I Am The Truth II

Chapter XXXVIII: Part III: Falling Dominoes

Author's Note: HELLO EVERYONE, I'M BACK! Sorry for the long gap. I had exams these past two weeks, and I needed to resolve them before I could properly invest my energy and attention into continuing the story. My update schedule will still be kinda slow, but I should be able to post every weekend or so. In any case, thanx for sticking with me and hope you enjoy!

The Ataraxian forces did what they could to stem the tide, but the reality was clear: they were facing a direct massacre. And yet, every one of them continued to fiercely fight back, squeezing out every minute from the battle in the hopes of buying enough time for all the civilians to safely cross to the other side.

Achillean had taken to helping the refugees cross while Onyx took charge of the defense. The few tanks that they did have were older models, and most definitely outgunned by their newer song-wielding enemy counterparts. In short, they had thrown everything they had into stopping the invading Coalition armies as much as they possibly could.

"This is the last group we can get across," Achillean called. "Any other civilians still stranded will be too risky to save without leaving this bridge exposed."

He was in the lobby of a building right next to the drawbridge. Dozens of radio lines were coming out of the station and away towards the front lines. With the power down throughout the city, old-fashioned methods were a must. Achillean picked up one of the telephones immediately.

The soldier with the field telephone heard it buzz loudly on his back.

"From the bridge!" He called over the sound of a great blast.

Ataraxia only had more than a dozen anti-armour guns, all of which were now being utilized in a coordinated defense by Onyx. However, as much as they did to stem the tide, the defenders were clearly being outgunned and outperformed.

"Achillean!" Onyx said, grabbing the telephone mounted on the soldier's backpack and bringing it to his ear.

"Onyx, the last of the civilians within our reach have been evacuated," Achillean said from the other side. "Have all your formations fall back immediately."

"We have to stop them!" Onyx countered. "We cannot let their artillery come within striking range of the north-!"

"Listen to me!" Achillean said firmly. "Your platoon is the only one that has significant anti-tank weaponry. Listen to me and fall back. We will regroup for a counter strike."

"We need to put good distance between us and them for that to happen!" Onyx countered.

"Which is why I am demanding you to fall back," Achillean said yet again. "Else you all will perish, and they most certainly will push forth, at which point the rest of us would stand no chance. Our other forces are already scattered in a wide arc to keep them from even flanking us. Every person counts here, meaning no room for foolish bravado."

"... yes," Onyx conceded before standing tall for a brief moment.

There were still a good handful of soldiers still standing on his side. The issue however, was actually that they were running out of ammunition. Achillean was right: they had to conserve the rockets they still had.

"EVERYONE FALL BACK!" Onyx roared. "Rifles and weapons squad fall back. Wall squad will provide cover! Go!"

A dozen giant Magnorites and Iron Golems immediately opened fire with grenade launchers while the other soldiers immediately fell back, retreating towards the bridge a few miles away. Onyx stayed with the remaining soldiers, now only a mere thirteen left.