The geography of Big Macs runs along a north-south axis, with the unique environment devoid of absolute strategic usage. The impassable Death Dunes span the globe from north to south, isolating the scope of the battle lines. Attempting to divide the forces and cross the Death Dunes to open up flanking positions for intersecting containment is unrealistic. The harsh conditions of the Death Dunes often entail heavy costs before one can even reach the enemy's doorstep. Both generals have clearly excluded the Death Dunes from consideration, merely probing tactically against each other.

At present, there are two ways to reverse the disadvantaged situation of the Federal Army: firstly, accumulate a tactical advantage and keep up the snowball effect of minor advantages. After all, the local federal territories can absolutely wear out the Saudi army. The second strategy is to increase the strength of Big Macs. In this face-to-face and limited battlefield, manpower is the decisive capital.

It's clear that both the Federation and Saudi only view Big Macs as a lukewarm pivot point. As long as the balance of this pivot does not tilt to one side, Big Macs will not pose a disruption to the battle of Lipton Star.

However, this secondary battlefront, unloved by all, has become Jiu Ling's proving ground.

To improve the average operating level of the soldiers, Augustins has already adjusted the daily training plan in the meantime. The warriors are training 9 hours a day, on average, spending their time in the simulation combat room. Under the circumstances, there is no option but to improve their average Mecha operation skills in the absence of the ability to challenge Jiu Ling directly.

Today, they were conducting their sixth operation of the month aimed at the third defense line, particularly challenging due to its favored defenses that are easy to maintain but hard to break. Augustins must take it down, as sleeping would be difficult without controlling the third line. It is too close to the fourth defense line, and if the fourth line is accidentally lost, the Saudi forces could capture the resources of Stan City directly.

Four troops had already quietly started moving toward the edge of the third defense line in the early morning. Feng Yi's unit was the leading force executing the military plan, and he was fortunate enough to be assigned to a highly functional medium-sized Mecha 'Courage' due to his personal operating capability.

Courage is a new type of Mecha for the Federation, suitable for all-weather operations. There are less than 20 units found on the Big Macs battlefield. Its body is painted in dune yellow, stands 16 meters high, weighs 37 tons, has a turbocharged engine, and can reach a top speed of 720 kilometers per hour. Four auxiliary propulsion devices, equipped with a laser sword and a laser gun, together with a hybrid Knight's Shield that is unrivaled against evil, and the use of SE AT missiles that are small in caliber, easy to carry, and with high penetration speed.

This agile Mecha is already considered high-end in its battlefield positioning, but it still can't be compared to the Red Cloak's exclusive model. Their armor factor, mobility, acceleration, and even attack power are not in the same class.

Nevertheless, with the Courage, Feng Yi wouldn't be cornered by heavy-armored units as he had been before. The top speed of Courage could be compared to a bullet.

At this point, several units of the Federal Army were already 10 kilometers from the third defensive line's highland fortress. This was the farthest safe distance seized during electronic warfare. Any closer and they would certainly be detected.

As the signal flare lit up, the loud military horn echoed across the battlefield. The Federal Army rapidly commenced action against the highland fortress of the third defensive line, marking the start of a counterattack.

Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom...

Under the bombardment of cannons, the earth trembled. A barrage swiftly enveloped the highland fortress, with battlefield smoke providing the only cover for the assault troops. This orderly troop, swift like a gust of wind, crossed numerous obstacles and advanced 7 kilometers in just 3 minutes.

The Saudi forces responded quickly, erecting a fierce spider-web-like barrage that stopped the Federation's first surge in its tracks. The fortress's shooting frequency was brutal – many Mecha troopers were pushed back before reaching their target, and many Knight's Shields were reduced to sieves, void of defensive powers.

The Saudi forces anticipated Augustin's sneak attack; they were well aware that as long as they hold the third defensive line, Augustins was bound to attack. In a battle between offense and defense, the attacking side often suffers more casualties than the defensive side, and the gap would grow over time.

Despite this, Augustins dared to attack knowing Jiu Ling was present, no doubt, he had something to rely on. This was also the reason for Saudi's apprehension. They were unsure of what trump card Augustins might possess, but they knew that by gradually wearing him down without exposing any vulnerabilities, victory in this small-scale battle was not far-fetched.

An hour later, hundreds of Mecha troopers from the Federal army had fallen. Amid the rising and falling sounds of artillery, they either silently toppled or struggled to pull the trigger one last time as their bodies emitted black smoke, only to turn to dust after an explosion.

Augustins had a unique approach in his tactical use. Under the highland fortress, to reduce the target area, countless advancing Mecha troopers had nearly encircled it from three sides, forming a semicircle. The home troops were waiting for further instructions. An uneven casualty ratio is to be expected, but as long as it is within the predefined scope, keeping their position is a victory.

Inside the Command Room, numerous staff officers are busily executing local simulation exercises. A stream of data is continually appearing on the light screen display. Blanche is issuing various assistance orders through the telecommunication device. Between her moving lips, her fluent speech was as unstoppable as a machine gun… During this period, Augustins was mostly silent, observing the overall dynamic trend of the battlefield, and it was often a long time before he issued a command.

Some commanders may neglect or delay their commands, and the soldiers would have to adapt to the danger at that time.

"Platoon leader, the enemy's firepower is too fierce. We can't charge up."

"Why are you even trying to charge at this time? Do you want to die? Just stay put."

Another soldier chimed in: "But isn't our mission to reach the coordinates C252-H602?"

"Yes, but not now. We have plenty of time. We should hold our position and wait for the chance to break through after the western front advances."

Over the communication device, it was clear that many soldiers were trembling as they spoke. Whether out of excitement or fear or some other emotion, everyone on the frontline would deny any fear. But when the battle becomes fierce, life becomes less significant. Here, everyone lives day by day, just trying to survive. The aspirations seen in media programs are all just hot air. To live and walk away from such a place, the main topic of discussion among the soldiers is sex, not dreams.

"Let's take advantage of this moment to break through."

Boom!

Before the platoon leader could finish speaking, a shell accurately landed not far from the crater. The distance was very short. But luckily, all the soldiers in this platoon were crawling, otherwise, the normal human body would not be able to stand the shockwave of an explosion caused by a shell more than 150 calibers near conventional units.

When the shock wave dispersed, the platoon leader shouted once, and dozens of Mecha troopers instantly jumped out of the crater and quickly approached the target, followed by more and more. It was evident that the west front had put a substantial pressure on the highland fortress.

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