Chapter 8
In an enclosed room reinforced by cement like material, there was a table full of cables and equipment operated by a group of Imperial Guard communications specialists. Colonel Tullman stood by the vox, receiving situation reports in real time. Standing by the corner was the Lord Commissar Hauss and Lady Elisef Bellaluche.
"The vanguard detachment has been completely destroyed. No survivors reported, Sir."
"The Artillery Team has been annihilated by an enemy strike team and an Eldar psyker. She might possibly be the farseer."
"The company commanders reports that they have breached into the secondary wall. They all report heavy casualties. Majority of the conscript have been exhausted, but they've almost managed to break through."
The lord commissar made a audible groan.
"So what you are telling me," he said, sending a fearsome glare towards the colonel, "Is that this assault would have been successful had we sent more men?"
The colonel looked back at the lord commissar with his only working eye.
"If may be that the Xenos did not take the bait. We cannot rule out the possibility of their capital weaponry hidden in that encampment."
The lord commissar slammed the wall.
"That is no encampment! That is their headquarters! The Eldar did not have the time to plan any trickery this time, Colonel! You're incompetence has cost us 3 companies of guardsmen!"
Elisef made a curious smile.
"These were expendable numbers, Lord Hauss. Conscripts and inexperienced guardsmen. Do not be so harsh on the colonel," she remarked, covering her smile with her hand.
She walked up towards the table and turned to the colonel, who stood looking slightly anxious.
"Tell me, colonel," her eyes flashing with interest, "Do you think that your enemy was competent?"
"My lady, it was my shortcoming-"
"I'd like to meet them."
Most the colonel and the lord commissar did not hide their surprise. The Rogue Trade tilted her head.
"What's the issue? I'd like to meet my to be subjects. Surely, this isn't a problem as they have almost destroyed their stronghold? Tell the men to halt their assault, and bring me a flier."
The colonel looked lost.
"My lady, there is still possibility of a lurking threat or attempt at assassination."
Elisef gently shook her head.
"I would like to meet them. Send words to stop the assault and inform the enemy leader that I would like to have a word. The meeting location will be here."
After a brief hesitation, the colonel took the vox from the operator.
"This is Colonel Tullman speaking," he spoke over the vox, "Stop the assault and form a perimeter around the enemy base. And send an emissary to inform their leader that Lady Elisef Bellaluche wishes to have a word at our bastion. We will send a flier over your way."
After all the devastation, the Imperial Guard army began to withdraw at a terrifying rate. Even with the JSDF firing upon the retreating troops, the enemy made no real attempt to return fire. The tanks drove back at reverse, grinding through the debris and destruction that they have caused. Many of the JSDF gave a loud cheer of victory.
On the other hand, General Kazama was at a loss for words. Everyone at the command room was just as confused as the general when Yanagida ran in with the report that the enemy is withdrawing. He did not understand why they would abandon an already won battle. He even forgot that he still held his radio in his hand.
"Sir?" asked Yanagida.
Kazama snapped back to reality, as he released the radio back on the table.
"Yes, Lieutenant. Go on."
After giving the general a slightly worried look, Yanagida continued.
"The enemy has sent an emissary. They are requesting to see our leaders."
Kazama turned towards the lieutenant with a surprised face. Few of the members of the war room began to whisper to one another.
"See us?" Kazama repeated.
"Yes, sir. They requested to have our highest commanders visit their headquarter. There is a flier on the way for pick up."
Kazama stroked his chin. He did not understand their purpose at all. One of the officer present at the room decided to step in.
"Sir, I don't think you should go. We should send a decoy instead and begin withdrawing to Japan. We can shut the gate afterwards to prevent them from coming through."
Kazama was still in thought.
"Perhaps, you are right..." the general spoke, his hand still under his chin, "But even without trickery, they could have easily won had they just pushed through with their last assault."
The general lowered his hand and turn to the lieutenant. His face told Yanagida that the general has made a decision.
"I, alone, will go with them. Lieutenant Yanagida. Idaten Protocol is a green. If I do not return within the next 24 hour mission clock, initiate white rabbit."
Yanagida did not make any objection to the general's decision. He closed his eyes for a brief moment and sighed. The lieutenant raised his glasses and returned to the position of attention.
"Yes, sir."
Itami was not sure whether he heard the report correctly when he heard the radio for the first time. They have won, and the Imperial Guards were withdrawing. Itami, along with all those who were outside the base, has been given orders to return to base. Aralith approached the lieutenant, who was sitting in his seat with the vehicle door open.
"Are the enemy withdrawing?" Aralith asked, looming over the sitting lieutenant with her tall stature.
"Yeah. It seems that they have won," Itami replied.
Aralith subconsciously made a light scoff.
"Survived would be more appropriate. But their doom draws closer. Their arrogance and pride in their own superiority will be their downfall," she spoke with a soft voice, pitying her foes.
Itami accepted the fact that this beautiful woman will always speak in riddles and decided not to inquire too much about the specifics.
"So, do you think we will win?"
Aralith's eyes flashed at the lieutenant's question.
"The conflict will end with them suffering heavy losses. Your people should understand that they cannot win without my help. This battle was a show of force as the enemy did not intend to completely destroy you, but the next attack will be different. There is hope for your people, but you must listen. There is a device that we must retrieve. The device of my kin that was lost during the crash. This device will ensure victory for you people."
Itami realized where this conversation was headed.
"You know that I was ordered back to base, right?"
Aralith smiled.
"I was also told that this isn't the first time you helped someone in need. This device will secure a major victory for my people, as well as yours. But it will be quite the journey."
Itami made a troubled face. While he was given a significant level of autonomy by the general himself, he has caused his share of troubles from his actions. And the seer has shown enough to prove that her visions are nothing to be brushed off as a joke. Itami let out a sigh.
"Okay. I'll let my command know. This is an important device that we need to win, correct?" Itami confirmed.
Aralith nodded her head.
"And it would be pointless to ask what it does?" Itami asked with a slight hope that she would tell him. Aralith shook her head in denial.
"It was worth a try," Itami shrugged his shoulder as he reached for his radio once more.
"You are not serious! Do you even understand the current situation to be bringing up that sort of stuff? Are you out of your mind?"
Yanagida was yelling over the radio. The radio technician looked at him strangely. Yanagida cleared his throat in shame.
Over the radio, Itami voice came from the other side.
"The seer requests that I assist her in the retrieval of a device. Break. She reports that this device is essential for our victory. Over."
Yanagida pinched the bridge of his nose from all the stress building up. He did not need more issues.
"Lieutenant Itami. Your orders are to R2B. Over."
Then, the general stepped in. Everyone stood to attention. The general told everyone to relax.
"What seems to be the issue, Lieutenant Yanagida?" he asked with a gentle voice.
"Uh... It's 1st Lieutenant Itami, sir. He requests that he goes with the elf to retrieve a device that she claims to essential to victory."
Kazama was well aware of the situation, and he knew about the elf's ingenuity. The only reason that the JSDF was able to survive as long as they did was thanks to the elf's warning and preparation. However, even with all that, the enemy almost managed to win with their vanguards. It was hard to believe that there was a chance at victory.
"She is saying that there is a chance at victory, despite all this?" Kazama asked.
"That is what she claims, sir."
"And Itami trusts her?" the general asked. Yanagida repeated the general's question over the radio. After hearing his reply, Yanagida returned Itami's answer.
"He does, sir."
"Then Lieutenant Itami is free to act on his own until further notice. I am also reactivating the 3rd Recon Team. Lieutenant Itami will assume command of the team once more."
Yanagida stood with his jaws dropped. The general knew that this was desperate times. He needed all the help he could get.
"Roger, sir. I will let him know."
Yanagida pushed the button to talk.
"You got real lucky this time. The general decided to let you roam as you will, but you better bring back results! You hear?"
On the other side, Itami smiled at his screaming colleague.
"Roger that. Itami out," he said, as he turned the volume dial on his radio to drown out Yanagida's scolding.
The rogue trader sat before an elegant mirror. The dim room was lit by candles and lamps. She was wearing a slightly revealing crimson red dress. She brushed the metal tube augmentations to the side and concealed it under her collar. She tied her golden hair into a braided side bun and secured it with a flashy hairpin. She pulled up her transparent stocking up to her mid-thigh, just below the longest part of her dress. Elisef looked at the mirror and smiled as she touched up her pink lips with her cosmetic products. She blew a kiss at her reflection and made a satisfied look. Then her eyes shifted towards a pair of red gloves sitting on the table. She raised her hand, revealing a scar, the mark of the dark prince of pleasure, on her right wrist.
"I can't forget this," she said in her usual cheery voice. She put on her gloves and pulled it up to just below her elbow, concealing her wrist.
