112 Chokepoin (1/2)
The chokepoint in the tunnel was narrow to the point that only a hundred espers would be able to stand side by side. The guards had thrown together crude fortifications from a mixture of steel and manullium. They had also mounted steam cannons atop the fortifications, turning the blockade into a dead zone for any prisoners that got too close.
”Steam Tanks to the front!” Tai yelled as he rose his arm in the air and waved it downwards.
Ten steam tanks moved forward, barely able to maintain their formation in the narrow tunnel. When they got close enough, the guards fired their cannons. Explosions echoed everywhere as the tanks were engulfed in black corrosive fire that vanished just as quickly as it came. When the scene cleared, the tanks were completely destroyed. The remains even blocked the way forward, preventing more tanks from moving forward to replace them.
”They're using mana-ammunition for the cannons!” Tai shouted. He looked towards the other gang leaders. ”It's as we agreed previously, we'll be using human wave tactics. Send your members forward.”
”Humph.” Neo snorted while raising his fist into the air. White men walked forward, forming lines of one hundred men in each row for a total of ten rows. The ones in the front wore the worst armor, consisting of cheap purple leather. The ones in the back wore full manullium-plate armor and were clearly the more valued subordinates.
The other gang leaders followed suit, forming their members into ten lines of one hundred each. Then the groups mixed together, making it so that the forces alternated each row. This was done to ensure that their gangs would have equal casualties. However, there were two exceptions to this rule. Neither Tai's forces nor Rubi's forces participated in the human waves. As the leader and mastermind, as well as the one with all of the military equipment, it made sense for Tai's forces to not join. After all, they'd be essential in the later battles. Ed looked over the forces and rose an eyebrow. 'I wonder how Rubi pulled that one off? Does she have a special relationship with Tai beyond what I already know?'
Tai ordered the waves to move forward. With none of the gang forces having steam rifles, tanks, or mechs, it was a complete bloodbath. For every meter of ground they gained, dozens of espers at the front were blown to shreds. Black fire from the cannon mana-ammunition continued to burn the rivers of blood and bodies, going so far as to even push the purple smoke back. This was the saving grace for the espers further in the back, as it finally allowed them to use their powers protectively as they moved forward. The pawns at the front had been thrown away just for this purpose. Of course, some tried to abandon the front-lines, but they were just as quickly killed by their comrades as they were by their enemies. They were the weakest espers to begin with, so they didn't really have a choice in the matter.
Ed moved towards Tai, standing right next to him. He spoke in a voice low enough that the gang leaders wouldn't be able to hear. ”Why'd you use human wave tactics?” He questioned. ”We could have broken through easily by just firing the mana-shell that each steam tank carries. You even sacrificed ten steam tanks for nothing?”
Tai smiled while waving his fan towards his face. ”It's necessary to reduce the other gangs' forces as much as possible. If I don't do it now, then they might get the wrong idea once we escape and attack me. Besides.” He pointed his fan towards the front-lines. ”Look. Even in this situation, the individual gangs are purposefully causing the deaths of each other. Those behind the front-line push enemy gang members to the ground, causing their deaths. They're so foolish that they don't even realize the line behind them will likely do the same to them. Of course, I arranged the lines like this on purpose under the guise of equal casualties.”
Ed frowned. ”And Rubi? Why aren't her forces participating?”
”Because those forces are already mine.” He grinned. ”They'll be coming to China with me, just like my Fire Dragon Clan forces. It wouldn't be good if I only brought a bunch of men home with me. I'd never hear the end of it from my father.”
”I see.” Ed nodded as he looked back towards the front.
The human wave tactics had been effective. The guards had limited ammunition, and the espers had no way to retreat with the forces from behind pushing them forward. It was only a matter of time before they finally broke through. Especially once enough of the purple smoke was blown away to allow their full use of powers, even if only temporarily.
”What a pointless waste of forces.” Ed sighed as he watched. He knew that Carlos could have easily blown all the purple smoke away, meaning all these deaths were truly pointless. It was nothing more than a cruel game of politics played by those at the top. It was likely that the other gang bosses were even aware of this being done on purpose, but why would they care as long as they could successfully escape this hellhole?
The espers had finally managed to overtake the fortifications. The injured prisoners that survived at the front wished to inflict a thousand times the pain and horror they had just experienced upon their enemies. The guards screamed in terror as they were tortured to death by these enraged espers.
”Hmm.” Tai rubbed his chin. ”I'd say we lost about 2,000 lives, bringing the gang forces down to a total of 5,000. Not bad. Most of the others will probably die in the next battle.” He rose an arm in the air. ”All forces, advance!” The various steam tanks, mechs, infantrymen, and gang members began moving forward once again.
”How many battles are there going to be anyways?” Ed questioned.
”Three.” He answered confidently. ”The first was the battle of the chokepoint, which we've just won. This will be the easiest battle by far. The second will be the battle of the gate. Their forces will completely surround us from reinforced positions built directly into the cave walls. Our forces are going to get massacred as we try and protect you and Carlos breaking through the gate. Unfortunately, that will still be the 2nd easiest battle.” A grim look appeared on his face. ”The third battle will be the battle of the fort. Do you know where this tunnel exits at?” He questioned.
”No clue.” Ed shook his head honestly. Considering the cage was originally on an island, and they had traveled for days through the maze, his best guess was in the middle of the ocean.
”Alaska.” Tai answered. ”It'll exit directly into a large military compound in Alaska, and it will be the final and most deadly fight. There will be no purple smoke to interfere, meaning our espers will finally be able to use their powers with no restrictions. But the guards will be able to use theirs as well, and we'll have to face the Warden. All of this while we're being fired upon by their forces atop the fort walls and attacked by their mechs. It'll be a chaotic bloodbath,”
”I see.” Ed nodded.
It was nearly an hour before they reached the cavern with the gate. Unlike the chokepoint, the entire area was a wide-open space. The purple manullium gate towered above everything, looking more like a permanent wall than an actual exit.
”Hey.” Thur walked over and placed a hand on Tai's shoulder. ”Why don't we just break through the cavern walls instead of the gate itself? Won't it be easier?” He questioned.