Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

This first chapter is mostly because I am fairly certain that the overlap of people who play both Genshin Impact and Twisted Wonderland and those who play the Company of Heroes franchise is not large. 

I am also willing to bet that most of y'all come from the Genshin/Twisted Wonderland side, and not CoH. So, here is a quick guide which probably will help. 

There are 3 games in the franchise, and this fic will draw on all of them, but will take the most influence from the 3rd game. 

The series are real time strategy games, set in the second World War, with each game set in a different theater, with the third game being set in the Mediterranean theater. 

One of the big mechanics of the games are that of doctrines/battlegroups, which are in effect sub factions within the larger factions. They will give unique bonuses, abilities, and units. 

Otherwise, if anything pops up, feel free to ask. 

And with that, let us begin, and enjoy.

Chapter Text

A rather strange occurrence has occurred recently at Night Raven College. At the start of the week, four students disappeared, as though out of thin air.

Ace Trappola, 1st year. 

Ruggie Bucchi, 2nd year. 

Jamil Viper, 2nd year. 

Silver, 2nd year.

Despite the students' best effort, and the school’s ‘best’ effort, they were missing for a week. 

They were found the next week, and more or less in perfect health… 

More or less, because anyone who personally knew them, noticed that they seemed… tired. 

Not tired of, say, a long day at work. But tired, as in their soul has aged even though their body remains the same. 

Yuu, naturally, noticed, as one does. Actually, most people that know them personally can attest.

Ace seemed to maintain his upbeat attitude, but a part of it felt fake. His mischievous ideas and pranks were replaced with witticism, and a rather sharp and dry one at that. He seemed to put more effort into his school work, which pleased Riddle, and most of the dorm found it a good change, especially as Deuce noticed that he seemed to get kinder as well. Cater, for his part, felt as though Ace had acquired a mask, and that the mask was covering something far more serious.

As if he had purpose now.

Ruggie continued to work hard, but it got to the point that it felt like he was working himself to the bone. Most of the dorm were most alarmed when Ruggie passed on food. When Leona first heard of it, he actually spat the water he was drinking. Jack, for his part, noticed that like Ace, Ruggie seemed to have acquired a more dry sense of humor. His laughs remained, but they felt more… bitter at times.

He seemed more… melancholic.

Jamil, while still doing all his tasks, seemed to grow strangely… softer. Kalim actually started getting alarmed when Jamil actually became… permissive of some of his schemes and demands for parties. It came to the point that Kalim actually started to choose not to host as many parties, or suggest parades. Part of it was also the fact that Jamil seemed to have had a harder time hearing things. On the other hand, he offered to tutor Kalim in math. The next math quiz, the entire dorm's grades were averaging well in the 90s, with Kalim himself being tied with Jamil. It was a cause for celebration. But even then, something in Kalim’s heart knew that something had happened.

Kalim may be a fool, but he isn’t blind. And he noticed changes in Silver too.

Much of Diasomnia were quickly getting alarmed when Silver actually stayed up at night, as though his drowsiness was replaced with insomnia instead. Sebek couldn’t even bring it in his heart to correct Silver. His half lids over his eyes were gradually being replaced with bags under his eyes. Malleus would gaze on Silver, and felt as though he was losing a knight, but was gaining… something else. People in the dorm were surprised when he started visiting the Ignihyde dorm, and many of the fae students noted that when he came back, he seemed to smell ever so slightly different. 

He smelt like he was surrounded by machines. 

Lilia had an idea. But it was an uncomfortable idea of what was happening, and he did not dare say it out loud. 

This was on top of the fact that they also began sharing some common behaviors. 

Namely, a new found fondness for swearing, but not in the manner of say a middle schooler who just found out about swear words, and thus use them everywhere. 

More akin to that of a precision f-bomb for emphasis, in a way that is seven times more pointed. 

For example, most of Savanaclaw was shocked beyond all reason when Ruggie responded to one of Leona’s admittedly more out there demands with a deadpan “Yes sir, yes sir, yes sir, fuck off sir.” 

Even Leona was so shocked that he didn’t even do anything to punish him for it.

The other thing was that both Ruggie and Ace began helping Yuu in researching how to get home. 

Or rather, they were researching how to travel between worlds.

The pop music club began talking about these changes. Yuu started attending. Then the dorm heads began attending. The first years (minus Ace) began meeting as well. Soon, all of Yuu’s friend group were discussing. Finally, Yuu decided to do the simple thing. 

She asked them directly. 

“What happened while you were gone?”

And with that simple question, the floodgates opened. Ruggie seemed heartbroken. Silver just stared off into the distance. Ace began tearing up. Jamil finally opened his mouth.

(unaware that Cater was recording it nearby, with a stream for their friend groups only, for as much as they would bicker, they all have become exceedingly worried)

– A week prior –

When Silver came to, he felt a hand prodding his forehead. As he opened his eyes, he viewed a person, prodding his head. 

The man was in a tan shirt and shorts, with a tan helmet shaped like a salad bowl on his head. On both his helmet and an armband around his arms, was a red cross on a white background. The man nodded in approval, noticing that Silver was awake. 

“Ah, you’re awake. Was checking your head lad. No clear trauma marks, how you feelin?” 

Silver, admittedly, was a little confused. However, he was taught to be honest. 

“Alright I guess. Small headache.” At that, the man, who Silver was quickly realizing was in fact a medic, smiled, before standing up, and extending a hand to Silver. Silver took it. 

“Alright then.” The medic pointed to a tent. “The CO wants to see you once you wake up. Head on over to the command tent.” Silver nods, and begins walking in that direction. 

As Silver headed to the tent, he took the chance to look around. 

He noted that it was hot. It was a dry heat, and a bright one at that. He looked around, and noted he was in a desert. And there were tan tents everywhere, each one reinforced with sandbags.

And there were men everywhere. Many of them resembled the medic, except without the red cross on them. Instead, many of them seemed to have a badge of some sort. It was a white circle surrounded by a reddish orange color. In the center was some sort of rodent, also a reddish orange color. Each of the men he passed by had some sort of webbing and a backpack, alongside rifles or submachine guns. 

Admittedly, there were some who didn’t. Some were wearing blue shirts, wide brimmed hats, and were carrying rather nasty looking knives. 

Some had wide brimmed hats, with one corner folded up. 

He even saw some wearing turbans, accompanied by thick beards. 

He finally got to the tent, and opened it. 

“Silver, what are you doing here?” Silver snapped to the voice, and was thoroughly surprised. 

There stood Jamil, standing before him. Behind him was Ruggie and Ace all looking at him, equally surprised. Further in the back, were two girls. One of them seemed about the same age as them, give or take a year, with short grayish hair, who waved back with a smile, which Silver waved back to. The other one was also on the shorter side, at least compared to Silver. Her light green hair was short, but was still reaching the nape of her neck. She was also notably more withdrawn, and looked around nervously. Ruggie naturally noticed. 

“Oh, SIlver, the silver-haired one is Noelle, and the green-haired one is Collei. They aren’t from here, and obviously, neither are we shihihi.” He then turned to the aforementioned Noelle and Collei. “And this here is Silver. He’s like me and Jamil, a second year at NRC.” At that, Noelle smiled, and did a small curtsy. 

“The pleasure is all mine, I’m Noelle, maid for the knights of Favonius, at your service.” 

“Nice to meet you, I’m Collei, a trainee Forest Ranger in the Avidya Forest.”

Silver nods, and before he can continue, another person walks in. 

“Ah, I see, you are all here.” At that, everyone turned to the voice. 

The world outside the tent seemed to pause, as they observed the newcomer. 

The man was much older than them all, appearing closer in age to Crewel then to each other, with a mustache under his nose. The man appeared to be the first person they met who was wearing long sleeves in this heat, with full length trousers and a long sleeve jacket on, although it was still all a tan khaki. Atop his head was a brownish tan beret, with a brass badge on the front. On his hips was a holster with a revolver in it. 

At that, the officer pointed to the chairs behind them. 

“Please, take a seat.” At that, they all glanced around, before taking a seat. At that, the officer turned towards a powerpoint board, and gestured towards it, a riding crop under his arms. 

“Start the slide show.” At that, they all turned around, and noticed a table with an old projector on it. Suddenly, the projector turns on, and the slide show begins, despite no one being there. 

At that, they all turned back to the board. 

“Thank you. I know who you all are. However, you presumably don’t know who I am. My name is irrelevant, but you may call me the major. Now, let's get this started.” At that, the slide goes to the first slide. 

The first slide was a map. The top half appeared to be a sea of some sort. The bottom half appeared to be desert, with the occasional town or village close to the coast. Red and blue lines were all over, which they quickly realized were battle lines. 

“Now, the boys might be aware that Yuu isn’t from your world. Think of this place, as an imitation of sorts of a section of the history of her world. Tell me. How familiar are you with the concept of a war game, or strategy video games?” 

Everyone shared a look, mainly of confusion. Noelle clearly had no understanding of ‘video games’, while the rest knew of video games, but they all would admit that strategy games were not the ones that they often played.

At that, the major gave a sigh. “Well, not the ideal, but I could make it work. And before you ask, don’t worry, how you do here won’t affect her world’s history.” At that, the major points at a point on the map, labeled ‘Tunis’. 

“You must lead this force here.” At that, Noelle raised her hand. The major nodded, inviting her to ask her question.

“Where are we now?” At that, the major points at a spot just a little west of a city labeled ‘Alexandria’. 

Jamil looks at the bottom of the map, and sees the scale. After some quick mental math, he had a horrifying epiphany. 

“Sir, that’s 2,625 kilometers (1,648 miles).” The major simply nods. 

With that, a crushing sensation came across all those assembled. At that, the major simply clapped his hands. 

“No pressure. However, you won’t be returned until you achieve it.” At that, Ace had another feeling. He was trying to remember what the genre was, after all, Ortho talked about the genre, in particular in regards to how Idia would tear into it as uncreative. 

At that, the major shrugged, and went to the exit, before pausing, and turning around. 

“Oh, by the way, the area between is Jerry territory. Expect resistance ranging from heavy to insane. And you can’t use your own world's skills. No magic, and no visions.” At that, everyone had another sinking feeling, realizing why he noted a comparison to strategy games.

“However,” the major continued, drawing everyone’s attention back onto him. “You’ll have battlegroups assigned to each of you. Admittedly, we only have four battlegroups, and there are 6 of you, so four of you will have to share, but they should take you far.” At that, Silver raised his hand. 

“So, what exactly are these battlegroups?” At that, the major smiled, and leaned in a little. 

“Battlegroups are a set doctrine, focused on a specific style. You’ll have different authorizations for what you can do, as well as what you have available, such as different vehicles or units. And don’t worry about choosing. They will be assigned to you as best fit for you.” At that, the major pauses, before continuing. “As for those sharing, both will have authority, but you might want to plan out details first.” At that, the major pulls out a watch, and glances at the time. 

“Your time starts soon, and once I exit the tent, you will be assigned your battlegroup, as well as clothing. Now toodaloo.” At that, he left the tent.

This got mixed reactions. 

“What do you mean new clothes?” 

“Toodaloo?” 

“I’m still not understanding battlegroups.” 

“Wh–” 

The last one (Collei), didn’t get to finish, as a bright light consumed the room, blinding everyone for a second. 

When it died down, everyone looked at the board, and saw that it had an emblem on it. It was a round rondel, with a layer of gold on the outside, followed by blue, white, and red in the center. Underneath was a list of their names, and a hyphen, with what was presumed to be their battlegroups, and underneath each was a a small description of that battlegroup.

Ace Trappola & Collei – British Air and Sea Battlegroup

Use naval support to draw the enemy’s attention, while you deploy airborne Commandos behind the lines.

Ruggie Bucchi and Noelle – Australian Defense Battlegroup

Waylay the enemy advance with stout infantry, emplacements and heavy weaponry.

Silver – British Heavy Armor Battlegroup

Deploy advanced tanks and keep them in the field longer with improvements to Sappers and crews.

Jamil Viper – Indian Artillery Battlegroup

Drive the enemy back with fierce infantry tactics and overwhelming artillery barrages.

As they read all that, Ruggies eyes began to wander. And he realized that none of them were wearing the clothes they were beforehand. 

“Hey, guys, our clothes have changed.” At that, everyone looked at each other, and realized that their clothes had changed. 

Silver, was dressed in light khaki short sleeved shirt and shorts. A pair of short boots and long socks were on his feet, and atop his head was a black beret with a silver badge on it. Around his neck, a pair of goggles, and a headset was also around his neck. A bag was slung across his body that, as Silver examined, contained maps. On his belt was a revolver in a holster.

Jamil meanwhile, was also wearing khaki tan shorts, but instead was wearing a blue button up short sleeve shirt. A backpack was on his back, while long socks and boots were on his feet. On his belt was a large scabbard, with a large curved knife within. Atop his head was a wide brimmed hat. 

Ruggie and Noelle were dressed the same. Both had khaki tan shorts and short sleeve shirts, although Ruggie had a darker tan coat on top. A backpack and webbing accompanied both. On their feet, boots, long socks, and anklets can be found. Atop both their heads were slouch hats, with the left side folded up and clipped. On the band around the base of the hat, a small felt patch can be found. A kerchief was around Noelles neck. 

Collie had a red beret on her head, while the rest of her body was obstructed with a camouflage smock, with brown pants at that meet with brown boots. A belt with a knife was one her waist. 

Ace, for his part, wore a brownish khaki coat, and long pants, with a blue kerchief around his neck and a khaki beret on his head. On his belt was a bag of maps, and a revolver in a holster. 

As they all looked around, Collie checked her pockets, and found a note. 

“Uh… guys.” At that, everyone looked towards her. 

“I, uh, found something.” At that, everyone looked at the note. 

It had instructions of both where to find the battlegroup, what their abilities are, and also, their first targets.

At that, a ding can be heard behind them all, and they all turned their heads to the board. 

First mission: Win a small skirmish against enemy forces, by yourself and your battlegroup . 

At that, they all had a feeling, that their time here will be anything but peaceful.

Chapter Text

Noelle and Ruggie left the tent first, pondering over their new roles. In Ruggie’s hand was a map, pointing out where to head to. Noelle meanwhile, looked over a note that she had received about what their battlegroup is suited for. 

“Ruggie?” Ruggie turned to Noelle. “Before we get started we might need to figure out what they mean. Ruggie paused, thinking it over, before gesturing to a spot to sit down in. They both sit down on some rocks, looking over their description. 

Waylay the enemy advance with stout infantry, emplacements and heavy weaponry.

“Ok,” Ruggie began. “So it appears that we might be a more defensive force.” He scowled at that. “But why me? I mean, to be honest I tend to be pretty aggressive at times, always pursuing something. Not sure why they have deemed me to be well fitted for a defensive battlegroup.” 

Noelle, for her part, just shrugged. “Well, I don’t know about you, but I had a geo vision, which tends to be viewed as a more defensive element.” Before they could continue they saw a runner coming up to them. It was a man, who was dressed much in the same way as the two of them, Ruggie more specifically. 

The only difference was the knapsack on his back accompanied by webbing around his belt and straps of the pack. 

The rifle slung over his shoulders was the other. 

He stopped just in front of the two, before saluting.

“You two bludgers the new officers for our battlegroup?” At that, Ruggie and Noelle nodded. 

“Great,” the man gestured to them to follow him. “We will be needing you guys. Jerries bout to launch a strike on us, and we’ve been told to hold the line.” At that, they both followed him, as he approached a truck, within another 4 men dressed in the same manner and armed in the same manner were sitting. The man climbed up, before lifting the two of them, and slammed the side of the truck, and soon the truck began speeding off to an unknown frontline. 

…

As the truck stopped, Noelle, Ruggie, and the other troops left the truck, and soon the troops were deployed along a stretch of fortification. Much of it was made up of sandbags atop a wooden and dirt wall about chest high, with barbed wire on the other side. All around are another three sections of 5 man sections of men armed and equipped in the same manner. 

Soon, a note appeared in Noelle and Ruggies hand. 

In Ruggie’s hand, a note appeared to have labeled with a single objective at the top, with some more lines blurred out. 

Prepare for defense. (time left: 3 min)

“Why do we have only 3 minutes to defend?!?”

Meanwhile, Noelle’s note has a different thing on it. 

Australian Light Infantry Section

Standard infantry effective against infantry at medium-range. Fast capture speed. Can build defenses and defensive Sangar Walls.  

Noelle, eyes narrowed at a certain line. 

Can build defenses.

She then glanced around, and realized that at the moment now, they had some 4 units of such Australian Light Infantry sections. Each one had an icon above the cluster of 5. The icon was that of some sort of animal that was leaping, and underneath was some sort of curved thing. She points at one of the units. 

“Uh, you?” The unit she pointed to immediately had one of them snap to attention. 

“Aussie rats here.” Noelle glances around. She is used to taking orders. Giving them is something else entirely. 

“It says you can build defenses?” 

“Sure thing mate. We can build HMG nests, sangar walls, a Bofor emplacements, or 17 pound emplacements.” Noelle paused. Trying to figure out what they do. She gestured towards an area. 

“Can you build one of those HMG nests here?” The Man nods, before turning to the rest of the section. 

“Alright fellas, time to build something.” And with that, that section of 5 goes to the spot, and seemingly out of nowhere begins to materialize sandbags and riveted metal. Ruggie and Noelle watched, and at that moment, a connection was made. 

“You lot,” Ruggie said, pointing to another section. “Can you build one of these ‘17 pounders’ over there?”

“Shovels, picks, and a shit-load of ticks. We’re on it.” Ignoring the slightly scandalized look of Noelle at hearing such casual swearing, the section headed over, and began making a large sandbag emplacement. Noelle turned to another one. 

“Can you help them?” 

“Sure thing, let’s lend them a hand fellas.”

Finally they turned to the final section. 

“Can you guys build this so-called ‘Bofors’ emplacement?” 

“A-A gun on the way.”

Soon, the area around them was ringing with the sound of shoveling, as sandbags were filled. And both Ruggie and Noelle had an urge. 

An urge to help join in help building. Noelle approached the Bofor one, and began helping to stack the sandbags. 

Ruggie meanwhile helped with putting up webbing over the nearly completed 17 pounder. 

Finally the sound of shoveling ceased. An HMG nest was made, within it a two man crew surrounded a machine gun aimed outwards. 

The 17 pounder emplacement meanwhile had webbing covering the top, within it laid a large artillery piece with a long thin barrel. 

The Bofor meanwhile was open aired, with a some sort of anti-air gun in it. 

“Sirs,” one of the section leads said. “We can be equipped with scopes.” At that, Ruggie gestured vaguely. 

“Ok, um, you can equip the,” he squinted at the paper. “‘Scoped lee enfield rifles’ upgrade.” At that, in each of the 4 units, 3 of the men in each took out a scope, attaching to top of the rifle. 

Just in time as Ruggie’s note flashed, a line striking through the previous objective. 

Prepare for defense.

It was then replaced by a new objective. 

Repel assaults. (5 min)

Soon, someone yelled out. 

“Incoming attack!!!” 

At that, Ruggie, Noelle, and the 4 units rushed to the sangar walls and began hiding behind it. Soon, several sections of troops began rushing towards them. The troops attacking were wearing greenish-tan uniforms, with helmets that covered much of the top and back of their head. Most of them were carrying rifles, submachine guns, and light machine guns. Above their heads were icons as well, a mixture of a single chevron underneath with either a cross or an SMG on top. The HMG and Bofors both began opening fire, as did the Australian light infantry.

Soon an icon appeared over many of them, flashing a yellow triangle, alongside a line of text that simply read “ Pinned ”.

Soon, with each slam of the Bofor landing near them, the numbers began to drop, as people were killed. Soon, some of them had a red exclamation mark alongside their icon, as the troops stood up, and began running away.

Ruggie checked the note again. 

“We need to hold for another 4 minutes.” Noelle nodded, as a second wave of infantry began attacking. 

HMG and the Bofor once again open up, supported by the Light infantry troops. Soon, the story repeated, as they got pinned by the HMG and then forced to retreat under the onslaught of both the Bofor and the Light infantry. 

Ruggie checked his note. 

3 minutes left. 

Suddenly, a new unit appeared on the field. They were distinctly different, as they were dressed in long grayish-black overcoats, with simple round helmets atop their head, and gas masks on their face. Each one carried a Submachine gun, except for two men in each section equipped with what Ruggie was realizing was a flamethrower. Over each 6 man section, an icon of a flaming sword. Soon, smoke grenades were thrown, preventing them from being seen by the HMG and Bofors. Soon, they got closer to the wall, and were finally can be seen again. 

This time, they were close enough to fire back at a more devastating range. As they opened up, the walls began to shake as round after round slammed into the wall. Soon, breaths of flame streaked overhead. Both Ruggie and Noelle escaped unharmed, but the flame swallowed up two men in one of the sections who began screaming. However, finally, the attacking masked men were soon forced to fall back as well, as the rest of the line held. 

Funnily enough, the entire time in the last 2 now 3 minutes, the 17 pounder never fired. 

“Why isn’t that 17 pounder doing anything?” Noelle simply shrugged at Ruggie. 

This changed when a new foe appeared. It wasn’t infantry, as it was instead a larger vehicle. A tank of some sort, (unknown to Ruggie and Noelle, it was a Panzer III medium tank) and Noelle and Ruggie’s face dropped, as they realized that their bullets probably won’t penetrate it. 

Then the 17 pounder fired. 

It slammed into the side, knocking the treads about, forcing the vehicle to a stop. At the same time, the gun on the vehicle swerved towards one section of the sangar wall, and fired.

It missed Ruggie and Noelle, but took down half of one of the sections, leaving only two out of the five men standing. 

The 17 pounder fired again, hitting the same spot again. This time, the tank went up in smoke and flames, as the vehicle was knocked out of action. 

Ruggie finally checked the note again. 

1 minute left. Suddenly, three things happened. 

More of the gas masked men alongside more of those regular troops arrived. 

Another vehicle of the same type appeared. 

And finally, a plane flew overhead. 

The Bofor turned upwards, and began firing, shooting down the plane that fell harmlessly to the side. 

It then turned back to the ground, aiming and firing at the oncoming infantry, alongside the HMG, and the Australians. The gas masked men were pinned first, while the others were slowly cut down as well. 

The 17 pounder meanwhile opened fire, hitting the tank again. 

Ruggie and Noelle both noticed that some of the attacking troops were getting to the side, out of focus compared the mass attacking the front. 

Quickly both Noelle and Ruggie saw the remains of two of the Australians. 

And their rifles. 

Quickly both lunged forward, picking them up and aimed at the unit passing by. It was depleted somewhat, consisting of 3 men instead of the regular 5. But it would still be a threat if they were able to get behind the sangar walls. 

Noelle and Ruggie tried to remember how the Australians around them used the rifle. 

So they both aimed, and fired, pulling back the bolt to eject the spent round. 

They must have had beginner's luck, as they both struck a different soldier, as they fell over dead. The third one was alerted to them, and began aiming a shorter weapon. 

It was a submachine gun. With a burst, he opened fire, bullets passing by a bewildered Noelle and Ruggie. Both crouched down, as the bullets ricocheted around them. 

Suddenly, it stopped. They peaked over as they saw the attacker collapsed dead, as a Bofor round went through him. Suddenly, Ruggie remembered the note and checked. 

Sure enough, the line was crossed through the defensive objective. They peaked back over the sangar wall, and saw the remaining surviving attackers fall back, while the Australians around them cheered. Both Ruggie and Noelle gave a sigh of relief. Especially as down the road, came a convoy of trucks, each one sporting the same rondel that marked their initial vehicle. 

They knew that they survived. 

They didn’t know that their nightmare had just begun.

Chapter Text

Silver left the tent shortly after Ruggie and Noelle left. He was immediately approached by someone dress much in the same way as him. 

“Sir,” the man said, after giving him a crisp salute. “You are needed. Follow me.” At that, he turned and began walking, with SIlver following after him.

Running through his mind was the description of his battlegroup. 

Deploy advanced tanks and keep them in the field longer with improvements to Sappers and crews.

‘ What does that mean? What even is a tank? ’

…

He learned quickly. In front of him were about 5 vehicles. Each one of them were larger than him, hulking iron beasts, with the air thick with the smell of diesel. Each one had fearsome guns sticking out of turrets on top.

When Silver looked at each one, an icon appeared overhead, and he checked a note in his pocket. 

According to the notes, he had 2 Matilda IIs, 2 Crusader IIIs, and one Churchill IV.

The man beckoned him to the Churchill IV. It was a long tank, and was massive in his eyes. A hatch on the side opened, and a harsh voice called out “Get inside laddie!” At that, Silver entered the hatch, and after some maneuvering with the assistance of the crew, he was quickly topside, sticking his chest up out of the turret. He then checked his notes, where two objectives were written down. 

Eliminate 5 enemy tanks (0/5)

Eliminate 10 infantry squads (0/10)

At that, Silver nodded, before stretching forth his hand. 

“All units, advance.” In an instant, the tank lurched forward, and began rolling forwards, alongside the other 4 tanks. 

…

After about 5 minutes, they quickly found an enemy tank, accompanied by what appeared to be 2 infantry squads of 4 men each. They appeared to be repairing the vehicle.

Silver checked his notes, about the various tanks he has. 

Crusader III Medium Tank

Medium tank effective against infantry and vehicles. Most effective against tanks when flanking. Light armor.

Matilda II Heavy Tank

Heavy tank effective against light vehicles and infantry. Strong frontal armor.

Churchill IV Heavy Tank

Heavy tank effective against infantry, vehicles, and can damage tanks. High health, strong frontal and side armor, but slow speed.

At that, Silver nodded, quickly figuring out how he should approach this. He then spoke into his headset. 

“Matildas.”

“Queen of the Desert,” replied the tank crew of one of them, also in a harsh, gutteral voice.

“I need you two to attack the two infantry squads.”

“Aye sir!”

“Crusaders.”

“Sir?” 

“I need you to strike at the tank.” 

“Shall be done.”

“Churchill.”

“Aye sir?”

“Strike at the tank first, then assist in taking out the infantry.”

“Yes sir.”

And soon, the tanks began their attack. 

The Matildas fired off a shot, and soon, both of the squads were reduced by half. 

The Crusaders fired off their shots while the Matildas reloaded, firing machine guns to keep the infantry suppressed.

Both shots struck true, and the tank went up in flames. At that moment, the Churchill finally fired, wiping out one of the squads. 

The other one soon follows from a burst of the machine gun of one of the Matildas. 

Soon, a shot struck the side of the Churchill, threatening to knock Silver to the side. Silver turns and sees enemy reinforcement in the form of another tank and 2 infantry squads. 

“Gunner, take them out.”

At that, the turret turns, and fires a shot, taking out most of one of the squads, while the second squad was struck by a round from the Matilda, before being wiped out by a round from the other Matilda. 

The Crusaders both aimed at the tank, and fired, knocking it out with a writing of ‘ Crew shocked ’ appearing overhead. One of the Crusaders fired again, finally killing the tank. 

A golden star appeared over the icon of the Crusader who struck the killing blow. A cry comes from the radio from that tank. 

“Fuck yeah, we’ve been promoted.” Silver felt his face recoil a little at such casual swearing. Nonetheless, he was a little happy about the promotion.

As for the last part of the infantry squad, they were soon wiped out with a shot from one of the Matildas, who also gained a golden star above their icon. 

“PROMOTED!!!” Silver smiled a little at the enthusiasm. 

Soon the tanks began rolling again, as they sought their query. 

Silver checked his notes again. 

Eliminate 5 enemy tanks (2/5)

Eliminate 10 infantry squads (4/10)

After a little bit, they come across another 2 tanks, with 4 squads around them. 

Silver orders the Crusaders to shoot at one tank each, while the Matildas tied down the infantry. 

The Churchill, meanwhile, was to assist in taking out one of the tanks, before helping the other. 

Soon, all guns blazed. Each Crusader tank struck true, but not enough to take the tanks out, and soon, those tanks fired back. 

They both struck the fronts of the Matildas, but they merely shrugged it off like it was nothing. They also returned fire, taking out swaths of infantry. 

The Churchill finally fired, striking the first tank, and it lit up like a roman candle. 

The turret traversed as the Matildas fired another round, finally wiping out two of the four squads.

One of the Crusaders fired another shot, finally killing the other enemy tank. As that happened, the Churchill fired a round, wiping out the other two infantry squads, who were so close together.

Silver let out a sigh of relief… Until a round struck the rear of one of the Crusaders, lighting it up. Silver snapped his head in its direction, just in time to see it go up in flames, and a scream in the headset get cut off.

Silver turned around as best as he could, to see the fifth tank, and two squads that accompanied it. And this tank was much larger. 

The radio chattered to life. 

“SHIT! TIGER!!!”

“OH FUCK!!!”

Soon, SIlver thought up something as the Tiger’s turret traversed. He yelled into his headset. 

“ALL UNITS TRY TO FLANK IT! STAY OUT OF ITS LINE OF SIGHT!”

All of Silver’s tanks began moving to the side, at an angle.

The Tiger fired again, narrowly missing the other Crusader. Finally the Crusader and the two Matildas all fired, aiming at various angles. 

They all struck the Tiger’s side, knocking it out. The Tiger tries to make one final shot, aimed at the Churchill. 

The Churchill also aimed at the Tiger. 

They both fired. 

The Churchill struck the side of the Tiger, and soon a plume of flames roared out of the Tiger. 

The Tiger meanwhile struck the Churchill head on. The tank survived, but Silver was knocked back, and his back flared in pain at smacking into the rim of the hatch. He let out a roar of agony, before slumping forward, yelling into his headset, while ignoring both his back pain and his voice cracked. 

“WE GOT THE TIGER!!! SMOKE THE FUCKING INFANTRY!!!”

And at once, all four surviving tanks fired, and it was shockingly swift, as the two infantry squads were less killed, and were more turned into paste. 

At that, Silver let out ragged breaths, trying to regain his composure. He wasn’t even fully aware that for the first time in his life, he swore. He checked his notes.

Eliminate 5 enemy tanks (5/5)

Eliminate 10 infantry squads (10/10)

Silver let out a deep sigh. 

“Fantastic work guys. Let’s head back.” Soon, all the tanks began turning around, and heading back. 

Silver was exhausted. 

Yet he could not even sleep. 

Adrenaline, the fight, and the Tiger thrilled him, to the same degree he felt whenever he wielded the sword. 

This was matched only by the soberness of seeing a Crusader go up in flames.

Chapter Text

While the boys confessed what occurred to Yuu, in another world, a similar event is occurring. 

Lumine had noticed that Noelle and Collei were different. Most of the Knights of Favonius and many of her friends in Sumeru noticed when they both went missing for a week. 

They returned, but slightly changed. 

Everyone knew that it was the same two they had known and loved, but there were some differences. 

Both were still nice, but they seemed to have picked up swearing, though they were both very selective of how they use it. 

Noelle notably avoided using it around Klee, for which Albedo was very grateful for. 

Noelle however, much to the confusion of much of Mondstadt, had seemed to pick up some skills with construction, as well as a familiarity with firearms and cannons. 

Enough so, that she was able to detect where firearms were used, long after they were gone, helping Amber, Diluc, and Rosaria with capturing some Fontainian smugglers. 

Collie did as well, but the thing that gave Tighnari a heart attack was the fact that she was able to do long jumps from higher than normal. When he wrote about it to Amber, she was getting alarmed at the heights Collie was jumping at. 

However, the biggest change was that they too seemed like they were missing someone. 

They begin asking Lumine herself, on how one might travel worlds. 

That prompted Lumine to ask, especially because this occurred while in the teapot, with Tighnari and Jean nearby.

And thus, Collie began recounting .

…

As Collei exited the tent alongside Ace, they both checked their notes. 

The description of their battlegroups was simple, yet still confusing. 

Use naval support to draw the enemy’s attention, while you deploy airborne Commandos behind the lines.  

At that, two men came up. One was dressed like Collei, albeit with a backpack on, and some sort of submachine gun strapped to his back. 

The other one, to put it mildly, didn’t look like either of them. 

He in fact looked more like a naval officer. It was dark blue, from top to bottom, with a white shirt and a black tie underneath a dark blue coat. Gold embroidery on the cuffs jumped out as well. Atop the man’s head was a white officer’s cap. 

“You two for the Air and Sea?” Ace and Collei nodded. 

“Great,” said the man in the red beret. “You with the red beret, you’re with me, you in the tan one, you’re with the naval guy.” 

And soon, they departed separate ways, but both destined for the same end goal. 

…

Ace was relieved somewhat. He was taken to a ship, and was given a new uniform, one closer to what the man who took him had on. He looked at himself in the mirror, and admitted that this uniform looked rather nice on him. 

He then was guided by a sailor to the command room, where a map was laid out. By it is a note, which Ace realized is the objectives of the mission. Rather unusually though, Collie and Ace were listed separately, and had different objectives.

Ace: Destroy 3 Coastal Gun positions (0/3)

Collei: Destroy 3 fuel tanks (0/3)

Ace then looked to the side, and saw a list of icons. A sailor approaches him. 

“Sir,” Ace nodded to him. 

“Those icons are call-ins, to help assist in both our objectives, and in Collei’s.” Ace nodded back a thanks, before looking at them. 

He then checked the map, and saw that it was empty. “How do we know where they are?” 

At that, a passing sailor responded. “Well, that’s what Collei and her boys are for.” Ace nods in understanding before checking the map again. 

“Wait, what boys?” 

…

Collei, for her part, was not having as much of a good time. She was in a plane, far higher than what she has ever glided from back in Sumeru or Mondstadt. 

Around her were 6 men, all of them much bigger than her, all dressed the same as her, only with addition of backpacks, ropes, explosives, and submachine guns.

 Above them, was an icon of a knife, and in the upper left corner of it, what Collei thinks is a box with a handle on top. (She would only find out, that it is a detonator for explosives)

She herself was strapped onto the chest of the largest man there, like a baby carrier. 

She initially resisted, until they told her that unless she learned how to use a parachute on the fly, then better strapped to another. 

She stopped resisting after that. 

Still made her uncomfortable though. 

Over at one corner of the long tube, was a man, dressed like them. He then turned and found a light hanging above the door had turned red. He then turned towards them. 

“Alright lads, time to jump, get ready.” At that, they all stood up, and attached a cord to a line that hung from the ceiling. Collei was brought up alongside the man who stood up, and with arms and legs dangling, she felt as the man attached to her clipped onto the line. 

The jumpmaster continued. “Alright, remember, you are all Commandos. Do your bloody jobs, and do it well. Remember, you’re here because you’re good at killing, and society, dun like ya.” Collei suddenly felt as though she was just thrown to the wolves. 

She quickly checked her notes, which had in them the objectives as well as unit description. 

Commando Section

Elite infantry extremely effective against infantry at short-range. Can throw grenades and anti-tank bombs. Heals when out of combat.  

Underneath, it had a note, adding something she was quickly becoming familiar with. 

Can be air-dropped anywhere on the map except for enemy HQ territory.

‘ I’m sorry, air-dropped?!? ’

The Jumpmaster yelled out again, which was beginning to unsettle Collei’s nerves. 

“ARE WE HAPPY?” 

The entire section screamed in response “HELL YEAH WE ARE!” 

Collei merely whimpers out, “I’m not.” The rest of the section laughed, while the Jumpmaster smiled. 

“Too bad,” he then turned to the rest. “When the light’s green, you jump.” 

Suddenly, the light changes to green, and the door opens. The Jumpmaster then turns to the rest. 

“GO, GO, IT’S GREEN!!! GO ME BOYS AND ONE LASSIE!!!” 

At that, each man goes to the door, and jumps out, the line snapping, as the man falls, the clip that connects the man to the line the only thing remaining. 

Finally, it was Collei’s turn. Or rather, the commando she was strapped to’s turn. 

Collei began whimpering. “Please don’t…” The commando gives her a soft look. 

“Sorry, orders are orders. Now cross your arms, and keep your legs together.” 

“Wait, wha–” She didn’t finish, as the commando stepped out of the plane, the line being disconnected. 

She instead began screaming, as they began their descent. It didn’t last long, as finally, the parachute is engaged, and the pair begins slowly floating down. 

Collei slowly opens her eyes, to see the rest of the section floating down to the earth. Her eyes change from fear to wonder. 

She then looked down… 

Nope, back to fear.

At least this time she was merely paralyzed by fear for the rest of the 374 meters (1230 feet) down.

Chapter Text

“Hey, lassie, you right as rain?” Collei came back to awareness, as the commando she was strapped to tried to rouse her from her fear-based paralysis. Collei shook her head.

“I’m awake if that’s what you are asking.” The commando nodded.

“Good, now, have any orders for us?” Collei stood up, and checked her notes. 

Ace: Destroy 3 Coastal Gun positions (0/3)

Collei: Destroy 3 fuel tanks (0/3)

Collei then glanced around. 

“Does anyone know where the fuel tanks are?” 

One of the commando’s raised his hand. 

“No clue, but I think because you are one of the commanders, you can call in Assault flares. Might help us find it.” At that, Collei checked in her notes again, and found a page labeled ‘Call ins.’

Assault Flares

Illuminates enemy front-line sectors with flares that provide vision. Infantry squads move and fire faster during the ability's duration.

She double checked underneath the page, that simply said to label the spot on her map, and it will be called in. 

She checked her map, placed her finger on a spot, and was soon radioed in. 

The rest of the commandos looked over the distance, and one of them pointed. 

“Found the bloody tanks. Over there!” At that, Collei looked over, and found a trio of long silver tubes high off the ground, presumably the fuel tanks in question. Collei turned to the rest. 

“Well, let’s get going.” At that, the commandos nodded, and the group headed there.

…

Ace for his part was looking over his map, when finally, a radio came in. 

“Commander Ace, we can now deploy Centaur infantry support tanks to the battlefield.” At that, a sailor ran up to him. 

“Sir, we can deploy a centaur, and we have several units of Foot guard on standby as well to deal with the coastal guns.” At that, Ace nodded, and checked his notes. 

Centaur IV Medium Tank

Medium tank very effective against infantry and structures.

Foot Guards Section

Elite infantry very effective against infantry and vehicles. Most effective against infantry at short-range.

At that, Ace nodded.

“Let’s go hunting for these coastal guns shall we?” 

A few minutes later, He was atop the centaur tank. 

It was decently sized, though much bigger than he initially thought. The royal marines inside were nice enough though to let him be in the turret, and thus able to look out. 

Around the tank are 4 units, each one a group of 6 men, wearing tan khaki uniforms, blue kerchiefs around their neck, and tan berets atop their head. In each one, 4 of them were armed with submachine guns, and 2 would carry long tubes.

Above each unit, was what looked like a stylised sun. Ace could guess that they were the ‘Foot Guards’ in question. Ace checked his map, then looked back up. 

“All right, time to find the coastal guns.”

…

Collei and the commandos approached the fuel point, and quickly realized that they were not alone. 

In front, surrounding the fuel tanks were various units, with icons above their heads, mainly that of a stylised bomb with hunting horns beneath. Many of them were wearing safari style hats, with large ostrich plumes on the side.

Collei checked her notes again, checking the Commandos’ skills. Immediately, she spotted one, ‘ High-Explosive Demo Charge ’.

Plants a demolition charge at the target position. Extremely effective against structures and stationary units.

She then looked over, then back to the commando section, then at the guards. 

There were a lot of units guarding the place. She then looked at her notes again, and found another call in. 

Commando LMG Section paradrop

Paradrops a Commando LMG Section. Very effective against infantry at long-range and can camouflage in cover.

Immediately, she had an idea forming in her head. She checked her map again, and then pointed right next to her unit. 

She then sat down and waited. 

Within about a minute, she looked up, and saw another four men, dressed in the same way come down in parachutes. As they landed, four of them pulled out bolt action rifles, while the forth pulled out a machine gun with a large drum on the top.

Over their head, a simple knife was their icon. 

She then turned to the two units.

“Ok, LMG section, I want you to focus fire on the guards, and the commando section, plant a demolition charge on the tanks.” Both nodded, and the commandos broke cover, while the LMG opened fire. 

Immediately, all the guards' attention were on the LMG, firing back at the section, but not before some of the units lost some men. 

While that happened the commandos rushed towards the tanks, and as the rest opened fire, one of them crouched behind it and began working on the charge.

Collei can only watch from behind the cover next to the LMG, as shots flew by them. 

She peaked over in time to see the commandos having finished planting the charges, but not before losing two men on the ground, shot through by returning fire.

The commandos fall back to the wall, and one of them gives Collei a small box with a handle on top.

“You have the honor, just twist it.”

Collei nodded, before twisting the handle. 

She immediately heard the sound of an explosion, and peaked over to see the explosion tearing through the fuel tanks, and lighting the place ablaze. 

Soon the fire also consumed the guards standing by in flames, and Collei slumped behind the wall, hands clutched to her ears, trying (unsuccessfully) to block out their screams. One of the commandos glanced at her, before turning to the rest. 

“Put them out of their misery, and shoot the fuckers.”

Collei tried to remember breathing exercises that Tighnari taught her, while her men fired a couple of disjointed volleys, silencing the screams. 

After a couple of deep breaths, Collei stood up, and looked at the map. She then checked her notes. 

Ace: Destroy 3 Coastal Gun positions (0/3)

Collei: Destroy 3 fuel tanks (3/3)

“Well,” she began, drawing attention to her. “Let’s go help out Ace.”

And with that, the group moved on, leaving behind the smell of burning fuel and flesh. 

…

Ace found the coastal guns very easily. 

Destroying them was another issue.

At the moment, an enemy machine gun was firing nonstop at the foot guards. Above their head, in bright red, was the word “ Pinned ”.

His tank can’t help, as the enemy that aren’t machine guns are focusing fire on him. He then had an idea. 

“Centaur! Aim at the machine gun, ignore the others.” 

“YES SIR! RIGHT AWAY SIR!” The Centaur turned its turret, and aimed at the machine gun.

Or rather, slightly above it. Ace was confused, until the tank fired, a ringing noise resounding in his ears. 

Ace watched as the shell went in an arc, before smashing into the machine gun, instantly killing the crew.

At that, Foot guard units looked around, then looked at the other troops firing on them, and began firing themselves, while the Centaur turned its turret. It fired a second time, smashing into another unit, and sent several of them into the air. At that, the icon above that unit flashed a red exclamation mark, and the men in that unit began fleeing. 

One of the foot guards approached one of the coastal guns, and threw a small round pack of some sort, and once it landed, proceeded to explode, destroying the gun. Another of the foot guards unit aims the tube at the other one, before firing, sending an explosive charge at it, which detonates, taking the coastal gun with it.

Silence fell over the field as the last of the guarding units were either killed or driven off. Ace checked his notes. 

Ace: Destroy 3 Coastal Gun positions (2/3)

Collei: Destroy 3 fuel tanks (3/3)

Wait, where is the third one?

Finally, a voice came over the radio. 

“Hey Ace, this is Collei, I think I found the third coastal gun, want to reconvene?” Ace paused, before leaning into the radio. 

“Keep your distance, we’ll come to support you guys. Then we’ll take it out together.” At that, the radio went silent, but before Collei responded, an explosion was heard on the other end. A Foot guard nearby heard the noise from it. 

“Shit, sounds like the commandos ran into trouble.” 

Ace gave a sigh. “Time to help my hapless co-commander.” He turned to the rest. “Let’s go.”

…

“HOLD THE LINE!” Collei screamed, before ducking back, as several rounds flew over head, where her head was. 

She was in a situation. The two sections have been ducked behind sandbags, as ahead, the Coastal gun was still aimed outwards, while the troops defending continued to fire on them, preventing them from moving anywhere. The evidence of that was the two dead commandos in front of the sandbag.

The bigger issue was the tank that was set up ahead, aiming at the group. 

A commando has thrown a grenade, which has rattled it, but not enough to destroy it. At that moment, she glanced at her notes. 

‘ The Call-ins! ’ 

She quickly flipped through her notes, before her eyes landed onto one of the choices. 

Naval Bombardment

Fires heavy artillery shells at the target area. Massive blast radius. Extremely effective against stationary targets.

‘ Well fuck it. ’

She grabbed the map, and pointed at the spot just ahead of where they were, in the middle of the opposing forces. 

Suddenly, some flares landed in an area around that spot, while one of the commandos turned to the rest. 

“ARTILLERY! TAKE COVER!” 

Four massive explosions rang out, as four shells from a Naval ship slammed into the earth around them, wrecking mayhem all around. 

The noise was unbearable, and Collei let out a scream as the sound overwhelmed her senses in every way and shape. She meekly opened her eyes as one of the commandos mouthed to her “ Open your jaw. ” She promptly did, and the noise seemed to be slightly more bearable.

She then gathered the nerves to look over the sandbag. Part of her wishes she didn’t. 

The coastal gun was wrecked. The tank was on fire. And all the enemy troops were gone. 

Not as in that they disappeared, but in that they were now reduced to clumps of flesh on the ground, or just smears of red on the ground.

Collei felt a heaving sensation as she turned away, resisting the urge to vomit. At that, the rescue group finally arrived. Ace peered out of the tank turret, glancing at the scene, before looking back to Collei. 

“I see you’ve been busy.”

Collei turned to Ace. 

“Yeah, they were causing us trouble. Had to call in support.” Ace grimaced a little at that. He then stood up, and stepped down, dismounting from the tank. 

And he began walking to Collei, before letting out a sigh. 

“Well, it appeared we finished, so I think we can get out of here.” Collei finally looked at the notes. 

Ace: Destroy 3 Coastal Gun positions (3/3)

Collei: Destroy 3 fuel tanks (3/3)

Collei shrugged. “Let’s head back.” At that, Ace turned before pausing, and turning back to Collei. 

“You need a ride? I think the tank can hold more.” Collei pauses, before nodding, and both Ace and Collei clamoring up the side of the Centaur. As the combined group headed back, different thoughts ran through different people’s minds. 

Ace? ‘ If this is what we have access to, what will they have? ’

Collei? The sight of the burnt guards, the still commandos, and the pulverized coastal gun guards ran through her mind. 

And the troops around them? 

When Ace and Collei finally got to the tank, a foot guardsman and a commando turned to each other. 

“You think they will start dating?” 

The foots guardsman paused, before turning again. 

“Fifty pounds says a month.”

Chapter Text

Jamil was the last to exit the tent, checking over his maps and notepad while he was still in there. 

Drive the enemy back with fierce infantry tactics and overwhelming artillery barrages.

He was confused, namely because of the fact that it sounded like his battlegroup was the most straightforward of the lot. 

As he left the tent, he was approached by a soldier, wearing a uniform similar to the ones around him, but with some differences, mainly in how he looked. 

He was significantly tanner, with a more brownish skin tone, and had a big black beard upon his face. Atop his head was a tan turban. 

Of course, some things look the same, namely the rifle upon his back. 

He stopped right in front of Jamil. 

“Excuse me sir,” the man began. “Are you in charge of the artillery battlegroup?” 

Jamil simply nodded. The soldier smiled. 

“Great, follow me sir.” And naturally, Jamil followed. 

…

Jamil looked out across what he was realizing was his force. 

Around him were 4 icons over groups of 6 men each. The icon was of two curved knives crossing, though curiously with the bend of the curve facing outwards. A crown was over the knives. 

Each of the men looked like what Jamil was wearing, although each of them also had the addition of rifles. 

Two of the groups only had rifles, one of them had a larger gun, a light machine gun of sorts, with a distinctive curved magazine on the top. 

The final group had everyone holding some submachine gun that actually looked familiar to Jamil. He was reminded of the guns that the gangsters in some of those Pyroxene films used.

Jamil checked his notes, and found one detailing the units. 

Gurkha Rifles Section

Elite infantry very effective against infantry at medium and long-range. Can throw smoke and Assault Grenades.

He then turned around, and found another three units of sorts. 

They were emplaced, a shallow hole dug into the sand, with sandbags on top for security. Within the pit, was a very large gun, an artillery piece of some sort. Within each pit, was a pair of men that looked more like the soldier who led Jamil here. They wore tan uniforms, with a tan turban on top, and had thick black beards. 

Above each pit was an icon that upon closer inspection, appeared to be the outline of the gun. 

Jamil checked his notes again, and once again, found the unit.

B.L. 5.5-Inch Artillery Emplacement

Artillery emplacement extremely effective against stationary targets. Must barrage to attack.

At that, Jamil thought over the description of his battlegroup, and thought of the units he has. 

‘ Fierce infantry check, artillery check. ’

He then checked his notes again, and finally found his objectives. 

Take the central point on the map

He then checked the map, and sure enough, there was a massive star placed atop a central point. 

Jamil then turned to the Gurkhas. 

“You lot!” At that one of the Gurkhas responded. 

“Gorkhali ready!” 

“Follow me, we have a point to capture.” The Gurkha turned to the rest of the units. 

“Come brothers, it is time to die!” 

Jamil was uncomfortable with that phrasing, and even more so when they all seemed to smile at that announcement.

…

As they approached the point, Jamil realized that the point was heavily defended. He had his four squads pause a little in the distance away from the point, hidden in some of the trenches in the area and behind a small rock formation.

He saw at least 5 icons, and Jamil realized that each icon meant that was a unit. 

He can take some guesses on what they are. 

One was clearly some sort of machine gun, and sure enough, there stood a machine gun entrenched. 

The other 4 units appeared to be a mix of troops armed with rifles or submachine guns. 

It would be suicide to rush as is. 

However, Jamil remembered something crucial. 

His battlegroup was an artillery group. 

He pulled out a map, and checked his location. 

One of the Gurkhas luckily had a wireless. Jamil beckoned for it, and was quickly given it, and Jamil began speaking into it.

“You guns.” 

A scratchy voice came over, with a semi thick accent. 

“You called?” 

“Can you strike at these coordinates?” 

“Sure thing. Beginning barrage!”

In the distance, the sound of artillery pieces can be heard. A loud whistling noise was heard, before the shells slammed all over the point area. 

Men and equipment were thrown up into the air, while the surface around the area deformed under the weight of the shells’ concussive power. 

Soon, the barrage stopped, and most of the units were dead or gone, as they either died, or began retreating, a red exclamation mark underneath. 

There was one exception. 

Sadly, it was the machine gun unit. 

The one thing that needed to be taken out. 

Jamil instinctively knew that if he was to just send the Gurkha squads out, they would cut down the moment that the HMG saw the–

Wait.

He turned to one of the Gurkha squads. 

“You guys.” 

Once again, one of the Gurkhas saluted. 

“Gorkhali at the ready!” 

“The notes said that you guys have smoke and assault grenades, am I right?” 

“Yes sir.” 

Jamil turned back to the HMG. 

He then pointed right in front of the HMG crew. 

“Can you throw a smoke grenade there, then an assault grenade there?”

The Gurkha gave a smile. 

“Yes sir,” the Gurkha then turned to the rest of the section. “Come my brothers, it is time.” 

The section began to approach the HMG nest, before stopping to throw several smoke grenades just as the HMG began firing. 

The HMG rounds missed the Gurkhas, and as the smoke filled up the area, the HMG stopped. 

At that, Jamil watched as each and every one of the Gurkhas pulled out a grenade, pulled the pin, and lobbed it over into where the HMG was. 

At once, six grenades went off, and the HMG was silenced. One of the Gurkhas turned back toward Jamil. 

“WE’VE WRECKED THE GERMAN HMG!” 

Jamil nodded, before pointing his finger towards the point. 

“All right, everyone, take that point!” 

Jamil and all the Gurkhas rushed the point, the Gurkhas fanning out to find cover, as well as to have as many eyes out, looking for potential enemies. 

Jamil looked up, and saw an icon above the point, that had an orange red outline going around a timer, which Jamil realized was the timer before the point was taken over. 

Slowly, the timer went on, and for a moment, the place was quiet. 

After about a half minute passed, the timer finally clocked out, and the flag atop the pole that was the point changed to a blue color. 

Jamil then checked his notes. 

Take the central point on the map

And with that, Jamil realized that his mission was over. Jamil then pulled out a compass, looking up and around the place, before sighing. 

“3 kilometers down, another 2,622 kilometers left to go.”

And with that, Jamil took out his canteen, and took a swig. 

This might take awhile.

Though while he was at it, he had a simple question for himself. 

He was proud to be Scarabian, albeit with complicated feelings in regards to being the Vice dorm head. He was proud of being able to scheme and plan with the rest of them. 

So why was he chosen to lead what sounded like to him to be the most straightforward and blunt of them all. 

Afterall, big boom and angry boys doesn’t sound all that cunning. 

And the angry boys weren’t even angry half the time. 

Little did he know that he would come to regret this line of thinking.

Chapter Text

Ruggie was starting to get annoyed. 

It wasn’t anything that his men did. They were fine for the most part, just talking, though he was slightly confused by some of their statements. 

“Scouses hate the Mancs, North hates the South. The Scots seem to hate everyone. Amazing that the Brits are fighting together.” A loud raucous laugh emerged from his Australian’s.

A softer, albeit confused laugh was joined as well, courtesy of Noelle. 

Noelle was the source of his annoyance either, though confusion was a better term. 

No, the source of Ruggie’s annoyance was the constant radio chatter between his own battlegroup and the others. 

From what he gathered, they were successful in their fights, and the one that was the furthest along was Jamil. So, talks were occurring to figure out where they were to go. 

Finally, they all agreed to just head over to Jamil’s location. As it was the furthest along the path. 

Ruggie turned away from the radio and towards Noelle. 

“Noelle, come here.” Noelle quickly jogs over to Ruggie. 

“Oh,” Noelle began. “What is it?” 

“Well, it appears we have all won our small skirmishes, and the rest of us talked, and apparently we are converging on Jamil’s location, since he was the farthest along.” 

Noelle nodded. 

“Very well, let’s lead the way.”

Ruggie nodded, before turning to the battlegroup.

“Everyone, we are moving out!”

“SURE THING!”

…

The Centaur rumbled on, with commandos and Foot Guards walking alongside it, with one section of commandos on top, alongside Collei and Ace.

Ace was in the turret, while Collei was sitting next to it. And they were listening in on the various chats of the commandos. 

“I saw the sign there. No dogs, no Irish. What kind of a welcome is that?” 

“I don’t hold with Republicans who won’t fight in this war. They’re too willing to hide behind us bastards who will.”

“The bishop can kiss my arse and call me Mary before I go to confession for anything I’ve done over here. Tell you that much.”

Ace turned to Collei with a small shit-eating grin. 

“Some lot you got tangled up in.” Collie suddenly looked as though she might consider running. 

She didn’t because she decided she was working on getting along with people, so she gave a smile of sorts. The sort you give when you are trying to hide the fact that your aunt had just baked the driest cake in the world for a family gathering (trust me, I know this from personal experience).

Collie instead just gave a small chuckle. 

“Heh, yeah.” She then glanced forward again. “By the way, Ace, you look good in that uniform.” 

Ace turned, noting with some surprise that a blush seemed to have appeared on Collei. 

He opens his mouth to ask something…

* BOOM *

Out of nowhere a shell slammed into the side of the centaur. 

Collie get’s thrown to the side, only saved by Ace grabbing a hold of her hand, preventing her from falling off the tank. 

As the commandos dismount, a foot guard section gets slammed with MG fire, and soon, a foot guardsmen yells.

“CONTACT!” 

A second one yells out something that alarmed the rest of the units there, and put Collei and Ace on edge, even if they don’t fully understand what it meant. 

“TIGER TANK!!!”

And at that moment, a second shell slammed into the centaur.

…

Jamil looked over, and saw 4 massive metal vehicles roll up. 

‘ Those must be the tanks the briefing mentioned. ’ 

At that point the largest one pulls up alongside Jamil and his resting Gurkhas.

Jamil realizes that atop the turret of the tank, was Silver, leaning over. 

“Hello Jamil. I see you have been successful.” 

Jamil nodded. 

“Easy enough. Artillery did its job, and the infantry were fierce.” Jamil glanced around at the parked tanks. 

“And you?” 

Silver shrugged. 

“Well enough. We took out 5 of their tanks, and took out a fair amount of their infantry. Lost one of our tanks though.” Silver shuddered. 

“Jamil, we ran into a tank called a ‘Tiger’. I believe it should be important to caution you to avoid fighting those. The–” 

Before Silver could finish, the radio blared to life, and on the other end, was Collei. 

“SOMEONE HELP!!! WE ARE PINNED DOWN, AND WE ARE LOSING MEN!!! ACE IS DOWN!!! WE CAN’T CALL IN SUPPORT!!! SOMEONE HELP US!!! THEY HAVE A TIGER!!!”

Silver and Jamil stared at each other, and Jamil noticed that Silver’s face was marred with concern. 

They both looked at their maps, and realized with great horror that they both were now the furthest from Ace and Collei. 

The closest were Ruggie and Noelle.

…

“SOMEONE HELP US!!! THEY HAVE A TIGER!!!”

When Ruggie and Noelle heard that on the radio, they both checked their maps, and found that they were the closest. 

Ruggie and Noelle stepped away from the main body of their troops, to converse. 

“Well,” Ruggie began. “I don’t think that we can save them.”

Noelle looked confused at her face about that statement. 

“What do you mean? We’re the closest.”

Ruggie ran a hand through his hair, hat by his side. 

Noelle noticed with some interest and curiosity, the hyena ears on his head. 

“I know, but I don’t know about you, but the name ‘Tiger' sounds like something I don’t want to mess with.” 

Noelle leaned in, staring Ruggie in the eyes. 

“Ruggie, you said you knew Ace before this. Is he not your friend?” 

Ruggie seemed to shrink back, but he stood his ground. 

“Well, I wouldn’t call him a ‘friend’. An acquaintance at best. A friend of a friend, and friend of a friend that is friends with one of my underclassmen.” 

Noelle was not deterred. 

“In that case, how would you tell that underclassman and his friend, or your friend that you were willing to leave a friend of theirs to die?” 

Ruggie paused, considering all he knew about Night Raven College. 

Before he could finish that thought, Noelle continued. 

“I personally never met Collei, but she is a friend of one of my friends, and superiors at the Knights of Favonius, as well as with the traveler.” 

Noelle then fixes her gaze at Ruggie, and Ruggie is struck with the feeling that she was looking at his soul. 

“And if nothing else, I refuse to abandon others.” 

Ruggie let out a sigh, as though acknowledging something, and gave a small chuckle. 

“Damn you, and damn my consciousness,” he muttered under his breath. 

Ruggie turned to the rest of the Australians. 

“Alright, change of plans, we are going on a rescue mission. Ace, Collei, and their men are pinned by enemy forces.” 

The Australians stared, before they all gave a wide grin, and one of them spoke up. 

“Well, we heard you got trouble, and I believe over yonder, we have some tools that will help. They should be coming right about now.” 

Ruggie and Noelle looked over, and saw three gun crews. 

Two of them were groups of four men, carrying along a metal tube that Ruggie realized was a mortar. Over the head of those two units, was a bomb aimed downwards.

The third crew was a team of 4, lugging around what appeared to be a small artillery piece of sorts. Over their head was the outline of the gun. 

Noelle pulled out her notes. 

ML 3-inch Mortar Team

Heavy weapon very effective against structures, team weapons, and stationary infantry at long-range. Must be set-up to attack.

2-pounder Light Anti-tank Gun Team

Heavy weapon effective against light vehicles. Can damage tanks at short-range. Must be set-up to attack.

Noelle and Ruggie shared a look. 

“Well,” Noelle began. “Let’s go save Ace and Collei.”

Chapter Text

Collei half carried, half dragged Ace by his armpits, dragging him over to one of the rocks, as MG rounds flew by. 

Collei was resisting the urge to yell all the words that Mr. Tighnari tried to make sure she didn’t try to say after her “lovely” stay at “il Dottore”. 

Collei finally got to the rock, just as one of the Guards units peaked overhead, firing a burst from his Thompson, before ducking back down, giving enough time for Collei to make it behind the rock with Ace. 

She leaned Ace onto the rock, and began to observe the damage. She then began to quickly run through what happened. 

Ambushed by a massive enemy tank called a “Tiger”? Check.

Get pushed off the tank by Ace so that she was technically out of the blast radius? Check.

Check to make sure Ace was alive? Check, but he was unconscious, and he is losing some blood, his coat torn off in the blast, and the white button-down shirt gaining a bright dark red color.

Call for help? Check.

Get to cover? Now Check.

This leads us to now. Collei turning to one of the Guardsmen. 

“What’s the update?” 

“Buggered,” replied the Foots Guardsman. “Check the unit tabs.”

Collei looked around, and quickly was able to deduce that things had gone sideways. 

The Centaur tank had a huge plume of smoke coming out of it, with a smaller plume of flame coming out of it as well. The Tiger hasn’t fired its main gun again, but its machine guns certainly weren’t silent. Joining the tank was a pair of armored cars of sorts that began firing quick bursts at the 6 infantry units remaining, and Collei could see an HMG team setting up, as well as another 4 squads running up.

Three of these squads were those squads Collei had seen guarding the fuel tanks, with sun helmets with ostrich plumes stuck inside. The fourth squad had an icon of a flaming sword overhead, and consisted of 6 men, each one wearing dark grey overcoats, simple pot helmets on their head, with their face obscured by what Collei realized was a mask of sorts. Each one carried a submachine gun, except for two who carried a long tube, which in turn was attached to a metal canister on their back. 

At this point, Collei saw as the flaming sword unit approached one of the more exposed and isolated Foot Guards squads, before stopping. As they stopped and opened fire, the two men with canisters on their back aimed their tubes at the Foot Guards. 

Collei heard a voice from one of them. 

“ Bene , we’ll burn the stronzi out.” At once, jets of flames were shot out, and began burning the Foot Guardsmen. 

Collei flinched, as they screamed in agony, before it was silenced. Collei then flinched again when she heard from her wireless two sentences.

“Royal Marine Centaur lost to enemy fire.” 

“We have lost a squad of Foot Guards. May God have mercy on them.” 

Collei knew she needed to do something, and fast. She then quickly remembered the commandos. She turned and screamed at the commandos, her voice breaking from the effort. 

“Commandos, drop smoke and run. Foot Guards,” she yelled, turning to the other surviving 2 sections that were still out in the open. “Pull back here!” At once, the plan began to occur. 

The commandos threw several smoke grenades that began to billow into large greyish-white clouds, obscuring the view of both the tank and the HMG. 

As the Foot guards noticed that the firing had loosened up, they all immediately made a rush for the line of rocks that Collei and the Guard section and Commando LMG section emplaced with her and Ace. 

Collei meanwhile turned to the radio, before selecting one of the call ins. 

“STATION!!! Call an Incendiary Bombing Run here!” After she said that, several red flares landed on where the enemy forces were.

As the enemy squads began advancing, Collei looked up to see several large planes, reminiscent of the planes that dropped her here in the first place, fly over, before each one dropping an egg shaped metal tube that fell to the ground. 

“TAKE COVER!!!” As the Foot Guards and Commandos rushed to clear the blast zone, Collei quickly leaped over Ace, trying her best to shield Ace’s unconscious body.

At once, the bombs slammed into the earth, before bursting into massive roaring flames, consuming all that is flesh within its set trajectory. All the squads of the Ostrich feathered soldiers were swallowed up, their screams loud and unbearable to Collei’s ears. 

The HMG was burnt up as well, consumed by the flames. 

The vehicles though, were fine, unbothered by the flames, as all they did was simply move back, ensuring that the flames were no longer a hindrance, but also that they were no longer immediately firing at them anymore. 

The flame soldiers had advanced far enough that the flames merely licked greedily at their backs. Collei then turned back, seeing the results. She tried to ignore it, before turning to Ace, and began trying to apply padding, anything to slow the bleeding. AAs she did so, she continued hoping and praying that some reinforcements would get here.

Especially as she looked over to see a trio of small light tanks with a green, white, and red flag on the front joining in. 

…

Noelle and Ruggie crest the hill just as they saw a trio of large planes fly overhead, a rondel on each that resembled the symbols they have been seeing on all their vehicles. Noelle and Ruggie continued on, accompanied by the 4 sections of Australian light infantry, two 3 inch mortars, and the singular 2 pounder AT gun.

As the two reached the top they saw the scene of carnage so far. 

A burnt out tank, bearing the rondel of their forces was stuck in the middle of the road. Around it, various dead soldiers in the khaki that they wore were found, with one group appearing to have been burnt. 

Meanwhile, a massive fire was blazing, swallowing up several enemy squads. A group of the gas masked men ( Guastatori they had found out after asking some of their men) were continuing a mad rush up to a small line of a low level stone wall, which was punctuated by large rocks, behind which Noelle and Ruggie realized they could see fellow allied troops, as well as Collei hiding behind. 

One of the sections, wearing red berets, peaked over the wall, firing a burst of an LMG before ducking back down. 

The bigger concern was the multitude of vehicles. 

1 massive tank, the Tiger presumably, accompanied by 2 armored cars, and 3 smaller tanks. Ruggie and Noelle turned to each other, and at once, both turned to their men, Ruggie to the two mortar teams, and Noelle to the Australian Light infantry. 

“MORTARS, AIM AT THAT GUASTATORI UNIT!!!”

“I NEED YOU ALL TO BUILD A 17-POUNDER EMPLACEMENT AT THE TOP OF THE HILL, NOW!!!” Noelle’s voice felt hoarse, while Ruggie felt his throat being dry. 

Quickly, the 3-inch mortars plopped down, the mortar facing over the crest of the hill, towards the Guastatori squad. 

“Hang it, NOW!” At once, both mortars had one of the men drop a small shell down the tube. After they did so, that same shell zoomed out again, arching high into the air, before slamming into the earth. Ruggie turned his attention to the Guastatori squad. 

Meanwhile, all 4 Australian infantry sections huddled together, as they soon began digging  a wide hole, and filling the dug sand into sandbags that were placed on the side, and a metal form of a massive AT gun took form.

Noelle wasn’t sure how a massive metal gun that looked like the fine craftsmanship of Fontaine could appear out of the sand, but she wasn’t going to think too hard about it. After all, the major did say this was based on a game (even if it didn’t feel like it at times). 

As it did so, Noelle shrugged her knapsack off her back, before she jumped in, helping to stake long wooden poles into the ground, atop which a burlap net was placed over it, concealing it. 

Ruggie glanced back, seeing Noelle shrugging off the knapsack, and how she jumped in, and glanced at the way Noelle wrangled a wooden pole in. 

Ruggie was used to seeing strong females. Living in the Sunset Savanna, especially in a slum, strong women are easy to find. 

He wasn’t as used to seeing it in a person he towers over. I mean, sure 5’7 wasn’t exactly the premier height, but by his best estimate, Noelle was 5’3.

But, he digressed, his attention refocusing on the Guastatori squad. 

…

Collei heard a whistling noise, and as she looked up, she saw a series of shells arc in the air before slamming… into the masked unit. As Collei watched on, each shell slammed into the ground, throwing up dirt, and with each one dropped, the closer it got to the members of the masked squad. 

Finally, three of them landed smack dab in the middle of the squad, tossing the men around as if they were rag dolls. As the final body fell to the ground, the icon above the unit disappeared. 

Collei nodded, before turning to the Foot Guard squads. 

“Quick, aim at the Tanks! I don’t know, just shoot!” Now, if it were any other unit, this might have been a stupid order.

But Collei watched as each section had the men who had metal tubes hefted the tubes over the shoulder of the man carrying it, aiming at a tank, before firing, a round flying out. As about 3 tubes fired, a projectile flew. 

Two missed, slamming into the dirt around the vehicles, throwing up sand and dirt, but not much else. 

One of them slammed into the side of one of the armored cars. It must have been a lucky strike, as it soon combusted, jets of sparks flying out, before the entire vehicle exploded. 

One vehicle down, five more to go. And that drew the attention of the rest, who began traversing their guns. Collei winced at that, before quickly facing down, before returning, applying some padding to the wounds that Ace suffered, trying to stem the bleeding, which had slowed down slightly. 

As she did so, the Foot Guard sections began loading more rounds. 

…

On the hilltop, Ruggie heard as both mortar teams yell back, in a scream that broke as the yell finished.

“ROUNDS COMPLETED!!!”

Noelle meanwhile stood back, admiring the handiwork. The 17-pounder emplacement has been completed, with the 4 Australian infantry units leaning back as well. One of the squads, the one that took losses in their first mission, rushed into the emplacement, ditching their coats and shirts, and soon, the 17 pounder was in action. Noelle turned to the 2 pounder. 

“2 pounder, come up.” 

The 2 pounder rolled up, with one of the gunners shouting “We hear you got problems.” As the 2 pounder got to the top, Noelle pointed to the remaining vehicles. 

“17-pounder, aim and fire at the Tiger. 2 pounder, take care of the rest.” 

With quick “affirmatives” coming from the gunners, the 17 pounder had a shell slammed into the breach, before being aimed, and opening fire. 

The 2 pounder meanwhile rolled up, before being unfolded, revealing the barrel, which was then loaded and aimed at one of the light tanks, before firing. 

Both shells slammed into their targets, the 17 pounder slammed into one of the light tanks that happened to move in front of the Tiger, the 2-pounder into a different light tank.

The light tank that was hit by the 17 pounder blew up instantly, almost disintegrating in front of their eyes by the projectile. 

The light tank struck by the 2 pounder stalled, before it got slammed by one of the tubes that the Foot guard carried. 

This unfortunately drew the attention of the Tiger, who aimed its main turret up to the hill, and fired a single shell. 

It landed just beside the 17 pounder emplacement. Most of the crew were safe, except for the loader, who was on the side where the shell landed, with shrapnel tearing through his head, resulting in him slumping to the ground.

Noelle saw this. She then quickly rushed over, throwing her shirt off, as the heat that came from that first shot was somewhat intense, especially in the already dry heat of a desert. No one said anything of it, as she got inside, and grabbed a shell that the previous loader went to grab, before slamming it into its proper spot. She tapped the person on the sight’s shoulder, before being beckoned by said person to move away from being directly behind it. As the rest of the crew, including Noelle, covered their ears and dropped their jaws, one of the gunners fired the gun.

As the blowback action flies back, missing Noelle as where she previously stood would have been in its path, the action returned, and Noelle opened the breach, a spent casing ejecting from it. As Noelle peaked over she saw the round slam into the Tiger’s side, stalling it. 

Noelle turned and grabbed another shell. 

As she did so, she glanced over to see the 2 pounder firing its second shot, which penetrated the side of the remaining armored car, which burst into flame. 

Behind her she heard the cheers of the Australian light infantry.

And she glanced over to see a red-faced Ruggie, focusing on the front, directing the mortars. 

Ruggie yelled something, but she couldn’t hear it, as she slammed the shell in, and the gun fired its third shot. 

…

Ruggie noticed that the fire the tanks were placing on Collei and Ace was intense, and quickly he looked to the mortars. He then glanced, and saw rounds with different markings. He pointed towards one, looking at one of the mortar crewmen. 

“Pardon me, but what are those shells?” 

“Smoke,” replied the gunner, his accent thick and strong like the rest of these ‘Australians’. Ruggie nodded, before pointing at the point just in front of the wall/stone line. 

“Drop smoke there, if they can’t see Ace, they won’t be able to strike true.” At that, both mortar crews rushed into action, picking up the marked shells, and then dropping them into the mortar tubes, launching the shells.

The shells landed true, billowing out greyish-white smoke, and soon the vehicles stopped their firing, and so did Ace and Collei’s group. 

Ruggie exhaled a sigh of relief, before hearing the sound of cheering. He turned around to see the Australian infantryman cheering. He then turned to see who they were cheering at, before glancing at the 17 pounder. 

Within the emplacement, quite prominently seen, was Noelle slamming a shell into the breach, before moving to the side, and the gun firing. 

Noelle also had ditched her shirt. 

Good news, she wasn’t completely bare, at the top, as something that Ruggie could see was akin to a sports bra covering up anything that might have changed the rating of this fic.

Bad news, it didn’t leave as much to the imagination still.

As Noelle slammed a second shell into the breach, before turning as the gun fired, Ruggie yelled at the light infantrymen. 

“OI!!! GIVE NOELLE SOME PRIVACY!!!” The gun firing helped to prevent anyone in the gun emplacement from hearing, but the infantrymen all quieted down, with knowing smiles on their faces. 

He then turned to face forward, ignoring the crimson hue that was covering his cheeks… The ones on his face, not the other ones. 

As the 17 pounder fired its third shot, its shell slammed into the Tiger a second time, this time igniting something, and soon, smoke came out of the back, followed by a small explosion, tossing the turret into the air. 

The last light tank goes into reverse, before turning around, as though it was fleeing.

The 2 pounder finally fired its third round, which slammed into the remaining light tank. 

It instantly burst into flames.

Ruggie turned to the rest. 

“CEASEFIRE!” He slumps down, as the group cheers, before silence falls over the group again. Ruggie turned to the light infantry sections. 

“C’mon, we need to get down there and check on Collei and Ace.” 

“Yes sir.” At that, the group moved on to Ruggie. Noelle in turn called out to one of the sections. 

“You stay up here, help us keep watch.” The section chosen simply nodded, before walking back, keeping close to the mortars and two anti-tank guns. 

Noelle takes her hat off, before wiping her forehead, sweat coming off, as well as a fair amount of dirt, as standing next to a massive anti-tank gun as it fires in loose soil tends to kick up a lot of dust. One of the gunners takes out a canteen, opens it, and takes a swig from it, before handing it to Noelle, who picks it up, and then pauses. 

She stares at the canteen, a weird sense of shyness falling over her, before she lifts it higher up, and waterfalls it. She then lowers it again, wiping her mouth, and then giving it back to the gunners.

As she slumps down the side of the emplacement, and notices that in the dull, a lot of the troops are staring at her. One of the mortarmen points to the side.

“Ma’am,” the mortarman began. “I’m not sure what is the reason for what you did, but I think you’ll be needing that.” Noelle followed the finger, to find it pointed to a khaki shirt.

She had spent the last several minutes without a shirt on.

She reached out to the shirt, to grab it, a crimson blush on her face, and noticed that after it was pointed out, the rest simply looked away, an attempt to give her some privacy, or at least as much as you can out in the open air.

As she slipped it on, one of the infantrymen coughed into his hand, before saying, “Before you ask, we applauded you for the fact that you jumped in to help without a second thought. Well done sister.” 

And with that, Noelle got a warm feeling that only rivaled the flush still on her face. 

…

As Ruggie and his group approached the wreckage of the battle, the Australian next to him finished up the explanation for why they cheered. 

“We were applauding the rise of an officer. One who wasn’t afraid to help others, and shrinked not from the fighting. An inspiration to us all.” Ruggie suddenly smiled.

He knew that while he grew up in a society that valued and honored women, and respected them in positions of power, other places might not, and he was slightly worried that this campaign, in which the vast majority of people are male, might be tough on Noelle and Collei. (of course, he wouldn’t tell them that). 

This smile vanished, as one of the other infantrymen added “The fact that she did this with no shirt, and the fact that she is cute was a bonus.” Ruggie gave a deep sigh. 

Of course there was that element as well. He was then surprised that he heard a smack noise behind him, but when he turned to look, another one of the Australians simply said “Pay it no mind.” 

At that point, they finally reached the battlefield, and the destruction became clear. 

The fires had burnt out, but the charring remains on the ground, on the vehicles, and even on several people. 

The air was thick with the smell of blood, iron, and burnt fuel. Ruggie glanced over, before running up to the stone wall. 

Behind him, the Australians glanced about the place. 

One of them pointed to one of the light tanks destroyed. 

“You couldn’t pay me to get into one of those death traps.”

As Ruggie finally got to the wall, behind which the remnants of Collei and Ace’s battlegroup was found, he noticed that the group was savaged. 

The icons overhead says that there are 5 squads left. He wasn’t sure how big the groups were in the first place, but they all looked to have been savaged. Each squad only had about 3 men at the maximum. One of the sections, one with khaki tan berets, had only two people within it.

Ruggie’s eyes widened once it got to Collei and Ace themselves. 

Collei had a numb look on her face, sections of her sleeves torn, serving as wrappings and padding for Ace. 

Ace meanwhile was slumped onto the side of one of the rocks, with a man wearing a camo smock and a red beret applying some white powder onto Ace's chest, which Ruggie realised was some sort of sulfate based antiseptic agent. 

The white shirt that Ace was wearing was torn open, allowing the man, a commando Ruggie began realizing, to apply both the antiseptic agent, and the more bandaging.

Ruggie heard the vehicle first, before glancing over, to see a tank bearing their rondel, alongside several armored cars, and a slew of trucks, including one with a large red and white cross and rondel on the side and top, which Ruggie realized marked it as a medical truck. 

At that moment, Ruggie finally collapsed, drawing in a heavy breath as the exhaustion finally caught up to him. 

…

One of the Australians looks over, before turning to the man who smacked him. 

“What the hell was that for?” 

“Because,” the Australian said, looking at his comrade with an unamused look, “I think that in a week, the two would be shagging.” Silence fell between the two. 

“Doubt it, don’t think either one wants to rush it, but now that you mention it, 15 shillings say that by the end of next week, they will get engaged.” 

“You’re on.”

Chapter Text

Ruggie heard the vehicle first, before glancing over, to see a tank bearing their rondel, alongside several armored cars, and a slew of trucks, including one with a large red and white cross and rondel on the side and top, which Ruggie realized marked it as a medical truck. 

At that moment, Ruggie finally collapsed, drawing in a heavy breath as the exhaustion finally caught up to him. 

*30 minutes earlier*

After the maps were checked, and the shared look of horror was, well, shared, Jamil and Silver went to the side. Soon, however, they heard the rumbling of vehicles. They looked over to find 3 trucks rumbling towards them, accompanied by what Silver recognized as a Crusader tank, and what appeared to be several armored cars. Each truck had a large red cross in a white circle on the side and top. The tank carried on its back a four-man squad, and the icon above all the vehicles showed the icon of the vehicle, as well as a smaller icon to the bottom right, showing a different icon for each. 

Underneath the Crusader tank icon, was a crown. In the corner of one of the truck’s icon was a single chevron. The second truck had an icon of a downward facing shell, and the third truck had the outline of a long cannon. Silver and Jamil could see why, as those two trucks were dragging along a weapon each. 

The one with the downward shell was a pair of wheels, upon which a tube was folded back. The other truck dragged along what Jamil realized to be some sort of anti-tank gun. 

Finally, the vehicles came to a stop in front of Jamil and Silver. As the vehicles stopped, the men on the back of the tank dismounted, while people left the trucks. 

For the two trucks that had a gun attached, the crew for those gun’s dismounted as well. 

The squad with a chevron as the icon overhead, was a 5 man squad, with 4 of the men wearing khaki shorts and shirts, with each man wearing a small tan helmet on their head, with a brown webbing attached to a backpack on each man, and each man was carrying a rifle. The one exception was a man who still wore the short pants, but instead wore a green sweater on top, and wore a black beret.

On the back of the tank, the men dismounted as well, and they wore the same clothes, only instead of rifles, they were all carrying submachine guns, and had the occasional shovel picking out of their backpacks. 

The crews for the guns looked both familiar and different. 

The men for the anti-tank crew looked the same as the chevron unit ones, while the ones for the other reminded Jamil of the gunners of the emplaced 5.5-inch artillery, with darker skins, full beards on their faces, and turbans on their heads. 

It was also at this moment that the pair were approached by another man, who looked like the major, properly dressed. That said there were several differences, namely that he was a lot younger, looking to be in his mid to late 20s, was clean shaven, and was wearing a helmet on his head. The other noteworthy thing was the rifle that was slung on his back. 

The man finally reached the pair, before extending his hands. 

“Afternoon, I’m leftenant Roy Hunter, and I am here on behalf of General Norton. I presume you two are some of the commanders we have acquired?” Jamil and Silver share a look, before nodding. Silver, decided to be courteous, and reached out his own hand, shaking Roy’s hands.

“Excellent,” Roy said, a smile on his face. “I presume you two are the Heavy Armor battlegroup and the Indian Artillery one. Before you ask how I know, it is because you are dressed rather like a tank commander, and a gurkha. Now,” Roy continued, pivoting around, gesturing to the vehicles. 

“We heard about the situation occurring with Ace and Collei. We have three medical vehicles that can transport them back, as well as treat any injuries they may have. As you can also see, we have a cruiser tank to accompany them.” Before Jamil says a word, Silver stands up a little more straight than before, before nodding. 

“Send them. We may not be able to rescue them immediately, but they should help if the situation sours.” Roy smiles a little bit. 

“Very well.” He turns to the vehicles, before shouting. “You heard the commander, you know what to do.” At once, those three vehicles turned away, and began heading towards the direction of Collei and Ace, followed closely by the second Crusader tank and the armored cars. 

As the vehicles left, Roy turned to Jamil and Silver. 

“So, this is the place to set up shop?” 

“Yes,” began Jamil. “We advanced the furthest, so we plan to set up the camp here for now.” Roy nodded in approval, before gesturing towards the 4 man squad with the crown icon above their heads. 

“If you must know, then that unit over there are Royal engineers, and I believe they can help you set up camp.” At that, Silver went over towards them and began checking his notes. 

…

It has been 20 minutes since then. After some note reading, the beginning of a camp was starting to take form. Namely, this meant the creation of six tents, which were helpfully labeled as “the headquarters”, “section command post”, “platoon command post”, “company command post”, “field infirmary”, and “training center”. Well, tents is perhaps a charitable way to put it, as they are more like tents over a wall of sandbags. 

Furthermore, several HMG nests were constructed, as well as some sandbag walls. 

During this time, Silver and Jamil were checking notes to know who they have received, which Roy was helpful to address as well. 

Royal Engineer Section

Support infantry effective against infantry at short-range. Can repair and build defenses.

Infantry Section

Standard infantry effective against infantry at long-range. Can fire rifle grenades and anti-tank grenades.

ML 4.2-inch Heavy Mortar Team

Heavy weapon very effective against structures, team weapons, and stationary infantry at long-range. Must be set-up to attack.

17-pounder Anti-tank Gun Team

Immobile heavy weapon extremely effective against all vehicles. Must be set-up to attack.

After a certain point, the 17-pounder was set up, and was aiming outwards. 

Roy was astute, helping in the occasional moment, but mostly was just writing in his notebook. 

Silver, was Silver, and thus ended up napping, though he was quickly joined by several of the crews of the remaining vehicles. 

Jamil, meanwhile, was taking stock of what units they had on hand, scribbling it down in a notebook. 

2 Matilda II tanks, 1 Crusader III tank, 1 Churchill IV tank, 1 17-pounder anti-tank gun, 1 ML 4.2-inch Heavy Mortar Team, 1 Royal Engineer section, 1 Infantry section, and 4 gurkha rifle sections . 

So, you know, a reasonable army. Jamil, satisfied with the results, began to close the book, before he began hearing a soft noise in the air. It wasn’t soft as if it was peaceful, but more so that the source of the sound was from elsewhere. Suddenly, a lot of people began looking up, and quickly saw 4 planes flying in their direction, and Jamil figured that it was the sound of their engine. 

Finally, one of the infantrymen finally yelled it out. 

“STUKAS!!!” At that, each plane began diving in. Roy noticed this, then noticed Silver, and began running over towards him. Silver meanwhile was beginning to awaken, as the noise of the engines was quickly being consumed by a shrill siren. Once Silver looked up, he saw that the planes were flying towards his spot, and stumbled upright, before rushing over towards one of the sandbags. Before he reaches it, Roy crashes into him, knocking him down to the side. 

It was then that the bombs fell. 

Each bomb landed in a different spot, with different effects. One landed by the side, missing anything and everyone, detonating and doing nothing but throwing dirt up into the air. 

Sadly, that could not be said for the other three bombs. One landed directly on top of one of the Matildas. There are very few poetic ways to describe it, other than the vehicle ceased to be. It went from an intact vehicle, to a fiery ball, before becoming an immediately burnt out husk of a vehicle. 

A second bomb landed directly into one of the areas with a Gurkha section, and as the smoke cleared, there was a distinct lack of Gurkhas in that section. Well, alive ones at any rate. 

A voice rang in Jamil’s ears. 

“Damn it, we lost a Gurkha section.” 

Noises were ringing in Silver’s ears as well, as the sandbags he was heading to was the spot where the Gurkha section ceased existing. Silver’s ears rang with tinnitus, but he was alive, and so was Roy, who was shaking his head in the hopes of clearing it up. 

The last bomb landed just outside of one of the sand bags. The gurkha section there was still in existence, but the shrapnel went straight through the head of one of the Gurkhas, while another one had his head and neck snapped by his proximity to the blast. When Jamil looked over, he saw the body, his head twisted and lying at an unnatural angle, and he tried to resist the urge to vomit. 

As Roy helped Silver up, a whistle could be heard in the distance. Roy turned to Silver. 

“Heads up, but I think we might be facing an attack, head to your Churchill.” Silver, before stumble-running to the Churchill tank. 

As he ran, he glanced towards Jamil, before screaming “WE’RE ABOUT TO BE ATTACKED!!!” Jamil nodded, before checking his notes, specifically at his call ins. 

As Silver climbed in, he glanced towards the direction of the whistle he was met with a sight he was beginning to fear. 

A pair of Tiger tanks rumbled towards them, accompanied by several smaller tanks, with the icon over them bearing the outline of the tanks, and more alarmingly, some of them had small flames beside them. Accompanying each tank was a squad of 5 men each, with the icon overhead resembling an iron cross, with the ribbon on top morphing into a palm tree. Each man was carrying either a rifle or a submachine gun. 

Soon, Jamil turned and yelled at the mortar. 

“Mortar, aim at the infantry!” 

“Firing mortar stonks!” The mortar team screamed back, a light accent accompanying the words. At that point, the mortar team rushed to the tube, before folding it up, aiming upwards pointing towards the direction of the attackers. After it was folded upwards, the bipod was then folded downwards, enabling the mortar to stand on itself. One of the crew members then placed a shell at the top, before dropping it, firing the mortar as the shell flew out arching in the air before slamming by the side of one of the attacking squads. 

As the mortar goes to fire another round, Silver turned to the tank crews and began yelling out orders. 

“Matildas!”

“Queen of the Desert!” 

“Begin moving around, and firing at the Tigers! Keep moving so that the tanks don’t get a bead on you!” 

“Let’s roll this bitch out!” Slowly, the Matildas began moving, before both began firing, the rounds slamming into the Tiger, but both rounds ricocheted off. Silver turned towards the Crusader. 

Before he yells anything, he finally sees one of the tanks with a flame icon on the side as it approaches one of the remaining HMG nests. 

To his horror, a plume of flames shoots out of its turret, setting fire to the HMG nest, and Silver tries his best to block the noise of the screams of the nest, before the nest detonates, as the flame cooks off the rounds within. 

Silver quickly trunks to the Crusader, before yelling into the radio, “Crusader, take that tank out! Don’t let it reach the main line!” Soon, the Crusader began moving at an incredible speed, angling at the side, before firing a shot, which slammed into the side of the flame tank. As the tank recoiled, the Crusader was able to fire a second shot, which immediately caused the flame tank to burst into flames itself. Silver quickly saw a second flame tank, and pointed towards that one as well. 

“Crusader, focus down on any flame tanks you see! Keep moving or else the Tigers will get you!”

“Noted sir!” As the Crusader began to move around, a loud boom was heard. Silver turned around in the turret space, before seeing that it was the 17 pounder firing a round at one of the Tigers. The Tiger lurched to a halt, clearly shaken by the shot, before aiming at the Churchill. Silver quickly screamed to his crew. 

“FIRE AT THE TIGER BEFORE HE GETS US!!!” 

At once, 3 shots were fired simultaneously. The Tiger, the 17 pounder, and the Churchill.

All three rounds strike true. 

Both the 17 pound shell, and the 6 pound shell from the Churchill struck at different points, and soon, the Tiger began to have sparks fly from its rear, before a jet of flame came out of both its turret hatch and rear. 

The shell of the Tiger meanwhile glanced off the side of the turret, near where Silver was standing. 

The shock of the shell of both it flying by and making contact ever so briefly with the turret knocked Silver back and forth, slamming him into the side of the turret hatch. The sparks meanwhile that came from it flew all over the place, including onto some of Silver’s exposed skin. 

The pain from getting slammed earlier returned, joined by the new pain of the sparks on his skin. Silver hisses, before snarling at the second Tiger still alive. 

“TAKE OUT THAT SECOND FUCKING TIGER!!! BEFORE THEY FUCK US UP!!!” 

While Silver screamed and snarled in his tank fight, Jamil continued directing mortar fire on the attacking enemy infantry squads, while the Gurkhas and British Infantry sections continued firing, peppering away at them. It was sorta working sorta not. 

Sure, it was taking out the occasional poor infantrymen, with Jamil hearing the occasional line of “ FUCK, TAKING CASUALTIES!! ”, but needless to say the least, those squads were still oncoming. Soon, the enemy squads halted, before firing a near endless stream of rounds, which in turn began to pepper away at his units, with the occasional man falling, shot dead.

A few rounds meanwhile zipped by Jamil, causing him to duck behind some sandbags. As he kept low, he remembered his notes. Quickly, and with some shakiness of hand, he pulled them out, and then proceeded to check them, and noticed a certain call out. 

Off-map Airburst Barrage

Designate an airburst barrage over the target location. Wide blast radius. Extremely effective against infantry.

‘ Say no more ’ Jamil thought, before calling it in, the map being used to help direct the location, aiming it just above the enemy infantry. 

Once more, red flares fell onto the ground around them, before a shrilling noise was heard, before a detonation occurred overhead. As it went off, streams of fire came out of it, spreading out in a shotgun like pattern over the enemy forces, and as it went off, the men were pelted by shrapnel and explosives. 

Several icons disappeared as the units were wiped out, while the rest of the infantry icons gained red exclamation marks, as the men began fleeing. 

The same could not be said for the vehicles, who still remained. That said, progress was being made, as the second flame tank went up in flames, as the Crusader tank managed to deftly outmaneuver it, preventing it from frying anymore enemies, much to the relief of Jamil, as the smell of burnt flesh was nauseating for Jamil, especially as he knows the source of the flame. 

While the airburst went off, the tank fight carried on. The Tiger’s gun followed one of the Matildas, and before Silver could scream a warning, the Tiger fired, the round slamming into the particularly vulnerable rear.

One shot was enough, the Matilda bursting into flame, before exploding. 

“Matilda Infantry tank lost sir,” came over the radio near Silver. Silver gritted his teeth, a form of anger he never quite knew before came into his body. 

“I lost a tank already, and I lost another one,” growled Silver, his normally calm demeanor vanishing quicker than Grim whenever Silver brought up the idea of cardio. 

“I will not lose more, and I will not let that iron monster take more. 17-POUNDER, AIM AT THAT TIGER AND BLAST IT TO HELL!!!” 

“ON IT SIR!!!” 

The 17-pounder fired, the round slamming into the side of the Tiger, while Roy stood by the gun, directing it to help aim the gun. 

The Tiger shakes back and forth due to the shock of the round, though once it stabilizes it, it then begins to aim, not at the Churchill, or the 17-pounder, or even the other tanks, but rather towards one of the Gurkha squads, one that has Jamil hiding next to it, as he directs artillery. 

Silver sees it, and feels a new form of both anger and fear. 

He can’t face father if a friend of a friend dies and he could do something about it. 

Hell, he won’t be able to face Malleus if he doesn’t guard others, as one is to do as a knight. 

He lacks a sword, and he lacks magic for now. 

He does, however, have a 38 ton steel tank. 

And damn it, he is going to use it. 

“GUNNER, AIM AT THAT TIGER, SHOOT IT BEFORE IT TAKES OUT THAT GURKHA SQUAD!!!” 

As he said that, the tank lurched, as it hit a bit of rough ground, while it fired its main gun. 

Luckily, the shot struck true, slamming into the side of the Tiger, which burst into flames.

At the same time, the 17-pounder had begun to pick off the smaller tanks, which in turn finally began pulling back. 

Silver, once more, let out ragged breaths, his lungs screaming from yelling, as well as the smoke and burning diesel. 

The Churchill rolled up to Jamil, before Silver leaned over. 

“Jamil, you good?” 

Jamil nodded, a blank look on his face. 

Silver looked like a mess to Jamil. 

His normally calm, soothing voice was hoarse, evident of him screaming. 

His face meanwhile was caked with soot, and Jamil only noticed that his sleeves were shredded in some areas, while burn marks appeared on the sleeves as well. 

Small burn marks also appeared on his skin, and several small bloody gashes were found on his face and arms as well. 

Before Jamil can answer, he hears the rumble of engines again,  and turns to find the group they sent out earlier, rolling in, surrounded by soldiers wearing either folded slouch hats, and red or tan berets. On the top of the tank, Jamil and Silver found Ruggie, Noelle, and Collei sitting on top, each one nursing an open water canteen in their hands. 

The tank came to a stop, and the trio dismounted, alongside the squad of Australian light infantry that was also atop the tank. 

Jamil noted how they all looked exhausted, with Noelle’s shirt looking wrinkled, dusty, and ruffled in some areas. Both Ruggie and Noelle had their clothes caked in dust, and their faces sooty, though Noelle’s hand also appeared to be blackened a little bit. 

Jamil and Silver were more alarmed by the fact that Collei’s forearm and parts of her smock were soaked in a dark, red blood, albeit dried blood. 

As Jamil rushes towards them, and Silver lifts himself out of the tank, and runs up to them, Ruggie sees them, and gives his signature laugh, albeit a soft one. 

“Nice to see you guys had fun. Shihihihi.” As Jamil and Silver finally got to them, Ruggie noticed their focus was on Collei. Collie quickly realized it too. 

“Don’t worry,” Collie said, holding her arms in a manner that was somewhat attempting to placate the concern etched into Jamil and Silver’s face. “It’s not mine.” 

“Than whose,” inquired Jamil. 

“Actually,” joined Silver. “Where’s Ace?” Silence fell over the group, before Ruggie, Noelle, and Collei silently pointed towards one of the trucks, one that was pulling along a small anti-tank gun. 

There, being pulled out of the back of the truck, was an unconscious Ace, shirtless. 

Jamil might have felt like some might find Ace attractive, especially as many within the basketball club consider him to be a strong contender for a pretty boy status (albeit nowhere near the same level as Epel). Those comments were kept to himself, as Jamil focused on the massive bandages wrapped around his torso, a bright red color bleeding through. 

As he stared at Ace, he ignored Roy walking up, preparing to introduce himself to the newcomers. 

Jamil only thought of blood. 

…

At this point in the retelling, Yuu was curious about this, asking about the wounds. 

Ace, wordlessly, begins unbuttoning his shirt, and opening it. Yuu had to resist the urge to gasp, and so did Cater. 

Littering Ace’s chest were large scars, slicing their way across his body. 

At the other end of the stream however, the urge to gasp was far stronger. And it won out.

Multiple people such as Deuce and Jack let out audible gasps of shock. 

Idia quickly covered Ortho’s eyes in an attempt to hide Ortho from the sight. But it was too late, and Ortho was doing something he hasn’t done in a long time. He shook with fear and horror. Not at Ace, but rather with a vague understanding of what was done to him.

Riddle felt sick, but managed to keep his lunch of bolognese down. 

The same could not be said for Kalim, who quickly found a nearby trash can that he was able to be sick in. 

For the sake of his privacy and dignity, your well-being, and my sanity, we will not elaborate further on that. 

Floyd went still and quiet. He suddenly remembered how while before Ace was willing to show skin after practice in the locker room, he would now wait. And soon, he too began to get a sick feeling. 

Lilia’s eyes seemed as though they were staring somewhere far off. 

At the very least, it all corroborated the fact that they are, in fact, telling the truth. 

Suddenly, Lilia’s eyes widened again. 

“That’s an old scar.” Silence fell over the group after Lilia’s comment, all eyes on him. 

“He never had those scars before, but those are older scars. Scars like that take a lot of time to recover.” 

Understanding appeared on Leona’s face. An understanding he stated that unnerved everyone listening. 

“They weren’t there for a week. How long were they there?”

Chapter Text

Ace opened his eyes, and was immediately slammed with pain in his chest area. He grimaces as he begins to sit upright.

That might have been a mistake, as the pain surged as he did so. 

Ignoring the pain to a certain extent, he finally sits upright, and begins to look around, taking in his surroundings. 

He figured he was in a tent, with beds that were halfway between a medical bed and a cot forming rows. Most of them were empty, with the occasional one having someone trying to sleep in them. 

Ace then looked down, trying to find the source of the offending pain in his chest. 

He sees that he has no shirt. He also sees the massive white bandages that had the occasional bump, which Ace quickly realized were in fact padding that was put underneath to help prevent bleeding. 

It was moderately successful, provided you ignore the suddenly growing dark red stain on the wound. 

“Ah, you must be one of the commanders. Ace I presume?” Ace drew his attention to the speaker. He was dressed much like the rest of the soldiers, but with some markings and badges on his uniform, that Ace realized distinguished him as an officer. Ace nodded at his question. 

“Ah, I forgot to introduce myself, forgive me. I’m leftenant Roy Hunter, the liaison between you guys and General Norton. The major wanted to meet with you, but you were out.” Ace nodded again. 

“Do you have painkillers? Or something? I think the wound reopened.” Roy nodded.

In a short amount of time, a medical orderly came in, and undid Ace’s bandage to place some more padding, and to try and reseal the wound. 

Roy advised Ace to look away, but unfortunately, Ace watched it with a mix of grim fascination, and a slight amount of horror. At least the painkiller dampened the pain a little. 

He went from feeling all the pain, to only feeling it when the orderly accidentally jostled something. 

Which he did. 

A lot. 

As the orderly tended to his wounds, Roy explained what actually happened. 

In essence, while returning, Ace and Collei’s group was ambushed, and Ace was still in the vehicle when the Centaur went up in flames. Luckily, he was more throwed than cooked, but the blow landed in a way that it more or less tore up Ace’s chest. 

Luckily, Collei was able to extract him, and dragged him to safety, and they were able to hold out before Ruggie and Noelle’s battlegroup arrived, and were able to defeat the attacking force. 

Roy also made it clear, that Ace owed Collei, or as he put it, “If Collei didn’t drag you and tried to stem the bleeding, you probably would have died on that road. Buy the lass a drink or maybe dinner.” 

Ace wasn’t quite sure why he suggested treating Collei to a meal. (Though a part of him did consider it, but he wasn't quite sure what to treat her to.)

Roy continued, explaining that while Ace was out, the others were told to take some time to familiarize themselves with their battlegroups, and that Ace had more or less slept through the night, and that it was now just before mid-day.

But as he finished saying that, Ace had new questions. 

“Wait, where are the rest of them now?” 

“Training.”

“What kind of training?”

…

“Training?” This question was asked both in Teyvat and in Night Raven’s college.

…

Collei was beginning to regret the idea of taking on some training. 

Cause now she is sitting in the back of an open truck that was driving along, alongside several commandos. One of them was standing. 

“Now, we have to begin getting you airborne certified. And for that, practice is needed.” Collie raised her hand. 

“So, why are we in the back of this truck?” 

“We will be simulating a parachute jump landing.” Collie began to be filled with dread.

“And how are we gonna do that?” 

The instructor simply stared at her.

Before shoving her out the back of the moving truck. 

She lands awkwardly, and tumbles a little bit, trying to roll a little, albeit unsuccessfully. Pain quickly spread across much of her torso.  And arms. And her head a little. Shockingly, none in the legs. 

She wasn’t concussed if that was something she quickly took stock of, though discombobulated was definitely a term to describe her. 

She coughed from the exertion and the sheer pain. Now her upper chest got an extra shot of pain, and some alarm as she coughed up a little bit of blood. 

She heard the truck stop ahead. She looked up to see the truck hadn’t moved that far ahead. The instructor then shouted, pointing at Collei, while talking to the rest of the men in the truck. 

“See, she forgot to roll.”  He then turned back to Collei. “That was a pathetic display.” 

Now, Collei knows that frequently, she is considered shy or nervous or dare I say, frail by many adults in Sumeru. Someone who must be sheltered and protected. 

What they often fail to remember is that before Cyno whisked her off back to Sumeru to the life she currently loves and enjoys, with friends and, let’s face it, family that she holds dear, she managed to survive in the wilderness. 

There, in the wilds from Snezhnaya to Mondstadt, she learned that often, in the absence of passion, vitriol was a sufficient substitute. 

And brothers, sisters, and non-binary siblings, she was thoroughly pissed, and thus reacted accordingly. 

Powered with nothing but spite, and the biscuits that they had earlier before training, she pushed herself upright, and began to stand upright. 

Finally she stood up, back as straight as she could muster, before quickly spitting to the side, a spit that was full of both saliva and a little blood. She then stared at the still parked truck, and the commandos within who watched without commentary.

“Let me try again.” Silence fell over the area. Before all the commandos broke a massive smile. 

If Collei wasn’t running on spite, she might have felt nervous at the massive toothy grins. 

The instructor turned to the driver. 

“Turn around, we have a lassie to collect and try again.” He then turned to Collei. 

“We’ll make a commando commander of you yet.” 

As the truck began making a U-turn, Collie hoped that the others had an easier time with their training.

…

“Fire!” The shot rang out, as the 2-pounder fired, and a shell was quickly ejected from the barrel. Ruggie slammed another shell into the breach, and the gun traversed, with Noelle in the chair on the left side of the gun. 

She is in the chair, because she was the one actually firing the bloody thing. 

She quickly fires the gun again at the target downrange, a burnt out L6/40 Light Tank. The two of them were quickly learning the vehicles and units that their enemy had access to. 

Before they load and fire another one, they hear a yell.

“Time!” Ruggie and Noelle step away from the gun, and observe their handiwork. 

They had to hit 6 targets, with each one having to be shot twice. 

They managed to hit all 6 targets, but missed some of them when they had to shoot a second time, and were attempting to reshoot some of them when the time was up. 

Still, the normal 2-pounder crew behind them nodded their approval of it all. 

Ruggie checked a watch he had nearby, and saw the time was about mid-day. 

“Alright, looking at the time, time for lunch.” At that, the group breaks up, as people go to grab their tins of ration. Ruggie and Noelle both sit down, with the both of them reaching into their knapsacks, and pulling out a tin of corned beef each, as well as some biscuits. 

While Ruggie pulled a bayonet to open the can, he looked over at Noelle who proceeded to pop the lid off the can like it was a soda can. Ruggie paused before eating. 

“Noelle.” Noelle turned to Ruggie, her eyes in a questioning form, and her head tilted, as though curious.

“Yeah?” 

“How strong are you?” Noelle shrugged, a curious, and, what one might consider, an innocent look on her face.

“Not very.” Ruggie stared at her, then at the can, then back up to her face, before looking around. 

The rest of the 2-pounder crew who had already opened their cans gave a questioning look, a look that can also be interpreted to be disbelieving and skeptical. 

Ruggie turned back towards Noelle. 

“What do you mean ‘not very’? You just cracked open a tin of corned beef like it was a fricking soda can. I don’t even see a tab to pull to crack it open like that.” Noelle looked down, then back up. 

“Okay, to be fair, a lot of people back in Mondstadt kept thinking of me as strong. Wagner had to forge an extra heavy and extra strong two-handed sword for me.” Ruggie just stared at her, before glancing at the others. 

The 2-pounder crew was continuing eating, and politely trying to ignore the conversation, while talking among themselves. One of them was even lighting up a cigarette. 

Ruggie just shrugged, realizing that this conversation was getting, to be honest, a bit weird. Ruggie picked up a spoon, shaving off a chunk of the corned beef, before shoveling it into his mouth. Noelle, next to him, did so likewise. 

Both chewed, contemplating the taste. They both looked at each other again. 

“It needs seasoning.” They both paused, looking at each other again. 

Ruggie started first. 

“What were you thinking, cause I was personally leaning towards something like a mix of cumin and coriander with some turmeric?” 

Now Noelle stared at Ruggie. 

“I was just thinking of black pepper, but now that you said that, I haven’t had much experience with those items.” 

“Really?” 

“Yeah. Mondstadt cuisine is good, but it doesn’t really rely too much on spices, more of a ‘meat, potato and cream’ sort of diet. Salt, sugar and pepper are the main ways to modify a dish. I heard that other places use more spices, but I sadly haven’t had as many opportunities to try spicier foods.” Noelle paused, before finishing off with “That said, there was that one time I tried Black-Back Perch Stew in Liyue. Very spicy, but very tasty.” 

At that, Ruggie leaned in. 

“In that case, have you ever tried curry? Jamil knows how to make some mean ones. To the point where I actually learned to make it myself.” 

Noelle’s eyes lit up. “Oh, that would be lovely, but I would feel awful if you give me a recipe and I give nothing in return.” She paused, almost contemplative. She then gained a bounce in her form, as she snapped her fingers. 

“I know, I have a recipe of my own. I call it ‘Lighter-Than-Air Pancake’, and it’s always a hit, especially among those who have a sweet-tooth. But if you don’t like sweets, than I could always–”

“No, no, that’s fine,” Ruggie said, interrupting Noelle. “I actually love sweet things, as well as more savory things. To be honest donuts are my favorite food.” Noelle held her gaze, before smiling. 

“Then we have a deal.” She pulled out a notepad. “So, how do you make the curry of Jamil?”

While Ruggie began explaining the recipe, the 2-pounder crew fell silent, and then smiled. 

Before one of them turned to the others. 

“So, have you heard that some of the cobbers over in the light infantry have begun bets on whether the two would kiss, date or shag.” 

And with that, the betting pool grew.

…

Jamil was confident in many things. 

Math.

Cooking.

Wrangling a man-child (even if he is affable) into behaving. (again, Jamil has the distinct impression that Kalim should be examined for something… like ADHD)

And if you had asked him several days ago, Jamil would probably have said knife skills. Between cooking and the few times he had to assist in recovering Kalim from assassins or kidnappers, he could have said with certainty that he knew how to use a blade. 

I write “have said”, because he was now questioning that line of thinking. 

Before him, stands one of the Gurkhas. He would cut an imposing figure, if it weren’t for the fact that Jamil was 175 cm (5’7 feet), while the Gurkha was 161 cm (5’3 feet). Actually, come to think about it, Jamil noticed that he was taller than pretty much all the Gurkhas.

That being said, he saw them in combat. 

And the knife-fighting spar currently happening is dissuading him of thinking of their statue to be lowly. 

Not when the man has been fighting circles around him. Mercifully, one of the other Gurkhas called him off. 

“That is enough, Arun. The commander is tiring. He is not used to this.” The Gurkha was right. Jamil wasn’t used to this. 

The knife he was using, the kukri as he was told, was a lot bigger and heavier than what he was used to. The knife fighting was different as well. When he had to use the knife in the past for more… violent reasons, it was usually quick. 

A swift thrust of the blade into someone's back (yeah, yeah, laugh it out, I see the jokes too you know). 

Usually, that person wasn’t exactly fighting back. 

And he certainly didn’t have the experience of fighting someone who actually knew what the hell they were doing with the knife either. 

The Gurkha turned back to Jamil. 

“Take a small breather brother, then you’ll fight me.” Jamil immediately collapses onto the ground, before taking his canteen out, and takes a quick swig. 

As he took the aforementioned swig, the Gurkha approached him. 

“I would like to wager. You last 2 minutes, we make you dinner. If not, you make us a nice dinner. Sounds good?” 

Jamil gave what can only be described as a skeptical look. 

“What, I have a trustworthy face.” 

Jamil examined the Gurkhas face closely, and noted the several large knife scars that were almost cartoon shorthand for an untrustworthy scoundrel. 

Jamil, however, has seen these types of wagers before. And there was no Kalim around. That means he doesn’t have to hold back. 

So Jamil, naturally, does the most uncharacteristically Jamil move to make. 

“Deal.” He accepted it.

The Scarred Gurkha gave a large smile, before helping Jamil back up. 

Someone pulled out a pocket watch, and the match began. 

Jamil and the Gurkha circled each other for a bit. Jamil lunged forward, and was parried away. He resets, and lunges again, only this time to be parried away. 

Again, he rests, only for the Gurkha to lunge at him. He parries the blade away, only to feel a hand on his forearm. 

Jamil quickly learned a fundamental truth. 

Knife fighting on principle, and knife fighting in combat has a major difference, namely that no one in combat is going to shy away from grappling. 

And Jamil learnt even faster that Gurkhas, despite being built like a baked bean, are also significantly stronger than their body size suggests. 

This lesson was learnt, via the fact that as the Gurkha grabbed his forearm, he quickly flung Jamil over his back, with him landing on the ground with pain shooting through his back. 

Before Jamil can even recover, he finds a knife aimed at his throat, and a smile on the Gurkha’s face. Both of them then turned to the one who had the pocket watch. 

The Gurkha holding the pocket watch looks up. 

“30 seconds.” 

Jamil sighs. 

“So, you Gurkhas are fine with a seafood korma?” 

Jamil was met with every single Gurkha giving him a thumbs up. 

Jamil sighed again. As he stands up, to go begin the process, he pauses. “Where do I even find prawn in a desert?” 

As he did so, he failed to take notice of the comments of two Gurkhas. 

“Why are we even practicing knife skills? The game has no melee mechanics.”

“Shut up, unless you want to lose a free meal.” 

“Understood.”

…

Now, while the rest were doing some form of physical training, Silver also was receiving training, but not in the way everyone else was. 

He was quickly declared to be fit (more or less), and already conditioned to combat conditions (more or less). 

Finding out he was an equestrian and a fencer has helped determine that as well. 

The more concerning fact was that Silver’s knowledge about armored warfare would seem more in line with Hasting than with the deserts of North Africa. 

It was low. 

Apparently, Silver had gone on instinct during the engagements earlier. 

This both impressed and alarmed everyone else. 

This naturally, leads us to now, with Silver sitting in a chair, drink the worst cup of tea he has ever had in his 17 years of (conscious, uncursed) life, as he was sat next to an officer that no one has yet told him the name or rank of, while in front of him, a junior officer was explaining a chart, that contained all the armored vehicles at his disposal. 

Both officers were dressed like him, albeit the officer next to him was unarmed. 

Silver, in contrast to back at NRC, was paying close attention. 

The main reason was simple, his mind flashed back to the tanks that were burnt out, lost to Tigers. So the stakes were high. 

The tea also helped, largely because the taste was such that even as he was drinking it, he felt his soul leave his body, but in exchange, more attention was paid. 

The final reason was the bandages on his arms. 

The sparks during the fighting had burnt through sections of his clothing, resulting in his forearms receiving some burns. 

All together, Silver has been paying close attention, as he looks over his choices. The slide clicks, and a new image pulls up, going in depth about the vehicles under his command as the leader of the Heavy Armor battlegroup. More specifically, the Crusader III medium tank.

“The Crusader tank has the ‘heroic charge’ ability. The Crusader crews’ push the vehicle to its limits when entering combat, with the effects only retriggering when out of combat. This gives the vehicle increased speed and acceleration, alongside an increased rate of fire. This allows the tank to charge into the flanks of enemy forces, blasting any poor bugger stuck in its way. And if the crew or you underestimated how tough the foe you are facing is, it also allows for the tank to make a tactical withdrawal in good order. Questions sir?” 

Silver checked his notes, before looking up. 

“It says here that we have access to Crusader IIs and IIIs. Is there a difference?” 

The junior officer nods. 

“Yes, the IIs have a two-pounder gun, which is good, but will start to have trouble with enemy armor once you get to a certain threshold. IIIs have the more powerful 6-pounder guns, more useful against enemy armored units.” Silver nods, before looking back down to put it into his notes. Next to him, the unknown officer nods in approval, both at the junior officer’s explanation, as well as at Silver’s note taking. 

A runner then enters the room, handing a slip of paper to the unknown officer. Upon reading it, he stands up, and exits the room. 

Before the junior officer could continue to the next slide, Silver raised his hands again. 

“Pardon me, but who was the other officer who just left?” 

The junior officer stared at Silver, before responding in perhaps one of the most deadpan voices Silver has ever heard, “That was General Norton. He is the commanding officer of this field of operation.” 

Silence returned to the room. And all Silver could do was lift his cup to his lips to drink another sip of the awful concoction, his hands shaking the entire time.

Chapter Text

The group enters the tent. All of them had done some training aside from Ace who was resting, but they had all been approached by a runner. 

They entered, and found 3 figures. Up front was the major, taking a drag from his pipe. Near the back, was Roy, who was busy writing something into a notebook. 

The final man was recognized only by Silver, but the rest were uncertain of the older gentlemen (well, older is comparative, as he looked to be in his late 30s early 40s). Silver naturally knew that he was the officer who sat beside him during the armored tactics lecture. General Norton. 

Silver stiffened to attention, before saluting. “Sir.”

Norton gave a salute back, before turning to the rest. “Commanders, please be seated.” 

The group sits down, while giving Silver a confused look at his action, before the major clears his throat. 

“Afternoon gents and ladies. Yesterday, when you first arrived, we gave you a general idea of what the plan is. Now, we will go into more depth, as the enemy put up a stiffer resistance that required immediate action. But first,” he then gestured to Norton. “This is General Norton, formally of the Royal tank regiment. He is the overarching commander of the theater of war here. Don’t worry though, you will be the one calling the shots in the field, but he will direct the overarching campaign.” 

Everyone’s head snapped to Norton, with Noelle even raising to her feet and attempting to do a small bow. Ruggie glanced, and then glanced away, raising a hand to his face in what was either him facepalming or trying to cover a blush, we’re not sure which. 

Norton, for his part, found it to be somewhat amusing, considering the Australian gear she was wearing. He gave a small chuckle at that. 

“Now that was the most polite Australian I have ever seen. Be at ease everyone, the major will expand on what was said.” The major nodded. 

“Thank you sir. Now, we must first know who your foes are. Slide.” 

Quickly, the slideshow began, and on the screen appeared a symbol. It has a round rondel, with a yellow-tan background, with a white imprint of a palm tree in the center, and a black iron cross on top of the palm tree. 

“Our main foe is the Deutsches Afrika Korp, or DAK for short. Hailing from Germany, and supported by their Italian allies, they are masters at desert warfare, and are a heavily mechanized force that can cover large tracts of land, striking at unsuspecting locations. Many of you have probably already had run-ins with their heaviest vehicle, the Tiger.” Everyone grimaced at that, while Silver’s face developed a glare. 

The next slide came up, and there was a list. The major pointed at it. 

“They too, also have different battlegroups. Look them over, and let me know if you have questions.” 

They looked at the list. It resembled the list they saw when they were first assigned their battlegroups, only now, they were looking at their foes. 

Armored Support Battlegroup

Break enemy forces with an armored fist by combining weapon upgrades, panzer call-ins and air support.

Italian Combined Arms Battlegroup

Deploy swift Bersaglieri infantry alongside Italian tanks to sweep the battlefield, using artillery and air support to plug the gaps.

Italian Infantry Battlegroup

Break the enemy frontline and forge it anew with improved defenses, light vehicles, artillery and Italian Guastatori.

Battlefield Espionage Battlegroup

Conceal your force’s movement to plunder resources from your enemy and strike where they are weakest.

Panzerjäger Kommand Battlegroup

Cripple the enemy’s advance with defensive obstacles, enabling powerful anti-armor weapons to make the killing blow.

The major turned back towards the group. “As you may have guessed, so far, you have been facing down both Italian Battlegroups, as well as briefly the Armored Support one, but don’t be mistaken, the enemy will begin to adapt, and they will begin to bring new weapons to bear against you.” 

The major then beckoned for the slide show to continue, and the slide changed, this time to a map. It was the same as last time, but this time, several red dots were on the map, each one listing a spot. 

Alexandria

El Alamein

Alam El Halfa

Bardia

Tobruk

Gazala

Benghazi

Buerat

Tripoli

Medenine

Tunis

The major pointed first at Alexandria, then at Tunis. 

“Alexandria is our technical starting point, and Tunis is the end goal. Every other point on this map has a special mission, often based on the actual history from Yuu’s world.” He then glanced at the rest. “The completion of these missions will result in major rewards of material, as well as access to improvements for your battlegroups. And to ensure participation, all battle groups involved will get the upgrades. Is that understood?” 

The group nods. General Norton then stands up, and approaches the front, before turning to the rest. 

“I should add that different battlegroups in the same mission will have different objectives to complete. For it to succeed, everyone needs to do their part. Now commanders, we will soon be approaching our first mission here,” he said, pointing at the dot labeled El Alamein . “Ace, while you are injured, I can't let you on the battlefield, but as one half of the Air and Sea battlegroup, you will be allowed to direct it from a ship.” Ace nods.

As he did so, everyone noticed that they had a note appear in each group, with different overarching objectives. 

For Noelle, Ruggie and Jamil, their note read: defend the El Alamein road line to Alexandria . 

Ace, Collei, and Silver’s meanwhile read: Flank around the attacking force . 

Collei’s had an extra sentence: Flank around, and attack enemy supplies .

“Good.” Norton turned to the group. “Prepare for the campaign to liberate North Africa to truly begin.”

A sense of unease, nervousness, and even a little bit of excitement fell over the group. 

The game has now truly begun.

Chapter Text

After the meeting ended, everyone began to head out. 

As they left, they began coordinating, with Silver pulling out a map, which upon closer inspection, appeared to be that of the current battlefield. 

The map was a vast map, that upon closer inspection, revealed the terrain to be that of mostly flat desert, with the occasional rocky outcrop. 

The map was also carved up, with white lines dividing different sectors in haphazard ways, within which was either a small clip of ammo, a fuel can, or a simple dot within a circle. Down the middle, there were three stars, spread out at equal distances. 

“Ah, I see you discovered the economy.” All heads turned to the Major, walking up behind them.

“If you must know, all units need resources to deploy. Infantry and team weapon units require manpower, while vehicles will also require fuel. Weapon upgrades or unit special abilities will require munitions. Capture the points on the map, and you control the sector, as well as get a small stream of that resource income.” The Major walked off after saying that, and the group nodded before turning back to the map.

“Nice of him to tell us that before the fight,” muttered Ruggie under his breath, looking at the map. And the planning begins. 

…

After some planning, the group split up. 

Jamil, Noelle, and Ruggie were to each take a section of force to each of the star points, as that was revealed to be the points that needed to be held, and in the context of this mission, is the frontline for the forces that needed to be held. 

The anvil so to speak.

Jamil was to take the center point, Ruggie the Northern one, and Noelle the southern one. 

Silver and Collei found a second set of maps, one each, with different markings. 

It turned out that their flanking actions are actually off the current map, and thus needed different maps. 

That being said, Silver was to head south, while Collei and Ace were to go north. 

Or rather, Collie and Ace’s battlegroup were to go north. 

Ace had yet to be given the clean bill of health, but was told that he can rest on the ships, who in turn can act as a hub for him to provide support and rear echelon assistance to Collei. 

That being said, the various groups left, entering a variety of small trucks, except for Silver who walked off, accompanied by a tanker. 

…

Jamil reaches the center point with no resistance. He is accompanied by 4 squads of Gurkhas, all already upgraded, three of them with a Bren gun, and the last one all equipped with Thompsons. He is also accompanied by a section of engineers, and a medical truck.

Jamil opens his notes and maps, to find the instructions for him, alongside a secondary one.

Hold the center position

Prepare for defense. (time left: 3 min)

Jamil nodded, before checking his notes about his battlegroup, his eyes narrowing down on one of the abilities. 

B.L. 5.5-Inch Artillery Emplacements

Well, a plan was beginning to take form. He turns to the engineers. 

“Build an emplacement there,” pointing towards just behind the point. 

“Yes sir, on it.” Soon, the sound of shovels biting into the earth was heard, while Jamil turned back to his abilities. He realized that he can call in more support.

His brain did some quick calculations in a very Jamil-like manner. 

‘ Ok, so the Gurkhas have weapons that are better suited for shorter range fights as are the engineers, while the 5.5-inches are better for long range. I need something medium range, that doesn’t require having to manually point out targets. ’ 

His mind instantly latched onto the ML 4.2-inch Heavy Mortar Team, and radios them in. 

“4.2-inches called in, and on stand by.” Soon, he sees a truck, and behind it was the mortar rolling along like last time. 

Once the mortar crew detaches the mortar from the truck, he glances at the truck, and realizes that the truck can be upgraded to be either a medical truck, or to have an anti-air gun on the back. 

Jamil paused, and thought about the earlier battle several days ago. 

About the plane that went in and dropped bombs on them. 

He glanced around, and found that there was no cover, nowhere to hide. 

He turns, and tells the truck to upgrade to have an AA gun. He glances back, and sees the emplacement is finished. 

“Alright, now please build some sandbags there.” 

“Is digging holes all you want us to fucking do?” Despite the snark, the sandbags began to get filled. 

Jamil checks the time, and finds that he still has time to prepare. 

‘ Wonder how the others are faring? ’

…

The MG kept up the fire. 

Ruggie hits the dirt, as do the 3 Australian infantry sections and the one Royal Engineer section. All of them began to get as low as possible, as if to mold themselves into the ground.

Further back, his medical truck, 2 two-pounders and two 3-inch mortars are slowly catching up. 

The Australian infantry all have red flashing lights on their icons, with a red word underneath. 

Pinned. 

And Ruggie was definitely feeling it, looking forward a bit to see the source of this headache. 

An enemy MG 34 team, hiding behind a sandbag, accompanied by a pair of units with 5 men each. The icon overhead was that of an iron cross, with the leaves of a palm tree coming out the top. 

Panzergrenediers. (The previous night, he, as well as the others had gone over the enemy unit’s list. The inability to sleep was certainly a factor.)

Next to Ruggie, one of the Australian infantrymen slumps forward, as a burst of bullets tore through his head. Ruggie felt the blood splatter onto the side of his face.

Ruggie, of course, was a quick thinker. He had to be. He knows that he probably isn’t the smartest academically, but he is street smart, and that street smarts often translates into quick thinking on the go. 

Like right now. He turns back towards the mortar team. 

“3-INCHES! I NEED AN HE BARRAGE ON THAT MG CREW! THE OTHER ONE! FIRE A SMOKE BARRAGE IN FRONT OF US!”

Immediately, the two mortar crews stopped, just outside the firing arc of the HMG, and began firing their shells. The first to fire was the one who was to fire the HE barrage. 

As it fired, one of the mortarmen screamed out “That’s for Greece! And Crete! AND MY DOG!” The shells began landing around the HMG. None of them lands directly on top. 

But the saturation does have a purpose. Some of them lands on the surrounding panzergrenadier units, which helps relieve the pressure, as they duck for cover, with the occasional death. 

As for the HMG, the nearby blasts deal damage to them. 

Meanwhile, the smoke provides cover, and soon, the icon turns from the red ‘Pinned’, to the yellow ‘suppressed’, then finally to no icon change, showing that they were no longer suppressed. Ruggie turns to the men around him. 

“Advance, and fan out. Aim for the MG first.” 

Soon, the 5 units get up, and bolt out of the smoke. 

And every gun was aimed at the HMG that was still reeling from the HE barrage. 

“AIM FOR THE GUNNER!” Soon, several rifle cracks and a burst of Sten guns. 

Even as the HMG tries to fire off one last burst, the men manning it get shredded by the gunfire. 

“Finally,” begins one of the nearby Australian light infantrymen. “I can fucking hear myself think.”

A crack of fire, and the skipping of dust as it misses reminds Ruggie that there were still two units of Panzergrenediers left firing at them with bolt action rifles. 

“Shoot the Panzergrenediers!” 

Soon, a flurry of rifle fire and SMG fire tore through the two units. One of them retreats, a red exclamation point under its icon as it has been reduced to half its original strength. 

The other one didn’t get the chance, as it got ripped to shreds, both by the rifles and SMG of the Australians and Sappers, and also by the fact that it was closer to the HMG, and so more affected by the HE barrage. 

“Advance! Take the point!”

“Man the colors!” Soon, the 3 Australian infantry units and the engineers swarm the strategic point. Above, an icon changes, slowly turning from red to a neutral greenish-black, before beginning to turn blue. 

At the same time, the mortars, the 2-pounders and the truck finally reached them as well, and the medic truck began healing the injured units, and replenishing previous casualties. 

The brief skirmish had taken some losses, with one of the Australian infantry squads getting the worst of it, going from a 5 man squad to a 2 man one. As a new Australian infantryman jumps out of the truck and runs to that unit. 

One of the remaining two Australians barked at the replacement. 

“No time for a shit and a shave, you’re with us.” 

Ruggie nodded, before turning to the rest of the units. 

“Likewise, no time for tea either, we need to build defenses while we still have time. I need two sangar walls, and a Bofor emplacement. Get to it!” 

Soon, an emplacement was being dug out, with a new Bofor AA gun being placed in the middle by the Engineer section and one of the Aussie infantry units. 

The other two meanwhile began building a pair of sangar walls. 

As that occurred, Ruggie’s eyes glanced at the MG 34, its crew dead lying around it. He glances towards one of the two-pounder’s crews, before asking them. 

“Hey, do you know if there’s a way to man that gun again? Turn it on them?”

One of the gunners nodded, before speaking. 

“Sure thing boss. You can either send an infantry squad to man it, though it means that the manpower is split between the two, so both the squad and the weapon team are under strength. You can also have the medical truck deploy a team to recrew it, which will send the bare minimum to re-man the gun, but leaves your other units at their current strengths. As we have a medical truck, I would recommend the latter.”

Ruggie nods, before turning to the truck. 

“How careless of them, leaving a machine gun lying around for anyone to use…” The truck driver stares at Ruggie. 

“Send a crew to reman that MG.” 

Soon, a pair of men came out of the back of the truck, dressed like the rest of the men, albeit wearing the salad-like helmets instead of the slouch hats. 

“Manning that gun,” said the gunners, in a thick accent that was not like the Australians around him, being slightly deeper. (If he knew the geography of the accents within this army, he would have found it to be a North English accent).

At that, Ruggie looked back out, and wondered how Noelle was doing. Hopefully better than him. 

…

Noelle, as it turned out, had an easy enough time taking the point. 

She took it quickly, with no resistance, and soon, her 3 Australian light infantry sections, one Engineer section, and one 3-inch mortar were digging in, with sangars, a bofor emplacement, and a 17-pounder emplacement completed. 

As the emplacements were finished off, Noelle was getting the distinct feeling that this was going to be like the first mission here. 

A distance away, a 254 Reconnaissance Tractor begins detecting the emplacements.

That everything was going to be fine.

A command Panzer IV medium tank leads a small column of tanks, consisting of a Tiger, several Stug III G Assault guns, several Flammpanzers III, and a lot of Panzer III Ls and Js, as well as a few Panzer IVs.

Noelle actually began thinking about maybe exchanging some more recipes with Ruggie. After this obviously, though something tickled the back of her mind with concern. 

A Flakvierling Half-track moves forward, accompanied by multiple squads of various forms of Assault Grenadiers, Panzergrenediers, Panzerpioneers, and even the occasional Panzerjäger Squad. 

She remembered how the phrasing during the briefs were, implying that the gloves were coming off.

At that moment, a trio of Walking Stuka Rocket Launchers began aiming their rockets, based on the markings given to them by the 254 Reconnaissance Tractor.

But it should be alri–

The world burst into flames around Noelle, as the rockets slammed into the earth around her.

Chapter Text

Noelle looked up, her fingers holding the fork, on the end of it was a small piece of Eula’s Stormcrest Pie. She goes to take a bite, but pauses, the fork with the mixture of meat and buttery crust skewered on the fork. 

She places the fork down, back onto the plate. She gives a sigh. 

As Collei and Noelle continued explaining and telling of their story, it quickly became a bigger event of sorts. A friend of Lumine from Fontaine and a friend from Liyue dropped in. Charlotte and Xingqiu if Noelle can remember correctly.

Of course, hearing some of the story being told to Jean, Lumine and Tighnari, they both sat down and began writing like mad, trying to make sense of it all. 

Slowly, others began visiting, firstly to drop in on Lumine to say hi, and then staying longer as the allogens of Teyvat figured out that Collei and Noelle had gone through… something. Some came and went, while a select few chose to stick around, trying to hear it out. 

It was mostly fellow Knights of Favonius; Kaeya, Lisa, Amber (who was there out of concern for both Collei and Noelle), Eula, Sucrose and Albedo. 

Meanwhile, a fair amount of Sumeru people came as well. Cyno, Alhaitham, Kaveh, Dehya, Sethos, Candace. 

Actually, it’s probably easier to count who didn’t come. Dori.

Nahida sat there, a notebook in hand. 

As Noelle put the fork down, several of the knights leaned in. 

“What happened next?” Noelle glanced towards the direction of the voice. Amber, concern clearly seen in her eyes. Noelle leaned back in her chair, before giving a heavy sigh. 

It was not the animesque girl sigh. No, it was a sigh that sounded like it should have come from a 40 year old man with bills to pay who was just laid off from their job.

It kind of alarmed everyone that it came from a girl who was 17, and was still trying to get into her first job. 

Noelle looked off into the distance, before fixing Amber with a stare, before muttering her answer in a voice that almost sounded like a growl to Amber, catching her off-guard. 

“Hell.”

…

Noelle looked up, dazed and trying to figure out if she was concussed. She probably wasn’t, but her head hurts like hell. She feels something warm and wet on her face, dripping down the side, simultaneously hot and cold on her skin. 

She glanced down at her arms, and found that one of her sleeves was now tattered, while the other sleeve was still intact but with noticeable tears in it, with lacerations running across both arms, a small trickle of blood dripping into the hot, dusty sand below her. It gave her arm the same hot-cold sensation as what she feels on her face.

She drags one arm up, pushing herself up a little, as she was somewhat prone. She glances around. The first barrage struck hard and fast. 

The good news, the emplacements are still intact and still crewed, albeit with said crew carrying a few new scars on their body.

The same can not be said for the squads. 

The engineer squad was mostly unharmed. They were the exception, not the rules. 

The 3-inch mortar crew was nonexistent. Their bodies sadly, cannot be said the same. The four men were twisted, the bodies looked as if they had been mauled by a bear. Limbs were twisted and bent at unnatural angles that the human body should never be at, and that was ignoring how some of the limbs were connected to the body only by the thinnest of sinews. 

The Australian light infantry sections were better, but not by much. 

One of them had all men still alive, but Noelle can see that they were cut up a little. 

The second one was also cut up, but two of them were down, with one leaning on the sangar wall, his neck at a horrifying angle, while the other was practically cleaved in two at the waist.

The final section can only be described as having been savaged. One man remained, while the rest had been tossed around, like how a dog might shake a chew toy, their bodies slumped over rocks and sandbags like they were wet rags.

Noelle screams towards the one man section. 

“RUN!!! HEAD BACK TO THE HQ!!!” The Australian nods numbly, before stumbling up, and begins a dazed run back, a red exclamation mark beside the unit icon overhead. 

Noelle, for her part, stumbled as she tried to stand up. The wireless nearby blares out.

“We’ve lost contact with a mortar crew, presumed dead.” Noelle half-stumbles, half runs to the radio, and begins trying to get into contact with any of her co-commanders.

“Anyone, this is Noelle speaking, we’ve been struck with something, artillery I think! I need some form of help, please, we need he–” 

The second salvo of rockets struck into the ground, drowning out Noelle.

…

“Anyone, this is Noelle speaking, we’ve been struck with something, artillery I think! I need some form of help, please, we need he– * BOOM *” Noelle’s radio call gets drowned out by the sound of artillery striking the ground around her. 

Ace leans back, before walking away from the radio. 

Currently, he is on the bridge of a ship just off the coast. His coat was draped over a chair, as the coat and shirt irritated the bandages across his chest. He goes to another radio, before pulling out his notes, and he sees what he can call in. 

“What can I call in?” A nearby crewmember nods, before interjecting at Ace’s musing.

“We can’t, we don’t know where the hell the source is.” 

Ace sighed, before the radio came to life again.

It was Jamil.

…

“Anyone, this is Noelle speaking, we’ve been struck with something, artillery I think! I need some form of help, please, we need he– * BOOM *” Jamil winces away from the radio, as Noelle’s frantic screaming comes over it. 

The Gurkhas flinched away, visible pain on their faces. One of the gunners of the B.L. 5 howitzer mutters under his breath. 

“Those poor souls.”

Jamil begins pacing, muttering aloud. 

“I have the tools to counterattack, but I don’t know where to hit them.”

“Sir.” Jamil turns towards the source of the voice. It was one of the gunners for the heavy mortar. “The heavy mortar has a flare we can fire. It’ll reveal where they are exactly, but it is for a short time, and we would need to know the general area to aim.” An idea comes to Jamil’s mind, and soon, and quickly, he runs back to the radio. 

“Noelle, this Jamil, can you give a general bearing of those rounds?” 

A cackle comes over the radio, as another explosion rang out nearby, but thankfully, for all, Noelle’s voice came over the radio, squeaking as her voice reaches the upper limits of her vocal cord to scream into the radio, drowning out the explosions behind her, “SOUTHWEST!!! SOUTHWEST BY ABOUT SOME 950 METERS I THI– * BOOM *” Another explosion sounds out, drowning out Noelle’s voice. 

Jamil turns to the mortar team, who nods, before dropping a flare down the mortar. A fiery bright red flare bursts from the mortar, flying overhead in a long arc. 

Jamil soon looks down, checking the map, as well as the icons on it. He was able to spot three icons that looked like elongated vehicles, with something sticking out of the back. 

Walking Stuka Rocket Launchers. 

Mobile artillery unit very effective against stationary infantry, team weapons, and structures.

However, there was a fourth icon, one that made Jamil nervous. 

It was also the outline of a truck, but it looks like it has some sort of weapon on the back. 

Flakvierling Half-track. 

Very effective against infantry. Can damage light vehicles and shoot down aircraft.

‘ Anti-air, that’s going to cause a headache. Even if we take out the launchers. Unless… ’ Jamil’s mind began to race, before turning to the 5.5 gunners. 

“I need you to fire on this location.” The gunners looked at it, a look of confusion on their faces. 

“Sir,” began one of them. “That’s not the artillery attacking Noelle though.”

“I know, but for the longer fight, an AA gun would deny us air support. We take that out, we can secure the skies. Meanwhile, we can send the coordinates to Ace, and he can take them out as well.” The gunners nodded, before going to their positions.

Two howitzer positions began the process of firing their payloads, as jamil had two of them built.

Jamil watched as the back was opened, and a shell slammed into it, before the breech was closed. The guns were elevated, aiming towards their coordinates. 

One of the gunners screams out “FOR THE GLORY OF INDIA!!!” He then tugged the lanyard. Two howitzers fire, and deafening boom coming from the muzzles, as a flash and jet of flames followed by one of smoke came out of the gun’s barrels. A burning trail of chordite leaped from the muzzles, and soon a semi smoky arc was seen flying through the sky towards an AA truck. 

The breeches were opened, and an empty brass canister flew out alongside some heat, before a new shell was inserted, taking the old one's place. And the process began again.

Jamil turns back to the radio. 

“Ace, I’m sending you these coordinates. You know what to do.”

…

“Ace, I'm sending you these coordinates. You know what to do.” Ace quickly received a string of coordinates, which he frantically wrote down onto a piece of paper. He then glances over at his abilities that were listed in the notebook. His eyes wandered to one of them, Naval Bombardment. He turns to one of the nearby sailors. 

“Hey, I need a naval bombardment at 3-2-7-3-6-4.” The sailor nodded. As the sailor ran off, Ace stared out the bridge. He wondered what the target was. He just hoped that whatever it was something he was supposed to hit.

Soon, Ace felt the ship shake, as the loud sound of the ship’s guns firing, the force of the shells fired causing the boat to sway. 

Not that Ace noticed. He was screaming and clutching his ears as he had forgotten to cover them, and he was sure that they were ruptured. 

(They weren’t, but it still hurt.)

…

The walking stukas had just finished its second salvo of shelling. The walking stukas were a rather simple vehicle in the Afrika Korps arsenal. 

It was a Sd.Kfz. 251 halftrack which had about six frames on its sides, from which a rocket could be launched from. It was a rather superb form of indirect fire, and a reliable form of mobile artillery, well suited for the Korps. 

It did have a flaw though. Namely, it had to be still to attack. It must park to load the rockets. Still to aim, and aim well it does. And its movement serene and calm, at least until the gunner fires off the rockets. 

It was this flaw that doomed the crew.

The stukas aimed their rockets upwards, aiming towards Noelle’s position again. 

Nearby, the Flakvierling Half-track was parked. The big concern was that airstrikes can eliminate the walking stukas, so after some back and forth among command, a flakvierling was provided. 

It was also at this point that the shells slammed into them. 

The BL 5.5 howitzers slammed into the flakvierling, launching shrapnel through the frame, cutting both crew and vital engine parts. Furthermore, some of the shrapnel tore through the ammo store, and the sparks caused by both shrapnel and the flames from the explosion detonated the store.

The flames reach the engines, and due to the exposure to the air caused by shrapnel, the entire truck goes up in flames, before exploding, the air being filled with the smell of burning diesel. 

The walking stukas meanwhile, were quite literally tossed around by the strike of each naval gun shell slamming into the earth. 

One of the shells landed right in the back of one of the stukas, blowing up the stuka. 

By the time the last shell strikes the ground, tossing up dirt, all the stukas cease to exist, each one a burning husk, splattered on the inside by blood and gore of what once was their crew. 

However, it was too late to stop the third salvo, which had fired while they were bombarded. 

…

Noelle ducked low, as the final salvo of rockets slammed into her area. She slowly pulls herself up, before looking around at the damage. 

The three salvos had wreaked havoc on her part of the line. 

She had to send the other Australian Light infantry section back to retreat as it also had been savaged down to two men. The third one remained somewhat intact, but also had been savaged, going from a five man squad to a three man squad. 

Incredibly, the emplacements were still intact.. Or rather, they were still crewed. The gunners were swiftly tying bandages around their injured parts. The sandbags around their guns were leaking sand, shrapnel tearing massive gashes into them. 

The 17-pounder was the better off of the two, as the netting that hung over the emplacement caught a lot of the shrapnel, as well as anything that was tossed upwards. 

That said, the spot was not in good condition. Noelle once again stumbled towards the radio, which, incredibly, through it all, remained intact and unharmed. Noelle picked up the handset, before speaking into it. 

“We just got bombarded a third time, is there any help?”

Immediately Ace’s voice came over the radio. 

“Naval bombardment took out the artillery pieces. Jamil apparently took out another vehicle nearby, an AA vehicle. Means the sky is clear for us to assist. Damage on your end?” Noelle glanced back, before speaking back into the radio. 

“Lost my mortar crew, and two of my light infantry sections have retreated, and should have men again. Emplacements damaged, but still kicking. Engineers unharmed. The Aussies and I might need support.” 

Ace’s voice came over the radio again. 

“I hear you. Saw several of the Australians heading back to base. I have a medical truck queued up and ready to send to you. I’ll have them bring the recovered squads cause they are getting replacements. Radio me in if you need air support. Over and out.”

Noelle nodded, before putting the headset down, and turning to the engineers. 

“I need you to start repairing the AA emplacement.” 

“On it.” Noelle slumped down, before taking her hat off, and running a hand through her hair. She felt something wet on her hand, pulling her hand away. 

Her hand was coated in a mixture of black and red. At this point, Noelle sighed, before pulling out a small bandage, and began bandaging her head.

…

“I hear you. Saw several of the Australians heading back to base. I have a medical truck queued up and ready to send to you. I’ll have them bring the recovered squads cause they are getting replacements. Radio me in if you need air support. Over and out.”

Ruggie was, to put it mildly, concerned. 

He has spent the last couple of minutes, hearing over the radio the various conversations about Noelle and her mob as the lads around him referred to it.

Ruggie and his mob, for their part, had been beside themselves, hearing the explosions in the distance, the entire time, making comments.

Admittedly, the most common one heard was usually something along the lines of “The poor bastards,” or “Hope Noelle and her mob make it out alive.” 

Then they heard the naval guns, and the tone immediately changed from that of concern for Noelle, to that of mocking the Afrika Korps. 

“The Naval Pommes sure are working the guns huh.”

“Suck it down you kraut bastards, suck it down.” 

“Indian artillery. Good for something now huh.”

While this back and forth of artillery and concern occurred while they themselves did their best to fortify the place.

Several Sangar walls had been built, aiming outwards, with the two-pounder and the mortars setting up shop within the control point.  

The captured MG 34 was set up as well, aimed outwards. 

The rest of the infantry sections were set up all around behind the sangar walls. Ruggie glanced around, before leaning back on one of the sandbags by the mortar crews. 

‘ I hope Noelle is ok. I mean, she still owes me that pancake recipe. Not sure how to try it out. Doubt anyone here has chocolate. I mean, I can scrounge, but I have the distinct feeling she might not be the biggest fan of theft. I mean, look at her. It feels like she never had to go hungry. I mean, look at her… ’ Ruggie let that train of thought die. He has the distinct impression that if he finished it, then images might appear in his head. Images relating to a certain incident last battle. His face gains a red hue. 

A hue that was noticed by the mortar crew. 

“Thinking of girls bossman?” 

“Or,” leaned in one, a smug look on his face. “A certain sheila?”

Ruggie, by now, was beginning to look rather sheepish. 

“What, no!”

One of the mortarmen leans back, taking a drag from his lit cigaretter, before opening his mouth. 

“How about this, join us in our next couple of stonks. You'll be strong as an ox in no time. That's a 100-pounds per case. When we start a barrage, that's 500 pounds a day, *whistle*, you'll be able to carry a gal on one arm when you get home.”  

Ruggie gained an exasperated look. 

“Or, a certain commander.” Ruggie gave a sigh. 

“Look, no I’m not thinking about Noe–” An explosion rips through the air, narrowly missing the medic truck. Everyone immediately ducks for cover. At that point, Ruggie checked his notes, and found a new thing. 

Prepare for defense.

Hold the North position (10 minutes)

Oh, the attack is beginning. Ruggie peered over the sandbag wall, and found the source of the explosion. 

A Stug III G rolls forward again, and begins aiming again, while several squads of panzergrenadiers and assault grenadiers. Ruggie turned to the 2-pounder. 

“AIM AT THE STUG!!! KNOCK IT OUT!!! YOU!!!” He turned to the mortar crews. “I NEED YOU TO TRY AND BREAK UP THOSE INFANTRY FORMATIONS!!!”

The weapons crews spring into action. 

“Panzer, fire on it!” The two-pounder fired a shell, which slammed into the treads of the Stug. 

The mortars meanwhile, began firing rounds, trying to aim at the infantry surrounding the Stug. 

It was also at this point that Ruggie was glad that he manned the MG. The MG began firing in a sweeping arc, the gunners screaming out insults in a thick York accent. Soon, bullets began tearing into the infantry, and soon, it was their turn for them to lay on the ground, as the icon above them quickly changed from a yellow ‘suppressed’ to a red ‘pinned’. 

Ruggie will admit that he found it intensely cathartic to turn the DAK’s machine guns onto them. 

Meanwhile, all around him, the Australian Light Infantrymen began firing round after round, slowly picking off the pinned infantry. 

The Stug pauses, before firing a shell. It lands near one of the sangars, throwing up sand and small rocks, tossing it around. Most of them landed within the barbed wire in front of the sangar, and those that didn’t get tangled bounced off its walls or made small tears in the sandbags.

It was at this point that the 2-pounder finished loading a second shell, and fired. This one slammed into the Stug as well. Quickly, the 2-pounder finished loading its third shell, firing it, just before the Stug fired its own. 

The Stug bursts into flames, just as another vehicle comes up behind it. It was a Panzer III L. It aims its gun, and fires. Its shell also exploded in front of the sangar wall, this time though, it landed in the barbed wires, jostling it around, but sending bits of it up. 

The unit behind the wall ducked down, and were mostly spared from the explosion. That being said, the concussive force did disorient them for a couple of seconds however, and small cuts were found on one of the slower ones face. 

Ruggie turned to his 2-pounder crew.

“THERE!!! AIM AT THAT PANZER!!!” The crew quickly traversed the gun, before slamming a shell into the tank's body. It quickly loads another one. The Panzer III begins moving at a diagonal angle, traversing its gun, its machine gun firing. 

The rounds slam into the sandbags and sangars, causing many of the units behind to flinch back, shouting as they do so. 

“IT’S SWEEPING FOR NEW TARGETS!!!”

“THEY GOT MY RUCKSACK!!!”

“DON’T PAY ATTENTION TO MY LEG!!! WORRY ABOUT YOUR OWN!!!”

However, the angle it was driving proved to be its undoing, as the 2-pounders were quickly able to line up a shot. 

Ruggie quickly remembered one of the big rules that the 2-pounders told him during practice. 

The tank's strongest point is the front.

It’s weakest is the rear.

Its sides are an acceptable target to hit. 

Quickly, the Panzer III burst into flames, and it was at that moment a star appeared over the 2-pounder’s icon. 

“FUCK THE PROMOTION!!! KEEP FIGHTING!!!” At that point the 2-pounder had another round loaded. 

Ruggie looked over the battlefield as the enemy infantry began retreating, small red exclamation marks denoting their retreat, while the MG kept firing, its crew shouting. 

“Fook the barrels. Keep firing!” Ruggie began wondering how the others were faring. 

…

Noelle had never been one to swear. She found such language uncouth, and unfitting for a future Knight of Favonius to be caught doing. 

‘ fuck, Fuck, FUCK! ’

She was of the opinion that to even think of swearing is unbecoming for a maid, let alone a knight. 

‘ How the fucking hell are they doing this?!? Are they getting paid by the round!?!? ’

She lamented and feared the idea of any of her Mondstadter friends or the traveler from thinking she would use the word darn, let alone anything more vulgar. 

‘ Was that a whistle? I’m going to kill which ever fucker has been blowing that whistle! ’

To swear was in her viewpoint a way to demean oneself. And to use it for a loved one is to be nothing short of awful behavior. 

“THIS FUCKING RIFLE IS EMPTY!!! GET ME A CLIP YOU BLUDGERS!!! CHEERS YOU BASTARD! Get in there you piece of shit.” 

These viewpoints have effectively been wiped away within the last 6 minutes. 

After her position had been hammered with artillery Ace’s promised replenished sections did show up, alongside the medical truck. 

Said medical truck lasted all of 1 minute. It sent a crew to re-man the 3-inch mortar, before exploding into red, roaring flames as what could only be described as an oncoming horde of Panzer IIIs and Stugs began crashing onto her position. 

Since then, she has been busy, to a degree that was simultaneously unknown and known to her. 

In the past 6 minutes, she has helped to crew the 17-pounder as it knocked out tanks one by one, with golden stars appearing overhead, denoting promotion and improved attributes. All the while, she has been coordinating fire with Jamil and Ace, calling in fire and air support to help prevent her position from being overrun with tanks. 

When she wasn’t doing either of those things, she was rushing back and forth from the burnt out truck, scrounging any medical supply she can find, before applying it to any units that have been degrading in health. 

Meanwhile, she has been micromanaging the infantry units that still live to an unholy degree, telling the Australian infantry units to pick off key targets, and once the Engineers got promoted, she found out they got grenades. Grenades were thrown as fast as the munitions can trickle into her coffers to use. 

When she found out that the Australians can get scopes, they got scopes, and the picking off of enemy units became faster. 

Her mortar team meanwhile was constantly being updated with new targets for barrages. 

Around her, the screaming and cussing of Australians can be heard. 

“GAZZA, PASS ME THE SCOPE!!!”

“THINNING THE HERD!!!” 

“BLOWING THEM TO KINGDOM COME!!!”

The only thing that doesn’t need micromanaging is ironically enough the Bofor, who has kept the sky clear of any air strikes, which is one thing that Noelle was willing to drink for. 

Of course, when she wasn’t doing any of what was mentioned above, she decided to take things into her own hand.

Which leads us to now, with Noelle picking up a rifle that was dropped during the bombardment, and scrounged shots from the rest of the dead, and was taking potshots when she could. 

It also became clear to everyone that she is not the best at it, as she constantly was having trouble with the bolt, cutting her finger and scratching up her hand in the process. 

Successfully, she brought the bolt forward, a fresh ten rounds in the magazine. 

She aimed at a Panzergrenedier squad that had been whittled down to 3. She fires a shot, before pulling the bolt back, ejecting the spent shell like how all the other Australians fired. 

She hits. The man drops as akin to how one might drop a bag of potatoes. The section decided it had enough, and soon, they too are retreating. 

Noelle brings the gun up again, and finds that there is no one left to shoot. 

She lowers her rifle. 

It becomes quiet in this sector. She looks on front, rage, frustration, stress, and a whole mixture of other emotions falls away. 

In front of her, a desert that has become watered, not with water, but with blood. Dead DAK soldiers, both German and Italian lie in heaps, while burnt out husks of Panzers, Stugs, and the occasional Half-truck or armored car would remain, motionless. Corpses and blood oozed out of the wreckage, reminding the world of how they functioned. 

Behind her, clumps of limbs and bodies wearing Australian and British khaki lay still, blood splattered all around, both on the soil and on the living. Sandbags deflate, shrapnel and bullets causing holes to be torn in them, with the sand leaking out from them. 

All around, everywhere, the soil, sand and rock became deformed, shell holes and craters carved into them, as though it was bitten into by a cosmic ice cream scooper, tearing chunks out of the ground, and leaving the reddish-yellow soil to be blackened at the point of impact. 

The living looked not much better off. 

They looked exhausted, and felt it too. Their faces were blackened from the residue of gunpowder and cordite being consumed. They were covered in sand, thrown up by the shelling or by stray rounds. Blood leaked from wounds that were hastily covered, but are still bleeding through. Coats and shirts were torn, oftentimes at the sleeve to provide access for bandaging, or to provide the bandages themselves. 

Noelle looked down at herself, and she was no different. Sleeves were gone, sacrificed for bandages, and her arms now covered in cuts. 

One of the Australian light infantry section members walked up to her, silently passing her his canteen. She silently nods a thank you, before drinking from it. She hands back the canteen, still in silence. She turns to the rest. 

“Rest. For now. It’s quiet, take your time.” The man who gave her the canteen turned as well. 

“Well lads. You’ve heard the boss men. Take five.” 

They all nod, as one of the mortarmen lights up a cigarette. 

“Christ. There better be a paycheck and a cold one at the end of this.” 

Noelle silently nodded, before looking over into the distance. 

…

Jamil did the math as his position was silent. 

Noelle was shelled once the ten minutes began. 

Ruggie repelled his attacks by about the 4 minute mark. 

Noelle then repelled further attacks by the 6 minute mark. 

Jamil sighed. 

The past few minutes have been quiet on attacks, but not on activity. 

He spent the last few minutes coordinating fire missions for both Ruggie and Noelle, as needed, preventing them from being overrun. 

As the silence of attacks continued on his part of the line, he began using his sappers for more.

Namely, mine placement, planting mines across his front. Enough so that the sappers were starting to complain about it. 

“Watch them tellers. Tricky buggers. Fuse on top, fuse underneath, fuses every-fucking-which way.” 

Jamil nods, as he looks around, and sees that many of the Gurkhas were eating their rations, with the exception of the mortarmen and the emplaced artillery, who had just finished their most recent fire mission.

Jamil created a system for them. The 4.2 mortars would fire a flare, illuminating their target. The 5.5 howitzers will then in turn shell them into oblivion, or at the very least a very fine red paste. 

His lorry-mounted AA gun has been busy, providing protection against air attacks for a huge portion of the line, the occasional chugging of its polsten cutting through the air.

And Jamil looked at a watch. 

He then looked at his objection list. 

Hold the Center position (1 minutes)

‘ I mean surely, ’ thought Jamil. ‘ Who would attack no– ’

It was at this moment, that the universe decided to mock Jamil, as a tank shell flew past him, slamming into the AA lorry, detonating it in an instance, a roaring flame shooting from the magazines catching fire.

He looks forward, and sees the beast. 

The Tiger has returned. 

It was accompanied by 6 infantry units of various types, surging forward. 

It was at this point that the Tiger rolled over a mine. 

The mine explodes, and the words ‘Engine damage’ flashes just beneath the icon for it. 

It continues forward, albeit at a slower pace… and onto a second mine. ‘Crew shocked’ flashes now. 

It continues forward, somehow even slower. 

The third mine detonates, and the Tiger bursts into flames. 

A golden star appeared over the sapper unit, who were looking pleased with themselves while getting a stink eye from EVERYBODY in the area. 

Except for Jamil admittedly. Felt rather clever about it all.

The DAK infantry continued its charge… And immediately began triggering landmines, each one taking out two to three men each, and immediately sending them into being suppressed. 

An opportunity Jamil does not pass up on. 

He turns around. 

“Mortars, HE barrages on them. Gurkhas, grenade them. Obliterate their balls.” 

A mortar barrage began almost immediately, tossing HE shells into the midst of the suppressed units, while every single Gurkha pulled out a grenade, pulled the pin, and tossed it into that midst as well. 

In about 5 seconds, the 6 infantry units ceased to exist. 

And the radio blared to life. 

“Well done commanders, the line held. Collie and her lads, and Silver with his, had done their job.” Jamil nodded before turning to the engineers again. 

“Well, time to clean the mines up.” The sappers merely looked out in front, before looking back at Jamil, then sighed, as they pulled out their shovels.

Chapter Text

Noelle leaned back, finishing her part of the story telling, before taking a swig of her drink, which was just a glass of water, an ice cold pitcher of water in front of her. 

Everyone except for Collei was staring at Noelle, a little concerned due to hearing… well everything really. And now, come to think about it, everyone started to notice the many cuts across Noelle’s hands, as described in that first Alamein fight. 

She smooths back her hair, revealing the scars where the gash at the start was once found.

Kaveh, paused, before turning to Collei. 

“Wait, what about you? She said that your mission succeeded as well.” Collei nodded, finishing her last bite of Eula’s stormcrest pie. She places the plate onto the table, before taking a swig of water. She then leaned forward. 

“It was… an experience.”

…

Collei moved forward, finding her team. It consisted of 3 squads of Commandos, with one of them already having a single golden star under its icon. A fourth unit was also there, a Commando LMG section. They all turned their attention to Collei, who pulled out a map, as well as a wireless radio nearby, which quickly came to life. 

“Commander Collei, Leftenent Hunter here. We have identified several priority targets, to eliminate. They should be marked on your map, but whatever defenses they have will not be marked as we don’t know what they are.” Collei glanced down at the map, and sure enough, 9 positions were marked. 3 of them were labeled as ammo dumps, 3 as fuel dumps, and the final 3 were emplaced AA guns. Each group of three were clumped together into 3 clusters each.

“We have also identified a chokepoint with machine guns that needs to be taken out. It will cut up advancing forces otherwise.” Collei checked, and sure enough, another spot was marked alongside a road, with a star labeled ‘enemy MG nest’ in bright red.

“Finally, we have chatter about isolated units behind the lines here that may need rescuing.” Once again, Collei looked at the map, and saw 2 spots that had stars with the annotation of a building with troops trapped inside, as well as a third spot that was circled with yellow ink, implying that it was in that area, but the exact spot was unknown.

“Good luck commander. God be with you.” The radio cut out as Roy finished, resulting in Collei looking up at her teams. She takes a deep breath. 

“Alright, we have work to do.” They all nodded, before one of them yelled to the rest. 

“Alright you brigands! Time to move!” 

…

They were quick to approach the first site, where a cluster of ammo dumps was found, with several crates of munitions lying about. A single unit of Assault Grenadiers, who were busy milling about, guarding the location, an icon of a chevron with a submachine gun above it hanging above the unit's head. 

Said Assault grenadier squad happens to walk past the clumps of dumps. Collei turned to one of the Commando sections. 

“Can you toss a grenade at them,” whispered Collei. The commando nodded, before turning to another commando. 

“Throw a grenade. Wake them up.” The commando pulls out a grenade, pulling the pin, and holding it for a couple of seconds, cooking it, before tossing it right where the grenadiers were standing. 

The grenade lands, and before any of the grenadiers can say anything, it explodes, tossing the 5 men around. 

It also detonated one of the crates, sending up plumes of smoke, as the flames lashed out, and shots cooked off. 

Which then landed in the other two crates, and they soon began cooking off as well, and soon, the small area was engulfed in the flames of burning ammunition. 

Silence fell over the commandos and Collei. Collei checked her map, and notes, and simply crossed off the 3 ammo dumps mission. 

‘ Well… that was easy. ’

Collei turned to the commandos. 

“Alright, we have more work to do.”

…

The group advances towards the coordinates of the next supply dump, when they heard the chatter of machine gun fire, paired with the retort of rifle fire. 

Collei and the commandos advanced slowly, ascending a rocky hill which provided them cover. At the top, they found the source of the noise.

Below them was a small collection of houses that reminded Collei of the houses in Aaru Village. An Afrika Korp MG34 was firing at one of the houses. Alongside the mg, was a pair of Bersaglieri Squads, with both squads firing their rifles, as well as an LMG into the house.

Occasionally, a submachine gun from inside the house will peak out, and fire, before plunging back into the house. 

Collei observed this, and quickly remembered some of the advice that Tighnari gave in regards to helping those in need. 

‘ Okay, Tighnari said that whenever you help someone, you need to keep an eye out, and try to identify what is the danger. I’ve seen what those machine guns can do, so presumably that is the main danger. I need to take them out first, especially while they are distracted. ’

Collei turned to her sections, checking them over to try and see how they could take them out. She quickly realized that the enemy squads were focused only on the house, and the angle that they were at compared to the enemy squads meant that they could easily close the distance before getting shot up. 

“Alright, I need you all to focus fire on that HMG.” They all nodded. The plan was simple, everyone can tell that, but it was enough for the task.

At once, they all rushed out, running towards the machine gun.

Once they approached a short distance away (and still weren’t noticed) one of the commandos yells to the others “Safeties off. Fire at the first fucker you see,” and the rest obliged by opening fire. 

Let it be known that when you have no less than 23 submachine guns and a light machine gun firing at once, things get shredded real fast. 

Before the crew were even able to figure out that someone was behind them, they were quickly torn to ribbons as bullets flew down range towards them. 

The Bersaglieri didn’t hear anything per say, as the submachine guns were equipped with silencers, and the machine gun was louder, but seeing the crew fall dead was a sign that something happened. 

They turned around, only to then be torn to ribbons again as the commandos opened fire on them, cutting them down quickly. 

Collei emerged from her hiding spot, nodding with approval at the swift work. She glances towards the house, before tentatively waving at the house. 

“Hello,” started Collei, a slight nervousness in her voice. “Is anyone in there?” Silence was the answer. Collei gives a small cough, before shouting again. “This is Collei, a commander. Anyone in there.” Finally, a voice comes out. 

“ Dioikitís , Sacred Squadron here. Thanks for the help. We can help you now.” Quickly, a pair of squads exit the house. Each squad consisted of a squad of 5, dressed like the Foot Guards sections, but with slight differences. 

For starters, instead of the tan berets, they instead wore a watch cap of sorts, albeit with the points at the front and back. (Collei doesn’t know it, but the technical term for the hats are ‘commando caps’) They also did not carry the anti-tank tubes like the foot guard did, being all Thompson submachine guns. 

The bigger difference were the men themselves, with skin tones that actually reminded Collei of many of the students who studied at the Akademiya, with tanner skins and darker hair. 

The icons above the squads’ heads were very distinctly different. It consisted of a sword, thrusting upwards, while being surrounded by a wreath, an unfurled scroll running across behind the sword and wreath. 

The icon quickly changed color from white to yellow, to blue, and back to white again. Collei heard the radio cackle.

“Greek Sacred Squadron has been transferred to your command. They’re ready for work.” Collei pulled out her notes, and found a new subsection has been added, entitled ‘Mission only’. Opening it, it reveals the addition of a new unit.

Greek Sacred Squadron Section

Short ranged, durable elite infantry. Best used to take on enemy strongpoints. Campaign mission exclusive.

Collei took a look at abilities, and saw that they had smoke grenades, as well as something called a ‘gammon’, though she wasn’t quite sure what that was. Collei nodded, before turning to all the units gathered. 

“All right, I saw the map, and we have some more targets to go after. We’re heading here,” she said, pointing to a certain point on the map that was labeled with ‘machine gun emplacement’.” 

A chorus of responses came out. 

“Heading to coordinates.”

“Come on yah brigands. We've got work to do.”

“Understood Dioikitís . The liberation is at hands.”

…

It didn’t take long to get to the spot. The terrain was rather barren, but it was rocky enough so that cover was found, so at least they weren’t exposed. 

They also were off the beaten path, as they hadn’t made contact with any enemy patrols. So, naturally, they chatted, and as they marched, Collei heard snippets of the conversations around her. 

“I wish I still had me shovel. Knife’s nice and all but you can’t twat out about with it.”

“No wonder I didn’t hit shit. Sight’s skewered. Who fucking sat on me sten?”

“Fleming? I her’d a him. Psyches you got to watch out for. Slippery bastards. A killer, pure and simple. Not a morsel of regret in his eyes.”

Occasionally, Collie would also hear conversations from the two Greek sections.

“ Elaias-Kalama ? Yes, I was there. The Italoí were no match for us… until the Germans got involved.”

“Some of these days have not been good. But we say our prayers, pick up the rifle, and go back out there. Otherwise, we will lose to the fasístes .”

“ Metaxists, EAM, mark my words, at some point the two will clash. Hopefully by then we would have liberated Elláda by then.”

However, after a certain point, Collie held up her hand, as though motioning to stop, before pointing downwards. 

At once, dozens of pairs of eyes followed the trajectory of the finger and found an Afrika Korps Machine gun nest. It consisted of several MG34s, complete with crews aiming outwards from behind multiple sandbags. This emplacement was placed next to a dust road, outlined by a border of stones spread out every foot or so. Collei scanned the groups, trying to figure out how to do this. 

At the moment now, they haven’t seen the party, and they did have the high ground, but she had the distinct feeling that if they just ran up onto them like they did earlier to rescue the Sacred Squadrons, then she won’t be able to find a solution.

‘ Wait… Sacred Squadron… ’ Collei turned to one of the Sacred Squadron raiders. 

“Quick, what does the Gammon do?” 

“Simple, it is essentially a bag stuffed with however much explosive is needed, with a fuze. Toss it, and boom, no more target.” Collei glances back to the machine gun nest. She then turned to the other Sacred Squad. 

“Toss a smoke grenade here. You lot,” she said pointing towards the Commandos, “would fire on the nest, keep their heads down while you,” gesturing to the second Sacred Squad, “will toss a Gammon. Understood?” A chorus of “Yes ma’ams,” were heard. Collei shook off the shock at being called ‘ma’am’, before nodding.

“All right then… go!” 

At once, one of the Sacred Squads stood up, and tossed a smoke grenade, yelling “Concealment now!” The grenade lands, and soon billows of greyish-white smoke billowed from it, while the sound of the commandos stens and single Vicker K machine gun opened fire, drawing the MG’s attention, and soon, the guns began firing in return, but the smoke made it hard for the gunners to properly see that one of the Sacred Squads was running up.

A squadie crouches, before pulling out a gammon bomb. “Stuck a few nails in for good measure,” muttered the man. He then arches his arms, and yelling “EAT THIS,” he tosses the gammon. 

It lands in the middle of the machine gun nest, and before they even react, the bomb explodes, shrapnel flying all over the place, shredding the crews to bits, and soon, the MGs goes silent, while a cheer went up from the Gammon thrower. 

“Enemy MG has been destroyed.”

Collei glanced around.

“Ok,” she muttered, glancing at her map. The mission has progressed smoothly, and with no casualties so far. Collei however had the distinct feeling that at some point, something is going to happen. 

She didn’t make it through escaping Dottore’s lab, and wandering the wilderness of Teyvat by being a person who wasn’t aware that a situation can go sideways. It wasn’t until she met Tighnari, Cyno and Amber for her to realize that just because something has been going smoothly, it doesn’t mean that the other shoe will drop soon after. 

That being said, she also never truly lost it, at least according to her talks with Faruzan. Collei sighed, before turning to the rest. 

“Well, we got to get moving, let’s head here,” she said, pointing towards a point that was another one of the spots where allied units have been found. One of the commandos nods.

“Understood.” He turned to the rest. “Marchings for Home Guard. We’re running.” Collei’s head snapped.

“Huh?” 

‘ Is he joking ,’ wondered Collei. 

As the squads began to jog, Collei realized that he wasn’t, and quickly ran after them, her unease still present.

…

Gunfire erupted again, and the group came to a halt. This time, the sustained fire of an MG was heard, but not as much counterfire. 

Collei checked over the rock outcrop that they were on, to try and observe the source of the clash. 

A short ways away, a small collection of houses can be seen, and in one of them, the continuous string of machine gun fire pours out of it, the staccato of its fire matching the sounds of the Afrika Korp MG34s.

In front of the house was an open spot, where multiple bodies can be seen laying still alongside the very much still alive two units. The icon above the head was that of a fern leaf, with a crown above it, and a spear crossed with a club underneath. A red exclamation marked paired with the words ‘pinned’ were seen alongside it.

The men that were being pinned reminded Collei of the Australians under Ruggie and Noelle’s command, with some differences. 

They noticeably had darker skin tones, reminding Collei of some of the pictures of Natlanese people that Lumine had shown her. Instead of slouch hats with the left brim folded up by a pin, they had a mixture of a wide brim hat that reminded Collei of a lemon squeezer, or were wearing a khaki beret much like what the Foot Guard Sections were wearing.

Each unit had 6 men in it, with two having long anti-tank rifles (BOYS if Collei remembered the name properly), with the rest carrying rifles.

Collie glanced around, trying to figure out how to help. She paused, looking at the building. She then turned to her units. 

“Sacred Squad.”

“Yes Dioikitís ?”

“I need you to drop a smoke bomb there, in front of that building.”

“On it Dioikitís .”

Collei then turned to one of the Commando sections. 

“Commandos.”

“Pipe down,” said one, turning to the others who were chatting. “We’re waiting for orders.” 

“I need you to place a demo charge there,” she said, pointing just behind the building. The commando nodded. 

“Yeah, placing a demo on that mark. Quickly now.” 

Soon, both sections moved forward. 

The Sacred Squad moves forward quickly, before stopping, and with both the heave of one of them and a shout from one of them of “Smoke, covering our fighters,”, tosses a smoke grenade, which lands in front of the building. 

The grenade quickly starts to smoke, and soon, a billow of smoke erupts from the grenade, covering the view of the gunners inside the building. Quickly, the rattle of gun fire ceases.

Meanwhile, the commando section rushes beside the building around the back.

“Demo charge her’e. Short fuse.” One of them takes out a small cord. “Not that short you spanner.” The cord was put away.

They quickly began placing sticks of dynamite, connected to an electric plunger. 

Soon, a commando flashes Collei a thumbs up, and she gestures for them to step away. Quickly, the commandos make a run for it. 

Little did they know that while this happened, the machine gun was turned… onto them. 

Soon, the chattering of a machine gun rings out, slamming into the ground and backs of the commando section. 

One drops immediately, a staggered cry coming from him. 

“Squadies dogging us up! Taking fire!” A second commando falls down, swearing under his breath as he did so. Quickly, the squad begins to gain a yellow exclamation mark by their icon, the words ‘suppressed’ appearing next to it. One of the commandos throws the electric plunger alongside the cord out towards Collei, before taking a round through the neck. 

The plunger lands by Collei, who leaps towards it, grabbing ahold of it, and with a twist and pulling it down, activates the plunger. 

Quickly, an explosion rips through the building, with a wall being taken out, alongside the corners that supported the rest of the house. Soon, the second floor collapses, with the roof folding in on it. Any crew inside would have almost certainly been killed. Silence fell across this stretch of rocky desert, as the rumblings and shuddering of the building ceased. 

Collei felt her ears ringing, before slowly subsiding. She shakes her head, while looking at the commando section, their numbers halved by the surprise turning of the machine guns onto them. Collei tried to ignore the way the reddish desert rocks became bright crimson from the splattering of blood.

She failed in that regard, the blood and the bodies staring at her, as if accusatory. She is thankful that all three men who were gunned down fell face-down, so that she doesn’t have to see their eyes. 

One of the commandos stands up, running to all the bodies, taking a small leather strap from around their neck that had two fibreboard tags, and pulling one of the tags off, before shoving it into his pocket. 

The smoke finally cleared, and soon, she saw the two units she had saved, standing up. Like the Sacred Squad, the icon flashed from white, to yellow, to blue, to white again. The radio calls in. 

“New Zealand sent their best men to assist. Māori no less.” Collei quickly checked her notes. 

New Zealand Tank Hunter section

Long-ranged infantry, effective against light vehicles. Mission exclusive.

Collei gestured towards them, catching their attention. 

“Quiet down brothers. Commander wants to talk.” The voice was oddly soothing to Collei, which was out of place for the battlefield. Collei nodded anyway. 

“You’re with us.” 

“Understood, come on, we’ve got work to do before we can start singing. That means you, Taika.”

…

Collei was quickly realizing that she had probably walked more on this single mission than during the entire time she had been at Gandharva Ville. To be fair admittedly, Elezear has put that on a damper a little bit, but still, the point stands that her feet were starting to ache. 

And that’s ignoring the heat, that made Collei feel like she was sweating buckets. She had already removed the camo jacket off her, wrapping it around her waist to let her clothes breathe again, her khaki tan short-sleeved shirt helping on that. Granted, sunburn was probably going to be a new potentiality, which she knew, but that was later. 

Not that anyone else noticed, or particularly cared, conversations continuing around her. That said, conversations there may have been, but heads were swivelling the entire time, and soon, conversations stopped, as one of the New Zealanders pointed.

“There, enemy infantry.”

Collei followed the direction, and sure enough, she had found the next target. 

It was a much larger place compared to the ammo dump earlier. Massive silos of fuel were placed on frames, above the ground. Sandbag walls were all around the place, where each sandbag wall had a Panzergrenadier squad behind it, rifles and an LMG accompanying each. Further in the back, was a GrW 34 Mortar Team.

A mortar team saw them.

A mortar team that placed a shell into the tube, with a cry of “Artillery confirmes target,” and “7.52 centimeters of FUCK YOU!” 

A mortar team that just sent a mortar shell their wa-

‘ Oh shi– ’ The shell slams into the ground, missing the units and Collei, but sending up dust upwards, and small scraps to the side, making small cuts, but nothing lethal. Soon, another shell was arching towards them.

This one was a lot more accurate, slamming into the middle of one of the Commando sections. 

It was only due to them being spread out that they weren’t killed outright. That being said, one of them did not survive, being tossed upwards, before plopping back to the ground still. Others received cuts from the shrapnel thrown about, but none that were lethal. Pain was another story.

Collei quickly scanned the spot. 

‘ Those mortars, they need a wide arc. We need to get close to them. ’ She turned to the LMG section. 

“Close in with that mortar. I need you guys to suppress it.” They nod, before bolting, finding a rock that gave a clear view of the mortar team, and began firing at the mortar team. 

“Firin’. Keep that Vickers down range.” The Vickers remained firing downrange.

Most of the shots went wide, but they did the job, causing the mortar team to start ducking for cover, re-aiming the mortar to begin firing on the LMG team.

“KURT, get your arsch back in position. Keep your focus! They’re trying to pin us down!”

It wasn’t a lot, but it was enough to close the distance. 

“I need you,” she pointed at one of the Commando sections, “to grenade that position,” pointing at one of the Panzergrenadier squads. She pointed at a Sacred Squad. 

“I need you to gammon that position,” pointing at another sandbag and Panzergrenadier squad. 

Soon, two units dashed out. They were spotted by the Panzergrenadiers, who began firing on the two units. The rifle fire tore through the air, with audible cracks and snaps as it missed, before the barking of the MG34’s they carried began rushing through, striking down a commando and two Sacred Squadmen.

That being said, they got close, before tossing a cooked mill bomb and a gammon bomb. The bombs tore through the squads, and the close range bursts of silenced Stens and Thompsons silenced the squads.

Collei nodded, trying to ignore the bloodshed. “Okay, everyone, rush the mortar.” The mortar was quickly silenced, as dozens of submachine guns, machine guns, and rifles tore through them. Sighs of relief were heard. 

Relief that was short-lived, as a round slammed into the dirt. Everyone quickly looked around, before seeing the source of the shell.

A pair of L6/40 Light tanks and a Semovente da 75/18 Assault Gun rolled up. One of the L6/40 began spitting out shells, tearing through sandbag walls, forcing everyone to start ducking, lest they get killed. 

The other L6/40 remained silent, as it approached one of the units, one of the Commando sections. Its silence ended, as a plume of fire leapt from the barrel. The flames shot overhead, forcing them to duck, but one was too slow, and was soon consumed in flames. Collei pointed at that one. 

“NEW ZEALANDERS!!! TAKE THAT PANZER OUT FIRST!”

Soon, 4 anti-tank rifles and another 8 regular rifles were aimed at the tank. One of the Kiwis barks “Take that panzer out!” At that point, 4 AT rounds slammed into it. 

One of the shots must have struck something important, as the back erupted into flames, smoke billowing out, while screams started to come out, before being quickly silenced. 

“Heh, knackered up that fucking tank.” As they ejected the spent round, the Semovente made its move, firing a shell directly into one of the New Zealand units. The shell messed them up, knocking down three of the Māori members, their bodies flaying onto the ground, and limbs in unnatural angles. 

“We’re getting buggered up here!” The other New Zealand unit fired its AT rounds, which merely bounced off the front. Collei’s ears ringed, before turning to one of the commando units that wasn’t getting shot up. 

“YOU! I NEED A STICKY BOMB, NOW!” A commando section dashed out of cover, braving the autorounds from the remaining L6/40, before tossing a sticky bomb onto the back of the Semovente. 

The thrower was instantly gunned down, but the task was done, as the bomb stuck, and detonated. It didn’t destroy the vehicle, but the words ‘Engine damage’ flashed overhead. 

That was the opportunity that Collei needed.

“New Zealanders, flank around, then fire.” 

“Understood, Ake! Ake! Kia Kaha E! ” 

The Semevente fired again, but missed as the men were already moving out of the way. With the firing of AT rounds, the Semevente was silenced, as smoke sputtered out of the rear.

Collei sighed, before being dragged down by one of the commandos. 

Oh right, there was still the third vehicle. The L6/40 fired another burst, tearing through cover, trying to guess where the infantry were. Collei screamed. 

“FOCUS FIRE EVERYONE!” 

As rifle rounds, submachine gun rounds, and LMG rounds slammed into it, the AT rounds struck. It was quickly bursting into flames, no thanks to the rifle rounds.

Silence fell over the area again. Collei glanced around, before pointing back towards the cursed oil silos. 

“I need demolition charges there. NOW!” 

“Demolition charge, rigged to ruin someone’s day.” One of the Commando squads runs up to the silos, and after placing some dynamite sticks, connecting it to the plunger, and running the wire back away from the silos, hands it to Collei. 

“Honors for you lass.” Collei nods, before yelling to the rest. 

“GET CLEAR!” Everyone ran, getting away from the silos. 

With the twist and plunge of the detonator, the explosives, well, exploded. It cut through the metal silos, opening them up, causing the oil and fumes to be exposed to the flames of the explosion. Soon, combustion and flames do the rest of the job, and three silos go to zero silos. 

Silence returns, except for the crackling of flames. Soon, the commandos began taking out medical packs, handing them out amongst themselves. 

“Right lads, patch yerselves up.”

“Plug up them wounds, yer’re no good dead.” Collei wipes her face, before slumping to the ground. She began doing the math. 

‘ So far, in the last couple of engagements, I had sustained 12 dead men… 12 dead men under my command. ’ She looked around. Trying to do the math. Only the LMG squad was completely unscathed, the rest having lost one of two men each. 

She then notices a canteen placed in front of her. She looks up, and sees that it’s one of the Māori soldiers, who gestures to it. 

“C’mon commander. The water’ll help. My brothers and I still have work to do, ‘nd so do you.” Collei nods, before standing up. 

‘ Twelve men dead, but I still have 33. I need to get them back. As many as I can. And we have more to do. Archons, give me strength. ’

…

Movement continued, and Collei looked over her maps again, walking alongside the others as they advanced. 

Collie knew that she had one more group of Allied soldiers to help, and finally to take out the AA emplacements. Conversations continued around her as she looked it over. 

“Taika, why are you cracking open the tin now? Didn’t your mother tell you not to walk and eat. Bad for your health it’tis.”

“Working for the army is the same as working at the shipyards. Some posh bastard tell us what to do, and we get dirty doing it.”

“My father would be spinning in his grave if he saw me in this uniform. Cept the bastards not dead yet.”

“Anyone else miss eatin’ moussaka ? My mother had a really good recipe, but where the hell would we find eggplants in this bleeding desert?”

“It’s hot and arid here. Why the hell are we fightin’ here?”

Collei glanced at the map again. She glanced at the large yellow circle, labeled ‘Allied forces need help here’. She then glanced around, before catching sight of something.

‘ What… what was that? ’ She turned to the rest. 

“Hold here, I’m going to check something.” 

Before she can leave, someone called out. “Commander, you’ll need this.” A pistol was placed in her hands, and soon, she snuck away, keeping low in case it was dangerous. 

She ducked behind a rock, peering over into the ravine she was over. In the shallow ravine, was a large space, where several things stood. Firstly was a Flakvierling Half-track, which had a pair of infantry squads standing nearby, and an HMG behind a sandbag emplacement. 

The infantry squads looked different then normal, being dressed like the Bersaglieri squads, only with some key differences. Namely, this difference was a cloak over their back, and the wearing of a bicorn hat of all things, which even Collei thought felt out of place. The icon overhead was a flaming bomb, with the flames going sideways, albeit skewed to the rightside, with a pair of cavalry sabres behind it.

They were keeping an eye on an enclosure built out of barbed wire, within which were not one, not two, but 5 squads, each one with 6 men inside.

They were all dressed much like how most of the UKF soldiers Collei has seen were dressed. Khaki tan shirts and shorts, long socks, boots and anklets.Webbings were worn, but no weapons were held. The new thing were the sun helmets on their heads, plus the large patches on both said helmets as well as their sleeves. It was a circle, split in half horizontally, with the top being yellow, and the bottom half being green.

Overhead was the unit icon, that of a gazelle leaping, with a wreath around it.

‘ 30 men captured. Yeah, we need to get them out. ’ She rushes back, drawing her units attention. 

“Alright, here’s the plan.”

“I need the New Zealanders to focus fire on the halftruck. Sacred Squads, I need you to throw gammons at the HMG. The rest, I need you to focus fire on the two units guarding them. Understood?” 

“Yes ma’am.” 

What followed was a near perfect execution of said plan. 

The New Zealanders quickly shot up the Flakvierling vehicle, and soon it was up in smoke and flames. 

Gammon bombs flew, and while the HMGs were being turned, the bombs detonated, spraying the teams with concussive force and nails, ending it before it could fire. 

As for the pair of Carabinieri squads, rapid fire tore through them. They tried to fire a couple of rounds, but they were cut down before they hit anything.

Collei ran up to the barbed wire, before reaching out, then pauses. She picks up one of the discarded rifles, then, using the bayonet, starts pulling the barbed wire away. 

As she did so, the icons overhead flashed from white, to yellow, to blue, and then back to white again. The radio spoke up. 

“South African infantry available… for what their worth.”

…

 Arming the South Africans was quick. There were crates nearby that once opened provided them with rifles. Collei took the time to check the notes. 

South African Infantry

Cheap, but weak infantry that gain bonuses in cover. Mission exclusive. 

‘ I’m suddenly concerned. Who put’s down ‘weak’ in a description about them? ’ 

Needless to say, the mission progressed forward, and the routine returned of the units and Collei walking through the desert, and once again, casual conversations occurred on the side, although the addition of the South Africans added new conversations.

“Keep an eye out seuns . That means you Jan.” 

“I’ve been craving Tītī lately. I can almost taste it. Hadn’t had it since we left Wellington.”

“Thought I saw the king the other day. Geórgios, right there. Waved at him, and he waved back.”

“ Ossewabrandwag ? Don’t make me laugh. *spit* Fucking disgrace. Almost makes me ashamed to be Afrikaans, the fascis wannabes.” 

It was at this point that a shell flew and slammed into the dirt, kicking up dust. Everyone immediately scanned the area, and quickly found the source of the shell. 

It was one of the AA guns, a trio of Flak 36s. It was also at this point that Collei realized that they were aiming at them. 

Sadly, no one had told Collei that the Flak 36s were technically Anti-air, but saw more use as Anti-tank weapons, and right now, they were now little more than glorified cannons. 

Glorified cannons now aimed at Collei. 

Collei could only yell one thing. 

“SCATTER!!!” Immediately, everyone flung themselves about, trying to avoid bunching up, as the other two Flaks aimed, and fired. 

This caught the attention of the troops guarding the flaks, a trio of Guastatori Squads, all of whom had two flamethrowers each.

Collei observed the flamethrowers, and her mind lurched back to a few days earlier.

The jets of flame.

The screams.

Ace’s blood on her hands and clothing. 

‘ They need to go, They Need To Go, THEY NEED TO GO! ’

“THOSE FLAME TROOPS!!! GUN THE FUCKERS DOWN!” 

A lot of heads swiveled towards Collei, surprised at the tone, the scream, and the tear streaks on her face. 

As one, gunfire erupted. 

The Commandos and Sacred Squads fired control bursts with their submachine guns and LMGs, while the New Zealanders fired in precise rifle shots. 

The South Africans didn’t fire like either of them. 

“MAD MINUTE LADS!!! WYS HULLE HOE ONS VEG!!! ”

If Collei were to draw a comparison (and wasn’t beginning to become unresponsive), then the best comparison would be almost to the volley fire that Fontaine troops do. 

In a single burst, 30 rifles fired in unison, before each one began firing, as fast as the bolt can be pulled back. 

The alarming thing for Collei was that it was working.

The literal shower of bullets fired drowned the Guastatori, and the bullets cut them down, and the rifle fired continued, slicing into the bodies of the gunners. 

The guns remained intact, less so the gunners. Soon, exclamation marks appeared over the heads of the guns, as the last gunners for each gun fled. Silence fell over the area. 

Collei glanced around.

Although they were surprised, there were no casualties. Withering gunfire outranged the Guastatori, while the Flaks missed, discombobulating but not slaying.

Collei numbly pulled out the map, and saw that the note for the AA guns has been crossed, and has been accomplished. Collei sighed.

A sigh that was short-lived as the rumbling of tanks was heard. Collei turned around, and saw coming up from where they had come from, was an Afrika Korps tank column. 

2 L6/40s, 3 Carro Armato M13/40s, Panzer III tanks, and several 250 light carriers, each carrying infantry. 

Then one of the carriers exploded. 

Collei turned to the New Zealanders. 

“Nice shot.” 

The Kiwis stared. 

“Um… boss-lass…. That wasn’t us.” A second vehicle, an L6/40 was struck twice, bursting into flames. Everyone quickly followed the trail, and found the source. 

Another tank. 

Multiple tanks. 

Multiple British tanks. 

Bursting from around the corner that a desert wall hid, came a multitude of British tanks. Crusader IIs and IIIs, Matildas, Stuart Light tanks, and a Humber armoured car for good measure. On the back of each Crusader and Matilda, was a section of Royal Engineers or Infantry section, carrying either Brens or BOYS. And on the top of the lead Crusader tank, was Silver. 

As the tank battle ensued, Collei found herself finally able to breathe normally again for the first time today.

Her mission was finished.