Chapter 20: A Living Shadow
"No plan survives contact with the enemy. When that happens, either improvise a new one, retreat as best you can, or just kill everything in sight. I prefer the last option." ~ Legatus Legionis Priscus Magnus, Legion III
Two Days Until Engagement, Citadel of Atlantis
Coyote Starrk had forgotten how much he hated being awake. Not awake in the sense that he was merely conscious, though that was annoying as well, but awake in the sense that he was actually aware of what was happening around him, and actually cared about the same. It was so... annoying.
He collapsed into the nearest open chair in the meeting hall, not even opening his eyes when Lillynette and Tribune Marcus Neuman settled in on either side of him.
"What's this one about?" It was the third meeting that he had been stuck in that day, and he had already lost track of how many he had sat through the previous several days.
Fifteen in four days.
I didn't want to be reminded.
Lillynette snorted quietly, leaning an elbow onto the table. "Hey Marcus, what's this one about?"
Their subordinate gave a long-suffering sigh before replying, "We've been assigned to the lead reserve position on our end of the portals, because of that we're required to be present when Captains Avitus and Harribel give their final briefing to the Lady-Captain."
"Hn."
Part of him felt bad for the kid sitting on his left. Well, kid was a bit of misnomer, he was better than three centuries old and had fought in the quincy wars, but that still meant that he was young compared to him. There had been some hesitation on his part at working with them, and amongst the Legion he'd been put in command of in general. Lillynette had been their saving grace there, forcefully inserting her devil-may-care live-for-fun mentality wherever she went. It had gone beyond her being 'one of them' to her being the most liked person in the entire Legion.
I'm basically the mascot, go ahead and say it.
Why bother, you just did. He yawned massively, opening a bleary eye as Harribel and Avitus entered the room, both women speaking quietly with one another. Their subordinates trailed in behind them, most carrying folders that they quickly began to hand out to the other officers already present.
Who's all here?
A tiny leg slammed into his shin, making him groan aloud in pain. Their Tribune, well used to them by this point, didn't even both looking up from the papers he was reading. Open your damn eyes and look yourself!
Forcing his other eye open, he regarded the room. Harribel and Avitus had moved to the head of the long table, still speaking in quiet tones. A veritable swarm of Centurions were also present, most taking their seats along the edges of the room, keeping themselves divided by Legion. The senior officers present kept passing out their paperwork, irritably barking at the lesser officers lingering in their way. One of Harribel's officers, a blonde Tribune he didn't know, carefully put a trio of folders in front of them before heading to her own place in a corner.
The only other Captain present was Eminrich Nachtmal, a tall, slender man with salt and pepper hair that fell below his shoulders. The Atlantean gave him a brief nod as their gazes met before returning his attention to one of his subordinates, a heavier woman who seemed to be summarizing something.
"Full crowd."
"The senior most Centurion from each of the Four and Eighth's cohorts is present, along with all of the Tribunes from both plus the Fifth." His own Tribune didn't glance up from the papers as he spoke, "Our own are excluded from this particular briefing, but we're going to have to distill it for them tomorrow."
That earned an annoyed grunt, "We will?"
"Fifteen hundred, tomorrow sir."
"Anyone else going to be showing?" Lillynette spoke over his loud groan, her foot finding his already sore shin again.
"The Lady-Captain of course, and the commander of the Praetorians should also be present. I believe the Leagtus Legionis of the Legion Exploratores will also be giving an intelligence run down before the Captains go in detail."
A slight ripple of power made all conversation in the chamber cease at once. Speak of the devil...
He, along with everyone else, turned towards the doorway to see three people enter. Bast was, of course, leading them, sipping from a cup of tea almost daintily as she walked towards the chair left open at the end of the table. Behind her was one of the Praetorians, her armor and full helm concealing what looked to be an athletic build beneath the metal and leather. And beside her was...
Starrk... her voice was timid, even through their bond, and a hand found his arm beneath the table. ...What is that?
He couldn't tell if it was a man, or a woman. An ill defined body was tightly cloaked in black, even the face was shrouded by a cowl that hung as low as the being's neck. It was impossible to even tell if it was a soul reaper or a hollow, every ounce of spiritual pressure was constrained. Not, not constrained. Constrained implied he could sense that there was something there. It was as if... as if a mere shadow had all had just walked through the door without an owner, an empty void taking the place of a living being.
It was easily the most unsettling thing he had ever felt in his centuries of existence.
"Please, everyone be seated." Bast's voice failed to bring any form of distraction, "The briefing may now begin. If you would?"
"Thank you, Lady Captain." Lillynette's hand gripped him more tightly, and the Tribune next to him shuddered slightly. The thing's voice was a dull monotone, each word scratching at the edges. "For those of you who do not know who I am, I am the Legatus Legionis of the Legion Exploratores. My name is unimportant, but for conveniences sake, you may refer to me as Umbra."
I would rather blast you with a cero. From the expressions of the officers in the room, most of them would have agreed wholeheartedly with that thought. Even the Praetorian seemed edgy, shifting slightly from foot to foot, a hand not so innocently lingering near the hilt of her blade.
Either not noticing or ignoring their discomfort, the thing resumed speaking as it began to walk towards the head of the room. "Before the beginning of hostilities, we were able to place several agents in the outer Rukon districts near the Seireitei, as well as reinforcing our long-term agents in Asia proper. Though communications with those agents remains difficult, what will follow is a summary of our enemy's activities."
Someone, likely a luckless Centurion, brought a projector to life. The image flickered against the wall, stabilizing after a moment to show a map. The Seireitei was in the bottom left, allowing for more detail to be shown of the north and eastern portions of the districts.
"The enemy has divided their forces to protect a myriad of objectives. For this operation, our primary concern will be Squads Two, Seven, Nine, and Thirteen." Red blots appeared at each squad number, mostly grouped around a pair of large complexes of some form in the middle districts. "They are likely under the command of Captain Juushiro Ukitake, one of the oldest and most experienced Gotei leaders."
It paused for a moment, as if waiting for questions. When met only be stony silence, the thing continued, waving a shrouded arm towards the map, "The facilities in question are believed to be a mega-farm belonging to the Shihoin clan, and a deathstone mine operated by another house that we have not identified as of yet. Regardless, the enemy recognizes these locations as important."
"Where are the remaining squads located?" Nachmtal finally broke in, some of the tension easing from Starrk's shoulders at the sound of a normal voice. "Are we expecting them to move everything to reinforce these four?"
"There are four squads remaining within their citadel, and four more located in the western reaches. The remaining squad is believed to be in the world of the living, protecting the site of power." There was minute motion within the form, as if it was trying to shrug, "It is currently not believed that the Gotei is aware of the energy required to create a new portal network, or how heavily they are strained by the passing of large numbers of personnel. The threat of multiple avenues of attack should keep the enemy pinned in place."
"Is that a guarantee?" The other man's long hair shifted as he jerked his head towards the map, "Three of our legions against four of their squads give us an edge, but not much of one. Even one more squad showing up at the right time could result in disaster."
"If I may.." Everyone again turned as Bast spoke up, smiling from behind the steam of her tea, "The Legion Magi assures me that they will be able to create small, temporary portals capable of transporting a few dozen individuals. At the same time, Sir Tosen will be leading the first assault upon Karakura."
He grunted loudly enough to draw attention to himself before speaking, "How many of these small portals can they open?"
The Praetorian spoke, her voice muted from the helm, "Ten or so, enough to insert a few Exploratores units to harass the western districts."
"Both actions should be sufficient to keep those squads in place." That damn monotone started up again, "As well as keeping the squads within the Seireitei in place. Until the Lady-Captain or Lord Aizen takes to the field, we do not believe that Yammamoto will risk showing for fear of ambush. He should be well aware that he is the only one with sufficient power to defeat either in open combat, and cannot risk himself. If any of the other squads sortie, it will be to the Sixth," an arm waved, sort of, in his direction, "to reinforce our units on the other side."
"Assuming that the portals don't collapse." The Praetorian was apparently unafraid to speak her mind, "You were going to tell them about that?"
"Of course." And dammit if the thing didn't manage to sound slimy and unbelievable without even changing how it spoke, "The Magi assure us that the portals will be strong enough to take the deployment of three legions, but warn that further movement before they are reinforced is unwise."
That hardly sounded good at all, and he grunted again before speaking, "Explain if you would Umbra, that doesn't exactly fill me with confidence."
"There is a seventeen point two percent chance of collapse if your Legion is forced to transition through them, and a fifty three point seven two percent chance of collapse if the three legions in place are forced to withdraw." It paused, "An eighty eight point one percent chance if your Legion successfully moves through, and then all four legions are forced to retreat. Those numbers decrease as they stabilize, which should be complete within three weeks."
There was a great deal of murmuring at that, energy filling the room as alarm rose. If he didn't like those numbers, the underlings sounded positively mutinous.
Bast spoke before the meeting could collapse entirely, "Please, everyone, calm yourselves. There are contingencies in place. Legatus Legionis Harribel was assigned to this first wave for a reason. Should the worst come to pass, she will open a garganta to allow for a withdrawal into Hueco Mundo."
He nodded slowly. It would be slow going, even a Vasto Lorde would have difficulty opening something large enough to transport more than three thousand troops. They'd have to enter it small groups at a time, but it would at least be an avenue of escape. Still...
The whole point of using the portals here, instead of just stepping to Hueco Mundo and then onto their territory is because the enemy could simply follow us through. Sure, we'd be on 'home' ground so to speak, but there's millions of low level hollows there not exactly following Lord Aizen. That would be a mess of epic proportions in a hurry.
Yeah.. Lillynette, still looking everywhere but at Umbra, agreed mentally, Even if they don't follow, think of the smell of the wounded.. We'd be under siege the moment they arrived until enough Espada showed up.
And even if they don't have to retreat right away, three weeks is a long damn time.
"Thank you." Aizen's likely consort continued on, "For the intelligence briefing."
The shadowy thing gave her an exaggerated nod before heading for the door, "Further intelligence details may be found in the documentation provided. Additional inquiries may be forwarded to my Legion. Thank you for your time."
A moment after it was out of the room he could feel the tension begin to drain, an almost universal sigh going through everyone there.
"Now, Ladies, if you would..?"
Harribel and Avitus glanced at one another, before his fellow arrancar obligingly waved for the Atlantean to go ahead.
"Given the time frame we are currently working with, our current primary objective is to secure the territory surrounding the portals so that we have a solid method of transferring troops from our city to enemy territory." She moved as she spoke, accepting a long pointing stick from one of her Tribunes before using it to gesture at a large village of some form in the eightieth district. "We will be emerging here, in north-eastern Zaraki. To be cheerfully blunt, the place is a hell hole, and we won't find much material worth using there. As soon as our legions are through, we will be pressing inwards to give the Fifth space."
The image behind her flickered slightly, updating to show dozen or so blue blocks, each labeled by their parent legion followed by a number one through six. "Rather than remaining concentrated in single formations, we will be separating into cohorts to maximize the width of our advance. Our day one objective is to have reached this river line," the stick traced the body of water in question, "At the dividing line of districts seventy and seventy one. Day two we will begin narrowing our advance. My Legion will turn south, taking up a position to block any advance from the mines in the south."
Harribel moved forwards as well, accepting a pointer of her own. Wielding it like a sword, she slashed at the glowing map. "My Legion will be on the northern avenue of advance along this line, and will close on the farming complex. We both believe that the Gotei will be aware of our likely objectives at that point, and will sortie to meet us to prevent collateral damage."
"To be clear," Eminrich spoke again, "Your actual objective isn't the location itself correct?"
Both women looked affronted at the insinuation that they had forgotten their orders, "Of course not," Avitus managed an impressive glare with her single eye, "Our primary objective is the destruction of the Gotei's ability to fight. Ideally, they will sortie sometime on days one or two, with the battle beginning in this area," turning back to the map, she traced a broad oval in the sixty and seventy range, "Which will give us plenty of room to make tactical withdrawals and concentrate our forces. I intend to fight a defensive battle wherever possible to preserve our troops."
"Excellent." Their leader spoke, cutting off the pale man who could only glower, "However, have you given any thoughts as to the complexes themselves? Their destruction would likely cause significant problems for the Gotei in the long term."
"We have, Lady-Captain." Harribel nodded slowly, "My Triarii, accompanied by volunteer Magi, will be held in reserve until an opportunity comes to make an incursion behind enemy lines. Their goal will be to burn the fields and destroy whatever they can before retreating."
He leaned forwards, frowning at her, "That will leave you without your best troops, won't it? Risky."
"Sometimes risks are necessary." Her aqua eyes locked onto his, "They will have orders to withdraw rather than give battle if the odds are anything less than overwhelming in their favor."
"Who will be commanding that unit? Your first spear?"
Blonde locks shifted at Bast's question, "No ma'am, my Senior Tribune. Tribune Sung-Sun will accompany them with a unit of Magi to cloak their movements. The First Spear will take over the first cohort in his absence."
Avitus moved to stand next to the other woman, "My own Triarii will be remaining further behind the lines, so that they can move to reinforce her should it be required."
"I trust that the details are located within your briefing packet?" A dark eyebrow rose when both women nodded, "Then you have my approval for your plans. Now.. let us hear your plans of action if the enemy does not move out to meet you."
He withheld a groan, but only just.
This is going to take hours..
Bet you it takes four.
How much?
A giggle in his head. Enough energy to grow at least a foot and a half. And to have some kind of bust. Tired of looking like a kid instead of a girl.
He mulled that over. While they could transfer energy between the pair of them, it was rare that they did so. They'd agreed early on that since he was by far and away the more level headed of them, he would keep the lion's share of their energy. Not that she couldn't be responsible when she wanted to be, but he'd always been a bit cautious about keeping her safe. Giving her more power made her a larger threat, and a more tempting meal, to too many things.
Still... things were different now. And it wasn't like they had anything else to wager between the two of them. Enough power to let her do that much would hardly be a drop in the proverbial ocean that was their combined energy. And if it helped get her mind off of that Umbra creature that had scared the crap out of her earlier, so much the better.
How much of a margin?
She paused, chewing on her lip as they both tuned out the discussion going on around them. Half hour?
Twenty minutes. Plus or minus.
Deal?
Deal.
The briefing lasted another four hours and fifteen minutes.
SCORE!
He could only sigh and rub at the back of his neck, a bad feeling forming in his gut.
Next up is Chapter 21: A Shadowy Game
Not too much to say here. The Atlantean warplan is outlined, and everyone gets introduced to their spymaster. The next chapter will be back to Soifon along with a brief glimpse at something else, after which things are going to start rolling.
Please read and review, criticism is welcome, flames not so much, as usual. Reviews are my lifeblood as a writer.. every-time my email goes off with a review it makes me want to write more, so please take the time to leave one. Guests can leave them as well, and it only takes a minute, so please. Even if it's as simple as "I enjoyed it, please continue."
Thanks, Kat