All Good Things
Ma Sara, Barren Canyon, 4:23 PM local time.
Confederacy troops are crossing the wide opening of the Barren Canyon. Soldiers of the Alpha Squadron, clad in bright white CMC-300 Power Armor, advance through the red desert like a silver torrent.
Because of the lack of large-scale oil refineries in the area, all military oil storage facilities and supply centers had been looted by the Revolutionary Army. Compressed fuel made from refined and distilled high-energy gas could only be obtained through airdrops, so few people were able to ride in Armored Vehicle. Fortunately, however, Power Armor could greatly save the wearer's physical strength, allowing them to march all day.
As the Alpha Squadron Fleets in orbit struggled, the supply of compressed fuel became a major problem. The Alpha Squadron's landing forces could only obtain compressed fuel from the locals of Ma Sara —who, of course, did not pay, resorting to theft, deception, and even robbery.
The arrival of the Terran Confederacy forces, represented by the Alpha Squadron, sparked widespread resentment. The army arbitrarily requisitioned all vehicles and roads, and shot any local residents of Ma Sara who dared to resist, labeling them as traitors.
As a result, in less than a day, the Alpha Squadron had killed many enemy soldiers.
Most soldiers advanced on foot, while officers sat in command vehicles and Armored Vehicle. All fuel was prioritized for heavy trucks, tanks, and Goliath Combat Robot transporting heavy artillery.
Even so, the Alpha Squadron officers from the warm and comfortable home planet Tarsonis still complained about the appalling desert of Mar- Sara and the equally terrible living conditions. The howling wind always whipped up rust-colored sand, painting everything in the world the same color.
The complaints were only among the senior officers, whose Resocialized Soldier not only worked as hard as mules and donkeys, but also firmly believed that this was just a test for soldiers.
As the number of resocialized soldiers gradually increases, these soldiers who have undergone brain surgery are beginning to take on more responsibilities. In the Alpha Squadron's combat units, the highest rank of Resocialized Soldier has been raised to lieutenant, which means that an entire platoon of soldiers, including the commander, are robots who can only mechanically execute orders.
Thanks to the socialization project, military discipline is no longer an issue; all troublemakers and unstable factors have been permanently and thoroughly eliminated, and combat effectiveness far surpasses that of the past.
Colonel Duke's command vehicle was at the head of the marching column, preceded only by an advance battalion. This advance battalion had been followed by two Revolutionary Army brigades that had been closely trailing Tychus Finley's forces, but had found nothing except a few stragglers and a few reconnaissance vehicles.
Furthermore, Tychus ordered his troops to lay mines as they retreated, which meant that the pursuing Alpha Squadron had to spend more time dealing with Spider Mine and various other types of automatic sensing mines buried deep in the rust-colored sand, resulting in frequent casualties.
The colonel's command vehicle was an armored Jaguar 57, with a spacious compartment that could accommodate ten staff officers. Inside the compartment were several radios and intelligent computers capable of communicating with units at all levels, while the officers' guns and coats hung on the walls.
At this moment, the command vehicle was advancing with the marching column. Colonel Duke and several headquarters staff officers sat in the command vehicle, casually stuffing sandwiches made of luncheon meat and lettuce into their mouths while studying the battle map and communicating with units at all levels.
At this time of year, darkness always falls quickly. The sun sinks into the earth with extraordinary speed, and as the incandescent sun that scorches the land of Ma Sara disappears, the clouds in the sky are suddenly burned to a fiery color, and then vanish as quickly as they appear.
After the sky darkened completely, dark clouds began to press down from the horizon, and the once scorching air turned cold.
As night fell suddenly, some uneasy voices arose in the command vehicle. Some thought they should stop immediately and establish a camp, send out scouts or call in air support, while others believed that even with infrared and heat source sensors, venturing into an unfamiliar wasteland in the dark would be tantamount to suicide.
During this time, Duke had an argument with officers in the command system and the General Staff. The staff officers believed that the army should set up camp outside the Barren Canyon and then detour through the complex terrain the next day. In addition, some people thought that sending an elite force to the Revolutionary Army's command center by transport ship to take Augustus Mengsk was a very feasible plan.
After all, Augustus's original Heaven's Devils Force was famous for its airborne operations.
Colonel Duke, who was sitting in the command vehicle, was extremely annoyed by this.
Even though it was already the cold of night and the surroundings were extremely unfamiliar, Colonel Duke still insisted on ordering the Alpha Squadron to march at night. Because in his opinion, now that the Revolutionary Army's command post was right in front of them, they should strike quickly, otherwise Augustus would definitely escape again.
In Duke's eyes, the Revolutionary Army's dilapidated Fleets could only be described as having a slight fighting capability, and their army was nothing but a bunch of rotten fish. The Alpha Squadron could deal with a group of hastily armed farmers in no way that it would be easier than crushing a chick. As long as the Revolutionary Army's position entered the range of the railgun Alpha Squadron, everything would be over.
The officers, however, believed that Edmond Duke lacked basic military and tactical acumen. He was adept at assaults, and his fighting style was unchanging. Among various tactics, Duke always chose the one that was most destructive and effective, without ever considering the losses to his own side.
The argument yielded no results because Duke refused to listen to any advice that would prevent him from launching an offensive plan.
"Colonel, our aircraft can no longer provide us with any form of reconnaissance or fire support. They must return to the nearest airport to refuel and replenish ammunition, but the nearest airport is tens of thousands of miles away." Just as the voices of the staff officers were buzzing in Colonel Duke's ears, a radio from the rear brought him more bad news.
Duke had no choice but to accept the fact that the Fleets in the synchronous orbit of Mar- Sara was at a disadvantage in the battle against the Revolutionary Army Fleets and was unable to provide any support to the landing forces.
At the same time, the defeat in the Fleets battle was also an important factor urging Duke to prepare for a quick victory. Duke became impatient, eager to return to the Fleets Fleets it was completely defeated by the Revolutionary Army.
"If there's any other bad news, tell me all of it." Duke never regrets any of the decisions he makes.
"Our advance force, the 7th Marine Brigade, which is pursuing the forces of the Heaven's Devils Tychus, has discovered a new insurgent group 160 miles from us. They are heavily armed, and the 7th Brigade's advance has been stalled."
"These cowards finally dared to stop fighting? That's a good thing." Duke smiled after hearing this. What he feared most now was the Revolutionary Army playing hide-and- Game with him.
"Alpha Squadron will crush them!"