HEAVY URBAN FIGHTING AT ORIGIN

WAR 96, DAY 687, INITIUM, Origin --- Flames, gas, shells and the hum of engines. Located on the northern Coast of Origin, the township of Initium with its seaport is a strategically vital location for both the Colonials and Wardens, who had recently seized the town.

The Colonials quickly mounted a counterattack aiming to retake the town, with what seems to this Warden correspondent to be an mechanized force of an estimated 2 Spathas and a Bardiche supported by sporadic artillery support from what seem to be one or two high calibre guns, as well as a large contingent of infantry. What followed was a fierce close quarters battle, street by street, pillbox by pillbox. 

Their initial assault was highly successful, pushing the Wardens to the town hall. I myself was horrified by the sight of my interviewee medic 'Dr Mox' being sent flying into the air by a deafening blast. Yet seemingly the Wardens held on, a single emplaced Leary Shellbore 68mm holding back the Colonial armor from reaching the town hall.

This bought vital time for much needed Warden reinforcements to stream into the smoke filled streets. Flame would leap from building to building from Warden flamethrowers and gas would fill the sky. Warden infantry would seemingly overwhelm a Colonial Spatha with mere numbers. The Colonial Initiative had been broken. 

The following days would consist of a slow Colonial withdrawal from the town- a phyrric victory for the Wardens whose bodies are stacked for every house recaptured. The question of course lies in whether the ruined town can be held. Colonial posturing continues to the Eastern Caoiva region; the following days might mean a crucial pivot one way or the other.

Written by: [PRESS] Henry Stewart

Edited by: [PRESS] Poe

Mapping by: [PRESS] Poe
Date of Publication: 29/10/22