Battle to defend (4)

The commander of the 2nd company of the vanguard, who is waiting for his order. He puts down the telescope that he was using. He turns his head from the direction of the messenger that is walking towards his side. The messenger salutes at the commander of the 2nd company.

"Sir, the headquarters have ordered your company to begin and march forward to support the 1st company of the vanguard that is currently amid the fight."

The commander of the 2nd company puts down his hands when he hears the orders. He raises his head and looks at the explosions that are happening in front of him. The beat of his heart seems to go fast. Nervousness that has slowly taken over his mind, and the excitement that they are once again to face a battle after being cast down for being a reserve force. He gulps and raises his saber and points it forward.

"2ND COMPANY OF THE 23RD REGIMENT OF FOOT SOLDIERS OF THE EMPIRE WE SHALL MARCH FORWARD IN THE NAME OF THE EMPEROR HIMSELF. TO TAKE DOWN THESE REBELS FOR WHAT THEY FIGHT IS WRONG AND THEY ARE THE OWNS WHO CORRUPTED THESE TERRITORIES OF THE EMPIRE!"

The plebes and Imperial soldiers who have fought in their last battle have liked his charismatic voice. Because it diminished half of the entire force of the 2nd company in the last battle. Their new replenish company is full of plebes that have just got recruited and were far from being effective in battle.

"Buddy, we are going to advance. I see there are a lot of explosions in the front lines and there seem to be a lot of dead bodies. I am getting scared, you see. Would you stay by my side if I ever get shot in the body?"

One plebe who is new in the battle, and never fired his first shot. The 2nd company moved and when they reached the place where the first shot of the pistol fired. They see there were few 1st company soldiers who have taken cover from the trees that were not marching forward.

"Look, the 2nd company is coming to help us! HOORAY we got saved! We-"

A plebe that took cover from one tree because the bullets flying everywhere looked at their back. There he saw the 2nd company marching towards their location, so he shouted in joy, but he thought they were part of the relief force to help them.

But he was wrong, because he shouted on top of his voice. A bullet pierces through the wood and hits his nape. Killing the plebe who was celebrating when he saw the 2nd company.

***

"Don't let them get close or we are the ones who are going to die. Maintain the rate of fire at the center and fire when you are not having a hard time breathing!"

The sergeant of the 1st platoon of the 6th Defense force of the Baron said. While he was firing his rifle and aiming at the highest ranking officer, he can see on the ground. One of the best tips that he learned from the high-ranking officers.

On the Baron side is that the primary target of low-ranking soldiers is always to kill the highest ranking officer on the enemy side. Because that will disrupt the command structure of the enemy force and, with no leader, follow chaos. With chaos on the enemy means victory for their side.

"Fire when ready, men! Don't be frightened of those dogs of the emperor; they are the ones who let the Emperor pillage and destroy our livelihoods. They are the ones to pay for their crimes!"

"We are the ones who stand against these terror people who abuse the people of the land. We are fighting for justice and that is why we are here giving a stand to those who let justice fail."

They try to boost their morale using their psychological warfare in times of need. Because they also see that they are facing a lot of enemy forces and their numbers are dwindling because their number is only a contingent force that is not higher than 300. They sure will hold their trench until their last breath.

"Shi- We are losing more men than ever. There is no cover and we could not even-"

He could not even finish the sentence that he was about to say when a bullet pierces through his head. The officer drops to the ground while blood spreads across the dirt and mud. The sergeants who were not in their own authority in their own platoons. Are now amid of a dilemma in regards if they retreating or to march forward.

"Now, what am I going to do? Losing the commander of the company will surely be deadlier than losing a few men on our side. Dammit, what am I supposed to do now? Order a full on suicide attack to that trench and we get slaughtered by their bullets. Or retreat…"

He turned his head to the left and then right, seeing his men dying one by one. The explosion that once again came upon them. The sergeant of the 3 platoon that is at the front and center of the battle.

The sergeant needs to think quickly before his platoon gets wiped out because of the firefight. The sound of bullets piercing through the wood, and the bullets falling to the ground.

"I am scared. I don't wanna stand anymore. This is crazy. If I ever peek there, it will be a death that is waiting for me."

The plebe said after a few seconds his position got hit by the shell of the artillery and his entire location became his grave. They burned his body parts to ash and exploded into pieces. There were no remnants of bodies.

***

A messenger hurriedly walked up the stairs to the meeting room of the Baron's Keep. the messenger knocks on the door. The officers on the other side opened the door, and the messenger knelt in front of the Baron. The Baron who is at the window looking at the Artillery fire.

"My Lord, the messenger has arrived."

He turns around when he hears that and looks at the messenger. Then, with his charismatic tone of voice, he said.

"You may rise and speak the message you bear."

The messenger rose from where he was kneeling. And opens the letter that he was holding. He looks at the Baron while reading the letter.

"Yes, My Lord. This message came from the Commander of Artillery. He said that he needs more shells to help and bombard the enemy position. And the flank that they are attacking is the flank that has fewer forces."

"Is that so? They need more supplies. Logistic Officer, Lleron, what is your decision on this matter? What I can see is if we want to put more soldiers on that flank, we will be vulnerable to our center line?"

He looked at the map while he said those words. He saw that there is an unaccounted number of enemy forces at the flank that is currently being attacked. Lleron, who is the head of logistics and supplies of the entire forces of the Baron. Thought of an answer already before the Baron asked him what his decision was.

"If we can still give them enough shells to bombard the enemy, but those shells will be the last shells, they will go to support that flank. Or we risk we retreat and abandoned the first line and move to the second line just to put a reserve force on the flank that is currently being attacked."

The Baron is now facing a dilemma about what he will need to do. One of those is to conserve the strength of his forces. Before they silently retreat to the mountains and gain a strong foothold. From there, they can plan more strategies.

"Then I shall take the first one. Then, if they run out of shells to bombard the enemy, then we shall go to your second decision. Now you may release the reserve shells for the artillery and help that flank."