The year, 2058.
August 29th, a year since the beginning of the war.
World War III.
NATO and EU have banded together in the United Republics to fight New Communist Powers. Made up of China, North Korea, Argentinia, and Cuba, these nations began the war with attacks on Taiwan, South Korea, Chile, and United States. Massive uprisings in the south of Florida have turned Tampa Bay and farther south into Cuba. Fighting back, the 83rd Troop Command and remaints of 53rd Infantry Brigade are making a stand at Gainsville. Dropping in the 12th Spec Ops Guard Company, they are armed with HAR-90 rifles and encased in a body thermal glove, heavy body armor strapped on.
The blast of shrapnel threw steel shards in all directions. Tingling like rain on a steel roof, the sound seemed faint to Arthur Toole as he scanned the road below. Mostly machine garages, two and three story buildings, each hiding the attackers. The shell had come from the blasted hulk of a T-72, blown apart by a TOW missle. Lying down on an overpass, he and his squad, Richard with his black armor, Thomas with his green, and Edgar with his dark blue armor all covered the road below. To the front, the Cuban 23rd Volunteers, and an armored unit of two T-72 tanks were advancing slowly to the main brigade center located in a Olive Garden restaurant behind Arthur. Around the city, sporatic machine gun fire, a crack of a sniper rifle, or the boom of a tank sounded off as the Cubans advanced towards the remaints of the 53rd Infantry Brigade.
"Op-1, this is Dade-2. We have a TOW thrown up, give us a target" Dade-2, the National Guard commander of a small group of anti-tank men sounded in an earpiece, his TOW set up below the overpass, behind a pillar.
"Roger that Dade-2, giving target" Arthur pulled out two napalm grenades and pulled the top. Counting to two, he tossed one then the other away towards a machine shop, the top of the shop blown apart. Cracking a window, they both began to flame and flicker. Suddenly bursting, the windows cracked as the napalm caught the gasoline tanks inside.
Slowly rumbling, the tank inside pushed against the metal gate that blocked the shop entrance. Buckling, the gate burst away from the sliders that held it in place. Pulling out of the machine shop, the tank fired its coaxle machine gun at the overpass.
Suddenly hissing, the TOW blasted away, flying into the side of the tank. Exploding into flames, the tankers attempted to escape. Popping quickly, the HAR's bullets picked off the Cubans, who tumbled away dead.
"Thank you Op-1, check off another" Dade-2 broke in on his earpiece. Smiling, Arthur checked his GPS. Already, a column of red triangles moved down the road toward his position. A armored column.
"Bring up another Dade-2, we have a column" Arthur tapped his earpiece to transmit. Suddenly starting, bullets rattled and pinged onto the overpass. The Cubans had decided to give cover fire. Faintly rumbling, the sound of tanks slowly increased in sound as they approached. A curve in the road protected the armored column from sight, and gave the TOW time to prepare.
Grunting up, the last T-72 broke out of another machine shop up the road. Firing the coaxle, its bullets added to the barrage of lead plucking off the overpass.
"Dade-2 we have another" Arthur tapped in, watching the T-72 slowly turn to head down the road. Hissing, the TOW rocket flew away, striking the side treads on the right side. Nothing perfect. Still moving, the T-72 had slowed down slightly. Behind, the muzzle of a 'Havanna Honey', the nickname for the dual mounted 75mm cannons on a modified T-72 tank. They could give decent support against infantry, and light mechanized units. They were however, just as vulnerable as the regular T-72.
Rolling along, the T-72 slowed the column up. Another hiss as a TOW flew into the T-72. Thundering in succesion, the two 75mm cannons fired at the pillars.
"Dade-2 withdrawing, calling in support" the earpiece crackled. Shifting slightly, Arthur smacked the cartridge on his rifle, making sure it was loaded. Slackening, the fire of the Cuban infantry died as the tanks provided the core fire support.
Suddenly whirling, the sound of two Apache helicopters and a Chinook took Arthur by surprise. Turning, he watched as the three helicopters race to, then hovered above him. Turning to face the new threat the tanks aimed at the three intruders. Suddenly humming Arthur watched as the two Apaches fired lasers. Aimed at the two lead tanks, the lasers began to burn into the armor, then exploded the tanks apart. Shifting their aim, the Apache helicopters aimed for the buildings nearby. The Chinook opened up with four laser beams, sweeping the buildings as well as the column. Watching at the glory, he realized that the Cubans were fleeing. Aiming at the nearest his rifle kicked into his shoulder.
More cracks as rifles sent Cubans twisting away. Another explosion blew buildings apart, bricks and stones flying into the road. Slowly advancing the Apaches turned down the road to destroy the tanks.
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