Chapter 207: Counterattack

Chapter 207: Counterattack

The formation from Eldrath was still crossing the portal when the northern observers reported a large Astragoth force approaching the depression. The field commander stood beside Noah as he listened to the report. He asked which direction the leading groups were taking, then looked toward the northern route. Fresh troops were already leaving the center.

"The first group is almost at the bend, and the observers can see several more behind it," he said. "The eastern post also reports Astragoths moving toward their slope. We’re facing attacks in two sectors."

Noah glanced at the formation leaving the portal. It had been assigned to reinforce the western perimeter. "How many fresh troops can we use without weakening the defensive line?"

"One full rifle formation is crossing now, and part of the reserve is still near the center. The western sector has reported no enemy movement."

"Send the formation north. Keep the reserve here until we know which side needs it more. I don’t want to weaken the west before we know whether another enemy group is moving toward it."

The field commander changed the assignment at once. Officers near the portal redirected the arriving formation toward the northern passage before it reached the western route.

A second report came from the east before the unit reached the northern line.

"I have two groups advancing," the eastern commander said. "One is heading for the loose stones below the old throwing position. The other is moving directly toward the rifle line. Neither group is in machine-gun range yet."

The field commander looked at Noah. "The next formation from Eldrath was meant for the reserve. If we send it east, I can leave the troops already here guarding the center and still reinforce the threatened slope."

"Send it east. North already has reinforcements moving. Keep the central reserve untouched unless one of those sectors starts losing a position."

The eastern commander heard the order. "That gives me enough men to cover both approaches. I’ll keep the machine gun on the direct approach and use the rifles against the stone group. When the reinforcements arrive, I’ll place them behind whichever part of the line takes the first hit."

The northern machine gun opened fire soon afterward.

Astragoths entered the depression in several groups. The gunner targeted those moving through the central channel, while riflemen on the western and eastern rims fired at creatures moving toward the banks. Several Astragoths fell before reaching the southern half, but more continued advancing around them.

The northern commander contacted the field commander. "They’re spreading toward both banks. The machine gun can hold the center, but it can’t cover the slopes as well. The middle position is the most exposed because several creatures are moving toward the damaged shelf."

"The reinforcement formation is on your route. Where do you want them when they arrive?"

"Put the largest group behind the middle position and another group on the eastern rim. Keep the rest between them as a reserve. The western side is still intact, so leave it alone."

"Their officer will report directly to you before dividing his men."

The leading Astragoths reached the southern end before the reinforcements arrived. One creature climbed toward the middle position while another moved along the eastern bank. Riflemen focused on the climber and hit its upper body several times, but it kept moving.

The middle officer called the northern commander. "I have one Astragoth below the damaged shelf. It’s still climbing after taking several hits. My RPG team is behind the second position, but four riflemen are blocking their firing lane."

"Wait until the RPG gunner is ready. Then pull those four men back. Keep everyone else firing into the channel. More Astragoths are coming behind the climber."

"I’ll keep the channel covered. The RPG only needs the opening in front of the damaged shelf."

The team moved into position. When the gunner was ready, the four riflemen withdrew. The projectile struck the climbing Astragoth before it reached the rim. The riflemen returned to the opening and resumed firing before the next creature reached the same slope.

The northern reinforcements arrived moments later. Their officer reached the commander while the rear of the formation was still moving into cover.

"I have the full rifle formation with me. Where do you need the men first?"

"The middle needs the largest group. Put another group on the eastern rim. Hold the rest behind those two positions. Do not send anyone into the depression, even if the Astragoths start withdrawing."

"I’ll keep the reserve behind the line. If either position loses men, I can shift soldiers without stripping the other side."

The fresh riflemen spread through the northern defenses. Their added fire stopped several Astragoths on the lower slopes, but more enemies continued entering from beyond the bend.

The eastern attack began while the northern line was still under pressure. Several Astragoths reached the loose stones below the old throwing position, while another group advanced directly across the exposed slope. The eastern machine gun opened fire on the direct group, and riflemen targeted the creatures preparing stones.

One Astragoth lifted and released a stone before the rifles could stop it. The projectile struck the edge of the eastern firing position and broke part of the cover. The nearest riflemen moved behind the intact section without abandoning the line.

The eastern commander called immediately. "One stone hit the forward position. I still control the line, but the damaged side has fewer rifles with a clear view. The direct group is still advancing, and at least two creatures are moving toward more stones."

"The formation assigned to you is already crossing the plateau," the field commander replied. "They have a machine-gun crew with them. Can you hold until they arrive?"

"Yes. I need the first gun to stay on the direct approach because that group is still moving toward us. When the second crew arrives, I’ll use it to cover the southern side of the slope."

"I’ll have their officer report to you before placing the gun. Keep your riflemen on the stone throwers until then."

The new eastern formation moved toward the threatened sector. Noah remained near the portal as the next officer on Eldrath contacted him through the open connection.

"We have another rifle formation ready. Behind them is a supply group carrying rifle ammunition and machine-gun belts. Which one should cross first?"

Noah looked toward the field commander. "How are the ammunition reports?"

"The north is using belts quickly because the middle gun has been firing since the first group entered the depression. The east is also using rifle ammunition faster than expected because they’re trying to stop every throw before it starts. I’d send the supply group first."

Noah faced the officer on Eldrath. "Move the ammunition group ahead of the rifle formation. The field commander will split the load between north and east when they arrive."

"That will delay the next rifle unit by a few minutes, but both groups are already organized. I’ll hold the rifle formation until the supplies clear the portal."

The eastern reinforcements reached their commander as another group of Astragoths crossed the exposed slope. The arriving officer crouched behind the intact cover beside him.

"I brought the full rifle formation and one machine-gun crew. Where do you want them?"

"Put half the rifles behind the damaged position. The other half will watch the stone throwers. Place your machine gun farther south. It can cover the exposed slope without crossing the first gun’s firing lane."

The officer checked the existing gun position. "That gives both crews separate targets. My riflemen can work between them without crossing either lane."

"Do it before the next group gets closer."

The new crew set up while the riflemen filled the damaged part of the line. When another Astragoth group advanced, both machine guns engaged separate parts of the approach. Rifle fire focused on the creatures moving toward the loose stones.

One Astragoth lifted a projectile but was hit while turning toward the plateau. The stone dropped below the goblin position. A second creature failed to reach the stones before rifle fire brought it down. The direct eastern advance slowed as more Astragoths were forced to stop on the lower slope.

North of the plateau, the fresh riflemen had stabilized the middle position. However, ammunition was becoming the next problem.

The northern commander contacted the field commander again. "I don’t need another formation yet. The new riflemen closed the gaps, and the middle position is holding. What I need is ammunition. The machine gun has been firing almost continuously, and several rifle units are already on their second resupply."

"The supply group has crossed. I’m sending most of the machine-gun belts north and splitting the rifle ammunition between you and the east."

"Give the middle gun priority on the belts. If it stops firing, the Astragoths can use the central channel with less resistance. My riflemen can conserve shots for a short period."

"I’ll send the belts first and keep part of the rifle ammunition behind them."

The ammunition teams divided at the center. The larger group headed north with machine-gun belts and rifle magazines, while a smaller group moved east. Noah kept the next rifle formation on Eldrath ready instead of sending it through immediately. Both commanders were still holding their lines, and the central reserve remained available.

The northern situation improved once the ammunition reached the line. The middle machine gun continued firing into the channel, while riflemen on both rims covered the slopes. The next Astragoth group entered the depression but failed to reach the southern half. Several fell near the bend. Others moved toward the banks and came under concentrated rifle fire.

After watching the enemy movement for several minutes, the northern commander contacted the field commander.

"They’ve stopped gaining distance. The last two groups never reached the southern half, and the creatures near the banks are starting to move back. I can hold with the troops here."

"Keep everyone on the rim. Don’t chase them into the depression and give up the positions that stopped the attack."

"I’m not sending anyone down there. My men are tired, and I still have wounded to move once the pressure drops. We’ll keep firing while the Astragoths remain in range and hold the line."

The retreat became clear soon afterward. Astragoths near the southern end moved north, while those entering beyond the bend stopped advancing. Goblin riflemen continued firing at exposed targets but remained on the rim.

The eastern force began withdrawing at nearly the same time. The direct group could no longer cross the exposed slope without taking machine-gun fire. The remaining stone throwers were targeted as soon as they approached the loose stones.

The eastern commander reported the change. "They’re pulling away from the slope. I’m keeping both machine guns in place until the observers confirm the retreat. The damaged cover still needs repair, so I don’t want anyone following them."

"That’s the right decision," the field commander said. "The west never came under attack. Once your observers confirm the approach is clear, I can use fresh troops from there to rebuild the central reserve instead of taking soldiers from your line."

"Leave my reinforcements here for now. I want the damaged position fully covered until the repair work is finished."

The field commander agreed and waited for the remaining reports. Another rifle formation crossed from Eldrath while the last visible Astragoths withdrew beyond the northern bend. Its officer received an assignment before leading the unit away from the portal.

The field commander turned to Noah after the northern and eastern reports matched. "The counterattack cost us ammunition and casualties, but the perimeter is intact. I can rotate the northern and eastern units as fresh formations arrive, rebuild the reserve, and keep every defensive position occupied."

"Finish the rotations before planning another advance," Noah said. "Replace the exhausted units, refill the ammunition points, repair the damaged eastern position, and rebuild the reserve. Once those are done, we can decide where the army moves next."

The field commander passed the orders to his officers while the troops already on Planet X-317 reorganized the northern and eastern defenses. Behind Noah, the next formation on Eldrath moved toward the portal, ready to cross when the arrival area cleared.