Chapter 4: The Wild Wild West (Solo for Ichimoto)

[Grynd'l]

"No corporal, but inform them to be ready to go tonight if I return. As planned now, only Kai and I are returning, the rest of you are to remain here."

Ichimoto signaled Kai to join them, then discussed the situation with him and Motochi, "My thinking is now to wait for nightfall to leave, Kai. Though Motochi suggested we could take a detour back. But either of those might well delay the attack another day. Ideas?"

[Ricochet]

Lt. Kai seemed rather unsure of the situation himself. He looked back behind himself at the road. 'Well, what if we radioed back to West City and told the company to mobilize toward our position on their own, sir? If any cars are indeed heading westward from the city, they would not pass the troops vehicles, since they are also heading westward at the same speeds. Though, that would mean you would need to put trust into Lt. Takumi to lead the entire company to our position.'

[Grynd'l]

"I see, a chance for the young untried Lt Takumi to prove herself. Interesting suggestion, Lt Kai."

Ichimoto thought a moment and added with a devious grin, "It has other advantages as well, one being that Kai and I can stay here and try to learn more about our enemies, especially that one in the cloak."

Looking at Kai with a serious expression, he continued, "We would need to make sure they have a radio installed in the truck Lt Takumi comes out in, so we can communicate and make sure they do not get lost. Since we drove out here at night, you two could guide them as needed by radio contact."

Pausing to see if either officer had more to add, Major Kasura seemed to have reached a decisive conclusion.

[Ricochet]

Lieutenant Kai nodded in the direction of the corporal, who had been standing by the whole time. He climbed into the back of the truck, to start working the radio to request the things mentioned. Lt. Kai seemed to be having a strong internal conflict with himself; trying to stop himself from smiling too much in front of his commander at the adoption of his idea. Lieutenant Kai could not help but add in another benefit to the plan. 'Also, sir, instead of us having to drive there in three hours, then back in three hours, it will just be them driving here in three hours. They could leave immediately, if you wanted them to.'

Lt. Kai raked his brain for more ideas, hoping to please his superior even more. 'Maybe we should have each vehicle leave at certain intervals, sir, to avoid a large pile of vehicles approaching the camp all at once. That way, if any get spotted, they can turn off on the road to Oldenburg and hang out on the side of the road somewhere along there, so as not to bring suspicion to our location.'

[Grynd'l]

Ichimoto smiled slightly, "Very well Kai, you handle the details, and consult Motochi as needed. I want the first troops here by midnight tonight, and everyone to be in place for the assault at least an hour before sunrise tomorrow. Until then, everyone should try to get some more rest, and trade off guard duties. Wake me an hour or so after the first truck leave town, or if any other vehicles approach the roadblock."

Major Kasura climbed into the back seat of the car and tried to sleep.

[Ricochet]

Both of the Lieutenants saluted their commander and got to work, while he slept.

----

It was a rough sleep, but comfortable, at least. This time it was the corporal, who reached in through the open back window of the truck to shake Ich, who had awoken him.'Sir, the second truck has left, and the first should arrive in two hours time.' Through the windshield, Ichimoto could see that it was already the evening, or 8:40pm, according to his pocket watch.

[Grynd'l]

“Very good, thank you corporal.”

Ichimoto snapped his watch closed and sat up, checking to see that everything of his was properly in place for an officer. Getting out of the truck, he looked around and approached the back of the truck, “Lt Kai, take all but one of the privates who have been guarding the vehicles to the road junction and wait to signal the first truck. The other private is to remain here with the corporal. When the first truck arrives, show them to the campgrounds, and have the highest ranking person report here. Do the same for each truck, and stay to organize the camp, but make sure our position there is not compromised. When the last truck arrives, accompany the highest ranking person on it back here also.”

Turning to Lt Motochi, Major Kasura smiled slightly, “Care to join me? Time to tour the sniper positions again, and have a look at the front of that tower again. I also want to check into altering that roadblock tonight. If not, stay here with the truck.”

Ichimoto grabbed some water for the troops and set off in a stealthy mode to visit each sniper position, ending up at the one on the west side.

Hide +11, Move +2, Spot +2, Listen +2

Dice roll with 4 dices of 20 faces: 48 points

[Ricochet]

Lt. Motochi saluted in response to Ichimoto's question. 'Yes, sir, I'd be honoured to.'

The Major and his temporary subordinate successfully did their rounds, arriving finally at the western position. The soldiers expressed their gratitude for the refreshments, and took in some of them while Ichimoto began observing the rebel's hideout for suspicious activity.

For what felt like a couple of hours, nothing of interest came up, besides the fact that the rebels did not seem to be seeking rest at all at this time of the evening. The Corporal manned the rifle, and Ichimoto could see him sliding it back and forth lightly across the rock, probably following the heads of the rebels that could be peered through the windows at this distance. The building was not fortified well, and it was apparent that it was never intended to be used in a siege of any sort. There wasn't even any glass in some of the windows.

After these couple of hours, though, Ichimoto could see what Kai meant when he said 'increase in activity'. Movement in front of windows increased, lights flickered quickly, as people moved around inside. It could be seen that they were getting organized, for something. These events that kept them moving about must have either been scheduled for awhile, or the rebels must have had some form of communication with the outside world, though no one or nothing seemed to enter or leave through any of the entrances that Ich could see from his position.

[Grynd'l]

Ichimoto waited, watching the rebel activity and glancing at his watch occasionally. When he thought the time had come that all the trucks should be there, he motioned for Motochi to follow and made his way slowly back to the camp around the north way. He waited to receive a report from his officers, then went to visit the troops and encouraged them that victory would soon be at hand.

Gathering the officers and sergeant majors, the Major made sure the plan was well understood by all. "After everyone has refreshed themselves from the trip, the company is to be split into three groups. One small unit (the smallest platoon) is to stay here and guard the vehicles. The other two larger groups will each proceed around one side of the rebel base, making sure everyone goes slowly so as not to give away our presence. I want the rebel position completely surrounded, no soldier more than a few feet from the next."

Pausing a moment to let his orders sink in, Ichimoto continued with the details, "Since Lt Motochi and I know exactly where the position on the other side of the rebel base is located, we will each lead a group. Lt Takumi and I will lead one group around the side with the road, and Lt Motochi will go with Lt Kai to lead the second group the other way. When the lead elements of each group meet up on the other side of the tower, we will be in position for the attack."

A grin crossed the Major's face as he related the final part of his plan, "I will send out a sonic blast to signal the launching of the assault. Upon this signal I want everyone to open fire on the base. After three shots from each soldier, half the troops will advance towards the base. Any questions or suggestions?"

[Ricochet]

Lt. Takumi arrived on the fourth truck full of reinforcements, and was promptly escorted to talk to Ichimoto when he had returned, exactly as ordered. 'That's all of them, sir,' she reported to Major Kasura. The mass of troops gathered and organized, with somewhat of a resemblance to Ichimoto's first meeting with them.

Warrant Officer Heitor was the first to ask a question. 'Uh, sir, when you say half of the troops, do you mean half from each group, or... one whole platoon? And what of the fourth platoon?' Feri seemed equally confused, being the other Warrant Officer. Lt. Kai also offered a question. 'Sir, who should be left to control my platoon, which would be the platoon left here to guard the vehicles? Or do you want me to assign Sgt. Major Vilhelm to that task?'

Otherwise, no one else seemed to have any questions for their commander, and prepared to move out, weapons in hand and loaded.