The squadron of Thunderbolt attack aircraft had begun bombing the swarms of insects scattered across the desert, following the instructions of Maggie and the others.
Even though the bombardment was happening several dozen kilometers away from the town's southern and eastern perimeters, Lyon, Rego, and the others could still hear the thunderous explosions from over a hundred seconds prior.
The clones, who also noticed the distant commotion, glanced southeast and asked Lyon, "Do you need us to deliver these supplies to the designated location?"
"Of course. Jimmy! Suk!" Lyon turned to two infantrymen from the 226th Combat Platoon and ordered, "You two will act as guides and lead them to the forward command post!"
"Yes, Sergeant."
Though the two infantrymen seemed reluctant to be singled out, they still followed the clones, boarding the hover trucks and heading toward the western outskirts of the town.
While the clones wore equipment and helmets that concealed their true faces, the infantrymen still found their appearance utterly terrifying. Combined with the psychological trauma of previously being suppressed by the clones' overwhelming firepower, both soldiers harbored a significant sense of dread toward them.
Still, they were aware that the two sides were in a temporary cooperation period. Besides, the clones had provided them with weapons and supplies, so they refrained from voicing any complaints and dutifully acted as guides.
Meanwhile, Lyon continued to lead Rego and the other non-commissioned officers, along with over 400 infantry, to the southern edge of the town.
The clones were handling the eastern flank, so Lyon didn't need to worry about that. However, the southwestern part of the town, which they had recently taken control of, remained relatively chaotic.
Thus, Lyon issued new instructions to Maggie and the others over the comms:
"Xiao, Floss, Ace—Rego and I are leading a forward unit to the southern wall of the town.
At the same time, you need to coordinate the placement of the mixed units based on their current locations.
We only need 6,000 troops to defend the southern wall. The rest of the mixed forces should focus on consolidating the already-occupied areas, maintaining vigilance, and patrolling.
And don't forget, these bugs are exceptionally skilled at burrowing. The last thing we need is to be attacked from both sides."
"Understood, Sergeant. Leave it to us."
"Good."
Hearing Maggie's reply, Lyon said no more. He didn't need Maggie to explain—it was clear that Honard Thompson and his cronies had already been "dealt with" by her.
Otherwise, that incompetent and cowardly colonel would have resumed his incessant nagging over the comms long before the ceasefire agreement with the clones was reached.
As for whether they could later find an opportunity to permanently "remove" Honard and his faction, that would depend on Lyon's adaptability.
At the moment, Lyon and Rego's team navigated through several intersections, finally arriving at the southern part of the town, where the buildings and streets were still intact.
Since the clones needed to "stage a performance" with the mobile infantry, their soldiers stationed in the south had already withdrawn when the ceasefire agreement was reached.
Thus, the southern wall was now occupied only by the fixed machine guns, cannons, and ammunition that the clones had "not yet had time" to dismantle or remove.
Upon arriving, Lyon's team ascended the wall and chose the best defensive positions. Many infantry were assigned to operate the fixed machine guns and cannons.
Before long, more mixed forces arrived, similarly climbing the wall, finding optimal shooting points, and patiently waiting for the imminent Arachi "insect tide."
Rego, imitating Lyon by picking up an AMWS rifle, peered into the smoke-filled desert ahead. Occasionally, he saw Thunderbolt attack aircraft skimming low across the terrain. Turning to Lyon, he asked in a low voice:
"Sergeant, if we manage to fend off the bugs with the clones, what's next? Do we keep fighting them?"
Lyon didn't respond immediately. After a few moments of contemplation, he finally said, "Given our current situation—isolated and without support—it would be incredibly foolish to continue fighting them.
But for now, we need to focus on surviving the bug assault."
As Lyon spoke, his gaze shifted to the horizon.
Roughly four kilometers away, an endless swarm of Arachi warrior bugs was advancing, interspersed with massive tank bugs that resembled giant beetles.
Additionally, a substantial number of green, fly-like jumper bugs accompanied the swarm, flying at low altitudes.
The Thunderbolt attack aircraft, having exhausted their supply of missiles and bombs, were now relying on their machine guns to take out as many airborne jumper bugs as possible.
Even so, the 200-plus Thunderbolt aircraft seemed "minuscule" compared to the tens of thousands of jumper bugs.
Fortunately, the jumper bugs' altitude, speed, and agility were no match for the Thunderbolts, leaving them vulnerable to sustained machine gun fire.
However, once the aircraft ran out of ammunition, the mobile infantry defending the town would lose their air support and be forced to confront the insect swarm head-on.
Lyon wasn't sure if the clones still had hidden aerial or ground vehicles, or if the Blood Angel fleet would provide orbital bombardment in a critical moment.
He also hadn't yet had the time to inspect the "object" the clones had secretly handed him during the handshake. Lyon speculated that it might contain a portable data storage device with detailed plans and deployments from the Investigation Bureau, aimed at helping him and other undercover Federation agents integrate the tens of thousands of expeditionary infantry into their ranks.
As the swarm closed to within two kilometers of the wall, Lyon raised his rifle and shouted over the comms:
"Apes! It's time to see who can kill the most bugs! But keep an eye on your ammo! Don't just unload your entire magazine!"
"Yes, Sir!" came the resounding replies of the mobile infantry over the comms.
"Good! That's the spirit. Now follow my orders. Three… Two… Open fire!"
Gunfire erupted from the southern wall as Lyon gave the command.
Over 6,000 mobile infantry began firing, some in bursts and others in sustained volleys. Only a handful of rookies ignored Lyon's warnings, immediately emptying their magazines.
Meanwhile, nearly a hundred soldiers operated the fixed machine guns and cannons left behind by the clones, unleashing sustained fire on the insect tide.
The high-explosive rounds from the machine guns and cannons were devastatingly effective against the Arachi bugs.
In an instant, the bugs at the forefront were either blown apart or shattered by the barrage.
However, despite the overwhelming firepower, the sheer size of the insect swarm—numbering in the millions—was daunting.
Based on standard protocols, mobile infantry encountering such massive swarms would typically fortify their positions and await evacuation. The fleet would then dispatch transport vessels to extract the ground forces before sending bombing squadrons to eliminate the swarm entirely.
But Lyon and his team had no access to fleet support.
The insect swarm quickly closed to within 500 meters of the wall.
The deafening cacophony of gunfire was soon joined by the insects' hissing and screeching.
Rego, having emptied his AMWS rifle, grabbed his Morita rifle and continued firing.
Lyon, too, ran out of ammo, replacing his magazine and chambering a round, only to momentarily freeze.
Under the sustained fire of the defenders, the corpses of the slain bugs piled up, forming a "mountain of corpses."
The bugs at the rear had to either climb over or navigate around the growing mound of their dead comrades to advance.
Though Lyon had encountered various strange creatures and alien species, this was the first time he had witnessed such a scene. It was a stark demonstration of the insect swarm's brutal tactics.
At this moment:
Boom! Boom!
The sound of large-caliber cannons reverberated across the battlefield.
The defenders turned to see a formation of four Predator main battle tanks, accompanied by over 2,000 fully armed clone soldiers, emerging from the eastern flank.
Leading the charge were towering giants, standing four meters tall and wielding heavy armor, rotary cannons, or plasma weapons.
These giants, known to Lyon as Atlas's most advanced bio-weapons—Heavy Tyrants—cut through the insect horde like a blade, carving a path of destruction.
Despite their limited ammunition and eventual exhaustion, the clones' suicidal charge managed to thin the insect swarm significantly, enabling the mobile infantry to push forward and seize the entire town.
By the time the battle ended, the insect tide had been reduced to nothing but a mountain of corpses.
As the survivors regrouped, Lyon prepared the next phase: consolidating their control over the town and planning their withdrawal to the orbital transport ships arranged by the Investigation Bureau.
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