Girls Frontline: Paths Yet Found

Chapter 7: New Friends

Forward Operational Base 793, Operational Area 09

May 16, 2062, 18:42

The night was eerily quiet, the distant hum of the wind broken only by the soft rustling of leaves. Then, without warning, a sharp crack echoed through the base, the unmistakable sound of a rifle. An S.F. doll, scouting too close to the perimeter, crumpled to the ground, her comrades immediately retreating into the shadows.

From her vantage point in the tower, C14 calmly cycled the bolt of her rifle, watching through her scope as the remaining Sangvis forces disappeared from sight.

C14: Commander, this is C14. Target down. They've backed off for now.

Sokolov's voice came through her earpiece, steady as ever.

Sokolov: Good work, C14. Keep tabs on them. They'll try something again soon, no doubt.

C14: Understood. Staying on watch.

Sokolov leaned back in his chair, eyes glued to the command monitor as he assessed the situation. The S.F. forces had been probing their defenses for hours, testing for weaknesses. So far, it had been minor skirmishes, nothing serious, but Sokolov knew it was only a matter of time before a full assault was launched.

His mind shifted to Echelons 1 and 2, still en route via helicopters. He needed to ensure they could land safely within the base when they arrived, but the Sangvis forces were getting uncomfortably close to their perimeter.

Sokolov turned his attention back to the command monitor, eyes scanning the display of the base's perimeter. So far, Sangvis Ferri had been probing their defenses, sending small squads to test for weaknesses, but their main effort was undoubtedly focused on the front gates.

He zoomed in on the map, watching the indicators showing the latest positions of enemy units. The lines had held steady, but he knew the pressure would soon increase. The real attack was coming, and it would be through the main gates.

Sokolov: Echelon 3, report. What's your status?

The response came almost immediately from the dolls stationed in the watchtower.

SV-98: Everything's quiet from up here Commander. No signs of movement near the north sector, but we're keeping a close watch.

Sokolov nodded, satisfied with their vigilance.

Sokolov: Good. Stay sharp. Echelon 4, report on the main gate defenses.

LWMG's voice crackled over the comms, her tone steady despite the situation.

LWMG: They've been sending small parties to test us. So far, we've successfully repelled each one, but they're probing us more aggressively.

Sokolov's eyes narrowed as he leaned back in his chair, his mind drifting to old memories. He had seen this tactic before during his time in WW3, where reckless Red Army officers and Commissars would send poorly trained conscripts forward to draw out NATO fire, forcing them to waste ammo and revealing their positions before the real assault began.

Sokolov sighed, rubbing his temples.

Sokolov: Smart... They're wearing us down.

He glanced at the ammo readouts from the forward positions. They had enough for a prolonged fight, but if Sangvis Ferri continued to trickle in small units like this, it could lead to his forces depleting their supplies too early.

Sokolov: LWMG, listen carefully. Conserve your ammunition. Do not engage unless you have to.

LWMG: Understood, Commander. We'll hold our fire unless necessary.