BTW-60 armored vehicles rolled across the wide highway.
The rumbling Abrams tanks, in the dull drone of their machinery, advanced in the direction marked "[BOSTON 40 KM AHEAD]".
Just half an hour ago, the Eighth Armored Corps had only planned to deploy a few companies of infantry to control the local North American branch office. A simple task, they thought, but the reality was proving far more complicated.
It wasn't until half an hour ago, when two infantry companies entering the outskirts of Boston were hit by Titan mecha fire and forced to withdraw after a brief exchange of fire, that the Eighth Armored Corps began to mobilize armored combined-arms battalions and tank assault groups.
With the support of over 80 howitzers and self-propelled guns, they began to advance towards the outskirts of Boston. The initial skirmish had escalated into a full-blown armored push.
"Report the situation ahead, 133rd Armored Battalion, what's the situation over there? Has the North American branch's Titan legion been driven out of the southern suburbs?"
The commander of the Eighth Armored Corps, William Pesso, sat in his armored command and communication vehicle, raised the microphone, and instinctively increased the volume due to the sound of gunfire coming from the other side.
After a muffled sound of a cannon firing from the other side, William received the answer he was looking for. The battlefield was a cacophony of war.
"Reporting, Major General Pesso, the 133rd Armored Battalion has suppressed the enemy Titans, but we encountered Anti-Entropy light infantry attacks near the city."
"Our tank and armored forces have suffered heavy losses in urban combat. Three tanks have been confirmed destroyed. We are now conducting urban assault operations."
Hearing the news from the other side, William couldn't help but press his fingers to his temples with a bit of a headache. Urban warfare was a meat grinder, even against lesser-equipped foes.
"You must occupy the southern urban area of Boston within three hours, and cooperate with the 76th Motorized Infantry Battalion to trap all of the enemy's Titan legion in Boston."
"I will provide you with fire support from the brigade's artillery support company, and the Fifth Army Aviation Brigade will also assist you in combat. Remember, you don't have much time."
"Yes! General, Loyalty! Unity!"
"Execute the order immediately."
Just as he put down the receiver, a satellite communication from Vienna Headquarters connected to the screen in front of the general.
William quickly straightened his tie, sat upright in his command chair, and looked at the Overseer appearing on the screen. Duty called, and the Overseer's gaze was unwavering.
Still in her black and white nun's habit, Kallen was gently holding a doll that resembled a blond man in her hand.
Her lowered eyes made it impossible for William to discern her current mood.
However, the only thing that was certain was that her authority in Schicksal was unchallenged. The Overseer was an enigma, a force of nature.
"Commander Pesso, I hope your advance on Boston is going smoothly." Kallen began, her voice calm despite the unfolding chaos.
"Now, because the North American branch has refused to sign the document dissolving its administrative organs, the Council has decided to dismiss Nancy Alva Edison and all North American branch management personnel from Schicksal."
"A Pacification Command will be established in North America."
"The Eighth Armored Corps, the 102nd Airborne Division, the 67th Air Assault Brigade, and the 36th Army are now assigned to the North American Theater of Operations, and you are the commander-in-chief of the North American Theater, now promoted to General, commanding all Schicksal military forces in North America."
It took William Pesso about five minutes to react. The weight of command settled heavily on his shoulders.
After finally confirming that he hadn't misheard, he stood up, trembling slightly, and gave a military salute to the Overseer on the screen, who was on the other side of the Atlantic.
"Loyalty! Unity!"
"I have high expectations for this military operation." Kallen continued, her tone still measured.
"I hope you can complete this operation quickly and capture Nancy and Schrödinger. Don't disappoint me, General Pesso."
The communication abruptly ended. Just like that, his orders were given, his destiny sealed.
William sat back in his chair, thought for a few seconds, and then picked up the satellite phone hanging on the wall again.
"Headquarters, connect me to the 71st Combined Artillery Battalion."
"Yes, I order your unit to quickly launch a saturation bombardment on Boston."
"Disregard casualties. Just make sure that the rebels over there can't transfer the Titan mechs out in time."
"Yes, Army Aviation will cooperate with you to conduct three-dimensional strikes using helicopters." Orders barked, the wheels of war began to grind relentlessly.
Fifteen minutes later, a barrage of shells, like a torrential downpour, fell on the city.
One shell after another landed on the ground, and the dust and billowing fire from the explosions tore the city apart.
Tanks that had broken through the guardrails and walls rotated their turrets, firing armor-piercing rounds that pierced the armor of a rampaging Titan.
Then, amidst the panicked calls coming from the Titan's radio, the Valkyries flying in the sky began their ride. Boston was about to be consumed by fire and steel.
Incendiary bombs and high-explosive bombs that fell diagonally blew up buildings into pieces.
Under the soaring heat waves and firelight, the city was like a sacrifice on a burning altar, becoming a victim of war.
And the situation for the North American branch could not be worse. Their rebellion was being met with overwhelming force.
Titan mechs could destroy five or ten tanks in urban combat, but against Army Aviation, they were nothing more than living coffins, except for the fact that they didn't have pilots.
Three armored combined-arms battalions had surrounded the Titan legion that was preparing to retreat from the north, while the mechanized infantry, wearing exoskeletons, used their high-rate-of-fire machine guns to tear apart lone mechs into piles of scrap metal.
Although the Eighth Armored Corps had suffered heavy casualties, with the 133rd Combined Armored Battalion, which was bearing the brunt of the attack, losing over 12 tanks, the elite troops from the European headquarters had successfully suppressed the unmanned mecha forces, commanded by scientists who were just sitting in offices a few weeks ago.
And now they were preparing to crush the last of the Titan forces in this city. The tide had turned decisively against Anti-Entropy.
One street after another, fallen Titan mechs were crushed by tanks.
The roaring machine guns on the infantry fighting vehicles tore apart human bodies.
The artillery fire from the sky had reached the northernmost buildings.
"B Company has captured the park area and is moving towards the pedestrian street."
"C Company has captured the airport and is currently moving towards Area C. Requesting fire support, I repeat, requesting fire support." Victory was within grasp, but the final act remained.
Listening to the messages from the command vehicle, William sat in his chair, gently took off his military cap, and revealed a somewhat relieved smile.
Boston was already under the control of the Eighth Armored Corps. The Titan legion here had no chance of escaping. The city was theirs, but the fight was not yet over.
However, there was still one last obstacle left, requiring him to concentrate the firepower and troops of the entire brigade to launch a surprise attack.
That was the temporary VIP command fortress established by the Miss of the Edison Group, Nancy Alva Edison, located in the north of the city.
The continuous fire from the anti-aircraft positions had nullified the Army Aviation's plan to bomb it alone.
Next, there would inevitably be an exceptionally difficult and bloody battle. The final confrontation loomed, a clash of wills and firepower.
But these were no longer things to worry about, because the entire city of Boston had returned to Schicksal's control. The outcome was inevitable, or so it seemed.
"All brigade prepare." William commanded, his voice regaining its steely edge.
"The 133rd Combined Armored Battalion, the 57th Combined Armored Battalion, and the 76th Self-Propelled Artillery Battalion, launch artillery bombardment on the enemy fortress."
"Two hours later, the entire brigade will begin the main assault." The siege of the final stronghold was about to begin.