Dimensional Travels: World at War

Captain Midelgard stood around a table marked with enemy locations. He drank a cup of coffee, and looked at his command team. He looked at the air wing commander. "Walk us through it."

Commander Reyes nodded and pulled up the strike overlay.

"Once fires is finished, all available aircraft are to attack Esponia." He ordered. "Strike group Alpha and Bravo will target the Sual pass as well as the Mithrar ridgeline. We have confirmed reports that Brios Cannons are located approximately five hundred feet from the peak on the Eastern ridge of Sual, and another unit is located two hundred feet from the Northern Mithrar face. Charlie and Delta, you will attack the western ridges east of the Nuclear facility. There are Brios cannons staged on the Huerel and Mite passes. I want them gone."

Captain Midelgard nodded. "ROE?"

"Avoid the nuclear facility. Everything else is a valid target."

The radio came alive as the 6-8 fires commander relayed the ending of his fire mission. Midlegard nodded to his men.

"Proceed with Operation Roaring Mountain." He called coldly. His eyes scanned the horizon, looking at the Esponia mountain, now little more than hills.

"This ends today."

"Roger."

Eric watched as Jets flew overhead. "All units push forward to Phase Line Kilo." He called into the radio. "Enemy units have been spotted regrouping. Engage and destroy."

He looked at Michael. "You ready?"

Michael shook his head as explosions rang in the distance. He looked up at Esponia as bright flashes from fireballs lit up the night sky. The sound reached them a few seconds later: a loud "crack" popping into the air.

"Ready as I’ll ever be."

Eric and Michael took point in walking into the forest. Craters covered the ground four hundred meters in front of them. Bodies lay across the field, trees cut down to splinters as they progressed. A young soldier to Eric’s right vomited.

Eric sighed, looking at the bodies of their enemy. "This is what war looks like, kid. Get used to it."

Debris from destroyed Llrathels marred the earth, their burned wreckage filling the air with the acrid smell of melting steel. Charred bodies marked their path, unrecognizable husks of flesh marking the spot where artillery had landed.

The march was slow as every corner was searched. Weapons were up as soldiers scanned the perimeter for muzzle flashes or enemies hiding in the brush. The air seemed to weigh down on each soldier as smoke filled their lungs.

"Search the trenches." Eric called out on the radio. "Call out any enemy positions."

Radio chatter came back through. The trenches were clear of enemies. Eric then called back to the rear. "Armor and Mech, move forward to Phase Line Kilo. Coordinate sectors of fire on comms."

As Eric began to radio in to Milano, a soldier rushed up to him. Eric took a look at the soldier, setting the radio down. "What is it?"

"Master Sergeant, the enemy is retreating. ISR confirmed a large force moving back to Esponia."

Eric almost dropped the radio. "ISR, please confirm enemy locations." He said into the radio before looking at Michael. "Your honeymoon might not be too far away, bud."

Michael shook his head. "Sit on a branch, asshole."

ISR came back over the net. "Hugo one confirming Enemy location. Large formations retreating back to Esponia. No enemy presence in the forest."

A soldier near Eric overheard the report. He collapsed on the spot, and looked up at the sky. "We did it!" The private muttered. Eric narrowed his eyes. "Get back up! We still have to clear mines and make sure they didn’t leave any ordinance behind. This is not over yet!"

The soldier groaned as he stood up. "Roger, Master Sergeant."

As Eric turned back to Michael, Tryasche walked up to him. "Master Sergeant, today marks the turning point not for your world, but ours. Never in this five hundred year war has the Empire lost an encirclement. Your one thousand men are heroes to us all."

Eric nodded to the Dragon King. "Thank you, King Tryasche. But, I do not think we deserve such praise. We merely fought for the chance at our own chance to live in this world."

The king chuckled, patting Eric on the back. "You are modest, young hero. But rest assured, I see your power. You are a bridge. You will turn the tides of war lest you not allow your power to corrupt as has happened to the Empire. I leave the Young Dragons to you and your men. Us Elders will take our leave. I have left a way to communicate with us at your headquarters should you need assistance in the future."

Eric shook hands with the Dragon King. "Thank you, your majesty. Without the help of your soldiers, we would not have made it with the little loss we took."

The king’s eyes grew dark. "Do not dwell on loss, child. War taints the world, and it can taint the living left behind as well. Those that lay down their life would do so time and time again. Do not pity them. Remember them."

Eric nodded as the dragon’s king and elders transformed into Dragon form. They flew away, and Eric watched until they were out of sight.

He turned back to the commanders that had congregated around his vehicle. "Alright, we will proceed to each phase line slowly. Seach for Mines and any unused ordinance. We will clear up until the foothills of Esponia, and set up a perimeter around the base of the mountains."

"Master Sergeant, will we be rebuilding the encampments?"

Eric nodded. "Eventually, we will have rotating units staying there permanently. For now, clear the forest. Report back once you reach the foothills."

Once the commanders moved out, Jessica walked over to him. She slumped against the vehicle, her head on his shoulder.

"Is it over?"

Eric shook his head. "It’s over for now. But the thing about wars like this...."

He paused as he pulled out his Copenhagen, putting a wad of chew in his lip.

"Peace never lasts."

He grabbed the radio and called for HQ.

"General Milano, this is Master Sergeant Dryer. We are currently confirming no enemy presence in the Steepe Forest. Once Enemy withdrawal is confirmed beyond Esponia, we will set up a perimeter around the foothills. Please advise."

Milano heard the Radio come to life with Eric’s sitrep. He closed his eyes before looking up at Miher and the command staff.

He grabbed the radio and answered Eric. "Dryer, secure the perimeter around Esponia. We will have a rotation of three companies on the mountains at all times. The other three will be back here. Decide who stays, and who comes back to the rear. Get accountability before coming back here."

There was a brief moment of radio silence as Eric looked around. "Return, sir?"

Milano pinched the bridge of his nose, hearing Miher chuckling. "Yes, Dryer. Once the perimeter is secure, you will return to HQ."

"Sir-"

"That’s an order."

"Yes sir."

"Milano out."

Eric sighed as he slumped back against the vehicle. He looked at the treeline before feeling the hairs on his neck stand up. He felt chills as he turned his head slowly to the right. Crimson hair and green eyes glowered at him with a menacing aura surrounding the girl standing to his right. "Hey Dad, you weren’t planning on staying here, right?" Jessica growled, a smile on her face as that didn’t reach her eyes.

"I wonder what Mom would think about that?"

"Uh..."

Eric knew he was in deep shit.

"Gotta go get accountability. See ya."

He kissed Jessica on the head while walking to the Delta company commander.

Jessica chuckled while watching Eric walking away. Her eyes softened as she watched him. "Peace never lasts, hm?"

She looked up at the mountain, her eyes glowing a bright green as she surveyed the scene with mana. "And I thought this was bad."

She shuddered at the scene. Craters and smoke blurred her vision, but what she saw put most horror movies to shame. Crimson puddles marked spots next to molten piles of steel and metal. She looked down at her feet, groaning as she felt her stomach lurch.

Liam noticed Jessica keeling over and ran to her. He held her hair while she slumped to the ground. She groaned as she vomited, her stomach heaving with each retch. "Ugh. That was disgusting." She groaned, the sizzling of blood still flashing in her mind.

Liam hugged her waist, careful not to put pressure on her stomach. "What happened, babe?" He asked quietly, holding her head to his chest when she stood up.

"I used mana sense to observe Esponia. The entire mountain range is basically just craters of blood." She groaned, clutching his chest. "I am tired of fighting, and tired of blood." She whispered into his neck. "When this is over, I want to be a housewife." She muttered.

"Your housewife."