The ground vibrated beneath the Death Knight as the 299th KPA Assault Squad sped toward the small column of Germanican tanks. Caius's display pinged with new data, showing the positions of the six medium tanks ahead—small obstacles compared to the larger mission looming over them. The 3rd Armored Division, with its 281 tanks and 584 mechanized infantry, was on its way, but before the 299th could join the rest of the strike force, they needed to clear these tanks quickly. The engineers behind them still had to finish their entrenchments, and any delay could be catastrophic.
"299th, we're moving fast. One or two shots per tank, and we're through. No delays," Caius ordered through the comms, his tone firm.
"Understood, Commander," Victor responded. His Sun Chaser darted forward, already setting its sights on the 2nd tank.
Ahead, the Germanican tanks were advancing, unaware of the quick, deadly strike that was closing in on them. Caius's display highlighted the weak points in their armor—locations that would buckle under the firepower of the 299th's KPAs.
"Here we go," Caius muttered to himself.
The Death Knight moved into range, its rifle powering up. The first tank didn't even have time to react. Caius fired a single massive, sharpened steel rod that punched straight through the tank's side, sending it skidding across the ground before it erupted into a ball of flame.
"First target down," Caius reported over the comms.
Victor followed up immediately, the Sun Chaser releasing a flurry of precise shots. One after the other, the enchanted rounds found their mark, and the second tank's turret exploded in a shower of sparks.
"Make that two," Victor said with a grin audible through the comms.
"Three down," Linik called out from the rear, his Retina class KPA positioned strategically, using its long-range sniper rifle to land the final shots needed. "Four."
Within moments, the last two tanks were dealt with. The Sky Walker class Heavy Aerial KPA swooped down, unleashing a barrage of fire that obliterated the fifth, while Victor finished off the sixth with a well-placed shot to the engine block.
"Six down," Caius said, his tone calm but focused. "No time to celebrate. 299th, move out. We're linking up with the other squads."
The small tank column had been reduced to smoldering wreckage, but there was no time to linger. The real battle was about to begin. Ahead of them, the 3rd Armored Division was drawing closer to the Commonwealth's defensive lines, and the engineers were still scrambling to finish their work.
"Commander, we're getting reports that the 166th, 212th, 944th, and 15th squads are en route," Linik reported through the comms. "We'll link up at the rendezvous point."
Caius nodded, though his eyes stayed focused on the display.
"Everyone stay sharp," Caius said. "We'll need every bit of speed and coordination once we link up with the others. Keep an eye on the aerial support and be ready for anything."
The squad began to move, the Death Knight leading the charge. The field behind them was littered with the remains of the Germanican tanks, but Caius's focus was already on what lay ahead. The real battle was about to begin, and it would take everything they had to come out on top.