"Sir, The Cath in Chad have gathered an extensive army. They have acquired hundreds of tanks, older models from all over the world, but still quite potent. They intend to cause uprisings in Sudan and Ethopia, bring their armor to Somalia, and attack our positions here. They do not intend to hold our ground, but to inflict as much damage as they can, loot our facilities, then retreat. They will be trying to capture vehicles and aircraft. They may try to hold parts of Sudan and maybe penetrate into the central Republic, where they have supporters in the north."
"When?" Samuel asked.
"Any time, sir," the agent answered.
"How in the hell did they get tanks?" Samuel asked. "The sale of heavy armor in this region is strictly prohibited!"
"They were smuggled in, sir," the agent answered, "as scrap metal, sometimes openly. Only the ammunition and guns were hidden."
"How many are coming at us?" Samuel asked.
"At least 100 tanks, the agent answered, "plus we don't know how many armored cars."
Samuel shook his head. "We've got two OLD worn out A Ones," he moaned, "the capitol has six. We've got four light artillery pieces, and three medium. I suppose they've got heavy artillery?"
The agent looked to the floor. "There'll be at least 100 long range pieces coming your way," he answered.
The phone rang. Samuel picked it up. "It's for you," he snapped. The agent took it.
"Our naval forces have arrived off Nimba," he commented. "They will be attacking the blockade forces as soon as the weather clears. The Chadeans are on the move. There's been uprisings in Southern Somalia. Their armor is moving through. It's only going to take them a few days to get here. They're obviously coordinating this attack to keep us occupied. Apparently St. George intends to rule more than Nimba!"
"Did we ever think otherwise?" Samuel snapped. "Excuse me, agent. We've got MUCH to do!"
For days they prepared their defenses, listened to the reports of the approaching enemy. Their neighbors, as lightly armed as they were, were having little success in slowing them, though they were putting up far more than a token resistance. The superior force was pushing steadily east.
Samuel knew they had no hope of holding them. They would simply mass their overwhelming firepower and obliterate their defenses, then drive on through. He called Solassie, Kosh, and Dorma to his office.
"Gentlemen," he remarked, "we're facing a slaughter! We've got help coming but the Americans are interfering, doing all in their power to delay our efforts. We don't have a prayer of stopping this force with static defenses. Our only hope is to attack.
I propose that I take our ten heaviest armored vehicles, what lazer guided and wire guided missiles we have, our artillery, and attack."
"That's impossible!" Solassie screamed. "Ten armored personnel carriers equipped with laser guided missiles against 40 tanks? It's absolute insanity! You wouldn't have a prayer!"
"If we attack them all at once," Samuel answered, "yes. But I don't intend to attack them all at once.
Their over confidence is their weakness. They've split their forces. They're attacking us from three different directions, looting as they come. There are ten tanks coming this way, ten coming this way, and twenty coming here," he remarked, pointing out the roads on the map. "The smaller groups have gotten far ahead of the main body. I intend to attack them first, one at a time, then position myself to hit the main column.
A famous American General once said 'When you face overwhelming odds and have no hope you must become audacity, itself. Make the enemy think you are ten times as strong as you are.' I cannot do this with my equipment, alone, gentlemen. I will need yours, and your troops, but if we work together I really believe we can turn this attacker back."
The others looked at each other. "What happened to this general you speak of?" Dorma asked.
"His people eventually lost," Samuel answered, "because they had no hope of reinforcement and resupply. But the battle they fought made them some of the most renowned soldiers in history. But we HAVE reinforcements coming! We only need to win time."
Dorma nodded. "What's mine is yours," he answered, "and may God be with you!"
"May He strengthen your arm," Solassie added, "and make sure your aim is true."
"May he drive your enemies before you!" Kosh put in. "I will select the finest of my men to accompany you."
As his forces gathered Samuel made his plan. "We'll go after the column furthest north, first," he told his officers, "with the pcs and the armored cars. The artillery will head for the column furthest south, set up here, let them come into range, pound them, then withdraw.
If we can we will join them after our attack, then after we have dealt with the smaller columns we will mass here, on the edge of the forest, wait for the main column."
Everyone took their orders and moved out. Samuel sent in extra missiles with the artillery. "We'll get to you if we can," he promised.
Finally his meager forces rolled out. The people lined the streets waving and cheering, the women crying because

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