GATE (Thus the JSDF fought there): Breakthrough

Chapter 6: Calm Before the Storm

it would be 1200, almost 24 hours from their mission beforehand.

The tavern seemed quiet today, a few of the locals chatted with each other and filled the tavern with some noise, but Ryan's team as well as the JSDF soldiers seemed mostly quiet. The recent events had caused quite a scare.

For a while, the JSDF had almost all of the advantages for them, their technology and military might for a defensive force was impressive. And against such a force that fought with literal swords and arrows, it should've been a steamroll for them. Magic seemed to not be a big problem for them... that was until now.

Jackson, Mike, and Aiden all sat at a small table. Aiden would be studying the translation book that was given to him, so concentrated to the point where Mike and Jackson's small chatter was spaced out.

"Yo Aiden, what happened with Jason and Druilla? You gotta let us in." Jason grins widely as Aiden sets down his book, flipping it closed with a sigh.

"I'm afraid for the sake of Jason and Druilla I can't tell you. That is their business and whether or not I give it out it doesn't affect our mission. To be frank, it could actually tear down relations with the JSDF. I still don't understand their stance on foreign relationships." Aiden looks at Jackson as it seems Jackson's mood is killed.

"Eh just drop it Jackson, it's only been a day. I doubt the two are dating." Mike says before taking a swig from a beer.

Footsteps would creak on the wooden floorboards as they all turned to see who was walking over to them, only for it to be the one and only Ryan.

"How's it going, Ryan?" Jackson waves to Ryan as he takes a seat next to Aiden.

"Doing fine, had a small chat with command. Had to give them a sitrep of what's happening so far." Ryan crosses his arms.

"Shit's gonna go down soon, some F-22s wouldn't be so bad you know?" Jackson jokes with a slight chuckle afterward.

"We'll do what we can with what we have. On the contrary, the battle buddy system here seems redundant now. Word traveled quickly in the base, and some of the JSDF seem to have a positive look to us. But yet again Japanese culture has a lot of polite people so it's a given, you're clear to walk around alone, just make sure to stay strapped in case of anything."

Aiden nods, returning to his book once again.

Mike looked at Ryan, it was apparent that he had a question for him. "I heard about the ambassador Japan sent to the Empire. Do you think they're gonna keep it up? If the Empire can fight back against the JSDF then I doubt they'll start to vouch for peace, seems like a trap if anything."

"Not to mention that their embassy doesn't have much security, not even SOG's guarding their ambassador. Really is starting to seem like a Benghazi." Jackson adds on, looking out the window to his right, watching a blonde elf girl wander around the streets alone.

"Hold on, how did you two get this information? I didn't tell any of you about this." Ryan looks to the both of them as Aiden raises his hand, glancing up from his book.

"I told them, earlier this morning Claire and I decided to talk to some JSDF soldiers, and some of them mentioned their concern for the ambassador. I can't blame them, most likely an extraction mission for them will be assigned sooner or later with him being in a vulnerable position. I was planning to tell you sooner or later." Aiden shrugs, returning to his book.

Ryan sighed, talk like this was sure to travel quickly around the base, it would only be time until his own team heard of it. "Next time just let me know, I don't like to be in the dark about this."