Impending Assault

We've underestimated the distance we are from the encampment. The sun is no longer guiding our journey back, forcing us to pull out our reserve oil lamps. Ensuring that members of the platoon doesn't get lost is relatively easy since the lamps effectively act as flares. Of course, at the risk of potentially bringing in unwanted guests. If such people do come, we've got no choice but to fight with our backs facing a corner.

The night orchestrates a serene ensemble. The quiet winds travel in and out, carrying chilling cold breezes towards us. The sky above above spectates us silently, periodically blinking and gleaming its lights. The earth also uses this peaceful opportunity to put those whom have fallen in combat to into their eternal rest.

----

We have to walk slowly to ensure everyone properly catches up, so we can expect it'll take some time. I formally allowed everyone to have idle chatter, as long as they kept their voices down. Well it's not as if that was needed, they're going to talk regardless but I thought giving them the official mandate would alleviate the tension that may arise from a potential night attack.

For the most part, I only talk to Sammy because she's so latched on to me. We talk about our war experiences, homes, friends & families, and everything else in between. She's from the States of Vespucci, which is also across the Leifsaegier Expanses, but she was of two nationalities, her mother apparently being from the Commonwealth. Similar to me, she was recruited as per the States' conscription law. Though that's where the similarities end because her father is an active officer in the Unified Army, so she somewhat has an idea of being in the military. She brags about being exceptional during the 6-month program, to which I just scoff and sarcastically remark of her lazy disposition.

I change the topic, "Do you think Hawker and Spitfire reported already?"

"Yeah, no, I dunno..." she answers as soon as I finished the question

"Not even going to think about it, huh?"

"Well..." She attempts to reason, "If they don't make it, then our supplies will dwindle and we'll eventually... I think you know..."

"Right..."

"So yeah! I might as well consider what to do if we do starve..."

"You can be quite grim in the spur of a moment, have you realised?"

"Hehe... Thank you..."

"Wasn't a compliment."

We continue to chat until someone clears his throat behind us, obviously for attention. Looking directly behind, I see a clean-looking face that is intentionally strained. I flip my body, now walking backwards, to face him properly. He starts walking mechanically, similar to a formal march, pushing his chest outwards.

"Sergeant Adiline!" He reports in a quiet shout, "Private Century Nuffield."

"Right. What can I do for you?"

"Pardon me for asking but we've been walking for a while now. And I don't mean to question your authority but are we going the right way?"

"Who knows, private?" I respond jokingly with my arms crossed behind my head, "Maybe we've actually passed it, or worse yet, heading further away from it."

Sammy joins in, "Sergeant... I think we're going the opposite direction from the camp..."

"Oh no," I exclaim abundantly satirical, "oh well then, I guess we'll have to camp this night out, huh? Private Nuffield, you're in charge of the first night guard duty, alright? You can get anyone after that."

"Oh, oh... I don't want to be one of them... Count me out..."

Century's face looks perplexed. His frantic wanting-to-talk mouth gesture tells me that he actually buys this skit. Sammy and I exchange glances, half-smile at each other, and continue on with our nonsensical banter.

"Okay, Corporal Firefly, you are now ineligible from being assigned to night guard. You better rest well because we have the entirety of tomorrow to return to the battalion."

"Yay..."

The private attempts to intrude, "Wait! Bu-"

Only to be silenced by me. "Privates shouldn't talk back, understand? Just follow my directions and we'll all be just fine."

"I- I understand, Sergeant..." He says with a depressed-sounding tone.

Sammy finally breaks into a giggle. I just sigh and return to walking forwards.

"We're joking, Century. You'll need to learn how to loosen up. Not everything is about ranks and status. We're both equal."

"How are you, a sergeant, equal to a private such as myself?"

"Well, a bullet to the head and we'd both be kissing the ground, right?"

I think that analogy startled Century, since he only stares blankly now.

Sammy intervenes, "Sergeant Val... Your analogies can be a bit too... Shocking..."

"It's the cold hard truth, except I think I do a good job at only sprinkling people with it."

"That makes sense... For now..."

I fire a glare at Sammy for that last statement and back to attempting to comfort Century.

"Don't worry about it for now. No one wants to blow a hole through your helmet near you now. We're all friends. Let's just focus on getting back, shall we?"

Century comes back to his senses and nods.

----

A little more walking and I can finally see the lights of our temporary base. I look over to Century and reassure him, "See, trust me and everything will be fine. Even though it's a bit late, but nothing punishable." He cheers up a bit, good enough.

One of the 1st's guard takes up his rifle and points, demanding that we identify ourselves. I return rank, name, as well as platoon, then he allows us in. I dismiss most of the 2nd to allow them to rest up and order the other members transporting the machine gun to follow me towards Lieutenant Meyers. As usual, Sammy willingly attaches herself to me, claiming she has the right to debrief considering her role as acting leader in the forward section. I capitulate and let her join.

The machine gun is the subject of interest for those in the 1st whom have happened to see us moving it. I deflect any question directed at me about the it to Sammy, adding that she found it first. Bringing her is beneficial to me after all.

After being bombarded with questions, we arrive at the officers' quarters. Sammy and I enter first, salute and report ourselves, afterwards the machine gun. Lieutenant Meyers stands up suddenly, causing his chair to fall backwards. He seems astonished with our find, only to be possibly crushed by Sammy's note, "We weren't able to locate any cartridges for it, Lieutenant Meyers..." Although, it doesn't seem to snuff any of his surprise away.

"Even so!" He walks up to it and inspects every nook and cranny; every bolt, screw, and melding. The lieutenant opens the top hatch and pulls the charging handle, releasing one bullet would have been ready to be fired. Lieutenant Meyers continued, "That could have been dangerous." That terrified me, knowing that we were inadequately carrying a safety hazard able to accidentally fire a single rifle round into someone. Thank goodness the transport crew basically towed it barrel facing down.

"This is an amazing piece. It's unfortunate we don't have the ammunition for it though." Lieutenant Meyers briskly returns to his desk, fixes his chair up, and sits back down.

"Alright then, back to business. Everyone excluding Sergeant Adiline, you are dismissed. Return to your platoon and rest well."

"Aww, but I want to stay here... Okay..." Sammy complains to no avail. She can still voice her irritation after what happened earlier in the morning? This girl has quite the nerve.

"If you will, lieutenant. Corporal Firefly here was the first to find the machine gun, she is also going to debrief as a result of my decision to split the team in half for better platoon mobility."

"Is that so?" Lieutenant Meyers inquires, "Alright then, Corporal Firefly, you can stay."

"Ya-" I swiftly cover her mouth. The second-hand fear is creeping on my back.

"Anyhow, before you debrief, I have to inform you that Privates Hawker and Spitfire arrived this evening and brought good news. Supply comes at dawn."

"Oh, that's pleasing to know" I comment cheerily.

"On the other hand," he stresses, "they also brought a message regarding a potential counter-attack in the afternoon."

"A counter-attack...? But we just got here... We're on the offensive again...?" Sammy now comments.

"No, corporal. Not from us. From them. They will attack in the afternoon."

There isn't a realistic way for us to survive a counter-offensive from them. They're probably going to come in battalions while we only have two platoons.

I suggest with panic, "Maybe we should blow these trenches up and fall back?"

"No, sergeant. We have been ordered to stand our ground here."

"That's preposterous! We're not going to survive a regiment, let alone a battalion or two!"

"Calm yourself, sergeant. The letter also informed us of reinforcements, E Company and the 7th Automatic Riflemen Platoon."

"When will they arrive? Dawn? That's too short of a period to be able to muster up defences, lieutenant. The sappers haven't even arrived!"

"What else can we do, sergeant? We will make-do with what we have."

I return to a calm state and just realised, "Wait. The 7th Automatic Platoon?"

"You heard me correctly."

Sammy gleams with excitement and remarks, "We're going to see the automatics in action!"

"Shut it, Corporal Firefly." I silence her, "If they're deploying experimental weapons, does that mean we've found ourselves in a peculiar situation, lieutenant?"

"It seems so. I can't say for sure what we're getting ourselves into. It might be the usual counter-attack, or it might be a theatre-changing assault. Their timing suggests that they are aware of our forward units at a disarray and are stranded. Again, I'm not too sure myself."

"Then... Then! We should prepare something tonight, so that we won't have to push our luck tomorrow!"

"Sergeant, I'm experienced with these things, as you may or may not know. I've already had the 1st move the sandbags to the rear trenches and close-off entrances in our flank so they won't have any way to sneak up on us."

That's right. He isn't a lieutenant just for show. I should really collect myself together and rationally think this through.

"Oh, understood, lieutenant." I comply only after fully ensuring I won't snap again, "Is there anything the 2nd should do tonight, lieutenant?"

"Not really, the 2nd must be exhausted, and I cannot risk sub-par performance on the makeshift defences." That's a bit straightforward but I can see what he means "So, the 2nd should just rest the night."

"Understood, lieutenant."

After breaking the news, he proceeds with our debrief.

That is a monumental message. I shouldn't be surprised because this is 4th-con but I still couldn't see a possibility or method to keeping casualties at a minimum. We don't even have forward dressing stations and orderlies to treat the wounded yet, so once someone is shot, we can only hope they live long enough for proper treatment to be administered. No use thinking about it, I'll... We'll cross that bridge when we get there.

After the debrief, Lieutenant Meyers dismisses Sammy and I, thus allowing us to return to our platoon.

I can already presage this will be a restless night for everyone. I hope reinforcements arrive sooner than their estimated time.

I hope we all survive tomorrow's onslaught.