In Sweden, Heinrich and Brandon were relaying orders left and right within the command tent. The entire garrison was mobilized for a good fight, the missile stations were ready, all Heinrich needed to do was get some calls through to the AESR and Britain.
"Get those calls through!" Heinrich barked, ordering the comms officer to get a clear comms channel. Brandon kept track of the spread of the attacks, reports comming in all over, from Italy, Egypt, and all the way across asia. "This is a fucking mess..." grunted the old man, Brandon couldn't believe the scale of it, it was like the second world war all over again.
It took some time, as there was much chaos around - but eventually his com-officer managed to get into contact with the current leader of AESR. Likely, cause they didn't bother of making a Gate in the first place and weren't stuck in such a situation.
Soon enough, the figure of a blond woman, in a gray suit appeared on their screen - with the numerous other members of AESR in the background. "This is President Anna Bērziņš. What is going on here? What is this madness unleashed?" she called, her German being heavily accented but understandable.
The Comms officer shot up and said, "Sir, line's yours!" and in a moment, the seats shifted, and a man in formal military dress filled his place. "This the Germanic Republic's Secretary of Defense, Army Field marshal, and current Commander-in-Chief, Heinrich Erikson speaking..." His words carried heavy responsibility, so many titles, as was the governing system in the Republic. "Not to dawdle any longer madam president, but the Germanic Republic has suffered the loss of our city; every inch of land around the Germanic Republic is being consumed by creatures that have come from the ga-..." He paused for a moment as his ensign whispers in his ear.
"Forgive the interuption, but we're getting reports that the Vatican has fallen and the rest of Italy's leadership with it. The situation is dire madam President, we are asking for aid in these times." His expression was grim, every minute that passes is a hundred people killed; he couldn't help but feel betrayed by Legacy, especially when they promised progress.
"Yes...we can see it happening from our screens," replied Anna, as they had a direct connection with everything happening around Europe, America, Asia and so-on. Except that they were the only ones, amongst some other small nations whom didn't invest in the miracle progress solution.
"What are you asking from us?" she asked - keeping it civil for the time being. Despite the fact, that most of AESR had been butting heads with the Germans ever since they regained their sovereignty in 1999. It was kind of ironic now - as those whom had been forgotten in a War long ago - had the same people begging at their doorstep now.
"Our armed forces are being mobilized...not to mention we need to fortify our border with the Russian Federation - I assume you know of the nuclear detonation in Siberia," she added - indicating that whatever help they could offer might not be...much. Although, she didn't mention about the Missile Defense Network. Namely, beside the Americans, Israelis and Russians - the missile technology of AESR was fourth in the world. Intelligence reports stating that AESR likely had enough missiles to level two hundred cities on either side if it wanted.
Heinrich nodded silently, considering the AESR's position. He let out sigh, "The nuclear detonation in Siberia surprised us. Siberia is a remote location, desolate, a dessert of ice and snow." He paused, looking at the gate locations, "There are no plausible reasons for them to have nuked that location. Unless, there is something we're missing. But I digress, The Germanic Republic is trying to get Britain on the line, we're trying to coordinate hypersonic missile strikes on every state that has fallen in the last few hours."
Heinrich gestured Brandon to move aside so that the map was in plain veiw. "I'm sure you're already aware, but the following countries that have fallen are Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Netherlands. Britain is currently holding, but the London gate is becoming problematic, as is the Berlin gate." Another soldier came into the tent, "Sir! 5th Wiking reporting their situation in Austria! They're getting some trouble from the South!"
Brandon immediately ordered, "Tell them to retreat towards the Alpen territory, they won't make it towards the east, relay the order for the garrisons in the east of Austria to start fortifying their locations and tell them to prepare for a long war!" Heinrich looked back at the screen, "It seems Austria is now in the firing line, Switzerland might hold for a while longer, but they won't hold indefinitely." He marked the locations on the map while a Comms officer rattled off the coordinates. "We don't have much time" his face portraying stress, indicating that time was of the essence.
"If your worried about refugees going for our borders - you don't have to worry about that. Our border guards have been mobilized," she replied. Or namely, they were simply told to prepare for arrivals. Compared to the rest of the 'Western civilized Europe' - the nations of AESR had directly refused to accept any refugees during the Arab Spring that happened in 2015. That affected Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. They had gone so far, as to construct actual barbed wire fences - reminiscent of Cold War times.
If there was anything to measure AESR with - it was militant isolationism and non-interventionism. Beyond trade, what else happened in the outside world didn't concern AESR at all. Even condemnation from the UN and threats of sanctions didn't shake them.
"So I ask again - what are you calling us for?" she asked - namely curious, since the current Secretary of Defense hadn't stated WHAT he wanted from AESR in particular.
"We are asking for missile support, particularly in these areas." He pointed to the map again, "I had hoped that was obvious enough for you when I mentioned that we were coordinating missile strikes, but I digress. Will you aid us, or will you stand neutral in the face of a threat that doesn't discriminate what you represent?" He stepped forward and sat back down, he was familiar with the general apathy that AESR treats refugees, which wasn't his primary concern in the first place.
"I present to you a choice, help us slow down the threat, or watch us die trying and then deal with what even we couldn't stop." up to that point no one had shown combat footage against the invaders, even in dire times people still kept secrets. "I am sharing a video feed from the front lines as of the moment." The video feed of course showed the combat involved, one of the most heavily armed militaries in the world defending the borders of their country. "A mob of thousands, a wave of green, these creatures are swarming in every direction, if you think this problem will go away, it will not. At this very moment, I have forgotten about nationality. This is an attack on the whole of humanity madam President, will you help us stand together, or will you watch us fall together." He expanded on the choice further, his tone harsh, but understandably so.
"The same line was used by us sixty years ago....and in the same notion we were rejected and our world almost came close to annihilation," she replied in kind. Back when AESR had been simply fresh young democracies that had escaped the yoke of the Russian and German Empire.
Back when the many young nations almost begged aid - before they were sold out to the Soviets and their people deported to Siberia in the thousands. No AESR country had remained unaffected - several times they had attempted rebellion and freedom, only to be crushed under the Soviet Iron boot - while the West just watched. Only when the USSR went bankrupt did the various Satellite states manage to get free on their own accord.
Not to mention, how they allowed the Soviets access to the nuclear option - and continue oppressions against their people. It was a natural reaction from President Anna as well - when the worst came out, people first looked to their own and then others. Despite the tone she used - she had more notion than most. Leave it to AESR that the one think they had plenty beside outside dislike was pragmatism.
"Your asking us, to turn our Missile Defense Network onto targets in the West? You do realize, that likely the Russian side might have a Gate of their own. While else would they unleash such a literal and evident explosion happen," she added. "We'd be defenseless then..."
"I likely would be asking too much from a German - that they'd aid us, against any Hordes from the East, since I know how humans usually operate-" she stated. Namely they own first, and others maybe. "-ugh....give us targets. If we do this, can you prevent any monsters from overwhelming our Western Borders?"
Or namely, that the Germans wouldn't let any of these creatures overwhelm and spill over onto the AESR' western border.
The Marshal had a simple answer, but he would be lying if he stated that answer, and this was no time for lies. "We can hold them, and if any spill through, assume that all of us have died." he felt the need to say a few more words, but all he could say was "Thank you." imediately assuming that she was saying yes.
The Germanic people have long known of the suffering of the people from AESR, the countries within it have been subject to two world wars, and have been occupied at some points by two battling nations. In world war one, the Germans fought against them and the West and lost, in world war two they fought with them against the Communist disease, but failed to stop them achieving nuclear power. Germany and the Republic have failed the AESR more than once, it was time they did it right. They would all die fighting, and if they do, the world will either live on to remember them, or forget them as the world falls.
President Anna, soon contacted the Missile Defense Network Control Command - as she soon got a reply in Polish. As she replied in kind, and soon authorized the activation of their Deterrence Order. Soon enough, she had a special guard bring forward a laptop, that only one allowed connection.
She soon typed several coordinates in, and then swiped the keycard - from then, she looked behind her. As the others behind her nodded in reply - before she pushed one button. Namely that was the order to the numerous units all across the many countries. As Missile Bridgades, Silo Commanders and Island Defense Bunkers got confirmation and targets for the launch of their missile stockpile.
From the Marshal' perspective he could soon see the scene unfold. As namely his entire screen of their Eastern border was filled up with about a thousand red dots. He likely now knew - why the West didn't like to poke much at AESR. Since this volley alone had enough to sink every American vessel in service.
Berlin Garrison, 2 miles outside the city
"This is General Alexander, to all forces inside, AESR have launched missiles, we're getting aid!" Mary Alexander, female General incharge of the German region's garrisons. She was recieving orders from Sweden direct from the Secretary of Defense himelf.
Missile strikes incoming, five minutes to impact! Evacuate all you can, keep a mile distance!
The Germanic defense line was doing its very best to hold, but the fact was, they weren't fully mobilized, they were still getting every tank crewman, every paratrooper, every able bodied soldier to man their stations. Men from the navy used to call this
all hands on deck, the missile strikes will buy them some time to mobilize.
The artillery crew were the first to witness the rockets comming through their binocs. "Fast movers incoming towards the city!" they watched as it screamed closer to its target.
They could see about several hundred missiles, all within several intervals - albeit, with the speed they were going they likely seemed to be going at the same speed or faster than that. As they missiles soon as they approached the city started to slowly climb up and up and up. One might fear and think, that the missiles might have malfunctioned or worse - gone after the satellite network above their country.
That was soon undone - when the crew could hear a loud bang or rather dozens of them. As the missiles soon screamed down into the city. Several dozen of them exploded against the streets below or over the city. Strangely enough they didn't seem to do much, except release an orange gas cloud.
Did AESR use chemical missiles then? Likely a UN violation, but that would likely be overlooked in such a situation like this. Except, it wasn't a chemical gas - as a dozen other missiles soon also dive-bombed into the city...and ignited the highly flammable gas.
The release of heat was instantenous, the heat almost felt a mile away. Like being near an oven - at least they could take comfort, that it was quick for anybody remaining in the city. As the fireball consumed everything in its path, setting many creatures in the streets on fire. For a human it would have been a quick death, for the Invaders it was a painful experience in dying - as it felt like their flesh was melting off their skin.
That lasted for about thirty seconds before the last fifteen missiles arrived - these a bit more slower and heavier then the last ones. As they streaked up and smashed down - this one was more...flashy. As suddenly with their detonation the flames, that had set almost all of Berlin on fire was exstinguished and then...there was bright flash. As the air was sucked away and the roar of a dying lion was heard for miles - as the thermobaric explosion purified anything and everything living within the heartland of Germany.
Alexander and the artillery crew stood in awe, she was so much in awe that she almost forgot to report back to the Secretary of Defense. She glanced down at the radio and grabbed it, "Direct hit! Maximum effect achieved sir!" she shouted, but she couldn't help but think of the many people that were still in their capital. Viperstrike and the defense force made it out somewhat intact, there were a few cassualties on the security forces.
Overall they managed to evacuate at least a third of the population. Alexander - the garrison did all they could, but there was no time to mourn the dead, they still had a war to fight.
The 5th Wiking was redirected towards the south after hearing reports of hard pressed units fighting off another wave from Italy, they had positioned themselves in a thick treeline on a hill top and along the defense line. Their canons firing as they went, "USE H.E. I SAID!" the gunner shouted, "MORE CONTACTS COMMING IN!" the commander called out, "TO THE EAST 231 by -30!" he barked, the turret rotated and fired, a large explosion caused green bodies to burst into several different peices.
A tank called out on the radio, "We have more incoming! We're running out of machinegun ammo!" Johan sat there, calling out orders as he immediately commanded, "Panzergrenadier units two and three, assist B company! Units Five, Six, and Seven, retreat from the bunker quadrant, you're going to be overrun!"
Johan looked at the situation, there was no way they were going to hold, they were getting reinforcements like a trickle, they had no time to mobilize, they might even have to lose Austria. Suddenly a crackle on the radio,
Attention, Hypersonic missiles incoming near the defense line, evacuate to a safer distance and hold for the fireworks, over!
Johan was relieved, he thought support would never come, but he never expected it to be a missile. A light growl in the wind afar signaled the presence of the missiles.
"All units fall back from the defense line! Incoming missiles!" Johan popped out of the hatch and watched it fly towards and over him screaming as it went.
The missiles flew as expected, before switching to their hypersonic speeds and detonating above the armies of the greenskins and avians. Nothing seemed to happen, as the missiles didn't even seem to make a very large explosion - although, a whistling was heard in the air. Like when one heard the whistle of a bullet pass-by over one' head.
This was slower, and something else. As suddenly, the greenskins were suddenly ripped apart in a tide of blood, as their entire ranks were suddenly ripped apart in a mangle of flesh and blood. Like the Angel of Death had come down and slashed his blade down at the inhuman creatures.
Instead it was the detonation of millions of flechettes and iron spikes inside the missile canisters - as a shower of metal was rained down upon the creatures. As the tiny projectiles tore apart skin and muscle from bone. In some cases, Johan could see a creature being reduced to a simple mist - so strong had been the force and acceleration of so many tiny projectiles.
These missiles were very precise - in such a fact, that they barely came close to their hold-out. Although, many soldiers could see how deadly this attack was - as trees were suddenly ripped apart by an unseen force. Several dozen of these missiles rained down - showering more and more metal rain around their battleground.
Many avians were simply ripped apart in the sky - as beside metal, a rain of bodies followed. Then after three minutes - it was over, the horde that had seemed to almost overwhelm them had simply...dropped dead. Their bodies punctured and shattered - the few survivors slowly dying off.
"WOO!" Johan shouted in joy, "TAKE THAT SHITHEADS!" the entire division and the neighboring garrisons were saved, Johan looked through his binocs and saw the greenskins and avians torn apart. At that moment the entire battlefield looked as if it had been through world war one. He picked up the radio, "Alright, let's use this little respite of relief, get those MG's set up, Gepards, I want them on vantage points, artillery, I want them in place! Let's go! We only have moments before the next attack!"
Johan then looked towards the horizon where the missiles came from and pulled up a compass. "Now I know who to thank for saving my men, we'll repay this debt."
Heinrich recieves reports of all the confirmed missile strikes, he's sent some hypersonic seismic missiles of Germany's own helping out the Western front of the invasion. "Switzerland is confirming hits on mark sir!" Heinrich crosses out the Swiss on the map.
"All missiles confirming hit and reporting success, I thank you again Madam president, we've been spared a worse fate, at least for now. As long as we're able to do so, we will hold the line. We wish you luck against the East, if there is anything more we can do, ask of it." Heinrich spoke frankly, he was thankful, the Republic will have enough time to mobilize its entire military force. There were going to be more defenders against this foreign threat.
President Anna kept her face stoic - as expected of an ex-Communist state leader. They kept their emotions behind an iron mask and only showed their true emotions to trusted friends. She nevertheless cracked a small smile. "Hope this was helpful...keep your eyes also on the East. There is no telling what will be coming from beyond Siberia," she replied.
With that notion, she cut communications and their line was severed. Although, this act likely saved millions and tens of millions in the near future.
