CHAPTER 26: "Installment of a New Direction of War"
In the aftermath of a pivotal agreement with Director Takumi Miyabushi of the Hunter Foundation Corporation (HFC), a formidable fleet of 20 to 60 vessels embarked on a mission to Sector Bacardi. These ships, laden with essential cargo—food, medicine, and military equipment—signaled a significant shift in regional dynamics. Notices from the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of China accompanied this deployment, underscoring international involvement and the complex geopolitics at play.
The exchange of resources between Sector Bacardi and HFC's industrial heartlands was swift and transformative. The oil-rich fields in the north of Sector Bacardi, previously underutilized, ramped up operations, funneling millions of barrels of crude oil to bustling HFC facilities in Guangzhou and Nanjing. These beleaguered plants, dormant for too long, sprang back to life, their machinery humming with renewed energy as workers endeavored to process the bountiful black gold into fuels critical for sustaining warfare efforts.
Upon the fleet's arrival in Sector Bacardi, some trepidation was palpable among the populace. However, the reincarnator's review and subsequent approval of our agreement with HFC dispelled much of the initial resentment, his inward curses fading into resigned acceptance as the supplies began to flood in.
HFC dispatched seasoned advisors from Korea, China, and their own ranks to Sector Bacardi. These experts undertook a comprehensive military reform within the T.O.P Shoota contingents, replacing inexperienced officers with battle-hardened veterans. This strategic overhaul extended beyond mere personnel shifts—the initiative revitalized dilapidated mines in both the northern and southern regions, with HFC miners extracting significant quantities of gold and silver. These precious commodities were then efficiently shipped back to enrich HFC's homeland coffers.
Life quality in Sector Bacardi saw appreciable improvement, a consequence of HFC's tactical maneuvering to secure a steady flow of resources for their war efforts, circumventing reliance solely on the DPRC's finite resources. Yet, these rapid changes stirred the attention of the Global Occult Coalition (GOC). Sensing something amiss, they deployed a slew of agents, among them operatives from the Unusual Incidents Unit (UIU). Their mission: to infiltrate and gather intelligence on HFC's covert activities. However, the agents' trails led them to the enigmatic An'ei Kenkyū Kyoku (あんえいけんきゅきょく), dwindling their findings to speculative conjectures as GOC's focus diverted sharply towards a brewing rebellion in Sector Tango.
In Sector Tango, the rebellion gained momentum. Discontent simmered among the rural and mountainous populations, spurring them to arms. These rebels orchestrated daring ambushes on GOC supply lines, their determination unabated by the formidable military presence.
As unrest percolated through the region, the Global Railway Coordination Division (GRCD) introduced an audacious proposal. Plans emerged for a sprawling railway supply line stretching from Sector Charlotte, traversing Sector Delta, and culminating at Sector Tango's border. This artery promised to forge vital links with nations such as the Democratic People's Republic of China, heralding an era of increased trade and military cooperation.
Meanwhile, I found myself at an elaborate party hosted by the HFC, expected to carry on until the weekend. Amidst the revelry, my gaze drifted towards an agent lingering by a pillar, his distant demeanor strikingly familiar. Perhaps he shared my preference for introspection over mingling. Choosing to maintain my distance, I retreated to my subdued yet functional quarters—equipped with a small bed, a wardrobe, and a selection of essential tools. This minimalist setup suited my practical nature, as I valued simplicity and efficiency.
Elsewhere within the volatile environs of Sector Tango, a contingent of self-proclaimed rebels representing the Raj people orchestrated a bold sabotage on a GOC railway line with the intention of crippling supply routes. Their scheme, albeit ambitious, descended into chaos when an armored GOC train, unexpectedly robust, roared into view. It unleashed a barrage of 135-millimeter high-explosive firepower, obliterating the militants with ruthless precision.
The scene devolved into grim brutality as GOC soldiers, disembarking with ferocious intent, deployed bayonets against the surviving militants. This vicious assault culminated in the macabre decapitation of a rebel officer, his head raised grotesquely in triumph as an insult to the fallen. The scene further darkened as fuel was doused over the remains, igniting into flames that devoured the bodies. Smoke billowed skyward, a haunting testament to the GOC's unyielding dominance as the trains disappeared into the horizon, their next mission looming ahead.
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But the saga was far from over for the rebels. In Sector Foxtrot, particularly within the turbulent regions of Siam and the Indochina Federation, tensions flared anew as rebels launched audacious skirmish attacks along the border leading into Sector Tango. Despite their efforts, these attacks proved futile against the formidable GOC war fleet.
The coastal areas, critical for rebel supply routes, faced relentless bombardment from the GOC's dreadnought battleship. The vessel unleashed its colossal firepower, saturating the coast with round after round of high-explosive shells in a relentless onslaught that persisted for more than a day. This overwhelming show of force underscored the GOC's strategic advantage; their industrial capacity in Sectors Delta and Charlotte ensured a continuous supply of munitions, rendering the bombardment seemingly inexhaustible.
As the shelling continued, the GOC dispatched marines to secure the beleaguered perimeter. These skilled operatives were tasked with launching a coordinated assault on the rebellious strongholds in the South Siam provinces and throughout Indochina. The mission directive was blunt in its clarity: annihilate the rebels and ensure their existence became a living nightmare. This ruthless mandate was epitomized by the commanding officer's chilling words, cementing "Operation Thunderstorm" in the annals of GOC strategic campaigns.
With unyielding precision, the operation commenced. GOC marines moved with practiced discipline, systematically dismantling rebel operations, while the dreadnought continued its bombardment from offshore, lending naval firepower to the ground assault. The coordinated efforts effectively crippled rebel infrastructure, strategy, and morale, further consolidating the GOC's dominance in the region.
Operation Thunderstorm, marked by its aggressive execution and sheer destructive force, served as an ominous warning to dissidents in the surrounding territories, highlighting the futility of resistance against the overwhelming military might of the GOC.
To be continued