Los Angeles defector

Memories

The shining emblem of the American eagle badge was embedded on the tall and stylish dark gray military cap. The curved brim pressed slightly low, casting a shadow with a curve, partially covering the bronze-colored heroic face. The crisp gray military uniform was confined within a sturdy brown belt, with suspenders diagonally crossing the chest and over the shoulder, snug against the side of the red-backed gold-trimmed major's collar tab. The metallic buckle on top gleamed brightly, creating a stark color contrast with the immaculate black boots. A tall military officer's figure appeared at the entrance of the division headquarters.

"Report!"

The chief of staff, who was leaning over the map, looked up and said, "Ah, Jason, you're here." He took off his glasses and tossed them onto the map on the table, then folded his hands behind his back and continued, "The division commander has gone to the headquarters overnight, and I am currently acting as the commander in full authority."

"Will strictly obey orders! Please instruct, Chief of Staff!"

The chief of staff gestured for Jason to stand at ease and continued, "Yesterday the vampires suffered a setback. After this night, I estimate their attack preparations have been completed. How is your direct machine g*n platoon deployed?"

"Eight heavy machine guns, two positioned at Karama, two on the front left flank, three on the right flank, all assigned to the temporary command of the respective position units, with the remaining one under my central control."

The chief of staff looked down at the map, "Have they all been dispersed? That's not good. I order the machine g*n platoon to immediately regroup and take positions to fortify the defenses at the small hill."

The chief of staff looked down at the map, "Too scattered! This won't do. I order the machine g*n platoon to immediately regroup together and take positions to fortify the defenses at the small hill."

"This..." Jason couldn't understand it. The small hill position was at the forefront, a small bare hill without vegetation. If they clustered the eight heavy machine guns together on the small hill position, the firepower range would be limited, the firing sectors would overlap excessively, losing the range advantage of the heavy machine guns, and the concealment would be too poor.

"Don't dilly-dally. It's clear the vampires are aiming for the small hill, and I intend to hold onto it. If I don't place your machine g*n platoon there, do you want me to put the artillery platoon instead? Execute the order!"

"Yes, sir."......

"As dawn approached, Jason stood on the small hill position, looking around with a furrowed brow. The platoon sergeant ran up from behind, standing beside Jason, taking off his hat to wipe the sweat off his head. Then he fanned himself with the hat in his hand.

"I say, Captain, are you sure you didn't mishear the orders? Placing us here, isn't that like using heavy machine guns as if they were light machine guns?"

"As you said, to defend against artillery, we've been digging U-shaped trenches, trying to deepen them as much as possible. But look at these few patches of wild grass around us, the heavy machine guns still can't be concealed. I'm at my wits' end."

"Have you informed the infantry positions at the foot of the hill?"

"I've been to see them. They are from the 642nd Regiment. They have set up a reinforced company at the foot of the mountain in front of us. They should be able to hold out."

Jason nodded and turned towards the position.

"Hey, Lieutenant, Lieutenant, don't rush off. See if you can request further instructions from the higher peak, there's still time..."

"The vampires are serious this time. They deployed a large force right from the start, aggressively assaulting the forward position at the foot of the small hill, surging like a tide. Intense artillery fire repeatedly pounds the reinforced company position at the front of the small hill."

Eight wheeled Maxim heavy machine guns are almost constantly in operation, working in conjunction with the reinforced company ahead to firmly suppress Jason's advancing line at the forefront of the small hill position. The vampires leave behind a large number of corpses but are unable to advance any further.

After the third failed attempt at a clustered assault, the frustrated vampires finally extended their gaze and discovered the firepower support on the small hill.

A 90-millimeter Type 97 mortar shell, with its distinct whistling sound, plummeted from above and landed not far from the trench, outside the fortifications, raising a large cloud of mud. Clattering down, the falling debris of rocks and soil covered Jason from head to toe.

Jason lowered his binoculars, "Bad news, the inevitable is finally upon us." This single mortar shell was a test shot, fired before the official bombardment to adjust the shooting parameters. He shouted towards the deputy platoon leader commanding the fire on the position, "Cease fire! Take cover, prepare for incoming artillery!"

A dozen seconds later, the rain of shells arrived as expected. Continuously roaring and unrestrained, it extended, shrouding the entire hill position in smoke and fire.

The artillery fire continued, and the vampires launched their fourth assault. Despite the reinforced company's valiant resistance, they were eventually overrun by the vampires, who breached the frontline trenches without the support of the heavy machine guns behind them.

The close combat scene through the binoculars left Jason extremely anxious. If the reinforced company couldn't hold on, the machine g*n platoon behind them would be in trouble as well. Rising from the trench, gritting his teeth, he shouted, "All machine guns, use the frontline trenches as reference, extend 200 meters to cut off the enemy's advance. Cut them off!"

Amidst the continuous roar of artillery and smoke, the machine gunners emerged from the trenches once more. Braving the imminent shockwaves, deafening blasts, and the incessant rain of debris, sand, and shrapnel, they resumed operating the machine guns. Gunners were constantly knocked down by shrapnel, but their comrades promptly took their place, ensuring the sustained fire of the machine guns, creating a barrage after barrage that pierced through the billowing smoke, roaring over the frontline trenches where the fierce combat was taking place, forming a deadly curtain of fire to block the enemy's advance. The subsequent waves of vampires were finally suppressed, forced to the ground in desperation, frantically seeking rocks, shallow pits, or bodies to shield themselves from the relentless onslaught. The vampires that had breached the defensive positions, lacking further support, were ultimately overwhelmed by the infantry in the trenches, rendering the fourth assault futile.

The artillery fire temporarily ceased, and the platoon leader, looking grimy and disheveled, rushed to Jason's side, hoarsely shouting, "Captain, we can't keep this up. Nearly half of the platoon's brothers have been killed by artillery shells, and we've lost two machine guns. Damn it, this isn't worth it!"

Jason lay at the edge of the trench, gripping his binoculars as he continued to scan the battlefield, seemingly oblivious to the words of the platoon leader beside him.

Jason was also hesitating. How else could they fight if not like this? The vampires could launch a new assault at any moment. Should they relocate now? It was too rushed; time was likely insufficient. The battlefield situation was much more dire than anticipated. They hadn't expected the vampires to pour in battalion after battalion right from the start. If they lost the support of the machine g*n company, the reinforced battalion ahead might not withstand the vampires' onslaught. Should they continue like this? Another round like this and the machine g*n company would likely be wiped out. They were doomed either way. Jason regretted it. Follow orders? What a joke. He should have defied them back at the command post, made it clear to the staff officer, refused this nonsense order. He could have resigned; he didn't have to put up with this. But thinking about it now was pointless.

Seeing that the captain remained silent, the platoon leader swallowed his pride and pleaded, "Captain, consider this a plea on behalf of our brothers. You've seen it yourself, if we go down, their front line won't hold either. Shifting to the flank would provide more effective support upfront."

"Do you think they can withstand the vampire's assault when we shift positions?" Jason's tone was flat and devoid of emotion.

"Perhaps they can manage; after all, it's a reinforced battalion. Who knows, they might hold their ground."

After a moment of silent contemplation, Jason finally made up his mind. "Tell the brothers to hold on for one more wave. As soon as this one ends, we'll immediately shift to the right flank. Also, send a signalman up front to brief the reinforced battalion on the situation and prepare them mentally."

"Yes!" The platoon leader saluted Jason solemnly and then turned around and ran off.

"Leaving the assigned position without authorization is also a violation of military law and will have consequences. However, for the sake of giving our brothers in the machine g*n platoon a chance, it's worth it!" Jason took a deep breath and suddenly felt much lighter.

The battlefield situation never unfolds as expected. The anticipated fifth assault, thought to be imminent, has yet to materialize. This frustration weighs heavily on Jason; with such a long interval, there was ample time for the machine g*n platoon to shift and secure their position. Damn it, a missed opportunity. What's going on with the vampires? Could their morale have faltered, halting the attack? Impossible. Are they attempting a flanking maneuver in secret? The flank units remain inactive. Impossible. Is there a problem with the command system? Impossible. Is there a shortage of ammunition? Impossible. Have they decided to break for an early meal? Even more impossible. Jason continues to ponder and speculate, but finds no answers.

The assault has been paused because the vampires have suffered significant losses and are unwilling to accept them. Therefore, the vampires have called for air support. They are waiting for the aircraft to arrive, and once it does, they will coordinate with the artillery to first destroy the firepower on the small hill before launching the assault.

The shelling has begun. Jason finally felt a sense of relief in his heart, knowing that any action was better than the quiet torment. This round of shelling has intensified, not just with mortars but also with Type 92 infantry guns joining in. Layer by layer, they are cutting away at the position on the small hill, booming loudly and tearing into the earth like a raging storm.

When the trenches stopped trembling, Jason realized that the shelling had ceased. His ears were still ringing with echoes, unable to hear anything clearly. Shaking off the dust, he climbed back to the edge of the trench. Something seemed to be appearing on the distant horizon, slowly approaching and gradually becoming clearer.

One aerial bomb released its safety mechanism, plummeting down, followed by a second, a third...