Republic Reborn: Against the Stars and Stripes

With Roque’s men freed up from the assault on the convent, we could provide more men to solidify our cordon, which had proven to be too loose.

I sent Historillo down with orders.

Mario was to personally lead all of his men to further secure our western flank, especially from the southwestern residential area, where shots from hidden Pulajanes fighters continued to ring out.

Roque was to take half his platoon to reinforce the eastern flank, primarily in the roads and alleyways which faced the presidencia. The other half would remain to protect the church.

As for Sargento Guzman and the escolta, they were to act as my personal reserve—a compact force I could throw at any critical point without delay.

The response was quick. Soon the church’s doors creaked open, and the rayadillos spilled out into the yard, Mario’s shouts rising above the chaotic assemblage of noises.

In a repeat of the lessons instilled at Landi, our entrenched men laid down precise cover fire for Mario and his group. Bullets zipped overhead and punched into stone and soil as the squad dashed across the open plaza, sprinting from doorway to doorway, hugging the shadows, and diving for cover behind stone fences and overturned carts.

I trained my rifle ahead of their route, looking out for any hostile that might jump at them from cover. From the elevation of the belltower, I had an excellent view of the alleyways and the town streets. Enemy muzzle flashes were visible in the darkness, but most of them were from those engaging the already entrenched soldiers, participating in a gunfight where all that was hurt were soil and stone.

Minutes later, Historillo returned up the steps, panting heavily, his tunic clinging to his sweat-soaked back. Three soldiers from the escolta followed behind, their rifles shouldered and eyes alert, boots thudding against the creaky stairs.

I had ordered the young kadete to return and to bring with him Guzman’s best shots.

"Each of you will cover a cardinal direction," I barked as they assembled around the great bronze bell that loomed over the tower floor. "You’ll provide supporting fire, yes—but more importantly, you’ll observe."