Chapter 33: Clearing Operation Part 5

Chapter 33: Clearing Operation Part 5



The Deforested area of the Ager's forest was simply a scene of stump-filled desolation. The once lush greenery had been reduced to a barren landscape, with blackened stumps and

scorched earth stretching as far as the eye could see.

Platoon 1 and 2 advanced cautiously, their weapons at the ready. The Challenger Tank rolled forward, its main gun scanning for any signs of movement. The soldiers moved in a tight formation, their eyes darting around, wary of any potential threats.

"Looks like it's empty. All the monsters that were lurking here probably responded earlier in the battle," one of the soldiers said, his voice low.

"Stay sharp," Alpha 1 warned. "Who knows, maybe not all of them responded."

And ten minutes into wandering to the deforested area, they found no signs of life. The tension eased and Alpha 1 and 2 breathed a sigh of relief. And just as they were about to sip water from their canteens, one of the soldiers raised his hand, signaling for the group to stop. He had spotted something unusual ahead.

"Sir, I see something. Looks like a campsite," the soldier reported, pointing towards a cluster of tents surrounded by a wooden fence.

Alpha 1 signaled for the group to advance cautiously. The soldiers moved forward, their weapons at the ready, until they reached the campsite. It was clear that it had been hastily abandoned. Tents were left standing, some partially collapsed, with personal belongings scattered around.

"Geez, what happened here," Alpha 2 observed.

"It doesn't matter. Let's now plan our next steps. There are two roads. In the east is the way leading up to the strip mine, the west is this magical mushroom road that leads to the entrance of the mine that was spotted earlier by Viper 1. I'd say platoons 1 and 2 take the west while 3 and 4 take the east?" Platoon 4 leader, Alpha 4 said.

The soldiers unleashed a barrage of bullets. The M2 Browning atop the Challenger Tank roared to life, sending a stream of heavy rounds into the charging monsters. The M2 Bradley's 25mm autocannon joined in, its rapid-fire rounds ripping through the grotesque creatures. The air was filled with the sound of gunfire and the shrieks of the mushroom monsters as they fell under the withering hail of bullets.

Despite the relentless fire, the mushroom monsters continued their charge, their numbers seemingly endless. As each monster fell, its body exploded in a burst of violet mist, spreading rapidly through the air. The soldiers had little time to react. The mist was thick and pungent, swirling around them in an ominous cloud.

"Watch out for the mist!" Alpha 2 shouted, but it was too late for some. A few soldiers who were caught in the initial bursts stumbled, coughing violently. Their eyes rolled back, and they collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

"That must must be poisonous! We should retreat now!" Alpha 1 said.

"I agree," Alpha 2 concurred and switched frequencies on the radio. "Alpha 2 to Actual, we have a situation. The enemy releases a poisonous mist when killed. We are retreating. I say again, we are retreating."

"Alpha 2 this is Actual, acknowledged. You are on the Sporea Road. Fall back to the campsite."

"Copy that, falling back to the camp," Alpha 2 responded, signaling his men to retreat. The soldiers quickly organized themselves, carrying their unconscious comrades and maintaining a defensive perimeter as they moved back towards the abandoned campsite. The Challenger Tank and M2 Bradley continued to provide covering fire, their weapons blazing as they slowed the advance of the mushroom monsters.

"Keep moving! We need to get out of the mist's range!" Alpha 1 urged, glancing over his shoulder to ensure everyone was falling back in an orderly manner.

Finally, they reached the campsite. The soldiers quickly set up a defensive perimeter, their weapons trained on the path they had just retreated from.

"Actual, how are Alpha 3 and 4 holding up?"

"They are doing well, Alpha 1," Vincent answered. "They are sweeping all the monsters as we speak. Once they clear out the strip mine, they will link up with your forces and together you will attack the Sporea Road. There are only two places left remaining."