Flightless Phoenix

"As arranged by high command, I'll be the one to escort the general to Lanston. Once we capture Warsaw, I'll take care of the rest." Anatoli stated.

"I won't ask any questions, it seems like you follow a different chain of command. I wish you safe travels agent, send my regards to high command." Jacques replied before flashing a smile.

Anatoli nodded before Jacques headed back out with his unit. They have already encircled the city and it was now only a matter of time before the defenders surrender. Without strong leadership, their chain of command is surely to collapse in just a few days of skirmishes and repetitive artillery barrages.

"Jacques, I'm taking my company to flank south. Tell Edward that I need some cover." Roger stated.

"I will, bring Jeremy with you." Jacques replied.

Roger walked back to his tank and rounded up his men. He spots Phillip and informs him that their squad is coming along with them. Phillip nodded and went back to call his squad mates.

"It looks like it's going to rain again in a bit." James said as he looked up at the sky.

"I hate the rain. Everything gets muddy and visibility is practically shit." Timothy replied before drawing a sigh.

"That's why we need to finish this as fast as we can before it gets messy." Roger added.

"Major, what's our objective for today?" Jeremy asked as he approached the tank.

"Break through their southern defenses. It's apparently the least defended side of the city." Roger replied.

"Lead the way, Major." Jeremy stated before walking back to his squad.

Roger's company began making their way south as Edward's platoon provided artillery support to cover their approach. Buildings crumbled and streets were covered by smoke and dust from the repetitive mortar fire. The enemy forces began moving south because of the imminent attack to fortify their defenses. What they don't know is Roger's company was just a diversion to draw them away from the east where Jacques and the others are. In the panic, the enemy sent over reinforcements and only left the other positions with as much as a thousand defenders, drastically weakening their overall defenses.

"Tristan, tell Edward to keep up the barrage. We're breaking through their barricades." Jacques ordered.

"Yes, sir. By the way, Teresa informed me that Johann will be sitting this one out." Tristan replied.

"He got scolded a while ago. Miss Teresa is really scary." Eugene added before shivering.

"It's actually Hugo's fault. He was the one who hit Johann on the head." Hilbert stated as he arrived.

"It's fine, he can rest for now. I don't want to go against Teresa's judgement. She also scares me a little." Jacques added before laughing.

"Why don't we all get fired up? I want to capture Warsaw today!" Richard exclaimed.

"Captain, you should calm down a bit. You're always so careless when you get too excited." Eugene added before drawing a deep sigh.

Richard laughed then wore his helmet before heading out with Hugo's squad. They intend to break through the enemy with brute force, even engaging with bare hands if necessary. This won't be the first time they've attacked Warsaw, but they intend to capture it once and for all.

"Commence attack!" Jacques shouted.

Their forces began charging towards the barricaded enemies and slowly chipped away at their defense. Hugo and Hilbert lead a small group comprised of Richard and his squad to break through a small gap in the enemy lines. A small bridge that they demolished to halt the Lanstonian attackers.

"We'll cover you!" Richard exclaimed as his squad suppressed the enemy position on the other side of the bridge.

"Hilbert, let's go!" Hugo ordered as he jumped down into the canal.

"I'll meet you on the other side." Hilbert replied before diving into the water and swimming to the other side.

The enemies returned fire but it was almost impossible to keep up with Lanston's high fire-rate guns. They were forced to keep their heads down so they didn't notice Hugo sneaking up on their position. Hilbert passed a grenade to Hugo which he then chucked over the sandbag wall, causing the enemy soldiers to jump out in a frantic escape from the blast. In their panic, Hugo and Hilbert picked them of one by one.

"It's clear! You can cross now!" Hugo shouted.

"The engineers are right behind us, they'll take care of the temporary bridge and clear this barricade for the other units." Hilbert stated as he hopped over the sandbags.

"It's best we keep pushing forward. I know you two can handle it without support so flank north and my squad will flank south." Richard ordered.

"Shouldn't we leave anyone here to guard the bridge in case they come back?" Eugene asked.

"They're pretty stretched out right now so it'll be impossible to send any reinforcements back here. We'll meet you back here in an hour, captain." Hugo replied.

Richard nodded and they watched as Hugo and Hilbert took off before taking off themselves. Their plan was to flank in two different directions, to cause confusion and break the enemy defense. As they did so, they were able to relieve pressure off from the other allied units that are attacking. With the simultaneous attacks from two different directions, it threw the enemy in disarray. No matter how many of them pile up to stop Roger's company, it seemed futile as they kept being pushed further into the city. They're exhausted and the Lanstonian attacks are becoming even more relentless. With each day that passes, their casualties just keep growing and their supplies, growing fewer and fewer. The current commanding officer of the Russian infantry within Warsaw decided that any more bloodshed would be in vain and negotiated for a brief cease-fire as they transport their wounded out of the city.

"Tell them that I agree. Maybe they should also consider surrendering." Jacques stated.

"Мы согласны на прекращение огня. Мой офицер предлагает вам шанс с честью сдаться." Hugo translated for Jacques.

"Я лично сдамся, если смогу. Ответственность за жизни моих людей - это бремя, которое я несу. Вы должны понять, что сдаться сейчас означало бы предать моих людей и мою страну." The Russian officer replied.

Jacques listened to the translation before nodding and shaking hands with the Russian officer. They then went their separate ways, back to their forces.

"It's kind of stupid. They can limit the killing if they surrender now. Who cares about betraying your men and country? They should understand why he would choose to surrender." Hugo said in frustration.

"Hugo, they've sworn their loyalty to their country. By assuming the position of command he's also sworn his loyalty to his men and will be held responsible for any actions they take. I would also deny the offer if I was in his shoes." Jacques explained.