Panzerkampfwagen IV

Recently I've been immersing myself with a tank battle MMO called World of Tanks. So was thinking about posting on my favourite tank, the Panzerkampfwagen IV or also known as the Panzer IV.

This German tank itself is a wonderful machine. Designed by Krupp in 1936, this tank was the backbone of Nazi Germany's Panzer groups and they played a vital role in the blitzkrieg tactics.

The tank itself is armed with a 7.5cm KwK L/48 main gun and 2 MG 34 machine guns. Top speed for the Pz IV is 42 kmph on the road and 16 off road.This means it's a rather speedy tank in urban warfare. Though it has a thin armor ranging from 10-88mm based on the various upgrades itself, this tank has proved itself to be extremely reliable.

During the early stages of world war 2, the Panzer IV stormed enemy defenses and helped to secure victories in Poland and France. The tank itself continuously undergo various upgrades as they encounter new threats either on the armor or weaponry.

After the war, many of the captured Panzer IV were used by other armies such as the Soviet Union, Syria, France, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Finland and many others.

A short update

Hello everyone... I'm sorry for not updating my blogs in the past 2 weeks... apparently I am caught up with a lot of work from my course and was busy with the work for a few sleepless nights...However rest assured, more updates will be up soon... and yes, I have not scrapped the sci-fi story yet... it's going to be a project but I just don't have the time for it right now... anyway, more posts will be up within the next few days... stay tuned :)

Alpha Squadron Chapter Two

Back on the bridge of the battlecruiser, Fate of Endor, Admiral Tareg watches at the view screen as he witnesses the damage caused by the Confederate fleet. Knowing that the annihilation of his fleet is imminent having being outgunned and outnumbered, he was prepared to throw everything away and give his final order.

"Sir, we've lost the destroyers Samir, Eye of Horus and Pillar of Reconciliation," Lieutenant Mitchell report.

"Incoming hail from the Confederate fleet," the communications officer called out.

"On screen," Tareg replied.

"Admiral Tareg, it has been a long while has it not?"

"Kreacher. What do you want?"

"Simply I just want you to surrender and have your entire fleet stand down. Too much blood has been spilled today," Kreacher said.

"You know that is not going to happen, Kreacher," Tareg replied angrily.

"Then you left me no choice. Prepare the Thalos Cannons. Target the Fate of Endor," Kreacher shouted to his crew as the communications is cut.

Admiral Tareg notes that the end is nigh and desperately orders the evacuation of his ship.

"All hands, this is Admiral Tareg. Initiate ship-wide evacuation. All hands evacuate the ship," Tareg called out to the intercom.

"That means all of you too," as he said that to the the bridge crew.

"No sir, we're with you," a young ensign called out.

"Sir, it's been an honor to serve with you. Please allow us to die alongside you too," another young officer called out as he gave the salute to Admiral Tareg.

Tareg looked around as he sees the entire bridge crew will not move away from their station. He gave a gentle smile and return the salute.

"All right, we have 2 minutes until their Thalos cannons get fully charged. In the meantime let's do as much damage as possible to their ship and give the rest of the crew a surviving chance."

The Fate of Endor itself started rushing through the wreckage at full speed. Charging through the enemy lines to try to take out the enemy capital ship.

"Sir, incoming message from The Defiant," the communications officer spoke out.

"Maintain course, ensign," Tareg said to the helmsman. "On screen"

"Admiral, what are your orders sir?" a young commander asked.

"Commander, this is the end of the Fate of Endor, we will hold the fire while you take the rest of the fleet and get to Banar sector. I need you to report to the high command. Tell them Selar sector has been overrun and the Fate of Endor is lost. I want you to get out of here as soon as possible, do I make myself clear, commander?" Tareg said out to the young commander.

"Yes sir. Admiral Tareg, it's been an honor serving with you," the young commander said as he gave his final salute.

"Good, Tareg out," Tareg said as the screen reverts back to the battle.

Continuing their fire, the Fate of Endor constantly takes damage from enemy fire. Tareg thinks to himself that a charge at the capital ship would severely cripple the enemy fleet and decides to crash the Fate of Endor directly at the capital ship.

"Sir, they're firing their Thalos cannons."

Thinking that it is now hopeless, Tareg ordered all weapons to concentrate fire on the Thalos cannons. Just then, a huge explosion comes from the enemy capital ship as their Thalos cannon loses power followed by a series of explosions from the inside. Within seconds the entire ship exploded creating a shock wave crippling all ships within the region.

The remainder of the enemy fleet realizing, that they had just lost their capital ship and half their fleet quickly retreated. The Fate of Endor, suffering heavy damages lies among the wreckage. 

A slow calming moment.

Just one of those times when I felt like slowing down everything and just enjoy the present.
Reminded of a scene in Sword Art Online where Kirito told Asuna to just enjoy the world's peaceful and beautiful moments.
So while I am sitting on a bench in my campus under a tree listening to Yuki Kajiura's song, Everyday Life, I looked to the trees and caught this amazing picture of sunlight being filtered through the tree leaves. Just made me look back at the little things in life.
A cool breeze blowing,  the rustling of dried leaves as they get blown by the calm breeze

Alpha Squadron Prologue and Chapter 1

Prologue

The year is 2433, the human race has spread across the galaxy colonizing various systems across the galaxies and establishing trade with various species. It was a golden age, an era of peace and prosperity, but all good things must come to an end. The Commonwealth Alliance, an alliance of various species is faced with a huge threat. Civil war tore through the Commonwealth as the Berengans and Tungans, both used to form the backbone of the Commonwealth's Grand Fleet has decided to leave the Commonwealth and formed the Confederate Alliance. For years, the Confederates has begun hostile activities against the Commonwealth. However, at the Commonwealth's council, the primary form of governance within the Commonwealth itself refuses to take military action, believing that a non-hostile approach is the best solution to deal against the Confederate threat.

Day by day, Confederate attacks become more aggressive. Believing that there is no hope unless action is taken against the Confederates, the Human Councillor, Councillor Polanski pushed for a vote of no confidence against the President of the Commonwealth Council. An election soon held to decide the fate of the Commonwealth's leadership. Councillor Polanski was voted to hold the Presidency. As for his first action as President of the Commonwealth Alliance, war was declared against the Confederate Alliance

With the military might of the Confederate fleet, the Commonwealth was pushed back far behind their original borders within weeks

Chapter 1

"All personnel to battle stations. Repeat. All personnel to battle stations. This is not a drill," the speaker called out ship wide as the red alert alarm goes off.

"Give me a sitrep right now," Admiral Tareg called out, to his crew. 

"2 Bretar class Battle cruisers, 3 Lion class destroyers and a Meta class capital ship just came out of hyperspace," Lieutenant Mitchell said to the admiral.

"What is the battle readiness of the fleet?" Tareg asked.

"All ships report ready to engage on your mark, sir."

"Have all weapons focus on their capital ship. We need to take that thing down as soon as possible. And deploy fighters ASAP."

"Aye. admiral."

"All pilots to hangar deck. Repeat. All pilots to hangar deck." the intercom calls out.

A group of pilots run as fast as they could to the hangar deck. "When are they going to give us a break?" Reaper called out.

"Once we're all dead, I suppose," Captain Tinji replied.

The pilots both quickly climbed up their fighters and check on prepared themselves for launch.

"Thrusters, check. Shields check. G-Force compensator check, Weapons, check" Each pilot called out as they do a quick systems check.

"Alpha leader, standing by." Captain Tenji called out through the intercom.

"Alpha One, standing by,"Reaper called out.

"Alpha Two, standing by," Dok called out to the intercom.

"Alpha Three, standing by," Feather called out.

"Godspeed, ladies." Captain Tenji said as they prepare to catapult into space.

The catapult system launches each of the fighters deploying them within seconds at high velocity. As they the Alpha squadron was launched, shots and explosions are being seen all over the place. Beams of directed energy hit each ship from both fleets. Captain Tinji realizes that they need to get to their target as soon as possible but an enemy fighter squadron is on intercept course.

"Alpha One." Captain Tinji called out.

"I see them," Reaper replied.

"Wolf 359, anyone?" Dok asked.

"You read my mind, Alpha Two," Captain Tinji replied.

As the squadron splits in two consisting of a leader and a wingman, they sped past the enemy squadron and were quickly on the tail of the enemy fighters.

"Gotcha," Dok said as he fires a 4 second burst at his target, it blows up into pieces. He speeds by followed by his wingman.

"One down."

"You ain't see nothing yet." Tinji said as he fires his shots hitting the fighter in front of him. The enemy fighter spun out of control and crashed into another.

"That's a lucky shot, cap. It doesn't count," Dok said.

"Well, it's still 2 kills for me."

"Don't get too happy bout that, more incoming," Reaper says as more fighter squadrons flying in intercept course firing a their blasters. The whizzing noise of the blasters shoot past as the group of fighters maneuvering around trying to get out of enemy fire. But the enemy fighters kept straight on their tail.

"Hey cap. remember Svetlana sector?" Reaper called out to Tinji as he continuously jerking the controls avoiding enemy fire.

"All right, let's do this," Tinji shouted as they both make a tilt their noses upwards moving in a vertical direction. The enemy fighters closing in on them. Both the pilots slowed down to make sure the enemy pilots are following them closely. Both Reaper and Tinji made a loop as the come down and moving fast speed at each other directly until the final moment when they turn 90 degress in opposition directions. Overshot, the two fighters crashed into each other and were killed instantly.