Counterfeit Hero

Chapter 1461: Chapter 9-8: Entering the Battlefield

The encampment of the 202 Armored Division became overcrowded with the arrival of the bandit army’s Second Armored Division.

The muddy Green Mecha units looked like streams of rainwater flowing into puddles, immediately beginning battle preparations upon reaching the encampment. The silent primordial jungle suddenly became bustling. Commands echoed, footsteps crunching on dead leaves and muddy water, and the roar of engines filled the air.

The Chuckna Warriors watched this busy workforce in curiosity. Transport Mecha carrying supplementary supplies shuttled back and forth, while mechanic soldiers raced through the woods in small electric diagnostic vehicles. Meanwhile, bandit army soldiers hurriedly ate and drank, joined by boisterous junior officers. The hills were covered with bandit army soldiers, their numbers were indeterminate.

Are they really preparing to launch an attack?

The Chuckna Warriors felt uneasy amid their anticipation. As ordinary warriors, most of them were unaware that the defense line 60 kilometers north at Frenso Town had been breached. They also had little understanding of this army. They knew only that the Jiepeng people on the opposite side were not ones to be easily dominated.

The 202 Division and those people have been fighting for a month, resulting in a balanced stalemate. During this time, the Jiepeng people have greatly reinforced their forces and Mecha weapons, significantly boosting their combat power. Even with the support of the 1861 Mechanical Infantry and fortified positions, handling them is challenging.

But what have they heard now?

These newly arrived people are preparing to gather in minutes and annihilate the Jiepeng 1912 Division? Do they think the opponent is a bunch of pigs lying in the mud for them to stab at will?

”Commander,” the First Battalion Commander of the 202 Division stood beside Benarlio, perplexed, as he looked into the distance where bandit army officers were gathered around Robert. ”Are they really preparing for a direct assault on the Jiepeng 1912 Division?”

”Use your brain,” Benarlio rolled his eyes. ”Would you lead an armored division all the way here just to mess around with me?”

”Didn’t the command ask us to assist?” The First Battalion Commander scratched his head.

”No!” Benarlio shook his head while biting a grass stalk.

He was already aware of the fall of Frenso Town and had received directives from the command concerning the bandit army. From the cautious wording of the command’s directive, he could tell that the command’s concerns were no less than his own. Neither the Chief of Staff Pierre nor the Front Army Commander Chen Fengxi had confidence in this army.

After all, the task of defeating the Jiepeng 1912 Division in a few hours and cutting west to Frenso Town to intercept enemy reinforcements possibly numbering ten divisions for 48 hours sounded more like a myth from Arabian Nights. If someone issued such orders to the 202 Armored Division, Benarlio felt he should immediately commit seppuku before his superior officer.

In the distance, the command Mecha of the bandit army appeared like a beetle with its wings spread. Robert and the tall division commander were gathered around the electronic sand table with the officers, assigning combat tasks.

Benarlio wanted to approach and listen but felt it would be reckless, and could only itch with curiosity.

”What do you think their tactics will be?” Since he couldn’t bring himself to go over, Benarlio asked his staff to project the combat map onto the ground using the battle recorder and squatted down to discuss it with his subordinates.

”A frontal assault would likely fail,” the First Battalion Commander scratched a line on the ground with a tree branch, drawing from the main position, the 323 highlands several kilometers away, westwards. ”The 1912 Division has a striking position six kilometers directly west of our line. It’s very solid. Our several fire attack evaluations show that damage does not exceed twenty percent. Just breaking through this turtle shell would be tough!”

He then pointed north with the branch and continued, ”On the 244 highlands northwest, there’s an armored camp stationed, easy to defend, hard to attack. To advance westwards along the Quiro Agricultural Area’s mountain road to the 1912 Division’s defensive zone, one must take out the 244 highlands, and before that, the enemy’s strike position must be eliminated.”

The First Battalion Commander shook his head and discarded the branch. ”This area is too dense, leaving no room for tactical maneuvers. If the 1912 Division’s strike position is attacked, their main force will immediately emerge from the 244 highlands, launching a flanking attack from both sides. In that case, the bandit army’s flank would be exposed to the enemy. Even if they manage to capture the strike position, losses would be severe. Achieving such a feat in two or three hours is merely a dream.”

The commander’s analysis drew agreement from the surrounding officers, who were nodding thoughtfully when suddenly a nearby officer exclaimed, ”They’re ready to move.”

Everyone looked up to see the bandit army officers around Robert had begun to leave, each taking their mecha, while the troops scattered in the jungle started to assemble. Immediately, officers’ shouts, the hissing sound of hydraulics as Mecha switched to combat mode, engine roars, and marching steps composite into one deafening noise.

Moments later, the muddy Green Armored units marched out from the 202 Division base, watched by the Chuckna Warriors. They exited the forest and dashed down the hillside, racing westwards in the bright sunlight towards the frontline. In just a few minutes, the bandit army, like a tide, surged to the hill ahead and instantly vanished without a trace.