Deception City: A World at War Novel (World at War Online Book 5) by Mitchell T. Jacobs Read Free Book Online

deeper parts of the woods.”
    “Hopefully.”
    “And if we don’t, well, we can make it happen,” Liz said. “Quietly, of course.”
    “Right.”
    “I mean it. Don’t riddle anyone with bullets unless you absolutely have to.”
    “When have I ever done that?” Danny protested.
    “Just saying. Fox Lead out.”
    Danny opened up his wrist menu and took a look at the map. They had about a half mile to go until they reached their destination, deep in the thick forests. Once they had established a forward position they would send small scout teams toward the southern walls of Milwaukee, hopefully to find whatever weakness they could exploit.
    Meanwhile the main force would remain behind, gathering information from the various sources and covering their line of escape. Hopefully they wouldn’t have to use it, but if they were discovered they would have to fall back through enemy lines. They had sneaked through a small gap in the enemy positions on their way up here, but Danny had a feeling that would close very quickly if they were discovered.
    But if that happened they could force another hole open. Danny had a direct link to the heavy artillery battery inside of Racine base, and could call down strikes whenever he needed it. He didn’t want to use it unless absolutely necessary, but he had a powerful trump card to play.
    Their mission was reconnaissance, however, and it would be a failure if they didn’t come back with the information they needed. No matter how many of the enemy they might kill, how much confusion they might spread, if they didn’t get their data the whole thing would be a bust.
    Ghost Battalion had units moving up and down the enemy lines, probing at their weaknesses, making note of their positions and strengths. When the time came to advance, they’d be ready for what lay ahead.
    Danny had left most of his platoon in Racine to help guard the base, taking only Xavier’s squad with him. He didn’t want to chance being caught off guard by a surprise attack, and battalion command had agreed with him.
    He came to a small ridge overlooking a section of highway. Danny moved up for a closer glimpse, taking care not to expose himself to anyone who might be lurking below. He could hear the sounds of motors getting steadily closer, coming from the north.
    Sure enough, a light tank with Ragnarok markings trundled past, followed by a line of trucks. Most carried stacks of cargo on their trailers, though two of them had antiaircraft guns mounted on their backs. They were probably there in case Raven Flight’s attack helicopters showed up, but their quad autocannons would be extremely deadly to anyone on the ground trying to ambush them as well.
    Danny fought down the urge to attack the convoy. He had enough troops and heavy weapons to launch a devastating ambush, and doubtless the enemy convoy carried important supplies, but that wasn’t his problem right now. The more attacks they launched behind enemy lines, the more Ragnarok would patrol the area, and that would compromise their attempts at reconnaissance. Danny wasn’t about to trade a large victory for a small one like the destruction of a convoy.
    He didn’t want to risk alerting them to his presence, though, so he stayed put and watched the line pass by. Danny counted trucks to pass the time, reaching twenty before the line ended with another light tank. Apparently the enemy wasn’t taking any chances with an ambush.
    But with the convoy gone he could move freely again. Danny made his way back into the undergrowth and continued on his way with his unit, skirting the edge of the road. It might be easier to walk in the thinner parts of the forest, but that increased the chance of detection by enemy patrols. Better to travel the harder road with less chance of exposure.
    “Bravo Wolf, we’ve reached the target point,” Liz said. “Area is secure. No signs of the enemy present.”
    “Copy that, Fox Lead,” Danny replied. “We’re moving up to