The fortress was a small area surrounded by stone walls. It was right on the road and appeared to be something like a huge toll booth for merchants who were on the way to the capital.
I noticed that the walls were fully garrisoned, so there should be a lot of people inside.
“So, what are we going to do?” (J)
“Have you seen how much food is required to feed you, sponger?"
“I chto?” (J) [So what?]
“Da nichto! Edu im nado, I mnogo!” [Nothing! They need food, and a lot of it!]
“Aaa! I see.” (J)
“Load HE.”
‘Whuuuu-ch-whuu’
“Right, 60. Forward. We need to get to the other side of the road before the start swarming on the walls there.”
“What I need to do?” (J)
“If we can break through on the other side, we should do it immediately. If it is not possible, we should block the road. Either way, they are not going to fight for long.”
The trees nearby were all cut, perhaps to clear the view around the fortress. It gave us clear space to drive around. A carriage would be incapable because of the terrain and leftover stumps but tanks don’t fear dirt.
‘wrrRRR’
“There is a stump up ahead. Left, 30. … We should be past it. Right, 30.”
As we were driving around the fortress, the defenders hurried to the other side. They have less distance to run but we are times faster.
The tank stopped on the other side of the fortress. The road continued here, as I suspected.
We managed to arrive a bit faster than the defenders. A couple of warriors arrived right now but they were not enough to affect my plan.
“Turn us around. Fire at the gates!”
“That’s affirmative.” (J)
The turret and the hull started turning. When the gun was aimed, Jester pushed the button.
BOOM
By the time the dust cloud appeared, the hull stopped turning.
I checked the Kord’s ammunition, and prepared to order the assault.
Through the optics I noticed that the shell broke the wooden doors. The gatehouse itself appeared to be somewhat intact, and shouldn’t crumble on our heads.
“Forward.”
The tank appeared to be able to fit through the gates.
‘Pom Pom’
The warriors started throwing something on the turret’s top but unless it’s a Molotov, nothing can cause us trouble.
It’s only irritating.
‘wrrrr’
The tank slowly drove inside.
Right at the entrance we saw a group of infantry, struggling to form up.
They were appearing to be disorganized. If there were no bastards right on top of the wall, I might’ve even opened the hatch to shout them to surrender.
“Fire a warning shot.”
Bang
A few pieces of earth shot up where the bullet hit.
The enemy did not tremble. Instead, they tightened the formation.
“Idiots…”
“That ‘S’ is the only thing that prevented me from thinking you were calling me.” (J)
“The punishment will be decided later. Focus.”
I racked my brain on how to make them surrender without firing.
There was a low chance that one of the previously employed tricks will work out.
I turned on the Shtora’s IR lights.
“Forward.”
When the tank slowly moved forward, the enemy formation shook. The troops started backing, until the square turned into a crowd that started to slowly break into panic.
Finally, the enemy soldiers started running away and scattered around. When we reached the middle of the fortress it was safe to say that we won.
“How about we call it a day? We can rest for a bit.”
“With those guys still armed, and running around?” (O)
“What can they do to us? Scream and run around like kids?”
“I would like to see a certain kid to run around.” (J)
“Understood. I will make sure to increase the amount of your exercising. How about running not 20 laps around the tank but the entire 100?”
“You Satan…” (J)
“Initiative…”
“Yeah, yeah… I got this lesson, can we cancel your generous offer?” (J)
“We’ll see.” No.
Meanwhile, we started waiting for the allies, who are coming here painfully slowly.
Thanks for the TRIPLE RELEASE!