Code 5: A New Nation

Chapter 3: Light Some Lead Part 2

The officer was given an affirmative from the operators and he lowered the radio. Minutes later a new sound was added to the gunfire. He and the griffon with him looked up as the sound of engines filled the air above them. A silhouette appeared in the clouds, becoming larger and larger until a Lancaster bomber plane burst from the clouds, flying low over them. The nose art on the front of aircraft like many WWII bombers displayed was a ghostly figure and the word phantom inscribed above it in curvy black lettering all capitalized. The stallion radioed his orders to the flight crew.

“Take out the enemy’s artillery so our troops can advance.”

“Roger that, sir.”

**************

“Pen, you locked and loaded down there?” Epsilon called down from his place in the right hand pilot seat.

“Affirmative.” The purple mare replied, seated in the nose turret of the plane.

“Fire at will. Aim for the heavy weapons on the front lines.” Bucky said, seated in the left hand pilot seat. Some of the machine guns on the front lines turned towards them and fired. The nose turret was hit, cracking the glass. Pen Brush scowled.

“You did not just shoot my turret.” She maneuvered her weapons downwards and returned fire, raining lead on the machine gun operators. Bucky turned the plane so it flew perpendicular to the line of heavy weapons. Pen fired on them as they flew down the line, dropping enemy soldiers as her line of fire passed over them, a few of the heavy weapon crews going unscathed. Once they had completed the flyby she ceased her fire. “Most of the guns have been disabled.” She called up to the pilots. “Only a few left, I think the platoons can handle them.”

“Roger that.” Epsilon replied. He noticed something out of the corner of his eye, looking towards it. He saw a large group of smaller figures being lead away from the front lines. He radioed to the CO. “Sir the children within the city are being taken far from the front lines. They’re being sheltered in building in the eastern-most part of the city.”

“I hear you loud and clear.” He sent a message to the rest of the troops. “Avoid the building farthest from the front lines at all costs. Children are being sheltered.” The troop leaders replied back with affirmatives. The rest of the tanks and gundozers advanced into the city with the obstacle of artillery and machine guns drastically diminished.

“Phantom crew your job here is done. You may return to base. Good work.”

“Roger that, sir.” Bucky replied. He turned the plane back and began flying away from the battlefield.

“Hah, bet those bastards didn’t see this coming.” Epsilon said, grinning. His grin disappeared when he felt the small rapid vibrations from being hit by machine guns. “What the hell? I thought all the machine guns were taken out down there.” Suddenly the windscreen was cracked by bullets. “What the hell?!” A BF109 fighter plane burst out of the clouds ahead of them and flew by overhead.

“That plane isn’t ours…” Bucky said nervously.

“Shit… It’s only one plane, much smaller than us. We can take ‘em.” Suddenly the front of the bomber was bombarded with more gunfire. Two more of the same plane flew by.

“Spoke too soon, Epsilon.” Bucky said. He radioed to the CO.

“We’ve got three German fighter planes engaging.”

“Are you serious? Dammit, these guys have more weaponry than I thought. Take them down if you can, don’t give up your aircraft.”

“Affirmative sir.” Bucky veered the Lancaster off to the right, so as not to lead the fighter planes to their airstrip. “Three fighter planes versus a bomber, what’s our chances?”

“I’m not liking them.” Epsilon replied. “But I’m hopeful.” Machine gunfire rang out as the bomber began attacking the fighter planes as they came into view again. One of the planes flew off ahead of them. “Get them Pen!”

She aimed her turret and opened fire. Sparks flew as some of her barrage made impact with the plane. It disappeared into the clouds and she stopped. “I lost visual.” The glass on her turret was suddenly riddled with cracks as the plane opened fire on the front, having flown around to attack head-on. Up above her the windscreen was bombarded with bullets, a few breaking through on the left side and hitting Bucky. His uniform was stained red and he slumped down over the controls.

“Oh shit, Bucky!” Epsilon quickly switched the control of the plane to his side. The Lancaster was once again bombarded from the front. “Take that asshole out!”

Pen aimed directly at the incoming fighter. She returned fire on it and could see the favorable results. The windscreen on the enemy plane cracked and holes riddled the wings and parts of the fuselage were damaged. The fighter veered downwards, smoke emitting from the engine.

“Take that you slimy wanker!” Epsilon cheered. He looked worriedly over at his friend. “Bucky? Come on man, don’t die on me.” He shook the wounded pony’s shoulder. A groan was given in response. “Oh thank god…” The plane rumbled on the right side. He looked over to see one of the four engines smoking. It gave out and the propeller stopped turning. “Shit.” He pushed forward on the wheel and descended the plane to a lower altitude to prevent losing oxygen. His view became clear as he descended out of the clouds, the two remaining fighter planes tailing after them. Their enemy was now in plain view. Epsilon set his face in a determined scowl. “Let’s make some noise.”

**************

The CO looked despairingly towards the dogfight that had ensued with the aircraft. He looked back towards the battlefield. The griffon was up in a tree surveying the fight. He took note of something odd. “Sir, gundozer 2 has broken off from its course.”

“What? Where is it going now?”

“They’re speeding up towards the city area furthest from the front lines.” He zoomed in his binoculars. “They’re heading for where the children are being sheltered.”

The officer did not like what he heard. He grabbed his radio. “Gundozer 2 what the buck are you doing?”

“Taking out any future tyrants.” A crewmember replied.

“You’ve been ordered to stay away from that building. Stand down, NOW!”

“Negative, sir. We’re taking them out.”

“I’m telling you to stand down, that’s a direct order.” He was given the words of a death wish.

“No.” The makeshift tank continued towards the shelter, arming the artillery and taking aim. The CO took immediate action. “Tank 4 pursue gundozer 2.” He gave the final order. “And blast them to hell.”

“Yes sir.” The Sherman tank turned in the direction of the gundozer and went to full speed, racing to get there before the armored bulldozer could fire on the shelter. The gundozer came around the last building, leaving nothing standing between them and the shelter. The barrel of their artillery turned towards the structure.

The guards protecting the children inside the building looked fearfully at the armor taking aim at them. The children managed to get a glimpse at the scene unfolding and a lot of them screamed and began crying, trembling at the thought of death.

“Take aim…” The commander of the dozer said slowly. A grin came across his face. “Fi-!” He was halfway through his final command when the vehicle exploded in a mess of shrapnel and flames.

The guards had their eyes clenched shut. Their lives flashed before their eyes as the explosion erupted, but only for the images to fade away as they realized that they were still breathing. They opened their eyes to look at the destroyed armor that had been moments away from blowing up the building. They watched as the dust settled to reveal a Sherman tank behind the dozer, the end of the barrel smoking. Overcome with relief and shock, each and every one of the guards fainted.

“Gundozer 2 has been eliminated.” The tank commander radioed to the CO.

“Good work.” The stallion leaned against a tree, sighing in relief.