One Week later
Eivern Forest, south of the Caribou Capital.
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As the combined US, Soviet, and Equestrian army marched through the forest, the ominous view of the stone-walled Caribou capital of Strunhoven, or in Equish, Stonehaven, was present on the horizon. Nearly three days ago, since the Equestrians and their allies had advanced into the Caribou's Strunh valley, battles had been becoming much more frequent. From what the village chiefs they had encountered had told them, Dainn had pulled out from most of his forward outposts and focused on fortifying the capital into a stronghold no army could breach. Now, as the three armies marched towards their prize, the sun rises.
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PERSPECTIVE-Pvt. John Baker
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"I see smoke." Straker said.

"Where?" Lt. Carlson asked.

"There." I pointed out, noticing the plume of white smoke coming from various positions ahead and around us.

"Could mean an ambush." Cpl. Jonas Theodore, or "Teddy" said. "Or it's just the Caribou cooking breakfast."

"Might be." Straker said.

"Should we go check it out?" I asked.

"No, stay with the convoy." Carlson said. "I'll talk with the Colonels, see what'll be done. For now, keep marching."

"Yessir." We all said in unison. As we walked, I shuddered slightly at the smell of meat being roasted.

"You smell that?" I asked Jonas.

"Yeah, venison, maybe beef?" He replied. "What? My dad was a butcher."

"Why would they just leave food out for us?" Straker asked.

"Maybe because they want us to take it. It's probably booby-trapped. If you see it, we should leave it alone." I said.

"Says the Private." Straker, a Sergeant, said.

"Hey, were you there when we landed?" I reply. "I was."

"So?" Straker said.

"Experience outranks everything." I say flatly.

"Wait, up ahead, what's that!?" Jonas says. I notice what Jonas was referring to. A pile of game lay in front and to our left, off the road. It was being cooked, but whoever was cooking it was long gone.

"Let's check it out." Straker says. The three of us advance on the game, and I see Jonas reaching for something inside, which was glowing white.

"DON'T!" I cry, shoving him away as the pile explodes. Jonas and I tumble down, and Straker pulls us up. As we watch the pile, now raining pieces of grass and meat down on us, I shrug.

"Told you." I mutter. "Let's go."

As we walk off, Jonas takes one last look at the meat before rushing back to join us. As we walk up to Lt. Carlson, he looks at us.

"Why are you covered in blood?" He asks.

"Eh, some booby-trapped meat, sir. Jonas here set it off." I say.

"Get yourselves cleaned up. I'll alert the Generals." Carlson says, dismissing us. As we head over to the supply truck, Jonas starts chuckling.

"What's so funny?" Straker asks.

"Deer me, that was close." Jonas says, laughing. I punch him in the shoulder as we board the truck.

"For jokes like that, I'll shoot you myself." Straker says.

"It's jokes like those that keep me going." I chuckle. As we grab some fresh shirts, I look outside, back at the forest.

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Three days later
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Eisenhower, Ashurkov, and Paige were studying maps when three Wolfpack soldiers walked in and saluted.

"Report." Eisenhower says.

"Yessir. The Caribou have set up three command posts outside the city walls, each command post is the epicenter of a town. Problem is, they've rigged up giant crossbows and other anti-tank defenses all around. They've got spikes rammed into the ground, pit traps, whole nine yards. Infantry and Tank assault isn't going to be easy." The lead soldier reports.

"Any air options?" Paige asks.

"They've but a shield around most of the main city, so that's a no-go, sir." The lead soldier replies. "However, we did notice three smaller rear gates at the back of the city. Supply caravans are moving in and out like clockwork through them. Problem is, those three gates are heavily defended and each convoy is checked. We're not going to be able to sneak in that way."

"What about blowing the walls?" Paige asks.

"Doubt it, sir. From what I've seen, they could stand up to a howitzer shell, so I doubt we have the bombs we need to blast it down." A soldier replies.

"Good work, men. Get some rest." Eisenhower says.

"This complicates things." Ashurkov says.

"It does. Dainn's turned it into a fortress. There's multiple ways in, but none of them are easy." Paige says.

"Ryan, one thing I know for certain is this." Eisenhower says. "War is never easy. I have an idea."

"What is it?" Paige asked.

"We make a diversion towards the main gate, and when the Caribou move their troops to defend, we sneak in at the rear gates. They'll be hit from two sides at once." Eisenhower said.

"Right. Once the Caribou fall back, we advance into the city." Ashurkov said. "Good thinking."

"I'll radio the Wolfpack." Paige said. "I'll get our fliers back on the Traveler ready to deploy."
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Perspective- Pvt. Harris Jackson, 3rd Army Wolfpack, 1'st Squad
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As we slinked through the brush like snakes, I kept my grip steady on my rifle. Captain Gates was leading us towards the gate in the middle, where most of their supplies were going through. Several caravans were already in the gate when we snuck up on two guards. Quick as a flash, we cut their throats and dragged them into the brush.

"1st squad, move up." Captain Gates said. Myself and five other guys nodded and we hid behind the main cart, which was packed with food. We set explosives in the food, and made our getaway.

"Ready?" Lt. Michaels asked.

"Go." I murmured. Michaels hit the detonator, and as the bombs reached the gate, they exploded, clearing the path.

"NOW!" Gates cried as we opened fire, drawing the Caribou's attention. Unlike the warriors we had faced before, these guys were standing their ground and slinging red blasts of energy at us.

"Reloading!" I cried as I dropped my empty magazine and put a new one in my rifle. Then, the gates raised, and a horde of warriors came out, armed to the teeth.

"Shit!" I cried.

"The second assault should begin soon!" Gates cried. "Just keep shooting!"

"Roger that!" We chorused. Problem was that the Caribou kept advancing, and soon, we were in hand-to-hand combat.

"Fall back!" Gates cried. "We're outnumbered!"

"We're screwed!" A Private cried.

"We're not!" Lt. Michaels said. "Get on a radio, and get a swarm in here!"

"Sir! That's insane!" I cried.

"Do it now!" Michaels retorted. Cpl. Lewis got on the radio and began to speak.

"This is Hunter 2-1. We need a swarm strike on the rear gate. Coordinates 1-4-7 niner heading 23 upwards. For chrissakes, get it here now!"

"Roger that, Swarm incoming!" The radio blared.

"We've got to hold out!" I cried, reaching for my last magazine. "I'm low on ammo!"

"Keep shooting till you're empty!" Gates replied. Then, we heard an all-too familiar sound of aircraft engines.

"Swarm's here! Get your heads down!" Gates cried as the Hornets came in fast. From what I remembered, they were copied off the German Stuka, only with two engines and a longer frame. Plus, they could carry guns or bombs, a full load of them.

"Hang on to your teeth!" I cried as the Hornets dive-bombed the gate and explosions came up all around us. I dived to the ground as shrapnel filled the air, and the Hornets droned off. I peeked over our cover to see the Caribou were dead, and a huge hole had been punched in the gate.

"Eisenhower, this is Hunter 2-1. We've broken through. Begin the attack." Gates said.

"Roger that." Eisenhower replied. "Get back here and get some rest, Wolfpack. You've earned it."

As we departed, the sun rose and the attack on the main gate began.