After the orders were conveyed, a massive teleportation commenced.
Leading the charge was Duncan's 87th regiment, accompanied by nine other regiments adept in defensive warfare, who were swiftly teleported to their designated defensive zones, promptly advancing into the areas to establish positions and evacuate civilians.
The remaining seven regiments, along with Grey and others, remained at the command building, awaiting their turn to be teleported.
Duncan, aboard his Lehman-Rus tank, had the engine roaring at full power as the driver crashed directly into a building facing the street, rotating in place to align with the defensive zone, before temporarily shutting off the engine.
"Captain, why aren't we launching an immediate attack after teleporting, as we did before?" the gunner inquired, perplexed by the current delay.
"I am uncertain," Duncan admitted candidly. The command he received was merely to move into the area behind them after teleportation and then to hold their ground. It was as straightforward as that.
As for the strategic objectives, Qin Mo had not elaborated.
Duncan was not particularly interested in understanding the higher-ups' strategic intentions; he simply wished to accomplish the task assigned to him. He lowered his gaze to the holographic display before him.
Every regiment commander would operate from their Lehman-Rus tank, which had been modified. Although its firepower was somewhat diminished, the cramped interior had been adjusted to accommodate command equipment.
The tank was equipped with holographic displays, communication signal transceivers, biometric scanners, and terrain analysis tools—every device that could aid in command was included.
Duncan examined the terrain scan results, which displayed the layout of the area within a two-kilometer radius. He scrutinized each building in his assigned defense sector and then picked up the communicator to issue orders.
"First Company, I need you to take position in the church."
"Second Company, ascend the tower on the seventh street from the left."
"Other companies, deploy around the streets, seeking sturdy buildings for defense as best as possible."
While Duncan was issuing his commands, other regiments tasked with defense were following a similar protocol, ensuring everyone was prepared for combat.
After approximately three hours of waiting, the biological scans detected enemy forces and visually represented them on the holographic display.
Upon observing the enemy figures on the display, Duncan finally comprehended why the superior command ordered defense rather than an offensive approach.
The enemy had learned from their previous encounters; the regiments were stationed closely enough to provide immediate support if one of them came under attack.
Had they teleported and launched an assault as before, they would have likely been encircled and subjected to concentrated fire, resulting in significant casualties.
However, Duncan did not believe that the teleportation assault tactic was entirely unviable. The key for their side was to dismantle the enemy's line, plunging them into a state of chaotic self-preservation akin to their prior debacle.
The greater the chaos on the battlefield, the more effective the teleportation assault tactics would become.
"The enemy approaches; prepare for battle," Duncan reminded his soldiers over the communicator.
The soldiers were already positioned within the buildings, weapons trained near the windows, their faces pressed against the sights, ready to fire.
Soon, a soldier stationed in the tower spotted the silhouette of an enemy head through his scope but refrained from firing, choosing to wait patiently.
More enemies were advancing, their physical forms clearly marked, with this battlefield intelligence shared among all powered armor units. Even soldiers concealed within ground structures who couldn't see the enemy could detect the silhouettes marked on the walls.
As the enemy drew closer, Duncan's voice resonated across the communication channel: "Open fire!"
Regardless of their position, any soldier able to see the enemy's physical form rather than just a silhouette opened fire, while tanks concealed behind buildings or ruins also joined the fray.
Though the enemy had anticipated the possibility of being fired upon, the sudden assault took them by surprise, leaving a handful of casualties before they found cover and returned fire.
The artillery units at the rear began shelling, with explosions rippling between the enemy ranks.
Duncan was the first to open fire, followed closely by the other regiments, the sounds of gunfire echoing across multiple defensive sectors.
Only after the volleys commenced were the remaining seven regiments teleported to the enemy's flanks and rear to probe for weaknesses.
...
At the tower's pinnacle, the Scorpion, seated cross-legged upon the governor's throne, surveyed the battlefield, only to be interrupted by a report from a servant.
"We have engaged in combat."
"Do you take me for blind?" The Scorpion shot an incredulous glance at the servant before closing his eyes to continue observing the battlefield.
Employing the gifts of the Lord of Wisdom, he could anchor his perspective to each soldier, experiencing the entirety of the battlefield through their eyes.
Yet, confusion washed over him.
Something was amiss...
Very amiss.
Based on intelligence gathered during peacetime and prior conflicts, the Scorpion had presumed the enemy commander to be a brash and reckless individual, favoring relentless pursuit over strategy. Surely, they could not possibly possess teleportation technology and powered armor to surpass conventional tactics?
The Scorpion had anticipated that this time the enemy would shatter his lines with a ferocious assault, employing that loathsome teleportation tactic to gradually eliminate all his forces. Yet, reality had defied his expectations.
Setting defenses along the advance route and utilizing other forces to surround and probe the perimeter was not an extraordinary tactical maneuver, yet the Scorpion recognized that, were he in their position, he would likely employ a similar strategy.
It was, after all, the most suitable tactic.
"Shall we continue our advance?" the servant inquired.
"Do not disturb me!" the Scorpion barked angrily, then furrowed his brow in contemplation. After much deliberation, he declared, "Of course, we shall continue to advance. Each regiment must maintain mutual support; chaos is unacceptable. Anyone who dares to flee will face dire consequences."
"Understood," the servant nodded.
The Scorpion continued to ponder, suddenly feeling a sense of helplessness.
Crafting strategies for unexpected victories was his forte; however, constrained by the enemy's teleportation capabilities, he was forced to resort to seemingly foolish tactics.
Had the enemy's teleportation technology not been so stable, to the point of withstanding even a ritual, they would not have crowded their forces together merely for mutual support.
With that thought, the Scorpion's concern deepened, for he understood the critical flaw in his strategy.
It was not fear of bombardment that haunted him but the dread of the enemy discovering a breakthrough, which would only occur if a regiment, demoralized and unable to endure the enemy's probing attacks, faltered.
"I must issue a warning to the commander of the 20th regiment," the Scorpion said, directing his gaze at the servant. "If he dares to retreat under enemy pressure, he had best ensure his own survival... or I shall have no choice but to flay him alive."