Hokuto and Kiria were shocked that morning when everything had been surveyed, and the reports submitted. Over ninety percent of their ammunition stores, everything that had been in storage rather than issued out, was gone. Casualty reports were sitting at over three thousand killed, approximately thirteen hundred unable to fight, and around eight thousand injured but still able to fight.
They had severely underestimated who they were fighting now. While they couldn't figure out how he had done all this, they now knew that Aono Tekeshi, was a major threat to their ability to operate. Including the dead and missing that were assigned as sentries, they now had only around thirty one thousand people, and of that only twenty five thousand were combat troops.
It should have been unthinkable that a single teenager could have achieved this, but here it was. There were no reports of any other people in the area, and nobody could recall outsiders in their areas during the time between nightfall, and when the detonations occurred.
"Cis vas pacem, parabellum," Hokuto said quietly as he read through a pile of reports for the third time.
Kiria looked over at him, "What was that?"
"A Latin phrase. Cis vas pacem, parabellum. If you desire peace, then you must prepare for war. I think, that we truly underestimated their desire for peace with humanity. This is almost like something out of an anime, or manga. A single teenage boy, he is what, sixteen or seventeen? He managed to have such an impact on our combat effectiveness, we are having to revise our strategy with such little time left to us. Our best option is going to be to recall all ammunition to be redivided among those that will be able to make the best use of it, and issue more traditional weapons to everyone else. I find myself suddenly wishing those artillery pieces were not just sheet metal wrapped around wood with a few bits of actual pieces tacked on," Hokuto leaned back and took his glasses off as he rubbed his eyes.
"I can't help but agree with you. There has to be something we are missing though. I know there has to be," Kiria had to rub his own.
A voice from a figure sitting in the shadows spoke out, "You assume, that he was alone. Why?"
Hokuto never opened his eyes, "Because nobody observed anyone that they shouldn't have."
The voice was low and rumbling in its tone, "Just because they were not observed, does not mean they were not there. Subterfuge, and infiltration, are hallmarks of proper warfare. It does not matter how far you look back, a traitor always can turn the tied."
"To pull off such an a coordinated bit of sabotage would have taken hundreds of agents, but it isn't outside the realm of possibilities. The problem is, we don't have the time, manpower, or resources to root them out. If Aono managed to do this, and then have his son deliver the orders, no. If they had agents, they would have known about the fake hardware, and wouldn't have walked right in like that. There is something else, and I just can't figure it out," Kiria found himself frustrated with the situation.
"Then, we can only wait to see what occurs, when our blades clash, and our guns speak their deadly tattoos. Kolaches," a plate of sausages wrapped in baked dough was extended from the shadows, held by a large, solidly muscled arm.
"Where do you keep coming up with all this food? I swear, from the moment you showed up, we could be in the middle of a desert dieing of thirst, and you would have a plate of croquettes for no explainable reason. Focus Hokuto. Ok, whatever we do, we have to make sure that there is no way that it can blow up in our face. Our combat forces alone, I think even our logistics alone, outnumber their entire army. If nothing else, we can always just make everyone combatants, and drown them in bodies," Hokuto gave up trying to figure out this benefactor that sat with them.
Said benefactor spoke again, "Human wave tactics. I believe they are a favorite of socialist and communist forces. Effective, only as long as life remains cheap. Once numbers are thinned down, and life is forced to become more precious, such tactics become useless. I was never impressed with what I have read on such leadership that used them. Stalin, was simply a mad dog that should have been left in his cage, until he was needed. Lenin was little better though. Trotsky would have led the Soviets to a much better position in the world. Mao Zedong, now he was someone who understood how to hold power, but he was still little more than human refuse."
Hokuto was a little annoyed, "Ok, beside knowing your opinion of semi obsolete political systems, what is your point?"
"Simply this, don't waste your people. If they are not combatants, then making them fight will only hurt you more than your enemy. Do you know how many levy a single knight was able to take on by himself," the question was simple, but seemed to be lost on the man.
Kiria answered, "Dozens. Levies were made up of little more than semi trained peasants and wastrels as the language of the day would call them. A knight was a man who trained for a lifetime to fight. I get what he is saying, and it makes sense. Logistics will stay back doing what they are best suited to do. I will take care of arranging our weapons situation."
"At least one of you has a modicum of ability. I just wonder how much your enemies have," the voice seemed, to anticipate.
"Man, the entire camp heard that go up. Word going around is that they have to have been crippled and there isn't going to be a battle," Akoni was excited as they sat in a circle around a fire.
"I doubt we achieved that much, but they aren't going to be shooting at us as much. I am just worried about what they actually have that we didn't find out about. Still fake howitzers, who would have thought they would go that far just to have a conversation," Tekeshi was rather solemn as he answered.
"Boss, it was still awesome. What are your plans for us," Heavy wasn't as excited as Akoni about what was going on.
"As much as I know you all would rather be at the front with me, I plan for you to be acting as recon and messengers. I know all of you aren't squeamish, and have no issue killing, but I don't see a reason to put you in unnecessary danger. Heavy, you in particular, I want to help organize the rearguard. That microgun, God where did Mom come across that, you picked out is heavy, even if you are big enough you don't notice it. It will slow you down, so being somewhere you don't have to do a lot of moving is best. Chunie, I want you to talk with someone that can help you get somewhere tall and concealed. You are almost as good as I am with a rifle, and you have the best eyesight. Everyone else, we will work it out after the big strategy meeting in a couple of days," Tekeshi leaned heavier on Utsuki as he spoke, taking a little bit of comfort from her touch.
"Awright Tek, hae ye git a guitar wi' ye, or kin ye git yin tae ye wi' whitevur that thing ye dae is," Dehlia asked out of nowhere.
It took Tekeshi a minute to decipher what she said, "I mean, I can, but why?"
Dehlia rolled her eyes, "Whit dae ye dae wi' a guitar, dafty?"
Tekeshi snapped and a circle formed on the ground. Everyone there watched as an acoustic guitar seemed to rise out of the ground. He didn't often play acoustic, mainly just for Utsuki when he wasn't near an electrical outlet, but he still liked it.
"Hey, Bro, how about your favorite. It isn't a particular favorite sound to me, but I like how you play it," Machiko said, a little sad knowing that she was going to be working with her mother in the medical tent, away from the frontlines.
"I don't know how well, it will sound acoustic," Tekeshi seemed hesitant, which was a little strange when it came to music.
"I want to hear it, I don't know what your favorite song is," Utsuki encouraged him.
Black nodded, "I agree. I haven't heard it in a while myself."
Agreement was universal, and he finally gave in, "Alright. I will do it, just let me get ready."
It took him a second to tune the guitar, and he then started playing slowly.
"Oh, no no no
Oh no
You'll never make me stay, so take your weight off of me.
I know your ever move, so won't you just let me be?
I've been here times before, but I was too blind to see
That you seduce every man, this time, you won't seduce me
She's saying, "That's ok, Baby,do what you please
I have the stuff that you want, I am the thing that you need"
She looked me deep in the eyes, she's touching me so to start
She says, "There's no turning back," she trapped me in her heart
Dirty Diana, no
Dirty Diana, no
Dirty Diana, no
Dirty Diana
Let me be
Oh, no, no
She likes the boys in the band
She knows when they come to town
Every musician's fan after the curtain goes down
She waits at backstage doors for those who have prestige
Who promise fortune and fame, a life that's so carefree
She says, "That's alright and, Baby, do what you want
I'll be your night loving thing, I'll be the freak you can taunt
And I don't care what you say, I won't go too far
I'll be your everything if you make me a star"
Dirty Diana, no
Dirty Diana, no
Dirty Diana, no
Dirty Diana
Let me be, let me be, oh
Mm, no, no, no
Ooh, oh
She said, "I have to go home 'cause I'm real tired, you see
But I hate sleeping alone, why don't you come with me?"
I said, "My Baby's at home, she's probably worried tonight
I didn't call on the phone to say that I'm alright'
Diana walked up to me
She said, "I'm all yours tonight"
At that I ran to the phone, saying, "Baby, I'm alright'
I said, "But unlock the door, I forgot the key.
She said, "He's not coming back, because he's sleeping with me"
Dirty Diana, no
Dirty Diana, no
Dirty Diana, no
Dirty Diana
Dirty Diana, no
Dirty Diana, no
Dirty Diana, no
Dirty Diana, come on
Come on"
Tekeshi played the outgoing bars, and took a deep breath as he realized he was a lot more relaxed that he had been just minutes earlier.
"I liked it, I don't recognize it though," Utsuki looked at him with a sense of adoration from the song.
"'Dirty Diana', it's something that Michael Jackson sang originally. I honestly can't stand his voice, it hurts my ears with how high he sang. I think that Shaman's Harvest did it the best, and that is the version that I tend to sing. The way that Nathan Hunt drags out the words, rather than cuts them short, it seems like there is more to the emotions, and to the story. Like it isn't something they are just singing about," Tekeshi kind of hung himself over the guitar as he spoke.
"I don't know why anyone thought that Michael Jackson was all that great. Maybe it is a cultural thing, but I thought he was just too outrageous, and was way too much of an attention whore," Asusa said, leaned against her sister.
"Like," Yusa simply said, leaving all elaboration unspoken.
An unexpected voice came from behind them, "I actually rather enjoyed his shows. He didn't have the most pleasing voice, but he was a really good songwriter, and he knew how much showmanship mattered in person."
They looked back as Madonna stepped in to join them and Utsuki asked, "Mother Madonna?"
"It is I, though I don't know who else would be me. Especially given how much ill will I have managed to accumulate these days. I heard the music, and I wanted to see who was playing. I didn't attend your show at the school, so I wasn't aware at just how talented you were," Madonna spoke as she folded her legs under her and sat on the ground.
"Uh, Thanks. I don't really remember inviting you to join us," Tekeshi said, still not fully trusting the woman.
Utsuki responded with one of her new quirks, "Bad boyfriend," followed by a none too gentle slap on the arm.
"Can you sing something specific for me? It isn't something really well known, so if you don't know it, I would understand," Madonna asked.
"Well, I can try, what song is it," he asked.
"It was called Simple Man. I only heard it once, but it kind of stuck with me," she replied.
At that time Moka walked up, "That is one of the ones I most like hearing him sing. It's always been rather popular, why would you say it isn't very well know," she said, joining them in the circle.
"It may have just been a matter of when I first heard it. It, reminds me of someone from a long time ago, even before I fell in love with Arthur. Please," the ancient woman asked simple.
Tekeshi sat in thought for a second before he retuned his instrument.
"Well, Mama told me when I was young
Said sit beside me my only son
And listen closely to what I say
And if you do this, it'll help you
Some sunny day
Ah yeah, it will
Oh take your time, don't live too fast
Troubles will come and they will pass
You'll find a woman and you'll find love"
Tekeshi let his eyes wander over to first his mother and Madonna, and then focused it on Utsuki.
"And don't forget that there is a someone up above
And be a simple kind of man
And be something you'll love and understand
Baby, be a simple kind of man
Oh, won't you do this for me son, if you can?
If you can
Don't get your lust from the rich man's gold
All that you need now is in your soul
And you can do this, oh baby, if you try
All that I want for you my son
Is to be satisfied
And be a simple kind of man
And be something you'll love and understand
Baby, be a simple kind of man
Oh, won't you do this for me son, if you can?
If you can"
Tears seemed to come to the eyes of the two older women. One, remembering children that had long passed from the world, and where she could hold them in her arms. The other, watching, and listening to her son, wishing that he could live by the lyrics that fell from his lips.
"Oh, don't you worry, you'll find yourself
Follow your heart, and nothing else
And you can do this, Baby, if you try
All that I want from you my son is to be satisfied
And be a simple kind of man
And be something you'll love and understand
Baby, be a simple kind of man
Oh, won't you do this for me son, if you can
So, Baby, be a simple
Be a simple man
Oh won't you do this
For me son
If
you can."
"Thank you, Tekeshi. I know I am not your favorite person, but that song, means a lot to me. Thank you," and with that Madonna rose, and walked from the circle.
Nobody spoke as they slowly drifted away from the circle, all of them feeling different emotions from the song.