TF Amethyst

Command Center, Lagra Castle.

Together with General Khartoum and Viscount Issel, Nate supervised the attempt to recapture control over Buriek Guard Area and Tuscan Guard Area in Levsait. As expected, with the help from Ground Combat Group, Buriek Guard and Tuscan Guard won the contest easily. After that, Tuscan Guard and Buriek Guard ensured that the opposing side's advance was held at the entry point.

As for contests in the Logistic and Support Area, defenders in three-in one depot and barracks managed to hold their position. At the same time, Nate sent 1480 GCG's most seasoned combatant to stop the opposing side's advance so they wouldn't go into other areas. The fight was not easy as GCG's element couldn't use artillery support, but in the end they won it with minimum casualty.

“Now we only need to find the right location to cut and stop their next wave,” Nate said as relieved filled his face.

Without delay, Major Fritz from IDG immediately showed a few locations through the main screen. “Sir, these are locations suggested by Analyst Jackson. MCG already sent initial teams to check it."

“Good, the sooner we defeat tunnel attack from Battle Group A, the faster we can focus our attention into incoming Battle Group B."

After pondering for a moment, Major Fritz said, "Sir, may I propose an operation to neutralize Battle Group B's threat for a while."

“Give me the basic outline”

“Sending a team of frogmen to capture Prince Phorto and Duke Fogel. To be precise, to hijack Cruiser Gecko-01."

Nate did not immediately respond as he fell into contemplation. Snatch and grab operation against high valuable targets needed detailed and long preparations. So he was wondering why a calculating officer like Major Fritz proposed a complex operation when the target was already halfway before their arrival.

“Fritz, how long have you planned this operation?" Nate asked in a calm tone.

“Not me, Sir, but Captain Kasino."

A big question mark immediately appeared on Nate's forehead. “Captain Kasino planned it?”

"Yes, Sir." 

Wasting no time, Major Fritz then started explaining. After IDG got a clue that most likely Prince Portho was in Cruiser Geko-01, he took an initiative to ask Captain Kasino if frogmen platoon had an available option in case TF Amethyst had to snatch Prince Portho.

And Captain Kasino gave him a suggestion that it would be much easier if frogmen platoon hijacked the whole ship, as they already did a similar simulation a few times, by using a Buriek Navy's Cruiser Ship and its crew as a target. 

With a hoping tone, Major Fritz closed his explanation, "And just before Battle Group B leaving their forward base, we have visual confirmation through Reaper that Prince Portho and Duke Fogel are on Cruiser Geko-01."

"Have you calculated the success rate for this attempt?"

"I have, Sir," replied Major Fritz confidently. As long frogmen platoon manage to secure Prince Portho, I believe we will be able to hold Battle Group B’s offensive for a while, without the need to kill innocent people they use as human shields.

At least until Battle Group B has their new chain of  command.”

After making some calculations, Nate said, “Let's deploy the hijacking attempt, but notify Captain Kasino and his men. In case they fail, we will shink Battle Group B’s main formation along with them.”

“Roger.” Without delay, Major Fritz carried out Nate’s order.

---

MCG’s Sandhur Branch Office, Lagra Castle

For the last few months, MCG had been overloaded with construction projects in Bluefin Naval Station and Sandhur Region. Therefore, most of MCG's officers must stay at Sandhur Region temporarily, including Colonel Maddox.

When he heard that Levsait dan Raisait were under the threat of tunnel attack, Colonel Maddox decided that he would directly lead the sweeping operation. Unfortunately, the tunnel attack had already arrived when the sweeping operation was still in the preparation stage.

Colonel Maddox then led MCG and NBC Team to prepare their new tactic to counter tunnel attack. It was developed by MCG and NBC Team after Terry Hill Operation, which basically flooded the targeted tunnel with high-dose sleeping gas. However, Colonel Maddox never expected that their proudly new tactic would not be able to be deployed immediately.

As Colonel Maddox read the emergency message from Harley Quinn, dark lines were formed in his forehead. Then, he said in a low tone, "Hercules carrying the sleeping gas had to execute an emergency landing in the middle of the trip.

Harley Quinn is already in the process of preparing a second Hercules. But they had to take it from maintenance depot and it will take 18-20 hours before the hercules are ready to fly."

Lieutenant Ortiz from NBC Team immediately took a deep sigh. "Not to mention my men will need 2-3 hours to give the sleeping gas a final touch before we can deploy it safely."

"Damn it! We don't have that much time," said Lieutenant Juan sourly.

After pondering for a moment, Major Callum turned his gaze to Lieutenant Ortiz. “LT, if my memory serves me right, NBC Team has a lab in Davy Jones. Can you and your men use it to produce the sleeping gas we need?"

“On a small scale, my team can produce sleeping gas right here right now by utilizing any available compound and equipment." Lieutenant Ortiz paused for a moment before continuing, “As for in a massive scale, like the one we will use to counter tunnel attack, my team will need 40-60 hours if we have adequate materials and equipment."

"That's a landslide different," said Lieutenant Juan, still in a sour tone.

"In a massive scale, sleeping gas is categorized as a weapon of mass destruction capable. One mishap in the production process can end up in a nasty disaster. This is also the reason why it needs a special storing facility in Harley Quinn," said Lieutenant Ortiz.

Slowly but surely, silence blanketed the entire room. Then, a sergeant approached Colonel Maddox.

“Sir, one of our initial teams managed to identify a perfect location to pump in sleeping gas into underground tunnel."

“Thank you, Sergeant.” 

“Sir.”

As the sergeant returned to his post, Colonel Maddox deeply looked at officers before him one by one. "If any of you have an idea, whatever it is, say it now."

Almost in reflex, Lieutenant Juan raised his hand. “I have an idea, but it’s sound like a stupid one.”

“LT,” Colonel Maddox calmly said. “Do you remember MCG’s philosophy?”

Lieutenant Juan nodded before replying, “When only one solution can be found for a field problem, usually it is a stupid solution. But if it’s work, then it’s not stupid at all.”

“Then, spill out your idea.” 

“We can replace the sleeping gas with water and electricity.”

“Is that possible?” In an instant a big question mark appeared on Lieutenant Ortiz' forehead. “I mean, our target is an insanely long and big tunnel. It will need millions gallons of water and massive electricity to cover it."

“Actually, it’s a very viable idea,” Colonel Maddox cheerfully said.

Seeing that question mark on Lieutenant Ortiz's forehead thickened, Major Callum immediately added, "When MCG built Marine Industry Area in Levsait and Raisait, the first thing we made was the Sea Water Desalination Facility and Energy Storage Station. These facilities will give us as much water and electricity as we need."

Lieutenant Ortiz immediately took a breath full of relief, “Let’s do it then.” 

Wasting no time, Colonel Maddox sent a notification to command center that MCG had to change their plan. A moment later, he received a green light to execute the water and electricity plan.

—

With a speed of 90 km/h, it took about 30 minutes before MCG convoy arrived at the north entrance to enter Levsait and Raisait. The entrance was located in a clift 200 meters above sea level, and could be accessed through a steep highway.

Once they came out of their humvee, Colonel Maddox and his men took the time to look north, or more precisely to FOC Venom. The camp was located 12 km away. So normally it would be quite difficult to find its position by using naked eye at night.

However, at the moment all lighting systems on FOC Venom were fully lit, while its surrounding area was covered by a sea of fire. Therefore, it was rather easy to find its position.

Previously, Colonel Maddox and his men managed to obtain some information regarding the fight to defend FOC Venom. So they were fully aware of what had just happened.

After the opposing side turned the area around the camp into a swamp in order to counter Molotov cocktail, Colonel Glass deliberately used Molotov cocktail. And when the opposing side thought that the muddy swamp was able to counter Molotov cocktail and attacked in full force, Colonel Glass generously used high-explosive mortar shells.

One round high-explosive mortar shell could produce heat as high as 800-1200°C  up to a radius of three meters. The high-heat would easily evaporate the water. At the same time, it also burned the accumulation of biodiesel from Molotov cocktails, along with incoming human waves that approached FOC Venom from all directions.

After taking a deep breath, Major Callum said, "I've heard that Colonel Glass never lost a single camp under his command in his entire career. Now, I can see the reason."

After slightly nodding, Colonel Maddox replied, “Well, now it’s our turn to show our determination to win the fight.”

Wasting no time, Colonel Maddox then led his men to meet with the initial team. 

*****