Rat-tat-tat!
Bang! Tat-tat-tat!
On the main road leading to the city center, Lyon and Rico led their force of over 300 mobile infantry in a brutal clash against several tactical squads of cloned soldiers.
The streets reverberated with the sharp cracks of Morita rifles and the heavier blasts of AMWS weaponry.
Both sides took casualties, but the clones, even with their intentionally lowered accuracy, were far deadlier. Their AMWS weapons, particularly those equipped with armor-piercing explosive rounds, could easily penetrate the Federation's standard-issue armor and helmets.
The mobile infantry, on the other hand, often needed to expend half or even a full magazine just to bring down a single clone.
What truly frustrated Lyon was the 30-caliber automated machine guns.
These weapons, guided by advanced targeting systems and loaded with tracking rounds, had not been tampered with or downgraded for this operation. If their accuracy or functionality had been compromised, they would have posed safety risks even to the clones themselves.
Fortunately, the clones operating these machine guns were not employing them to their full destructive potential. Instead of suppressing the infantry with sustained fire, they used controlled bursts while deliberately exposing themselves to counterattacks.
Had the clones opened up with full-auto fire, just four of these machine guns could have wiped out Lyon's entire force of 300 soldiers in minutes.
Even so, it took the mobile infantry over 50 casualties to eliminate just over 30 clones.
Lyon now truly understood the pressure and fear faced by the Imperium and Atlas when battling these clones in the past.
The clones were essentially "budget versions" of the Imperium's augmented super-soldiers.
Enhanced by Veronica virus strains and special nutrient solutions, every clone possessed strength, speed, and reflexes far beyond that of ordinary humans.
Moreover, they were completely immune to pain and incapable of feeling fear. Their heavily armored bodies and relentless determination made them exceedingly difficult to kill.
The mobile infantry struggled to comprehend what they were up against. Watching a clone march forward despite being riddled with bullets—taking ten, twenty, or even thirty rounds without faltering—shattered their morale and sense of reality.
If not for Maggie's efforts to explain the clones' nature over the comms, reassuring the soldiers that they were fighting "clones" rather than "monsters," the situation could have spiraled into outright panic.
To be honest, even Lyon and Maggie might have cracked under the pressure if they hadn't known in advance that the clones would never target them, as they were investigators and locals in the Starship Troopers universe.
On the Main Road
"We... we survived?"
"Jesus Christ, do they really not feel pain?"
The soldiers were in disbelief, staring at the lifeless bodies of the clones scattered across the street.
Some of the bolder infantry approached the corpses and gave them hard kicks to confirm they were truly dead. When the soldiers were satisfied, they cheered into their comms:
"Commander! These bastards are really dead!"
"Finally! Oh, thank God."
Lyon stepped forward and crouched by the body of a fallen clone squad leader. After pretending to examine the corpse, he grabbed the clone's AMWS bullpup rifle, then rummaged through its utility belt and pouches, pulling out magazines, grenades, and various tools and injectors bearing instruction labels.
He turned to his troops and said, "Our ammo's running low. Collect their weapons and supplies for our use. Move quickly!"
"Yes, sir!"
The infantry had been waiting for this order. Many had already eyed the clones' superior gear but refrained from acting without permission. Now, with Lyon's authorization, they scrambled to scavenge everything of value.
Some even tried to dismantle the clones' mechanical exoskeletons, though they quickly gave up when they couldn't figure out how to remove them.
Once they had rearmed and regrouped, Lyon, Rico, and their remaining 200+ soldiers resumed their advance toward the city center.
The earlier skirmish had transformed the largely inexperienced new recruits. They no longer panicked at the first sign of resistance or screamed in terror under fire.
While they still had a long way to go to match true veterans, they had become capable soldiers, at least to a degree.
More importantly, the soldiers now followed Lyon's orders without hesitation.
They had come to realize that sticking with Lyon not only improved their chances of survival but also led to actual victories.
In stark contrast, Colonel Honard Thompson, mired in indecision as his main force was pinned down by clone firepower, seemed increasingly ineffectual.
Even though Lyon's rank was only sergeant, his calm demeanor, decisive actions, and steady leadership inspired far more confidence than Thompson's rank of colonel ever could.
On the comm channels, as various units debated whether to retreat due to the intense fire from the clones on the walls, Lyon was the only one providing clear and effective solutions.
While the new recruits weren't the brightest, they weren't stupid either. They saw through Thompson's hollow authority. If Lyon openly defied Thompson and attempted to usurp command, many of the soldiers would have silently supported him.
However, they wouldn't dare act on their own. In the Federation, soldiers participating in such mutiny would be court-martialed, and even witnesses could face harsh punishments.
Thompson's rank wasn't just a symbol of his position—it also represented his powerful connections and political backing. Defying him outright would almost certainly lead to execution.
Still, Lyon had already crossed a line. From the moment he independently requested an airstrike from the Thunderbolts and ignored Thompson's orders in front of everyone, his career in the Federation military was effectively over.
Expanding the Occupied Zone
As Lyon, Rico, and their troops advanced, Ace and Frost coordinated with other platoons to form additional strike teams. These units joined Lyon's group, creating a larger combined force to push deeper into the city.
Though the mobile infantry continued to struggle against the clones, their numerical advantage and concentrated firepower allowed them to maintain momentum.
At the same time, Thompson, surrounded by his loyal officers, finally arrived at the shopping mall that had been converted into the forward command post.
In the Shopping Mall Lobby
"Sergeant Kennedy, platoons 104, 107, and 121 are approaching your southeastern flank. They'll link up with you in about three minutes."
"Platoons 221, 227, and 230, head to the northwest main road. The troops there need reinforcements!"
"To the units on the northern and southern outskirts, be aware of enemy anti-aircraft emplacements. Take them out ASAP so the Thunderbolts can provide better fire support."
The mall's ground floor had been transformed into a makeshift operations center. Ace, Frost, and over a dozen other comms operators relayed real-time updates and issued instructions based on the latest battlefield intelligence.
Meanwhile, Maggie, with her red hair tied up and helmet off, stood with a few other sergeants and corporals. They pored over a map displayed on a portable tactical computer, discussing ways to assist the advancing units.
Because the expedition fleet had been taken over by the Blood Angels, Maggie and her team had to manually update the map to keep track of the rapidly evolving situation.
"Commander on deck!"
The shout from a soldier interrupted the organized chaos.
Everyone in the operations center immediately stopped what they were doing, stood at attention, and saluted toward the western entrance.
Colonel Honard Thompson, immaculately dressed in his black beret and well-groomed beard, strode into the room flanked by his officers and personal guards.
"..."
Thompson gave a dismissive wave, signaling that the soldiers could relax.
He approached Maggie and the other officers, his expression stern, and asked:
"What's the current situation? And where is Sergeant Kennedy?"
Maggie stepped forward and reported:
"Sir, we have secured the western section of the town and are continuing to expand our control. Sergeant Kennedy is currently leading a mixed force of approximately 400 troops at the frontline."
"Good."
Thompson's face briefly darkened with displeasure at Lyon's absence from the command center. In a sharp tone, he issued new orders:
"Inform all frontline units to hold their current positions. From now on, the main force will take over the assault.
Also, recall Sergeant Kennedy and all other officers who acted under his orders to the forward command center immediately."
Maggie's calm expression remained unchanged at first. But as Thompson's second order registered, her brow furrowed.
"Sir," she said firmly, "recalling Sergeant Kennedy and the frontline officers now would severely undermine our soldiers' morale. It would also disrupt the command structure we've worked hard to establish.
Please, for the sake of all Federation soldiers' lives, set aside personal grievances and prioritize the mission."
?!
Thompson's eyes widened in shock. A mere corporal was openly challenging him.
!!
The other soldiers and officers in the room were equally stunned.
Ace, Frost, and the other comms operators silently agreed with Maggie. They had spent hours building the communication network and coordinating with the platoons under Lyon's command. Changing leadership now would cause chaos and cost lives.
"Watch your tone, Corporal!" an irate captain barked. "You are speaking to the commanding officer of this operation! Fall back in line!"
But Maggie was unfazed.
"In accordance with Article VI, Clause 12 of the Federation Constitution," she said, her voice rising, "a commander may execute any soldier guilty of gross misconduct without trial.
However, it also states that when a commander makes decisions detrimental to the mission or endangers the lives of Federation troops, subordinates have the right to object—and, if necessary, remove that commander from their position.
It is the duty of every soldier and officer to protect humanity and the Federation!"
Maggie pointed directly at Thompson, her tone scathing:
"So tell me, Colonel Thompson: with our fleet out of contact, the Thunderbolts unable to assist, and the mobile infantry forced to secure this town alone, why would you issue an order to recall the very officers leading our most effective units?
Do you realize that your decision would doom thousands of Federation soldiers?
Even I, a lowly corporal, can see the consequences of such a choice. How can you not? Or perhaps... have you already betrayed the Federation, and your decisions are intentionally designed to aid the enemy?"
!!!
Maggie's accusation left Thompson pale as a sheet.
The room fell silent. All eyes turned toward the colonel, their expressions filled with doubt and suspicion.
Thompson realized that any insistence on recalling Lyon would now be interpreted as an admission of guilt. Maggie's bold rhetoric had effectively painted him as either incompetent or a traitor.
After a tense pause, Thompson clenched his teeth and forced himself to respond:
"Very well. Maintain the current orders. The main force will join the assault shortly."
"Yes, sir!" Ace quickly confirmed the orders, eager to prevent any last-minute changes.
Suddenly, Frost's voice broke in urgently:
"Sir! We just received a report from the recon team investigating the crash site.
It's not debris from Federation or enemy ships—it's a swarm of massive, unidentified bugs!
They've released countless Arachnid Warrior Bugs and Tanker Bugs and are heading straight for this town. Estimated arrival: 30 minutes!"
"What? The bugs are here too?!"
"How the hell are we supposed to fight them?!"
"Colonel... let's just run!"
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