GATE (Thus the JSDF fought there): Breakthrough

Chapter 20: Planning

Authors Note: I think it's time to give Ryan some actual screen time, after all, he is the main character of this story.

0500.

General Barkley, along with 4 Marine Raiders walks along the Alnus Hill airfield where 7 Little Birds, 3 being the MH-6M variant and 4 being the AH-6M variant all sit outside of a hangar where the pilots await further orders. "At ease."

The pilots all looked to the General, standing in a line in front of the Little Birds.

"I'm sure you are all aware of Operation Spearhead. There will be a second debriefing in Italica where you all will meet with Lieutenant Ryan and his team before the mission. I will see you then. Dismissed." The pilots all nod, jumping into their respective helicopters as the Marine Raiders hop on one MH-6M.

"Godspeed. May this war be over quickly." Barkley remarks as the Little Birds fly over him and over to the direction of the City of Italica.

*--*

0645

"Ryan! Sir, are you awake?" Claire's voice could be heard from the other side of Ryan's door, banging on it.

Ryan quickly gets up from his bed, rubbing his eyes and standing up from his bed. "A moment Corporal!"

"What's wrong..?" Kali mumbles, tiredly sitting up on the bed as Ryan shrugs, Kali hid her chest under the bed covers... she was having such a nice slumber as well.

"Don't know, you mind hiding under the covers for a few minutes? Can't have my subordinates see you just yet." Ryan looks down at Kali who tiredly nods, pulling the sheets over her in a way that makes Ryan smile for a quick second.

The door soon opens with Ryan leaning on the wide open door. "What's wrong?"

"General Barkley wants to talk to you at 0700, I got my laptop, and I can set it up quickly in your room so we don't have any time to waste. Barkley said it's urgent, the fate of the war apparently." Claire holds her laptop in between her arms and her side.

"Can we set it up downstairs? I'll be with you in a moment, 5 minutes." Ryan definitely didn't want the meeting to be in his room, at least not with Kali sleeping under the sheets unannounced to Claire.

"Roger." Claire nods before walking away downstairs, leaving Ryan to close the door and take a deep breath.

Kali peeked her head, tiringly sitting up and rubbing her eyes. "I don't know how you could wake up so early..."

"I don't know how you can sleep for so long." Ryan jokes, walking to the bed and sitting on it. "Gotta talk to the General for a quick moment, I'll be back."

Kali groans slightly, resting the side of her head and shoulder against Ryan's back, taking a deep breath before lifting her head for him to stand up. "Okay..."

"Alright, I'll be back in about 10 minutes." Ryan turns around slightly, patting his short girlfriend on the head before standing up and leaving for the door. 

*--*

Ryan walks downstairs to the inn, standing in front of the laptop as Claire sits out of the camera, simply letting the meeting go on without her interference.

"Lieutenant Tozz." General Barkley says on the laptop, looking at Ryan through the camera in his office set up in Alnus Hill.

"General." Ryan stands at attention in front of the laptop, giving a small salute.

"It's nice to see that you're well. We received Sergeant Rake's body earlier today, it's being sent off to his family as we speak." Barkley says with a small nod.