Chapter Forty Five: Forest Fight
Southern Antrim Hills, Kentares IV, Kentares PDZ, Draconis March, Federated Commonwealth.
February 15, 3065
Jack had ordered Mackenzie and his lance to assist some armor and infantry units from the KIV DMM defend a forested area between two large hills. The weather was snowing and cold. At least he was in his mech and at least the suspected avenue of approach from the south to the militia’s position was well mined.
Gamma Lance had taken cover behind the northern side of a large hill which was roughly a hundred meters south of the woods that the militia armor and infantry. To the north of Gamma Lance two companies of militia infantry were setup with their Heavy APCs and Goblin Infantry Support Vehicles. North east of the infantry and their APC was a lance of tanks on a small hill in a position which enabled them to support the infantry.
Light from the star Kentares began to shine over the tops of the hills. At least it would be in the eyes of the Regulars who were headed to the east.
The commander of the militia armor Captain Sara Wurth spoke over the radio. “Contacts are a Tai-sho, Thug, Shugenja and Grasshopper escorting three heavy APCs. Distance is one kilometer out and closing. Also there are three Karnovs about a hundred meters behind the assault and heavy lance. A Crab, Kintaro and Komodo are also just over a kilometer out.
All Greens hold position. Leg Breakers, dig in and get ready. War Axes Nine through Eleven hold position.” “War Axe Five wilco.” Greens One through Nine were the militia armor. Legs Breakers One through Six were the six infantry platoons and War Axes were Gamma Lance.
Mack could hear the engines of the VTOLs of in the distance. He watched infantry soldiers dig fighting positions in to the forest to the north of him. At least I am not one of them.
“Green One to all units, both enemy lances are headed northeast. The Karnovs are headed up the hill…” “Green Four to all units, contact with a Hitman. Distance is six hundred meters to the northwest of my position.”
Enemy scout mechs have penetrated behind the militia’s formation. Why am I not surprised? Oh, I know because I have been a professional warrior for fifteen years, has it really been that long, I have not seen any gray hairs on my head thought Dunlop as she rolled her eyes.
The Thug fired both of its extended ranged PPCs and the Kintaro losed a flight of LRMs which exploded into the woods.
Slowly the Regulars advanced. Energy weapons fire melted snow and shattered trees.
“Green One to all units, fire once they are within weapons range. War Axes Nine through Eleven, get ready to move on my order.” “War Axe Nine copies.”
“Green Four to all units, the Karnovs just moved over the northern end of the woods two hundred meters north of my position.” “Green One copies, take them down if you have a shot.”
“Green Five to Six and Seven target the Komodo and the Kintaro.”
Thirty missiles from the Shugenja’s MRM30 blasted away some of the forest protecting the soldiers using it for cover and concealment. The Goblins exchanged shots with the Crab, Komodo and Kintaro.
“Leg Breaker One to all units, the advancing Regulars just went over one of our minefields, but it did not go off. I repeat our mine fields are no longer active.”
“Green Nine to one, Eight through Twelve and myself cannot get a shot at the advancing mechs as they are covered by the woodline.” “Green One to Nine through Twelve, pick up Leg Breakers Four through Six and advance west to support Five through Seven.”
The southern militia infantry company boarded their APCs which then started to the south west, but they were slowed by the snow covered ground.
“Green One to all units, the Kintaro, Komodo and Crab just headed a hundred meters to the south. The Thug, Grasshoper, Shugenja and Tai-Sho are headed east with their APCs in right behind them.” “Green Four to all units, the Karnovs are dropping infantry into the north woods.”
“Green One to War Axe Eight through Eleven, head west and engage those mechs.” “War Axe Eight copies. Eleven and Ten get out front you will be followed by myself and Nine.”
The Quickdraw and Crab moved out front and were closely followed by the Ostsol and Daikyu.
“Green One to all Greens target the Shugenja or Tai-sho. Which ever one is the easiest target for you. Leg Breakers attack your best target.” “Leg Breaker One to Two and Three, target the Kintaro.”
Weapons fire passed back and forth between the militia tanks and infantry and the Regular’s mechs.
“Leg Breaker One to all units, I have six dead.” Leg Breaker Two to all units one soldier down.” The consolation for the militia was that the Shugenja took a pounding. It shed armor plates, but did not fall.
After they finished dropping their infantry the Karnovs headed back to the west and the infantry which turned out to be jump infantry started jump jetting south towards the hill occupied by the militia Hunter, Bulldog, Patton and Rommel tanks. The Shugenja, Tai-Sho, Thug and Grasshoper headed north. The Crab, Kintaro and Komodo pushed into the western side of the south west corner of the forest near the militia infantry and Goblins.
Gamma lance moved out from behind the hill and headed west with the Vedettes and Heavy APCs.
“Green One to all units, fire at will.”
“Leg Breaker One to Two and Three, target the Kintaro and Crab.”
Both the Crab and Kintaro were the next targets for the militia tanks and infantry. Both mechs took a pounding from weapons fire and crashed to the ground.
The Komodo avenged the slight to its comrade’s honor by kicking a militia infantry soldier who died instantly.
“Green Five to all units, the Thug, Shugenja and Grasshoper have closed on my position!”
The Kintaro and Crab regained their feet and backed up with the Komodo.
Gamma lance moved out from behind the cover of the north jutting spur on hill and moved just south of the positions of the militia infantry. They came into view of the Komodo, Crab and Kintaro. The Regulars APCs had moved up just behind the mechs.
“War Axe Eight to Nine through Eleven, target the Crab,” said Mackenzie as he swung the Ostsol’s torso to the right and discharge both of his forward medium lasers and a large laser at the lighter mech.
Weapons fire pounded the Regular’s Crab stripping away armor which fell to the ground as metal rain. Defiantly the mech did not go down.
The Regular’s jump infantry that had been dropped into the northern edge of the forest had made their way to the south and began to attack the militia tanks situated there.
“Green Four to all units, I have enemy infantry incoming with four light mechs supporting them.” “Green One copies, Two and Three form up on Four. Eight and Nine Form up with War Axes and attack the southern flank of the Regular’s mechs and infantry. ”
The Regulars heavy mechs savaged the lead Goblin and then stomped it into the forest floor. “Green Six to all units, Five is down. One copies.”
The Regulars APCs advanced east into the woods and disgorged their infantry less than thirty meters from the militia infantry.
As Gamma lance moved out from behind the forest Mackenzie could see the Komodo and Kintaro backing up to the north with the Crab thirty meters to the south of them. Looking past Hobb’s Quickdraw it was obvious how badly damaged the enemy Crab was.
“War Axe Eight to Ten and Eleven, destroy the Crab. Nine, cause as much damage to their infantry as you can.” Mackenzie targeted the Komodo and fired both of his large lasers.
Crisscrossing laser fire vaporized snow created a pretty and deadly light show.
“Green One to Two through Four, target the enemy infantry.”
Mackenzie only hit with one of the lasers. Hobbs traded shots with the Crab. Dunlop’s mocking laugh came over the radio as DCMS infantry died before her guns. Both Crabs traded kicks. “War Axe Ten to all units, one enemy infantry platoon almost gone.”
“Green Seven to all units, the Thug, Shugenja, Grasshoper and Tai-sho have backed off a bit. Enemy infantry have mounted their APCs and are beginning to move.”
Gamma Lance was between a small wooded hill to the west and the woods to the east where the militia infantry was. The Regulars were backing up to the north. Those woods would be excellent cover he thought. “War Axe Eight to Nine through Eleven, move into the woods to the west and take up firing positions.” Gamma Lance moved into the woods. Trees parted easily before the mechs. The pair of Vedettes took position on Gamma Lance’s right flank.
The Komodo, Grasshoper and Kintaro were a hundred and fifty meters north of Gamma Lance, but the Crab was much closer at just under fifty meters away. Mackenzie felt no remorse as his lance hammered it again with the exception of Dunlop who attacked the Kintaro.
The Crab exploded as weapons fire from Gamma Lance tore into its reactor. There was a white flash and all that remained of the Crab was its legs which lay on the quickly melting snow. “War Axe Eleven to all units, scratch one Crab.” Dunlop fired all of her weapons at the Kintaro, but only hit with a single autocannon shot.
“War Axe Eight to Nine through Eleven, advance north,” said Mackenzie as he pushed the Ostsol’s throttle forward.” His lance mates followed him out of the forest. The Vedettes stayed close to them.
“Green Four to all units, the light mechs have moved up to support the jump infantry on the hill.” “Green One copies, Two through Four engage and destroy them.”
“Leg Breaker One to Two and Three, target the Grasshoper.” “Green Six to Seven through Ten fire at will.”
One of the Tai-Sho’s extended ranged PPCs destroyed the militia Hunter Light Support Tank. “Green One to all units, Four is down. I repeat, Four is down.”
A large explosion in the forest to the east of Gamma Lance signaled the demised of another vehicle. “Green Six to all units, scratch one heavy APC.” “Green One to Six, good job. Take those bastards down.
A kick from the Grasshoper tore through one of the Goblins. “Green Seven to all units, Six is down.”
Glancing up ahead to the north, Mackenzie could see the Tai-sho, Thug and Shugenja turn around and head south to support the APCs, Komodo and Kintaro that were headed north. Further to the north the militia tanks battled with a company of jump infantry and a lance of light mechs.
“Leg Breaker One to Two and Three, move north.” The militia infantry company advanced north through the trees.
“War Axe Eight to Nine through Eleven, head east into the forest with the militia infantry.” Gamma lance moved east into the woods. Mackenzie moved the Ostol into the woods. He targeted the Komodo with his forward medium laser and one large laser and fired, but only the medium laser hit.
The Komodo ignored the Ostsol and burned away one of the militia Vedettes with an alpha strike of ten medium lasers. “Green Nine to all units, Eight is down.”
“War Axe Eight to Nine through Eleven, head north along the western edge of the woods. Take as much pressure off of the militia as you can.”
The Regular’s battlemechs waited for the limping APCs before backing up to the north.
“Green One to Greens Ten through Twelve, move up behind War Axes and deploy Leg Breakers Four through Six.” “Green Ten copies.”
The Shugenja backed up into the woods and set off a mine.
“Leg Breaker One to Two and Three, target the Komodo.”
Mackenzie moved north through the western edge of the forest and the Regular’s Komodo closed with him. His heart skipped a beat and he almost made his mech trip, but he corrected himself and swung the Ostsol’s torso at the Komodo and fired all of his forward weapons without thinking about the heat build up. Lasers from the Komodo and a double tap from the Tai-sho’s ultra-autocannon ten blasted armor from his Ostsol and gave him a headache as an extra. He somehow kept the mech on its feet although he did not care how. Next he traded kicks with the Komodo.
“Green One to all units, the enemy light lance and jump infantry appear to be disengaging us…” “The enemy Spider has been legged! Pound it if it tries to get up.”
“Green Two to all units, the Spider has been legged.
Hobb’s Quickdraw was hit by a dozen and a half MRMs from the Shugenja. “War Axe Eleven to all units, my engine has taken damage.
The militia infantry sprayed missiles at the Regular’s mechs. Dunlop’s alpha strike knocked the Thug to the ground.
“Green One to all units, my treads have been shot out. I am not going anywhere.” “Green Three to all units, my tank is also a mobility kill.”
“War Axe Ten to all units, my right torso armor is breached.”
“Leg Breaker One to Two through Six and Greens Five through Nine, target the Komodo.”
“War Axe Eight to Nine though Eleven, target the Kintaro.” Mackenzie fired only one of his large lasers to keep his heat level down. He cringed when the Shugenja fired both large lasers at him and its MRM thirty, however the volley was aimed at the Heavy APC just behing the Ostsol which was destroyed. While it was a relief that he did not take the volley he felt sympathy for the Heavy APC’s crew.
Gamma lance’s shots brought the Kintaro to the ground.
To the north the Regulars had backed up so that they were no longer between the hill to the west and woods to the east. Most of the militia tanks were damaged and or mobility kills. Dunlop, Leonard and Hobbs were echeloned out northeast from Mackenzie. The Regulars jump infantry and light lance were ahead in the northern section of the woods.
“Green One to all units, the Spider’s pilot ejected.”
Ignoring the heat buildup, Mackenzie fired all of his forward lasers at the Kintaro, but only hit the Kintaro with a single large laser and a single medium laser. In return the Thug nailed the Ostsol’s right torso with a PPC and the Kintaro’s flight of five LRMs battered away the remaining armor protecting his center torso and destroying a medium laser.
The Komodo drew the wrath of the rest of Gamma lance and some of the militia, but it did not go down.
“Leg Breaker One to all Leg Breakers move to the western edge of the forest to support War Axes.”
“Green One to War Axes, hold position.”
“War Axe Nine to Ten, target the Komodo with me.” “Ten wilco.” Weapons fire from both the Crab and Daikyu tore into the Komodo breaching its left torso and destroying its engine. The Komodo’s pilot ejected before the reactor went critical and turned the mech into a small and brief artificial sunrise.
“Green Two to all units, the enemy appear to be retreating.”
“Green One to all units give me an equipment casualties and expendables report. Greens first followed by War Axes and then Leg Breakers. Green One is immobile. I have moderate damage to my rear armor. I have eighteen LRM volleys and thirteen autocannon shots.”
“Green Two, my left side armor is moderately damaged and is the only damaged section. My top speed is two zero kilo papa hotel. Twenty One LRM volleys and seventeen autocannon shots left.”
“Green Three to all units, my armor is damaged all over. I am a mobility kill. Rear and left side armor is nearly breached. I have roughly fifty rounds of MG ammo and forty SRM shots.”
“Green Six to all units, my turret armor is slightly damaged. Turret is locked. My speed has been reduced to three zero kilo papa hotel. Twenty five MG rounds and ten SRM shots. ”
“Green Eight to all units, my left side armor is almost gone. Top speed is two zero kilo papa hotel. Full MG magazine and eleven autocannon shots.”
“Green Eleven to all units, I still have full armor protection. I have sixteen MG rounds and one nine SRM shots.”
“Green ten to all units, I have full armor. Twenty LRM shots and seventy MG rounds.”
Mackenzie looked at his damage display and let out a sigh before reporting in. “War Axe Eight to all units, my center torso is breached and one of my medium lasers is gone. Both arms and the left leg have only shredded armor.” The positive was that his flashbulb Ostsol had no ammunition to worry about.
“War Axe Nine to all units, my right torso has been stripped of armor. Center and left torsos have nearly been breached. I have twenty autocannon rounds left and fifteen LRM shots.”
“War Axe Ten to all units, moderate damage to my left leg, center torso, right torso and right arm.”
“War Axe Eleven to all units, moderate damage to right and left legs, left arm and center torso. I have nine LRM volleys and sixteen SRM volleys.”
“Leg Breaker One to all units, I have twelve KIA and eight wounded.”
“Leg Breaker Two to all units, I have six dead.”
“Leg Breaker Three to all units, I have four dead.”
“Leg Breaker Four to all units, all my boys and girls are okay.”
“Leg Breaker Five to all units, I have six KIA and two wounded.”
“Leg Breaker Six to all units, I have seven KIA and one wounded.”
“Green One copies. Keep firing at them as long as they are in range.”
There was no radio response to the last order, only weapons fire.”
“Green Two to all units, the Regulars are heading west below the northern base of the hill.”
“Green One copies, War Axes Eight through Eleven advance a hundred and fifty meters north and put some pressure on them and then fall back to the woods. Greens Nine, Ten and Eleven follow close behind them and give them some extra support.”
Even though he did not want to obey that order, Mackenzie decided to do so anyway. “War Axe Eight copies. Nine through Eleven, follow me.”
Mackenzie throttled the Ostsol forward. Dunlop, Leonard and Hobbs moved into a line on his right and together the mechs advanced in a firing line with two Heavy APCs and a Vedette behind them.
The Regulars Thug was less than two hundred meters ahead. It was covering the withdrawal of the jump infantry and APCs. “War Axe Eight to Nine through Eleven, target the Thug.”
Gamma Lance fired in unison at the assault mech, but luck was on the side of the big ugly machine and Gamma Lance missed. In return Leonard’s Crab took a hit from a PPC with half a dozen SRMs. The other half dozen SRMs blasted craters in the snow. The Crab stumbled, but did not fall.
“Green One to War Axe Eight, head north east into the north western side of the woods.” “Green One copies. War Axes Nine through Eleven, move into the north western side of the forest.” Mackenzie was glad to be moving back into at least some concealment. His Ostsol passed through the trees with Leonard’s Crab behind him. Dunlop’s Daikyu was up front and Hobb’s Quickdraw led the way.
One hundred and eighty meters ahead the Thug was in a small grove of trees. The retreating jump infantry a few meters south of it. Further ahead was the pair of surviving APCs. Past the APCs were the retreating battlemechs.
“War Axe Nine and Ten target the Thug. Eleven and I will target the infantry.”
Only one shot from Dunlop’s autocannons hit and the rest of both her shots and Leonard’s missed. Mackenzie’s lasers vaporized infantry soldiers. The platoon that Hobbs engaged must have been lucky as his lasers missed high with his spread of SRMs.
The Thug fired both of its PPCs at Dunlop’s Daikyu. The white blue streaks barely missed the exposed right torso.
“Green One to all Greens and Leg Breakers make your way to the north western side of the forest.”
Mackenzie could see the Tai-sho and one of the Locusts turn around and start heading to the south east towards his lance.
“War Axe Eight to Nine through Eleven, target the Thug.” The Thug shot first its PPC shot burning into the ground at the Ostsol’s feet the second stripped the smaller mech’s left arm of armor. Mackenzie struck back with one of his large lasers burning armor from the Thug’s left torso.
Dunlop laughed as she hit the Thug with both of her autocannon’s and a few of her missiles blasted armor from the assault mech’s head. It would have made her so happy if she decapitated the monster, but for the moment it was not to be. The Thug lost its balance, but quickly recovered.
The enemy Locust sprinted to the north east before heading south. The Tai-sho advanced south to where it was thirty meters south of the Thug. Behind the two assault mechs snow was pushed up by the Karnovs as they lifted off. The VTOLs stayed close to the ground and landed near the position of their infantry to pick them up.
The Tai-sho sent a PPC bolt after one of the tanks on the hill, but missed. The Thug again unleashed its wrath on Leonard’s Crab, hitting the smaller mech with a PPC and half of a dozen SRMs. “War Axe ten to all units, my armor is almost breached.”
Mackenzie’s large lasers missed the Thug, instead turning a tree into wooden fragments. Dunlop’s weapons fire shredded more armor from the Thug.
“War Axe Eight to Nine through Eleven, moved thirty meters east and hold it together Gamma Lance.” “Eleven wilco.” “Ten wilco.” “Nine to Eight, we are pretty beat up and are dealing with a pair of assaults.”
Mackenzie knew Dunlop was correct but their orders were to hold. At least the miltia infantry was moving up to support them. If they retreated they risked being pecked to death by the enemy light mechs which had reatreated to somewhere he did not know.
“Ten our orders are to hold and that is what we are going to do.” What he left unsaid was the possibility of him and his lance mates being murdered by the techs who were getting increasingly angry at having to do so many repairs on the damaged mechs and tanks.
Both Mackenzie and Hobbs moved to the northwest corner of the woods. The enemy Locust moved in behind Hobb’s Quickdraw. Dunlop and Leonard also moved to the north. Two militia APCs moved into position just south of Gamma Lance and unloaded their infantry.
Mackenzie breathed a sigh of relief at having some support for his lance. “War Axe Eight to Eleven, deal with the Locust before it makes too much of an annoyance of itself.”
The Karnovs lifted off the moment the last of the jump infantry boarded and sped to the east putting distance between themselves and the militia.
“Leg Breaker Four to War Axe Eight, both Five and myself have dismounted and are moving into firing positions.” “War Axe Eight copies, start hitting them as soon as you can.” “Will do.”
Mackenzie toros twisted to the left and hit the Tai-sho with a snap shot from one of his large lasers. SRMs from the Thug blasted away the tress surrounding his mech and one of the Thug’s PPC slammed into his center torso damaging his gyro. Warning sirens screamed as the Ostsol fell. Instinctively Mackenzie pulled the ejection handle.
Both the Locust and Quickdraw missed each other with their shots. Dunlop sanded away more of the Thug’s armor. Leonard’s Crab was struck by an ultra-autocannon ten shot and a PPC from the Tai-sho. Leonard’s large lasers burned armor from the Tai-sho.
“War Axe Nine to all units, Eight is down. I repeat Eight is down. Ten and Eleven move east deeper into the woods. Green One, War Axes Nine, Ten and Eleven have reached our combat loss grouping.” “Green One to War Axe Nine, I am calling for reinforcements. Until they arrive or we are ordered by higher to withdraw you will hold at all costs.”
Dunlop acknowledged the rage that was rising. Her lance had lost one mech and potentially its commander and two of the three remaining battlemechs had at least one armor breach and the third would likely have one if combat was resumed. The fates had given her a bad card that she would have to play. “War Axe Nine, Ten and Eleven will hold,” said Dunlop while resisting the urge to go to the top of the hill and use her mech’s feet to play soccer with the disabled friendly tanks there.
The Tai-sho and Thug broke contact and fired their PPCs a few times to discourage pursuit.
“Green One to Casper Seventeen.” After a few moments there was a reply. Caspar Seventeen was Green One’s battalion commander. “Casper Seventeen copies, go ahead Green One.” “Green One requests relief and recovery vehicles. Most of my surviving tanks and vehicles are completely disabled or have severely limited speeds.”
“Casper Seventeen copies. I can have recovery vehicles sent to you within the hour. I will also send some hover tanks to screen your withdrawal.” “Much appreciated Caspar Seventeen.”