For Our Unity

Chapter XIV: Changing the Colors

The convoy sped up and upon in-range, the tank proceeded to fire it's main gun, followed by the cacophony of machine guns, miniguns, and automatic grenade launchers. Infantry inside wasn't ordered to disembark, through. The drone we have seen before were also present, giving us a situation update about the rebel's strength. The firefight was over 25 minutes later, and after some talking to local defenders by the officers in the convoy, we continued with double the speed prior to that rebel attack to make up lost time.

And at 07.25 we entered Kadipaten District, in Majalengka with gunfire and a menacing, red flag ahead greeted us. They're know we're coming. The helicopters we seen before had already circled the town, sometimes the Apache firing it's 30mm. Scream of explosive-laden drones in swarm dived from behind us into important targets of opportunity, covered by another swarm - all operated by regular Siliwangi Division and perhaps Aussie intervention force - engaging rebel ones for low level supremacy.

"All unit, dismount and take up firing positions!" said Wambe on the radio inside his command-configured Sanca MRAP.

"The enemy mostly held themselves in near the downtown area. One of them is Nusa Indah inn. Enemy size, 200 plus fighters." Said a radioman from an advance party sent via helicopter (Army Rangers/Raider). Machine and miniguns mounted on the trucks started singing.

We sighted a group of Reds firing at another group of volunteers, covered by walls of stores in the strategic intersection to Cirebon and Majalengka city proper. 

"Blast those red bastards," said a regular army NCO by tank mounted phone to the commander of our assigned Harimau Hitam tank.

"Roger that, shell is on the way". the tank obliterated a group of enemies lined up in the vicinity of the intersection.

"Line up, one rank near that vehicle, Get ready for close combat so fix bayonets!" Ordered Stephen to us. The 2nd squad gathered near another Harimau which was patrolling the street, it's machine guns blazing against the suspected enemy position. Shop-by-shop, the 2nd squad supported local armed citizenry dispatching the rebels. 

"Eat cold steel, commie." I growled when a so called "revolutionary" burst out of a shop attempt to strike me with his rifle's butt, and I stabbed him with my bayonet. Blood burst of his stomach, staining my uniform.

Somehow, the face of that fallen young rebel reminds me of someone, but who?

"Target eliminated," report Putu via radio after she took out two FDNI fighters perched on the rooftop of a restaurant.

"Cover your ears!" said a sergeant of the WJNG nearby when overhead, a screech of laser-guided rocket announced the passage of one out of two Apaches - the said helicopter pumped flares.

"Holy sh-t" said Ramlan. "I know they somehow got MANPADS, but looking at it trying to shoot ours down..."

We positioned ourselves on the road heading to Cirebon, supported by the Tarantula, and engaged more rebels. "Incoming technicals, Northeast!" Abe promptly prepared his RPG-32.

"Backblast area clear!" Abe fired his RPG which destroyed a technical. Another was dispatched by the light tank. Still, the enemy was persistent... 

Stephen asked: "LMG, where's the LMG?" Handy immediately run towards the back of the tank - just as it's active protection system kicked in, intercepting an RPG round meant for it - and reported via his radio headset "Here sir".

"Get her to sing!" the Australian commanded. "Roger" Handy went into a prone position in the asphalt and immediately fired his Maximi on short burst.

Later..

"Everybody get down!"

Friendly mortars, out of nowhere began firing at rebels' position inside the town. Cruise missiles were also flying overhead but weren't aimed towards the city. Smart money the missiles were intended for Cirebon, which saw heavy fighting against both NII and the FDNI. Later the Harimau Hitam's tank gun fired again and this time destroyed a car bomb sent from Cirebon in an attempted suicide attack.

"Be advised a group of enemy forces - Jihadists - from Cirebon had managed to break out from Cirebon after detonated a car bomb in an army checkpoint, killed 3 and wounded 7. Their intention might be retreating or break out from Cirebon or reinforce Kadipaten, in order to threaten our supply lines," said Lt. Col Wambe. 

"We'll take care of these, over" said Captain Wuwur. 

"This is Alpha Victor 1-2 to all of the 1st Platoon A Coy, regroup on me in the road to Cirebon near the town center," said Lt. Rustanto. The Lieutenant had been keeping an eye of our position when we entered the town. As the result the company were regrouped and he later ordered "Get yourself ready and find cover if possible because there will be a counterattack from Cirebon, despite it being besieged."

10 minutes later.

"Heads up we've got enemy technicals and two light armored vehicles might be VBIEDs" Clearly visible from the drone feed shared to our tactical tablets were NII insignias.

Immediately rocket and large-caliber cannons began firing from every three direction, left side, right side, and front. Six technicals composing the second wave were dispatched immediately. Explosions from the horizon indicated our close air at work; the Apaches had returned in a vengeance with one executed a strafing run on a column of rebels while his wingman fired two JAGMs, destroying two captured Anoa that burst in a massive bang.

"Damn right those things were suicide bombs!" said the amazed Putu.

After the city were declared secure especially after reinforcement from Majalengka entering the town, our radio crackled "This is Kujang 12, your objective has changed. Head to Cirebon immediately, I repeat, head to Cirebon immediately". We are now heading to Cirebon, the Prawn/Shrimp City (Kota Udang); what kind of enemy awaiting us there?

......

A/N:

(1) In story explanation; not exists in real life but the award have three classes, Nararya (3rd class), Pratama (2nd Class) and Utama (1st Class), Equivalent with Superior Unit, Meritorious Unit Commendation, and Valorous Unit respectively in the United States Armed Forces. The Highest award which can be awarded to the unit in the Indonesian Armed Forces is the Samkaryanugraha Panglima Tertinggi (Commander-in-chief Medal/Ribbon) which equivalent to US military Presidential Unit Citation and it's equivalent in the Philippines and South Korea.