"Dear students, we have decided to continue heading east."
The firelight inside the cave illuminated the young faces of the soldiers, as Brandon addressed the assembled Fifth Company members.
“Now that you think about it, it seems like it’s been a little over a month, right? Yes, one month and nine days.” Brandon nodded. “One month and nine days ago, we were herded like livestock by five Phos soldiers.”
"It's funny to think about it now. Even if there were more than a hundred pigs, they could have killed them by biting, right? Hehe."
“But there was nothing we could do, we were terrified. Do you remember how our boot camp instructor died?” Brandon glanced back at his classmates, all of whom were staring at him with their lips pressed tightly together.
"I remember it very clearly. I was standing closest to the instructor. I can still recall the scene even with my eyes closed."
“I saw the instructor being hung up like a pig, his whole body whipped raw and bleeding. The enemy looked at us and laughed. He cleaved open his back with a knife, reached into his chest and ripped out his heart, showing it to us.”
"At that time, that heart was still beating..."
"At that time, I thought, how could people be so cruel? They are beasts, demons from hell..."
"This is wrong, but we've been so scared that we don't even have the courage to speak up and resist."
A breeze blew in from outside the cave, stirring the campfire. The flames flickered, and a fire also flickered in the eyes of the young soldiers. A chilling atmosphere gathered inside the cave.
“But we were lucky to run into our current brigade commander.” Brandon chuckled. “Remember when the brigade commander pulled out a pig’s heart to show me? I threw up after just one look.”
"But the brigade commander made us eat the pig's heart piece by piece raw. At that time, I really felt that the brigade commander was a demon from hell."
A cheerful laugh echoed from inside the cave.
Sitting in the corner, Zhang Fan looked pained. "I didn't think that much about it at the time. It was all to help you guys get some nutrition."
"But now I know that the way to defeat demons is to become a demon even more terrifying than them."
"When I arrived, the brigade commander gave me a military knife, which I used to rip open the chest of the Fass soldier who killed our instructor."
"Actually, it's nothing special. Even demons beg for mercy under the knife. They'll die if you stab them in the heart. They're no different from us."
"We've become stronger now! I really think we have become stronger, and taking down this Phos stronghold is proof of that!"
"But we were unlucky. The brigade commander also said that this is just a company responsible for logistics and transportation, and its combat effectiveness is not up to the average level of the Fas soldiers."
"But now, we have another chance to prove ourselves!"
"The General Logistics and Equipment Department of the Fas Khan Army is only 100 kilometers away from us. If we march quickly, we can reach it within a day."
"This is truly a core headquarters of the Fas Khan army, guarded by at least a regiment of soldiers, all of whom are elite members of the Fas Khan army!"
"But the brigade commander also often taught us: 'I'm only fighting the elite!'"
"Our 102nd Airborne Brigade is all about fighting elite troops!"
Zhang Fan's facial muscles twitched as he listened. This was Old Li's catchphrase when he was showing off; don't take it seriously, okay?
"The 102nd Airborne Brigade was airdropped behind enemy lines and surrounded by the elite 3rd Division of the Fas Khan Army, leaving only one soldier alive. However, the brigade commander shot and killed their commander!"
"Now we've been 'airdropped' behind enemy lines and are surrounded by the elite Fas Khan army. Even if we're the last one left, we'll take out their 'commander'!"
“War always kills people, but things always have to be done. If we don’t do it, more people might die in Ryan. Those who die could be our brothers and sisters, our parents, our loved ones.”
“I’m also afraid of dying, but I’m even more afraid of the Phos soldiers getting close to my family.”
“I have witnessed the brutality of the Phos soldiers, and I will never let them near my love again, even if it means my death.” Brandon gazed affectionately at Lucia, one of the female soldiers, and Lucia returned his gaze with equal affection.
"This time I will not back down. I will protect the people I care about!"
"But my strength alone is not enough. I need your help. Are you willing to follow me?"
"Company commander, just give the order!" The male soldiers stood up one after another.
Zhang Fan was also deeply moved, but also secretly alarmed. The intellectuals doing political work in the army were indeed all outstanding, and Brandon was fully capable of the job of political commissar.
"Everyone has one!"
"Line up!"
The soldiers in the cave stood up.
"Reporting to the brigade commander, the 5th Company of the 102nd Airborne Brigade has completed its training! 125 men were expected and 125 men are present. Please give instructions."
Zhang Fan stood up, his gaze sweeping over the young yet resolute faces. They had grown up; Zhang Fan truly didn't want these lovely people to go to their deaths.
But they were determined, which made Zhang Fan see in them the shadow of the red army that once existed on Blue Star.
Even if it's just one more person surviving, Zhang Fan still hopes that this young new team can leave behind some seeds.
"Since you've already made your choice, let's do it!"
"But you all need to remember this! The 102nd Brigade never does anything that doesn't benefit us. Don't try to play these life-for-life trolls with me! If you die, who will kill the Phasi dogs?"
"You all better come back alive!"
"Yes, sir!" All the soldiers of the Fifth Company saluted in unison.
The flames burning inside the cave spread like waves, and platoon leaders and squad leaders approached the soldiers, mobilizing them layer by layer and assigning tasks.
The scouts then began their operation first, followed by the first platoon, the second platoon, the third platoon, and finally the female soldiers.
The Fifth Company displayed a style unlike any other Ryan National Army, and even among the Fas Khan Army, there was no similar army. They did not have the fanaticism on the surface; their blood burned only in their bodies.
This is a new army that has already developed faith and determination, and is about to experience the final growing pains of their transformation.
"Brandon, has the radio we captured at the outpost been repaired?" Before the last female soldiers left, Zhang Fan called Brandon aside.
"Reporting to the brigade commander, it's repaired!"
"You know how to use a radio, right? Then come here, I need you to send a telegram to the Ryan National Army."
“Commander, didn’t you say before?” Brandon hesitated for a moment, “The enemy is in command post…”
“Yes.” Zhang Fan nodded.
From the start of the Fas Khan army's invasion, it took less than three days to breach six fortresses on the border of Ryan, and a week to reach Milan Star.
Nearly two months have passed, and the space fleet that Ryan sent to reinforce the rear has arrived at the front. However, all the fleets are facing fierce resistance from the Fass space fleet.
The Seventh and Eighth Space Fleets, drawn from the Asiatic Starfield, warped into the outer common starfield, preparing to attack the Fas Khan army's defenses from the flank. However, just minutes before their energy shields could re-deploy after emerging from the warp hole, they were ambushed by the Fas Khan army's Fifth Space Fleet, suffering heavy losses.
It's important to understand that, in terms of numbers, the forces that Ryan and Fas have committed to the front lines are not significantly different. Fas Khan's army does not possess an absolute numerical advantage over Ryan's forces.
However, the precision with which the Fas Khan army deployed its troops and its perfect targeting of Ryan's weak points in defense made it obvious to anyone with a brain.
Who would believe there wasn't a mole within Ryan's ranks?
Moreover, judging from the current situation, the traitor is very likely to be from the highest command of the Ryan National Army.
“Brigadier, if we send a message to Lane, even to the General Staff, our operation risks being leaked,” Brandon warned.
“I know,” Zhang Fan sighed, “You didn’t leave yourselves any way out in this plan at all…”
“We don’t need a way out.” Brandon laughed. “Brigadier, we all know that if we cause such a commotion behind Fass, none of us will survive.”
“But I have to find a way for you to survive.” Zhang Fan patted Brandon on the shoulder. “Trust me, send the message. You need a reliable support force.”
"Brigadier, which unit is this Ryan from?" Brandon held a slip of paper that Zhang Fan handed him, which contained a special communication code for emergencies.
“Shadow Fang,” Zhang Fan replied.
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