As the blood froze to the cracked pavement Edofasian soldiers went about carrying off the dead. A few dozen of their own compared to hundreds of rebels that have died trying to capture the GNR. The rebels attempted to push Edofasian forces off but retreated at the first signs of armored reinforcements. Sufficently running out of options and supplies. The rebels began forming a defense in the city of Koila. Slowly the Edofasians began to surround the city. Setting up observantion posts and artiliary FOBs as they advanced. The E.N.A.F was now fully brought to bear. So far through the rebels had been holding their air power back. Whether they were scared to use them or were conserving them for this battle was unknown. But it made it considerably easier to move reinforcements from the homeland in. Now reinforced by the full might of their airforce and an armored division up from the south. Both sides seem to be waiting for the other to make their play.
FOB Artimus
10 miles east of Koila
The foot patrol numbered ten men and one Sergent. The had the unfortunate job of patrolling the forests around their base for rebel insurgents. "What do you think Sean? Would you rather be up ere or down in the Icebox with the big bastards?" another soldier piped up. His voice muffled by the forest green scarf around his neck. "Hush up McDougal. Capt said to cut the jawing" as McDougal opened his mouth to respond a shot rang out and Sean dropped like a stone. Screaming his head off. "Enemy contact. Get down!" Shouted the Captain at the front of the group. The men dived behind fallen logs and into snowbanks. McDougal dragged Sean behind him as they made their way back to the road. "Covering fire!" The squad began blind firing up the mountain in front of them supressing the rebels. A red flare went up as the communication officer of the squad radioed the FOB an the alarm could be heard in the distance. The rebels began to fall back. "Not yet you don't you fucking cowards" rang out a very pissed off McDougal. Slinging his assault rifle off his shoulder and setting his sites on a rebel who tripped as he was running deeper into the woods. There was no hesitation when he squeezed the trigger. The black figure fell on his face. As the gunfire died two APCs arrived on the road. Hauling off Sean who had taken a slug to the thigh. McDougal had went to claim whatever ID was on the rebel who shot at his squad mate but was sickend when he came upon the lad. No older than 15. His skin pale and cheeks hollow. He had no business holding the gun that laid at his side. Two attack helicopters snapped him out of the shock that overcame him as they fired on something unseen maybe a few hundred yards deeper into the forest. Finally dragging himself back to the APC he had a view of the valley all around Koila. Fires burned up and down the mountainsides. "They've been hitting us like this for days now....get your ass back to base. You have patrol duty with me tomorrow again McDougal." Said the Sergent in a curt but quiet voice. "Yes sir." As he stepped into the APC he took one more look at the fires blooming up and down the valley and shuddered.