Chapter 226 - Pipeline (2) (1/2)
[SPLASH, NOW ASSESSING EFFECT ON TARGET… ASSESSMENT COMPLETE. PRIMARY OBJECTIVE ACCOMPLISHED, WESTERN IMPERIAL FLEET ANNIHILATED.]
”Well, although that is to be expected, it's still nice to hear… Are you guys ready? We're punching into their territory now.”
”Ready.”
”Let's do this.”
”We've trained for this.”
”... All of you look ready, then let's do this.”
Sitting inside an AHEWP transport, Dax looked at Lilly, Terra, and Alice, all of them looked like hardened soldiers to him.
[FIRE SUPPORT ON STATION, READY FOR TASKING.]
”Suppressing fire, remain on station.”
Opening up the top hatch as AHEWP itself emerged above the waterline, looking ahead at the bombarded coastline as multiple landing crafts formed up behind and in front of Dax's transport.
[HOSTILES DETECTED, NOW PAINTING 209 NEW TARGETS.]
Just as Dax and his forces emerged from the water near the coast, so did the Empire's true protectors. Forming up in formations as they sucked in the ambient mana from the surroundings, over 200 angels came to meet Dax's detachment head on.
”Repel the invaders! For the glory of-”
Before the commander could finish his speech he was taken out by precision railgun fire, as his headless corpse slowly fell to the ground his subordinates sprang into action.
”Here they come, lock them down!”
[DIRECTIVE CONFIRMED, FIRE ORDER RECEIVED. DEPLOYING 204 MILL MANA DISRUPTION SHELLS, AIRBURST.]
On Dax's command, serval SAM AHEWP unloaded their payload towards the sky as railgun carrying variants started rapid firing airburst shells. Among the sudden hail of flak and fire, the angels suddenly found it extremely hard to concentrate and formulate offensive or even the most basic of defensive spells.
”Javelin formation: Hellfire!”
Still, some of the angels managed to fire off a few spells towards the invading forces, to great effect. As spears of concentrated fire rained down on the densely packed landing force, casualties steadily increased on both sides. The only difference between the angels and Dax's forces was that he was prepared for sacrifices, as almost all of his units were expendable.
[UNIT 19 DISABLED, ENACTING DENIAL PROTOCOL, DUMPING MUNITIONS.]
As unit 19 was hit with a stray spell, damage control protocol immediately deemed it beyond saving and started sinking below the waves, but before it was unable to fire off its surface to air missiles, all 94 remaining missiles were launched and put into a holding pattern before they could be re tasked by other units. While the angels started routing at 40% casualties, Dax wouldn't even flinch at 99%.
”Ahh, it's been a long time since I've faced such a stupid opponent… If you're facing an opponent that uses drones then don't try to face them head on, fall back and use unconventional warfare to slowly drain their supplies.”
Breathing a deep sigh as the last angel fell from the sky, Dax looked around at the massive casualties which he had suffered before breathing a deep sigh.
”ICI what's the number?”
[CASUALTIES AT 74%.]
”Only 74%? Oh well, bring in the second wave.”
[ROGER.]
As Dax's AHEWP hit the beach he jumped out of the transport with a REX rifle in hand while an even larger landing force emerged out from the water and started preparations for landfall.
”Let's get this show on the road, bring in the heavy armor too.”
[DIRECTIVE CONFIRMED, COMMENCING DE ORBIT BURN.]
Having secured a foothold, streaks of fire appeared on the horizon behind Dax's initial landing force.
While some people might think it was a mere coincidence, people more adept in military tactics and doctrine might see that they were falling towards the ground while maintaining a strict formation. Crashing to the ground at a shallow angle the purpose built assault barges succeed the purpose they were designed to and ground to a halt using build in thrusters and drogue parachutes.
[DEPLOYMENT SUCCESSFUL, REX HAWOC NOW IGNITING PRIMARY POWER PLANT… STARTUP SUCCESSFUL.
FIRE CONTROL SYSTEM: ONLINE.
PRIMARY ARMAMENT: ONLINE.
SECONDARY ARMAMENT: ONLINE.