Deception City: A World at War Novel (World at War Online Book 5) (23 page)

“Play to your strengths. That I can agree with,” Morgan nodded.

“So, if they’re drawing units out of Green Bay, we can use them to replace some of the Ghost units inside the city,” Danny said. “It’ll be nice to finally be working together again.”

Morgan paused for a moment. “Trust me, count yourself lucky that you’re not in the middle of that mess right now.”

“That bad, huh?”

He had seen plenty of urban combat in Indianapolis, from the open vulnerability of the twisting streets to the enclosed, claustrophobic tunnels underneath the city. Brutality was the name of the game in that kind of environment. Even so, that had been against NPC troops, and while they weren’t pushovers, they also didn’t have the abilities of players.

“Yeah,” Morgan confirmed. “The biggest problem is that Ragnarok troops are able to respond much quicker than the AI ever could, and their improvisational skills are better. And when you couple that with their fighting ability, well…”

“You get one heck of a nasty fight, I’m guessing,” Danny said.

Morgan shook his head. “That’s putting it lightly. The worst thing is that they’re just like us. They have pride, and they’re not ones to give up easily. The southern wall? They just wouldn’t give. We had to kill every single one of them there before we were able to get past. We had to blast some of them out with direct artillery fire.”

“I guess that thing crosses companies and alliances,” Danny shrugged. “All of us are here to win. None of us want to lose, or failing that, none of us want to go down without taking a few with us.”

“That’s part of the fun of fighting other players,” Morgan said. “You know they don’t want to lose, same as us, and they’ll do anything to make sure it stays that way. It adds a ton of challenge to a fight. But on the flip side, it makes our jobs a whole lot harder.”

It did, but again, that was part of the thrill of the game. One wrong move could cost them dearly and set off a catastrophic chain of events. One lost battle could lead to a failed campaign, which could lead to a loss of territory, which could eventually bring about the downfall of an alliance. All stemming from one instance, one mistake, one miscalculation. In a way, it was like the ultimate form of high-stakes gambling, and the rush they got from it was undeniable.

They were dancing on the edge of a knife. And while every step might result in their doom, there was no greater thrill.

Danny felt his confidence brimming inside of himself, despite their situation. Even from their beginnings, the Hydra Alliance never had it easy. They had barely pulled out a victory at Lerna Bastion. Ragnarok had slaughtered them in several battles at the beginning of the war. They suffered severe casualties in Indianapolis. Time after time, they flirted with disaster. And yet, despite the setbacks, despite their failures, they managed to find a way through.

Sure, sometimes it was by the skin of their teeth, and sometimes they had to improvise to an extreme degree, but even when backed into a corner hope still remained. Even in their most desperate hours the possibility of pulling out a victory drove them forward, slim as it might be.

And that meant something to him.

“You know,” Danny spoke, “I don’t think we’ll lose. I don’t think we can lose. Doesn’t matter how hard they hit us, or how much they throw at us. We’ll find some way to pull through.”

“I like the swagger,” Morgan commented. “But we’re not going to win on that alone.”

“I don’t disagree,” Danny told him. “Swagger might not win us the fight, but it’ll help put the backbone in all of us.”

Morgan nodded. “That it will. And the entrenchments certainly won’t hurt.”

They’d need both for the onslaught he believed was lurking on the horizon.

“
G
ood news
. It took a lot of time and effort, but we’ve finally made a breakthrough. The military council has finally agreed to a withdrawal from Green Bay,” Nora told the group of assembled Ghost Battalion officers.

Selene raised a hand. “What the timeframe for this?” she asked, though in truth, she would take just about anything right now.

“Gradual,” Nora told her. “They’ll pull them out company by company. Hopefully that’ll keep Ragnarok thinking they’re still in the city for a while, and it won’t put too much stress on our transport capabilities.”

It wasn’t ideal, Selene thought, but then again nothing in their current situation was. At least they’d be getting more troops on the main axis of their offensive, possibly enough to turn the tide.

Ragnarok and Hydra remained deadlocked within the district, dug in with neither side being able to gain the upper hand. Aside from minor raids and occasional artillery duels, the conflict had settled down into an uneasy stalemate, with neither side daring to do anything bold. One mistake on the offensive could result in a disaster that might cost them valuable ground.

But the arrival of significant reinforcements would all the Hydra Alliance far more flexibility. They could concentrate forces at a single point of the front, or make attacks in several locations, forcing Ragnarok to defend several spots at once. And while they would certainly suffer significant casualties, they’d be able to withstand them with greater numbers at hand.

“Have we determined what order they’ll be moved, or are we still deciding that?” Neil asked.

“Thorn Company is coming first,” Karen spoke up. “We’ll be making a night run with one of the patrol ships tomorrow. They’ll bring them south to Waukegan, and from there they’ll ride north to our positions.”

“Who are they replacing?”

Anna looked over at the Black Wolf contingent. “First unit off the line will be Alpha Wolf. I don’t want to keep the company divided any longer than it has to be, and they can go into reserve on the western end of the line.”

Selene was looking forward to that. Her first experience as a copilot in a helicopter had given her a taste for flying, and she wanted to do more. She knew the basics, at least, but remained nowhere near combat-worthy status. Blake had offered to teach her more, but Selene’s duties at this end of the front precluded that. But maybe with some time in reserve she’d get the chance.

Typhoons kept trickling north, build in the forges of Central City, carried on rail cars to their port facilities near Gary, and then transported across Lake Michigan by ship to Waukegan, where they were finally assembled and handed over to Raven Flight. It staggered her to think how advanced their logistics chain had become, capable of supplying huge armies in the field with all manner of supplies, ranging from bullets to tanks and beyond. It was a far cry from the days where they had to scrounge for every last bit of ammunition.

They might eventually have enough transport helicopters to make the entire battalion airmobile, but they needed crew members to make that happen, and not all of them could come from Raven Company. They were already stretched to the limit, and their best pilots were most valuable in attack helicopters, providing aerial support to troops on the ground. That left them with little leeway to expand unless they were able to recruit significant numbers of new troops, and Selene doubted they could get enough competent pilots in time.

But if they could get a few pilots from each company they could gather enough strength to perform operations with the entire battalion if needed, giving them unprecedented flexibility. Ragnarok couldn’t ignore the possibility of an entire battalion suddenly dropping into their rear areas and wreaking havoc. They would need to take at least some precautions, taking away valuable resources from the other fronts.

And all of that would be made possible because Ghost Battalion wouldn’t be forced to hold a spot on the front lines. Instead, they could play to their strengths as light infantry and raiders.

Gray raised a hand. “Question.”

“Go ahead,” Anna told him.

“You said that Alpha Wolf will be moved into reserve on the western end of the line. How seriously are we considering the possibility of Ragnarok actually attacking in that direction? There’s nothing but thick forest there.”

“Very,” Zach spoke up. “Sacred Sword is currently preparing fortifications in the region for an anticipated attack.”

“That may or may not come,” Gray replied.

Zach shrugged. “True, but given the choice I’d rather not be caught with my pants down.”

Selene still remained uncertain whether the enemy would actually attempt something through terrain like that. Then again, she had seen something like it firsthand at Green Bay. It had been swamps and marshes instead of forest, but the effect had been the same. Despite the difficulties, despite miserable terrain, strong fortifications and fierce opposition, Ragnarok had pressed their attack and forced Ghost Battalion back into the city.

Many outside observers would say that Ragnarok won the battle simply because of their numbers, but Selene would vehemently disagree. Numbers didn’t explain why they kept coming across a narrow strip of land, completely exposed to withering enemy fire, even after suffering horrendous casualties. It didn’t explain how they adjusted once their initial assaults failed, using artillery, heavy weapons and air support in concert to finally break through.

Selene knew full well that they were facing a skilled, determined enemy who would fight like demons, no matter what they faced.

Would the enemy command see strategic value in attacking through such a problematic area? She didn’t know if they would, but if they did then nothing would stand in their way. Once they were committed, Ragnarok simply wouldn’t quit until they were completely defeated or victorious.

“I have another question,” Neil said.

“Go ahead,” Anna told him.

“Is this going to be enough? We have one company with one platoon as backup. Are we really counting on that to stop a determined attack?”

“They have the gunship wing,” Robbie pointed out.

“And how effective are they going to be? Can we get air superiority?”

“Perseus Squadron will be on standby,” Liz said. “They might not be able to completely control the skies, but they can at least keep the enemy off Raven Flight’s backs.”

“Still though, is that really going to be enough?”

“Well, first they have to get across the river, which isn’t going to be easy,” Nora said. “Then once they’re across they have to fight their way through the really dense forest, which either means sticking to the paths or burning their way through the undergrowth. If they do the first one they’re walking into a slaughterhouse. If they do the second that’s going to take a while. Enough for us to hit them with air power and artillery.”

“And still, is that going to be enough?” Neil insisted. “We’ve all seen enough of Ragnarok to know that they’re not going down easily. If they’re attacking through the area then I’d say it’s pretty certain they have a plan for the terrain and the defenders.”

Selene felt that way too, but what else could they really do about it? At the moment they lacked the ability to move any reinforcements in that direction, because they were already stretched precariously thin.

“It’s not going to be easy, that’s for sure,” Anna replied in a shockingly frank tone. “I believe that they can hold out, or at least stall their advance for a while, which will allow us to move reinforcements to the area. Once Thorn Company arrives we can have a fully constituted Black Wolf Company in reserve with the entire helo wing at their disposal.”

“We just have to hope that Ragnarok doesn’t come knocking before then,” Liz said.

Selene noticed several grimaces.

“Oh, don’t say that,” Gray groaned. “That’s just tempting fate.”

“Everything we do is tempting fate,” she shrugged. “I really don’t see how one off-handed remark will do anything to change that.”

“Yeah, just like every snowflake believes they won’t be the one that finally causes the avalanche,” Gray replied.

Anna looked around at everyone present. “Make no mistake, we’re overstretched and vulnerable right now. The success or failure of this entire offensive is going to be decided within the next few weeks, and we can’t afford to fail. We’ll fight with whatever resources we have on hand, and we’ll find some way to win. That’s our way.”

“One last question,” Selene spoke up.

“Yes?”

“Can I start making preparations for moving my platoon? I want to be ready as soon as possible.”

Anna nodded. “Permission granted. Anything else? No? Then that’s it. Stay sharp and we’ll pull through. Good luck everyone.”

“
I
have
a feeling we’ve been tricked,” Selene said as she walked with Nora and Zach back toward headquarters.

“It does seem likely,” Zach agreed. “I would have thought they’d be making more strenuous efforts to get us out of the district, but if this is just a holding action it makes perfect sense.”

“We should have avoided the city entirely and concentrated on cutting it off from Madison,” Selene said.

“That may or may not have worked,” Zach pointed out. “Keep in mind that we’d have to defend our positions from both east and west, which they were probably counting on. Plus, Milwaukee made pretty good schmuck bait.”

“Yeah, it’s an important place, but how much could they have done with it if we cut them off from their supply lines?” Selene asked. “I know we’d have to deal with attacks from both sides, but still, they’d have it rough too.”

“I don’t think there’s a right answer,” Nora chimed in. “I think they managed to stack the situation in their favor so they’d benefit from it no matter what happened. If we went into the city? They’d force us into the quagmire we’re in right now. If we struck west? They’d just taken the city. If we tried to cut them off from Madison? They’d hit us from both sides.”

“Sometimes it really kind of sucks having to fight a smart enemy,” Selene said.

“I’m sure Ragnarok feels the same way.”

“Mm. Just saying, why can’t we get some idiots we can just steamroll for once?”

“Where’s the challenge in that?” Zach asked.

“Oh come on. You mean you can’t enjoy stomping all over someone who has no way of touching you? I mean, you can’t do that all the time, but at least as a change of pace?”

“I can understand that,” Nora said with a smile. “The looks on the faces of some of the Ragnarok troops when I attacked them in the mech suit were priceless.”

“Well, it is what it is,” Zach shrugged. “Some games are really, really difficult and unforgiving, and I think we stumbled right into the middle of one. One that’s completely of our own making too.”

“Our own making?” Selene asked. “Most of this is Ragnarok’s doing.”

“Aren’t you forgetting the fact that we attacked them first and started the whole war?” Nora pointed out. “We’ve done a pretty good job of provoking them.”

“Then they shouldn’t have been so aggressive about swallowing up all the smaller companies,” Selene replied. “You can only corner people so many times before they start lashing back.”

“We can’t really be that displeased about it,” Zach said. “This game is one big constant war. What else are we supposed to do, sit around picking grass?”

“As I recall, we did that a lot in the early days.”

Zach scowled and then tried to suppress a laugh. “If you can call resource gathering picking grass.”

“Eh, it’s only one or two steps removed from it,” Selene said.

“Whatever. Anyhow, this game is all about fighting, so why wouldn’t we all be looking for excuses to do it?”

“I just hate losing,” Selene told him.

“There’s a shocker,” Zach commented dryly.

“But wins don’t really mean much if there’s no challenge to them, do they?” Nora asked.

“That’s what they keep telling me,” Selene replied. “But sometimes you just want a little break.”

“Well, it’s coming. Just hold out until then,” Zach told her.

Selene nodded. Just one more day.

“
T
horn Company is
at the southern end of the city, moving through the gates as we speak,” Zach said over the radio link. “They’ll be moving up to join you soon.”

“Good,” Selene replied.

Finally. After weeks of fighting and then holding. Alpha Wolf could come off the front lines and go into reserve. It should have made her happier, but Selene felt uneasy today. Something about the atmosphere felt off.

“Alphas,” she called out over the radio to her squad leaders, “see anything?”

“Nothing,” Gavin told her.

“Nothing on my end either,” Logan added.

“Nothing for me either. Anything specific you’re looking for?” Ethan asked.

“You don’t see any movement?” Selene asked. “Has anyone fired at you today?”

“Come to think of it, no,” Gavin answered. “Maybe they’re delaying for a little bit?”

Maybe, but if they were that would certainly be unusual, Selene thought to herself. Skirmishing happened along the lines at all hours, and it rarely ever stopped. This could be a coincidence, or something much bigger might be in the works…

“We’ll see. Keep sharp,” she ordered. Selene switched channels. “Wolf Lead?”

“What’s up?” Zach asked.

“Something’s very wrong here,” she told him. “The Ragnarok side of the lines has gone completely silent.”

“And what do you think that means?”

Selene paused for a moment, trying to gather her thoughts. Did she really want to say it out loud?

“It could be that they’re just reorganizing, or some of their more aggressive players aren’t on today,” she said. “It could be nothing.”

“Or?” Zach asked pointedly.

Selene took a deep breath. “I think they might be gathering their strength for something. Maybe an attack. This feels like the calm before the storm.”

“Have you seen anything?” Nora chimed in on the link. “Any movement? Any reports of artillery or large troop concentrations?”