On The Shores of Blood and Sand
Three days and three nights on the ship and seasickness is getting the best out of the men. Some refusing to eat because they'll just throw up from the boat swaying every time a wave hits it hull. Eugene, always preoccupied making remedies for those sick on board.
"Eugene, you got more of that tea? I feel so dizzy." A pale looking soldier asks.
"Y-yes! One second, I'm still making more!" Eugene shouts from the ship's kitchen.
It's like this every night in the ship's cafeteria, hundreds of of soldiers wait in line for a herbal tea that Eugene makes to help them with seasickness. For those with stronger stomach, the constant rocking of the boat is not their concern, their problems lie ahead on their destination. They plan to form a beach head on the northern shoreline of Algeria, after the A.E.G.U. started attacking Lanston's embassies it was evident that dispute between the two will arise. Not long after the first attack, Lanston declares war along with its ally nations of Italy, Spain and the Balkan states. The A.E.G.U. having the upper hand when it comes to numbers but lacks in technology and proper weapons that Lanston and it's allies have.
"We should arrive in a few hours, let's ready the men for deployment." Jacques tells Edward.
"This won't be like last time, they'll be expecting us to land on the beach." Edward worriedly replies.
"If we stick to the plan, there won't have to be excessive bloodshed. You worry too much, don't you have faith in my strategies?" Jacques chuckles as he pat Edward's shoulder.
The clock ticked, every second passed by slowly. The storm outside continued to pour down, the waves rocked the ship more aggressively. The sound of gun bolts being pulled back and bullets being loaded filled the cargo bay. The soldiers ignored the dizzying sways of the boat and were bracing themselves for the worst that could happen once the bay doors open. The tension was high and everyone knew that it was highly unlikely for all of them to survive, one moment they could be standing next to their friend and the next could be them dragging a fellow soldier's dead body across the sand. They're expecting to suffer a casualty rate of 50% in the first hour if they don't make it out of the kill zone in time.
"As much as I hate to do this, most of you are going to be charging the beaches under enemy fire and without any cover since our vehicles will only deploy once all obstacles are cleared." Jacques announces from the top of the steps.
"Remember Eugene, don't follow big groups of people. Spread out as much as possible upon landing, we rally on the sea wall." Richard reminds Eugene.
"I won't, but I'll help out as many wounded as I have to. I'm trusting you to distract them while I take care of my patients." Eugene replies as he stuffs his satchel with bandages.
"Until then, everyone should push to the rally and take out the enemy defenses if possible. I don't want to send any of you back home in a body bag, if it comes to that then I'll chase you in hell and kill you again." Jacques added.
"Everyone gather to your designated crafts with your squad leaders! They'll be in charge with organizing each squad once we land on the beach!" Edward shouts to the others.
Now that they were given the orders, every squad gathered to their respective LVTs. Hilbert arrived in the thick of it, he made his way through the dock which was crowded with soldiers. He saw Jacques inside an LVT, he walked towards him while carrying his rifle.
"Major, which craft am I going on?" Hilbert asks.
"Number 5, it should be one of the first to land. Should I move you to Edward's craft?" Jacques replied as he wore his helmet.
"No, no need to. I'll manage, I'll clear the beach for when you arrive." Hilbert added as he walked towards his craft.
Once he climbed in the LVT, he was met by the anxious faces of the men on board the craft. They had a mix of fear and the anticipation of death that was about to come.
"Corporal, I'm authorized to take charge of your group. Follow me and you'll get out of this alive." Hilbert says as he wore his helmet and fixed the scope on his rifle.
"Yes sir! You heard him boys, stick with the sarge here and you're all going home alive!" Tristan exclaimed to boost the men's morale.
The soldiers cheered and hyped themselves up as the lights turned green on the bay doors. Operation Swordfish has now began and hundreds of ship closed in on the shore. Crafts started to drive out of the bow of the transport vessels and the water was now covered by LTVs filled with soldiers armed to the teeth. The 116th was the first batch of troops to land on the beach, followed by other divisions to form a spearhead assault.
"Deploy! Move! Move! Move!" Jacques shouted to signal the landing crafts at the front.
"Here we go boys! I'll meet you on the beach!" Richard shouted with a smirk on his lips.
Mortar shells and artillery rained down on the waters and beach followed by machine gun fire. Men braced after every shell that hit the water, screams heard as the first craft gets hit with artillery. Body parts fell from the sky from the explosion sending them flying several meters away, the clear waters now stained with crimson. The first wave hits the beach and as the soldiers jumped over the sides, they were mowed down by enemy guns. Left and right, bodies fell, blood splattered. One man kneeled out in the open as he held his organs that were spilling out of his stomach. Screams of horror from the wounded filled the air. The once pure white sand were now blood red along with the crimson waves that wash up on the shore.