Chapter 4

For the first time since the founding of the JSDF fort on Alnus Hill, the base became busy with numerous construction projects and fortification. Making sandbag walls three times the normal thickness, mounting heavy weapon systems, relocating civilians and VIPs to different locations, the amount of work never seemed to dwindle.

There were concerns that General Kazama was too trusting of the stranger. The entire base has essentially been put under her direction. However, it was reassuring that the elf seemed knowledgeable in tactics and warfare. Not even the senior officers could scrutinize her defenses. However, it was not enough.

Despite JSDF refusing to demonstrate any of the major weapon systems they currently possess, Aralith was vaguely aware of their prowess. When she was mediating, she saw the visions of the future. JSDF stood absolutely no chance against the incoming enemy in a full on collision.

"Aralith!" someone called out. It was Mari, running over with joyful smile.

"Mari! Greetings to you."

The medic stopped and gave the Eldar a hug. Aralith was shocked at such bizarre and barbaric greetings, but she held her tongue.

"Good news, Aralith," said Mari, "One of the patrol teams recently located one of your kin. He was hostile at first, but once they showed him the sign you drew for us, he happily joined them."

Aralith held back her excitement. Another one of her kin had made it alive.

"Did he give you a name?" she asked.

Mari shook her head.

"No. But he should arrive shortly."

An LAV soon pulled up with the patrol team that discovered the unknown warrior. Stepping out of the vehicle was armoured in bright red and orange. His helmet bore the sign of the Fire Dragon Aspect. These bizarre equipment and flashy colours caught the eyes and whispers of many JSDF soldiers.

"Aralith. Looks like the gods have blessed us to meet again. I am overjoyed that you are well," the Fire Dragon spoke in their native tongue.

Aralith stepped forward to greet her kin.

"Kaldred!"

As the Eldar ways teach patience and restriction of their emotions, neither of the two showed any overt signs of excitement, but they were undoubtedly happy to see another of their kin.

"The green humans showed a drawing of our Craftworld's mark, but as to whom sent them was unknownst to me. Are these Mon-Keigh under your command?"

"Not completely," Aralith replied, "But I made a deal with them. They will aid us to repel the Imperium."

Kaldred's expression turned slightly dark. He made a quick observation of the JSDF defenses.

"Would this be enough? This hill is too open to be of any use in battle. The enemy will come from all sides, and these primitive creatures lack numbers to properly match the enemy that approaches. Just last dawn, I have seen their crafts flying slightly above this planet's orbit. They search for the artifact, Seer."

Aralith revealed the artifact hidden in her cloak.

"And they will not succeed."

Kaldred gave a firm nod of acknowledgment.

"Were you able to sense our Craftworld, Aralith?" asked the Fire Dragon.

Aralith shook her head in denial.

"There are faint threads that I can sense, but no contact has been made so far. But the future holds that the Altansar will come for us. When the day comes, no enemy stands a chance against us."

Kaldred silently agreed. Even still, the enemy was close, a lot closer than their Craftworld. They must hold until their Craftworld sends help.

The JSDF had tanks and other vehicles similar to that of the Imperium. But as to their capability, Kaldred had not the slightest idea.

"I see that you are also concerned about their weapons. Your fear is in the right place. These primitive weapons will have difficulties penetrating their tanks and transports."

"My Firepike can take out their armours, but I must be in close proximity to do so. How many do you expect, Seer?"

"I believe in your abilities, Kaldred, but they are more numerous than you can manage alone. But their initial attack will only contain a handful of armours. They are only sending their vanguards and patrol detachments to gauge their foe. It seems that they are still wary of their last defeat. They will soon learn that this green army lack the proper firepower to counter their armoured vehicles."

The JSDF were capable army, even by some Imperial world standards. But against a properly organized Imperial Guard unit, they were primitive. Aralith could sense their fear and angst. These men and women would collapse if more than a quarter of their army is destroyed. On the other hand, the Imperium would fight until majority of their army was destroyed. Aralith saw this with her own eyes in the past few engagement with the Imperium.

"Will they be able to repel them?" Kaldred asked warily.

"Yes," the seer answered, "But with devastating losses. Their victory here is not our goal, Fire Dragon. Their losses will bring them to be more submissive. They will learn that their enemy is mighty, and they will not survive without our help. Then, we may bring together an united force that may be able to repel the enemy until help arrives."

"United force? Do you mean to align ourselves with these Mon-Keigh?" Kalred asked as if disgusted.

"I heard from the people around. There are more than humans in this planet. There are terrible creatures and warlocks that we can bring to our use. We are not aligning with them, Kaldred; we are simply buying time."

Relieved, Kaldred began to ponder ways to counter their armour.

"I still have a few Firebombs that can decimate their tanks. Tied to these Mon-Keigh, they will make excellent delivery system."

Aralith rejected the idea.

"These creatures are not like the fanatical humans that we face. Suggest the idea of sacrificing their kind to use as bombs will only buy us hatred. But we can use them as mines. I know where their tanks will deploy. Suggest the idea of ambush, these humans will gladly take the job."

Kaldred looked puzzled.

"But the end result would be the same. They will never make it out alive."

Aralith nodded.

"Yes, but you do not understand the heart of these humans. They value self-sacrifice and detest sacrifice burdened upon others. That distinction matters more than the result."

Kaldred shook his head in disbelief.

"Mon-Keigh. I neither wish to know them or understand their ways."

Aralith smiled, as a mother would to her child.

"In a sense, it is similar to our beliefs of heroism."

Kaldred mocked the idea.

"Ha! As if their lowly kind could be remotely close to ours. Our heroes live forever in glory. Theirs dies unsung and forgotten. Which way these animals choose to die is completely up to them."

Aralith placed her hand on Kaldred's shoulder.

"It is our place to teach those who are below us, Kaldred. You must open your heart and accept them, as even the humans are capable of saving our lives at times. A closed mind does not see the opportunity. Do not let your pride hurt our people."

Kaldred shamefully nodded.

"Your understanding is beyond mine, Seer. I suppose even these Mon-Keighs have their uses. I will be kinder to these animals."

Aralith smiled and took back her hand.

"I will introduce you to their leader. You can inform them how to destroy their armours. You are the most qualified warrior for the job."

With that last statement, Aralith began walking towards the JSDF headquarter. Kaldred followed right after.

Colonel Kamo could not believe that was happening. The JSDF was running under a foreign advisor, not to mention a different species. As a strong nationalist, Colonel Kamo believed that Japanese officers should be in charge of JSDF, not foreigners. He was reluctant to allow the elf to dictate how to set up their defenses.

"Sir, we have acquired an interesting intel."

The captain reported.

"Captain Hayama, please tell me it is good news this time," Kamo sighed.

The captain hesitated.

"Well... I can't say that it is, sir, but it is an intel."

Kamo looked puzzled.

"Well, spill it!"

"Sir, on the crashed pod discovered not far from where the 12th Recon Team was killed, we discovered these markings."

Kamo flipped through the report, his eyes widened.

"These are..."

Captain Hayama nodded.

"The same as the signs that the elf handed our recon teams to show her kin. Looks like she might have something to do with the 12th deaths, after all."

Kamo raised his face, red with anger.

"This will not stand! Have her arrested for questioning, immediately!"