Love Your Enemy: A UEC Story (6)
Part 6: Inevitable Struggle
Part 6: Inevitable Struggle
The UEC invasion of Alliance-held Altair Prime finally commenced. But it wasn’t the cakewalk that the Earthborn thought it would be. The Lambdas had successfully rationed what little food they had, allowing them to stave off complete starvation. As for the denizens of Altair Prime, they knew full well who was to blame for their misery, and they had no desire to cooperate with the UEC.
Despite being outnumbered and outgunned, the Alliance were able to inflict heavy casualties on the UEC. Of course, they couldn’t have done it without the help of the local populace. Through the use of the terrain, the Alliance and their local allies had ambushed many UEC divisions, leading to the complete destruction of some. If it wasn’t for air and orbital support, the UEC attack would have been a complete failure.
Once again, General Murray’s strategy had backfired.
Such was the story of the UEC in the Lambda War. Unable to defeat their enemy in direct combat, the ground forces must rely on air strikes, bombs, and orbital bombardments. Those, and sheer numbers.
It was only the numbers of the Central Army and the heroics of the legions that allowed the UEC to deliver victory. The Podolsky Legion under Col. Scott Harrington was able to secure major strongholds, most notable being the mining pit city of Karlsburg. But the credit for the now inevitable victory on Altair Prime as a whole belonged to the Cisalpine Legion under Commander Jack Green.
Speaking of the 13th, the legion’s flagship the UEC Waterlo was flying at low orbit of Altair Prime. In the brig, Arlena Spektre was simply waiting for the whole thing to end. She knew that the 13th were now on the ground. Either her brother would perish or Marco would. She found both outcome equally undesirable. The maiden was lost in her thoughts when she heard footsteps nearing her. And her heart was filled with hope.
“Marco!?”
But she was to be disappointed, as it was actually the prison guard.
“Oh, it’s you.”
“I have a name you know,” he said sarcastically.
In fact, said guard had once told Arlena his name. But for the Lakamodian girl, there were only three names in the Cisalpine Legion that she cared to remember: Marco, Leo, and Icardi.
“Aren’t you supposed to be fighting?” asked Arlena; she was in no mood for a conversation.
“What can I say? I got ship guard duty.”
Arlena said nothing, leading to silence in the brig.
“Anyways,” the guard said. “I can tell you’re worried.”
“Should I not?” responded Arlena. “There is a war down there, and my brother and the man I love are fighting on opposing sides.”
As soon as the words left her mouth, Arlena realized her error. She covered her mouth with her hands, but the prison guard had heard everything.
“Uh huh.”
“You heard nothing, Earthborn!” cried Arlena, her cheeks red. “Do not tell anyone about this. Please.”
The guard chuckled. “Worry not, m’lady. Your secret’s safe with me.”
***
Down on Altair Prime, Prince Alexios Spektre of the Alliance was somber. His decision to evacuate the wounded Lakamodians was not received well. Even so, he wanted to avoid the slaughter of his men. His cousin, Xenophon, saw things differently.
“You can still change your mind,” the younger man said. “I know I speak for everyone in that wounded fleet that we will fight ‘till our dying breaths.”
Alexios smiled, his eyes betrayed melancholy. He put his hand on Xenophon’s shoulder, one that was wrapped in bloodied bandage. “I know you will. But this is not your decision to make.”
“My lord,” cried Xenophon. “I will die for you. And for all Lakamodis!”
Thank you,” Alexios said. “But I want you to live. This war had seen enough deaths.”
Xenophon’s eyes were filled with tears. “Victory or death. That is the way of Lakamodis.”
“I am aware. But I see no honor in being slaughtered like animals in this hellhole.” Alexios embraced his cousin. “Live, Xenophon. Take what’s left of our army, and lead them. I entrust them to you.”
“And then?”
“I cannot say. You must figure that out on your own.”
And finally, Xenophon left with the rest of the Alliance’s wounded fleet. As he saw the ships activating their cloaking devices - thus disappearing into the air - Alexios wondered if he was sending them to their deaths given the UEC blockade. But at least they had a chance, which was more than can be said for the Prince and those who remained in Arksburg.
***
Upon entering Arksburg, Sergeant Major Icardi sighed. It felt like it was only yesterday when the Alliance was invading Altair Prime, and the 13th as well as the UEC as a whole was fleeing from its planetary capital with their tail behind their legs. But Marco remained calm as ever.
Indeed, Icardi had little to worry about. Arksburg’s city-streets had little defenders. There were some helots and local guerrillas to contend with; yet for the most part, the UEC had gone through the city without a fight. A scouting report courtesy of Special Agent Petrovsky revealed the reason for this: the bulk of the Alliance army was stationed in the town square.
Thus, the 13th wasted little time as they made their way to the heart of Arksburg. As they entered into the market square, the fighting began to grow fierce. Valkyries sprang out from the buildings, but Commander Green was ready for them. UEC fighter aircrafts began their sweep to clear them out.
Seeing the valkyries fall like flies, Icardi felt relief; he had lost his fair share of comrades to those demons, almost lost his own life too. But he also felt horror. For some reason, he couldn’t help but see Arlena as one of those flying figures.
The job was far from over...
On the ground, the hoplites defended the narrow city streets. The intricately sculped Alliance defense was centered around the city-square. Right in the middle was their commander, the gallant Prince Alexios, his armor shining in scarlet-red even amongst his companions.
***
Having surrounded what’s left of the Alliance position in Arksburg, the 13th Legion halted. Commander Green knew that breaking through the Alliance defenses would mean horrific casualties. There was the easy path to be sure: merciless aerial and orbital bombardments. But Green wanted to avoid slaughter, and so he sent an electronic message, asking for a parley with Alexios.
To his surprise, the Lakamodian prince accepted the request, the two commanders had agreed to meet in a building located in the no man’s land between the two armies. That a temporary ceasefire could have even taken place after everything was remarkable.
The meeting itself brought feelings of deja-vu for Commander Green; after all, he also brought with him Icardi and Petrovsky, like the first time they had met Prince Alexios.
The Lakamodian’s voice was menacing like before. But this time his tone was respectful as he spoke, “Earthborn soldiers, you have proven to be worthy opponents. Identity yourselves so I know to whom do I have the honor of combat.”
“Commander Jack Green of the United Earth Coalition,” the legionary commander said.
Alexios nodded. “Well met, Jack Green.” He then motioned his arm towards Icardi. “And this soldier of yours? I have seen him fight in the frontlines.”
Marco spoke up, “Sergeant Major Marco Icardi of the UEC’s 13th Independent Military Group.”
“Well met, Marco Icardi,” said Alexios. “I can see you are a brave warrior. You are indeed a credit to the Earthborn, something that is severely lacking in your race...”
Marco was about to thank Alexios for his compliment, but the armored Lakamodian was not finished.
“... which is why I hope you are ready to die by my weapon.”
“Wait, general,” cried Icardi. “Why do you continue to fight? Your forces are beaten! Surrender to us, and we will make sure that you and your men have a fair hearing.”
In response, Alexios pointed to his crimson shield, the golden Lambda front and center. “Do you see my armor, Marco Icardi? When a soldier of Lakamodis marches off to battle, his mother would tell him: return with your armor, or not at all. Victory or death, that is the way of Lakamodis.”
Icardi looked to the general, his eyes filled with pity. “Arlena said the same thing.”
“My sister?” responded Alexios, his voice betrayed shock. But he soon regained his composure. “What game are you playing, Marco Icardi!?”
Icardi shook his head. “No game, Sir Spektre. Your sister is alive and well. And I would love for you both to reunite once more. Regardless of what you think of us, the Cisalpine Legion are soldiers, not brutes. On my honor as a soldier, we will make sure the Lakamodians are treated with honor.”
There was silence after Icardi finished his speech; Alexios was looking down to the ground, his true state masked by his helmet. The Sergeant Major couldn’t help but think that he was getting to the Lakamodian prince.
But he was sorely mistaken.
Petrovsky, having kept silent, finally interjected, “You’re wasting your time, Icardi. The Lambda’s tempted, sure. But he’s just stalling us. As we speak, the Alliance is sending their wounded in a fleet of starships out of Altair Prime.”
“What!” said Green.
Alexios was enraged. “Get out of my head, mind-reader!”
Petrovsky for his part, was unperturbed. “How about this, Lambda? Lay down your arms, and we’ll tell our fleet not to blast your wounded into smithereens.”
“You monster!” Alexios cried. “I can now see that words are meaningless with you Earthborn. The time for talk is past. Once again, we shall meet on the battlefield!”
To be continued…
Author’s Note: Image generated at NightCafe.
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Those psychics are more trouble than they are worth. There's no reason to be honorable men if someone can read your mind.
I'd fight to the death as well.
...my brother and the man I love is fighting on opposing sides.” "Is" should be changed to "are".