League of Nations Expeditionary Forces,
Base Camp Alpha, Region: Southern Knappnai
Aparajita Pradesh, newly promoted to the rank of full General due to his expanded role, read through the reports, and watched the combat-cam footage supplied by the 1st Recon Company. Already he could feel the beginnings of a minor headache developing as he turned to the rest of his Japan-Falmart Command Staff around him in the command centre. The situation had become both more concerning in regards the threat level for these so-called magical beings, though at least it came with the benefit of having an initial 'friendly' interaction, or at least non-violent one, with a local religious leader from one of the nearby cities. A blue skinned dragon-like woman who was supposedly over four hundred years old, and from footage well capable of tearing apart a large Imperial patrol force almost single handed. [1]
"It was an obvious setup for our benefit of course Comrade General" the nasally voice of the NKVD Colonel Bragina came to his ears and he motioned at her to continue.
"It was very much apparent it knew roughly where this small force was in advance, indeed it seems to be a force from the locals that commits to a regular patrol, slash raiding, through that region. So the creature, this 'Apostle' put on a show for Commandant Cooper and his company. It is too convenient to be otherwise"
"Could she be working for the Empire and be seeking to spy on us Sir, Colonel? Her appearance is quite convenient after all. Though I admit those soldiers were plainly not a part of such a plan" the newly arrived Brigadier Carter Swain of the soon to arrive in Japan British Guards Armoured Division asked motioning to clips of 'dragonic' Apostle using a scythe to literally cut three armoured men in half in one swing.
The gray hair Russian woman hmmm'd for a moment then shook her head "No Comrade it is more likely an approach from the so-called 'Divine' rulers of this city of Bellnahgo. This Church of Hardy, I would speculate that word has reached them of our arrival and of the defeats of the Empire armies sent against us. So they wish to test our abilities for themselves, while displaying their own strength for either a possible alliance or simply to discourage us from trying to conquer them"
Pradesh tapped his knuckles gently on the desk as he was want to do when thinking as the others debated the matter around him. Considering the mixture of fearful, reverent or plain awe filled reply's in regards the subject amongst both the native friendlies and from among the thousands of prisoners camped outside Tanska it seemed more like these 'Apostles' valued their independence from the Empire. And were often at odds with it rulers of the Empire in such objectives in the name of their so-called Gods. [2]
"Hmmmmm...a reasonable hypothesis Colonel, and it would be an opportunity to build a friendly or neutral relationship with the cities to our west over the mountains. The Imperial Capital and primary areas of power seem to be located to the south, east and south-east of our current position from all reports. Developing a secure western flank would be useful when we have to start advancing and secure western flank. Especially in the wake of these abilities these 'Apostles' either supposedly, or as we can see here, possibly poses, Professors?" he finished glancing at the two senior scientists assigned to Expeditionary Forces Geim and Venter. The Soviet glanced at the British man who began relaying select clips of the combat before speaking.
"Frankly General...we in the Research Branch can hardly believe what we're seeing. Flight, with a body mass that should make it extremely difficult at best, impossible in theory yet here she flies over the column with apparent ease. Enhanced strength as we see here..." images of the battle in the distance as the blue skinned and winged woman scythed down the men again followed by almost casually flinging a large carriage like a piece of plywood at others "...along with what we assume is some sort of regeneration. Here..." images moved in slow motion and what appeared to be crossbow bolts impacted the blue coloured skin, embedding deep within before being crudely ripped out. Minutes later not a mark was evident on her when Captain Kipkemoi's fire-team and their Wanderer 4x4 closed in. They hadn't even noticed it occurring. "...she's hit by several large crossbow bolts. Steel ones from the reports that should have killed her outright and yet here when our scouts approach there is no indication of damage...none at all. Considering there is blood reported on the bolt heads post battle she must possess some sort of regenerative capabilities. Frankly Sir we find this ridiculous...something out of speculative science not the real world. And yet it exists!" [3]
"Yes General..." Bragina stated as the scientist finished with an aggrieved look on his face as well as his compatriot "...and the natives who are friendly with us report a disturbing amount of other supposed 'powers' an Apostle possesses. Which if only half, or even quarter, of which is true would pose a problem if these creatures were to attack in numbers. The only positive it that they seem to be incredibly rare in this world even in legends"
"Will our weapons kill them if we have to face them in combat, or if many of them throw in with the Empire when we have to advance?" Pradesh asked watching the combat performance and matching it to the recommendations of the concerned spec-ops fire-team, and later the Commandant when this 'Giselle' had remained with them to go to Rondel. [4]
The scientists glanced at each other "We don't know honestly General. Footage shows damage being inflicted but it very obviously regenerated rapidly so infantry fire-arms might work with weight of volume. But we just don't know the extent of these capabilities...frankly the only way to be sure is heavier ordnance like a heavy-Gatling or other large calibre rounds. And even then..."
Pradesh nodded finishing as the bearded man faded off "And even then we just don't know it'd just shrug it off and get back up again..." he sighed rubbing at his right temple "...so for the moment we just have assume the worst and attempt to develop some counter-attacks on that model. For the moment I'm going to recommend to the League that we seek to bring these cities on board with our efforts diplomatically. As well as have 1st Recon monitor this 'Giselle' during its journey..." he glanced at the scientists "...I want a full team assigned to research into the supposed abilities of these Apostles and any other such creatures that we could come up against. It seems myth has an element of truth in these lands"
In truth it was basically what the civilian Commission wanted in regards dealing with the independent city states they encountered, get them on side and get them to help breakup and defeat this 'Empire' with a minimum of deaths. So far his forces, outdated equipment and all, completely over-matched the locals but creatures like this had the possibility to badly disrupt a peaceful solution if they proved...uncooperative. From the looks of it they could tear apart an unprepared infantry platoon with ease. That plus the revelations being made public were causing something of a media frenzy evidently in both the news-services and the common-net as impossible things suddenly became real. He tapped his knuckles gently on the table behind him. Whoever said this job was easy after all...
[1] Rather than the usual curb stomp intro for a Rory type I figured I'd do the post battle discussion as a change. In story Giselle has gotten sent by Hardy to say 'Hello' and well Giselle is being Giselle in the method.
[2] These are pretty secular people and like us rely on science. This magic and divine thing is really annoying them. For the moment they see the Falmart Gods as either something that's not real...or some sort of power creature pretending to be a God.
[3] This is much less that we see from Rory. Who exchanged wounds with Itami (who got hit point blank by a Flame Dragon) and still managed to get up (albeit weakened massively)
[4] Really why was no-one in JSDF asking this question about Rory the mobile killing machine that soaked up wounds and such? Come on! And Itami! Did you actually file any reports about Giselle and other such things?