed. When I opened my eyes, I saw on the screen a Prolaxian Infiltrator on the screen.

  Pulse.

  I felt nervous tension from Rayquel who noticed my energy spike. Turning she looked to me, and then at the screen but the image had already changed to someone else. Feeling something was amiss she came over to me and whispered in my ear. The sensation of her breath against my ear sent shivers down my spine.

  “What was that?” She asked.

  With the question I was brought back to reality, despite my body’s obvious reaction to her proximity.

  “I saw one.” I answered.

  “One what?”

  “A PI.” I answered. That as our term for a Prolaxian Infiltrator.

  Hearing that she also let loose a pulse of concern. She stared at the screens of spectators that were scanning the whole audience.

  “Where?”

  I shrugged, “I don’t know, they were just there.” I hiss.

  Nodding to herself, Rayquel looked like she was about to do something, when we got our notifications.

  “Endarian contestants please make your way to your starting area.” The announcer said.

  Hearing that, I couldn’t help but feel we were missing an opportunity. We couldn’t draw attention to me, that was the plan at least. We planned to play the first one off as a weird reaction between me and the first PI. But now that we had a firm sighting at this event, it was huge.

  “General, we have that thing.” Rayquel said to General Tigran as we made our way past.

  The look of panic on her face was almost priceless, if it wasn’t for the fact that it was such a dire situation.

  “What?” The General asked, moving close to me.

  I just nod in confirmation.

  “Where?” She asks scanning around the area in a completely obvious way. I shake my head.

  “It was on the screen. One of the audience members.”

  “You could see them on the screen?” She asked. I could hear the gears whirring in her mind, but that was beside the point. We had a battle to win. I had to kick a few Dwenvarian asses.

  As soon as we got close, the announcer saw us and immediately began the count down.

  “Ten, nine, eight…”

  The General pursed her lips a few times, looking like a lost fish. Then ultimately decided to retreat.

  “Three, two, one…”

  It was go time.