Commando Part 58

A brigade of soldiers, warriors, mercenaries, pirates, and other fighters listened to the plan one last time. A garrison of three hundred fifty were ordered to stay behind with the I.B.O.I.S. people. The main force would head for the Caligari Palace while the rest stayed to defend the fort. All the ground forces would be dropped off after the first bombardment from the airships. Any loose artillery would be placed in firing range of the enemy camps and the palace. Every unit available will race towards the enemy camps where their assault begins. This assault was to be executed swiftly giving the enemy little time to react. Each unit of personnel were assigned a mission for this assault. Maurice’s unit were to head straight into the city and enter the palace. All other unit involved were to assault the enemy positions. Their high command was uncertain about the civilians in the region.

            Once the briefing was done a brigade set off to its destination which only took half a day. Everyone was expecting the enemy to have reinforcements. Many of them knew how the Gantronese operated in a situation like this after receiving a few hits from a hit and run enemy. One question rest of their heads. Did the enemy send spies after them? Maurice and his unit were at the stern of their ride wondering about this question. From there they watched their progress towards the enemy. For two more hours they watched the landscape while listening to a group of crew members sing. Whatever song they sang brought a little solace. Commanding their ride was Captain Inaleth who wept over the slaughter of her people even though she came from another tribe. She still agreed to drive them over to the palace area while everyone agreed to leave her alone.

            Both Captains talked about their lives before this war. She was a member of a royal family from a hidden kingdom along the sea. Her part of the family left due to constant civil war in the kingdom. Maurice revealed his own story to her until he spotted the marsh out of the corner of his eye. All Captains and leaders of their units prepared their troops and parties. Within half an hour of spotting the marsh the fleet arrived. Each vessel circled around wide to fire down on enemy positions. They did not stop until the last one passed over. One could only imagine the carnage and chaos that bombardment caused in the enemy camps. A brigade of over two thousand were then dropped in an area that was not too far from their destination. When their feet landed on the earth they advanced on the bombarded positions. Maurice led a platoon to the marshes with two long boats.

            In moments the area was alive with gunfire that was exchanged between the two sides. Some dropped down to shoot while others continued the advance with shells and machine guns overshooting their heads. He did not stop to watch the battle commence. A soon as they hit the water they plunged forward into the marshes. Going through this marsh brought them away from the fighting for a small amount of distance. Each of the boats rowed around any patches of land, or grass in the marsh. The two boats slowly made their way through the landscape. Maurice ensured they avoided any patrols, which were ambushed. Maurice did not know who it was, but he could not stay and think of who it was.

            By the time they reached the palace it was dark and most of the settlements were now under fire. Acting fast Maurice led his platoon through the small port and the city. Their allies and brethren had pushed deep inside the closest city. However, many defenders that were in the city had been driven to the front. Like burglars in the dark Maurices platoon slipped through alleys and broke into an outer section. Here a few guards stood whom they defeated easily enough. After defeating the small group of guards, they took a narrow street. This part brought them to the main entrance of the palace. One hundred eleven guards protected this entrance. He looked over at the streets where the battle was drawing closer.

            Although his unit was a platoon of thirty a frontal assault could still result in victory. To their fortune none of the guards saw them. He had each member draw a gun. Whether it was pistol, revolver, rifle, assault rifle or repeater it did not matter. Without warning they attacked from the flank. Their sudden attack caught the defenders off guard. More than half the guards lay dead moments after they opened fire. Bodies littered the area in front of the palace entrance. Using the darkness as a friend Maurice’s unit came out to the open taking out more guards. Whoever was left guarding shot back getting a few of the trespassers. A few of the guards made a run for it, showing the attack was too much for them. Any remaining defenders died by their hands as the platoon closed in. This skirmish ended with most of the guards killed, and the rest running away. Five members of his platoon lay dead or wounded.

            He took six of his own men and ordered for the rest to hide. The doors to this palace lay wide open. Not hesitating he rushed inside. When he entered the palace the first thing, he saw was a statue made of bones and skeletons. He did not get a chance to look at tit for very long. A big ugly, scarred humanoid that used to be furry came at him. Maurice killed the humanoid not bothering to check what it really was. His six-man team followed him inside.

            They came to a hall that led from the entrance. Maurice did not bother looking at the walls. His mission was his focus now. All he caught were glimpses of Caligari’s choice of pain and decorations. On the walls were several coats of what looked like blood, and bones for decorations. Caligari goons and other defenders of this palace tried to hold them back. Each skirmish resulted in a casualty from time to time. The hall they took had been renovated to create an illusion. When he turned around he saw the hall had rooms and other halls trailing off. From the way it was built it was one large structure, and it resembled a labyrinth.