Chapter 3
Back in my old world, I always heard from various military strategists, in war there are three important elements that needed to have to win a war. The first is logistic, the second is logistic and finally the third is logistic. Well what I'm trying to say is that logistics will determine the winners and losers in war.
Why am I saying this? Well, I am currently eating a nice steak with mash potatoes in the mess hall. It's all thanks to the Federation's robust logistic networks that I somewhat enjoy my time on the front. But now, I can't even enjoy the food.
"Yo Hyun-woo, why the long face?"
A young man, who is the same age as I am, takes a seat in front of me. My face quickly turned sour at the man question.
"Javi, you're in the same platoon as me. You know why, aren't you?"
Javier just grinned at my response. He picks up his knife and fork and starts to eat his steaks.
Javier Reyes, one of the few friends that I make during boot camp. He is a friendly and outgoing guy that always dragged me into a lot of troubles back then. If I'm being honest I was quite happy when we were assigned into the same platoon
"Damn that credit chasing asshole. He is the one that wants a quick promotion, why in god's name do we need to be the one that suffers for it?"
"Come on man, we have been under his commands for about a year already. You should have expected it by now."
Even though I know that cowardly opportunist Major that kind of bastard, I just can't keep it down in my heart or else I might punch him in the face in a fit of anger.
"Ah! Just forget about that sissy. Take a look at this."
Javi takes out from his pocket his smartphone and shows me a video.
"Look, look man, Rosa just recently learned how to walk."
Javier, the doting father always talks about his daughter whenever we have time. This time he is showing me the video of her daughter walking wobbly for a few minutes. I used to think whenever he showed me this kind of video, he's setting up some kind of death flags for himself. Well I'm glad that I was wrong.
"By the Javi, have you met with the valkyries that we need to babysit for the next mission?"
"No, the 2nd Lieutenant said to wait for you to be discharged from the hospital."
I take another bite from my steak and sigh.
"Hah~ well at least they won't sent a newbie squad on a suicide mission."
***
"Ilya Weiss, leader of the 207th Valkyries squad. Our squad will have joint operations with your platoon in the next mission. Just don't stand on our way and I think we can work just well."
Well looks like I'm going to die this time. Why of all Valkyries, it has to be her?!
Ilya Weiss, she is one of the characters that you can pull. She is what you will call a tragic heroine. She is quite popular in the game thanks to her tragic trailer, even I, someone who is just a casual player know about her. A lone survivor of a squad after a mission went wrong.
She is the last person that I want to be assigned to doing the same mission. I'm not sure which mission that her team got wiped out but I don't want it to happen when I'm with her. I cannot back out of this mission now, so I need to prepare.
"Alright our mission this time is to take out this small Imperial outpost located in Kirbak peninsula, we believe it's one of their hidden war factories located there. Track it down and eliminate it."
Artak V, one of the important planets on the frontline against the Immortal Empire. Even when the planet has been fully blockaded by the Federation Navy, the Imperial Army still managed to operate in full capacity.
One of the reasons is this hidden arms factories scattered around the planet. A high priority target if detected. Usually it's located far behind enemies' line and light guarded to avoid detection from scout drones. A mission well suited for special operation units like the Valkyries.
But these factories are located quite close to our controlled territories. Something smells fishy about this whole operation.
"Sir, what about their defenses?"
"So far we can only observe small company size forces guarding the area. No anti air defenses and their nearest reinforcement is about half an hour away. Perfect for an air drop and quick extraction."
2nd Lieutenant then moved on to the next presentation slide.
"Very well here is the plan. 70th infantry company will create a diversion attack on the nearby Imperial stronghold, pinning any possible reinforcement. The Valkyries squad and our platoon will airdrop not far from the outpost. We will attack their supply lines to pull as many troops from the outpost as we can and the Valkyries will launch their attack. Once finished the Valkyries will extract at this LZ. And after their extraction we will disengage the enemies and move to our LZ here. Do you have any questions? No... Then we will move out for 0600 hours tomorrow and good luck."
***
"Rio, how's our equipment?"
"Everything is in good working order sir. All of our squad members have been fully repaired and all our magazines are fully loaded. Additional ammunition has been loaded too."
Currently I make a last second check to all our equipment to make sure everything is well stocked and prepared for. Spare parts and rations, enough to operate for three days.
"What about the .50 cal rifle? Did we already receive it?"
"Yes, sir. Currently Whiskey is the one wielding the rifle, sir."
"Very well. Whiskey, you think you can properly use it?"
A beautiful girl with shoulder length blond hair gives me a salute.
"Yes, sir! The weapon's basic program and field maintenance manual has been installed. I also have been training daily with it to familiarize myself with the rifle."
Hah~ well today is finally the day. Please god or whatever that is out there, I prayed to you that everything will be fine and things will go exactly as planned.
BC-230 Transport Airplanes has been prepared for our entries. 50 soldiers assemble for their air drop behind Imperial lines. I can feel my whole body shaking. I'm not sure it was cause by chilly wind in the morning or because of fear in my heart.
2nd Lieutenant then stood in front of us with the Valkyries squad
"Today is the day we went into the heart of the beast. I'm not going to lie, even I do not know what we will come across. I can only give one piece of advice, trust your fellow soldiers and look for each other's back and you will survive. May god be with you."
We board the plane and take our seats. Ah, I can feel my heartbeat. I'm so scared, I don't want to go. Suddenly I feel something warm wrapped around my hand. I saw Rio grip my hands tight. She looks into my eyes and smiles.
"Don't worry Sarge, I look over your back and you look over mine. You are going to survive this."
I can feel my heart calm down. I gripped Rio's hand and gave a smile back to her.
"No, we will survive this. Together, all of us."
***
—BEEP!!!
Looks like we already arrived at our drop zone.
"Yo, Hyun-woo, see you on the ground."
Javier smiles confidently as he and his squad jump out of the airplane. As always that guy is a show off. Well let's dive into hell and pray I guess.
I jumped down. The wind blows on my face as I move more than 40 km per hour. I pulled the cord to my parachute as I almost reached the ground, slowing my descent.
"Ah! There are too many trees here!"
And unfortunately my parachute got caught up on one of the trees. I'm currently dangling 10 meters above the ground. I quickly take out my knife, cut my parachute cords and brace myself as I accelerate towards the ground.
"Sarge!"
I can feel my body being caught by someone and as I open my eyes, a glimpse of red hair catches my eyes. A bright beautiful smile covered her face, causing me to inadvertently blush as I saw her.
"You okay Sarge?"
"Yeah don't worry about it. Thank you but could you put me down?"
"Ah sorry!"
Rio who is currently holding me in a princess carry quickly put me back down on the ground.
"Rio what about the others?"
"I got separated from the others, but fortunately I am still capable of tracking them down."
"Very well, Rio led the way. Who is the nearest to us?"
"Hmmm... Looks like Tori and Rena are the n.earest sir."
"Alright let's go."
