Frankly, Yu Lian didn't feel much resonance with the identity of a Commonwealth soldier, and he didn't even recognize the Commonwealth as a political entity. He couldn't even convince himself of the so-called sense of military honor or national responsibility, so how could he convince others?
However, Yu Lian at least still very much accepted his identity as an Earthling, even if this was just a parallel universe's Earth.
Similarly, he could also accept that the Earthlings of this universe were his compatriots. He would empathize with the later fate of the political system established by Earthlings, and the suffering that the Earthling ethnic group was about to endure.
He didn't know why he could return to this era again. Could it be that his sincerity had truly moved the universe spirit, giving him a chance to remake history?
But no matter what, since he was here, and the “Tulon Incident” that later triggered a series of consequences was right before his eyes, how could he not participate? And how could he not let it end in a more perfect way?
What’s more, the memories and emotions belonging to this life's Yu Lian were not fake after all. Since Eleanor had taken such good care of him during their academy days, and even treated him to charcoal-grilled marmot when they came to Tulon, how could he let such a beautiful older sister lie in the hospital for half a year?
As for the racial mission, changing history, which is a must for transmigrators and reborn individuals… well, those were secondary reasons.
“We really don’t need to rush to destroy the heavy artillery! After taking their position, adjust the muzzles and bombard the Sand People camp down the mountain! That’s the only way to maximize chaos,” Yu Lian said.
Hmm, that’s a very good idea. It’s just that there’s a difficult professional problem to overcome here—those are heavy ion cannons, not the legendary three artifacts of guerrilla warfare; operating them still requires quite a bit of professional knowledge.
In fact, not to mention the miscellaneous security forces, even the elite mobile infantry of the 101st Company didn’t have professional gunners. That was why Captain Winter said “destroy” instead of “capture.”
“Can you operate a cannon?” Eleanor asked, looking askance.
“Yes!” Yu Lian felt that Eleanor’s question seemed a bit off, but he still nodded.
“Where did you learn?” Eleanor asked suspiciously.
“The academy’s simulator. Whether it’s the Commonwealth’s Type 09, the Alliance’s Defender V, or even the Empire’s Star of Retribution, I’ve played them all. I’ve operated cannons at least several hundred times.”
Eleanor also felt something was off, but after thinking carefully, it seemed there was nothing wrong, so she could only say with a straight face: “You are in strategic studies, not artillery. It’s because you’re always doing things unrelated to your major that you’re always hovering around the passing line. Be careful not to graduate if you keep this up.”
Indeed, top students in strategic studies don’t need to take artillery exams, but they also don’t take combat or power armor operation exams! Eleanor, you, who get A+ in these two courses every semester, are you qualified to lecture me?
“Of course, simulators and actual operation are two different things. So I hope to act with you. If we get there and find we can’t operate it, it won’t be too late to destroy it. Can we, Captain?”
If it were peacetime, Captain Winter would definitely think that “Moon People” should just stay behind and give orders, as their physical fitness, strength, and individual combat skills and tactics could never keep up with his seasoned Marines. However, since this “Moon Person” was also a spiritual energy user, it was no longer a problem.
“Approved,” the Captain nodded.
“Also, here…” Yu Lian drew another position on the map. It was also a hidden high ground, small in area, but strategically very important, perfectly situated to control the passage from the flat ground to Archy Hill 6 from another direction. Similarly, once the Sand People army collapsed, if they fled eastward, this would definitely be a necessary path.
“The 12th Garrison Station’s security force has 30 people, we have a captured tank, and 2 blaster autocannons obtained from the Enlightener Ruins. We can fully construct a complete interception position.”
“Your recent experiences have been quite rich…” Eleanor couldn’t help but say.
“Uh, anyway, the security force will occupy this high ground, forming a crossfire against all Sand People attempting to retake the heavy artillery position, and also blocking the enemy’s retreating positions. I suggest it be commanded by Sergeant Major Ina.”
Captain Winter nodded. The command of the security force would be left to their own non-commissioned officer. He didn't think that letting the company's officers take over command would necessarily lead to better results, and besides, this young Sergeant Major was also a spiritual energy user, so there was even less of a problem.
“Our reconnaissance confirms that the Sand People have set up a sentry camp on this high ground, and also two anti-aircraft guns…” At this point, Eleanor felt a bit of a headache. These makeshift anti-aircraft guns, pulled out of who knows what workshop, had instead become the weapons causing the most damage to the security force—so far, they had shot down two airships and fourteen drones. The Governor’s Office was pained by this and directly abandoned all plans for low-altitude bombing and aerial breakthroughs.
“If you rashly attack this, it might alert the enemy on Hill 6, the heavy artillery position.”
“Yes, there are about ten people, who have built watchtowers and signal fires, and placed two anti-aircraft guns. However, having anti-aircraft guns is even better. We have excellent technicians in our army who can temporarily modify them, and perhaps even strengthen our firepower. Sergeant Major Sirilka’s ability can conceal tanks and troop movements in a small area. Additionally, there’s an Alliance mercenary in the civilian team here; he’s a Traveler, skilled in stealthy assaults, and can completely end the battle before the Sand People react.”
When did spiritual energy users become like potatoes, digging one up and finding a whole string of them? Everyone felt their brains were not quite enough.
“A mercenary? From the Alliance? Can he be trusted?” Eleanor frowned slightly.
“Don’t worry, sir, I’ve already convinced (coerced) him to swear on his Star Ring True Word and the universe spirit that he will fully cooperate with our actions!”
Eleanor looked as if she “didn’t quite understand the values of you spiritual energy charlatans,” but in the end, she chose to trust her junior. Just as she was about to give the order, she couldn’t help but ask again: “You don’t have any other spiritual energy users there, do you?”
“No, really, no!” Yu Lian quickly shook his head.
“All right, it’s settled then! Everyone, please rest for half a day. The general offensive will officially commence tonight, November 19th, 829 common era, at 21:00!”
The orbital satellites had long since clearly illuminated the Sand People’s heavy artillery positions. Eleanor was even more familiar with their engineering progress than Grand Elder Hessen himself. The assembly of those heavy cannons would likely be completed by evening, with an error of no more than an hour. Eleanor didn't believe that this disorganized rabble had the ability to fight at night, so the best time for a general offensive was, of course, dawn.
However, considering that the Sand People looked very much like they evolved from reptiles, they might be the type that hides during the day and comes out at night. To avoid prolonged delays, it was better to be safe.
Yu Lian didn’t object. The textbooks clearly recorded that the attack by the 101st Company and the city’s main army went very smoothly, with the enemy offering almost no organized resistance. It was only later, based on various testimonies, that it became clear that Grand Elder Hessen indeed intended to launch an attack at dawn, relying on the Sand People’s natural night vision. So he ordered the soldiers to eat and rest early. By the time Eleanor and Captain Winter launched their attack, most soldiers had just fallen asleep, and the hired Karda Goblin Engineers at the artillery positions were feasting and celebrating that the engineering project was finally completed.
On a side note, Karda Goblins are actually a minority group in the Alliance. However, because they are short, agile, and very skilled in engineering, and also very greedy for money, they do resemble creatures from myths and legends, hence the name. But don’t call them that to their faces.
Since the main business had been decided, Yu Lian felt he should advise the other party in a private capacity, so he changed his address: “By the way, Eleanor, you are the Commander, so you shouldn’t…”
“Yes, junior, look at my two-meter long greatsword, we’ll see each other on the battlefield tomorrow. Oh ha ha ha!” Eleanor raised her chainsword in the holographic image, leaving a string of barbell-like laughter, and then directly cut off the communication.
“…” Yu Lian was stunned. Although he had long known that Eleanor seemed to have this persona, when she truly went crazy, it still caught him off guard!
“I like this Lieutenant Colonel,” Lieutenant Parkin exclaimed admiringly, his face filled with awe.
Captain Winter rubbed his face, feeling he had gained new insights into the so-called “elite bureaucracy” and “Moon People,” then said, “Matthew, do we have any spare exoskeletons?”
“We have thirty sets, all models,” Lieutenant Matthew Serot, the 101st Company’s logistics and equipment officer, seemed to have known the Captain would ask this, and answered loudly.
In fact, as elite orbital paratroopers, the 101st Company had over 200 spare exoskeletons, but they were all carried by specialized transport vehicles and were not currently with them. However, according to their own operational regulations, even during foot marches, they must carry spare armor equivalent to more than one-fifth of their total force.
“Give this lady a Lynx model,” Winter pointed to Ina: “Then, give my spare mech to Warrant Officer Yu Lian.”
Ina’s large eyes began to sparkle again, her brown pupils seeming to flicker with flames. She stood at attention and saluted the Captain.
“Your subordinate will swiftly occupy the position within the stipulated time and cooperate with your general offensive to the maximum extent!”
This was the first time Yu Lian had seen her look so moved. But he could understand, because he was actually quite moved himself. One must know, the Captain’s spare mech for him would definitely be an AS56R, the Dragon Rider type, a Captain’s improved model. Compared to general models, it had enhanced communication and anti-interference functions, and was also equipped with a Vulcan cannon for fire suppression.
Not many of these Captain models were produced, and even fewer were preserved intact. In later generations, they were considered quite prestigious collectibles in military collecting circles. Yu Lian had long wanted to get a set to play with, but he never got his wish until he was sprayed in the face by the Star Dragon King.
He never expected that after being reborn, he could not only play with it but also wear it into battle. How unpredictable life is…
Four chapters today, tomorrow I will have a stomachache for some unmentionable reason, so I won't update. As a struggling little author who hopes to supplement my family expenses and kindergarten tuition with this book, this is the only thing I can do.