You have to wait until the evening the next day before you are allowed board the Triumph, or, as they now call it, the Lucky Bastard. Your company of about one hundred and sixty men is split in two ships, the Lucky Bastard and the Revolutionary. Your second-in-command is a retired militia captain called Gedwyn, who looks old enough to be your grandfather.
Below him are three platoon leaders, Tovaile, Sarl and Armen. Colm is a member of the second platoon, and your younger brother is part of the untrained masses coming along.
Gedwyn seems to know what he's doing, so you don't interfere much.
The trip only takes two hours or so - the islands are situated very close together, even though the same thing makes navigating hellishly difficult. Your crew seems to know what's it's doing, even though almost all of them used to serve on local merchant vessels, not real warships.
You begin worrying about the plan again on the trip, but there's nothing you can do but hope for the best.
The lights of Arelva's docks are practically the only things lighting up the night when you arrive. A night-time attack seemed like the only way you could catch them by surprise, but you still don't like it.
There are not enough boats to carry everyone, but a small part of your troops squeezes them inside and heads for the docks. If they'd manage to take out the dock guards without causing an alarm, this would go perfectly, but you doubt that. Still, atleast they can harass them long enough for the ships to actually get there.
The boats disappear into the night, the larger ships following them after some time.
You can't really see the island from here, but the town you're attacking is built on a hill based on the maps you've studied. There is one, single large road up to where the airship landing platforms probably are, and dozens of tiny alleyways going through the maze-like town. You hope to get up the town quick while you still have the element of surprise. Attacking up-hill will probably be hell though.
---
The ship is close enough; you jump. Gunshots echo all around you, and voices are raised for shouts of pain and alarm all across the town.
You crash onto the wooden platform, and get up just in time to avoid getting crushed by a huge rebel carrying your banner and a horn – the only way you could think of getting the troops back together at this stage.
Gedwyn follows close behind, and the rest of your troops begin flooding out, some missing the platform and sinking into the water instead. It’s not very deep here, but you hope their equipment isn’t harmed.
The banner-carrier blows the horn, shouting ‘2nd Company! Death to all loyalists!’
You grab Gedwyn from the crowd. ‘Get the troops together and up the hill, we have no time to waste!’
He simply nods and begins to shout orders. Your men rush past you. You think you saw Colm in there.
When you get to Gedwyn, he’s already talking to a small, wiry girl, who seems to be wounded.
‘ This is Devie, she’s been leading the boat attack. The man I put in charge got killed very first. They’ve lost most of their number, but she brought them all here. We’re ready.’
Gedwyn explains. The girl nods, indicating the small group of men a little further away from the others. You’re pretty sure this is just a quarter of what you sent to the shore.
‘ These aren’t your average militia, ma’am. I think they’re professionals.’ Devie says.
You nod. The airships were supposed to have brought in continental troops. Hopefully you'll be able to take on them just the same.
‘ Alright, let’s move it, we don’t have all day long!’
Your first problem comes just a little way up the hill, as a dozen loyalists jump out of cover and fire as one. There’s a fallen cart you and Devie quickly drop behind, but atleast seven bodies fall to the ground. The others hurry to cover wherever they find it.
The enemy have set up a crude barricade – incredibly quickly, in your opinion – covering about half of the street. Some of them are inside the building. You’re pretty sure the alleyways that go through this town could get your forces behind them, though you are pinned down yourself.
On the other hand, you could just rush the barricade while they’re reloading and take them in melee with superior numbers.
What will you do?
Author
Topic: The Rebellion - The Fall of an Empire (Read 3622 times)