[center][color=0072bc][h3]Lord Barst / Gallian Defenders[/h3][/color][/center]
[b]"Spread yourselves out, there are mortars incoming. I forbid you from clustering up and dying like imbeciles! Shocktroopers, keep the fire on them. If any of the bastards break through, I'll have your heads. Lancers, try to make yourselves useful an-"[/b] *pfft* [b]"AND KILL THOSE TANKS BEFORE THEY MAKE MINCE MEAT OF US!"[/b] Lord Barst's usual sneering voice swiftly turned to one of rage as a sniper bullet landed in the window frame beside him. The Imperial counterattack had hit hard and fast, forcing them back until they were left making a desperate defense at the street surrounding the forward command post. Worst of all, apparently a damn sniper had spotted him! He quickly moved to a different location in the building before the marksman could correct his aim. 

Amongst the troops, Lord Barst's commands were met with mixed feelings. Ordinarily a high ranking man such as himself would not be giving orders to mere front line soldiers, but a platoon leader and several squad leaders had already met their ends as a result of the Imperial attack. As a result of the leadership shortage, the lord had taken it upon himself to personally command the defense. While his orders were competent enough, the disdainful sound of his voice was not particularly helping moral. 

***

Meanwhile on the front line, the west-most group of Gallians (designated 'Charlie Section') were holding on desperately against a determined attack. PFC Cheslock, Private Pierce, a pair of scouts and a radio operator were hunkered down in a building overlooking the southern road and were in the process of trying to prevent a squad of imperial shocktroopers from crossing it. The imperials had taken their own positions, either crouching in the alleys or firing from the windows of several houses, trying to whittle down the defenders with sheer numbers and firepower.

*CrackCrackCrack!* Private Smythe, the radio operator, frantically fired off a few shots from his rifle before diving to the ground as a barrage of machinegun fire tore through the window he had just been shooting from. Before crawling to another position, he took a moment to check on the status of the two shock troopers he was sharing the room with. [b]"Cheslock, Pierce! Hows your ammo? Is anyone injured?"[/b] 

A few minutes later, his radio crackled to life and relayed a sneering status report from Lord Barst. [b]"That's it, keep beating them back! A reserve unit is on its way to assist us. Keep the bastards away from command for another 10 minutes and we will turn this battle around."[/b] *CrackCrackCrack!* *Ping!* Smythe fired off the last few rounds in his magazine towards the imperials in an alley before ducking back down to reload. [b]"You guys hear that? Reinforcements are coming! We've just got to hold on a little bit longer!"[/b]

***

Ten minutes later, Smythe was astounded that they were still alive. The house they had been defending was becoming increasingly pockmarked with bullets as the Imperial assault intensified. It was getting to the point where no one was able to accurately fire, such was the volume of bullets cascading towards their position. Somehow though, they had managed to hold and prevent the imps from crossing the road. The bodies of several dotted the street, serving as a testament to their effectiveness. 

When a sudden explosion occurred and one of the Imperial tanks by the intersection detonated, a cheer rose up from the defenders, quickly followed by a transmission from Lord Barst. [b]"Congratulations gentlemen, the reinforcements have arrived. Now listen up. Continue holding your positions until they start to break through, then we are going to begin our offensive. Charlie section, the Imperials in your area are about to be cut off and should start retreating soon. Once they take the pressure off, I want you to take the fight to them. Use the tank traps for cover and advance across the street in pursuit. Link up with the reinforcements if you can, I'm sending two more troopers to help you. Onwards gentlemen! For glory!"[/b] ... Well that was that. They WERE charlie section, so Smythe quickly relayed the orders to their group. [b]"The reinforcements are here! Barst says he's sending 2 more shock troopers to help us, and that the enemy in our area shoul-"[/b] *Phew!* He recoiled as a bullet wizzed through the window he was standing beside. Apparently the Imperials hadn't retreated quite yet. [b]"-Should start to retreat soon! Once they do, we're supposed to attack them and advance to join up with the reinforcement squad!"[/b]

[@Jotunn Draugr][@Roxim Teaga]