Oberleutnant Theuderic grabbed the handset, shoved it into the side of his helmet next to his ear and spoke firmly, “All elements, all elements, this is Wächter Zero niner, I say, [b]Ritterschaft[/b]! I say again, [b]Ritterschaft[/b], over!” with the proword, [i]Ritterschaft[/i] uttered, each of the battalion commanders or their designees repeated the word followed by [i]out[/i], indicating they had both received the order and would comply. 

At the tip of the spear. At the leading edge of the Brigade, the 1st Platoon of Number 6 company of the Royal Panchalan Grenadier Regiment surged forward along the Kreuzhof Stadium Platz. Fortunately, the route was clear of mines or any obstacles to speak of. The Centauran Chasseurs fired their General Purpose Machineguns at the advancing Badger Armored Personnel Carriers. In response, the Track Commanders aboard each of the first platoon’s Badgers aimed their 12.7mm machine guns at the oncoming fire while their drivers maintained a high rate of advance. It was not the intention of the lead element to destroy the light infantry defenders along the Kreuzhof Stadium Platz. It was their intention to the engage the second line of defense which lay only two kilometers beyond where the Centauran defenders held their position.

The remainder of the Number 6 company would eventually pass through the gap in the Chasseur line, followed the remainder of the 2nd Battalion and then the Fox carrying Brigadier Childebrand.

Not long after Brigadier Childebrand’s Fox passed this point, the lead elements of the116th Volksgrenadiers dismounted from their trucks, advancing on foot towards the Chasseurs. Mortars fell all around the Chasseurs less than five hundred meters behind where Brigadier Childebrand’s Jump TOC raced east. The 120mm mortar rounds erupted in and around the Centauran Chasseur positions.

Oberleutnant Theuderic wondered if the understrength regiments would be able to perform their mission. He remembered hearing his brigade commander voice nothing but confidence in their ability, but he held onto his doubts. They weren’t as well trained as the Royal Panchalan troops or as experienced. But they would have to do the job. Otherwise the 25th Royal Panchalans would be cut off from their resupply vehicles.