Well, Marc certainly didn't have any better ideas so he followed the Serdian to the station. Personally he was hoping for a car as he wasn't exactly used to riding a horse.
Serdian republic
Serdian republic
The station would be a wreck, a railroad flatbed smashed through the waiting room where the bodies of many railway workers and soldiers would be found all to the tune of the light hiss of escaping steam from the wrecked locomotive outside and the distant crackling of still-raging fires around town. "-Hey! 'Belkian, I found a car... Get over here!" The soldier yelled aloud to his new companion, lazily cranking the debris covered automobile to life, the vehicle in question being a small coupe variation of the ubiquitous Tallent Model F of the 1918 model year. "I got it working... Hop in!" The Corporal said, the sound of the small vehicle's engine roaring to life rising over the light ambience.
Wielbelkia
Wielbelkia
Marc scrambled in without hesitation. "Let's get out of here before the Martians come back!"
Serdian republic
And the two drove off, onto light dirt road and passed randomly smashed trees, burning farm houses and tipped over automobiles, wagons and carriages. "Jesus..." The Serdian corporal said as he pressed the small coup onwards through the open country.
Eastern Bank Of The Passaic River... 4:10 PM.
Along the banks of the Passaic river that crossed it's way through the capitol state of Columbia, the Serdian Army would be amassing a large force with the simple goal of either outright stopping the Martian advance upon the capitol city, or at best to simply hold them off to allow the military authorities to build up a defense line around the capitol, all under the command of Lt. General Gardner with a joint force of regular Serdian Army troops and reserve National Guardsmen building up defenses and helping organize the evacuation of the two small towns nestled on both sides of the Passaic, the villages of Cholston and Weyridge.
"Sir, the majority of the batteries are all set up and awaiting orders." A lieutenant informed, Gardner and multiple other officers hunched over a map of the area in a tent not too far from one of the field batteries, all discussing strategies and debating the nature of the Martian invaders with either a sense of total fear or complete refusal to believe in 'such fanciful fairy tales.' all of this set to the steady marching of infantry, the clatter of hooves and the rumble of tanks and trucks.
"Have any aerial scouts been launched?" Gardner would ask to his long-suffering aides-de-camp with disinterest, his mind focused on the coming battle. "Yes... they're sending a few pursuit planes out to scout overhead and to drop bombs on the Martians, and there's a squadron of Naval aircraft being sent over to provide aerial support... I think." The Private explained, adjusting his helmet as Gardner took note of the aeroplanes, likely wondering how to factor them into the engagement.
Meanwhile along the banks and around random clearings throughout the area on both sides of the river, multiple artillery batteries (roughly 35 artillery guns in total) would prepare, the calibers ranging from simple 75mm field pieces to heavier 127mm and 155mm Guns, all the while the twelve tanks, half of them being either the license design M17A1 Light Tanks and the second half being the brand new production model M1919A2 (Mass-Production-Variant 2) light tanks would park at random locations, their 37mm guns trained to the air with crews wondering to themselves... what ever could these oh-so-fearsome Martian machines be?
...They would find out in short order
Wielbelkia
Serdian republic
After about forty-six minutes of driving through the Serdian countryside the small coup would sputter and slow down, finally stopping with a sad little backfire as it ran out of fuel, forcing the two to abandon it on the side of the road. "Alright, she's given up the ghost... we're better off walking the way to Cholston if it's still standing." The corporal said, walking with haste towards the direction of the heavily fortified village. "C'mon, maybe we could catch a river ferry down the Passaic to the capitol." Neil said, shouldering his Krag carbine with a somewhat disgruntled and yet simultaneously rather disconcerted sigh, remembering that during their drive, the two had heard the eerie distant howls of the Martian machines...
Wielbelkia
Serdian republic
As the two walked, they'd be halted by the sudden appearance of two mounted riflemen. "Oi! You in the uniform, state your rank and unit!" The first one said, appearing to be the higher rank of the two, pointing towards Neil, who happily obliged. "I'm Corporal Neil Fordham, K Company of the first battalion of the 71st National Guard Regiment, Fort Montana Garrison." The Guardsmen said with confidence, with that the two mounted troopers would converse amongst themselves for a short while before replying. "The General's gonna wanna see you Corporal." the second mounted trooper said, the first waving his hand and leading the two into the town of Cholston where Neil and Marc would be greeted by a bizarre and rather disconcerting sight of people soldiers hastily forcing people from their homes whilst people were packing up, many dressed in their Sunday best with seemingly little care with regards to the Martian threat approaching.
Near the two, middle aged gentleman would be arguing with a rifleman next to a cart of cabbages and yelling on about how "They're valuable!" to the stone-faced soldier.
Wielbelkia
Wielbelkia
Marc was aghast at how casually some of these people were acting, as if this were just a minor inconvenience to them and not mortal danger. As for him, he was only interested in getting the first transport out of here; not expecting the local units to fair any better against the Martians than the last did.
Serdian republic
Serdian republic
Neil would... strut gingerly over towards the cabbage seller, grabbing him by the shoulder and gripping tightly. "Do you know what's over the horizon?... from the direction of Pottersdale?..." The Corporal would ask crossly, eyes filled with anger. "I'm trying to explain to these troopers that my cabbages are valuabl-" Sharply, Neil replied in a disdain filled tone. "DEATH, Death Is Coming." the career soldier said before walking off back to Marc, not caring about what happened to the civilian and his cartload of cabbages... as the two would walk on through the hastily evacuated town, passed cars, trucks and horse-drawn wagons overloaded with people and their belongings, the pair would encounter a deserted house at the river bank and the sight of six M1917F 155mm Heavy artillery guns.
"You think everybody's dead?..."
Wielbelkia
Wielbelkia
"Not everyone, look. Six cannons, there's likely still gunners nearby."
Serdian republic
Serdian republic
"Probable bows and arrows against the lightning, they haven't seen the heat ray yet..." Neil replied as he noticed the gunners casually awaiting action, the whole air that the town seemed to give was as if they believed that the Martians were simply some sort of rather formidable human beings... Sighing to himself Neil would walk over to a short brick wall separating the cobblestone village road with the river bank and looking over the banks of the river Passaic to see the many groups of artillery batteries scattered, gunners also at the ready as were the couple of tanks and multitudes of machine guns the Army had brought along before walking off to converse with some officers quietly, leaving Marc to think about his present situa-
-KABOOM!
Suddenly! there was a heavy explosion at the end of town opposite the bridge over the river passaic, screaming filled the air and panic began to sow itself among the populace as the ground heaved, many windows shattering near the site of the explosion.
"LOOK! THERE THEY ARE!... WHAT DID I TELL YOU!?" Yelled Neil as a panic-attack began to set in on him as the officers, infantry and gunners stood awestruck, as did many of the civilians as they saw them, it was the Martians.
Wielbelkia
Wielbelkia
Marc saw the four fighting machines looming over the horizon and decided to head in the opposite direction, quickly making his way past the artillery emplacement and knocking over the cabbage salesman in his haste.
Serdian republic
Serdian republic
People looked on in horror as the Martians approached, the bridge out of Cholston and into Weyridge flooding with frantic fleeing people running either on foot or on vehicles, the church bell from the steeples in both towns ringing aloud as fear took hold.
"L-LOAD GUNS, J-JUST OPEN FIRE DAMNIT! FIRE DAMNIT NOW!" An Officer yelled at the top of his lungs at the awestruck and petrified gunners as the four fighting machines appeared and appraoched, striding over the pine trees and smashing them, approaching the heavily defended towns with a graceful and leisurely stride, uncomfortably looking almost like a parody of the manner to which a human being walked but with a third leg. "HEY! My Cabbages!" The Salesman whined, only to react with shut eyes and hands clasped against his ears as the guns began firing with haste from rattling of machine guns, the cracks of rifle fire and most importantly the deafening thud of the many artillery pieces present, the air filling with bullets and shells as the battle for the Passaic River began.
Wielbelkia
Serdian republic
Suddenly! From the far bank, rising over the horizon with cruel intentions, a fifth machine appeared, appearing to be larger than the rest it raised itself to full height, taking aim with the two funnels and then, the ghostly... terrible heat ray struck the town of Weyridge and destroying it in one fell swoop, all five fighting machines then exulting loudly with those same howls which roared like thunder, the four other machines after letting out the howl began moving up and engaging with the Serdian Army forces defending the town!
"My God! Where are those planes!?" General Gardener yelled aloud as he watched the battle from his command post, the private suddenly grabbing the Lt. General by the shoulder and pointing up as about five Naval Air Service Pursuit Triplanes appeared overhead flying in an attack vector towards the Martians, strafing and buzzing them to try and distract the machines, what started out as a simple evacuation how has unfolded into total chaos, The thud of artillery guns, the roar of aircraft engines and the rattling of machine guns against the eerie grinding and rumbling of the Martian machines, All hell had broken loose.
Wielbelkia
Wielbelkia
Marc meanwhile had been making his way to one of the river ferries that were evacuating the town through the panicked crowds. Before he could get on one of the crowded ships though, he was stopped by an MP.
"Ship's full, sorry mate but you'll have to wait."
"Listen I didn't get through two attacks just to be stopped here!" Marc told him. Before the MP could reply again there was a familiar, to Marc, high pitched noise followed by the ferry ship bursting to flame. Marc turned around and saw one of the fighting machines stomping towards them, evidently the Martian piloting it was more eager than his compatriots and had charged further ahead. That's when artillery shells whizzed past it, the tripod turning to face them only for a lucky 127mm shell to hit it's front. The war machine stumbled, it's pilot seemingly dazed, and one of it's legs wound up stepping on the very edge of the waterway it had been charging down. The tripod let out a howl as it tipped over and crashed into a nearby building. While it struggled to right itself, the six cannons Marc had passed earlier hastily realigned their sights on it and fired. The ensuing barrage decapitated the fighting machine, the Martian inside was slain; splashed to the four winds. This seemed to incense the remaining fighting machine pilots as their machines howled.
Serdian republic
Serdian republic
The slain Martian machine, now merely an incredibly intricate device of metal stumbled onwards for a short while before whirling itself to destruction, crashing into the Passaic river with a violent splash, tentacles violently thrashing about the water before it finally ceased operating.
"BLOODY BRILLIANT! UTTERLY BRILLIANT HIT LADS! RELOAD AND WE'LL TRY AGAIN WITH THE OTHER MARTIAN BASTARD!" The officer commanding the lucky battery of 155mm Guns cheered as the flaming Martian machine crashed down into the river, civilians and infantrymen cheering aloud in reaction to the Martian's violent end. "WE GOT ONE! WE GOT ONE!!" Neil yelled aloud, raising his Krag carbine in celebration whilst people fled in terror blindly despite the success, the many other artillery guns present still firing away with machine guns still rattling off against the Martian machines to provide cover for the fleeing civilians as best as they could.
"...Ready!" The Officer in charge of the guns yelled again, "...FIRE!" He finally ordered, the guns speaking again with their song of high explosive fragmentation shells... but this time, the heat ray sent them to a horrible, violent end. "OH CRAP THEY'RE COMI-" A Gunner yelled aloud before "-AHHHHGH!"
Wielbelkia
Wielbelkia
As another heat ray struck nearby, Marc made the split second decision to dive in the river. He hid until forced up to breathe, he scrambled onto shore just in time for a fighting machine to stomp over him, it's foot nearly crushing him. As the Martians carried away the debris of their fallen comrade, Marc realized he managed to escape danger again somehow. The Martians now seemed more interested in covering the ones carrying the wrecked machine, only striking targets that were actively in the way. A contrast to their previous attitude of attacking anything in sight.
Serdian republic
Serdian republic
With the Martian advance seemingly halted momentarily, The Serdian Army would immediately begin fortifying the hills outside of the city, desperately gathering as many heavy artillery guns as possible from siege howitzers to naval guns fitted onto hastily built gun carriages, meanwhile over in the air the Army Air Corps would be scouting over Martian held territory, bombing raids in Hervic VB-1500 Heavy bombers against unopened Martian cylinders would be organized, meanwhile, gunboats capable of crossing the Passaic River would ply the river waters in patrols, the Serdian Military seemingly revitalized with a cautious resolve towards victory!
However the civilian front from the city of Columbia as Marc would come to find when he arrived after several days, there being a rather eerie tension in the air as people went about their business, the excitement of warfare long since passed now that the threat of the Martians was well and truly known, but a false sense of security would arise as the defense line was completed (in record time too!) and the rumble of army bombers and pursuit planes overhead gave people the hope that the Martians Could be beaten!... R-Right?
"...So you want to find out about the situation in Wielbelkia is that right sir?" A Telegram operator would ask towards our dear Wielbelkian friend with a disgruntled tone, the man looking as if he hasn't slept in several days.
Wielbelkia
Wielbelkia
"Yes if that is at all possible." Marc replied, anxious to hear about what's going on outside Serdia.
"Well give me a moment, we've been running ragged with all the mayhem lately." the operator grumbled. After some tense waiting he eventually returned with a printed message which Marc quickly grabbed and read. It wasn't particularly encouraging, a few cylinders had landed but it seems the mountainous terrain limited the viable landing sites so not quite as many as in the southern states like Serdia. Nevertheless the Martians that had landed proved as difficult to beat for the Empire as it did for Serdia, with there even being reports of flying machines that could tear apart airships. Though if he wanted more details he'd have to wait for a newspaper of some kind. Ironic since that was the whole reason he had gone here to begin with. For now, he didn't have much to do but rest in a local hotel; he was looking forward to properly cleaning off after everything's that happened to him today.
Serdian republic
Serdian republic
The situation in Columbia is... odd to say the least as the false sense of security created by the constant aerial operations and the large-scale deployment of heavy artillery and entrenchments around the city had prevailed, however rumors were running rampant, rumors of Martians having overrun the southern half of the country, rumors that the gunboat U.S.S.S. Liberty had deserted after a battle gone south, more rumors of Martians up along the state border between Columbia and Amestris and recent news of the destruction of the Winchester Munitions mill in a vain attempt to engage the invaders, all of this not being helped by even more rumors of the shapes and silhouettes of martian machines in the distance outside of town and disappearances of many military aircraft that have gone to sortie against the invaders... the tension really was getting worse in the city, but still Martial law prevailed.
In other news, the Serdian Navy quietly begins organizing an evacuation fleet should the worst come to pass with a certain Coastal Defense Battleship finding itself anchored off Columbia harbor...
Wielbelkia
Wielbelkia
Marc rested uneasily, the distant din of defensive artillery being a constant. Still, he eventually managed to fall asleep. Only to be awoken by the sound of air raid sirens and not-so-distant artillery fire. He jumped out of bed in fright and looked out the window just in time to see an aircraft get shot down in the outskirts. He could also make out multiple fighting machines stomping in the distance, in far greater numbers this time. He quickly started getting ready to leave again, not trusting the Serdian army to hold against this assault.
Serdian republic
Serdian republic
Outside of the Hotel as the Wielbelkian journalist stepped outside, there would be total pandemonium, pure and utter chaos as the tension of the past few days finally exploded into a rioting panic, besides the not-so-distant banging of artillery and gunfire, the air is filled with the sounds of church bells ringing aloud, air raid sirens wailing and the panic-filled screaming of the civilian population, soldiers and repeater armed police officers hastily knocking on doors to get people out of their homes all whilst a pair of military trucks and a lonely M1919A2 Tank rolled by, the military vehicles covered in soldiers heading in the direction of the fighting, distant explosions rocking the city every now and then along with the distant roar of the Martian machines.
"EXTRA EXTRA! COLUMBIA IN PERIL, NORTHERN NEIGHBOR RHODICIA COLLAPSES TO MARTIAN FORCES! EXTRA EXTRA! EVACUATION OF COLUMBIA UNDERWAY! READ ALL A-ABOUT IT!..." Screamed a newspaper boy, hyperventilating as people bought the papers by the dozen.
Wielbelkia
Wielbelkia
Marc snatched one of the newspapers and tossed him some change, skimming over it in a hurry.
"The Martians are able to discharge enormous clouds of a black and poisonous gas by means of rockets. They have smothered our batteries and utterly annihilated our infantry and armored detachments, destroyed Richmond, Lindsfield, and Staffordshire, and are advancing slowly towards Columbia, destroying everything on the way. It is impossible to stop them, There is no safety from the Black Smoke but in instant flight, Gas Masks are useless, We Repeat This, GAS MASKS ARE USELESS, All Civilians within the City of Columbia and surrounding villages and counties have been and are ordered to evacuate by the United Serdian States Government and the Military Authorities." - Columbia State National Guard Public Dispatch Notice.
There were some other articles but this was all he could focus on right now. It seemed things just got worse and worse when it came to this invasion, he mused as he went along with the evacuating crowds.
Serdian republic
Serdian republic
Fire suddenly leapt from house to house, the population began to panic and run with people clamoring onto cars, trucks or horses, anything to get away from the danger, the terror-stricken crowd sweeping Marc amongst the horde of fleeing civilians as they fled. "HEAD TO THE HARBOR! THERE'S AN EVACUATION IN PROGRESS THERE! HURRY!" A Police officer yelled, standing atop a flipped over truck, having fired off three shots from his revolver to get the crowd's attention, giving the panic-stricken horde a direction to head to in all the chaos...
It can be said that throughout the city there was widespread panic and rioting, civilization collapsing under the heels of the Martians, should one be flying an aircraft or balloon on this very occasion they would see the streets of the outer boroughs of the city clogged with toxic black smoke, a great many people in the outer boroughs dying in their homes in the morning as the Martians bludgeoned their way through the military defense line, any who weren't fortunate enough to have suffered a death via the black smoke would find themselves snatched up by the Martian fighting machines and their tentacles for a worse fate, however the rapidly disintegrating Serdian Army continued resisting the invaders as best as it could with multiple artillery batteries prepared in both Central and Royal Park and the Harbor districts whilst army pursuit planes and bombers, despite the dangers and high loss rate continued their harassing attacks against the Martian fighting machines.
In Florence central train station it would be a scene of rioting as tired, frustrated soldiers and police officers clashed with the fugitives and refugees trying to board already hastily packed-to-capacity passenger and freight trains, a great many people being killed as they were crushed or bashed aside by leaving trains or shot to death by the soldiers and police officers at the station trying to maintain order, the Western Union Railroad and the Columbia Central Railway having had to replace the mass desertion of train drivers and redirected trains to the besieged-yet-still-standing southern cities of Norfolk, despite this many were still stabbed and shot outside Florence station in the confusion and panic, many of the guarding soldiers affixing bayonets as the rioting continued to grow worse with the approaching sounds of the Martians.
Meanwhile on the River Passaic, the canals of the city of Columbia would be flooded and packed with boats, ferries, small trampers and other such small craft capable of getting into the canal and charging people large sums of money for escape, despite the bastardly practice many people would try to board the many vessels parked in the canals and riverside only to be beaten off the boats as they tried to clamber on with paddles and planks of wood... Eventually one of the first Martian fighting machines to breech the defense line would come across this large congregation of shipping and soon the river Passaic would be flooded with the broken remains of boats, many smashed to matchwood alongside the corpses of boatmen, sailors and refugees who tried to board them.
Columbia Is Burning.
Wielbelkia
Wielbelkia
Marc had to fight his way along roads packed with refugees, the homeless, burdened with boxes and bundles containing their valuables. The rich rubbing shoulders with beggars and outcasts. Dogs snarled and whined, the horses' bits were covered with foam and here and there were wounded soldiers, as helpless as the rest. Never before in the history of the world had such a mass of human beings moved and suffered together. This was no disciplined march but a stampede, without order and without a goal, thousands of people unarmed and unprovisioned, driving headlong. It was the beginning of the rout of civilization, of the massacre of mankind.
Serdian republic
Serdian republic
As Marc fled, a fighting machine could be spotted marching it's way through the city canal, a large wave caused by it's wading nearly destroying several bridges in the area and capsizing a many dinghies and causing many boatmen and passengers to drown... Multiple bridges were cut through like paper as the tripods waded up the Passaic River, Fulton Bridge, Columbus Bridge... One appeared above the Blackwatch clock-tower in the governmental district and let out a triumphant howl as the tower collapsed.
"...That's it, Have it him and FIRE!" Yelled an officer to the gunners and the howl of the fighting machine would be suddenly answered by the thunderous firing of multiple 75mm Artillery guns from the central park battery, the high explosive shells exploding harmlessly around the fighting machine as each shell missed, the foot of the fighting machine coming down and destroying one of the cannons, a second fighting machine appearing and bending down, soldiers screaming and panicking as the tentacles of the Martian monster plucked them up from the ground and lifted them into a basket, rifle and pistol fire from the soldiers doing little to dissuade the machines, Meanwhile in the financial district, thousands flee for their lives trampling over each other as they rushed to flee the Martian black smoke, however many would fall victim to the smoke with eyes bloodshot and blackened blood pouring out of their mouths as the pungent whisps of the toxic smoke were breathed in, gas-mask wearing soldiers amongst the many fleeing civilians falling victim to the poisoned gas despite their breathing apparatuses.
In the chaos of the moment, through the wailing of air raid sirens and screams of the civilian population would cut the multiple horns and whistles of various boats docked in the city harbor, troops of the Serdian Marine Corps maintaining order as people boarded either the many docked vessels or the rowboats, police boats and steam powered launches taking people to the waiting shipping out in the harbor, the great mass would include from lightly armed Serdian Coast Guard Patrol Cutters to oil tankers from Eastern Serdia and Aaronia, Colliers from Meincentarg, fine white Czestwolaskian passenger liners down to dirty Terramunyan tramp steamers and an assortment of fishing smacks and other such merchant shipping from Rhodicia and Worklaw, in the midst of all the shipping there would be one lone warship, a somewhat small battleship lying quite low in the water looking almost waterlogged... this would be the elderly Coastal Defense ship: U.S.S.S. Thunderchild, meanwhile over the horizon out to sea the masts and upper-works of the Serdian Navy's 9th Battleship squadron would be seen rising out of the water, a formidable force for sure but ultimately powerless to stop the Martian conquest.
"Not enough room! I'm sorry but there isn't enough room!" A sullen faced Serdian Marine would say as Marc approached the already packed steamship, multiple other Marines pushing people back with their rifles as the gangplank leading onto the small steamer was raised.
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