TF Amethyst

TFA2 4.3 - Beachhead

War Strategy Room, Cruiser Ship Geko-01.

In Makai Navy, ships were grouped in a squadron of 8-12. Each ship would have the same hull name, but with a different number. And so, 8-12 mini flags with different numbers would be attached at each finger-sized wooden ship on the giant map.

A staff officer just took a mini flag from a finger-sized wooden frigate, when an operator of crystal communication announced loudly.

"Transport ship Sampan-02 has been sunk by opposing artillery, repeat, Sampan-02 was a total loss."

The staff officer immediately looked at a finger-sized transport ship which symbolized the Sampan Squadron, and he took a deep breath as he found that only one mini flag was attached to it. He then took the wooden ship off the map and put it into a wooden box. 

'Another squadron goes to the sea floor,' the staff officer muttered.

One by one, the staff officer took the finger-size wooden ship off the giant map. It was not new for him. He already did the job for more than four years. However, this was the first time he had to pack hundreds of mini wooden ships in less than an hour. Moreover, each ship sank at ridiculous speed and even the survivors got wiped out in an instant.

'Oh the mighty Gods who resided in high heaven, please don't abandon us in front of such dangerous opponent.'

The staff officer prayed in silence as he continued taking the mini flags. This time, it was from wooden ships which symbolized the frigate squadron at a distance of 16 km from the coastline.

At the same time, at the other side of the strategy table, Duke Fogel and Prince Portho observed the rapid development on the giant map with a serious expression. From thirteen landing corridors, only one corridor in the center remained untouched, or more precisely did not receive salvo from TF Amethyst's artillery.

"It seems like our intel about the effective range of their artillery is correct," Prince Portho said as he rubbed his chin. "They also don't attack ships with human shields."

"Yeah." Duke Fogel turned his gaze to Prince Portho and continued, "Well, land warfare is your specialty. So I will just follow your wish, my nephew."

A cold gleam flashed in Prince Portho's eyes as he said, "Let's send the second wave of landing troops, through the only remaining corridor. Then, we will establish a beachhead and advance to Lagra City also by relying on protection of human shield."

"Are you sure about that?" Duke Fogel asked as a big question mark appeared on his forehead.

In the long history of Kingdom of Makai, human shields had never been used in an offensive. It was only used as a defensive means. Therefore, Duke Fogel tried to remind Prince Portho that he took a different route from his ancestors, and it would invite negative sentiment from some Noble Families.

"Uncle, this is the only option I have and I fully realize the consequences."

After hearing Prince Portho's resolute reply, Duke Fogel smiled in satisfaction. "Well, as long as you have the resolve, I'll support you no matter what action you take."

The new order was then sent from Geko-01. A moment later, transport ships that brought the second wave of landing troops entered the only remaining corridor.

---

Thirteen landing corridors, every single of them would deliver a 3600-men strong regiment, led directly by a senior brigadier.

The six regiments on the left side would climb the 30-meter high cliff using a field-assembled staircase and attack Levsait. While the six regiments on the right side would attack Raisat using the same method.

As for the single regiment in the middle, they would establish a beachhead right in the middle of Levsait and Raisat, where based on the intel the area could not be reached by opposing artillery. After that, the second wave of landing troops would land along with the support element. Then, the marching to Lagra City began.

Actually, it was a good battle plan. Unfortunately, it did not survive the first contact.

'They got us really good,' Brigadier Klark muttered as his face was brimming with complicated expression. 

From one of the landing boats in the landing corridor, the old brigadier looked at the surface of the sea which turned red and was full of wood chips. Meanwhile, hundreds of dead bodies were dragged by the wave and stranded on the sand along the beach.

And those were just a tip of an iceberg, for in the sea floor there were more than a thousand of ships and fifty thousands of dead bodies piling up each other.

Soon, the landing boat arrived on the beach and Brigadier Klark immediately jumped out of it. And as he looked at the opposing camp located 500 meters from the landing spot, four Captains under his command approached him.

One of the captains then said, "Sir, the oarsmen requested permission to join us."

"Permitted."

Every single oarsman was equipped with a short sword and they had a good amount of experience in using it. Therefore, Brigadier Clark gladly welcomed their assistants.

Then, as killing intent flashed in his eyes, Brigadier Klark said, "Let's drink their blood, as payback for our fallen brothers." 

"""Sir."""

After seeing that four Captains under his command answered calmly but firmly, Brigadier Klark smiled widely. He was glad that they didn't lose their courage even after witnessing the might of TF Amethyst's artillery.

A moment later, with a light jog Brigadier Klark led the advance of 14th Landing Regiment, while inwardly he was curious why the opposition didn't welcome them even after his unit reached a distance of 100 meter from their camp.

There were no ambushers hiding beneath the sand, trap holes full of sharp spikes, rain of arrows, or rapid fire arrows which were able to penetrate body armor like a hot knife penetrating a block of butter. 

There was also no movement in the opposing camp. But it could be a trick, so Brigadier Klark remained on high alert as he grabbed his crystal communicator. 

"First squadron, flank their left. The rest, forward to their center. Capture some officers and kill the rest."

[Roger.]

[Roger.]

[Roger.]

[Roger.]

A moment later, with eyes full of bloodlust, members of 14th Landing Regiment entered Buriek's camp. They easily knocked down the wooden gate, and then swept every building and watch tower, but they found no one.

They also did not find food or equipment, but construction throughout the camp was still in good condition. The wells at the camp were also not poisoned. However, the former resident of the camp left them a message. They put it in the middle of main assembly square, written on a black board using big red letters that looked like blood splashes.

'Welcome to our humble slaughterhouse, roll back to the cave where you belong, or we will butcher every single one of you.'

---

Not far from the location where 14th Landing Regiment landed, stood a wooden dock, built by Buriek Guard when they launched an invasion on Sandhur Region. It was 500 meters long and 8 meters wide, connected to the beach through three wooden bridges, and looked like a letter 'E' when viewed from above.

In three long lines, 600 transport ships approach the wooden dock. Each transport ship was bigger than a regular military transport ship, for these ships originally were merchant ships. 

And of course, with its big size it would become an easy target for TF Amethyst's artillery, if only there were no human shield lined up in its rail deck.

However, the first ship to dock was a destroyer. Some personnel of 14th Landing Regiments swiftly tied the rope thrown from the top of the destroyer to the moorings. Then, the side door of the destroyer slowly opened downward until it touched the surface of the wooden dock, and General Kasian walked out with his staff.

Wasting no time Brigadier Klark welcomed the general. "Sir, your command post is ready."

"Thank you, Klark." General Kasian paused for a moment before continuing, "But it seems I will not use it for long."

"Sir?" 

General Kasian looked at Brigadier Klark's puzzled face as he replied, "Tomorrow, I will lead the advance directly. We just lost twelve senior Brigadiers, so we have to raise our men’s morale."

"With all respect, Sir. Battle Group B has more than 150 Brigadiers and 28 Admirals, but only 6 Generals for land warfare. Sending out a General this early in the game is not wise."

"I know, but it's a direct order from Prince Portho." General Kasian smiled before continuing, "But have no worry, the human shield tactic seems effective and we will use it tomorrow." 

"We should use it from the beginning, Sir."

"Klark, this war is not only about winning the battlefield, but also about winning the throne. So, Second Prince can only throw out his image when he has no other choice, and we should be happy because it happened before it's too late."

"Understood, Sir."

Brigadier Klark lightly nodded, and then he escorted General Kasian and his staff to the command post.

Meanwhile, the destroyer went back to open sea and the transport ships started docking, three at once. The process of unloading women, children, slave workers, equipment, logistics, horses, mules, oxen, landing troops, and even some oarsmen began shortly after.

*****