Chapter 1165: The Battle of Fengkao (4)

Left flank highlands.

Lieutenant Lina Klaus's left eye is fully synchronized with the observation equipment, while her right eye scans multiple data screens.

The position of the new Observation Point A-2 is more concealed than the previous one, but its field of vision is also limited, covering only two-thirds of the middle section of the rift valley, and there are several blind spots.

"Enemy vanguard: three scout vehicles, six assault vehicles, approximately two companies of infantry. Distance 2200 meters, advancing toward the Krieg defensive line."

"Received."

The Modian armored Commander replied.

"Sentinel mech squad, prepare to sortie. Target: enemy scout vehicles. Chimera units, provide suppressive fire."

In Lina's observation field, six bipedal Sentinel mechs emerged from the reverse slope of the highlands.

These light mechs are about four meters tall, their bodies slender and agile, with their primary weapons being Multi-lasers or Automatic Cannons mounted on their right arms.

They utilized craters and rocks for cover, rapidly approaching the enemy's flank.

"Sentinel squad is in position, awaiting fire command."

"Fire!"

The six Sentinel mechs opened fire simultaneously.

Laser beams and Rune Bullets accurately struck the three scout vehicles.

The turret of one was melted through by a laser, and the secondary explosion of its ammunition blew it into a fireball.

The other two attempted to maneuver and evade, but the Sentinel mechs' rate of fire was extremely fast; the second volley destroyed their engines and transmission systems.

But the counterattack came just as swiftly.

The Automatic Cannons on the Fengqi "Liaya" assault vehicles turned toward the Sentinel mechs, and Fengqi infantry also fought back using portable anti-vehicle weapons.

One Sentinel mech was struck in the leg by a rocket and fell, losing its balance. Another was riddled with holes by a hail of fire from the Automatic Cannons.

Lina reported calmly.

"Sentinel 3 and 5 lost. The remaining four are retreating."

"Chimera units, suppressive fire!"

The Commander ordered.

Twelve Chimera Armored Vehicles opened fire from a more distant position.

Each Chimera was equipped with a Heavy Bolter or Multi-laser, and the barrage covered the Fengqi infantry and light vehicles, forcing them to seek cover and buying time for the Sentinel mechs to retreat.

"Well done. Now, it's time for the bait to enter."

Three Leman Russ Tanks slowly drove out from the other side of the highlands, entering a relatively open area.

They intentionally exposed their positions, their main guns pointed toward the enemy.

Lina's observation equipment immediately detected a surge in enemy communication traffic.

"They've taken the bait."

In orbit.

"Detected enemy heavy armored units! Left flank highlands of the rift valley mid-section, three main battle tank-class targets. Energy signature matches... Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance standard main battle tanks."

Kalivento rushed to the tactical console.

"Confirmed! It's the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance's main battle tanks! This means there is an important target here!"

"But General, this could be a trap."

Deputy Commander Craig warned.

"Three tanks exposed in isolation in an open area..."

"So what if it's a trap?"

Kalivento's eyes gleamed.

"If it's a trap, it means there is something here worth protecting with a trap! Order: concentrate fire, destroy those tanks! At the same time, Airborne Troops, intensify the offensive on the left flank; I want to see what they are covering!"

"Do we need to mobilize orbital fire support?"

"Not for now. The preparation time for orbital fire is too long, and it's easy to hit our own troops by mistake. Use our own heavy equipment; haven't the 'Mammoth' and 'Thunder Beast' already been air-dropped? Let them go!"

The order was transmitted.

On the ground, the Fengqi heavy units that had just finished assembling began to turn; eight "Mammoth" walking mechs and twelve "Thunder Beast" heavy tanks formed an assault formation, advancing toward the left flank highlands.

Every step of these Steel giants made the earth tremble.

The "Mammoth" mechs are fourteen meters tall, with four thick mechanical legs supporting a heavy armored torso, equipped with one main gun and four auxiliary weapons.

The "Thunder Beast" tanks are even more massive, with twin-linked energy main guns and a comprehensive point-defense system mounted on their low-profile hulls.

Their target was clear: those three exposed Leman Russ Tanks.

Left flank highlands, bait position.

Inside a Leman Russ Tank, Commander Schneider watched the approaching enemy heavy units through the observation scope, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.

"All units, stay calm. Our Task is to attract enemy fire and create opportunities for other units. So... let's be good bait."

"Which one should the main gun aim at?"

The gunner asked.

"The leading walking mech. Hit its leg joints. Even if we can't destroy it, we can at least slow it down."

"Armor-Piercing Shell loaded."

"Fire!"

The main gun of the Leman Russ Tank roared.

The 120mm Armor-Piercing Shell flew out of the barrel and accurately struck the left front leg joint of the leading "Mammoth" mech, but it was blocked by the walking mech's shield.

The powerful impact made the mech stagger, but it did not fall; its other three legs stabilized its body, and it immediately returned fire.

The main gun's Energy Beam grazed the turret of the Leman Russ Tank, melting away a large chunk of the reactive armor on its side.

The temperature inside the vehicle rose sharply.

"Hit! But the target is still moving!"

The gunner reported.

"Reload! Give me another one!"

Schneider roared.

But there was no time left.

Two other Leman Russ Tanks also opened fire, hitting a Mammoth mech and a Thunder Beast heavy tank respectively, but the effect was limited.

And all the firepower of the Fengqi heavy forces was now concentrated on these three tanks.

Energy Beams, Rune Bullets, Missiles... a barrage covered the position.

One Leman Russ Tank was hit directly by the twin main guns of a Thunder Beast, and its turret was blown clean off.

Another was hit repeatedly by the auxiliary weapons of a Mammoth; the hull was riddled with holes, and a great fire ignited inside.

The only remaining Leman Russ Tank barely dodged a direct shot from a main gun, but it was shaken violently by the shockwave.

Schneider saw through the periscope that at least four Mammoths and six Thunder Beasts were adjusting their aim; the next volley would cost them their lives.

Just then, a sudden change occurred.

The right flank.

Keman saw the tragic state of the left flank through the observation scope, but the communication from the Modian Commander kept him calm.

"Keman unit, now! The enemy heavy forces' attention is drawn, their flank is exposed! Attack their right flank!"

"All units, charge!"

Keman ordered.

"Target: enemy Thunder Beast tank group! Gorgon in front, Leman Russ in the back!"

Two Gorgon armored assault transport vehicles were the first to rush out of the cover.

These heavy armored vehicles had no main guns, but the tops were equipped with multi-barreled Heavy Bolters and flamethrowers.

They rammed into the enemy flank, drawing attention with dense firepower.

The Fengqi forces clearly had not expected an assault from this direction. Several Thunder Beast tanks turned in a hurry, but the Gorgons had already charged to close range.

"Flamethrowers, fire!"

The Gorgon commander ordered.

Blazing chemical flames gushed out, covering the side of a Thunder Beast tank.

Although it failed to penetrate the main armor, the high temperature caused the observation equipment and external sensors to fail, turning the tank blind.

"Now!"

Keman's Leman Russ Tank appeared from behind the Gorgons, its main gun already aimed.

"Fire!"

The Armor-Piercing Shell hit the base of that Thunder Beast's turret precisely, the relatively weak point of the armor.

The shell penetrated, causing an internal secondary explosion, and the turret flew several meters high in the blast.

"Hit! Target destroyed!"

The other two Modian Leman Russ Tanks also opened fire.

One hit the track of a Thunder Beast, causing it to lose mobility; the other was luckier, as the shell penetrated the hull from the side and detonated the ammunition compartment.

In a mere thirty seconds, three Thunder Beasts were destroyed or heavily damaged.

But the two Mammoth mechs of the Fengqi forces turned toward the right flank, and their main guns began to charge.

At the same time, Lina at Observation Point A-2 issued an emergency warning.

"Air strike! Enemy attack aircraft detected! Four ground-attack aircraft, launched from the orbital Mother Ship, are approaching!"

Keman's heart tightened, and he ordered.

"All units, disperse! Find cover! Anti-aircraft fire, prepare!"

The Heavy Bolters on several Chimera Armored Vehicles raised their muzzles to fire at the sky, but the effect was limited.

The first Sharp Knife attack aircraft dove down, the missiles under its wings detached from the pylons, trailing white smoke as they lunged toward a Gorgon armored vehicle.

The missiles hit, the heavy armor was torn apart, and the Gorgon disintegrated in the explosion.

The second attack aircraft aimed at the Leman Russ Tank where Keman was.

"Evasive maneuvers!"

Keman roared.