TFA1 3.15 - Incoming Trouble

  During Harley Quinn's pre-construction, General O'Neil had sent heavy cavalry elements consisting of:

  16 units M1A3 Abrams

  48 ??units M2A5 Bradley Shorad

  10 units Engineer Vehicle-01 Rhino.

  When it was finally known that the potential threat from local military could be overcome without MBT, the heavy cavalry elements were then tasked to guard Harley Quinn, and now some of those elements would be place to guard the gold mine.

  Two hours after Rocky Hill was seized, Vex changed its name to Terry Hill, and then sent security elements consisting of:

  1 Light Infantry Company

  1 Mortar Platoon

  1 Stinger Platoon

  42 Various Humvee

  1 Mechanized Infantry Platoon

  18 M2A5 Bradley Shorad

  6 M1A3 Abrams

  4 EV-01 Rhino

  Three days later, support elements and MCG’s personnel who would carry out the construction at Terry Hill followed the deployment.

  From General O'Neil's office, Vex watched the convoy of support elements and MCG’s personnel passed through the main gate before turning north.

  'If only the damn gold mine doesn't pop up.' After taking a deep breath, Vex then approached the display table where TF Amethyst's higher-ups gathered. Then, the meeting to listen to the survey conducted by Carlos began.

  While putting Terry Hill’s picture on the display table Carlos said, “Initial estimation suggest that gold ore under Terry Hill is 300-400 meter deep, extended 5 km to east, 18 km to south, 110 km to west, and 150 km to north."

  “…”

  With a smile on his face Carlos added, "In short, TF Amethyst is super rich now."

  However, the excitement and surprise that Carlos had hoped for did not appear on the faces of TF Amethyst’s higher-ups.

  General O'Neil and Brigadier General Rayden looked casual as usual, some others sighed deeply, while Vex looked at Terry Hill with an expression as if he had just been forced to swallow a glass of cold vinegar.

  A big question mark immediately appeared on Carlos' face. "XO, is there a problem? With Brigadier General Rayden the Marauder on our side, I don’t think we have something to worry about even if the whole Amstell Continent tries to snatch this gold mine from our hand.”

  Seeing Vex just silent, Brigadier General Rayden immediately said, "If there's a place I need to visit and level up to the ground, I'll gladly do it. Even if I can only use a small number of assets, at least I still have the initiative and element of surprise.”

  “I know you can do it,” Carlos excitedly expressed his agreement.

  “However,” Brigadier General Rayden continued in bitter tone. “Establish and maintain defensive line is a different ball game. Moreover, at the moment we do not have the luxury to expand our defensive line beyond 30 km, let alone beyond 100 km and reach the front yard of two closest Regions."

  Stolen story; please report.

  "I don't get it. Don't we have a land slide edge in firepower?"

  Seeing Carlos was truly confused, General O'Neil took over the explanation. "Well, let's assume Lionel and Rowane Region find out about the gold mines and decide to attack us.

  Latest intel shows both Regions can deploy 200 thousand combatants at the age of 18-year-old, and more if they also deploy younger combatants. Meanwhile, we have very limited heavy assets and ammunition right now.

  If the two Regions send all their combatants in one big wave, we can eliminate it as many as possible using heavy assets before switching to the small arm to neutralize the rest.

  However, if they send their combatants in four waves from two directions, then, we will ward off the first wave using heavy assets, followed by small arm in the second wave, and bayonet in the third."

  General O'Neil's explanation made Carlos gulp hard, but a possibility popped into his mind. "There is still a possibility that they will withdraw after tasting our artillery."

  Nate, the CO of IDG, decided to add some of his view, "Stopping the attack after the defeat in the first wave is very possible. But most likely, it’s only because they want to rethink their strategy.

  Also, from our experience at Terry Hill, we found that there is a drug that makes combatants become fierce and lose their sense of fear. So, as long as both of Regions still have combatants to spare, they will continue the attack most likely."

  Vex, who so far had been silent finally said, "It’s also not impossible, we won’t face only two closest Regions, but two kingdoms that capable of mobilizing the entire Amstell Continent and bringing more than 200 million combatants.

  Even if TF Amethyst is already at full strength, wiping out 200 million combatants is not easy, both technically and morally.

  Therefore, from the start we decided to avoid any actions and policies that can unify the whole Amstell Continent. But now, the thing we want to avoid the most is lay in our side yard."

  Awkward silence instantly filled every corner of the room, before finally Lt. Colonel Slane turned to Vex and asked, "XO, how much security we can provide for Terry Hill?"

  "With the distance to Terry Hill is about 28 km, air cover is not a big problem. But for ground security, we can only send a small number of elements to hinder the opponent's advance so that non-combatant personnel have time to retreat here."

  "In that case we should just focus on what we can afford, and immediately move any gold bars we manage to produce here."

  Vex looked at Lt. Colonel Slane deeply before asking, "Are you sure about that?"

  “I’m,” Lt. Colonel Slane firmly replied. "Keep in mind that gold is never on TF Amethyst's priority list. Getting additional ammunition for economic supremacy that Amethyst Merchant will unleash is ideal. But if the price is too high, I'd rather ignore it.

  Besides, even without additional ammunition, Amethyst Merchant can still meet the timetable."

  General O'Neil immediately nodded. "Well, we need to find the previous owner of Terry Hill before determining our next move."

  After taking a deep breath Nate said, "Major Maxwell acquires an intel that the platoon who attacked Captain Stark and his unit, is waiting for 20 Cloud Hawks that will conduct first airlift ops for the gold bar.

  Radar records showed there was a Cloud Hawk flight 400 km east of Terry Hill, and once versus contact occurred, the flight instantly took a reversed course. Reapers have been dispatched as far as to Amstell east coast, but so far we got nothing."

  Just as Nate finished his words Major Maxwell suddenly came into the room. "I deeply apologize for the intrusion, but I have something urgent to report."

  "Report it then, Major."

  "Sir."

  As soon as General O'Neil gave him the permission, Major Maxwell immediately approached the display table and plugged a USB stick into one of the slots. In an instant, the display table displayed thousands of ships were landing on Amstell east coast.

  "Reaper got this footage a few minutes ago. Initial tally is 260,000 combatants, along with construction materials and supplies.

  East coast is a no man's land. They will be able establish a base freely if they have effective means to ward off Dangerous Wildlife."

  "Fuck me." Colonel Montana let out a long sigh before saying, "They have a Cloud Hawk capable of airlifting 1800 km back and forth. Their airlift capability is no joke."

  General O'Neil tapped his fingers on the table before saying, "Well, at least now we know who we have to face. Also, to form a solid corridor from east coast to here they will have to build dozens of forward base, so we will have some time to prepare ourselves.”

  “…”

  General O'Neil then turned his gaze to Nate before continuing, "Keep an eye on their movements. And for now make sure only the observation team and everyone in this room knows about the presence of this uninvited guest."

  "Understood."

  After some small talk General O'Neil then closed the meeting.

  *****