"Man, things are really starting to heat up, Boss."
"From a professional's perspective, what do you think of the plan?" Shana asked.
"I think it's brilliant," Comike replied. "It has that specific flair you can only pull off in a video game."
"Glad to hear it."
Inside the Black Humvee as they rolled back toward the city, Shana and Comike continued their quiet exchange.
"'Professional'?" Shizuka interjected, picking up on the term. "I see. So Comike and his crew are active-duty Self-Defense Force?"
"Keep that under your hat, Senpai. You too, Sinon."
"Of course!" Shizuka barked with a grin.
"Yeah, I understand," Sinon added with a nod.
Shana had expected this conversation, which was exactly why he'd invited the same group back into the Humvee. He needed a tight circle of trust for what was coming.
"I'm sorry for sticking you with the role of the decoy at the front gate," Shana said.
"Don't sweat it. My trigger finger's been itching anyway."
"Besides," Tommy added with a grin, "you've got two Ranger-tabbed soldiers on this team. We'll make it happen."
Shana's eyebrows shot up. "Wait... both of you are Ranger-qualified?"
"You bet!" Comike said.
Tommy sighed, though he couldn't hide his pride. "Captain, you shouldn't shout that so loud. Keep it on the down-low, please. But yes, he and I are both Rangers. Kemoner doesn't have the tab, but his combat driving is second to none."
"I see..." Shana muttered, impressed.
"Ranger... what?" Shino asked, unfamiliar with the military jargon.
Shana gave her a simple answer. "It's the hallmark of the best of the best."
"Hah! I like that. Simple and accurate," Comike laughed.
"As a definition for a civilian, I'd give that a perfect score," Tommy added.
"Okay, so you're basically elite super-soldiers," Sinon surmised.
"Exactly. So leave the front line to us."
"I'm counting on you," Shana said.
When the Genji Army reached the city, they were greeted by a roar of approval from the neutral players gathered there.
"It's the Genji!"
"Look at those guys! How did they pull off those numbers?!"
"Give 'em hell, Shana! We're rooting for you!"
Sensing the theatrical energy of the moment, Shana leaned out and shouted to the crowd, "To punish the Heike's arrogance and to claim our final victory... People of the Capital, I have returned!"
"WHOOOA!"
"SHANA!"
"Nice reference! That's legendary!"
The crowd erupted, delighted by the quote. From the shadows, Musketeer X watched the spectacle. Nearby, Ikoma slipped away to make contact.
"Musketeer X-san, it's been a while."
"Ikoma! Yeah, long time no see." Musketeer X looked genuinely happy to see her.
"What's the plan?" Ikoma asked. "Are you joining up with us now?"
"...What makes you think I'm on the Genji side?"
"Honestly, if you weren't on our side, I'd be more than just surprised."
"Fair point. So, what's the situation?"
Ikoma quickly briefed her on Shana's strategy. Musketeer X listened intently before shaking her head.
"In that case, we shouldn't change the status quo. I think it's better if I don't join the main force just yet."
"I understand. But please, make sure you're with us by the final day."
"Confirmed. I promise."
Musketeer X vanished into the urban labyrinth, and Ikoma reported back to Shana.
"Understood," Shana said. "I'm looking forward to it."
The Genji force pushed deeper into the city.
"This is the building," Shana said, leading the way into a nondescript office block. They passed through a hidden door and found themselves in a room occupied by a single NPC.
"In a place like this...?"
"How do you even find these things, Shana-boy?" Daru asked, panting slightly.
"The building's floor plan had a suspicious amount of dead space. I did some poking around and found it pretty easily. Now, I know it's a hassle, but everyone needs to talk to this NPC."
Once the group had finished the dialogue triggers, they doubled back, restocked their ammunition and supplies, and piled into the Humvees to head for the First Fort.
"Alright, stop here."
"Hey, Shana," Yamikaze said, peering through a monocular. "Those guys are staring right at us."
"So they're ready for the ambush," Shana noted.
"Well, you know what they say about the best-laid plans of mice and Russians," Comike joked.
"I have no idea what that means... but whatever. Time to move. Comike, I'm leaving the rest to you."
"Roger that. Leave it to us."
Shana's infiltration team moved out, leaving Comike's squad behind to hold the front.
"Captain, those guys look like they want to murder us," Tommy noted.
"What do we do if they charge?"
"We turn tail and run. As long as we lure them out of the fort, we win. Kemoner, the pressure's on you if things go south."
"I've got this, sir. I'll leave those amateurs eating my dust."
Meanwhile, Shana's team arrived at a small mountain hut near the First Fort.
"This is it. Talk to the NPC in order."
-------------------------------
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