Dimensional Travels: World at War-Chapter 36: Cannon

Eric arrived at Hood Hill to a beehive of activity. Humvees and LMTV’s were being moved away from the front gates, each one replaced by Tanks and Bradleys. Soldiers ran between company foot prints as ammo was being exchanged. Eric looked up, seeing the apaches circling an area in the forest before returning. He ran to the command tent.

"What’s going on?"

Milano looked at Eric as he entered the tent, handing him a report. "The echelon we denied has regrouped. They are marching forward on three fronts." Eric looked at the report, his eyes widening as he took stock of the numbers pictured. "That’s a lot more than 30,000" He said grimly.

Milano took back the report, turning to Eric. "Sebrine is already coordinating with the civilians to evacuate the gas station. You will go to the village and evacuate the villagers. No civilians are to be left behind. If they attempt to say no, show them this picture." He slid a different picture to Eric. "What... The... Fuck." Eric said, his mouth hanging open. Military bearing be damned as he looked at the carriages parked outside the echelon’s campsite. "How big is that cannon?" Milano shook his head. "We have video of it. One round took out an entire city block."

After the briefing with Milano, Eric drove down to the village. He parked outside the gate before addressing the soldiers standing guard. "We are evacuating the village. Go to each house. If they attempt to say they aren’t going to leave, just show them this picture." He handed the picture to the soldiers, and the Specialist stood, frozen in shock."It doesn’t matter what it is, just get it done." He growled. "We leave the village in four hours."

Eric then went home. Mia was sitting at her desk, pouring over her own documents. "I already know." She said briskly, sifting through her own reports. "We received our own intel this morning after you left. We lost contact with three of our scouts." She said, sighing as she leaned back in her chair. "Do you know anything about that device?" Eric wrapped his arms around her stomach, kissing her head as he held her.

"Yes, and it’s not good. According to one of my spies, the empire pushed their enslaved dwarves to create it after they saw the destruction your unit could bring. Apparently it is a magically loaded cannon, but I know nothing else about it. But Eric...

I don’t think that’s the only one." She said quietly, looking up at him with apprehension.

Eric sighed as he held her close, looking at the pictures. "Don’t worry. I’m sure Milano has a plan. We’ve survived worse before." He said gently, running his hand along her tail. "Come, lets pack all the documents up. We need to be out of here in three hours."

After all their important documents and personal effects were stored safely, Michael came running up. "Dryer, we have an issue." He said quietly. "What’s up LT?" Eric responded, his eyes narrowing as he looked at the village. Michael lowered his voice, not wanting to spook any of the civilians passing by. "Drones spotted soldier encampments approximately ten clicks away...

And Eric?

They have four of those cannons. It seems like they are planning to hit us soon."

Eric looked at his LT and patted him on the back. "Well, I hope you finally kissed that girl then, bud." He chuckled before turning to the village. "Alright, hurry up. Go back through the village and clear the houses. We may have seconds, minutes, or hours. Vehicles that are already packed, get over to Hood Hill!" A squad of soldiers began searching each house as Eric stood with Mia and Michael. They watched the LMTV’s leave before a large "Thuck" echoed throughout the forest. To Eric it sounded like... "Oh shit." He groaned, bracing against his truck.

His words were cut off as a massive explosion echoed throughout the forest. A fireball spread out, decimating trees and undergrowth as a mushroom cloud raised above the tree-line. Eric stood there calmly as he looked at the few villagers. "Now do you believe me?" He said with a grin. There was no more pushback as the last of the villagers scrambled into the trucks.

After arriving back at the Battalion HQ, Eric ensured the villagers were accounted for by the Battalion XO. He then turned to Mia, cupping her chin. "I gotta go to the command meeting, I’ll see you later." She kissed him, looking up. "I’ll be waiting." She responded while leaving for their tent. Eric watched her leave before walking in to the command tent. A heated debate between the S2 and S3 OIC’s was under way. Eric ignored the two, sitting down next to Hammond. "Should I ask Mia to participate? She may know something about their tactics that could be useful."

Hammond seemed to entertain the idea before turning to Milano. "Sir, I think we should bring Dryer’s wife in here. Her expertise might help us further understand the enemy."

Milano crossed his arms while staring at the two and three shop commanders. "Alright, enough!" He shouted, clapping his hands to get their attention. "Dryer, are you willing to allow your wife to participate?" He turned to Eric, an eyebrow arched. Eric showed no hesitation as he responded: "Sir, with all due respect, I don’t think we have a choice. We may have a technological advantage, but those cannons are a real threat." Milano stared Eric down while sighing. "Very well. Bring her here."

Eric arrived at his tent, sighing as he entered. Mia was scanning another report she had received while the soldiers had evacuated Freedom village. "Each report is getting worse, Eric." Mia said. "They really hate you guys." Eric smirked at her half joking tone and shrugged. "Yeah, and so does about half of the other world. They’ll have to get in line and wait for another two hundred years or so before they voice their complaints." Mia stared at him, questioning everything she knew about his world. Eric shrugged as he held out his hand. "Would you like to help us out with a solution to this cannon problem?" He said, smirking. Her eyes lit up with a steely passion.

"With pleasure."