The Marines aim their weapons. Their 12mm Gauss rifles are quite impressive, capable of delivering concentrated and devastating fire. The tactical leader I designated communicates with the other five: "On my mark, we fire at the hostiles." I watch as they raise those bulky and heavy rifles. "Fire!"
The two targets are literally vaporized by the great volume of fire they receive. The thunderous detonations make the cave resonate.
...
POV: Guards "Hey" (one guard points to his companion toward the passage ahead). "I've never heard that thunderous sound before."
The two, clad in their leather armor, sound the alarm by shaking a small bell (a magical object with a sound multiplication spell and effect to wake allies within 200 meters). In the nearby barracks, the 50 members of the section wake up immediately. One of the bell's extra effects is to eliminate drowsiness upon waking.
The officer in charge gives orders: "They've sounded the alarm. Everyone, equip yourselves immediately!"
...
POV: Marines After finishing off those two hostiles, we advance. The Commander has designated me as leader of this ad hoc group of six soldiers. The hostiles seem to have neither resistance nor defense: one discharge was enough to eliminate them.
Our orders are simple: Advance to the end of the path and clear it of hostile presence. Once completed, I must send a man to escort the Commander to our position.
These tunnels are quite large. We can advance in line formation to project all our firepower. We walk slowly: I don't want to fall into an ambush. Although we saw their weapons were spears, it's better not to be careless. Those months in prison made me cautious.
(I wish I had a Firebat in the squad to advance with more confidence... But it is what it is).
...
POV: Guards "A great rumble was heard ahead. We'll go investigate: perhaps devouring monsters have found minerals."
The 52 guards, armed and ready, undertake the patrol. "Captain" (a soldier speaks to knight Raivk—minor nobles obtain officer rank when joining martial corps), "I think we're overreacting to a 'noise'."
He's annoyed: he had finished his watch and barely slept an hour when they woke him. Equipping his items is tedious without the "Inventory" spell. "I understand" (Raivk responds), "but if it's a quarlog, we must avoid unnecessary casualties."
Lukas (the complaining soldier) thinks: (Well, I don't want to encounter that thing unarmed... though these armors are useless against its claws).
...
POV: Marines We've walked ten minutes when 50 thermal signatures appear on our radars: "Attention! Possible hostiles, 250m past the intersection."
Although there's still distance to the curve, we decide to wait here: we'll have a clear line of fire. We'll shoot upon verifying they are valid targets.
(Strange not having communication with the Commander... Why didn't he take power armor from the barracks? He only asked for my sidearm pistol. But it's not my job to question him).
Five minutes later, a large group of hostiles emerges from the curve. "Soldiers! Fire at will."
...
POV: Guards We walk for a few minutes. The four mages in the squad cast enhancement spells on us:
Increased Defense Increased Strength and Speed Increased Penetration Sharpened Senses
Although they're level 1 spells, they spend their mana potions to cover us all. Now they can support with offensive magic. (It's encouraging to have arcane spellcasters on our side).
We feel heavy footsteps, like super-armored infantry... something impossible for our barony. Upon exiting the fork, we see six knights in pale gray armor never seen before.
The captain raises his hand: we all stop. The strangers raise strange objects (crossbows?) and deploy shields. The mages create energy barriers as we advance.
Suddenly, a roar like a dragon's... And blinding flashes engulf us!
...
POV: Marines I aim: there are 52 targets. If they have defenses, we're at a disadvantage. I see a green energy barrier (similar to a protoss shield) rise in front of them.
(Bad sign... But orders are clear). "Fire at will!"
The squad fires a sustained burst for 10 seconds. When the smoke clears, only a bloody mist remains. Equipment and bodies have been vaporized; only fragments of metal and wood cover the area.
...
POV: MC Not even ten minutes pass since the squad left to clear the path. I asked the Marine leader for his secondary Gauss pistol: according to what I read, Gauss rifles pierce tank armor... this must be equally lethal.
Suddenly, I hear new detonations: a prolonged burst. (I don't know what they fought against... but they surely annihilated it).
Minutes later, a Marine returns.
The Marine arrives where I am. He salutes me and immediately reports: "Sir, the route has been explored and threats contained." (Contained... that's a euphemism. I heard the volume of fire they unleashed). "Good, let's go. Let's join the rest. Inform them so they don't vaporize us." "Don't worry, sir. Our IFF works perfectly, but I'll still send a radio message to the tactical leader." I watch as the Marine stands still; I suppose he's communicating.
...
POV: Rest of the squad "Sir, the Commander and I are en route. ETA T-10, over". I receive the transmission from the soldier I sent to escort the Commander. "Alright, guys! The Commander arrives in 10 minutes. Then we'll see what the next step will be." (Now that I think about it, I should request reinforcements from the Commander... A Firebat for CQC would be enough to advance without worries). "Marine, activate the speaker. I need to talk to the Commander." The rest of the squad aims toward the exit. One Marine tells his companion to the left: "Hey, this is being too easy. We finished off an enemy formation in less than 5 seconds." "Better that way, right? What do you want, to die here? I almost pissed myself when I saw that kind of psychic shield around them. I thought we'd reached the end."
...
POV: MC "Sir, the leader wants to speak with you." I confirm to the Marine. A few seconds later, the leader's voice arrives (by the way, I should ask for his name): "Commander, may I request that you deploy a Firebat?" (A Firebat? What for, if they have sufficient firepower... In fact, excessive). "Do you consider it necessary? By the way... What's your name, soldier?" "Yes, sir. The terrain configuration makes a CQC specialist necessary, Commander. My name is Jharls, sir." "Understood, Jharls. A bit late, but it's a pleasure. As for the Firebat... Fine. Give me a few minutes and we'll be with you." "Roger!" (I suppose expecting a "Likewise, sir" is too much... Maybe I should have introduced myself before sending them into battle).