Chapter 6: Relieved
July 7th, 8th year of the Age of the Princesses
Sergeant Smartmouth
20th Equestrian Royal Armored Division, C Battalion, Assault Platoon A.
It was a terrible battle. Wrote Smartmouth. They came at us in three waves with a huge barrage of artillery to shake us up. They caught us completely flat hooved when they charged us. The first wave was just a distraction. The Trolls used their most inexperienced warriors as fodder for our weapons. Their second wave was filled with heavy armor and heavy warriors. We were barely able to hold off the first two waves of Trolls. They just came at us like the ocean tides back home. No matter how many bullets we fired, no matter how many shells we used, they just kept coming. Their mass simply absorbed whatever we threw at them. It was awful mi hermana, they used their warriors like shields of meat. They didn’t care about living or dying, they just kept coming. We couldn’t beat them with brute force alone despite having the advantage that our weapons brought us. The thing is, we just couldn’t kill them fast enough. It was just a wall of flesh, constantly regenerating what it lost. Celestia mio. If it weren't for Steel Lance’s idiotic play, I probably wouldn’t be writing this right now. If only you had been there mi hermana.
Smartmouth took a moment to think about what to write next. She stared across the hospital, grey and gloomy clouds looming outside the glass windows. She shifted her eyes over to Tanky, lying motionless in the sterile white bed. Smartmouth was sick with panic when she heard that her friend had been wounded. After the battle, Smartmouth ran to see Tanky in the infirmary and was surprised to see Tanky asking for a can of corn. It has been three days since Tanky was admitted into the infirmary and her recovercy is astounding. She shifted her eyes back to her pen and paper and started writing again, the hard pitter patter of rain
I would have loved to have heard all the terrible things you would have yelled at him. I tried but I could never live up to your name and reputation. We should have pulled back though. We should have regrouped at one of the fortresses farther back. At least at those fortresses we could have consolidated our defenses. Still though, the charge Steel Lance threw me, my crew and several tanks into probably did save the Mareginot Line. I can’t believe I’m writing this, but despite Steel Lance’s apparent arrogance... and stupidity, he’s quite brilliant but he’s still stupid. He is smarter than he acts… or looks. After the charge, the Trolls retreated in force. They left a lot of equipment behind. Tanks, guns, artillery, it didn’t matter. They just ran for it. We knew they were going to attack again though.
It was Commander Applejack’s idea to salvage every functional piece of Troll equipment.I was a little surprised that the Trolls weren't using a box with nails in it but they do indeed have some very functional equipment. I saw the soldiers create some really clever defenses. Troll automatic rifles planted into the ground that could fire with the pull of a string, Garbage cans and Dumpsters used as static defenses and the bayonets from Troll rifles mixed with the barbed wire. All this would have been for nothing if it weren't for Lieutenant Teatime and her small platoon of tanks.
A light moan from Tanky stole Smartmouth’s attention.
“Did you sleep well?” asked Smartmouth softly.
“No...”
“Do you need more pain killers?”
“No, it’s not the pain that’s the problem.”
“Then what’s the problem, Tanky?”
“I’m hungry.”
Smartmouth wasn’t surprised. She let out a small chuckle. “Well I can go grab you something, I’m pretty hungry too.”
“Do the cooks make any steamed corn and that spaghetti? OH! And can you check to see if they have any toast?”
“Tanky, you know the doctors don’t want you to eat a lot right?”
“Feh, the bullet didn’t hit anything important. Why shouldn’t I be able to eat what I want?”
“Tanky, the bullet barely missed your heart and esophagus...”
“Like I said, nothing important. Besides, the healing potions did their job.”
“You still need to give the healing potions time to do their work.” said Smartmouth as she placed her pen and paper on the night stand.
“A can of corn and I’ll be fine.”
“Alright then, I’ll see what they have.” Smartmouth stood up and brushed her skirt a bit.
“Can you get me something as well lass?” asked Steel Lance weakly.
“Are you still nauseous? I’m sure the nurses wouldn’t want to clean up your puke again.”
“Give me a break lass, I have a concussion.”
“If you’re just going to puke up the food I bring back I might as well not get you any at all.” said Smartmouth started as she started to walk towards the infirmary's exit.
“Good to know you care, lass…”
She had to walk past Jammy, who was completely covered in healing bandages. No pony could believe that Jammy had survived but he did. The same can’t be said for the countless others that fell the day before. Outside the infirmary was an even grimmer reminder of the terrible cost of defending the Mareginot Line. Rows of wooden caskets drape with the shining flag of Equestria. Smartmouth had attended the ceremony to honor the fallen only hours before. Several ponies were still there, mourning the loss of their comrades in arms. The only relief being was a tarp protecting them from the pouring rain.
Smartmouth made her way down a crowded corridor after entering one of the blockhouses. She hadn’t seen this many troops during her stay at the Mareginot Line. Once wide and open corridors were packed with troops trying to escape the bombardment of rain outside. They were stallions and mares from the 24th and 12th Imperial Rifle divisions, soldiers of the 3rd Imperial armor brigade and finally, the 8th Canterlot Royal Guard’s heavy armor division.
She waded through the packs of soldiers and entered the steamy mess hall. The chefs there were working around the clock, preparing meals to feed the over garrisoned line. Smartmouth recognized one of the chefs as the friendly Hoggish apparently killed with the Monarch Tiger’s 90mm guns. Smartmouth knew that Oats had already pardoned her, but she still felt despicably guilty about the whole ordeal. She managed to get several bowls of corn and a few slices of buttered bread before bumping into the purported mastermind of the final defense of the Mareginot Line, Teatime .
“Oh! Smartmouth! It’s a pleasure to see you again dear.”
“Likewise, Ma’am.”
“Are you really going to eat all of that?”
“Not all of it. Most of this is for Tanky.”
“Ah, yes. The little red Earth Pony you admitted into the infirmary a few days ago?”
Smartmouth gave a quick nod.
Teatime examined the tray of food. She was a little disturbed by how much there was. ”Your friend, Tanky, she can consume all of this food?”
“Some of this is for me, but yes, Tanky can eat a lot.
“Are you serious? Your friend can consume all of this sustenance?”
“She can eat all of this and more, Ma’am.”
“Ung! How can anypony stand this dreadful cooking! The food here is positively horrid! I don’t think I could even call it food.”
“I know... But it beats starving.”
“I for one cannot wait to return to Canterlot. The rations here are simply dreadful and don’t even get me started on the tea…”
“Well why didn’t you bring more of your own tea, Ma’am?”
Teatime’s expression changed drastically. Her normal posh expression had turned into a look positively bleeding with hatred. “I did. However, I lost the only cursed bag of my oh so precious Dragon Root Tea leaves as they spilled all over the floor of the Biscuit Queen.”
Smartmouth remembered when Teatime screamed over the radio about the bag of tea leaves. Teatime and the remnants of the 20th ERAD's tanks positioned themselves at the bottom of the hills leading to the Mareginot Line. It was there that Teatime’s highly risky strategy paid off. She used the dull wit and mob mentality of the Trolls against them. When the Trolls crested the hill, they didn’t even bother to stop to attack the tanks in front of them, they only wanted to rush the line as they did two waved before. A few of the Trolls finally caught on and attacked the tanks. It was then when a Dumpster’s round struck the thickly armored turret of Teatime’s Canterlot Custom. The round bounced off harmlessly, but shook the tank enough to send Teatime’s treasured bag of Dragon’s Scale Leaves onto the floor where the spent shell casings cook each leaf into a black char. She also remembered hearing perhaps the greatest five minutes of insulting she had ever heard in her life come out of Teatime.
“Well your tank did take a fairly bad hit.”
“Oh please, if there’s one thing the Fjord Company does right, it’s making armor impenetrable.”
“I couldn’t have said it better myself, Ma’am. Plus the inside of your tank smells like tea now, Si?”
Teatime seemed unamused at Smartmouth’s comment. The expression on her face caused Smartmouth to become uneasy to the point where she was nervous
.
Teatime raised an eyebrow. “Do you think having the inside of my tank smell like Dragon Root Tea is a good thing?” she said with a voice heavy with disapproval.
Smartmouth really was nervous now. She clearly had struck a sensitive point with Lieutenant Teatime. “Uh… I was just looking on the bright side of things ma’am. I mean… some good must have come out of losing your tea leaves. Isn’t that why you mustered that… err… speech?”
Teatime grunted a little. “It wasn’t a speech dear. It was more of a sudden outburst of hatred and it was hardly lady like of me to do so. Even if my banter was true regarding the opponents we were facing, it was highly uncivil of me to do so.”
“Well it certainly kept the other tanks in line.” said Smartmouth with a light, if not nervous, chuckle.
“Indeed and it was a pleasure talking to you, but I must return to the Biscuit Queen. Cheerio.”
Smartmouth gave Teatime a salute before watching Teamtime slide her way out of the mess hall. She picked up three bowls of spaghetti from soldiers who couldn’t stand the horridly bland flavor of the army noodles and ketchup. She made her way back to the infirmary, laden with food. These foods were instantly picked up by Tanky’s (surprisingly) keen sense of smell.
Without looking Tanky listed every item that Smartmouth had brought in before Smartmouth had set hoof in the infirmary.
“Six bowls of corn, three bowls of spaghetti and… four slices of buttered bread.”
Now Smartmouth was impressed by that. She set down the tray on the night stand after tank brushed the paper and pens onto her bed. Tanky picked up one of the bowls of corn, it appeared to be very watery with what Tanky would describe as “soft kernels”.
“Here, give this one to the guy with the brain injury.” Said Tanky as she lifted the bowl of corn.
“I heard that you poppet.”
“You may also want to feed him with a spoon. Make sure he doesn’t move his head.”
“Since when did you know how to treat concussion patients Tanky?” asked Smartmouth quizzically.
“My Daddy likes to talk a lot and I like to listen to him.”
Smartmouth carefully lifted the bowl of corn from Tanky’s hooves. “Ah yes, your father is a member of the Five Hundred and First Marines, yes?” She walked over to Steel Lance’s bed, pulled up a chair and sat down next to him. She took a small scoop of the watery corn and let Steel Lance sip the contents from the spoon.
“You know, I’ve had a dream similar to this…” muttered Steel Lance. “Except an angel of a mare was feeding me honey and not some bloody awful corn…”
The sounds of planes thundered outside, drowning out the rain tacking on the glass windows for a brief moment. Their low rumble caused the wooden floors to vibrate a little.
Smartmouth was a little unprepared to hear something that deep from Steel Lance. He was comparing her to an angel. Smartmouth wasn’t sure if this was actually Steel Lance talking, or the concussion. She had always thought Steel Lance as a bully who enjoyed poking her for reactions. It just didn’t seem right.
“If you can tough out a concussion you can tough out some corn poor baby.” chuckled Smartmouth as she readied another spoon full of corn.
Again, Steel Lance sipped the contents of the spoon weakly. “Oh… you were right to tell me I shouldn’t eat too much…”
“Feeling nauseous?”
“Bloody nuisance this is…”
“Ghret shome shweep, yurr bue fane.” said Tanky with her mouth full.
“Tanky! We’re been over this.”
Tanky swallowed everything in her mouth with a huge gulp. “I said, “Get some Sleep, you’ll be fine.”” Tanky then proceeded to lick the ketchup off of the ceramic bowl and stack it with the other bowls neatly on the tray. “Hey, if you won’t eat that corn, can I have it?”
“Bah… take it… I think I’m going to blow a chunk…” moaned Steel Lance.
Smartmouth took the bowl of corn to Tanky who then downed the whole bowl in the time it took Smartmouth to sit down. She looked to the nightstand to see that there was a bowl of corn and a slice of buttered bread still there.
“Thanks for leaving me some.”
“Eh, you said you were hungry before you left. I assumed you’d eat about that much like you normally do.”
“Heh. Thanks Tanky.”
“Not a problem but I’m the one who should be thanking you. You’re the one who got me the food after all.”
And with that, Tanky flopped her head on the pillow, took a deep sigh and fell asleep almost instantly. Smartmouth picked up her pen and paper again just as Chalkboard entered the room. Chalkboard tiphoofed quietly up to Smartmouth. She was well aware that there were plenty of sleeping ponies in the infirmary.
“Hey Smartmouth, how’s Tanky doing?”
“Hungry as always. I mean, she just downed a whole tray of food.”
Chalkboard quietly chuckled a little. “Good to know not even a bullet can change her attitude.”
“It’s surprising how well she’s taking it though. I mean despite her small size and nearly getting shot in the heart, she keeps stating that it’s not a big deal.”
Chalkboard cocked her head to the left as if she wasn’t confused enough already. “You’re kidding me right? I mean she’s following the doctor’s orders right?”
Smartmouth pointed at the neat stack of nearly clean bowels on the nightstand. “That’s five bowls of corn, three bowls of the ketchup noodles and three slices of buttered toast.”
“You’re kidding right? She should really listen to what the doctors tell her.”
“I don’t know about that, Tanky’s condition has improved greatly since she started eating real food instead of those supplements the doctors keep telling her to eat. I mean ever since she asked that nurse for a soda, she simply IS better than she was.”
Chalkboard chuckled again. “I remember that.” Chalkboard tried to mimic the face she saw on Tanky the night before. “Hey nurse, I want a soda and none of that diet crap.”
Smartmouth couldn’t help but laugh a little. “Oh that was great.”
“Well what about you? How are you holding up, Smartmouth?”
“Well I’ve been better for sure, but I can’t say I’m doing bad. What about yourself?”
“Well after the grease monkeys looked at my tank, they found a clogged cyclone filter, a broken transmission gear box and several burst pistons… That’s why my tank stalled out on the battle field.”
“Really? I legitimately thought that your tank was hit.”
“It certainly felt like it.”
“Did Commander Applejack requisition a new tank for you?”
“Actually yes, my crew and I will be inside of a Scrapheap. I’ve also been placed under your command, as a replacement for poor Jammy.”
A frown started to grow on Smartmouth’s face. “What happened to the rest of your platoon?”
“Most of their tanks were knocked out during the first two waves. The platoon I belonged to was so undermanned that Applejack disbanded it and filled the ranks of other platoons.”
“Well it’s good to know that you’ll be my wingpony. It’s still upsetting that your platoon had to be disbanded.”
Chalkboard looked down at the floor for a bit. A feeling of guilt washed over her, like she thought that she didn’t do enough for her platoon. Like it somehow was her fault. Smartmouth could see her slump a bit.
“I should go. I’m supposed to inspect my new tank when it arrives by rail. It’s a shame that I didn’t catch Tanky while she was awake.”
“Well, goodbye then, Chalkboard. It was good talking to you again.”
Chalkboard quietly turned around and left the infirmary without making a sound. Her new tank was due to arrive soon and she would have to become acquainted with the new interior. Her crew would have to relearn in necessary steps to operate this new tank. It was going to be a pain getting used to all the new features and Smartmouth knew it. She looked down and started to become ever more focused on her pen and paper once again.
Teatime’s tanks were few, but they brought supplies that we really needed. Teatime’s insight was invaluable and when her tactical genius met Steel Lance’s sheer insanity. The result was a brilliant plan that allowed us to hold the line until reinforcements relieved the line. What we did, mi Hermana, was park our tanks at the base of the hill just outside the Mareginot Line. Teatime proposed that the Trolls would be so focused on attacking the Mareginot Line’s concrete structures, they wouldn’t notice the tanks at the bottom of the hill. Commander Applejack didn’t think it was a good idea at all, although Steel Lance eventually pushed the strategy though. I’m sure it was the injury to his head that caused him to think that was a good idea. But as loco as it was… I can’t argue with the results. Every medium and heavy tank we had waited at the bottom of the hills while the tank destroyers of the battalion stood defending the line.
When the Trolls crested the hill, it was a massacre. Everypony inside those tanks opened fire with all their machine guns. When the Trolls brought their armor up and over the hill, we shot them with the main guns. It was just like Lieutenant Teatime said, the Trolls were all looking at the Mareginot Line when cresting the hills and trying desperately to close the distance. It was only when they ran into our tanks did they finally notice them. Not like they could do anything about it. Their assault was slowed down more than enough for our soldiers to keep them at bay. This time, unlike the last two waves, we didn’t even lose a single pony to them.
We came close to losing the tanks at the bottom of the hill though. Eventually, the pressure of the Troll’s horde simply became too much and we risked being overwhelmed. While we were reversing the tanks, Chalkboard, you know? The mare I wrote about last time who knows everything about history? Her tank appeared to have been knocked out by a shell, but the mechanics found out that it was a number of problems with her tank’s engine. Teatime’s tank was also hit but the round simply bounced off the fjord made turret. Apparently that shot caused her to lose a bag of Dragon’s Root Leaves. Oh but the speech she gave about how Trolls were nothing but mindless monsters with no civility really put some of your rants to shame mi hermana.
I wish you could have been there to see it, mi hermana. I swear, it will be one of those moments in history that future generations will read about in history books. The day the Mareginot Line failed to collapse. Regardless, the cost for defending the Line was too high. We simply weren’t ready. We were just so caught up in the Mareginot Line’s apparent invincibility. I hope the ponies at the Ever Siegfree Line are taking their duties far more seriously than we did.
I hope to see you soon. Also Loudmouth says hola.
Love Smartmouth.
Smartmouth folded her letter up and slipped it inside an envelope. She had always hated licking the water activated glue on envelopes and quickly scribbled an address on the envelope before sealing it.
Hmm… Where was the post office in the place again? Smartmouth thought to herself.
She stood up from her chair and quietly exited the infirmary, looking back at Tanky and Steel Lance before stepping outside again. The rain hadn’t stopped and it was still as gloomy as ever. Fortunately, she found the post office to be in the building next to the infirmary. She gave her letter to the post mare, an odd pony with walled eyes, yellow mane and a grey coat. The post office was the last place Smartmouth expected Commander Applejack to be.
“Howdy there Sergeant.”
“Commander!” said Smartmouth as she tightened her posture and gave a snappy salute. “I didn’t expect you to be here!”
“Well Ah gotta know if lil’ Applebloom had burned down the barn somehow.”
“Applebloom, Ma’am?”
“Mah younger sister.”
“You have a younger sister too?”
“Eeyup. Is that who you’re send’n yer letter too? You got a little snicker doodle wait’n back home?”
“Well no, she’s actually stationed on the Ever Siegfree Line.”
“Hot diggity, is yer entire family in tha military?”
“Almost everpony, yes.”
“Well Ah’m sure ya’ll are a mighty fine bunch.”
Smartmouth laughed a little. “If only Ma’am. We’re completely dysfunctional junta.”
“Well, that’s what makes ya’ll a family. There ain’t a family that doesn’t works like gears in a coo-coo clock.”
“You certainly got a point there Ma’am.”
It was then when the intercom filled the air with ill news.
‘ATTENTION, ALL MEMBERS OF THE TWENTIETH ERAD, FIFTH GRENADIERS AND EIGHTH CRG ARE TO REPORT TO THE ASSEMBLY AREA IMMEDIATELY!!!’
“Aww cowpies... Someth’n must be really wrong...
“What do you think is happening?” said Smartmouth as she opened the post office’s door.
Applejack trotted past the door. “Someth’n big. Ah’m think’n another invasion.”
While the two exited the post office, they were greeted by Tanky, still in her hospital gown.
“Where’s the assembly area guys?”
Smartmouth was shocked. “Tanky! You should been in bed! You’re not well!”
“Bah, I’m not going to let something as small as getting shot stop me.”
“Ehh... Ah don’t exactly think yer fit fer service there, Tanky.”
“What do you mean? I’ve been fine since yesterday.”
Applejack and Smartmouth were stunned at Tanky’s apparent recovery.
“No way. It takes months to recover from a gunshot, Tanky.”
Tanky showed the two the area where the Equestrian bullet entered her body. It has completely healed and Tanky showed no signs of damage.
“Wait... how...”
“Eh.” grunted Tanky. “It runs in my family. My mother always told me to never underestimate the medicinal properties of food.”
“Ah don’t believe it, but Ah can’t deny it... Get suited up Tanky and head down Corridor six. Ya can’t miss the assembly area. Ah mean it’s a giant concrete theater.”
“Yes Ma’am!” shouted Tanky as she bolted to the barracks.
“Come on, Smartmouth! We gotta move!”
“Si, Señora!”
_ _ _
July 7th, 8th year of the Age of the Princesses
Staff Sergeant Badmouth
10th Imperial Armored Corp, 2nd Battalion, “Chuckles” Company
It was a disaster. The Trolls that attacked the Ever Siegfree Line attacked with strength and organization that was not shown at the Mareginot Line. It was clear that they were learning, but this attack was too sudden. It was too well coordinated, it was too sudden and it was too successful. The Trolls stormed the Ever Siegfree Line in one wave. They completely routed the three divisions there. But in the confusion of retreat, there stands a few pockets of resistance.
“Fall back! The Siegfree has been breached! Fallback!”
“IF I SEE ANY OF YOU PUNTAS BACK UP MORE THAN A CENTIMETER, I’LL SHOOT YOU MYSELF!!!” shouted Badmouth at a riflepony.
“But, but!”
“I don’t want any of YOUR WHINING!”
“But Ma’am! Our position is about to be overrun!” shouted Yu Turn as she began to panic. “We have to leave!”
“I’ll have none of that in my tank! If you want to live! You have to fight for it!”
“Oh I’ll do more than fight Ma’am! I’ll make these damn Troll wish their whole race was extinct!” gloated Two Punch as he sighted in a group of Trolls. “Hey! Greasy! Load another high explosive in gun two!”
“On it!”
“That’s what I like to hear! Keep up the good work boys!”
Two Punch fired gun one on the Monarch Tiger. The armor piercing round came singing out of the barrel. The orchestra of death that it caused seemed to do little against this wave of green. It cut through the Troll ranks, only to be absorbed by the mass of flesh.
“Load another HE in gun one!”
“Round loaded Punch!”
Punch squeezed both triggers this time. The recoil of both of the 90mm guns caused the massive Monarch Tiger to rear up a good meter. It came down just as quickly with a crash of metal. Two Punch observed the damage from his range finder. There was a large dent in the Troll lines and a fine red mist clouding the battlefield. The damage seemed great, but the wall of Trolls simply moved up and in. Nothing seemed to be denting the Troll’s numbers.
The rifleponies began to retreat. They started their dash towards the fortress line. Some simply ran for it. Others tried to shoot on the retreat. It didn’t matter at this point however. The Ever Siegfree Line was breached through and through.
Elbow Grease, the loader in Badmouth’s tank, panicked “This is crazy! You’re crazy! We’re going to die!”
“We are not going to die you cobardes! Keep fighting!”
Just as Badmouth finished her banter, a shell penetrated the front of her Monarch Tiger. It killed Static Stick, the radio operator instantly.
Yu Turn was plastered in Static Stick’s blood. In her panic, she pulled the drive sticks back. The tank lurched back, throwing the Monarch Tiger’s aim off and angering Badmouth.
“Ay! Luna mio! What are you doing!?! I told you to keep the tank where it is!”
“If we stay we’re going to die!”
Another blast rocked the Monarch Tiger. The Troll’s artillery strikes were zoning in and they were getting far more accurate with each strike. Clouds of pulverized concrete and huge balls of fire surrounded Badmouth’s tank.
“Get this tank moving forward private! We will fight and we will die for Equestria and if you don’t move this tank forward I wi-“
Badmouth’s banter was interrupted by the sound of knocking. The knocking came from the commander cupola’s hatch which confused Badmouth. She slowly opened the hatch only to come face to face with a strange grey Pegasus with wall eyes.
“What in Tatarus are you doing!?! Can’t you see there’s a war going on!?!”
“I brought you a letter!” said the Pegasus with a smile. She promptly gave Smartmouth’s letter to Badmouth.
“Uh… thanks I guess…”
“Oh you’re welcome! Well I gotta fly!” and like that the Pegasus was gone.
Badmouth closed the hatch, locked it and popped open the letter while thinking about how stupid the mail mare was for not noticing the battle. She poured over its contents, seemingly ignorant to her surroundings. Her crew carried out the actions they were previously doing. The Monarch Tiger was still retreating, the guns were still firing.
“Shut up and keep loading! This is from my sister and I’m going to read it before I die. Do you hear me soldier!?!”
Elbow Grease lost his nerve. The thought of Badmouth yelling at him caused more fear in his heart than the impending Troll Horde. He didn’t even know why. It was something in her voice that instilled a panic in every fiber in his body.
“YES MA’AM! SORRY MA’AM”
“Mmm hmm, damn right you are.” grunted Badmouth as she went back to reading. She focused on the letter to the point where she seemed unaware of what was going on around her. Only when Badmouth finished the letter, did she look up out of cupola’s viewports.
“Yu Turn, keep on our current course for another four hundred meters. We’re falling back.”
“M-m-Ma’am?” mumbled Yu Turn nervously.
“You heard me! We’re moving to the fortress line! We can establish a perimeter there.”
“But but but you told us-”
“You’re retreating like a pansy anyway! Keep the tank moving backwards and I might just compliment you!”
Badmouth looked out of her cupola again to see the horde rapidly approaching. Bullets from the Troll’s crude rifles and other forms of ramskacle weapons bounced harmlessly off of the Monarch Tiger’s armor. She almost started to yell a command at her radio operator before she realised that the radio operator was dead. Badmouth, as much as she dreaded doing so, started to climb into the radio operator’s compartment. Static Stick’s bloody corpse gave Badmouth a moment of pause. The sight of the hole dripping with blood and organ paste in Static Stick’s waist made Badmouth sick to her stomach but she mustered the strength to take of his headset and start screening the radio channels. Eventually, she found what she was looking for. A burst of radio static filled Badmouth’s ears before she finally tuned in to the correct frequency. She knew even in retreat there was still something that she could do. A blast from the Monarch Tiger’s 90mm gun rocked the tank, as Badmouth finally dialed in to the correct channel. The blast caused her to fumble a little, but she still heard the message.
“This Sergeant Skyfire! Is anypony out there! Anypony! We need coordinates! Our neighblewerfers are loaded and ready to fire! Anypony! Please! Respond!”
“This is Sergeant First Class Badmouth, I read you loud and clear!”
“Finally! I’ve been trying to raise somepony for-”
“I don’t care for your life’s story, Sergeant! I need you to fire at these coordinates...” Badmouth took a peek through the hole where a Troll 50mm shell penetrated. She carefully looked for any terrain features that would help her deduce a location on the map. She knew the tank was about five hundred meters behind the line for fortifications. There was a hill to her left and there was nothing but flat pasture around the tank. “Grid, seven, three, four, five, three, six. Direction, four, eight, oh, oh. Drop four hundred! Target, A whole damn swarm! FIRE FOR EFFECT!”
A few seconds later, the terrible screeching of the neighblewerfers echoed in the distance. The screaming rockets came crashing to the battlefield with stunning speed. The ripple fired rockets laid waste to the Troll Horde as they clamored out of the smoking ruins of the Ever Siegfree. Massive fireballs, mists of pulverised concrete and chunks of white hot steel flew out of this devastated portion of the line. The destruction was total. Badmouth’s tank was not under fire anymore but seeing how bullets and cannons did little to quell the Troll’s numbers, the rocket strike will only hold them back for a short time.
Badmouth put the radio headset on again. “Target hit. Good job.”
“HA! We got them good!” Shouted the gunner.
“No. They’re still coming. This battle isn’t over yet.”
_ _ _