Duke glanced at the five young wizards beside him, who looked nervous despite their attempts to appear composed, and abandoned the idea of having them coordinate the attack.
Rather than rely on teamwork that might go wrong, he would leave it to the professionals.
"You five," Duke said evenly, "stay here and watch our rear and flanks. Make sure no one slips away, and watch for enemy reinforcements from other directions."
The five young wizards froze for a moment. They seemed a little disappointed that they would not be joining the frontal assault, but they also visibly relaxed and hurriedly nodded their agreement.
The relatively safe assignment of keeping watch suited them perfectly.
Duke nodded to Vivian. "We'll support the Orc squad."
Vivian understood, and she and Duke began creeping forward.
By then, the Orc squad was already in position, forming an encirclement and waiting only for Duke's order to strike.
Without further hesitation, Duke signaled the Green-skinned Orc squad's captain to attack.
The Orc captain growled and swept his thick arm forward.
The next moment, the rhythm of war shattered the valley's silence.
"Waaagh!!"
Ten Green-skinned Orc warriors emerged like ghosts from behind the rocks where they had hidden, firing their heavy energy rifles from their shoulders in unison.
Ten searing beams struck almost simultaneously, converging precisely on the crude wooden fence and watchtower at the entrance to the Mountain People's stronghold.
Boom!
The explosion was deafening. Wood splinters flew, and shattered stone scattered in every direction.
A massive hole was blasted through the stronghold's entrance in an instant. The sentries above were reduced to charred remains before they could even scream.
"Enemy attack!!" Furious, startled shouts rang out inside the stronghold as the remaining Mountain People warriors scrambled for their weapons.
But the Orcs' assault swept on like