There was enough clearings to give some line of sight through the woods in the area in front of them. A fly over had revealed the Ariadna force trying to sneak into the area of the last battle between alien and Pan Oceana forces.
This was not going to be permitted.
The orders were to advance the TAG and keep the rest of the force in reserve. If the TAG couldn't take out all of the Ariadna troops it could at least pin them down while the Nisses moved to shoot down any that thought they were well hidden.
The objective was to be achieved with as few casualties as possible. The battle with the alien had been traumatic enough.
There were two Akalis in reserve in case they were needed.
As the TAG moved through the densely wooded area with the rest of the force moving behind it, there was motion in the copse of trees ahead.
It stopped briefly and the rest of the force stopped behind it. Then there was some consternation as they saw the shimmering form move back out of the woods. Suddenly a series of muzzle flashes revealed the exact location of the Cutter but the shots came right at the Pan Oceana troops. The Nisses was hit twice and was spouting blood from both wounds while a shot glanced off the armoured vest of one of the Fusiliers near her. He went to the ground hard.
The lietenant ordered the TAG to be rebooted and for the Akalis to get ready.
The TAG, now back under control of the Pan Oceana forces advanced again, this time with a new plan. The rest of the forces were moving up in support and the Akalis were flying in.
A fusilier advanced, somewhat nervously, next to the TAG. Suddenly the TAG went rigid and then swung at the fusilier, smashing trees aside in its almost somnambulant attack. The fusilier ducked down avoiding the first attack but then the hand of the metal monster reached down and grabbed her head. One brief squeeze and the suddenly the light gray metal was stained red.
The TAG then came out of the woods but instead of firing again it just ran up the hill away from the line of advance.
In response to this the lt. moved up with his TO camo engaged and moved into the tree line. The surprised Ariadna soldier looked up from the hacking device she had somehow acquired and slashed up with one motion with a knife. The Croc man brought his fist downwards, moving to the side to avoid the thrust. The knife in his fist did not miss and dug into his foes shoulder.
She winced in pain and he brought his knee up into her face which flew back in an arc spewing teeth out in an upwards motion that resembled and over active pez dispenser.
The TAG was reset and the Akalis dropped in. They were both spot on target. Theirs was a suicide mission as they dropped into the midst of the enemy.
They did manage to kill two of the enemy soldiers before being brought down but more importantly they gave the Pan Oceana forces time to regroup and rethink their plan.
Suddenly one of the Tank hunters sprinted forwards and enfiladed the Pan Oceana line gunning down one fusilier before being shot down himself by the Cutter.
The Lt. crouched in the treeline he occupied and thought about it.
He looked over the hacking device and decided it was worth risking it again. This thing was archaic, they had only been successful with it because it hadn't been expected at all.
He ordered the Cutter forward again.
The Cutter raced out from the treeline just as the Ariadna troops were trying to move around.
Catching some of them on the flank the TAG opened up, its shimmering form located by the bursts from its heavy machine gun.
The ariadna troops fired back but the machines aim was uncanny, the rounds hitting vulnerable points and joints in armour almost like a sniper was firing.
One shot hit back causing some damage but when the TAG paused to reload and re cloak the Ariadna forces were withdrawing. Mission accomplished although at a much higher price than they had hoped to pay.
