The PAC captured New Hope. The African Union also retook Ayaan. Survivors in a Derelict Settlement joined the ARC. The Siege of Freeland was a long and brutal one. LEV Destroyers pounded the city for months, to little effect. Dragoons swarmed the city on all sides, but had trouble chipping away at the defenses. After another month of intense combat inside the city, Freeland finally fell. By then, the streets were strewn with malfunctioning bodies belonging to Polystrailia’s Supremacy based state. Blood, oil, hydraulic fluid, and coolant were among the many chemicals that leaked from their bodies. Finally, Hutama couldn’t take any more pressure. He sued for peace. The ARC and PAC agreed. Hutama gave the ARC Harta.
Next on the list was Hutama’s colony. But first, the decreasing health of the ARC and dwindling profits had to be addressed. The terrascapes were cut down in exchange for generators. Also, the Tectonic Anvil was built. However, the military had no break. Most of the world suddenly declared war on Reginaldo de Alencar. For whatever reason, the ARC was dragged into the conflict. Unfortunately, this wouldn’t be the only one. The African Union declared war on the ARC as well. Fortunately, they made a huge mistake, because the PAC was on the ARC’s side as well. The African Union would pay. Dearly.
Almost immediately, the ARC mobilized half of its army and had it rampage on towards the African Union. Ayaan, a city that had been the center of a titanic struggle between them and Polystrailia, was put under siege. They wouldn’t last long against LEV Destroyers and Dragoons. Some Marauders tried to put up a defense near the city. They were brushed aside by a Battlesuit squad. The army then moved to Magan, the capital. Airstrikes over the city pummeled the defenses, and then a massive assault finished it off. A Dragoon unit was ambushed by Xeno Cavalry and Marauders. The Africans must’ve loved their aliens to be riding them during a war. How quickly they learned how impractical that would be against armored vehicles.
Sike. These Xeno Cavalrymen had mounted deadly weapons and heavy armor on these fearless life forms. Taking them down would be a challenge for even the most battle hardened men and women. A massive skirmish did end up taking place, where the resolve of the ARC and African Union would be put to the test. Masego did fall after a brief attack by a LEV Destroyer and Dragoon. The Battle of Thabo was a fierce one indeed. There were heavy casualties on both sides. The fight the Africans were putting up was one the Polystrailians should’ve gave. Zuberi was taken after a quick battle.
A Dragoon unit had to fall back to a canyon after a Battlesuit squad was wiped out by artillery. ARC Predators destroyed a Viper battalion that had caused the ARC so much grief earlier. There were many reasons why the defense of this city was so fierce. For starters, the ARC didn’t send the big guns to follow them. Second, it was the original starting point for an African offensive into the PAC, which meant the entire African army was stationed there, along with most of its airforce. Third, Samatar would not allow the massive resources there to fall into ARC hands. Fourth, the city had a Shredder unit stationed inside, which bombarded the ARC forces. Suzanne had to confess that she didn’t anticipate such a steadfast defense. After all, virtually every other city that the ARC had taken over had absolutely no resistance to speak of. And, the opening wave was completely successful.
Suzanne would move an Aegis behind the city to flank the defenders. This unit had never been used. On paper, it looked very weak. However, in application, its use would be put to the test.