As the sun dipped below the horizon, a convergence of hundreds of players unfolded at the US military camp, a staging ground for the imminent final assault on Calumet town.
The arrival of a particular group drew the attention and whispers of all the players in the camp. They couldn't help but be intrigued, especially when they witnessed a convoy of vehicles, including a fire truck, rolling in.
"What the hell? Who are they?"
"That's Militia 17!"
"17? That's the Wolverines, isn't it?"
The reputation of Militia 17 had been steadily rising in recent days. Once viewed as a ragtag bunch of anti-government activists who had learned the ropes of farming and hunting under the tutelage of a school teacher, they had transformed into a resourceful and formidable group. Their ventures into crafting items and successful raids had garnered them a newfound respect among the player community.
Now, their arrival at the military camp, complete with a convoy of vehicles that included a fire truck, served as yet another testament to their prowess. The Wolverines had made a tangible impact with their recent raid on the city of Calumet.
The group, after parking their vehicles on the outskirts of the town, received Alan's orders to rest and prepare for the impending battle. They understood the importance of conserving their energy for the challenges that lay ahead.
Alan, Merle, and Vicky found themselves summoned once more to participate in military briefings within the main tent. The gravity of their mission hung heavily in the air as they prepared to receive their orders and contribute to the effort to reclaim Calumet town.
Hundreds of players, team leaders, and veterans converged within the main tent, their collective attention focused on Captain Carter as she commenced the crucial briefing outlining their primary objective: the takeover of Calumet town.
Captain Carter began by disseminating recent intelligence to the assembled forces. She explained how the four days of relentless skirmishes had succeeded in significantly reducing the enemy's numbers, bringing them down to an estimated 13 to 14 thousand soldiers. While still challenging, these odds were no longer as daunting as they had once been. On the other hand, she believed the 3800 surviving players had accrued enough points and experience to meet the challenge head-on.
As the briefing continued, Captain Carter outlined the various military patrols, barricades, outposts, and the Nazi main base on the map.
Eager for additional opportunities to earn experience points, one of the militia leaders raised a question. "What about the WMD?" he inquired, anticipation evident in his voice.
Captain Carter provided a resolute response. "We don't have confirmation of the exact location of the weapon of mass destruction, but our intelligence suggests that these objectives will reveal themselves as we advance toward the enemy base. To ensure that we have ample time to address them, we will initiate our march ahead of schedule."
Unbeknownst to the others, Alan had contributed valuable information about the Weapons of Mass Destruction through his interaction with Captain Weeber. Although he suspected that the WMDs' locations might change, he had emphasized the grave danger they posed. Consequently, he had successfully persuaded the military to expedite their final push with an earlier deadline in mind.
With the main objectives and marching orders clear, Captain Carter addressed the pressing matter of unit placements. The takeover of Calumet town demanded a meticulously coordinated effort from all sides. Four companies, each with its own area of operation, would advance toward the town. Each company received a specific set of targets, including barricades, patrols, and outposts along their routes. Additionally, they were briefed on potential threats, such as enemy machine gun sentries, artillery placements, and tanks.
The special groups, such as the Black Sand mercenaries and the US Special Forces, were assigned more challenging objectives. To ensure a smoother operation than the last mission, the captain had agreed on specific objectives for the Blood Patriot group as well.
"We will begin early, at dawn, zero four hundred hours," Captain Carter concluded, laying out the timeline for the operation
Following the briefing, a figure approached Alan. It was Lieutenant Marsh, the commander of the company overseeing his militia. The lieutenant's demeanor had significantly improved compared to their previous interactions, and he inquired, "I heard you successfully raided the town's fire station. Is this true?"
Alan nodded affirmatively. "Yes, Lieutenant, it's true."
"How many men did you lose?" the lieutenant asked, concern etched across his face.
"None, Sir," Alan replied, his tone unwavering.
The lieutenant was somewhat taken aback by Alan's response and pressed for more details. The account of their successful raid on the fire station was almost unbelievable, but the Wolverine's recent reputation and the conspicuous presence of the big red truck parked outside the town lent some credibility to the story.
This conversation led to the lieutenant's primary question: "Will you be fighting alongside the company, or do you plan to conduct your own raid tomorrow?"
Considering the Wolverine's current strength and reputation, it made sense for the group to pursue their own objectives rather than simply marching with the army. As a militia group, they had fewer responsibilities to stay in formation with the larger military force. The lieutenant wanted to ensure he could rely on Alan and his team for the upcoming battle.
"So, which is it? Will you fight with me, or will you go your own way?" the lieutenant asked.
Alan responded calmly, "Lieutenant, I don't see why I can't do both."
In truth, even before the lieutenant approached him, Alan had been considering proposing his plan to the man. The success of their raid on the fire station had earned him more credibility than he had anticipated, and the lieutenant was open to hearing his strategy for the entire company.
As dawn broke, all the players were prepared for their final assault to capture Calumet town.
