To be fair, Yu Lian felt little connection to his identity as a soldier of the Commonwealth. He didn't even have much faith in the Commonwealth as a government. He couldn't convince himself to feel a soldier's honor or a citizen's sense of duty, so how could he convince anyone else?
But at least he could accept being an Earthling, even if it was an Earth from a parallel universe.
Likewise, he could accept the people of this universe's Earth as his compatriots. He felt for the fate of the government Earth's people had built and for the suffering their people would soon endure.
He didn't know why he'd returned to this era. Could it be that his sincerity had truly moved the spirit of the universe, giving him the chance to remake history?
But either way, since he was here, and the "Tulong Incident"—the one that would set off a chain of events—was unfolding right before his eyes, how could he not get involved? How could he not make sure it ended in a better way?
Besides, the memories and emotions Yu Lian had inherited from this life were real, after all. Senior Eleanor had looked after him so well back at the academy, and even treated him to charcoal-grilled marmot when he came to Tulong. How could he let such a beautiful older sister spend six months in the hospital?
As for the species-wide mission all time travelers and reincarnators were supposed to undertake—changing history—well, that was a secondary reason.
"You're right. We don't need to destroy the heavy guns! Once we take their position, we can turn the barrels around and bombard the Sandfolk encampment below. That'll cause the most chaos." Yu Lian said.
Yes, that was a great idea. There was just one tricky technical problem: those were heavy ion cannons, not the legendary three weapons of guerrilla warfare. Operating them would take some expertise.
In fact, not only did the ragtag members of the security force lack artillerymen, but even the elite mechanized infantry of 101st Company had none. That was why Captain Winter had said "destroy" instead of "capture."
"Do you know how to fire one?" Eleanor asked, eyeing him sidelong.
"Sure!" Yu Lian thought there was something odd about his senior's question, but nodded anyway.
"Where did you learn?"
"At the academy simulators. I've used the Commonwealth's Type 09, the Alliance's Defender V, and even the Empire's Star of the Punisher. I've fired cannons hundreds of times."
Eleanor also sensed something was off, but after thinking it over, she couldn't find anything wrong with his answer. She put on a stern face. "You're in strategic studies, not the artillery program. This kind of neglect is why you're always hovering around the pass mark. Keep it up and you might not graduate."
It was true that top students in strategic studies didn't need to take artillery exams, but they didn't take hand-to-hand combat or powered armor operation, either! Senior, you get an A+ in both every semester. Do you really have the right to criticize me?
"Of course, simulators and the real thing are different. So I'd like to go with you. If we get there and I can't operate the guns, we can still destroy them afterward. Sound good, Captain?"
Under normal circumstances, Captain Winter would have thought the "Moonie" should stay behind and give orders. There was no way he could keep up with battle-hardened marines in stamina, strength, or individual combat skills. But since this "Moonie" was also a psionic, that wasn't a problem.
"Approved." The captain nodded.
"Also, here..." Yu Lian marked another location on the map. It was another concealed rise, not very large, but strategically important: it could block the route from the plains to High Ground 6 from the opposite direction. Likewise, if the Sandfolk army collapsed and fled east, they would have to pass through here.
"The security force at Outpost 12 has thirty people. We have a captured tank and two blaster autocannons from the Enlightener ruins. We can build a complete interception position."
"You've certainly had an eventful time lately..." Senior Eleanor couldn't help remarking.
"Anyway, the security force will occupy this rise and bring crossfire down on any Sandfolk trying to retake the heavy-gun position. It'll also block the enemy's retreat. I recommend putting Sergeant Ina in command."
Captain Winter nodded. The security force's own sergeant could command them. He didn't think the company officers would necessarily do a better job of taking over, and besides, the young sergeant was a psionic. All the better.
"Our reconnaissance confirms the Sandfolk have a sentry camp on this rise, with two anti-aircraft guns..." At this, Senior Eleanor winced. These shoddy AA guns, apparently hauled out of some unknown workshop, had caused the security force more damage than anything else. So far, they'd shot down two airships and fourteen drones. The governor's office had taken such a painful hit that they'd abandoned all plans for low-altitude bombing and an aerial breakout.
"If you attack them recklessly, the enemy at High Ground 6 and the heavy-gun position might be alerted."
"Yes, there are about ten of them. They've built a watchtower and a beacon tower, and set up two anti-aircraft guns. But having the guns there is even better. We have some excellent technicians in the unit. If they make a few quick modifications, we might even be able to boost our firepower. Sergeant Shirika can conceal the tank and troops over a small area as they move. There's also an Alliance mercenary in the civilian group over here. He's a Traveler, skilled at stealth attacks. He can finish the fight before the Sandfolk have time to react."
Since when had psionics become potatoes, popping up in bunches whenever you dug one up? Everyone felt like their brains couldn't keep up.
"A mercenary? From the Alliance? Can we trust him?" Eleanor frowned.
"Don't worry, ma'am. I've already con-vinced him to swear by his own Star Ring Oath and the spirit of the universe that he'll do everything he can to support our operation!"
Eleanor looked as though she didn't quite understand the values of those psionic zealots, but in the end, she chose to trust her junior. Just as she was about to give the order, she couldn't help asking, "You don't have any more psionics over there, do you?"
"No, I don't, really!" Yu Lian hurriedly shook his head.
"Good. Then it's settled! Everyone, rest up for half a day. We'll launch the full assault tonight, at 21:00 on November 19, 829, by the Common Era!"
The orbital satellites had already given Eleanor a clear view of the Sandfolk's heavy-gun position. She was even more familiar with their construction progress than Elder Hesen himself. The assembly of the heavy guns would likely be complete by evening, give or take an hour. Eleanor didn't believe the rabble on the other side could fight at night, so dawn would obviously be the best time for a full assault.
However, the Sandfolk looked for all the world like they'd evolved from reptiles. They might even be nocturnal. Better to be safe than sorry, and avoid letting things drag on.
Yu Lian didn't object. The textbooks had made it clear: the 101st Company and the large force in the city had attacked smoothly, with the enemy putting up almost no organized resistance. Testimony from various sources later cleared up what had happened. Elder Hesen had indeed planned to take advantage of the Sandfolk's natural night vision and launch an attack at dawn. So he'd ordered the soldiers to eat early and get some rest. When Senior Eleanor and Captain Winter attacked, most of the soldiers had only just fallen asleep, while the goblin engineers hired to build the artillery position were still eating and drinking in celebration of finishing the job.
One more thing: Kaldan goblins were actually an ethnic minority in the Alliance. They were short, nimble, and excellent engineers, but they were also keen on money. They did resemble creatures from myth and legend, hence the name—but don't call them that to their faces.
Now that the plan was settled, Yu Lian thought he should give her a personal word of advice. He changed how he addressed her. "By the way, Senior, you're the commanding officer. You shouldn't..."
"Of course, junior. Take a look at my six-foot greatsword. See you on the battlefield tomorrow! Ohohohoho!" On the holo-screen, Senior Eleanor brandished her chainsword, let out a laugh like a bouncing weight, and cut the transmission.
"..." Yu Lian stared blankly. He'd known his senior seemed to have this kind of persona, but when she really went wild, it still caught him off guard!
"I like this lieutenant colonel." Lieutenant Pakin sighed in heartfelt admiration, his face full of respect.
Captain Winter rubbed his face, feeling that he'd gained a new understanding of both the so-called "elite bureaucrat group" and the "Moonies." Then he asked, "Matthew, do we have any spare frames?"
"Thirty suits, in various models." Lieutenant Matthew Seroott, the 101st Company's logistics and equipment officer, answered loudly, as if he'd known the captain would ask.
In fact, the 101st Company had more than two hundred spare frames. But they were all carried in dedicated transport vehicles, which weren't with them at the moment. Their combat regulations required them to carry spare armor equal to at least a fifth of their total strength, even when marching on foot.
"Give this young lady a Lynx." Winter pointed to Ina. "Then give my spare mech to Second Lieutenant Yu Lian."
Ina's big eyes lit up again, her brown eyes seeming to flicker with flames. She stood at attention and saluted the captain.
"This subordinate will seize the position promptly and make every effort to support your assault!"
It was the first time Yu Lian had seen her look so moved. But he could understand. He was pretty touched himself. The spare mech the captain had given him was bound to be an AS56R, the Dragon Knight command model. Compared to the standard model, it had improved communications and interference resistance, and was equipped with a Vulcan cannon for suppressive fire.
Not many of these command models had been produced, and even fewer had survived intact. In later generations, they were prized collectibles in military circles. Yu Lian had always wanted one, but he'd never managed to get his hands on one—not even before the Star Dragon King spat in his face.
He'd never imagined that after coming back to life, he'd not only get to play with one, but wear it into battle. Life really was unpredictable...
Four updates today. Tomorrow, for reasons beyond my control, I'll definitely have a stomachache, so there won't be an update. As a struggling little author hoping to use this book to help pay the household bills and kindergarten tuition, it's the only thing I can do.
Before you continue