Chapter 195 - Updated Later
Chapter 195 – Updated Later
An MH-60 "Blackhawk" helicopter flew away from Belgram air base. On both sides of its stub wings were the combination of AGM-114 "Hellfire" missiles and M230 chainguns for close-air-support role. It was the multipurpose helicopter assigned for Del and Anna to complete the rest of the mission from Salve Group.
Del was sitting on the opened left door of the helicopter. Behind him were stacks of FIM-92 stingers and FGM-148 launchers. All of those were provided to give him an edge and more leisure in attacking anyone that Van Bosch would send to him.
The pilot was a man. His full name was Morris Osborne. They could call him Morris, but Del and Anna would have to call him sir or refer to him as Chief Osborne in a formal event. He seemed to be chill though. Heck, he was more lax than Walter by all account.
"Did you two just land here like us? Or did you two have spent quite some times in this place?" Morris asked.
"Well, I think we're the latter. Morris, is it? Can I call you that?" Del asked.
"Sure, just call me Morris. You two are the Moore siblings, am I right? Nice to meet you two."
"Thanks," Anna replied.
"Did Colonel tell you my role in this assignment, or not?"
Anna shook her head, "Nope."
"Ohhh, alright, I see. Well, I'll just make it simple. If you have some enemies that need to be taken care of, just call me via the tablet interface. I would come to help you two, but I won't be available instantenously if you don't tell me whether you'll commence an operation or not."
"Huh? What do you mean?" Del asked.
"If you two suddenly got into combat, I can't guarantee that I'd arrive at your location in under five minutes. Helicopter is costing time to be maintained, you know? Flying magic is was simpler, but also less versatile."
"I agree with that. You can't carry shitton of missiles with a flying spell."
"Anyway, back to the main point, I need twenty minutes if you call me so suddenly. Besides that, I can provide sniping support and distraction support. Oh, and I am also here to replace Walter's role as your supposed caretaker."
"Ah, yeah, by the way, were you a pilot before?" Del asked.
"Yup, why do you think I end up in there with those CIAs and FSBs? Still, it was fun," Morris commented.
"I don't know whether being hunted down by several people and some enemies can be considered as fun, Morris." Del commented on his experience for this past one year. The only normality that could be considered normal was his time at Lumbart Academy and that was it. Heck, he was even there for a mission, what was the fun in that?
"It's fun, trust me. Or the fact that I'm kinda insane, well, I'm open to interpretation."
"I prefer the latter. Anyway, what's with the loadout?"
The helicopter was too well-armed for his standard. For instance, there were two M230 chainguns and eight AGM-114 missiles for the helicopter itself. It was simply an overkill for that world, not to mention the ammunition boxes that were linked to the chainguns. That thing could destroy an entire echelon as long as air defense wasn't present.
"An assignment, let's just say, a contract from the government. Another tank echelon is commencing an assault towards Halivaara. A prototype one in fact, there's a huge chance that our current weaponry in the federal army can't penetrate it, so that's where we come in."
"What kind of prototype tank?" Del asked.
"Those who can't be penetrated by an ordinary 100mm cannon on all sides except the top. Well, the armor is not that thick, even compared to a first-generation main battle tank, but it's still thick for this age. You'll need a concentrated artillery fire or autocannon on that thing which we can't afford at the moment," Morris answered.
"Ok, what should I do while you fire those missiles?" Del asked.
"Well, for starter, you can prepare yourself with the machine gun and armor, considering your sister has taken the position on the right. After I destroy all of the tanks, I want you two to deal with the infantry escorting it."
"What kind of infantry?"
"Combination of flying one and standing one. There's a reason why I told you to wear a fragmentation suit, don't you think?" Morris asked.
"Wait, flying one? Damn, they're hard to be dealt with, don't you think?"
"Think again."
"Wait, you want me to be a decoy?"
"Exactly. You are wearing heavy armor, wield heavy weapon, and supported with heavy armaments. Just get them close to the helicopter and your sister's GAU-21 would handle them. Careful though, don't get to her line of fire."
"And I risk my life, again," Del commented as he grabbed his PKP from the seat of the helicopter.
The gun was loaded with 7.62x54mmR ammunition as usual. The armor-piercing version of the bullet was loaded into the machine gun. Del attached a new scope on that gun alongside with a vertical grip, but he doubted he would ever use the scope on that gun. There was also a LED combo at the end of that gun.
He checked the bullet on that gun and the gun seemed to be functioning as intended. He was aware that the other side might only use a bolt-action rifle or SMG against him, he needed to take advantage of his volume of fire and his range advantage against the flying enemies that would probably use their spell at him.
"And take the oxygen tank on the back." There was an oxygen tank on the back of the helicopter attached to a half-face mask. "It should protect your lungs as long as you tighten in to your face tightly. It's the perfect counter to their Thermobaric spell. Don't forget to wear goggles too, Del."
"Alright."
The distance to Halivaara was still far, probably more than two hundred miles away. They had arrived to the mainland around two hours ago, but they still hadn't encountered anyone trying to intercept them.
There were two possibilities. The intelligence should have contacted the ground, or the helicopter wasn't detectable. Del preferred the first option than the last option. The helicopter wasn't exactly a stealth aircraft, and it was not exactly quiet either.
"And Del, you might want to know, but our role is important. We are going to commence a counter-offensive to help the federal military."
"Just both of us?"
"Nah, there's a reason why we told you to buy several F-15E and a B-1 bomber. Imperial military is going to launch a large-scale offensive to the federal military due to the last stunt that you pull. Our job is to create a significant delay on their plan, giving the federal military a breathing room."
"Ah, no wonder."
"Yup, you might think we are insane, but this is the truth. Without this intervention, the balance in war could be disturbed and we don't want that. One F-15 and a B-1 bomber are flying towards the north to defend the north while another is patrolling the south sea to destroy the destroyers heading for Federal Ports."
"Hahaha, I wish I can pilot one of those aircrafts."
"Perhaps?"
Suddenly, from afar, a jet roar entered his nose. Suddenly, a gush of wind hit his face as an F-15 flew by the helicopter at the same altitude. Del couldn't see the aircraft, but he was sure that was an F-15 flying beside him.
"Ah, that's the one heading north. It will act as a decoy and protect us from the incoming air attack. I don't remember who pilots it, but I think they will be a great distraction. Heck, I think they can take down an entire squadron with just its guns."
"So, where's the bomber?"
"It might be flying above us. I don't know. They would take down the flying airships with cruise missiles."
"Ah, great, is that the reason why we can fly to Halivaara now?"
"Yup, with most of the imperial air force focused on chasing the bomber, we wouldn't have to worry about their air defense. Moreover, I don't think the imperial air force would have the tech to counter our F-15," Morris said.
"I think so."
"Well, get ready, we'll approach the tank unit in five minutes," Morris replied.
The helicopter descended and Del could see the ground from above. Halivaara and its surrounding region had been turned into smitheeren ruins. No wonder why the federal military had difficulty in defending it. It also seemed that the imperial military had begun moving towards Halivaara, judging from the looks of it.
"Our job is to disable the heavy tanks. The small fries are up to the federal military to handle," Morris said.
"Roger that."
Del didn't fire the gun on the helicopter yet. The tanks looked like small dots from the altitude he was flying in. He waited until Morris fired the first missile from the helicopter.
WOOOSH. The missile flew from the pylons of the helicopter and flew to one of the heavy tanks. The autocannon started firing towards the direction of the other heavy tanks. Del started firing his machine gun at the infantry raising from the ground and heading to his direction.
"Commencing attack!"