First Battlefield Commander! - Chapter 84
Chapter 84: River
After fierce battles along the mountain cliffs and chaotic warfare in the desert, the prolonged pursuit from the desert to the river had stretched their confrontation to its limits without respite.
The battle now neared its conclusion. The numbers stood at:
Lian Team (1026) vs. Liu Team (1489)
Victory would go to whichever side's numbers dropped below five hundred first, or if either captured the opponent's battle flag. Given the previous seesaw struggle, Lian Team's chances seemed slim.
Lian Sheng's forces had become too disorganized for conventional troop arrangements. With company commanders covering the rear, there were no field officers left. As overall commander, Lian Sheng needed to oversee the entire situation—how could she possibly organize over a thousand soldiers into formation single-handedly?
Yet on the macro map, scattered soldiers were indeed beginning to take noticeably distinct positions.
They originally belonged to different companies with different roles. Now, while appearing to form ranks, they merely stood mixed together along the riverbank.
From the battle's start until now, their formations had constantly shifted. Ever since the plains ambush through underground passages shattered the carefully arranged formations by Zhou Shirui and Lian Sheng, cohesion had been lost.
Frequent squad reorganizations severely damaged morale and hindered unit cohesion. Poor handling could spark internal chaos. Only someone exceptionally bold would attempt impromptu formations mid-battle.
This required adaptability, comprehensive control, and sufficient prestige and authority.
Authority wasn't an issue—they had no choice but to trust Lian Sheng.
Currently, only minor troops remained near the camp.
Infantry who had lost their mechs were carried on comrades' backs as they retreated to camp.
Their camp occupied the final map position where the river curved from its origin through grassy but confined terrain.
The relatively clear water held a faint green hue, reflecting the shoreline yet obscuring the riverbed.
Fang Jianchen returned first, lugging four extra cannon barrels besides his standard gear, shouting: "Your trash!"
His sniper team followed behind.
"Set them down," Lian Sheng ordered. "Returning mechs, form ranks along the riverbank immediately! Regardless of mech type or company affiliation, take positions! Maintain spacing—don't crowd the camp center, fall back! We're pressed for time, move quickly!"
Seeing more soldiers flooding in chaotically, she repeated: "No more entering! Everyone maintain open spacing! Form orderly lines!"
Zhou Shirui drew directional arrows along the riverbank, guiding them into position. Mechs slowed and began lining up along the water's edge.
Lian Sheng commanded: "Assault mechs, step forward!"
A group advanced toward the river.
Lian Sheng selected fifty nearest the camp and sent them positioning instructions.
"Those who received signals, adjust spacing inward. Others reposition to fill gaps!"
After positioning the vanguard, she ordered: "Assume firing positions! Crouch and fire energy blasts along the water's surface!"
The soldiers obeyed despite confusion, crouching and angling their weapons to fire across the water.
The blasts threw mud and grass into the river. Residual energy churned the surface into frothy waves that settled into a muddy, rippling mess with floating debris.
"What's this for?" a soldier asked.
"Muddying the waters," Lian Sheng said. "Remember your positions. When battle starts, maintain this turbidity to conceal underwater movement. That's your mission."
A soldier chuckled: "Literally muddying the waters."
"Understood? No mistakes on this simple task!"
The soldiers affirmed: "Understood!"
"Mid-spec mechs, step forward! Prepare to enter the water!"
Fang Jianchen hefted a cannon barrel: "Using these?"
"No, use standard weapons. Aren't you high-spec?" Lian Sheng asked.
"I am, but they're not," Fang Jianchen said. "Firing from river to shore is too far, especially through water. Impossible range without sniper mechs."
"Not shore targets—only mechs entering the water," Lian Sheng clarified.
That was feasible. While water slowed attacks, it equally hindered enemy movement.
Fang Jianchen dropped the barrel and positioned the unit before leading them into the river.
"Infantry prepare to enter! Non-swimmers report immediately!"
Several raised hands.
"Swapped positions with nearby pilots!"
After selecting capable swimmers, the infantry formed ranks.
"Count off by twos! Two-person teams, carry cannon barrels into the water!"
The heavy barrels became manageable with water's buoyancy. Firing would propel the teams backward, conveniently shifting positions to evade targeting.
Lian Sheng stood by the battle flag in her mech and addressed the troops:
"This river is our final defensive line—hold it at all costs! Before the enemy arrives, final instructions:"
"River infantry follow Vice-Commander Zhou Shirui's targeting directions. Don't fear obscured vision—just obey orders!"
"Upstream mechs provide cover. Snipers prevent underwater attacks on our infantry."
"One universal task: throw all energy cannon barrels into the river—friend or foe! Underwater teams will retrieve them for infantry reloads. Understood?"
The soldiers roared: "Understood!"
Zhou Shirui warned: "Enemy approaching. All alert."
"No practice runs—one chance only! If this riverbank falls, we lose. But fear not! Look behind—we have reinforcements! Though outnumbered, we're not outmatched! Let's strike those arrogant military school students hard!" Lian Sheng cried. "All units, prepare for battle!"
Zhao Zhuoluo's elite vanguard charged into the final map.
Lian Sheng positioned them along the riverbank in simple formation.
The Bright Bulb brothers and platoon leaders held the dangerous front line against the approaching enemy.
With no time for tactical adjustments, they pivoted directly into combat.
Liu Team's vanguard hesitated at the turbid water: "What's with this river? Why so dirty?"
"Bare ground upstream from all the firing?"
"What's their plan?"
"Water combat?"
"With what mechs? At this stage?"
While mechs were waterproof, prolonged submersion required surfacing for air exchange. Low-spec models couldn't submerge—their weight would sink them without thruster expenditure unsustainable at this battle stage.
Even mid-spec mechs had limited underwater effectiveness. Attacks lost range through water—sticking to the map edges provided safety.
Moreover, the high-spec mechs that had pursued them now stood plainly visible ahead.
Most critically, dividing Lian Team's already outnumbered forces underwater would leave the banks vulnerable to direct assault.
The vanguard reported these observations.
Hundred Meter Flying Dagger analyzed the data: "Could be deception or genuine threat—uncertain. But their formation is indeed chaotic, randomly assembled."
Liu Hao decided: "All units avoid the river! Their numbers can't stop us otherwise. Maintain momentum—press the assault now!"
The Liu Team soldiers cheered and advanced in formation along the bank.
Zhou Shirui flexed his fingers and activated his control panel to direct the infantry.
"Infantry surface! Hold positions and fire along marked vectors!"
Cannon barrels emerged, their operators crowned with aquatic weeds, and fired as directed.
The unprepared Liu Team vanguard was obliterated in the initial volley.
Rear units saw only arcing shots from the river striking their "safe" zone and faltered in retreat.
"Firing teams submerge immediately! Report when repositioned—hold stations!" Zhou Shirui ordered.
The infantry vanished beneath the murky water where black cannon apertures and small silhouettes became nearly invisible.
Scouting the riverbank, the Liu Team grew increasingly confused.
"Situation? Actual water combat?"
"Report: No visible sources for attacks!"
Liu Hao frowned: "Where are their high-spec mechs?"
Survivors limped back: "They're definitely ahead. With few high-specs left, I counted six. Water units can't be high-spec!"
As Hundred Meter Flying Dagger reanalyzed footage, the infantry surfaced for another volley.
This time the rushed shots missed their retreating targets.
The Liu Team leader fired at the attack sources but seemingly without effect.
Then Zhao Zhuoluo's forces struck, driving them back without opportunity to investigate the river.
Liu Hao studied the map: "Rear units, investigate underwater!"
Several mechs plunged in only to be immediately "destroyed."
Liu Hao: "..."
A soldier exclaimed: "Holy shit, is there a river monster down there?!"
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