Maine's Dream Shoukan 1977

SPECIAL: Vestal Proxy War

14th January, 1639 CC (1977 AD)
0230 Local
Outskirt Jungle Area, Principality of Nomh, Vestal Confederation[1]

Heavy footsteps placed down by the immense weight of armored feet tramped on the grassy dirt ground. Whirling sound of engine is emitted from their backpack, the Men in metallic-grey bulky power armor are navigating their way through the jungle obstacles. Following a trail that is barely visible to them.

1st Sergeant Caleb, a member of the 11th Ranger's Heavy Infantry Battalion from the Imperial Annorial Army along with his 5 men in squad formation are now patrolling the suspected trail which is speculated to be the Mirishial's main route to supply the Vestal People's Militia against the Confederation, the Rebel ultimate goal is to liberate Vestal Continent from the Annorial's influence and form their own government patron by Mirishia. Like a donut, the Principality terrain is a city surrounded by dense jungle.

Among the countless steps he took, the most recent one would accidentally kick the wire cord that was purposefully placed there.

"Shit!" he exclaimed. The hidden mechanism is triggered and an anti-vehicle mine was detonated. The force of the explosion would throw him off balance while rains of leads would follow suit from almost every direction, targeting his squad.

"Hostile! Engage!" Yam, the private behind him yelled. Blasting frightful green beams of lasers at the source of fires as a return fire.

Corporal Humnbette would then quickly rush with all his might to help Caleb on his feet, and he sure appreciated it.

Wasting no time, Caleb yelled loudly onto the installed communicator in his helmet. "Captain! We found 'em! The rats are here, we're engaging in a firefight!"

"Copy 'at, grouping now," replied a clear voice.

Suddenly, a muzzle flash which is seemingly larger than average appeared. A bullet from the Mirishial's anti-material rifle pierced through the cooling fan's railguard on his backpack, lighting it on fire as Caleb's suit power rapidly decreased.

"Arr-Agh!" Caleb grunty screamed as the impact was not fully absorbed by the absorbing pads. Instead, it passed down cracking some of his spine. This Bulky Ironman would curl his back out of pain while the suit's system alerted its terminal status via blaring alarm and peeping red lights.

Annorial Rangers were unable to know had any Mirishial Special Forces were down or injured by any means. As these men do not scream at all to their damage. The men would simply spray their lasers at trees until their reinforcement arrived. However, 12mm round were no longer seen which indicated their success in blindly spraying their guns to kill him.

After some time, the composite armor would no longer properly protect them as they became weakened by .276 AP cartridges which were capable of penetrating their armor at some degree through consistent fire at particular areas.

Then, the help soon came. The captain's squad ran to the firefight while the other 3 squads spread out to circle the Mirishial. By now, the area had settled and no leads were coming.

"As expected, those rats can only hit n' run after all," said the Captain

"Soldiers, are you alright?" he asked. Looking at the smokescreen indicating that the Mirishial may have fled.

"1st Sergeant Caleb, sir. He got shot in the back and his suit is dysfunctioned."

"I have the elixir, use it."

Like a miracle, the elixir's property was poured on his wound, and the damage quickly healed. Humnbette could see Caleb's back regrown its lost tissue. There were no vivid lights or sounds, just a lump of meat growing back to its former state.

The comm kicked in, another squad speaks to report. "We tightened the area, they must have been hiding among treetops. The flammer's on his job."

"Good, report back when bastards care to surrender."

Without choice, Caleb is forced to get out of his suit. The emergency handle is pulled and the armor unfolded like a paper, and the middle aged man popped up in a sleek uniform with padded coif. He spit his bloody mouth clean in frustration.

"Sir, there are only corpses here..." the squad reported in as they watched one particular corpse with his torso stained by burnt laser marks. His body armor was punched hole, revealing what's stuffed inside.

"Well, at least no one was killed and only just a suit downed," said the Captain.

(Troublesome... had it been more of them, we would be overwhelmed.) Humnbette thought.

Few hours later, Annorial immediate reaction was to search for Mirishial activity before they completed withdraw from the area for other safer zone. Multiple VTOL Tiltrotor "Mad Bull" from their Air Cavalry can be seen actively flying around on S&R operation as soon as the Mirishial presence was acknowledged. Their blaring bright flares lit up the sky completely out of darkness. Top canopy of the jungle vehemently swayed by the wind exerted by powerful blades shredding the air with frightening sounds.

Eventually, their efforts were met with no further progress and forced to an end. This engagement was just one among previous cases where both the Vestal Militia and Mirishial SF would deploy hit and run tactic and avoid a direct confrontation. It depends on time until Annorial will enlarge their forces there to protect their interests within the Confederation Regime, which are Ravernal Empire's reliecs of their technology.

Reference

[1]the Confederation is an identity familiar to Holy Roman Empire where the Head of Government will be elected by members states.