GATE (Thus the JSDF fought there): Breakthrough

Chapter 9: Etiam Si Omnes, Ego Non

"All units. Hostages are secured. Returning to base." Ryan's voice could be heard on the radio as Hideo says the same thing in Japanese. 

Chris along with Aiden and the other SOGs kneel in the dark of a small alley. Chris clicks his radio. "Watcher 1-6. Commencing phase two." 

Chris peeks his head, looking both left and right as multiple guards on horses start to patrol around the city, all of them on alert. "Seems they smacked the beehive... Aiden let the SOGs know we're moving to the outpost around half a click up." 

Aiden nods, speaking to the SOGs in Japanese as they all nod and stand up. 

Chris looks past the bridge they need to cross past a small canal, multiple guards patrolled up and down the roads... it appears the patrols here have gotten quite angsty. "We're gonna have to move fast, once we pass the bridge we'll make a dash to the outpost." 

Chris readied his SIG MCX SPEART LT, aiming the IR laser at the Empire soldiers as he started to hurriedly walk across the road and to the bridge where a single torch would light up the soldiers on the other side. 

Multiple suppressed pops could be heard from the team's suppressed rifles as the soldiers dropped onto the mud, a few would groan and start to crawl in the mud as the SOGs would finish them off before following Chris who navigated his way through the streets and alleys of the city. 

Chris stopped at the end of another alley as a patrol of cavalry would pass them while carrying a lantern. They've been moving through this city for around 20 minutes, and the rain in their outfits would start to make them a bit uncomfortable, but the alternative could've been worse, it could snow for all they knew. 

As the patrol rode away past the road Chris looked at a small building that blended into the rest of the buildings at the end of the road, Hideo pointed out on the map that the outpost was there. 

"Now." Chris says as Aiden translates the single word for the SOGs and they follow Chris, sticking to the side of the road before stacking up on the wooden double doors of the building. 

One of the SOGs stands to the side of the door, knocking on it as everyone else watches the roads and the area around them. 

A female Japanese voice would peer from the other side of the door as the SOG would respond, having the building fill with silence before the double doors soon open. 

The SOGs move inside the building as Chris would be the last to enter, closing the door and putting the small wooden bar back in place the lock the wooden door. 

Chris gives out a sigh of relief as water drops from his gear, reloading his rifle as he turns to see the other JSDF soldiers that were held up in here. 

The room would be lit up with dim candles as multiple other JSDF soldiers had their weapons ready in case the Empire eventually caught on to their location. A few of the locals took shelter here also, some of them looked like nobles while the others had physical features of other animals like Druilla. 

Aiden and the SOGs would chat with a JSDF medic by the name of Mari. Chris couldn't understand what they were talking about but it did seem urgent. 

A few of the other JSDF soldiers stared at Chris and Aiden, their American flag patches probably gave them a slight startle because of the political events that transpired. Chris did his best to not startle them, letting his rifle hang from the sling as he walked to Aiden. 

"So, what are they saying?" Chris looked at Aiden as he sighed, taking off his helmet to rest. 

"Resources are getting a bit low, a few of the nobles came to the JSDF for refuge as the King has been executing any nobles who try to vouch for peace. A few of the other locals here seem to be taking refuge here as well. They've been able to keep contact with JSDF command and were waiting for us." Aiden pulled up a chair and took a seat, drinking from his canteen.