Alam swung himself onto the back of a sturdy steppe horse, the mount shifting beneath him with a snort. He adjusted his posture, striking a pose that he hoped conveyed both authority and casual disregard for the recent carnage. A small contingent of camera drones buzzed around him, capturing the moment for posterity—or, more accurately, for propaganda purposes. He executed a few practiced maneuvers, a subtle choreography of horsemanship designed to impress. It was important to project an image of strength and control, even if the reality was that he was slightly saddle sore.
after that. alam dismount from the one tribal horse. and wipe his face. he then look at surround him. its a fucking mess place.road is destroyed. all hangar and warehouse is busted but atleast some building can used for future operation.
The tattered remnants of the Blood Khaganate flag were being torn down, replaced by the Wanderer standard: a stark black banner emblazoned with a crimson triangle. Alongside it, the golden Garuda of Baihu’s legion snapped in the wind, joined by the banners of other allied mercenary groups and local tribes. It was a colorful, if somewhat chaotic, display of newfound unity.
Alam surveyed the destruction, his gaze settling on an unexpected sight: a small, intact tea room. It was a simple space—an empty room with a mattress and wooden window frames, a stark contrast to the Khaganate's militaristic aesthetic. Alam entered and sat cross-legged on the floor. “hmhm.. tea party huh? well. we can add good things to our culture. and khagan warrior is not just mindless barbarian..”
A few weeks later, Alam awaited news in his office, boredom etched on his face. The news report informed him of the mercs sweeping through Central Asia, with enemy factions either surrendering or planning to.
Recruits flocked to the Wanderer bases, drawn by their soaring reputation. However, the influx presented a new challenge. Some recruits embellished their service records, sporting fabricated medals. Others, genuine veterans, arrived without documentation, relying solely on their reputations.
To maintain cohesion and quality, older Wanderer veterans were pressed into service as recruiting and field officers. Their unwavering loyalty to Alam and their extensive experience, from Carpathia to Hong Kong, made them invaluable.
In June 2401, with warm, dry weather, the Wanderer army pushed forward on multiple fronts. Even while still recovering, they rotated their troops to keep the momentum going. Alam relied on his new generals to launch multiple attacks, and the speed and surprise of these strikes left the Khaganate, despite having more soldiers, stunned and confused about where to focus their defenses first.
"Any updates on the other Khaganate generals? Where are Qilong and Feihong?" Alam asked, flipping through documents.
Li’s voice crackled through the speaker. "General Qilong refuses to surrender. Our troops are still locked in a standoff with his forces."
Zhang jumped in, "Feihong is also resisting, but we’re pressing the attack. It’s only a matter of time before he surrenders."
"Time is of the essence. We need to act before the Red Nation intervenes. Which front needs more attention?" Alam pressed.
Li replied, "Qilong's forces are stubborn; they fight like cornered wolves. They need more focus."
Zhang added, "Feihong’s forces are the strongest left. We’ll need our best units to deal with him."
"Alright, I’ll tackle Qilong first. Let’s hope reinforcements from the Golden Caravan arrive soon," Alam concluded.
As Alam flew to the front line, he witnessed fierce clashes between the mercs and Qilong's forces. He landed to assess the situation.
"Li, give me the current status," Alam commanded.
"Qilong's forces are tougher than expected. They’re well-disciplined and fighting hard, making it tough to break through," Li reported.
"What’s the terrain like between us?" Alam asked.
"Mostly open, with few trees and houses. The flat terrain makes advancing against Qilong's defenses challenging," Li explained.
"Are they sending sorties?" Alam inquired.
"Yes, they’re using sorties to slow our advance. They’ve caused significant casualties among our troops," Li confirmed.
"Hmm. Let’s set a trap. Plant hidden explosives in our trenches. When they attack, feign a retreat and lure them in," Alam ordered.
"Understood, sir! We’ll set up the explosives and create a false retreat," Li replied.
"Perfect. Execute the plan," Alam commanded.
Li quickly relayed the orders, and the troops began implementing the strategy. They planted explosives and staged a retreat, convincing Qilong’s forces to pursue them.
Once Qilong's troops occupied the trenches, they triggered the explosives. The trap worked flawlessly, causing chaos among the enemy ranks.
"Fools! Now is our time! All-out attack!" Alam shouted.
The merc forces surged forward, taking advantage of the confusion and dealing serious damage.
His troops rallied, launching an assault on Qilong's base, exploiting the enemy's disarray to wreak havoc and push through their defenses.
"Forward! Infantry, move alongside the armored vehicles—shoulder to shoulder! Don’t spread too far!" Alam barked, channeling his inner drill sergeant.
The merc force sprang into action, advancing in a tight formation, determined to work side by side with their armored vehicles. They pushed forward, ready to smash through General Qilong's defenses and reach his base.
"What's the battle situation?" Alam demanded, scanning the horizon like a hawk.
An officer chimed in, "General Qilong's main force is on the run! Our assault has caused significant damage, but some of his units are still putting up a fight. His base is not yet fully secured, but the retreat is in full swing."
This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.
"Alright," Alam mused, glancing at the sky. "Let’s wrap this up before dark."
The officer nodded, "We're on it. The sun is setting, and we're pushing to secure the base before nightfall."
"Good. Send a supply convoy to our front trenches. No need to worry—they won’t be sending sorties after their recent losses," Alam ordered, confidence oozing from his every pore.
"Yes, sir! We’ll send the convoy. Their air strike unit is in chaos and won’t risk more sorties," the officer confirmed.
"Exactly! And the cover of darkness will be our ally. Order the front units to dig in and hold their ground. We’ll continue the assault tomorrow. We’re getting closer to their base!" Alam commanded, feeling like he was on the cusp of a victory lap.
"Indeed, the darkness is our friend," the officer agreed. "Our night vision gives us the upper hand. Plus, with our diverse merc force, we’ll exploit the enemy’s weaknesses."
"Speaking of names, what does 'Qilong' mean?" Alam asked, curiosity piqued.
"General Qilong's name means 'dragon-king' in Blood Khaganate. It’s a powerful title, and his unit is known as the 'Blood Dragons'," the officer explained.
"Dragon, huh? I wonder what he's thinking right now," Alam mused, staring at the distant base.
The officer glanced at the base, noting the activity. "It’s interesting that Qilong’s forces are still trying to reinforce their base despite their retreat. Shows loyalty, or maybe just stubbornness."
"Yeah, loyalty from a vassal? How quaint," Alam scoffed, shaking his head.
"Blood Khaganate was once a small faction within China. Over time, they grew powerful by aligning with the Red Nation. Now, they have no choice but to cling to that alliance," the officer elaborated.
"Interesting history lesson," Alam said, patting the officer on the shoulder. "Now, I’m off to contact Baihu, the female general from the Garuda Legion."
As if on cue, Baihu’s image appeared on the screen. "Hello, Commander Alam! What’s your situation? Have you made progress against the Blood Khaganate?"
"Yeah, we’re moving forward. But I hear you’re a fan of close-quarter combat," Alam quipped.
"Oh, absolutely! Close quarters are the best! We have the edge in speed and agility. What's your plan, Commander? Going in for a hug, or keeping your distance?" she replied, a playful glint in her eye.
"We’re pretty close to their base… I can practically see their moves through binoculars," Alam said, smirking.
"Sounds like the battle is nearing its end. They’re reinforcing their base, but in close quarters, they’re toast. They can’t match our speed," Baihu observed.
"Well... can I borrow some of your strength?" Alam asked, feeling a bit shy about the request.
"You want our troops for your battle against the Blood Khaganate? Is this a plea for help?" Baihu teased.
"Yes, please!"
"Alright, Commander. We'll send our troops your way right now. We’ll give you the support you need to finish this battle," Baihu confirmed.
"Perfect! I’m actually surprised. You seem very professional right now. I was expecting more of your flirty antics," Alam confessed, raising an eyebrow.
"Haha! Surprise! But I’ll save the flirting for after the battle. Right now, my focus is on kicking some serious butt," Baihu replied, throwing him a wink.
"Alright, see you later… muah!" Alam said, blowing her a kiss.
"See you later, muah!" Baihu echoed back, cutting the comm with a playful smirk as she sent her troops to join the fray.
And just like that, the stage was set for a showdown, with Alam ready to seize victory and Baihu poised to add some flair to the fight.
Alam peered through the periscope, watching General Qilong's forces scramble to fortify their base. It was clear they weren’t about to let it go without a fight, but the disarray from their last defeat was evident. Opportunity was knocking.
“Any night sorties?” Alam asked a nearby mercenary.
“No, sir. Their air unit is still recovering from the blast. They’re probably avoiding night operations since they lack night vision gear. But we should stay alert—they might spring a surprise.”
“Always moving, huh?” Alam mused.
“They’re reinforcing defenses, sir. Their main force is in full retreat, so I doubt they'd attack tonight. But we can’t drop our guard.”
“Got it. Let’s form a war council,” Alam commanded over the radio.
The mercs gathered around, ready for Alam's next move against the Blood Khaganate army.
“Alright, what’s the consensus? They’re hurting after yesterday, right?”
“Definitely, commander. The explosion hit them hard,” said one merc.
“But they still have troops. We can’t underestimate them. They’re actively shoring up defenses,” another cautioned.
“Anyone got a headcount?” Alam pressed.
“Estimates suggest 400-500 troops remaining,” reported one merc. “They’re still reinforcing but it looks like they’re running low.”
“What’s their equipment situation?” Alam asked.
“Limited. They lost a lot in the last battle. Most of what they have left are basic rifles ,They’ve got a few anti-tank missiles and some armored vehicles, but that’s about it.”
Alam rubbed the back of his head. “So they’re lacking night vision, right? They haven’t sent any sorties at night.”
“Exactly, commander. We have the advantage after dark.”
“Alright, time for a night assault. Here’s the plan: every soldier with night vision leads a squad of 4-7 without it. We’ll use flares for distraction.”
“Interesting, commander. We’ll leverage our night vision while keeping them confused with flares. Great idea, sir.”
“Each soldier with night vision needs to coordinate. We’ll train while we wait for reinforcements.”
“Agreed. We’ll need to ensure everyone’s on the same page for this to work.”
“Any suggestions?” Alam asked.
“That covers it, sir. If we execute properly, we’ll have the upper hand at night,” came the reply.
“Let’s get this rolling,” Alam commanded.
“Understood. Training starts now,” the merc replied.
Alam switched gears, reaching out to Zhang for updates.
“Commander? Is your position secure?” Zhang’s voice crackled over the comm.
“We’re waiting for reinforcements for the final push. What’s your status?”
“Stable here. The enemy hasn’t committed their main force, but we repelled a special ops attack. Holding our ground while we await General Baihu’s reinforcements.”
“Avoid confrontation for now. Once Qilong is neutralized, we’ll move,” Alam instructed.
“Understood. We’ll monitor their movements closely.”
As Alam refocused on Qilong’s base, he noted the bustling activity within. Unlike the chaotic Blood Khaganate base, Qilong’s looked well-protected, brimming with anti-air and anti-tank defenses.
“Hey! Who here knows how to build a catapult?” Alam rushed into the engineer workshop.
“Hi, commander! We’re the engineering team. What do you need?”
“I want a decoy to distract their AA weapons while we launch a real attack. Can we do this?”
“Definitely. We can design decoy drones to mimic our aircraft and missiles, confusing their defenses.”
“Right! Let’s rain decoys on them!”
“Exactly. We’ll bombard them with decoys to overload their systems, giving our real missiles a clear path.”
“Make as many as you can,” Alam ordered.
“Understood. We’ll aim for at least two dozen decoys. We’ll stagger launches to keep them guessing.”
“Get to work!”
Days later, the engineering team confirmed they had dozens of decoys ready for action.they are mimicing bomb shell, drones. and even missiles and for catapult they just using nearby woods from nearby trees. thanks to indiguinity of mechanic of Cyber-Brahmins' from scrap city
“Let’s see these babies fly!” Alam grinned.
The team launched a barrage of decoy missiles and aircraft, perfectly mimicking the real deal. The enemy’s anti-air systems were overwhelmed, wasting ammo on the decoys while Alam’s actual missiles sailed through largely unchallenged.
“Ha! Keep pouring them on! Deplete their munitions!” Alam reveled in the chaos.
The decoys danced across the sky, creating a spectacular distraction. The enemy’s defenses were in disarray, unable to distinguish between threat and illusion.
“This is beautiful… like fireworks,” Alam chuckled, watching the enemy waste resources.
With their real forces intact and the enemy’s defenses crumbling, Alam was poised for victory.
The enemy's anti-air missile system was in utter chaos, overwhelmed by a relentless wave of decoys. They flew at all angles, mimicking real missiles so convincingly that the enemy couldn’t tell their flares from their flesh. As the enemy wasted ammo shooting down decoys, Alam’s real missiles and aircraft slipped through unscathed.
“Great, just what I need—Baihu finding out about this little tactic. She'll definitely steal it,” Alam muttered.
The engineering team continued launching decoy after decoy, successfully keeping the enemy’s defenses busy. They were itching for Alam's go-ahead to launch the real attack.
“Tonight, we implement our night assault. Time to soften them up with real shells. Fingers crossed their AA guns are running on empty,” Alam ordered.
The engineers sprang into action, prepping the real missiles and artillery. They just needed Alam to say the word.
The engineering team launched the first wave of decoys. They streaked across the sky, mimicking the flight patterns of suicide drones and mortar shell with uncanny precision. On the enemy side, anti-air batteries swivelled and fired, wasting precious ammunition on the illusions. But Qilong’s officers were not entirely fooled. Some began to notice subtle discrepancies in the decoys' movements.
"Hold your fire on the small ones!" a Khaganate officer shouted over the comms. "Focus on the larger targets! Those are the real missiles!"
But it was too late. As the Khaganate gunners shifted their aim, Alam’s real missiles, hidden among the swarm of decoys, found their targets. Explosions rocked the base, destroying key defensive emplacements and sowing chaos among the enemy ranks.
the sight indeed similar how iron dome being overwhelmed on pre war conflict. but with taste of art.
“Alright! To victory! Forward!” Alam shouted, drawing his silver sword, rallying his mercenaries for one last charge.
The mercs surged forward, attacking relentlessly. They were a force of nature, smashing through the enemy’s lines. Alam monitored the radio chatter, picking up the enemy's frustrations. They were caught off-guard, and the casualties were mounting. Alam watched them jumping from trench to trench while dodging bullets and explosions. A sense of grim satisfaction settled over him. This battle was almost won. He rubbed his hand, considering the next move—reinforcements were desperately needed on the other front. He checked the intercom for a progress report. The small message of a potential desertion on the other front now flashed urgently,he need victory to boost the morale of whole front.
“hah. people always exaggerated things”
Alam watched the scene unfold. His own trench was now empty, indicating no more soldiers were available for the next wave. This was his last attack, or this would devolve into a slog—something Alam couldn't afford with his blitzkrieg style. His reputation hung in the balance