TF Amethyst

TFA1 7.9 - Please Save Sandhur Region

Under the gentle light of dusk sun, Sandhur Region's refugees lined up in front of FOC South 1750’s main gates. Captain Rasser and his men were in the back row, hands in handcuffs, while the rest were at the front.

Lady Erien turned to Erlin, her six years old little sister, and she couldn't help but deeply sighed. In the end, she couldn't bear to tell her sister and the other children about what had really happened.

So, it's natural that Erlin was currently looking at the situation around her with innocent and curious eyes. While in her hand, she was tightly holding a chocolate bar that she received from one of personnel in FOC South 1750.  

Erlin and the other children loved the chocolate bar so much. So they enjoyed it in small pieces and stored the rest very carefully.

'I don't care what they will do to me, but at least let these children passed away in peace,' Lady Erien muttered expectantly.

At the same time, Brigadier Flek carried out an examination while frowning. He had not expected, the opposing side’s highest leader would just hand over the refugees to avoid conflict. Of course, he didn't plan to give up his main prey. The vast Nouel Farmland behind the compound gave him a thousand reasons to strengthen his resolve.

"Ser Vex, don't messing around with me. There are over 200 refugees from Sandhur Region."

“Well,” Vex casually answered, "Maybe they got lost on the way, as only 89 men, women, teenagers, and children had arrived at our outpost."

"Ser Vex, I demand the handover of this compound to ensure that none of the refugees are hidden within."

"Please pardon my rudeness, but I have to refuse. However, I will allow your men to check every corner of our outpost."

In a tone full of intimidation Brigadier Flek said, "Can't you see that 1600 elite cavalrymen are ready to level this compound?"

"Yes, I can see it very clearly. But I still can't hand over this outpost."

Brigadier Flek instantly tilted his head while looking at Vex. 'Am I talking to an idiot?'

But in the end, Brigadier Flek sighs silently after he realized that his attention had just been distracted by an unimportant question. He had just got a pretext to raid the prey he was aiming for. So he had to take the action immediately.

"Ser Vex, I offered a path of peace but you refused it, so don't blame me for the consequences."

Vex sighed deeply before saying, "Can't you just take the refugees and go peacefully?"

Brigadier Flek didn't answer. He looked at Vex and Sandhur Region's refugees for a moment before turning around.

While Brigadier Flek spurred his horse towards Brigade Robber's battle formation, Vex grabbed his radio and pressed PTT button.

"XO, to all units under Davy Jones's command center, Operation Crystal is a go."

[.  .  .]

"I say again, Operation Crystal is a go."

[Roger.]

[Roger.]

[Roger.]

. . . .

After launching Operation Crystal, Vex asked Lieutenant Hess to remove handcuffs on Captain Rasser and his men. Then, he approached Lady Erien.

"Milady, I'm sorry for the inconvenience you have to go through. We have to make sure that Buriek Guard is targeting this outpost before we can take a stand."

Lady Erien nodded as she organized her thoughts. At the same time, long whistles were heard one after another.

---

Brigadier Flek was only halfway through the journey, when explosions suddenly rained down Brigade Robber's battle formation. Starting from the footbow element which was already in combat-ready, followed by the wing element in charge of guarding it.

Wasting no time, Brigadier Flek spurred his horse out of the killing zone. He then activated his crystal communicator, and with a trembling voice sent a distress signal.

"Brigadier Flek to Buriek's combat air patrol, elements from Brigade Robber is being cornered by enemy attack. We need immediate air support to protect the retreat."

[Brigadier Flek, this is Captain Zavir from 41st Squadron, where is your location and who are your opponents?]

"We are 1.5 km west of foreigner compound. They are protecting the fugitives from Sandhur Region and opening an attack when we are in the middle of negotiation.”

[I'm sorry Brigadier Flek. We cannot enter airspace around the foreigner compound without authorization from command center.]

"Bastard! We have already lost more than 500 men. Without immediate air support, we will be wiped out in a minute."

[Captain Zavir, this is General Griek, 41st Squadron has been authorized to attack foreigner compound, 42nd and 43rd Squadron will be takeoff from Levsait to reinforce you.]

[Understood, General Sir, 41st Squadron is only 16 km away. We will arrive in an instant.]

"Thank you, Gen----"

BOOMMM!!

Brigadier Flek did not have time to finish his words. Without any warning, a salvo of 155 mm Howitzers hit his position fatally.

---

After receiving six salvos from 8 units 120 mm Mortars and 4 units 155 mm Howitzers, Brigade Robber’s battle formations were completely turned into a pile of shredded flesh, which burned and billowed smoke.  

Luckily, Brigade Robber formation was at a distance of 1.5 km from FOC South 1750. Therefore, the children from Sandhur Region did not need to see the horror produced by modern artillery in detail.

Instead, they looked at the calamity that befell on Brigade Robber with amazement and admiration. On the other hand, other refugees could only see the scene with wide eyes and hanging mouths. 

Vex patiently let Lady Erien to calm her mind before speaking, “Lady Erien, we will transferring you and other refugees to a military base 50 km east of this outpost.

Of course, if Milady wishes to continue the journey, we will gladly provide airlift and escort."

Wasting no time Lady Erien knelt in front of Vex, and with a shaking voice she pleaded, "Esteemed Ser, please save Sandhur Region. We are ready to repay your kindness using Nouel and gold reserves in Castle Lagra."

Before Vex could reply, all refugees from Sandhur Region, including children, followed Lady Erien's action.

"""Esteemed Ser, please save Sandhur Region.""""

Vex wasn't used to seeing people begging and kneeling in front of him. So he quickly helped Lady Erien to her feet. "Close air support to relieve the pressure on Castle Lagra will depart in a few minutes. 

While a larger support element will take off once Captain Rasser confirms some of our intel. And tomorrow, we will launch a major attack on Kingdom of Buriek to end the war as soon as possible."

Vex's explanation made Lady Erien and other refugees cried in joy while they are hugging each other.

At the same time, Captain Rasses' mind was stirred up. He wasn't a high-ranking officer who knew how the strategy was devised and executed, but he knew it's impossible to launch air support at night.  

Besides, where did the casual man in front of him gain the confidence that he could loosen the pressure on Castle Lagra just in an overnight? Moreover, he would launch a major attack on Kingdom of Buriek to stop the war, while Buriek Navy was still fully control the sea.

But in the end, Captain Rasses did not think about it further. He then followed a military police officer to command center. Meanwhile, Lieutenant Hess and his men helped Lady Erien and other refugees to pack up their belonging.

*****