Middle Eastern tyrants

Chapter 82 "Forgetting Yesterday's Time"

The expeditionary force in Al-Irag, Sergei, and Shuangzhi's northern border region is resting.

Looking at the military map, Lu Lin asked without looking up, "How much longer do you estimate it will take for the troops to set off?"

"The soldiers need at least twelve hours of rest. Most of them are experiencing this level of combat for the first time and are not yet fully psychologically adapted to this pace. Adequate rest can alleviate their excitement and tension."

Fearing that Lu Lin would be too hasty, Ibrahim replied, "Moreover, our weapons also need maintenance, our armored forces need to be refueled, and the United States' equipment has revealed many malfunctions and problems during the offensive."

Upon hearing this, Lu Lin quickly asked, "Tell me more details."

"High temperatures and gravel can severely affect the performance of our weapons."

Ibrahim said, "According to feedback from soldiers, the M16A1 rifles provided by the United States often experience magazine lock failure due to sand and dust, and the bolt needs to be cleaned promptly after multiple rounds of firing."

And then there are Sheridan light tanks; now, the infantry division has less than a company left that can still operate.

"Just bear with it for now. I'll have the logistics department provide more dust covers and lubricant," Lu Lin comforted him. "At least the M16A1 is more accurate than the Russian AKs."

At this moment, Bandar also walked in, smelling of sweat and engine oil. Lu Lin asked, "How is the situation with the armored forces?"

Bandar looked somewhat annoyed: "At least in terms of reliability, the United States' main battle tanks are not as reliable as they say."

The M60A1's diesel engine would frequently experience power loss or even shutdown after entering combat due to high temperatures. Without timely cleaning of the air filter, it would become unusable during attacks, turning the unit into a sitting duck for enemy main guns or anti-tank guns!

Bandar added, "And the track wear rate is higher than I expected. At least half of the tanks in the Hammerhead Battalion, which is responsible for the main force, have experienced track detachment or breakage."

Upon hearing this, Lu Lin felt a bit overwhelmed; he was hoping to move on to the next phase of the battle plan as quickly as possible.

Sergeyd is 240 kilometers away from Garam as the crow flies, and even if armored units march at full speed, it would take them nearly a day and a half.

So he came up with a compromise: "First, send an armored battalion plus a mechanized infantry company, equipped with an air defense unit, to advance rapidly along Highway 53."

We must seize key points such as bridges or high ground ahead of the Zion army to pave the way for the main force.

We must ensure that our marching route is covered by air defenses to prevent supply lines from being destroyed.

Ibrahim understood Lu Lin's sense of urgency, and the other party's arrangements were also reasonable, so he nodded: "I will go and arrange the manpower for the front-line troops right away."

Bandar also said, "Then I'll go and reorganize the armored brigade. Many units were decimated in the previous battles and need to be merged."

After most people left, Lu Lin saw that Yehena was already standing in the corner of the tent. She was wearing a smart military uniform with a red rope tied around her shoulder.

Where have you been these past two days?

Yehena replied, "The Great Imam of Tamil assigned us tasks and taught us how to interrogate those prisoners and spies. My special ability just came in handy."

Lu Lin remembered that in addition to her "spider-sense," Yehena also had the ability to tell whether someone was lying, which was quite suitable for interrogation.

“Actually, if you had asked, I could have stayed at the command post.” Yehena blinked.

Lu Lin: "No need for that. After all, I'm basically in charge of command from the back now, and I don't drive tanks. It's very safe. The role you play now is much greater than when you're by my side."

"Alright then," Yehena countered, "So when are you going to drive the tank?"

"Uh, maybe it's time for me to boost morale?"

Lu Lin thought for a moment: "Bandar is keeping a close eye on me now. He won't allow me to personally lead a crew in an attack unless the situation is under control and safety can be ensured."

Yehena seemed somewhat dejected.

Lu Lin paused for a moment:
"But I do have time during meals."

He continued, "Besides, you're the only girl in the unit right now, and I'm your superior. You can report to me anytime if there's anything going on."

Yehena was immediately delighted and saluted him: "Yes, Your Excellency, Major General!"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Is it still not fixed?" the driver asked, leaning on his knees and looking under the car.

"Pah! Don't talk to me!"

Tank soldier Abbas lay under the chassis of an M60A1, his wrench clanging as he exclaimed, "This damn hydraulic hose leaks faster than my grandma's teapot! Ugh, damn it, the oil's leaking into my mouth!" The M60A1 was made entirely of homogeneous steel, and the interior temperature could instantly soar to 50 degrees Celsius under the sun. Not only the engine, but the turret's hydraulic stabilizer would also leak oil after continuous maneuvering, meaning it basically needed repairs after every battle.

Meanwhile, Sergeant Luther was cleaning the crevices of the M16A1 with a toothbrush, blowing on it as he brushed, leaving the entire brush head black.

Just as he was preparing to apply more lubricant to reduce the amount of sand getting into the gun, an unfamiliar voice came from the side:

"Maybe you could try using tape. It's more convenient and simpler, provides better sealing, and you won't get your hands all oily."

Upon hearing a woman's voice, not only Sergeant Luther but also the soldiers nearby turned to look, and even Abbas, who was under the vehicle, poked his head out.

The Zionians captured a large number of civilians from Garam to serve as laborers, including many women. Their duties included washing clothes and maintaining equipment.

Sergeant Luther was somewhat surprised: "You know how to maintain this thing?"

“It’s alright, but when I was with the guerrillas, my husband taught me how to prevent sand from getting into the machine gun,” the woman said.

Tank mechanic Abad, undeterred by the commotion, handed over a roll of high-temperature resistant aluminum foil tape and asked, "Will this do?"

The woman nodded and gestured with her hands, instructing Sergeant Luther on how to wrap duct tape around his gunshot wound.

"Wrap it horizontally, leaving a little bit at the bottom for easy magazine insertion and removal, and cut an opening in the ejection port."

After the tape was wrapped around the gun, Sergeant Luther did feel that the whole gun felt much tighter.

"You know, where I'm from, women don't go to the battlefield. War is all men's business. Women wear black robes and cover their faces." Sergeant Luther marveled as he held up his newly modified M16A1.

Ghanam is a region with a tough and relatively open culture.

The woman nodded. "Women in our area are similar, but we hide AKs under our black robes because women are less likely to attract attention than men."

"Whose attention will it attract?" a soldier asked with a laugh. "Won't it attract the attention of those noble gentlemen?"

The woman said calmly, "It won't attract the attention of those Zionians. They killed my husband and my son when they captured Canam last year. There are many sisters like me who participated in the war."

Her words silenced the room.

At this point, tank crewman Abbas interjected, "No matter what, I think war is a man's job. I've heard that those Zionians are forcing women in their own country to serve in the military. Their general should be ashamed of that!"

“War is indeed a man’s affair,” the woman said, “but we also have the right to revenge. The bullets fired from men’s guns are no more dangerous than we are.”

Give us a gun, and we too can drive out the invaders from Zion from our own homeland!

Her words immediately drew agreement from the surrounding soldiers, with tank soldier Abbas clapping and saying, "Well said!"

Another soldier chimed in, "Maybe we should sing something!"

"Let Shedra sing! He loves singing most of all when he's driving a tank!"

So Shedra was pushed forward, scratching his head: "What should we sing?"

"We all know how to sing these songs, right?"

"How about 'The Forgotten Wind'?"

"good idea!"

The woman began: "Ah, wind, carrying away our lost time."

Shedra added, "Throw them into the sea, leaving no trace."

The others also joined in singing along to the cheerful melody:

"Stars in the dark night"