June 28th, 1938 – 0630 Hours
The smell of smoke and burning debris hung in the air as the Valorian tanks pushed forward, their heavy treads crushing everything in their path. The first wave of Valorian infantry moved behind them, rifles ready, scanning the area for any signs of Matalebe resistance.
General Raelthorn Graves stood at the command post, binoculars in hand, watching the operation unfold. The airstrike had done its job—many of the Matalebe fighters were in retreat, but there were still pockets of resistance scattered throughout the valley. The gunfire from earlier had quieted down, but Graves knew the fight wasn't over yet.
"Captain Renfield," Graves called, lowering his binoculars. "What's the status of the second wave?"
"They're moving into position, General," Renfield replied. "The first wave has secured the main roads. The second wave will begin flanking the eastern side in a few minutes."
Graves nodded, eyes back on the battlefield. He could see the Matalebe forces trying to regroup near the ridge, but their attempts to organize were weak. Their morale was broken, and the chaos caused by the airstrike left them disoriented.
"Keep up the pressure," Graves said, voice steady. "We need to push them out completely."
On the ground, the Valorian tanks rumbled ahead, their cannons ready to fire. Infantry units spread out, moving cautiously through the smoldering remains of the Matalebe defenses. The soldiers kept low, using the debris and bomb craters for cover as they advanced.
Suddenly, gunfire erupted from a hidden trench on the western side of the valley. Matalebe soldiers had set up a defensive line, and they were firing at the advancing Valorians. Bullets whizzed past the infantry, forcing them to hit the ground.
"Take cover!" one of the Valorian sergeants shouted as his men scrambled for safety.
Graves watched the firefight through his binoculars. "Get those tanks to target that trench," he ordered into his radio. "We need to neutralize that threat before it slows us down."
The VT-44 tanks adjusted their turrets, aiming at the trench where the Matalebe forces were holed up. A few seconds later, a thunderous boom echoed across the battlefield as the tanks unleashed their firepower. Explosions rocked the trench, sending up clouds of dirt and smoke. The gunfire from the Matalebe side stopped abruptly.
"Trench neutralized," Renfield reported, glancing up from the comms. "The second wave is now flanking the eastern side."
Graves looked to the eastern approach, where the second wave of Valorian infantry was moving in. They were advancing quickly, catching the remaining Matalebe forces off guard. The Matalebe fighters, realizing they were surrounded, began to retreat further into the valley.
"Signal all units," Graves commanded. "Press the attack. Do not let them escape."
General Raelthorn Graves watched as the Valorian forces tightened their grip on the Matalebe fighters. The tanks were rolling steadily through the valley, and the infantry advanced without hesitation. Yet, despite the progress, Graves knew this battle could be wrapped up more quickly. There was still a significant number of Matalebe soldiers holed up in the deeper parts of the valley.
A thought crossed his mind: The Navy should join the fun.
He turned to Captain Renfield. "Get me a direct line to the VNS Titan."
Renfield blinked, momentarily surprised, but he quickly nodded and signaled the radio operator. The VNS Titan, a powerful battleship stationed off the coast, had been in standby mode, waiting for orders.
A moment later, the radio crackled to life. "VNS Titan standing by, General Graves," came the voice of the ship's captain.
Graves stepped forward and took the receiver. "This is General Graves. I need an artillery strike on these coordinates," he said, reading off the location of the deeper parts of the valley, where the Matalebe fighters were attempting to regroup.
"We'll provide spotting from the ground, but I want those shells to drop in two minutes. Make it count."
"Acknowledged, General. VNS Titan will commence firing in two minutes. Over and out."
Graves turned to Renfield. "Have our infantry pull back slightly. I don't want any friendly fire. Once the bombardment begins, we'll move forward again."
Renfield relayed the orders, and the infantry began to pull back just as the ground-based artillery units repositioned to adjust for the incoming naval bombardment.
Graves watched the horizon, waiting for the naval guns to roar. He knew the VNS Titan was armed with 16-inch guns, capable of firing shells weighing over a ton. When those shells hit, it would be as if the heavens themselves had unleashed their fury on the Matalebe forces.
0650 Hours
Suddenly, an explosion rumbled as the first salvo from the VNS Titan's main battery screamed overhead. The massive shells tore through the sky, their distant whistling barely audible before the first explosion shook the valley.
A fiery blast erupted in the distance, followed by a series of thunderous detonations. The Matalebe positions were engulfed in a storm of fire and debris as the Titan's artillery tore through their makeshift defenses.
Graves observed through his binoculars, satisfied with the destruction unfolding before him. "That should loosen them up," he muttered to Renfield. The Matalebe fighters had no chance against such overwhelming firepower.
The naval bombardment continued for another minute, systematically destroying every visible position. As the smoke cleared, Graves could see what remained of the Matalebe forces—disorganized, demoralized, and scattered. Some were attempting to flee, while others lay motionless among the wreckage.
"Second wave, move in!" Graves ordered over the radio. "No survivors."
The Valorian tanks and infantry surged forward once more, their momentum unstoppable. The Matalebe resistance was now little more than a desperate last stand.
As the Valorian troops advanced, the sound of sporadic gunfire echoed across the battlefield. Any remaining Matalebe soldiers were swiftly taken down as the Valorians pressed forward with deadly precision.
Graves stood tall, watching the operation unfold exactly as planned. The combined might of the Valorian Army, Air Force, and Navy had decimated the enemy. Now, it was just a matter of mopping up the remaining pockets of resistance.
"This is the end for them," Renfield remarked.
Graves nodded. "Yes. And it's only the beginning for us."