4 Mar 2021, 10:35

IMPERIAL ARMY - SPECIAL FORCE COMMAND

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3km from Target in Neo-Venetian Capital, Neo-Venetia City
0508hrs, 3rd March 2021


Officer Commanding: Lt Gen Karaca

The deafening noise of the overhead engines no longer affected any of the men on board the four helicopters that the Emperor had personally ordered to extract His enemies from Neo-Venetia. Lt Gen Karaca was the most experienced special forces commander in Inimicus -- his experience conducting cross-border operations in the Inimician Civil War of 2011 was revered throughout the country, and especially by politicians in high office. But this task made him more nervous than most he had conducted before. This was the fate of the Empire at stake. He briefly recalled the look Vicarius Cocx had given him from the command tower on the helicarrier -- words failed to express the sentiment. He could not fail. He would capture these criminals, or die trying.

"Squad", Karaca began, "5 minutes to target. Recap?"

Major Stuart went over the final details of the plan one last time: "Targets are Dominic Dalfarra and Marco Brookfield, both currently residing at the same government address in Neo-Venetia City. Intelligence confirmed the rooms they're staying in. At go-time, Jennings and Curt will breach two strategic windows and infiltrate, the rest of the squad absails down into the central courtyard and will eliminate security. B team and C team, in the other choppers, will secure a perimiter, allowing for our heli to land in the courtyard and extract the suspects."

"Back-up plans?"

"If resistance is heavier than expected or hostile reinforcements are brought in, use the code Telum Scram for immediate IAF and missile assistance."

"Good luck, gentlemen. Make your Emperor proud."

Karaca observed his two most experienced and capable operatives skilfully breach the two windows to the suspects' bedrooms within seconds of the helicopters arriving on scene. He directed all others on board to slide down the ropes that now hung from the craft and onto the courtyard. He was the last to go down himself. He looked around, the noise and dust made it hard to see. The moment he began his descent, he felt a sting hit his back, reverberating down his entire body. He could not hold on, and the last thing he saw was the ground hurling towards him at lightning speed.


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"Officer hit, officer hit."

From the helicarrier, Vicarius Wilfred Cocx listened in to radio traffic and watched satellite footage of the raid. He had not expected things to go sour this quickly. "Shots fired, two hostiles down" was the next he heard. There had been tense moments in Wilfred Cocx's life: his backing of Artabanos prior to the Civil War; the commotion after his orders to use nerve gas on protestors (later cleverly blamed on someone else); shenanigans in the National Imperial Council. But this, this was the hardest, most stressful time he had ever experienced.

Meanwhile, Lt Gen Karaca lay unconscious in the courtyard. Medical operatives stabilised him and moved him inside one of the buildings to allow the heli to land. Major Stuart, aware of his CO's fate, breached Dominic Dalfarra's room and, to his relief, found the Neo-Venetian criminal alive and well. Radio chatter confirmed Marco Brookfield had also been apprehended. Stuart believed this might work after all. That is, until he heard the sound of approaching vehicles. The sounds of shooting soon followed. "Alert: three hostile technicals, estimated three-zero hostiles on-scene. Fire support requested", he heard one of the NCOs report. Had the helicopter landed yet? Were they ready for extraction? Why was the heat so stifling?

Stuart's first priority was the safety of the squad and the hostages. He proceeded to lead Dalfarra and Brookfield downstairs, into the courtyard, while the shooting and explosions intensified around them. "Man down, man down", the radio announced. The helicopter could be seen descending into the courtyard, occasional shots bouncing off the armour. Stuart saw no other option. He grabbed his handset, and announced: "Alert, alert: Telum Scram. I repeat: Telum Scram."


Wilfred Cocx noticed the room jumping into action. Orders and technical jargon were shouted around, aircraft were put into action, jet engines were heard starting up. "What's going on?", Wilfred asked the officer accompanying him. "The emergency signal has been given, Your Excellency. Five ground attack fighters have been scrambled to offer on-hand fire support, and submarine-laden cruise missiles are on standby." Wilfred's heart sank. "So it is in Neo-Venetia that my political career finds its end", he thought.

--

Within minutes, Major Stuart heard fighter jets overhead. Deafening explosions were heard as missiles and bombs struck Neo-Venetian vehicles and fighters. Some of his squad guarding the outside entrance to the courtyard began unloading their weapons, and Stuart saw one of them go down. He ran over, crossing underneath the path of the descending helicopter, and looked straight into the eyes of a Neo-Venetian Social Republican Army fighter.

TBC