Blood on the Hills

Prydania

Prydania

Það er alltaf sólríkt í Býkonsviði
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Prydania
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Adonai-Jireh, Iraelia, Syrixian Empire; 1945

Reuhen Adaret could smell the smoke as Skandan shells hammered the city, the green and gold colonial ensign fluttering defiantly as panicked Iraelian Milita soldiers moved about.

"They're becoming more frequent" Samuel Eshkol muttered as Adaret looked over his map of the city and the surrounding area.

"Umhm" Adaret muttered, not looking up.

"You've been saying that for the past hour Reuhen!" Eshkol replied angrily, only for the High Marshal to ignore him once more.

Eshkol cleared his voice, ready to shake his comrade back to reality when the door burst open.
"Adaret!" an older man with a thick white beard and dressed in blue and purple robes bellowed, drawing the attention of both Eshkol and Adaret. There were no guards at the doors of the High Marhsal's office. Every man and woman in the militia able to carry a gun was busy preparing to defend the city from an attack. Not that it mattered. Even if there were guards? They wouldn't have stopped this man. No Shaddaist would tell Dayyan* Gideon ben Amiran "no."

Adaret lowered his head respectfully. "Your Holiness" he replied, despite the High Priest having no time for such pleasantries.

"How much longer will you allow the Holy City to be shelled!?" he demanded, raising a single but pointed finger at the High Marshal, prompting Eshkol to look to to Adaret himself.

"Your Holiness, please, indulge me" Adaret replied, leading the High Priest to the table covered in maps.
"We have artillery and armour located here...and here..." he pointed to the maps. "I won't waste what we have on a few pointless volleys..." his insistence that such a gesture would be "pointless" was perhaps undermined by the thunderous explosions of more Skandan artillery...
"...and nor will I leave Adonai-Jireh vulnerable by a pointless offensive. Your Holiness, I know that it distresses you to hear the city under attack, but please. The will of Shaddi is your domain. The movement of soldiers is mine."

"Then what do you plan on doing?" Eshkol askd.

"We are out-manned and out-gunned. We have but one advantage. They must come to us, and every one of us will lay down their lives before surrendering the city. We do nothing. Nothing until they're ready to set foot in Adonai-Jireh. And then we make them pay."



*High Priest of Shaddaism
 
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1st North Bari Army Group, 2nd Izu Army; 1 hour out from Adonai-Jireh

A small group of Skandan officers stood huddled nearby the bold Colonel Akoa I'aweio. Multiple times he had been advised by higher-ups to lead from behind the front lines, and multiple times he had ignored them. He believed the only way to lead was from the front lines. I'aweio was looking through a pair of binoculars and spoke in a hushed, yet harsh tone with a hint of hoarseness in it from past outbursts.

“Look at them, running around like headless chickens. We have them cornered.”

Funnily enough, he really couldn’t see much, because the they were about an hour out from the city. A portly, old officer spoke up.

“Colonel I'aweio, the Andrennians demand we assault the city, we can no longer shell it from afar!”

“Are you a fool, Major? You know as well as I do that an assault in our current state would be suicide. While we may have them pinned, we aren’t ready to attack.”

“Colonel, the Andrennians will not accept another disobeyed ord-“

“Do you fight for the Andrennians, Kealo? You’re not one of those puppets in the government, I know that for sure. The Andrennians are idiots, frankly. They have no experience fighting in Iteria, why should I take orders from them? I will acknowledge their brilliance in the north, but in Iteria the war is different. Our army is ill-prepared to attack. We don’t have the supply to support such an attack anyways. Our artillery and Air Force is simply buying us time to prepare.”

A younger officer spoke up, turning on his heels. His traditional Skandan sword rattled in its scabbard.

“With all due respect, sir, I believe Major Kealo has a point. A preemptive attack could scramble the Iraelians before they get a chance to truly take root in the city.”

I'aweio was no longer using his binoculars, letting them hang around his neck. He spoke over the thundering artillery as he led the other officers into a green tent that stood out against the sands of the Bari Desert. Radio chatter emanated from a radio painted in a shade of khaki, but the paint was visibly flaking to reveal the grey metal underneath. I'aweio took off his cap, running his free hand through his graying black hair. He sat down at his impromptu desk made from scrap wood and a folding chair, moving papers around.

“We will not be attacking today, that is final. However, I will be attempting to get an air raid launched on the city. In the meantime, Lieutenant Colonel Akai'iro, step forward.”

A shorter man, seemingly somewhere in his late 30’s stepped forward through the other officers. He was decorated with various metals. This was I'aweio's rigt hand man.

“Yes, Sir?”

“I want you to move one of your motorized divisions forward, scout out nearby towns and villages, possibly purchase supplies if you can. We may not be attacking now, but we must know if they’re defending the route to Adonai-Jireh.”

“Of course, Sir.”

“As for the rest of you, keep your men’s spirits up, ration out food and supplies, and assign them chores. Drill them daily.”

With no response from his officers, he dismissed them as he wrote something or other down on a piece of paper. The aging Colonel stood up from his chair and spoke into the radio, and if the request was approved, solidified his earlier idea of an air raid on the city. Afterwards he rounded up his men and officers, cleaned up the small forward camp, and headed back to the main Skandan camp about 45 minutes south from the their current position.

As I'aweio, and therefore Akai'iro ordered, a motorized division made its way towards Adonai-Jireh; or more specifically, one of the villages presumably along the way to scout possible defenses or get supplies. It was led by Sergeant Major Ohi'kia, who was a man in his late 20’s. He was young and full of energy, jumping at the first chance to lead his men, even for such a small task.

At the same time, a small Skandan fleet chugged along through the waters, past the Iraelian coast. They were on patrol for any ships attempting a landing; Syrixian or Iraelian.
 
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Ten generals sat in silence around a giant war table in the center of the room that was completely covered in maps of that of the city of Adonai-Jireh and the rest of Iraelia. Several little flags and small figures dotted the maps clearly outlining the area that Skanda and the Kazirstani occupied along with their troop movements and a layout of their fortifications around the city they were jointly attacking. However no one continued suggesting strategies or moves to advance in Iraelia that would aid the Kazirstani but instead just silence inside of the tent besides the thundering sound of the artillery raining down fire and hell onto the city.

The generals all looked forward at the man at the head of the map littered table as he continued to look back at the rest of them and the massive wooden war table. This man at the head of the table was Abdullah al-Kazir of the former royal family of Kazirstan and the son of the current Chairman of the People’s Republic of Kazirstan who was tasked with leading Kazirstan’s forces in the war of which he had been very successful of until now. Now they were at a standstill as the Skandans wanted to hold back and continue bombarding the city while the Kazirstani High Command wanted the exact opposite and to finally assault the city.

Finally the silence was broken as Abdullah finally began to speak.

“Can someone please explain to me while we’re still sitting here when we should be taking the city” he asked with a tone of annoyance in his voice.

A general sitting on the right located near the middle of the table decided to answer his question.

“The Skandans advise against it sir. It would be a very unwise tactical decis-”

“Since when did we take orders from the damn Skandans? Last time I checked we were still not beholden to a master on a different continent.”

“Sir, if I may?”

“You may not. So help me Mehrab if I have stay here another day because the Skandans want to sit around and cower behind their artillery. I will not have it” he said as he got up out of his seat and started to speak louder.

“My grandfather did not sit idle around when he fought for our independence from the Kaandari. He did not wait when he destroyed their army at the Battle of Khemri or when he crushed their navy at the Night of Storms. We are the Kazirstani, we do not sit around and let others fight our battles and we do not take orders from someone else.”

Some of the generals started to pound on the table with their fists as Abdullah continued on.

“We are our own masters. We will have victory and we will not accept defeat. We will fight them in the deserts and in the cities and in the mountains. We shall fight them in the hills and in the sky and seas. WE ARE THE KAZIRSTANI” he shouted at the rest of them as they started stomping their feet on the ground and pounded on the table harder and let out hollers into the air.

Then Abdullah signalled the guard at the entrance of the tent to come in as the generals were showing their support while the ones who weren’t were not trying to be too open about it.When the guard walked over to him and saluted he ordered him to bring a message to the Skandans. That message was that if any opportunity presented itself before them that they would take it and assault the city.

The guard saluted once more and left the tent making his way to the Skandans to deliver his message to them.
 
SAIF Eleventh Army; 2 hours out from Adonai-Jireh

Governor Shatadhanvan had sent Major General Vikram Adhyani from Sarzad, the great metropolis that was the colonial capital of Syrixian Iraelia, through Meron and Yihud to chase the Skandans and Kazirstanis, who were closer to Adonai-Jireh than the Empire was. Setting out from his base in Shelah, Yihud, large numbers of tanks of various kinds, as well as artillery and a decent-sized air squadron, as well as Imperial soldiers of the 84th-87th Imperial Infantries, headed through Yihud towards Irsai at Major-General Adhyani's directive. The objective was, first, to get to Adonai-Jireh and then to head southeast and liberate the city of Carmel and the rest of Irsai from the Skandans and Kazirstanis.

Adonai-Jireh was a major priority. Major-General Adhyani knew that within the city was Reuhen Adaret, the leader of the Iraelian Colonial Militia, as well as the Dayyan of Shaddaism himself, along with the trapped Imperial garrison of the city and much of the Colonial Militia's soldiers. Adonai-Jireh would be a symbolic victory for the Dominion forces in Iteria- it would mean the death of the Militia's leader and the religious leader of all Shaddaism, and would facilitate an utter crumbling in the morale of Iraelians and Syrixians alike. He had to get there before the Dominion forces took the city, and so the Imperial troops, along with supplements from the Colonial Militia, moved through Yihud at lightning speed, quickly reaching the borders of the Irsai province.

7th Carrier Strike Group; 18th Fleet; 3rd Imperial Armada

Whilst Major-General Adhyani's relief force entered Irsai, the 18th Fleet's 7th Carrier Strike Group was heading south along the Iraelian coast as well. Led by Commodore Ehud Regev, an Iraelian who had joined the famed Imperial Navy and risen through the ranks, their orders were to patrol the coasts of both unoccupied and occupied Iraelia for any Skandan ships, in order to clear them all so as to prepare circumstances that would be expedient for a landing; a landing in the Adonai-Jireh Bay Area. Commodore Regev knew that the landing, should it occur, would be dangerous and soldiers would suffer high casualties, but if they succeeded in making a beachhead, it could buy the city of Adonai-Jireh, further inland, a little more time until Major-General Adhyani's forces arrived.

The group's HV, or high-interest vessel; the aircraft carrier; was the famed ISS Chauhan, and on it were planes; surrounding the ship were the other ships; the rest of the Carrier Strike Group. As one they moved south, looking for Skandan ships. Then, one of the lieutenants reported to Ehud that a small Skandan fleet was visible. Immediately, the ships were put on red alert, and urgent preparations began. It was time for a naval battle.
 
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Imperial Skandan Army, 1st North Bari Army Group, 2nd Army of Izu; 2 hours out from Adonai-Jireh

Skandan soldiers joked and talked in their camp about many things. Most did it to take their mind off of just how close they were to the enemy.

In one of the many tents, one marked with a Skandan flag, a wooden chair skittered quickly across the sand before losing momentum and tipping over after a strong kick.

“Those damned Kazirstani will get us all killed! Nothing but hi'soa'ni[note]Hi'soa'ni = Dunces[/note] and idiots! They never should’ve joined the Dominion in the first place! They have the audacity to tell us what to do, the damned dogs! First the Andrennians, now the Kazirstani! At this rate, our own enemies will be commanding us around within the next week!”

Not a single of his general staff uttered a word for fear of scorning during I'aweio's rant. A moment of silence sat and rested as his subordinates let the aging man calm. One of the commanders sputtered out a few sentences afterwards.

“Colonel I… know you’ve just received bad news from the Kazirstani but unfortunately we have more bad news. A Syrixian fleet was spotted by our own fleet. It’s believed a naval landing may be attempted at some point but we unfortunately do not know where they would be landing. Potential landing area are here, here, and… here.”

The commander pointed out various locations on the map on the table inside the tent. I'aweio pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed.

“Dedicate the 3rd Army, but only half of their armored divisions, to the coast leading up to Adonai-Jireh, have them set up defenses and potential ambush locations in the possible landing spots.”

“Right away Colonel- In some good news our air support has been confirmed and will be arriving shortly, but...”

“Finally, something to look forward to. Anything else?”

“U-Unfortunately not, Colonel. Weather does not look favorable which may delay our air support and cause further complications.”

“Of course… Get that Kazirstani boy back here so I can deliver a message to his impatient, spoiled bastard of a commander. We will not attack if they do, and we will refuse to support them in any impatient, moronic attacks they start.”

Imperial Skandan Navy, Meterran Fleet, Yahe Group

The Yahe Group chugged along slowly on red alert after spotting the nearby Syrixian fleet. The Yahe Group was led by it’s namesake, the KKY Yahe carrier carrying its own planes. In tow were two battleships, multiple destroyers, cruisers, and finally a sizeable force of submarines. Although it may have been smaller compared to it’s Syrixian counterpart, it’s firepower and skill were intimidating. The naval force was more than ready to fight.

Imperial Skandan Air Force, 2nd Air Fleet

The plan was to do a standard air raid, but that plan was made when it was sunny. Now, it was windy and raining. Delays occurred over and over again due to the weather before any planes could get off the grounds. Bombers, dive bombers and fighter escorts and even a few experimental jet fighters. The air raid was commenced, but it was delayed. This was the first time jets were used by Skanda, and potentially the first time the Iraelians would ever be seeing jet fighters. The Skandans had been developing them for years at this point, and now? The S45JM2 fighter jet was ready for it's first deployment. It flew alongside standard prop planes, the S39M7 "Ke'ha" fighter or the KP40M5 "Koa'ho" bomber, for example. Of course, there were more planes besides those, such as the S41, S43, KP42, HP41, etc.
 
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Adonai-Jireh, Iraelia, Syrixian Empire


"You want me to do what?" Eshkol asked.

"I told you. Make it look like we're falling back to the peninsula northwest of the city. Trucks, men, even take some of the older artillery canons" High Marshal Adare said, looking down at the map of the city.

"The Dayyan won't like this" Samuel groaned, only for Reuhen to shake his head.
"I don't care. He can come and threaten me if he likes. And don't tell any of the soldiers you're going to hold out in the hills just outside the city until you get there. I want the Kazirstani and Skandans to think it's a real retreat."

"And the newer artillery canons?"
"Well the Dayyan has been pressuring me to respond, has he not? I'm finally going to start returning fire."

"But you told him..."

"I told him what he needs to know. Your men will know to start the fake retreat after we fire off the first volley. Hopefully we can trick them into thinking that we're taking potshots as we're pulling back."

"You shouldn't do this Reuhen. You shouldn't be inviting the enemy into the Holy City. Not when the Syrixians..."

"Do you see a Syrixian army here? No! You don't! They may come, but I am not risking this city on 'may.' We have a chance to defeat them here, and now. With the men and women and guns and bombs we have with us. I will not let that chance pass because the Syrixians may be able to break through Skandan lines. Organize the troops. Be ready to start the retreat after the first volley."

Samuel nodded slowly, leaving with his orders. Reuhen poured himself a glass of wine, gulping it before lighting a cigarette.
"We have never been very close my Lord" he whispered. "But I am here to lay down my life for Your city. Please, take head now if You're ever going to."

With that he took off for the ancient walls of the city, grabbing a pair of binoculars from one of the soldiers standing watch.
"Take the rest of your comrades on the wall. Just out of sight."
The young man, a boy really, gulped and nodded with a salute before rounding everyone he could find up and leading them down the walls.

The High Marshal examined the battlefield. KT-T37M1 tanks. Lovely. Absolutely lovely. He rushed down the staircase holding up one finger, and waving it. "Go!" he cried out, leading to a chain reaction of Iraelian Militia members signalling down a chain of command until they got to artillery gunners that had been left.


The air boomed as shells rained down, hamming the front lines of the Kazirstani and Skandans. Samuel Eshkol, sitting in a battered armoured jeep, nodded, yelling "let's move out!"

The looks on the faces of the citizens of the city was too much, and so he just kept focused on the road in front of him. These people...they thought this was a real retreat. They had to. And all they knew was that the Militia was abandoning the holiest city in the world. Still, he did his duty, praying that this worked, even as the sound volley of Iraelian artillery sounded off.
 
Adonai-Jireh, Iraelia, Syrixian Empire


Panic was in the air. Or was that the smell of artillery? No, it was panic. Reuhen knew the difference. Eshkol's fake retreat was necessary if his plan was to succeed. And it had to appear real. The city needed to look like a city in panic. And no one inside could know it was fake. If it looked fake well...someone may find out. And signal the enemies.

"What in Shaddai's name are you doing?" a booming voice demanded as Reuhen was trying to collect his thought. He didn't need to turn around to know it was Dayyan Gideon ben Amiran. All he could do was press his thumb and index finger to his temple, sighing for a brief moment. He did not need this.

"Why are you sending soldiers out of Shaddai's holy city?" the Dayyan demanded, closer now.
Reuhen grit his teeth and breathed deep, collecting himself. It would do no good to throttle the Dayyan. Hell, he was't even sure he had it in him to punch the holy man. He wasn't the most spiritual sort, but he doubted if he had it in him to do that. So he collected himself, turning to address the Dayyan with as calm a demeanour as he could muster.

"Dayyan, Your Holiness. I think perhaps you're needed elsewhere. Tend to the flock."

The Dayyan, however, was not hearing it, holding up his index finger as if scolding a child.
"I will not tell the people of the Holy City that they must be calm while you abandon it like a coward!" he bellowed. "I do not know what you believe you can do in the north, but Iraelia WILL fall if you abandon Adonai-Jireh! There is no fight if you leave! Do you care though? No! You send your men to flee, like dogs!"

It was then, then that the cost of fighting this war caught up to Reuhen, and he nearly smacked the holy man, stopping himself and forcing him to grab him by the arms.

"I know that!" he yelled back before collecting himself, leaning in and repeating himself quietly though gritted teeth.
"I know that...."

He breathed deep, tears forming in his eyes as he shook, trying to calm himself.
"I know that...Dayyan, I know that."

He released the shocked, holy man, who himself was unable to speak. He was expecting Reuhen to dismiss him. Or bark at him to follow his orders, as military men were likely to do. He did not expect him to just...snap like that.

"I am not abandoning the city, Dayyan," Reuhen continued, sounding more calm. He had insisted that only officers who needed to know the retreat was a bluff would know. Maybe it was his disdain for the clergy. Maybe it was his own arrogance. He just hadn't considered the Dayyan a man who needed to know. That, however, had changed.

"Dayyan" he added, his voice trembling just a bit, as he held back tears, "I am not a pious man, but I think I am a good man. Still, being a good man does not qualify me to lead the faithful at the Great Temple. No. That burden falls to you, Your Holiness. Because you are a good and a pious man. That is where you are needed right now. Lead the scared, and pray."

He breathed deep before continuing.
"You are a good man, and a pious man" he repeated, "but you are not a military man. I am. My burden is here. With these maps. It's out there, with those binoculars. And those radios. And if Shaddai wills it? My burden will be out there with a gun. But I am doing the only the only thing I can to save this city. I do not expect it to make sense to you, this is not where you are needed. Go pray with the people Dayyan. Leave me to my burden, saving this city."

The Dayyan looked at him for a moment before nodding.
"Shaddai speed, Marshall."

"And you as well, Your Holiness."
 
The scouts looked out upon the city of Adonai-Jireh. They had spent days doing nothing but waiting and waiting and waiting as the city was bombard by the Skandan artillery bringing down hellfire upon the Iraelian holy city but they too along with their leading general Abdullah also grew impatient. The city was there and ripe for the taking and now their opportunity came to seize the city.

Dressed in his traditional Kazirstani robes that blended in with the desert he watched the city with his binoculars and what he saw had amazed him. The soldiers occupying the city were fleeing ,no doubt under the might of the glorious Imperial Skandan Armed Forces and the Kazirstani Worker’s Army but the important thing was that they were fleeing. The scout dawned his horse and immediately rode back to the camp to deliver the news to General Abdullah.
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“And then I told him that wasn’t the horse’s ass that was his mother’s face” Abdullah shouted as he busted out laughing with the banging his hand on the table with food flying out of his mouth. His laughing died down as he took a drink of his dark crimson wine that was imported all the way from the island of Stan Yera itself. He took a nice long sip of it and then put his cup down only to continue eating his fine food.

“GENERAL ABDULLAH” he heard being shouted outside of his tent as the scout ran into his tent only to be stopped by the Kazirstani Worker’s Guard who were the personal guard of the General-Secretary of Kazirstan.

“What is it” Abdullah demanded while pouring himself and his equal another glass of his Yeran wine.

“The Iraelians are retreating”

“WHAT” he shouted as he stormed out of his seat and looked at the other general. He looked at him and then at the scout and then back at him and just responded with “order the charge.”

With that said the soldiers gathered in the outskirts of their camp and amassed into wall of soldiers. Some carrying the crimson banners of the Party adorned with writing from their native language. Most had nothing but their rifle in hand and the spirit of the revolution in the other.

Slowly they advanced forward through the desert with their banners overhead marching forward for their cause. Then one soldier started to sing and no ordinary song, he sang the song of the worker, the Erasian. Then as he kept singing another soldier joined and after him another and after him ten more and then after him 100 more and as they kept singing the soldiers increased in speed. More and more started to sing the song of the revolution with their movement increasing with the rhythm.

Their voices joined together into one and as such they charged forward together as one. One nation, one revolution, and one people. Their singing turned into battlecry’s firing the arms of the people into the air while doing it as they finally stormed into the city not holding back for anyone as the carnage had just begun.
 
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Imperial Skandan Army, 1st North Bari Army Group, 2nd Army of Izu, 27th Infantry Division, 2nd Reconnaissance Regiment; 45 minutes out from Adonai-Jireh

There had been nothing on the hills for hours now. Just ancient trees towering above their surroundings and grass as green as emeralds, only disrupted by brown craters blown into the ground by artillery and tank shells. Through the clear glass of the binoculars, Akihiro Wanakoa could see them charging and yelling, guns in hand, towards the city of Adonai-Jireh. Startled from this, he quickly jumped up and ran back to the small temporary camp his reconnaissance regiment had set up. They nearly broke the radio in the rush they started to get to it and get it operational, radioing back to the main camp urgently.

Imperial Skandan Army, 1st North Bari Army Group, 2nd Army of Izu; 2 hours out from Adonai-Jireh

A mish-mash of loud, frantic, Skandan voices disturbed the soldiers near the command tent. It was nearly impossible to tell voices of the officers apart in the confusion. I’aweio was silent, fuming with rage as he stood with his hands on top of table which held a map of Adonai-Jireh and the surrounding area, along with the various units deployed by the Skandans and Kazirstani. None of this was part of the plan, not a single thing was going right for them on the ground right now. With a scarily quick hand I’aweio drew his gun and fired at the ground of the tent yelling at the top of his lungs above the confusion.

“Silence! I want nothing but absolute silence! If I hear one more word without permission to speak I will personally have you all shot and hanged in a trench!”

With that, the officers had, reasonably, shut up. I’aweio holstered his pistol and took his cap off before running his hands through his hair and pinching his nose in frustration. A very frightened radioman stood at the front of the tent and had been the catalyst for this whole situation.

“You said they’re charging, yes?”

“Y-Yes Sir, they're moving down Salim's Hill, just outside of the city. They’re in a very messy format-”

“That’s all I needed to hear. Officers, gather your men, we’re pulling back to Karuma[note]Karuma is the Skandan name for the Iraelian city of Carmel, which was occupied by Skanda at this point and was one of the two main headquarters of their operations in Iraelia alongside the Skandan city of Bari'male.[/note]. We won’t let our own men die because those morons decided to attack.”

Nearly half of the officers didn’t move. In fact they looked outraged and disgusted by those words, as if I'aweio had just personally insulted them.

“Well? You heard me, get moving!”

Ryo Akai’iro, the supposed right hand man himself spoke out- without permission. He had returned to the command tent when he was commanded to by I’aweio to hear him out.

“With all due respect, sir… I will not be leaving the Kazirstani to die. As idiotic of a move as it was, it is dishonorable to retreat like a coward and abandon our allies. You're better than that, Akoa.”

“Ryo, I gave you no permission to speak. That’s a death sentence and you know it. It’d be suicide to charge in after them. Don't speak to me about personal morals or our traditional ethics, I'm putting our men's lives above ours!”

“I, and seemingly many others, refuse to abandon those ethics! You may abandon the Kazirstani, but we won't abandon our culture, our tradition, all for the selfish purpose of cowardice! We don’t need to charge in! We’re not subject to the same commands as they ar-”

“I said we aren’t attacking the city and that’s final!” The power of his voice was startling. Soldiers around the whole camp stopped what they were doing and stared at the tent before cautiously continuing on with their routines. Other officers moved towards Akai’iro, seemingly siding with him. I’aweio was angrier than most had ever seen him.

“Insubordination from my own right hand man! The audacity you all have to join his side! You’re killing yourselves, and you are killing your men! You’re fools to join the Kazirstani in their attack! Fine... Fine! If you want to die on these hills be my guest! Ryo, you’re in charge of the attack! I’m taking my own divisions and loyal officers and retreating to Karuma. If you survive this idiotic bloodbath then your orders are to retreat to Karuma… You have whatever forces are with the officers that have joined you and any that are currently preparing for a Syrixian naval incursion along the coast.” He had calmed down by the end of his rant and now seemed almost depressed by this show of disobedience. It seemed a little less than half of the officers there had sided with Akai’iro.

The forces split into their respective sides. I’aweio and Akai’iro met in the center of the camp, shook hands, and parted. The camp was taken down, as neither side would likely be returning there. Akai’iro was now also in command of the supporting air force and naval forces. They moved towards the closer camp, the one the reconnaissance regiment had set up. Infantry marched in grim silence, and armored and motorized divisions rolled alongside them, engines roaring, towards the holy city on the bay.
 
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Imperial Skandan Navy, Meterran Fleet, Yahe Group

“All hands on deck, all hands on deck! All personnel to battle stations!” Captain Onumaru shouted over the intercom, bellowing above the engines. The behemoth of a ship that was the KKY Yatsumiro chugged slowly through turbulent gray waters as the rain battered the gunmetal grey hulls of the Skandan fleet.

“Captain! Captain!” A young sailor, his uniform denoting his position as one of the radiomen, was thrusted through the doors of the bridge as a large wave smashed into the KKY Yatsumiro. The rain and general poor weather made the deck slick and aiming with the larger naval guns difficult. Thunder boomed in the distance as the sailor made a futile attempt to speak over the chaos that was the bridge.

“Captain, Submarine Commander Kohoma’i has relayed his attack plan through radio- He plans on attacking the supply ships first as they’re vital to stopping allied supplies from getting to the Syrixian force believed to be attempting a landing; He’ll refocus his wolfpack on their carrier after that.”

Onumaru pondered calmly despite the frantic running and shouting of those around him, his eyes unnerving and unmoving from the gray, churning sea even as the ship rocked through every wave. With a relaxed, honeyed voice that could put children to sleep he spoke to the young man.

“Very well, very well. Do tell Lieutenant Commander Kohoma’i that if he finds himself in a situation where he needs to retreat we will not be able to support him as we will be engaged with the Syrixian warships. He is to retreat to the port in No’kawa in that case. Thank you, that is all, Petty Officer Kirumara. You are dismissed. Oh and inform Gunnery Sergeant Homire that he has orders to begin firing at his will, take aim at their carrier if possible.”

With the order relayed to the Gunnery Sergeant, the 1st trigger was pulled sounding the alarm 3 times- And then the KKY Yatsumiro fired all of it’s guns, nose to stern aimed towards the ISS Chauhan. Following this the other ships of the Skandan fleet opened fire on their various targets, and the Battle of Shechem Sea was underway.

In the near distance the supply ships that were being escorted by the Syrixian warships had been targeted by the seven Skandan U-Boats that had dived beneath the waves upon spotting their targets. With their torpedoes of the wolfpack being sent away on the orders of Submarine Commander Kohoma’i, they glided through the water quickly and quietly. The U-Boats stay submerged until their hits could be confirmed, and even then needed to avoid being targeted by their battleships.

KKY Yahe , Yahe-Class (CV)
KKY Yatsumiro, Yatsumiro-Class (BB)
KKY Okai, Yatsumiro-Class (BB)
KKY Aruma, Kuhe'nai-Class (CL)
KKY Odaisuke, Kuhe'nai-Class (CL)
KKY Ha'ima, Ukai'ena-Class (CL)
KKY Ko'ishi, Ko'ishi-Class (CA)
KKY Homaru, Ko'ishi-Class (DD)
KKY Itaia, Ko'ishi-Class (DD)
KKY Hitaru, Ko'ishi-Class (DD)
KKY Kamoe, Kin'au Kai-Class (DD)
KKY Kokoe, Kin'au Kai-Class (DD)
KKY Kitoe, Kin'au Kai-Class (DD)
KM-613, Kaigan Type VI/KKM6 (SS)
KM-614, Kaigan Type VI/KKM6 (SS)
KM-615, Kaigan Type VI/KKM6 (SS)
KM-427, Kaigan Type IVc/KKM4c (SS)
KM-428, Kaigan Type IVc/KKM4c (SS)
KM-441, Kaigan Type IVc/KKM4c (SS)
KM-442, Kaigan Type IVc/KKM4c (SS)

CV: Carrier
BB: Battleship
CL: Light Cruiser
CA: Heavy Cruiser
DD: Destroyer
SS: Submarine
 
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Commodore Regev, along with Captain Jehtanand Bhagia, his chief lieutenant, reacted quickly. Captain Bhagia relayed the order to return fire the Empire's own gunnery sergeants. As the storms set in over the Shechem Sea, the Commodore knew that the Empire would be hard-pressed to get planes up in the air, if at all, rendering the ISS Chauhan useless. Gunnery range would also decrease significantly, well as accuracy; and ship speed would also have to slow. Finally, submarines would have a much harder time picking out targets through their periscope and aligning/timing torpedo barrages, and communications would also be affected to a large degree.

Despite all these disadvantages, however, Captain Bhagia was confident that this would not only be a minor setback to the Imperial strategy, but that it would be a bonus victory; disabling the Skandans from putting up any meaningful opposition whatsoever in the landing. While Skanda had 6 destroyers, 4 cruisers, 2 battleships, 1 carrier, and 7 submarines; the Empire had 12 destroyers, 7 cruisers, 4 battleships, 1 carrier, and 3 submarines- nearly double in every department except for submarines. It was that- the Skandans' submarine capabilities- despite the Captain's confidence, that Commodore Regev feared. Skandan U-boats were known for their ferocity and resilience.

Previous Imperial victories in the past, however, had emboldened the Captain, and Commodore Regev knew this all too well. The Skandans didn't just have an advantage in submarine numbers. They had an advantage in experience. Though the Empire controlled Iraelia, Skanda's very homeland bordered the Shechem Sea. This allowed Skanda's possibility of loss due to the various disadvantages presented by the battle's circumstances to be minimized, which consequently increased the Empire's odds of losing. With all that known to him, the Commodore made up his mind, relaying his orders to Captain Bhagia.

"I want depth charges launched at the Skandan submarines, and for our own to attempt to take them out as well. Neutralize them, and we have a shot at winning this. Fail to neutralize them, and we're all dead. We need to hit those subs with everything we've got." the Commodore said sternly. The order was given, and then executed. It now remained to see whether it would work- if it did, the Empire's sheer numbers would win the day. If not, a damaging loss would be at hand- and he'd likely never see his wife Chana and his sons Chaim and Abhi in Sarzad again.
 
Adaret was speechless. The room shook under Skandan artillery but...he could hardly believe it. He'd built his defence of the city on a bluff. Not that he had much of a choice, but a bluff was still a bluff...he had never bothered to consider what he'd do if it failed. He didn't have that luxury. And yet...

"The enemy is advancing! They're nearing the remains of the old walls! Orders sir?"

They had taken the bait. Somehow, some way, his plan had worked.
"Signal Colonel Eshkol" he commanded before he let the reality wash over him. He had never made a habit of praying. He was not particularly devout. Still...now....
"Shaddai, thank you" he said silently before making his way through the shaking building in the centre of the city that made up his headquarters.

He found a small boy. Samuel Eshkol would provide the reserves and artillery from north of the city once the enemy had been drawn in. Now it was time to spring the mouse trap.

"Isaac" he called out, causing the boy to run up to him.
"Be careful" Adaret replied. "Tell your friends to tell the soldiers. Every man with a rifle behind every stone. Go, now!"

The boy nodded, running off as Adaret pulled a flask from his belt. Only enough arak for one final swig. He smiled a bittersweet smile as he re-entered the the militia headquarters. The boy would set off a network of militia hidden in the city, ready to fight for every street, every block if they had to. And the artillery to the north....

For Reuhen Adaret though? He grabbed a rifle.
"We defend this block. If we are needed elsewhere we move up, with everyone else. Am I understood?"

The men nodded as Adaret began to study the map of the city with new eyes.



Samuel Eshkol watched through binoculars as smoke rose from Adonai-Jireh on the south side of the river. He gripped them tight, knowing time was near.
"Coded transmission sir, the enemy is approaching the ruins of the old walls!"

"Fire" he said, his voice shaking, ducking into a trench.
The sound was deafening. The smell of smoke and gunpowder filled the air and the ground shook. Artillery guns All across the hills on the north side of the river, pulled from the city itself, fired at a frantic pace. The Holy City would become hell on eras for the invaders...



Talmor Agam clutched his machine gun as he peered out from the cellar doors. The cellar opened onto a side street, but he was but a few paces from the main road that led into the city from the front gates. Smoke and the dust from rubble filled the air, but the Skandans and Takashimans were unmistakable. He looked to his right. Asher nodded quietly. The ten of them waited. They knew their orders. The defenders would fall back and then....

The door to the cellar from the house opened and a boy of maybe twelve years old ran in.
"They reached the point!" he said frantically.

It was all Talmor needed to hear. The cellar door was pushed open, Asher and the rest following them they began firing into the rear of the advancing enemy.
 
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