[u]0700 March 29th 1935 EC
Squad Four Barracks, Fort Breda[/u]

Standing by the open barrack door smoking the day's first cigarette, Harald allowed himself some degree of satisfaction at how much his squad had improved over the last week. Every soldier could pull a ten miler, then immediately set up to hit a target at three hundred foot while under fire. Well, in theory... Simulating enemy fire with chalk rounds wasn't ideal but most of them knew what it was really like anyway. Even Harald himself was dreading proper combat, not least because he had privately noted his own marksmanship score to be below average... A loud snore jogged the Sergeant from his reverie and Harald cast a long gaze into the barracks. Today's exercise would be their last, if the rumours were to be believed. Some major action had been reported in the north; mysterious giant vehicles and other weird shit. Apparently the Militia had lost an entire regiment in the are; just gone, with no communications, nothing. How much of it was baseless rumour was debatable, but if there was one thing an old copper learned, it was there there was always a grain of truth out there somewhere. He stamped out the fag end and checked his watch; time to rouse the squad and get some brekkers.

[hr]

Three hours later the squad stood in a rough semi-circle around their Sergeant on the edge of the training arena. Across the field, hidden from sight by a copse of trees stood Squad Six, bedecked in the finest armour money could buy. Whoever was supplying them had serious cash, the lucky bastards. [b]'This time around, the plan will work.'[/b] Between Harald and Celeste they had managed to mock up a reasonably good map of the area on the ground, with bullets and ammunition pouches substituting soldiers and tanks. [b]'From what we observed in the last match, Squad Six will focus on supporting their tank while getting it into a good defensive position. Even if we take the fastest possible route though the centre, they'll have time to fortify their positions enough to fuck us over completely. So. We can't win conventionally, which leaves us with only one option.'[/b] Motioning to the Corporal, Harald used the butt of his rifle to move a number of the bullet markers around, seemingly at random. The two of them had discussed it earlier and the idea they had come up with was unorthodox to say at the least. [b]'... Divide and conquer. Step one, separate the tank from her escort. Step two, blow the tank and retreat, baiting the soldiers into pursuing us. Step three, lead them into preprepared firezones and cut them down.'[/b]

The actual details of the plan would be less well organised, as the squad would need to split into pairs and launch hit and run attacks on the enemy's flanks to break up their formation. Taking down the tank itself would be fairly easy; with two lancers positioned on opposite sides, they could cut it to ribbons. It was luring the enemy that held the most risk. [b]'We have one advantage over Six. I was able to uh, [i]acquire[/i] a box of radios. Enough for everyone. We'll be able to keep in contact even if we get split up, which we will have to for this plan to succeed.'[/b] With nine footsoldiers in the squad there would be four pairs, five if they left the APC behind. There were a total of thirteen in Squad Six, two of whom were in that tank including their Sergeant. Pairing the squad up arbitrarily would be a mistake, so... [b]'Choose a partner for the exercise and stick with them at all times. Sorry Carn, no APC this time but you've got a special job. Unhook that MG from the turret and stick with me; we'll set up a good killzone for the rest of you to use. Any questions?'[/b]