Gate: Thus The Free Agent Fought!

Chapter 3

Somewhere on the road, The 3rd recon team were moving to the city called "Italica". From what they had gathered, Italica was founded two hundred years ago by gathering the merchants in the region to construct a fortress city. Politically, the place was the cross road of the Dressia and Appian highways, and developed as a border city between the nations. But with the expansion of the Empire's borders, its political importance had declined significantly, and it was just a mid sized local market now. It doesn't have any local specialties, but the crops, livestock and handmade products such as cloth would be sent to the capital, so it served as a collection base. As they continued driving, Kurata noticed something in the distance.

Kurata: Captain

Itami: What is it, Kurata?

Kurata: There's smoke ahead, to our right.

Kurata who was driving pointed to the front right. The exact same report was received via radio, the vehicle behind also noticed the same thing as they stopped on tracks. Itami observed the origin of the smoke with binoculars, but couldn't confirm anything as it was quite some distance away.

Itami: Kurata, does this highway take us by the source that smoke?

kurata: Actually, it takes us right to it.

Itami: This is the second time we've seen smoke rising into the sky.

Kosaka: There is a battle going on.

Said Kosaka so suddenly. They turned their gaze at him with a question look.

Kurata: How can you tell?

Kosaka: because I know this road. I recommend that we must go there. I'm pretty sure the smoke came from Italica, the place that we were about to visit.

Itami picked up the radio and calls the rest of the convoy for preparation.

Itami (radio): All units, keep a close eye on our perimeter. We're moving foward. Keep a close eye on the skies too.

After he made the call, the convoy moved off once again. Rory squeezed between Itami and Kurata as she mumbled "I smell blood" with a lusty smile.

Timeskip

Outside Italica, specificallyin front of the wooden gate.

Italica was under attack by some brigands. The only people who were defending the city are a few trained soilders and some militias. The attackers have been driven off for now, but they most likely regrouping somewhere else. The convoys parked near the entrance and wait.

Itami: Think they noticed us?

Kosaka: Yes, definitely.

Then they hear a voice coming from city.

???: Who's there!? If you aren't enemies, then show yourselves!

Itami picked up the radio again to make the call, but it suddenly got snatched away by Kosaka.

Itami: Hey!

Kosaka (radio): Listen up and here's the plan. Me, Itami, Lelei, Tuka, and Rory are going to move to the city gate entrance on foot. If anything happens, it's run or fight, your call. But I suggest you run.

He turned off the radio and put it down before looking at Itami and the girls.

Kosaka: You three go first. We'll right behind you.

The girls looked at each other then him before nodding. The first one who go outside was Lelei.

Itami: Are you sure about this?