Kalistani Major History

[Doc]

The Statrica Diaries
Day 17

We got a tip from a local villager that Lourenne would be coming across Bridge 7, some 12 miles north of the fire base.  Bridge 7, the Pont d' La Maison, is a bridge which spans a large gorge, under which flows the Rivière Maison more than 600 feet below.  The Bridge is a major chokepoint in the artery that ties the Northern frontier to the points south in these parts.  There were ways around, of course, but this was the most direct route.  So destroying it would be a setback for Lourenne, who has been flooding troops into Statrica through this corridor.  Captain Guerra immediately put the artillery on the Bridge.  The fire missions began at precisely 20:22 last night.

To our chagrin, the advancing column halted just before the Bridge, while the firing had begun.  The Bridge was destroyed right in front of the Lourennaise forces, but the FOs reported the Vanguard remained untouched by the fire.  We attemtped to adjust fire, but the Lourennaise column had scattered and our rounds fell ineffectively.  Which of course gave away the position of the firebase and alerted them to the presence of a new force in Statrica.  My job was to get those forward observers out of their positions.  I immediately called over on the encrypted radio "Redbird."  And before I replaced the mic on the handle, I knew the FOs were on their way back.

Following the firemissions, Comrades Guerra called me, Machado, and Filbert together in the Command hut.  "Comrades." I started.  "They know we are here now.  I'd hoped that we could hold off long enough to at least expend our ammo."

"Tanya," Guerra said.  "You could have kept the FOs out and we could have dumpexed on the stalled Lourenners.  I disagree with your call to pull them in."

I nodded and asked the other two what they thought.  "Well, Tanya," Filbert began.  "You're in command here..."

"No, Comrade," Guerra said. "She is just the Commissar, and she is only in charge of strategy and political affairs.  She is not in command.  I'm the Commanding officer of this operation."

I was worried that the Guerra and Filbert were going to come to blows.  "Comrades.  Guerra is right, She is in command, and I am just the Commissar."

"But you're the..."  Filbert began.  I cut him short.  "No longer, Comrade.  I am just a simple political officer.  Let's look at this situation tactically.  I called those FOs off because our strategic situation is about to change.  We could have hit those troops, but you bet the FOs would have been hit by fast movers coming in just now.  They'll scout the surrounding hills, and then they'll widen their scan.  We need to be gone by the time they get here."

"If I may,"  Machado spoke up.  "I would suggest that Tanya is correct.  We're about to become grunts.  The sooner that we get those guns dismantled, the quicker we get out of here.  The FO's will be back in 4 hours.  I suggest we also call the pickets in and get on the move."

Machado was my pick.  I don't have to say are not our real names:  If this book is ever published, I'll reveal the identities of the protagonists, but at any rate, Machado had trained me while I was finishing up with the State.  Machado always had my back.  I liked him.  Guerra, the CO of the unit, not so much.  She was an old LAFA commander from the Ananto Straits Conflict and was more than salty.  She resented my pick as political officer.  She said "Tonya has no experience.  She'll f--k everything up."  She also didn't like that, as commissar, I was put in the billet of co-commander:  I did strategy, she did tactics.  It was the only way he would come along, but the Militia would not send anyone but me.

Filbert was an enigma, but this time he agreed with Machado.  Guerra, realizing she was outvoted, gave in.  "Fine.  Filbert, put the men to breaking down the guns, and soldiering them shut.  We need to be on the road as soon as the FOs and the pickets get in."  She paused.  "I can't believe those f--cking Canrilaise paused at the bridge head...  What a waste."

Filbert looked up.  "Captain, it was impossible to know that.  I think we made the right call."  That was cold comfort for Guerra.

I left the command hut, and went out to inform the guns to begin soldering the cannons and dismantling them.  Guerra gave the order to smash the crypto.  We'd be all voice from here on out.  Less than 3 weeks in country...