Zaitsev's Ghosts: Operation Chronos Week 2 Part 2

A Chance Meeting

                It was early morning; Nikolai had only just recovered from his injuries but was already preparing for another sortie, as he gathered his gear he could see that their hidden encampment was buzzing with activity, Kapitan Tanya had ordered all of her men to gather in the clearing; standing atop the wooden balcony of her personal quarters. As the soldiers settled down in formation she began to speak in a cold and commanding manner; other than Nikolai the other soldiers couldn’t see the anger bubbling beneath her stoic façade. Tanya’s simply gave the men a simple order; hunt down the remaining forces of Kalte Biss; the veteran soldiers’ of the steel guard with faces like stone nodded in acknowledgement, Nikolai and the other young regulars infantry couldn’t understand the steel guards determination, especially with the Axis forces occupying nearly eighty percent of the city how would they find that platoon; when there are many more possible targets. Nikolai knew, it was a vendetta, the loss of Kova the man their captain loved and the other steel guard greatly respected had been a huge blow to them but rather than losing morale the veterans used it as fuel for their ever burning hatred of the enemy.

                The lady ended her speech still in a cold and distant manner, “Remember do not die.” The younger regular infantry simply replied with a salute, but the veterans returned with voices filled with determination; “You cannot kill that which is already dead.” Once ready another platoon of guardsmen headed out for battle; their faces like chiseled stone showed no emotion only steel resolve to avenge their fallen comrades. The march within the abandoned mines was dark and solemn; the combat group was used these ancient mines to strike deep behind enemy lines but since information was scarce and the cities districts rapidly changing hands the best the Ghosts could hope for was to exit in unoccupied territory and ambush the axis forces from behind.

                It was mid afternoon when Nikolai and the other soldiers exited from what seemed to be an old railway tunnel nearby a residential area still looking for their prey they chanced upon a combat group from the Allied Forces. Nikolai couldn’t read English and could only make out ZERO painted in white on enemy troopers uniforms and armor. This chance meeting shocked both forces which turned into a skirmish both of them were unprepared for this sudden battle. The steel guard’s thick armor became their weakness; built to withstand Axis forces concentrated fire, they could do nothing against the allied forces Reapers and Hammers mobility, the allied forces relatively few men as their weaker armored companions hid behind cover away from enemy fire. The tougher and faster jump infantry managed to close the distance and fought the steel guard in close combat.

                Zero wasn’t their prey; the steel guard quickly performed a tactical retreat back into the tunnels firing potshots at anyone bold enough to chase them. Nikolai didn’t know how this would affect the war now that both enemy armies would have knowledge of their presence. From what he knew the other SSU forces deployed in this campaign were mainly composed of light infantry supported by KV walkers, this meeting could change enemy tactics; for good or for ill. The only thing Nikolai was certain was the fear he felt when he saw the enemy jump troops descend from the skies like angels of death; their ambush and fortify tactics were of no use against an enemy that could react quicker than they. The young sergeant could only wish that they never meet them again.