Cinder did not stay in the Command Room to direct the battle, but instead led Sophia toward the barracks.
Along the way, several missiles once again bombarded the outer walls.
The enemy was getting closer and closer.
Entering the barracks, all the Soldiers and tanks were waiting there.
Cinder leapt onto a tank, looking down at the Soldiers below him.
His expression was serious, a rare sight.
Enduring the sound of missile explosions, he shouted to the crowd: "Comrades! We are currently under attack. One kilometer outside the base, twenty giant robots are heading toward us. They are war machines left behind by a technologically advanced nation five hundred years ago."
"I can tell you responsibly that our strongest Grizzly Tank is currently no match for them. If we fight them head-on, we will only find a dead end."
In front of the tanks, the crowd fell silent.
Was he speaking such discouraging words before a battle?
Was this shaking military morale?
"But..." Cinder's voice suddenly grew passionate, "We are not without a chance of victory! The movements of those robots are commanded by the most rudimentary artificial intelligence. They are as clumsy as targets."
"And we, we possess wisdom far exceeding theirs, as well as the unity, tenacity, and fearless Red Spirit that they can never understand!"
"Therefore, Soldiers, take up the rifles in your hands for the sake of our homeland! I want to send all these old relics to heaven to meet their Cyber God! I want their operators to forever fear us, and let red become their eternity nightmare!"
"For the Union!"
As soon as Cinder finished speaking.
The crowd shouted in unison.
"For the Union!"
Cinder took a deep breath, allowing the quiet atmosphere to linger for a few seconds, then suddenly roared: "Soldiers, heed my command!"
Swish—!
Everyone stood at attention, looking straight at Cinder.
"I, Cinder, will serve as the Commander for this campaign. Everyone, enter combat readiness. The name of this campaign is 'Red Spirit'!"
A mobilization that couldn't be simpler.
Cinder did not return to the base Command Center, but stayed right there in the barracks to command the others.
Cinder tallied all the combat power currently available to him.
The main force consisted of 111 Conscripts.
Additionally, there were 10 Allied GIs, 2 Heavy Troopers, 5 Grizzly Tanks, 1 Brute, and 5 Military Dogs.
This number of Soldiers already constituted a company, but this small force was nowhere near enough compared to the sheer number of Ruin Guards.
As war robots mass-produced by Khaenri'ah, the combat capabilities of the Ruin Guards could not be underestimated.
Of course, this battle was not unwinnable.
Cinder planned to use the base as the main battlefield and eliminate these Ruin Guards one by one.
However, if twenty Ruin Guards rushed into the base simultaneously, no matter how resolute their will, they wouldn't be able to defeat that many Ruin Guards.
Cinder estimated that if three Ruin Guards entered at once, they could easily deal with them utilizing the advantage of the main battlefield.
With five Ruin Guards, they would be fighting much more defensively.
If the number exceeded five, they would be completely disadvantaged.
If these big guys attacked together, even the sturdiest defensive structures couldn't withstand their assault.
"Now, order the Infantry Regiment to dispatch five Police Dogs to slow the advance of the Ruin Guards. Each Police Dog is required to tie down the attacks of at least 3 Ruin Guards. The goal is to slow their speed of movement."
Upon receiving the order, Sophia froze for a moment.
Cinder's order was sending these Police Dogs to their deaths.
Even if they ran fast, they couldn't outrun missiles; sending them out now meant certain death.
Hesitating for less than a second, Sophia immediately relayed the Commander's order to the Soldiers.
"Furthermore, order two Heavy Troopers carrying missile launchers to establish defensive structures on the highest floor of the Headquarters. I require them to be able to fire missiles at the enemy the instant I give the order."
"Order the 5 Grizzly Tanks, each carrying two Allied GIs, to establish defensive structures on these five high grounds, aiming their cannons toward the barracks and preparing to fire at any moment."
The high grounds were located to the east, west, south, and north of the base, as well as the northwest.
Although called high grounds, they were actually just small hills, about forty or fifty meters high, from which everything inside the base could be observed.
"Order the first, second, and third platoons of the Infantry Company to set up hide-and-seek obstacles centered around the barracks. The first platoon is responsible for the west side of the barracks, the second platoon for the south side of the base, and the third platoon for the east and north sides of the base. I want these old relics wandering blindly outside the barracks!"
Sophia accurately transmitted Cinder's orders one by one.
Cinder added: "Also, bring out all the weapons we prepared earlier. Distribute one to each of the five positions, and keep the rest near the barracks, ready to be deployed at any time."
"Yes!"
After the orders were issued, Cinder stood by a window on the second floor of the barracks.
Cinder saw the five Military Dogs set off.
It would be a lie to say he didn't feel pain in his heart, but this was war, and sacrifice was inevitable.
According to Cinder's understanding, the Ruin Guards would prioritize locking onto targets that attacked them. If faced with multiple targets, they would lock onto the one causing the highest DMG.
Therefore, in this situation, as long as the Military Dogs went over—even if they just bit them once—the aggro of the attack would be drawn away by the Military Dogs.
As long as fifteen Ruin Guards were delayed, the remaining five would continue advancing toward the base.
By seizing the time bought by the Military Dogs, they could quickly eliminate these five Ruin Guards, making the subsequent battles much easier.
Soon, the Grizzly Tanks also set off, dragging wooden crates two people high behind them as they headed to their designated positions.
The enemy drew closer and closer, and missile after missile slammed into the walls, blasting open breaches.
Seeing the Heavy Troopers depart, Sophia spoke to Cinder beside him: "Commander, please follow me to the Headquarters Command Room."
Cinder intended to use the barracks as the center of the battle, and as the Supreme Commander, staying here was extremely dangerous.
However, Cinder refused Sophia.
"I promised the Soldiers that I would fight alongside them until the very last moment."
"But you..."
"Sophia," Cinder interrupted the cool-headed secretary somewhat roughly, "I only feel better if I stay here."
"Commander, I do not believe the Soldiers will be happy if you expose yourself to danger. Please come with me to Headquarters."
"If the enemy breaks in, where in the entire base will be safe?"
Sophia still wanted to try persuading him.
But Cinder interrupted Sophia once again.
"Enough. Execute the order, Captain. The battle is about to begin."
Sophia was speechless. Her rationality and duty told her that she must remove Cinder, the Supreme Commander, from the dangerous battlefield.
Yet, Cinder's decision also gave her peace of mind.
This was a very contradictory emotion.
Perhaps, having a Commander who could fight alongside the Soldiers and face danger together truly gave the Soldiers the greatest sense of security?
In the barracks, everyone was making final preparations.
Boom—!
A loud explosion was heard.
The western wall of the base was smashed by an iron fist.
Iron feet crushed the wall, and a single eye flashed with dangerous red light.
The first Ruin Guard had arrived.
"Number 1 has entered the base perimeter. Numbers 2 and 3 are expected to arrive in 72 seconds. Numbers 4, 5, and 6 will arrive in 97 seconds."
"Perfect. Let's use this Ruin Guard for target practice. Scrap it within one minute!"