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Post by EpicToaster1 on Sept 17, 2023 21:58:23 GMT -5
Avishelm - Achsen 30, 1934; 11:06 PM
Grinding through the terminal, STGLR-34 plated #7162 would creak through with its large consist of staol. Headed for Columbia, the train would pass the two waiting trains, one passenger plated #666 and one freight plated #258, sitting in the siding of the platform. The metal groaning of the fully-loaded cars would grate at the nerves of the persons hidden within the passenger cars. The tarps on the freight train would flutter from the wind of the passing staol train. The Koian soldiers aboard the final car would watch the world as it sped by, their eyes glancing at the passenger train without a second thought. The freight train parked closely behind would catch their eye, eyeing up the boxcars and flatcars. One would spot and point out a loosened tarp, the tread of a machine visible. But the light for the two trains would turn green, and they’d lurch forward before beginning their trek through the Tyniti Canyon Pass.
The Koian Staol train would continue on in silence before it’d pass the Avishelm marker, the rear car sending in its status report back up the telegraph lines.
“GLR-AVH SELGE. KOI-RFR KAKS RONGI. VAATA.”
And with that, the train would steam off into the distance into the Galran desert.
The two trains would chuff their way up the canyon passes, forced to slowly crawl as they travel along the perilous tracks, the steep canyon cliff faces and the jagged rocks below showing the dangers of this route alone and why it took so long to make. Blasted into the sides of the walls, the route slowly wound its way from the entrance all the way up the side of the mountains. The heavy traincars would tilt on the tight corners, inducing many of the riders with vertigo.
The old steam engines would groan, the train crews cussing out the aging locomotives as they’d fight them up the grade. Despite their massive switch to diesel engines, with no fuel anywhere along the route they had to pull some old steam engines back into service just for this. The two trains crawled through the passing siding, and quickly blitzed through a DANGER signal as the crews fought their engines instead of paying attention. Further up the line, STGLR-38 plated #7285, would see its signal change from green to danger before it passed, prompting the engine crew to ease onto the breaks and bring the heavy train to a halt in the small town of Rorifee in Koi. Alerts would be sent through the system of a rogue train, bringing the Galran staol trains to stop where they are off the mainline to not be in danger. #7285 would back up until it’s behind the signal again, allowing the dispatch office to switch the points so the incoming trains aren’t on a collision course with it.
Train #258 would slowly start to lag behind its counterpart, the crew overheating their engine as they fail to give it enough water. As they’d realize, they’d dump in a ton of water, quenching the fire and forcing them to have to rebuild their temperature, causing their goods to fall behind as the passengers rode on unaware.
Back down at Avishelm, General Francis Claimond would be prepping the next batch of soldiers to be sent up. The train crew of troop transport #671 would be prepping the train to leave as the soldiers would load their gear into their respective bunk cars. Right behind it, goods train #344 would be loaded with provisions for the entire first four days of the front. At least, that’s what they’d been told.
General Claimond was placed in charge of the Koian invasion by General Archibald himself. Claimond was one of the newer generals, having risen in the ranks over his 30 years in the field. He was a firm advocate for the inclusion of armor into their units, though skeptical of the usefulness of aircraft. Even after field tests, that wasn’t enough to convince him. But loaded on a freight train further back, several carrier-grade aircraft would be folded up and tarped over to be used in the beginnings of the invasion until they built an airbase capable of handling their land fighters.
Francis himself was middling in age. His hair long since graying from the stresses of his work and a short beard and mustache that covered from ear to ear but still showed most all the features and contours of his face. He wore the signature uniform of the Galran higher-ups, but his cap was the same as from his days as a private some 30 years ago.
He looked at his plans once more. With Koi’s forceful disarmament, he was only given some 300,000 troops to combat the less than 200,000 of Koi. But he figured that so long as they acted swiftly enough, they could make it deep enough into Koi to cut off the Northern routes into Seleucidenia, Lusatia, and Ulster-Gaelia, starting the countdown until they’re forced to surrender from lack of fuel. And maybe, if they’re lucky, get a few of Koi’s staol mines for their own.
The plans before him were easy to follow for the first few days. The trains would arrive in Rorifee, Mägi Koi, where the staff cars would settle down and bunker up while the other trains would disembark and begin their march further up the rails to Ember. From there, they just had to follow the Southern rail line into Põhja Koi and sweep across to Ida Koi, where hopefully they could swiftly and easily take Põhiliin. And with Applegate’s plan, the dirty bugs would capitulate without their precious leaders telling them what to do and their troops could clean up any little resistances and occupy the whole country.
But Claimond knew that wasn’t gonna be the case. He would never dare speak about it to his superiors, but he knew this was not gonna be an easy run. Already, he had a special message requesting more troops tucked away in his pocket. He knew the world knew of their rhetoric, that no country would dare surrender easily. But he couldn’t make it seem like he believed the plan would fail until they felt resistance. And looking at the commanders, huddled together by the fire laughing and mocking the Koians in the upcoming war, he knew they wouldn’t hesitate to try and oust him to get in charge themselves. But they didn’t carry the weight he did, nor did they have the respect of the common soldiers either.
No, his plan was easier. Skip the major cities. Take the rails and avoid as many resistance areas as possible. With speed, they could get all the way to the coast and cut off every nation from the staol trade. Then it was only a matter of attrition, while opening new avenues to attack their enemies from other angles. Give the Grinvelians some leeway by putting pressure on Marrlan from the South if they hadn’t made it to Koi by then. Threaten Nevarra and it would free up some pressure on Verak. March on Maiz as Detti likely wouldn’t get that far, and force others to redirect their resources to keep all that Maizic food flowing. It was going to be a long war and he knew it; and their chances were better if they could conserve their manpower as much as possible in this fight.
A loud crash behind him would get his attention, making him swing around to see the logistics crew hurriedly trying to put back together a crate of ammunition they just dropped. “Careful over there!” He’d turn back to his map before the shrieking cry of a whistle blasted further down the tracks. He’d spin around to see the headlamp of troop transport #682 arriving, indicating it was nearing time for #671 to leave. He’d roll up his map and blow his little metal whistle, its shrill cry causing the commanders to jump. “Everyone on!”
He’d move to the rear car, hopping aboard. The most luxurious on the train, the front half was the planning space for him and his commanders while the rear was his own personal living space, complete with a small study, kitchen, private restroom, and the rear observation deck. The commanders hopped aboard in the two cars directly ahead after they doused the fire they were all sitting around, containing personal sleeping quarters for each along with private restrooms. The troops were already aboard, sharing bunks four to a room in the several cars ahead, though some chose to go up to the sitting cars and sleep there instead.
With confirmation the Koian staol train was well out of the way, the troop transport would lurch forward, waking up a few of the lighter sleepers among the ranks, before it’d slowly make its way out of Avishelm and began its trudge towards the Great Tyniti Canyon. The goods train would be left behind as they finished loading, departing several hours later while the following troops trains and goods trains would arrive and load in succession.
Rorifee - Vaylien 1, 1934; 7:31 PM
Several of the railguard were now in the small town of Rorifee; two trains halted in the customs yard as they wait for the unknown train to clear the tracks. The speeder crew would finally arrive, a small steam locomotive plated #6041 with a crew car and a crane in case the train they’ve been waiting on actually derailed somehow and needed picking up. It’d crawl to a stop into the lead siding, the crew meeting up to talk with the guards in case they had to go down. With almost a whole half-hour passing from when it should have arrived, the guards would give the signal for the staol trains to begin backing up to Ember to be redirected through Seleucidenia so they could clear the line. The order would be relayed further back to Ember’s dispatch office, redirecting further trains that way to keep them moving. The first train would begin its slow crawl backwards, driving by lamp signals from the guards on the rear of the train.
Another fifteen minutes would pass, the second train being given the go ahead to begin moving backwards. As the metal groaned as it compressed into reverse, the smoke of another engine would rise from the distance. An older engine puffing along, passenger cars in tow.
“Get some detonators on the track, that train is blocking their path!” The guards would scramble in a hurry, the nearby stationmaster bringing over a crate of track detonators. The guards would race them to the tracks, tying them down quickly ahead of the incoming train. They’d quickly bolt away, giving enough clearance as the train rapidly approaches at a steady puff. Several guards would pull out their red flags, waving them.
As the steam engine approached, it’d roll over the first detonator, the loud bang echoing through the town, getting the attention of even the train crew that was actively backing out of the siding. They’d blow their whistle, trying to indicate they’re there as the train hit the second and then the third detonators. The locomotive crew of the incoming train would finally realize and slam on their brakes, the grinding of metal on metal piercing the air as the whole train lurched and compressed together as the engineers attempted to not run headfirst into the freight train blocking its path. The soldiers inside would be startled awake by the explosions of the detonators and jostled from their bunks and chairs as the train applies to full emergency. The metal and wood frames of the cars would groan as they’re pushed together, threatening to crunch in on themselves. But the train would slide to a stop right before the signal to the switch, the old engine hissing loudly and shroading the locomotive as the Koian train puffs and creaks past. The dazed soldiers would slowly gather themselves, having to untangle themselves from the mess of half-awake mass sprawled on the floor.
As the staol train finally cleared the yard and continued its way towards Ember, the guards would approach the train, two in the rear of the group readying their rifles while the others just walk over casually. They approach the engine, one shouting up in Koian to the driver before another would step in front and speak in commons. “What on Ouhiri are you doing?” The engineer would stare at them, catching some of the words but only knowing Galran they were a bit underequipped to have left the country. The fireman would peak out, also at a loss.
BANG
A bullet would whizz passed and embed into the ground beyond, the entire group of guards drawing their arms. Two remaining facing the engineers holding them at gunpoint while the rest aim back towards the train, a single rifle aimed out an open window. The work crew would poke their heads out of their maintenance train, seeing the situation behind them. They’d wire an emergency message to their dispatch office as the cab crew threw the controls to reverse and began moving back towards the guards.
“PMH. PMH. PHM. SISSETUNG. SISSETUNG. GALRA.”
More rifles would soon be pointing out the passenger cars, the occupants becoming aware of what was happening. One guard would break from the group, quickly moving over the tracks back to the yardmaster’s office. The other guards would stare back at the several rifles aimed out of the troop cars. The loud puffing of the maintenance train would soon get the attention of the guards, causing them to move back across the line to get out of its way. A guard aboard would flash a yellow and a red flag, hidden from the view of the soldiers. The rest of the train crew would bunker down, getting ready for the incoming action.
As the maintenance train began to get near the group, each guard would take aim on a different person. The first two would keep their aim on the engine crew, and as the crane was about to move in front of them, they’d open fire, each guard firing just before they were blocked by the crane, ducking down so as to avoid being hit over the flat cars and getting caught by the guard hanging out the door to pull them into the train one-by-one. The Galran soldiers would fire back in panic, many only managing to put bullet dents into the side of the train, though a few would manage to hit their mark, two guards being wounded and having to be helped into the train while another would be killed on the spot from a shot through the heart. They too would be picked up onto the train, taking everything with them as the cab crew threw the train to full speed and let it power its way out of the yard and down the mainline.
The guard and the yardmaster would speed off in the yardmaster’s truck, blitzing into town to warn the mayor and evacuate the citizens.
The troop train would sit eerily silent for a moment before the soldiers would slowly file out of the train, the officer at the back of the train rushing forward to survey the damage while still putting their coat and hat on. The side of the train is riddled in bullets, the large caliber of the Koian rifles slicing through the wooden sides like a hot knife through butter. The engineer would be sitting in their seat, slumped, a bullet cleanly through their forehead. The fireman would be writhing in pain, the bullet slamming through their shoulder. Another four soldiers lay dead in the first car, along with five wounded. One would make it out unscathed, but their barrel would be plugged by a bullet that embedded itself right through the muzzle, making the rifle worthless.
A soldier, unprompted, would rush to the back of the train and run past to the switch, unlocking and throwing it quickly so the freight train wouldn’t rear-end them. Though their supplies would take a while longer, having stalled out on the mountain and needing to be pushed by the reinforcements train.
Sirens would sound across Mägi Koi not too long later. The small town of Rorifee being the first in the line of invaders to be evacuated, leaving a ghost-town behind as the citizens are quickly whisked away by train, truck, car, and foot towards the city of Ember.
The Galran soldiers would move by foot to the town, finding it empty with the dust clouds of the last evac vehicles shrinking into the distance. Searching the buildings, the soldiers would find homes that have food tossed all over the floor, personal firearms and their ammunition removed, and radios and the very few TVs there were smashed to make them unusable. But the soldiers would claim it as a victory, raising the Galran flag over the meager townhall.
Several hours later, the reinforcements, along with the first train’s supplies, would finally arrive into the town’s railyard, redirecting to the furthest siding where the troop train would be permanently parked until it was time for the high command to move. General Claimond would step off the train, immediately moving towards the town, though being stopped as he sees the medical staff already busy from the morning’s shootout and the makeshift graves already set up for those who died. He’d stare in disbelief, then back at the railyard. His eyes would immediately see the damage on the locomotive and first car in the sunlight. His mind would race to the plan, thinking. He’d walk silently to the town, walking its empty streets before finally coming to the townhall, stopping on the steps and turning back to the street while still deep in thought. His eyes darted around the brightly colored buildings, before he’d hear the buzzing light above him fall silent. Looking up, it was off, and soon his eyes would notice all the lights across the town were out. Seems they’ve already cut utilities… They’re prepared.
The Galran high command would set up in the small, desolate town of Rorifee, readying themselves for the long journey ahead.
The Vabariigi Suurarmee would receive the call near minutes after the initial attack in Rorifee. Garrisons across the nation would ready up, though many in the North would be hindered by sudden attacks from sleeper agents among their ranks. Koians who acted as zombies without any control over their actions throwing themselves into the disorganized troops, some even making it as far as into munitions storages and detonating them. Casualties were few and far between where the munitions weren’t detonated, the agents seemingly unable to use firearms as they’d try to melee attack other soldiers before being killed. But casualties would rack up in the low hundreds from those where the munitions blew.
The entire nation was on high alert now, the government in a total panic as it readied the Oranž Merevägi to defend its coast Koiani Riiklik Raudtee would be recalled from the West, unknowing about the happenings in other parts of the world.
The telegraph lines leading out of Koi would be flooded by a single message, radio stations and television stations following suit.
War was upon the Republic of Koi, a war that threatened the whole world. Citizens would rush to sign up with the army to defend their nation, a call to all industries to begin producing armaments to protect their homeland.
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Post by EpicToaster1 on Oct 18, 2023 0:24:02 GMT -5
Põhiliin - Vaylien 1, 1934; 8:35 PMThe normally calm room was filled with the commotion of a dozen persons, Victoria in the middle of it all trying to get everyone to settle down. Vidrik slipped in after his speech to the nation, only a single person acknowledging him as he entered. Victoria would look over at Vidrik, red in the face, before she'd slam her boot down hard. "ALRIGHT THAT'S ENOUGH!" The room would fall silent, the dozen pairs of eyes turning to her. Among the people in the room were the various high-ranking officers of the tiny national military. "We have to redirect everything against the Galrans." "We understand that, ma'am, but it's not enough." Vidrik would pipe in, "We're working to get that solved." "Militias aren't going to cut it, sir. We need manpower. We need proper soldiers." "We can't. We're already at our treaty max." "We have to violate it." "We can't." One of the generals would step around everyone and grab Victoria by her coat. "What do you mean we can't? We're being bloody invaded!" "We can't incur the wrath of the others." The general would scoff. "I'm sure they'd bloody well understand." Vidrik would simply nod. Victoria flashed him a look before grabbing the general's hand and removing it from herself. She'd just sigh. "I know we need to put every able body on that front to stand a chance. I just don't want us causing others to feel they have to also invade us for breaking the treaty." Vidrik shoved in before the general could speak. "She's right, but he's also right. We have to mobilize everyone from child to elder. But we have to make sure the others are behind us, not against us." "So what, we wait for everyone to give us their approval?" "No. We mobilize whether they want us to or not." The room would just stare at Vidrik, lost from his line of thought. "We have to defend ourselves first and foremost. But we've already sent that emergency telegram and I just finished the radio broadcast. Anyone that is against us is on Galra's side, and they're already going to invade us too. Those who are against Galra will already be on our side. Sure, there's the neutrals who we don't know how they'll respond, but if they want their staol they're gonna have to put up with it. But we have to be evident that we're fighting Galra and only Galra, this way no one else things we're violating this treaty just to do so." One of the admirals would speak up. "Sir, with all due respect, you sound like a schizo." Vidrik would just shrug. "Anyone know how many guns we have? How many bullets are in our reserves?" "I'm sorry?" "Firepower. We need to arm the nation. How much do we have?" "Probably a good amount." "I don't want a probably, I want a certainty." "We can figure it out." "Then do so." Victoria would slip back into the conversation. "Get guns in the hand of every citizen over eighteen. Even if they won't join the military, any resistance will help." "Distribute them all the way along the expected path." "And what path is that?" Victoria would motion to one of the Chief Dispatchers. She'd pull out a map, placing it on Victoria's desk. "They're gonna follow the rails as long as they can, most likely. If we arm every citizen between here and Ember, they'll either get slowed down for a proper force to arrive or they'll have to abandon the easy supply lines." Another general would snip in. "And how big of an army do we want?" Victoria would look to Vidrik. He'd pause, thinking. "Well...We have a population of about fifty-five million, going against a nation of over four hundred million. Of our fifty-five, maybe around thirty-four...thirty-five?...are of working age..." Victoria took over. "So I believe an army of between thirty and forty million will suffice to keep us safe, if even for a little bit." The military commanders would stare at the two in disbelief. "You're not suggesting complete and total mobilization, are you?" "What choice do we have? The Galrans want everyone in this country dead or enslaved in our own mines. It's either kill or be killed now." "May Areyar guide our souls..." |
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Post by EpicToaster1 on Oct 29, 2023 19:14:17 GMT -5
Rorifee
With the full forces that was granted to General Claimond finally within Koi and the rear command base fully set up, the Galran forces would finally begin their full assault on Koi. The first of the troops would load back into their transport train, the old steam engine creaking out of the Rorifee railyard for the next town along the route - Mõisavee. The transport was loaded with a thousand soldiers and enough food and ammo to last them for five days. The ride there wouldn't take long, only an hour at the blistering speed of fifty-two miles an hour. The engine would struggle to reach the actual track speed of eighty, the old engine rocking and rolling while it clangs along the track, the new engine crew trying to operate the engine from the loss of the last one.
As the engine sputtered its way into Mõisavee, the fireman yelled in panic, throwing himself across the cab and grabbing the break and throwing it to full emergency. The engineer would throw his head out the window, seeing the blockage ahead of the train, throwing the reverser to full reverse and the throttle all the way open to force the locomotive to a quicker stop. The engine would grind to a stop just before the barricade of metal and cars, throwing the soldiers on board forward in the seats or onto the ground. Troops would quickly file off the train, fanning out to provide cover as more disembarked. Through the smoke and steam billowing from the engine as the crew work to unjam the controls from the sudden stop, the soldiers would notice the barricade blocking their path. Several would walk to the front of the train while others would march their way over the field into the actual town to scout it out.
The soldiers would gather in front of the barricade. Mangled metal sheets and barbed wire was thrown over the corpses of several damaged cars with their tires popped and engines destroyed, acting as a massive blockade to prevent Galran forces from advancing. The soldiers would get to work slowly clearing the mess, needing to clear the tracks if they didn't want to advance by foot.
Inside the town, the soldiers would move from door to door, checking buildings. Once again, not a single soul was present. Valuable equipment like radios and refrigeration units were destroyed. Food was either taken or thrown over the ground and smashed. Once again, the Galrans would raise a flag over the townhall, but the implications that they were gonna be greeted by ghost towns the entire time put a weary atmosphere over the troops.
Free Cities Alliance Border Crossing; 45 Minutes outside of Kiviõme
The army encampment at the border of the Free Cities Alliance was in catastrophic material disarray, but was probably the time they've been the most organized ever. Explosions and attacks had riddled through the border checkpoint, some Koian soldiers suddenly turning on their comrades and jumping on them. It didn't take long to subdue or eliminate the rogue soldiers. They seemed unable to operate firearms, only able to throw themselves at others and attack with their hands or use their rifle as weapon.
The base's ammunition storage was blown up by one who managed to get in and beat up some of the more sensitive compounds, killing themselves in the process while taking out the spare ammo of the base. A little over a dozen troops were injured in the resulting explosion. From the overall attacks, two soldiers were killed, five infiltrators were killed, and another seven infiltrators were subdued and arrested. But with the attack, the soldiers didn't have long to prepare themselves as they threw every able body with a weapon towards the border to defend the base and the country. The soldiers would line themselves up, all eyes, ears, and antennae on the FCA.
Medical staff would work to stabilize the injured while non-fighting staff would work to send out an alert to the high command.
The truck would appear over the horizon from the FCA, the dust cloud behind it making it easy to spot. Soon, another truck would appear following behind it. Then several more, one by one. Each bearing the mark of the FCA army. As the trucks would get within five hundred yards, a single shot would ring out. It'd find its mark right in the front driver-side tire of the lead truck. As the tire would pop, the rest of the soldiers would open fire, riddling the incoming trucks in a hail of bullets. The trucks would scatter, blitzing around each other as they'd become incapacitated or just to get away from the shots, opening them up to being shot further.
Sirens rang out across the border complex, prompting the injured and non-combatants to evacuated. The injured would be loaded into trucks while the non-combatants would clamber in. The horde of trucks would leave, leaving the soldiers behind with a single train to escape in. The engine crew would work to get the locomotive fired up, prepping for in the event they have to flee the base.
The fighting would go long into the night, the mountain valley darkness making the FCA military back off. With the reprieve, the Koian forces would regroup. Among the two hundred stationed there, they had only a little over two hundred bullets remaining. With not much to salvage from the complex, they'd take the hint they should run now, hopping aboard the train and leaving the border unguarded for the FCA to find in the morning. With the headlight off, the train would depart, steaming away towards the small town of Kiviõme.
There, they were greeted by the sight of an evacuating town, the local police force working to get everyone to the safety of the North Rogorod where the army headquarters for the state is located. This town too would become abandoned until who knows when the citizens will see their homes again, if they ever get to.
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Post by EpicToaster1 on Oct 30, 2023 23:45:37 GMT -5
Mõisavee
The forward soldiers were gathered around the bleak railyard, sitting between the tracks and the field. Occasionally groups would exchange places to remove the burden of clearing the blockage from just a single group of soldiers. The mood was quiet, the soldiers expecting to have to worry about more fighting after the initial fight with the rail guard, but it seems everywhere they go is deathly silent. The distant, shrill whistle would perk up the soldiers. Some would look down the line after the barricade, while others would look back towards where they came from.
Over the horizon, the blackest smoke with orange glow rose into view. Soldiers closest to the rear of the train would scramble to move to the switch, throwing it to force the incoming train onto the other line. Several would run down the tracks, waving their arms frantically to get the incoming train to slow down. Another cry of the whistle would pierce the air as the engine would slowly apply its brakes, coming into a more gentle stop within the yard than the previous train.
The engine hissed and groaned as it sat in the yard, the other soldiers gathering around. A freight train, several boxcars with only two passenger cars at the rear, was standing above the soldiers. A dozen soldiers would offload to start unloading the boxcars when they'd stare at the soldiers sitting about. "Do you guys not need more bullets?"
"Nope, no one was home."
General Claimond stepped out of the rear coach. "Well that's unsurprising." The soldiers would all snap to attention, the commander of the troops saluting too but unaware the General would be arriving with a resupply train. "We just invaded their homeland from a direction they likely had barely any troops." He'd point to the bullet-riddled front of the first transport train. "A bunch of their railmen did that from what I was told. But not a single proper army soldier anywhere."
He'd look among the men. "At ease, you don't need to stand there like that all day." The soldiers relaxed around the General. "One of two things is likely. They either are waiting for us in Ember, or they'll have abandoned that too. Regardless, we're taking too long for the Autarch's liking, so I am here because we're changing the game plan." He'd motion to the commander, his finger beckoning him to come over to him. As the man would take a step, the loud crash of metal would cause every man to jump and ready their arms.
The soldiers at the barricade shouted in response. "Just us!" Everyone's view spun to them, seeing the metal pipe they just cut free rolling away in the grass.
The General would put his pistol away, straightening himself. "Commander. On me." He'd turn and step back into the carriage, the commander walking calmly over and climbing in after him. The soldiers would return to their lazing about, not quite sure what to do while they wait, some playing cards while others just tell stories to each other. Some even trade photos of their "sweethearts" from back home.
Inside the carriage, the General and the Commander would sit across the war table from each other. The commander just looked the General in the eyes, annoyance already painted across his face. "What?"
"We need speed. Your goal is to no longer take every town you come across. You're to beeline it for the capital. That's it. Nothing more."
"Why, so one of the other commanders can come along and take the glory of actually conquering Koi? No."
"Would you rather the Autarch viewed you as a failure for not taking the heart of Koi?"
"And what says I wouldn't at my current pace?"
The General simply held a hand to the window.
The awkward silence was enough to make the commander speak up. "I don't get it."
"Where do you think they're all going? You think Koi just built towns and never populated them? You think they're just bending over for us to invade? What are you, daft? Incompetent? They're amassing their citizens where they're safe. They're, rightfully so, afraid. But with fear comes resistance. They're preparing for us. I can almost guarantee Ember is becoming a fortress as we speak. I don't know how the rails through Ember work, but our best bet is to just plow through and let a larger force handle it. Your thousand men likely won't cut it. You'll be slaughtered before reinforcements arrive."
"Are you doubting my ability to command?"
"I'm doubting your understanding of our enemy. They may not be us, but they've lived in these mountains longer. They have fought several wars in the past. They know what they're doing. We may have had the jump, but we're not acting on it nearly as fast with all the equipment issues. We may have a technological advantage over them, but I sure as hell don't see us with the greatest advances the military complex has to offer. We're facing a bunch of rifles with..." he looks out the window, motioning to the soldiers, "also rifles. Most of these men were trained on the new weapons. They're not gonna out shoot those bugs."
"So...what?"
"Exactly as I said. Act quick, act fast, and try not to stop. The rest will follow in behind, but you need to throw the enemy in disarray. If you can get far enough past their front lines, you'll force them to divert soldiers from elsewhere to come after you."
"So I'm bait?"
"If you go quick enough you should make it Poe...Poeleen?...God they make it tough to say."
"Don't you have a degree in foreign languages?"
"Lusatian and Gaelic, yes. That doesn't help me to speak the tongue of those who have different anatomy."
"Anyway, the plan?"
"Yes. Go to their capital. If you can cause enough problems, we can get a force through their defenses and bring up the rear. You'll have free reign to do as you please. But we have to get there, otherwise the Autarch will have all our heads. Clear?"
"Yessir."
"Good. Dismissed."
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Post by EpicToaster1 on Dec 8, 2023 15:07:04 GMT -5
Ember - North Vabariigi Suurarmee Command
Bells rang throughout the compound, soldiers rushing to and fro while tankettes steamed loudly through the front gates onto the city streets. The sound of banging crates as ammunition and firearms are dragged from the depth of the warehouses echoed through the soul of every soldier, officer, and citizen in earshot. This really was the new reality, wasn't it?
KPK-02
The dulling white letters above the dark teal door were the only indication of what could lay in the otherwise concrete fortress. Two soldiers stood guard in front of the door, neither really needing to worry about someone easily trying to open the foot thick steel door.
Deep behind the door, the commanding officers of the Northern Sector, minus those still in North Rogorod, resided around a table as a single overhead lamp lit the room. On the table was an aerial map of the city, small wooden shapes placed sporadically throughout the city.
"We must ensure we have units here, here, and here. We cannot allow the station to fall so we can evacuate if need be."
"And we need units over here. The airport is critical should we get surrounded."
"But that's why we need the station. We should evacuate before we get surrounded."
"They already hit us by surprise once. They could easily do something else before we're ready."
"I'm with Olik. The airport can be more critical. My family has already had to evacuate from Rorifee. I'm not about to give up Ember."
"Veljo, don't let your emotions cloud your judgement. We can't evacuate all one point eight million by plane."
"But if they surround us and take the airport, we can no longer get supplies."
"GUYS. We've been debating this for thirty minutes! Split the troops and put half at each location. If we get surrounded, we move everyone to the airport. If we're evacuating, we take them off the airport and guard the train station. It's not that hard. We need to discuss the barricade situation!"
"That's easy. Barricade the highways. Force them on the small roads. Easier to stop a long column than a wide column. They wouldn't be able to fire as much if they're squeezed in."
"And where should we put soldiers and crawlers? We can't leave the barricades undefended and overload on the ambushes, nor can we put everyone on the barricades and leave the pincers lacking."
"Crawlers to the barricades. Force them to redirect their forces by fear of being shot by the big beasts. Some soldiers could be there as additional guards. Then the rest are at all the small streets and alleys."
"I have a problem with this plan."
"What is it, Silver?"
"Why are we allowing them to get close enough to the city for the streets to be a concern? Shouldn't we force them to stay far away so as not to endanger the citizens?"
A momentary pause would fill the room with silence.
"I'm with Silver on that one."
"Shut it, Olik."
"You guys are so difficult to work with."
"Thank you, Aet."
Ember
Giant metal and wooden barricades littered the major roads in and out of the city. Civil traffic was directed through the rear of the city, warning citizens to not travel West or North. Tankette columns quickly blitzed down the city streets, heading for various positions around the barricades. Some would even find ways to blend into the landscape by covering themselves in bushes or hiding away in abandoned garages. Soldiers moved quickly between buildings, moving to various defensive positions set up down the roads leading to the city, trying to keep the Galrans away. Within the city, citizens who volunteered would be given firearms and ammunition, taking up quick shooting lessons and then posting up in shifts in strategic areas around the city to act as the next line of defense.
The Ember International Airport was the busiest it'd ever been, civil and military aircraft flying in and out, delivering important supplies and ferrying refugees to elsewhere in the nation where they had families to support them. Fighters and bombers would putter in, the small biplanes lined up on various taxiways to be ready to go anytime they were ordered to leave.
For the refugees who chose to stay, the University of Ember, several theaters, and the city hall would all open their doors to become temporary shelters for those in need of a place to stay. Those who fled were some of the first to volunteer to be conscripts to defend the city. Warehouses, regardless of their original purpose, were stocked quickly with food as freight trains arrived by the handful through the day and night to stock the city up in the event it's cut off from the rest of the nation.
Paivee - Suburb of Ember; Night
The three soldiers laid down against the hill, staring through their binoculars into the distance. The city lights filled the night sky, though the lights near the edge of the city were all shut off, likely to obscure any entrances and traps laid by the Koian military. One soldier would elbow the others, pointing at railroads. "There." The three would move all look towards the same area. The points at the edge of the Ember loop. The ticket for the Galrans. The two switches led the railroads from the westbound mountainpass around the Southern edge of the city, allowing it to meet up with the North-South Ember Branch that would allow the Galran forces to bypass the city and head deeper into the nation. With the double-tracked nature of most of Koi's railways, they could maybe even get more trains through than they were expecting.
"We need to relay this to the commander."
"We're heading back. I don't want them to start moving and we get left behind."
"Wait, guys." The two would turn to the third. "The switches are set wrong. They're heading for the city."
One of them would scoff, "Don't tell me we have to go down there."
"We do." A moment of silence would follow.
The three would silently get up, the leader moving to the car while the other two start to sneak their way through the underbrush towards the railroad tracks. They'd make it to the fence line, one having to hold the chainlink fence up to allow the other to crawl through. They'd remain there for their return, the final soldier continuing the trek alone to the switch. They'd look about, making sure no trains were on their way before they'd shove the butt of their gun into the switch points, trying to use it as a lever to force the rails over.
After a minute of struggling, a loud snap would ring out as the soldier fell over, the wooden frame of their rifle breaking between the hard metal rails. He'd curse under his breath, staring at his now broken rifle before throwing it on the ground. The other soldier would loudly whisper over to them. "Use the bloody mechanism on the other side!"
The soldier would look up, seeing the two slim switch stands along the ground, wires leading out from the side and underground off to some central control center. They'd kick the lever, the switch moving from one direction to the other. They'd quickly move the other one, freeing the butt of their rifle. They'd pick it up, staring at it before throwing the splintered wood to the side. They'd quickly run back, crawling under the fence, and the two rush back to the car with the third and the little vehicle would rush off back up the rails.
Mõisavee
The three soldiers would soon arrive, the train already almost fully loaded with equipment and soldiers. "What'd you boys find?"
"We got the tracks switched to go around. Just gun it through and we should be in the clear."
"I lost my gun for it though."
"And definitely don't gun it. Saw the speed limit was forty through the turn."
"Forty what?"
"Uhhhh......The Koians use miles per hour, no?"
The four men just stared blankly at each other for a second. "Probably..."
The man who met the three would relay the information to the train engineer and the commander, the three quickly getting their car loaded on the back of the train and hoping aboard. At the very rear of the train, the General's personal car was finished being hooked up, the General deciding he'd move with the lead train. If he was gonna impress the Autarch, he would need to show he could actually lead his men into victories. Right behind them, a supply train would finish being loaded up. In the track over, the next troop train and supply train were already being loaded up. A quick pulse of the whistle from the first train would clear the tracks and make the last of the people hop aboard.
The steam engine would begin to roll out of the platform, the troops loading on the second train giving it a wave as it departed. The engine behind it would take off quickly afterwards, being switched onto the other side of the line so the two could run parallel and if one ran into trouble the other could keep going.
The old steam engines would rumble and creak down the rails, trying their best to even make 50 miles an hour. The two packed trains were carrying a total of two thousand soldiers and their firearms, enough food and ammunition for five days of continuous fighting, four light tanks with ammo for two days, four trucks, two armored cars, and four howitzers with enough ammo for a day. The next train an hour behind had another three thousand soldiers and several dozen tanks and ammo for all.
As the first trains approached the town of Paivee, the engineers would flick the headlamps off, the entirety of both trains falling dark aside from the low red glow of the firebox out the inspection holes near the ground. The faintest glow of the staol smoke would rise above the engines, chuffing away hard as they quickly approached the junction. The two would begin to slow to 40mph, taking the turn rather swiftly as they went onto the runaround spur to head South towards the city of Nefteyussyisk. The grinding of the metal wheels on the curve as the flanges hit the rails would echo through the silent air, but the trains wouldn't slow down as they continued to rush towards the mainline.
As the two reached the end of the spur, they'd slam through the switches, forcing the mechanisms to their direction, sending alerts through the Northern Rail Command. But the two trains made it, heading on to the next town of Räpihula. General Claimond would watch out the rear observation deck, watching the city lights of Ember soon disappear into the distance as the trains sped up on the now seemingly speed limit-less mainline.
Back with the other train, their forward counterparts left them in difficult position unknown to them. With the alarms at the Rail Command, switchmen everywhere were quickly hopping to attention to watch for rouge trains.
The supply train carrying the ammo and tanks was the first to come to the switches. But right about halfway back on the train the troop transport was running in parallel. The switchmen would watch through binoculars at the two trains, the glow of the smoke being the giveaway of their otherwise unmarked position. One of the switchmen would point towards the spur switches. "They're using there. We could force them to collide."
The other switchmen would look before agreeing with the plan. They'd quickly switch the inside points, forcing the troop train to continue straight towards Ember while the outside freight train would switch to the spur and block the path of the troop train.
The next moments happened in a flash. The supply train would cross the diamond, the engine clearing it easily, along with the first few flatcars of tanks. As the flatcars were about to give to the ammo cars, the troop transport engine would cross the points, slamming directly into the couplers between the last tank flat and the first ammo car. The steel-framed wooden cars would quickly crumple under the weight of the iron horse, throwing ammunition all over the air while smashing the tanks off the rails. The engineers would immediately apply the emergency brakes, causing sparks to fly from the wheels as they go into a slide. The freight cars would continue to smash into the side of the troop train, traincars from both quickly being thrown from the rails and riding on the gravel and dirt below. The sparks set the wood cars alight, while the collisions sent goods and persons flying. A single pop pierced through the air, a bullet firing off from its crate as the fire ignited its gunpowder.
In the blink of an eye, the boxcars began exploding, sending burning metal and wood flying in all directions. The explosions crumpled the troop cars, destroying the glass and spraying the occupants while the explosions ripped through and sent bodies flying away from the tracks. Further up the tracks, the engine's pilot wheels, having been derailed in the initial collision, would slam hard into a raised part of the ties, forcing the entire engine off the trails and toppling onto its side. Boiling water and flaming coals spilled out of the boiler and firebox. A loud hissing screeched through the cab as the crown sheet began melting in this vulnerable position, the still trailing cars quickly smashing into the rear of the tender and engine and smashing about into a massive mess.
The switchmen back in the tower took it as their sign to leave. There wasn't much more they could do and there certainly wouldn't be any more trains running through that carnage. They'd hop off the balcony, fluttering to the ground below before hoping in the company truck and speeding off towards the safety of the city.
The Koian soldiers manning the roadblocks would be alerted by the loud sounds of destruction before the horizon lit up from the explosions. Everyone would man their positions, thousands of eyes peering down their sights towards the direction of the explosions.
A loud, low rumble would shake the ground before it'd quickly change to a deep, ear-splitting explosion as the boiler of the troop transport engine failed. Pipes and violently hot steam would blast out the front and back of the engine, killing the crew immediately while survivors struggling out of the rubble of the trailing passenger cars were scalded by the steam.
The scene would soon turn quiet, the third set of trains having seen the explosions in the distance and slowed to a crawl so they wouldn't be there for at least an hour. The fires raged on the destroyed cars, anything that could explode either having already or been thrown from the carnage and laying about in the fields surrounding the trains. Mangled corpses littered the area, seriously injured survivors crawling from the wreckage or screaming out from the rubble that buried them. The supply train, while the crew was alive, was stopped only a few miles further up the spur, the last flatbed laying by the main wreck while two derailed flatcars were dragged along while they tried to stop. The rest of the flatcars and the engine itself were unharmed.
Even the rails were a scene of twisted metal and burning wood. The tracks were completely worthless. The lead train would never receive backup without the Galrans taking Ember. Their countdown clock to get to Põhiliin has begun ticking.
Over the next few hours as the sun rose over the mountains and illuminated the scene, the extensive damage was easily to see. Of the three thousand soldiers and five crew members, all five crew members were dead on the scene, while almost two thousand soldiers lay dead, some unable to even be recognized from the scraps of limbs and burnt flesh made telling who was who difficult. The lucky ones were those who had their dogtags melted into their flesh, leaving behind some form of identification. Of the remaining thousand and change, five hundred and twelve were severely injured and required immediate medical attention, which were dragged back to the halted trains a few miles back down the rails. Another two hundred and forty seven were injured, but were able to walk themselves back for treatment. The remaining two hundred and fifty were shaken, but alive and well. They'd remain around the wreck, helping to dig out bodies or recover supplies that weren't completely destroyed.
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Post by EpicToaster1 on Mar 15, 2024 2:39:35 GMT -5
Räpihula
“General, we’re approaching Rap…Rape…Rapyhoola.”
The General would turn around from his desk to the Corporal standing in the doorway of his coach.
“Thank you Corporal. Where’s the Sergeant Major?”
“Asleep, sir.”
“Wake him for me, will ya?”
“Yessir.” The corporal immediately turned around and dipped back through the doorway to the rest of the train. The General stared for a moment longer before turning back to his map. He picked his pair of compasses back up, continuing his trail along the mainline to Põhiliin. The compass would be placed back down as he picked up a pencil and jotted down the final distances once more and totalling them up before smacking his fist in the desk. Across four different slices of paper he ran the calculations.
There was no way they were making it to the capital with their fuel supplies.
If they could loot the towns they passed or any trains parked on the side, they may be able to force the train there. But, they certainly wouldn’t have long actually seizing the city before the few tanks they brought with them ran out of oil, and they certainly wouldn’t find more in Koi.
He’d throw the papers into the trashcan next to his desk, rising up quickly enough the chair he sat in fell backwards onto the floor. A string of curses would escape the man’s lips as he marched to the back of the car and out onto the observation deck. He’d open the small box in the corner of the platform, pulling out his stash of cigarettes.
He’d light one up before quickly hiding the carton and the lighter before he’d take a long drag. He’d let the smoke fill his mouth and lungs, sitting, waiting, holding his breath, then breathing out sharply in a large cloud of smoke. He’d sit there, watching the smoke cloud quickly dissipate into the wind. His eyes looked up at the land swiftly traveling by. The supply train that made it with them was trailing a few hundred feet behind on the other line, the loud chuffing only faintly audible through the whipping wind. Beyond, the shadows that stretched across the land from the early morning light were slowly receding as the sun rose slowly over the mountains in the distance.
Several minutes would pass before he’d flick the butt of the cigarette over the fence, it landing somewhere amongst the ballast rocks. A few moments passed before there was a knock on the door to the observation deck. The General practically jumped out of his skin, standing up quickly and popping a piece of gum in his mouth as he’d spin around and open the door.
The Sergeant Major simply glanced at the General before turning around back into the room to let him in. “So why’d you wake me?”
“We don’t have enough supplies.”
“Thanks for the update. Can I go back to sleep?”
“Arnist, you’re a fucking idiot. We don’t have enough supplies for anything.”
“So? We’ll just take what we can from each town we pass through.”
“They don’t use the same bullets as us. They don’t use the same fuel as us. There’s no way our men will eat their food. The clock is ticking for us to take Põhiliin and Põhiliin only.”
“I fail to see the problem. Poleleen will fall in time. Why can’t we just stop at some backwater towns and just take what we want? Who’s gonna stop us?”
“Oh my God Arnist you’re a dense motherfucker.” The General sighed in defeat. “We only have enough bullets for maybe two days of sustained fighting. We only have enough fuel for one offensive.”
“And how much fuel is that?”
The General pointed out the rear windows towards the freight train on the other line. “Each tank and truck on that train has as much fuel as their fuel tank can hold. That’s it. We have nothing more.”
“So we take some diesel from the Koians, big whoop. What next?”
“ARNIST. THEY DON’T USE DIESEL HERE. WE RUN OUT, WE’RE DONE.”
“What do they use for their tanks?”
“Presumably like everything else. Staol.”
“Okay…….What about food?”
“We have enough for three days. Which means we can get there, but we certainly aren’t sustaining a front.”
“Then what if we bunker down somewhere?”
“Bunker down? And then what?”
“If we find someplace we can hold out at, it may be in our best interest to hide there until we can get reinforcements.”
“Such as? We’re targets wherever we stop.”
“What about this town? Karna?”
“Why there?”
“Looks small. It’s along the main line. We can hide there, and still be in range of their capital without being a direct threat that they may leave us alone.”
“Hm…God, I hope these bugs are as dumb as we say they are…”
The troop transport would chuff its way into the station of Räpihula, the supply train behind it suddenly switching tracks from the other side to behind the troop transport. The two would puff in tandem, the equipment on the supply train hidden under flapping tarps concealing their cargo as they steamed through the town. Some small passenger trains were switched off into sidings, allowing the faster moving trains to pass. The two trains would realize why they were put to one side.
Several transport trains would plow pass at a blistering eighty miles an hour, the engines working hard to bring soldiers, food, bullets, and weapons to the fronts in the North.
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Post by EpicToaster1 on Mar 15, 2024 2:39:50 GMT -5
Kiviõme (Free Cities Alliance Border)
The northern front between the FCA and Koi would be little more than a stalemate as the disorganized military of the FCA tried to mount attacks against the entrenched Koian positions. This border is the only one that has had its fortifications maintained and modernized due to the constant issues between the two countries, so the FCA was immediately feeling the issues and unable to push deep, resulting in them throwing a few bodies to try to break through but ultimately being forced to dig in and hope the Galrans could sweep in either from behind to break them or disrupt their supply lines so they can eventually push.
Casualties
FCA:
60 Infantry Killed
240 Infantry Injured
1 Howitzer Destroyed
Koi:
50 Infantry Killed
130 Infantry Injured
Ember
With the destruction of the East-bound rails, the idea to just skip around Ember had to be abandoned, forcing the Galran army to post-up around the city and lay siege from the west. Citizens within the western part of the city were forced to relocate to Eastern parts of the city or evacuate all together.
South of Mõisavee, Galran soldiers were tasked with crossing the downhill slopes to the town of Lekstrand, hoping to find another route deeper into the country without needing to waste precious manpower at Ember. The route was purely across dirt roads, making progress slow for wheeled vehicles while the few tracked vehicles were able to cover the distance just fine. As the army approached, the farms and homesteads located along the plains would simply be abandoned, the farmers and families grabbing anything of value and quickly leaving before they could be caught behind enemy lines.
Koian biplanes would fill the air over the Galran lines, raining grenades and bombs on the soldiers below. Their reign was free for now as Galran aircraft were lacking in the region at this time.
Casualties
Galra:
20 Infantry Killed
225 Infantry Injured
Koi:
70 Infantry Killed
100 Infantry Injured
1 Artillery Destroyed
1 Howitzer Destroyed
Casualties to date
Koi:
130 Infantry Killed
240 Infantry Injured
1 Artillery Destroyed
1 Howitzer Destroyed
FCA:
80 Infantry Killed
270 Infantry Injured
1 Howitzer Destroyed
Galra:
2,010 Infantry Killed
990 Infantry Injured
2 Medium Steam Locomotives Destroyed
30 Passenger Cars Destroyed
20 Boxcars Destroyed
10 Flatcars Destroyed
40 Medium Tanks Destroyed
4 Light Fighters Destroyed
6 Armored Cars Destroyed
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Post by EpicToaster1 on Mar 19, 2024 0:32:49 GMT -5
Kiviõme (Free Cities Alliance Border)
The FCA’s attempts to push on the defensive lines outside Kiviõme were quickly deteriorating as commanders tried to act the hero and find ways to push against the Koian front. Some attempted to flank around, only to be met with fierce resistance from locals. With the stalled offensive, trains of artillery were able to reach the city and reinforce the front, giving the Koians an edge against the Alliance military and force them into more defensive positions or risk being blasted from above. The land between would quickly be destroyed into a no man’s land, the constant shelling ensuring that the FCA could not force itself further towards the northern city or deeper into Koi.
Casualties
FCA:
90 Infantry Killed
180 Infantry Injured
2 Howitzers Destroyed
1 Mortar Destroyed
Koi:
10 Infantry Killed
80 Infantry Injured
Ember
Ember wasn’t faring as safely as Kiviõme. The Galrans soon quickly outnumbered the Koian defenders nearly thirty to one as the full force of the Galran army to be sent to Koi was bottlenecked at the city. This number only dwindled from those moving South towards Lekstrand, making the actual ratio around twenty-five to one. The outdated Koian fighters, the Põikleja, that were taking advantage of the clear skies began to quickly struggle with the modern Lancers quickly beginning to dominate the air above. Only the sheer volume of artillery being used was the saving grace of the city, forcing small attachments with one or two tanks to try to make breakthroughs; however, these were able to be repelled by the deeply entrenched defense forces.
Casualties
Galra:
50 Infantry Killed
120 Infantry Injured
1 Lancer Downed
1 Howitzer Destroyed
2 Mortars Destroyed
Koi:
40 Infantry Killed
110 Infantry Injured
5 Põikleja Downed
2 Artillery Destroyed
Lekstrand
A sizeable, but smaller, attachment of the army was sent south towards the farming and mining town of Lekstrand. The farmers that fled during the advances were the first to reach the town, causing a minor panic as citizens quickly gathered their important belongings and tried to flee the town. The railroad quickly steamed up any engine they could, people loading aboard half-full staol trains or climbing into boxcars or sitting out in the exposed open of the flatbeds. The trains lurched their way out while a horde of personal cars and trucks took to the dirt roads to flee, the mass of vehicles escaping the town just in time for the Galran army to arrive. The small town wasn’t much, most of the buildings made of stone, brick, and mortar, while a couple were of older wooden design. No streets were paved, only the town center which was fitted with a cobblestone square.
The town would be taken over quickly, the Galran forces radioing back their successful capture, allowing the Galran Engineer Corp to begin construction of a makeshift rail line over the open plains from the mainline down to this small town to avoid the destroyed section near Ember.
Casualties to date
Koi:
180 Infantry Killed
430 Infantry Injured
3 Artillery Destroyed
1 Howitzer Destroyed
5 Põikleja (Light Fighter Bi-Plane) Downed
FCA:
170 Infantry Killed
450 Infantry Injured
3 Howitzer Destroyed
1 Mortar Destroyed
Galra:
2,060 Infantry Killed
1,110 Infantry Injured
2 Medium Steam Locomotives Destroyed
30 Passenger Cars Destroyed
20 Boxcars Destroyed
10 Flatcars Destroyed
40 Medium Tanks Destroyed
4 Light Fighters Destroyed
6 Armored Cars Destroyed
1 Lancer Downed
1 Howitzer Destroyed
2 Mortars Destroyed
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Post by EpicToaster1 on Mar 22, 2024 22:40:04 GMT -5
Kiviõme
The momentum of the FCA was fully lost by this point, the Koian army too entrenched outside of Kiviõme for the Alliance army to push. As the Alliance tried to entrench themselves, one of the artillery shell stores would be hit by a lucky shot from the Koian artillery, sending the building up in flames and destroying several days worth of ammunition for that area of the front. It would take a couple hours before other stores would be able to move shells to replenish the lost ones. The Koian army on the other hand had a constant influx of supplies from the mighty rail network, keeping the army fed and stocked.
Casualties
FCA:
40 Infantry Killed
230 Infantry Injured
3 Artillery Destroyed
3 Howitzers Destroyed
1 Mortar Destroyed
Koi:
20 Infantry Killed
50 Infantry Injured
Ember
The skies over Ember were fully in control of the Galran fighters. While the Koian fighters outnumbered the Galrans, they were just too slow and bulky to be of threat to the faster, newer Galran fighters. Despite the efforts of the artillery corps and the army, the front was slowly beginning to crumble as the fighters could get the couple bombers they had in close enough to bomb the outskirts of the city and the entrenched soldiers. General Evacuation orders were issued to the citizens still living within and around the city, trains arriving with troops and supplies leaving the city with civilians by the hundreds to bring them to safer grounds.
Casualties
Galra:
50 Infantry Killed
160 Infantry Injured
1 Artillery Destroyed
Koi:
120 Infantry Killed
230 Infantry Injured
2 Põikleja Downed
Nartu
The citizens of Lekstrand passed through the small town of Nartu, another mining town along the same route. The military was made aware of the Galran advances to the new corridor, troops still in training being issued commands to eventually move in and protect the area once they finished. For now, however, the citizens were on their own, left to the defenses they could make themselves. The mine would shut down within the hour after the first news passed through, miners getting their loads into the staol trains and then sent off down the line to feed the nation.
As the last staol train left, the miners returned to town, many with tools and steam-diggers. One thing was clear, they needed to either defend themselves or they needed to flee with the Lekstrand trains that were passing through. As the final train passed through, it stopped briefly in town. As a precaution, infants were loaded aboard to get them out of harm's way, caretakers also riding with. Of those who remained, children, elderly, disabled, and some citizens who didn’t wish to stay loaded aboard the local commuter train that was still sitting idle in the platform, using that to hide away deeper into Koi.
The miners and other able-bodied began the process of digging trenches, being outfitted with hunting rifles, pistols, and any odd tools they could get their hands on. Four men would suddenly have the wise idea to begin digging washouts under the tracks, traps to make the Galran trains think it’s safe to approach while the danger lies beneath the tracks. Giant holes several feet deep and long enough to force the trains to derail as the tracks buckle underneath would be dug under the mainline between Lekstrand and Nartu. One hole would be dug large enough to fit a whole engine into if it made it to it, some getting the bright idea to hide a kerosene tanker car in the hole to explode if it was rammed by an incoming train.
Welders, machinists, and other metal workers would begin to build walls to cover where trenches couldn’t be dug while some would weld armor skirts to cars and the mining equipment. While they weren’t of proper training, they couldn’t definitely give this division a black eye to defend their evacuated loved ones.
Põhiliin
With the reports coming in from Ember of the skies falling to Galran superiority and the front opening up on the Lekstrand mining route, another meeting would be called with the military high command.
“We need new aircraft. Our current ones are no match.”
“Anyone have design ideas?”
“I don’t, but I know both Voeing Marci and Boreal have some ideas.”
“Lõuna Rogorod too.”
“The train company?”
“Yeah.”
“Huh. Interesting. Okay. And where are we in the recruitment process?”
“We’ve had several hundred thousand leave their posts to join the army. We’re struggling to get weapons for everyone.”
“Someone get Käsirelv and SLE on the phone. I want their factories working overdrive. How are we on crawlers?”
“None have seen combat yet. They’ve been busy patrolling the mountains or acting as a line of defense for here.”
“Get Trä'vin乂arel to make us a thousand more. The ones we have, I want them sent to the frontlines immediately. We need to put everything we can towards fighting the Galrans.”
“What about the FCA?”
“Get the north more artillery. I want our shells to blot out the skies. That seems to have been working the best so far.”
An aide would rush in, “Sirs! We’ve got Marrlan soldiers who have arrived to help out.”
“Perfect, send them to Lekstrand. We don’t have any professional units on that whole branchline. Get them to Nartu before it falls.”
“Yessir!” The aide rushed out, leaving behind the group to continue their debates.
“Sir, for the crawlers, want me to speak to KE and Rytovi?”
“The more the merrier, do it.”
“What about getting us situated faster with weapons?”
“Talk to our neighbors. I want anything and everything. Amali, Marrlan, Roskana, Nevarra, Maiz, the Greeks. If they can get to us, I want their equipment in our hands fighting the Galrans.”
“Got it.”
“And for the love of Areyar, someone get me dispatch on the line. I want our troops in the north well stocked on supplies. And we need more passenger trains to get our citizens out of harm’s way.”
“Will do.”
Casualties to date
Koi:
320 Infantry Killed
710 Infantry Injured
3 Artillery Destroyed
1 Howitzer Destroyed
7 Põikleja (Light Fighter Bi-Plane) Downed
FCA:
210 Infantry Killed
680 Infantry Injured
3 Artillery Destroyed
6 Howitzer Destroyed
2 Mortar Destroyed
Galra:
2,110 Infantry Killed
1,270 Infantry Injured
2 Medium Steam Locomotives Destroyed
30 Passenger Cars Destroyed
20 Boxcars Destroyed
10 Flatcars Destroyed
40 Medium Tanks Destroyed
4 Light Fighters Destroyed
6 Armored Cars Destroyed
1 Lancer Downed
1 Artillery Destroyed
1 Howitzer Destroyed
2 Mortars Destroyed
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Post by EpicToaster1 on Apr 10, 2024 21:45:13 GMT -5
Nartu
The civilian population was officially fully evacuated by the time the farmers and miners finished the defenses around the small village. Their amalgamation of weapons was the best they could do as the Galran forces advanced on their position.
The shrill shrieking of a whistle behind them caught their attention as a lone train steamed into the now abandoned station. As the train came to a stop, the ones in charge of the makeshift team would walk over while the rest kept their posts watching towards [Leksrand]. The group of ragtag Koians stood on the platform as the engine hissed, their firearms slung over their shoulders as several Marrish soldiers began to disembark. A single Koian officer hopped off, walking over to the Koian farmers.
“Get everyone packed up, you’re being evacuated.”
“I’m sorry?”
“Marrlan sent in this company to provide aid, so they’ve been deployed to this area to stop the Galrans. As such, we would like to evacuate you guys as you are not soldiers.”
“With all due respect, sir, we’re not leaving our home.”
Another piped in. “At least not until we’re certain they’re prepared to defend our home and we show them what we prepped. Don’t want them to take over and get hurt by our traps.” The rest of the farmers simply laughed at the comment.
“Yeah, I guess I’m willing to leave if we do that.”
The Koian officer would lead the Marrish officers off the train and over to the group of farmers, acting as a translator as they group walked away from the train towards the defensive line. The officers were shown the encampments the farmers built and the rail traps the miners dug out. The tour was quickly cut short as several gunshots rang through the air, dirt around their feet being kicked up.
“GALRANS!”
The group would dive behind a protective barrier, saving themselves from the sudden onslaught of bullets fired towards them. The ragtag militia opened fired back on the Galran forces advancing on their position. With the fighting beginning, the Marrish soldiers gathered up their gear faster and hopped into the trenches and buildings with the Koian civilians, getting to work quickly to set up their own line.
Ember
The tide of the battle quickly turned against the meager Koian defenses, the sudden addition of Galran air and armor corps making it near impossible for the Koian military to keep its grip. As the last civilians were evacuated, the order to start pulling back the soldiers came next. They weren’t gonna be able to keep the city at their current rate, so it’d be best to try to recover what they could rather than lose it all. The aircraft continued their valiant but vainful attempts to keep back the Galran Lancers, aircraft being shot down left and right or just outright ridiculed as the Lancers would zip past them and pay them no mind as they continued their bombing runs on the city.
Casualties
Galra:
70 Infantry Killed
100 Infantry Injured
Koi:
80 Infantry Killed
350 Infantry Injured
5 Põikleja Downed
Kiviõme
The FCA forces were still suffering from severe operational breakdown of their front, unable to push on the entrenched Koians protecting the Northern mountain valley.
Casualties
FCA:
60 Infantry Killed
40 Infantry Injured
1 Howitzer Destroyed
Koi:
10 Infantry Killed
20 Infantry Injured
Casualties to date
Koi:
390 Infantry Killed
1,080 Infantry Injured
3 Artillery Destroyed
1 Howitzer Destroyed
12 Põikleja (Light Fighter Bi-Plane) Downed
FCA:
270 Infantry Killed
720 Infantry Injured
3 Artillery Destroyed
7 Howitzer Destroyed
2 Mortar Destroyed
Galra:
2,180 Infantry Killed
1,370 Infantry Injured
2 Medium Steam Locomotives Destroyed
30 Passenger Cars Destroyed
20 Boxcars Destroyed
10 Flatcars Destroyed
40 Medium Tanks Destroyed
4 Light Fighters Destroyed
6 Armored Cars Destroyed
1 Lancer Downed
1 Artillery Destroyed
1 Howitzer Destroyed
2 Mortars Destroyed
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Post by EpicToaster1 on Apr 22, 2024 20:40:36 GMT -5
Ember
"ABANDON ALL STATIONS. EVACUATE EVACUATE."
The Koian soldiers began to pull away from the front lines, being forced to abandon the city of Ember. Under the cover of night, the entirety of the seventy-some-odd-thousand troops took their leave of the abandoned city, leaving it like a ghost. Artillery was loaded onto flatbeds while ammunition was thrown into boxcars. Soldiers took wherever they could, in passenger cars, flatbeds, and the boxcars. Some even hitched rides in the cabs of the locomotives. Several dozen trains leaving the Ember station over the course of the night and flee South and East, leaving the city completely empty by morning. As the early morning barrages began by the Galrans, it was cut short by the lack of returning fire.
The Galran soldiers cautiously entered the city, exploring the vacant streets, their eyes watching the buildings for any hint of movement. Aside from a few stragglers who remained, hiding within the many buildings and occasionally firing potshots off at the Galran soldiers, the city was otherwise free for the taking. But, to their dismay, useful supplies like food, medicine, and clothing were all taken away at some point during the evacuations, only leaving behind spoiled foods and torn garments.
Figuring the FCA has their side covered, the Galran army would soon pack up after this victory and begin heading South towards Räpihula.
Nartu
Fierce fighting had broken out in the town of Nartu between the invading Galran forces and the defending makeshift Koian militia and Marrlaner troops. The Galran trains were halted well behind their front lines, soldiers digging in outside of the town rather than trying to head in guns blazing.
While Marrlan troops got settled into their stations, they had the many traps and defenses explained to them by the locals they were taking over for. As the citizens slowly became confident that the new soldiers understood, they were slowly evacuated themselves, boarding the trains the Marrlaners arrived on. It was gonna be the easiest way they could get to safety.
As the train was slowly being loaded, the radio report indicating Ember had fallen came over the waves, causing many to fall silent as they boarded the train; only the sounds of the hissing engine and the gunfire at the edge of town filling the air.
Casualties
Galra:
10 Standard Infantry Killed
20 Standard Infantry Injured
Koi:
5 Civilian Militiamen Dead
10 Civilian Militiamen Injured
Marrlan:
20 Standard Infantry Injured
Kiviõme
The fighting on the Northern border remained in status quo. The Koian side did receive a large blow to morale however as news of Ember falling swept through the defenses.
Casualties
FCA:
50 Standard Infantry Killed
80 Standard Infantry Injured
Koi:
30 Standard Infantry Injured
Casualties to date
Koi:
390 Standard Infantry Killed
1,110 Standard Infantry Injured
5 Civilian Militiamen Dead
10 Civilian Militiamen Injured
3 Artillery Destroyed
1 Howitzer Destroyed
12 Põikleja (Light Fighter Bi-Plane) Downed
FCA:
320 Standard Infantry Killed
800 Standard Infantry Injured
3 Artillery Destroyed
7 Howitzer Destroyed
2 Mortar Destroyed
Galra:
2,190 Standard Infantry Killed
1,390 Standard Infantry Injured
2 Medium Steam Locomotives Destroyed
30 Passenger Cars Destroyed
20 Boxcars Destroyed
10 Flatcars Destroyed
40 Medium Tanks Destroyed
4 Light Fighters Destroyed
6 Armored Cars Destroyed
1 Lancer Downed
1 Artillery Destroyed
1 Howitzer Destroyed
2 Mortars Destroyed
Marrlan:
20 Standard Infantry Injured
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Post by EpicToaster1 on May 4, 2024 23:58:25 GMT -5
Räpihula
The ~50,000 troops that had been defending Ember were soon bypassing the town of Räpihula, sounding a general alarm for those unable to fight to evacuate. The army wasn't gonna be able to hole up here and set up a good defense, so they were retreating back to areas where defenses were being properly built. Children, elderly, disabled, and their caretakers all evacuated via trains and buses, trying their best to get away from the now rapidly approaching Galrans.
Galran scouts watched as the Koian military sped by, knowing there wasn't gonna be any official resistance in the coming town. With their reports to the Colonel leading army, the Colonel made the decision they would just pass through and give chase to the fleeing Koian army.
"Only fire upon someone if they shoot back. Otherwise, we're just gonna drop off a couple of MPs who will ensure we can still move supplies through town. We can deal with them when their government falls under our boots."
And with that, the column of 350,000 Galran soldiers continued their march south, passing through Räpihula. Galran soldiers eyed the citizens as they passed through, watching those clutching their guns with unease but continuing through anyway. The civilians with firearms kept watch, making sure the Galrans didn't try anything with their people, but otherwise left them alone so they wouldn't become targets themselves.
Rakski
The next town after Räpihula was the town of Rakski. Similarly to their neighbor, the Koian military gave the same orders. The passing vehicles from Räpihula would stop to aid in the evacuation of those who wished to leave, otherwise some other buses would leave from the town's hospital to take them towards the city of West Rogorad, where the military was also aiming to hold down for a moment while they allowed defenses in Põhiliin.
And just as the Galran scouts reported the Colonel, the same command was issued and followed. The troops rolled through, much slower than the Koian troops on their older steam engines and trucks.
As their troops passed through the town, a column soon split off, moving south towards the village of Maarri, working their way back up the line towards the city of Nartu from behind.
Nartu
Fighting remained fierce between the ~150k Marrlan and ~100k Galran troops. News spread quick that Ember had fallen, but the Marrlan troops, unaware of the layout of Koi, weren't exactly shaken up by the news as they didn't view it as a problem. Unbeknownst to them, a force of another ~100k Galrans coming up from behind from further down the line, cutting off their supply lines in the process.
Casualties
Marrlan:
20 Standard Infantry Killed
30 Standard Infantry Injured
Galra:
10 Standard Infantry Killed
40 Standard Infantry Injured
Casualties to date
Koi:
390 Standard Infantry Killed
1,110 Standard Infantry Injured
5 Civilian Militiamen Dead
10 Civilian Militiamen Injured
3 Artillery Destroyed
1 Howitzer Destroyed
12 Põikleja (Light Fighter Bi-Plane) Downed
FCA:
330 Standard Infantry Killed
820 Standard Infantry Injured
3 Artillery Destroyed
7 Howitzer Destroyed
2 Mortar Destroyed
Galra:
2,200 Standard Infantry Killed
1,430 Standard Infantry Injured
2 Medium Steam Locomotives Destroyed
30 Passenger Cars Destroyed
20 Boxcars Destroyed
10 Flatcars Destroyed
40 Medium Tanks Destroyed
4 Light Fighters Destroyed
6 Armored Cars Destroyed
1 Lancer Downed
1 Artillery Destroyed
1 Howitzer Destroyed
2 Mortars Destroyed
Marrlan:
20 Standard Infantry Killed
40 Standard Infantry Injured
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Post by EpicToaster1 on Jun 8, 2024 16:04:42 GMT -5
West Rogorod
"They're approaching the city. The evacuation trains from the West have continued Eastbound towards safer passage. Many will likely be relocated to Tunnoma and Saha for safety in the mountains. We're beginning some evacuations here in West Rogorod, but we won't be able to get most. We're removing young children, the elderly, and the infirmed for now."
"Copy First Army. You just need to hold for six days. After that, you can relax your position and come to the capital."
"What about the civilians?"
"Banking on the Galrans doing the same thing they've been doing. They'll probably leave some MPs but nothing resistance couldn't handle once the word is spread."
"Copy Põhiliin HQ. First Army out."
"Alright everyone! Take positions!" Soldiers hurried to the basic forts set up in defense around the city. Some embedded into the old walls of the city while others sit sunk down in the fields just outside the city. The some fifty thousand troops taking their stations to stall the Galran war machine. The platforms of the central station were overcrowded with people as the evacuation trains arrived. Further west, the military trains had stopped, resting and refueling as the crews took a break from all the retreating. A few aircraft flew overhead, trying to make sure that Galran Lancers didn't encroach on the city unannounced. Scouts watched as the first of the Galran convoy came over the hills, artillery still in the process of setting up redirecting themselves to face the incoming threat.
The first Galran truck screeched to a halt, the driver and navigator staring off towards the very clear front that laid before them.
"Should we turn around?"
"I'm not driving into that."
The driver kicked the vehicle into reverse before spinning himself around and driving back towards the rest of the convoy, relaying the news. Aircraft above kept a close eye on the movements, able to see much further than the scouts could.
The Galran front came to a stop a few miles outside West Rogorod, the fortifications just below the horizon of the hill for the Galrans. The commander leading the group would grab a megaphone, walking away from the front until he could see the Koian soldiers below.
"Surrender now and no one will have to fire a shot."
There would be no movement from the Koian side for a while before a single officer would step forward. She'd cup her hands together, calling back to the Galran, her voice carrying through the air and wind"
"Mine persse!"
"What?"
"Miiine! Peersseeee!"
Another soldier approached the commander, whispering into his ear. "They're telling you to fuck off."
The commander would get visibly enraged, turning back to the fortline. "Then die like the bugs you are!" Before he could lower the megaphone a shot rang out over the field, the megaphone being shot from the commander's hands by the officer herself. With a revolver. Her wings fluttered behind her before she simply turned and walked back to her post.
"I want them all killed. Don't let a single one make it out of here."
The other soldiers stared at the commander as he walked back to his truck, grumbling expletives the whole way until he was hidden from view. The soldiers all looked around each other before shrugging and taking posts.
"I feel like we should wait for the others to catch up."
"But we have to follow his orders."
"He gets pissy at anything that doesn't go his way, it's not our problem. I want to rest a bit."
"I agree."
"Sa-"
Amidst their conversation, an explosion rang out, causing all the soldiers to duck down and take cover. They'd turn to look as the debris began to settle, metal bits all over the area and several covered in mud and thrown snow. Where the truck with the commander once was, there was now just a crater. A single artillery gun from the Koian line was smoking, the crew leaning against and staring up at the crest of the hill.
A soldier would yell, the severed arm bearing the commander's rank embedded in the side of their truck. The driver of the commander's truck walked over to the crater, staring down into it. Only scraps of metal lay at the bottom, charred from the strike. Soon, more truck parts and body parts were found around the camp, though much of it was mangled or obliterated and unrecoverable.
"We wait?"
"We wait."
Casualties
Galra:
1 Killed
Eastern District
On the other end of the town, with all the commotion in the city center and the west, one of the overhead aircraft noticed a single hopper car full of staol moving down the mainline. Pushing it was a small handcart, two individuals, both human, were taking advantage of the situation to seemingly steal some supplies. The pilot watched, ready to signal to the ground troops to watch out, but they decided to watch, seeing where they were going.
The two men pushed the full hopper down the line to the next town, the bi-plane circling a little ways behind so they wouldn't notice the gentle hum of the engine.
The town's railyard, unused since the start of the war, had several rows of cattlecars and boxcars lining the sidings. Nothing out of the ordinary as the two men pushed the hopper into the yard until the sight of the last two tracks became clear. Two Galran trains, parked there for who knows how long. One a freight train, with flatbeds of tanks and armored cars, and a troop transport, with soldiers milling about idly next to the cars. Both of the engines were low of staol, so this was clearly an attempt to refuel them.
The bi-plane immediately turned around, rushing back to West Rogorod to warn high command.
Nartu
The Marrish troops continued their entrenched fight against the Galran divisions from the North. One of the logistics officers, while checking on their supplies, realized an issue as their count came up short.
"We haven't had any shipments in a few days."
"I wonder what's happening down the line?"
"Supplies must be strained, maybe we need to start rationing bullets?"
"Let's wait for the next shipment so we can ask. Otherwise, if we get too low we may as well abandon this town and push back. The citizens are evacuated, not like there's much left here besides artillery craters and corpses."
"I'll go talk to the chief. See what they say."
As the two walked out of the storage tent, their ears perked as they could hear the distant sound of an engine. Looking towards the front, there didn't seem to be anything unusual. Looking back, however, their eyes went wide as they noticed. A whole squadron of Lancers, coming in from their south. One would manage to let out a yell before one of the Lancers dove in for a gunnery run, their machine guns peppering the ground until the bullets struck through the canvas of the tent and into the munitions boxes inside. The whole tent went up, tearing the two soldiers to shreds and littering the surrounding structures in blood and gore, a massive fireball rising above the tent before the shockwave sounded throughout the town, drawing the attention of the still engaged soldiers. Through the rising smoke and flame, the Galran fighter burst through, accompanied by several more overhead.
"THEY'RE FLANKING FROM BEHIND!"
Artillery turned to fire up towards the aircraft, mortars and howitzers loaded with crude flak munitions to counter the planes that began to fire on the Marrish positions from the air. As the soldiers began to fire both at the Galran front and the now overhead Lancers, the glint of shiny metal from behind caught a few soldiers' attentions. Cresting from behind was a whole 'nother army of Galran troops, manning positions as soon as the Marrish were in sight and beginning to fire on their positions from behind. The Marrish were now surrounded and cut off from supply lines.
Casualties
Marrlan:
480 Standard Infantry Killed
510 Standard Infantry Injured
Galra:
130 Standard Infantry Killed
40 Standard Infantry Injured
Kiviõme
The fighting in Kiviõme was beginning to deteriorate the longer the war fought on. Despite the FCA's standing in the SU, many of the supplies moved through did not stop, continuing on to the Galrans or to the Grinvelians. Munitions on the Koian front began to run dry, the FCA having to pull back their assaults to only minor skirmishes. Despite their overwhelming numbers, they just couldn't push past the ten thousand Koian soldiers defending the city.
Casualties
FCA:
40 Light Infantry Killed
60 Light Infantry Injured
20 Standard Infantry Killed
20 Standard Infantry Injured
Koi:
10 Standard Infantry Injured
Casualties to date
Koi:
390 Standard Infantry Killed
1,130 Standard Infantry Injured
5 Civilian Militiamen Dead
10 Civilian Militiamen Injured
3 Artillery Destroyed
1 Howitzer Destroyed
12 Põikleja (Light Fighter Bi-Plane) Downed
FCA:
40 Light Infantry Killed
60 Light Infantry Injured
350 Standard Infantry Killed
840 Standard Infantry Injured
3 Artillery Destroyed
7 Howitzer Destroyed
2 Mortar Destroyed
Galra:
1 Officer Killed
2,330 Standard Infantry Killed
1,470 Standard Infantry Injured
2 Medium Steam Locomotives Destroyed
30 Passenger Cars Destroyed
20 Boxcars Destroyed
10 Flatcars Destroyed
40 Medium Tanks Destroyed
4 Light Fighters Destroyed
6 Armored Cars Destroyed
1 Lancer Downed
1 Artillery Destroyed
1 Howitzer Destroyed
2 Mortars Destroyed
Marrlan:
520 Standard Infantry Killed
550 Standard Infantry Injured
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Post by EpicToaster1 on Jul 21, 2024 23:28:15 GMT -5
Nartu
With the supplies running low, the eventual reluctant order to surrender was given. With less than a day's fighting of bullets and only two days of rations remaining, the long fight in the mining village of Nartu finally came to a close as a white flag was raised over Marrish lines. The ground troops would lay down their arms, while the air support would manage to slip out and fly off towards friendlier territories beyond the Galran lines; the Galran Lancers chasing them for a little while but choosing not to continue as it was deemed a waste of fuel for them to continue hunting the biplanes. 4 Biplane Fighters, 6 Biplane Bombers, and 4 Biplane Recon would manage to escape towards Põhiliin.
The following would be captured from Marrlan and turned into their own equipment or made into POWs.
85,130 Standard Infantry
22,390 Heavy Infantry
6,840 Special Infantry
2,400 Bicycle Infantry
185 Field Artillery
54 Howitzer Artillery
304 Mortar Artillery
88 Armored Cars
Casualties
Marrlan:
13,800 Standard Infantry Killed
7,610 Heavy Infantry Killed
3,160 Special Infantry Killed
1,600 Bicycle Infantry Killed
115 Field Artillery Destroyed
46 Howitzer Artillery Destroyed
96 Mortar Artillery Destroyed
12 Armored Cars Destroyed
40 Tankettes Destroyed
6 Biplane Fighters Downed
4 Biplane Bombers Downed
Galra:
6,800 Light Infantry Killed
8,420 Standard Infantry Killed
400 Heavy Infantry Killed
37 Field Artillery Destroyed
18 Howitzer Artillery Destroyed
2 Light Tanks Destroyed
1 Lancer Downed
Lopka, Suburb of West Rogorod
The sounds of gunfire and artillery strikes from the city could be heard as far away as the small suburb of Lopka, where several Galran soldiers sat largely undisturbed. The thousand-odd soldiers weighed their options; get involved and attack from behind with their limited supplies and either break through to get more, or wait until the Koian forces are pushed back and they reunite with their comrades as they move by. A nearby platoon of Rail Guards were called in after the reports from the aircraft days prior, calculating where and when would be best to strike.
General Claimond sat on the rear observation deck of his personal car, sipping a glass of sugar water. It was the most disgusting thing he ever tasted, but for the past month the Galrans have been subsisting off stolen Koian foods and drinks since their own personal rations ran out. Many were pretty sure they had diabetes at this point, the sudden sugary foods significantly different from their own. Though, some did find it much more flavorful than their own, and that in its own right seemed to be a general sentiment that many dared not share out loud. The General took a bite of a sweet roll, staring off towards West Rogorod. The rampant use of aircraft over the skies of the city made only one thought rage through his mind. We have definitely been spotted. It’s only a matter of time until they’re here.
A soldier suddenly climbed over the deck’s railing. As their gear clanked as they got up and then stood at attention, the General stared at them with the same look a scolding parent would give their child trying to turn a heavy situation into a joke. “Spit it out.”
“Reports from the front. Recon planes have noticed the Koian front packing up. They believe they’re about to retreat again.”
“Do we know which direction?”
“Scouts haven’t said.”
As the two spoke, a steam engine raced by on the mainline from West Rogorod, heading towards Põhiliin, the General’s eyes following the smoke cloud as it steamed by.
“I think I know where they’re going…Get everyone to start packing up. I want everyone ready to leave on a moment’s notice by tomorrow.”
“Yessir.” The soldier saluted before heaving themselves back over the railing, racing towards the commanders to inform them of the update.
As he turned back towards the city, he grabbed another sweet roll. His teeth clamped down on the dough, the filling shooting out the sides as he bit just a tad too forcefully. His other hand extended out to catch the filling, his head turning to the jelly mess in his hand. A small flicker of light caught his attention, causing him to look up from his hand. A reflection some three hundred yards away on the other end of the railyard. He stared directly towards it, his brow furrowing. He threw the jelly from his hand, wiping it off as he stood up and straightened his uniform, the reflection following him as he stood.
A sniper.
He was not about to be shot dead looking like a pig; so he wiped his hands and face, keeping his eyes on the sniper’s glare. He did not utter a word, nor make any way to alert the rest of his soldiers. His whole body turned to face the sniper, one hand crossing his chest while another came up to tap right between his eyebrows, almost taunting the sniper, the arm soon after lowering to cross the other arm.
Vaguely a second figure appeared, tough to distinguish through the glare. The second figure laid there for a moment before the glare disappeared, along with both figures disappearing entirely. The General stood there for a good moment longer, watching and waiting. As it appeared they weren’t coming back, he grabbed his glass and took another big sip, wincing at the sugary taste as it hit his tastebuds before downing the whole glass to calm his nerves.
West Rogorod
“Prepare for evacuation! We’re heading back to the capital!”
“Already? We’ve still got fight left in us!”
“We may have fight, but we don’t have numbers. We have to head back, otherwise who will defend our reinforcements?” The soldiers simply laughed at the statement.
Along with the last of the civilian evacuations that could be managed, unimportant equipment was loaded up into trains and sent back towards Põhiliin; ensuring resistance fighters and incoming reinforcements had at least something.
Following that, soldiers slowly began to file back, flanking artillery being pulled to condense the defensive line.
“We’ve lost contact with the Marrish out in Nartu.”
“Assume the Galrans cut the lines. We may not hear from them until they break free. We may get better reception via radio from the South…assuming they have radios.”
“Beats me, their command has been using the telegraph office at the station.”
“Probably not. Maybe the southern telegraph lines are still useful. So they’re totally on their own then.”
“May Areyar guide them.”
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General evacuation orders were given to the remaining small towns along the route between West Rogorod and Põhiliin. Citizens were advised to move North and East, out of the way of the Galran war path.
With orders set, the Koian soldiers would pull out of West Rogorod in the night, the last trains leaving early in the morning at a brutal 2 AM start time. The final troop transport was primarily Rail Guards from the local divisions, a few straggling soldiers also loaded with.
“I had him in my sights. Why couldn’t I take the shot?”
“We needed all our transports to get out of there. If you killed their General, we’d be forced to fight all of them and risk them trying to get their trains to block the escape route of the frontline.”
“But they would have been paralyzed without their leader. We could have taken them out with ease.”
“Did you not notice that they’d all been acting independently? I think he was about as much their leader as you are a bread maker. I believe they’re a lot more capable without him than you’re failing to consider.”
“Shoot the leader, shoot their engineer, they can’t go anywhere. Their bodies can’t stop a train.”
“But they can just as equally shoot our engineers back.”
A large human woman would pipe in, also dressed in the Rail Guard uniform with a higher rank. “Will you guys give it a rest? I’m sick of this bickering. We can deal with them when we get to Põhiliin. Once we’re there, the gloves are off and anything is fair game. We’re leaving now because we gave high command the distraction they needed; it’s pointless for us to waste more of our lives now.”
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As the morning sun rose over the mountains and burned off the morning dew, the Galrans were met with empty trenches. Just as the recon units predicted, the Koians had packed up and made their escape once again. As the Galrans began to pack up to follow, desiring to close the gap as much as they could since they didn’t know when they left, the two hundred thousand soldiers from Nartu would finally arrive. In tow, about ten thousand POWs, the remainder from the battle being sent off to prisoner camps until they can figure out what to do with them. The prisoners with them were those deemed in the best condition. They were to become trench diggers and a general labor force to make the logistics easier.
The arriving forces were sent off first, chasing down the Koian trains and leaving the West Rogorod soldiers to finish packing in a less frantic fashion.
As they moved towards Lopka, the Galrans were soon met by their General. The two trains would be added to the logistics, spearheading the front towards Põhiliin.
Within days, Galra was on the doorsteps of the capital of the Republic of Koi.
Casualties
Koi:
320 Standard Infantry Killed
1 Field Artillery Destroyed
2 Howitzer Artillery Destroyed
1 Tankette Destroyed
8 Biplane Fighters Downed
Galra:
640 Standard Infantry Killed
50 Heavy Infantry Killed
3 Field Artillery Destroyed
2 Mortar Artillery Destroyed
4 Supply Trucks Destroyed
1 Lancer Downed
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