Chapter 144: You Have to Report

Chapter 144: You Have to Report



The scene on Akarios Island was one of organized chaos as relief efforts kicked into full gear. Bulldozers and cranes worked steadily, moving wreckage and clearing debris from the battlefield. A Caterpillar D9 bulldozer pushed the remains of a destroyed M1A2 Abrams tank to the side, its large blade scraping the dirt. Nearby, a Liebherr LTM 11200 mobile crane lifted what was left of an Apache helicopter, its rotor blades bent and shattered.

Medics were moving quickly, tending to the wounded. Soldiers on stretchers were loaded into the back of M939 trucs ready to be transported to the field hospital. Some had bandaged arms and legs, while others were unconscious, receiving oxygen through masks. The field hospital, a series of tents with portable equipment, buzzed with activity. Inside, doctors stitched wounds and set broken bones, trying to stabilize those who needed urgent care.

Outside, the grim task of handling the dead had begun. Black body bags were laid out in rows. A Caterpillar 330 excavator dug shallow graves while soldiers quietly moved bodies into position.

Nearby, a functional Abram tank pulled a damaged M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle off the field. Its treads dug deep into the ground as it towed the armored vehicle away, clearing space for more recovery work. Forklifts, like the Kalmar RT240, worked to move smaller pieces of wreckage, cleaning up the remnants of the brutal fight.

A Black Hawk helicopter flew low over the island, scanning for any remaining threats. It circled near the command post, where General Harper stood, watching the relief efforts with a stern look. His team was silent, working on tablets and radios, sending updates on the wounded and the status of the destroyed equipment.

At the shore, Blackhawk helicopters also loaded supplies and equipment. Crates of medical gear and food were strapped in as soldiers prepared to send more aid to the field hospital.

While all of this was happening, Vincent was still in the dark about the events unfolding on Akarios Island. General Harper, standing at the heart of the command post, felt the weight of the situation bearing down on him. His hand hovered over the radio, but he couldn't bring himself to report what had transpired. The devastation was far beyond anything they had prepared for, and the thought of informing Vincent of the losses gnawed at his conscience. Harper stared out at the chaos-bulldozers moving wreckage, body bags lined up in rows, and helicopters shuttling as it carried the injured and the dead. Each moment that passed only deepened the grim reality. His hesitation wasn't born of fear, but of the knowledge that this failure could change everything.

"Sir, Vincent's will be expecting a report soon from us," Brandt said quietly, approaching Harper with a tablet showing the latest casualty figures. "We should tell him what happened here."

Reporting to Vincent was a daily responsibility, but this time, the news was grim. He couldn't just relay the usual updates on troop movements or supply statuses. This report would be one of failure-something he wasn't accustomed to delivering.

He sighed deeply, his eyes still fixed on the tablet Brandt handed him. The casualty figures were higher than anticipated, and the damage to the equipment was extensive. His heart sank as he scrolled through the data-each name, each piece of destroyed machinery, a stark reminder of the overwhelming force they had faced.

instantly."

Vincent's voice was cold. "And you're just telling me this now?"

General Harper's voice wavered slightly as he continued. "I thought we could handle it. We were equipped with the best, but... it wasn't enough."

There was a long pause on the other end of the line. Harper could hear Vincent's controlled breathing, the tension thick in the silence.

"And how bad are the losses?" Vincent's voice was calm but laced with a dangerous edge.

Harper closed his eyes for a moment, then answered, "We've lost close to a seventy men. Multiple M1A2 Abrams, Bradleys, Apaches-all gone. The wounded are still being transported to the field hospital, but the numbers are high."

"High?" Vincent's tone sharpened. "How high?"

Harper took a deep breath. "It's still being assessed, but we're looking at around one hundred wounded, some critical. We've been pulling bodies from the wreckage for hours."

Another pause, and this time, Vincent's voice carried an icy calm. "General Harper, I trusted you with Akarios Island's defense. I gave you the resources, the men, the technology, and you've let one of their generals do this?"

"Sir, I underestimated the enemy. We all did. We didn't expect her to be this powerful."

"I am heading there," Vincent said. "Prepare for my arrival."