A/N- Sorry for the long wait. I've been very busy in the several weeks. I'm hoping that I am able to update some of my other stories before the end of the month. Anyway, this is the start of a small series of chapters that are intended to be relatively small but action packed or otherwise dramatic chapters. I present you all with...

Chapter 9a- Diversion Briefing

A gathering of many soldiers was happening in the command center where many soldiers including Natalia, Ivan and Johnathan were listening to Roy and Kurt give a briefing that had a tone which felt like was a cross between confident and uncertain. That was because they were confident and uncertain.

Roy began the arduous briefing "Welcome to the briefing everyone. We're going to give the briefing now as we don't know what kind of timetable we're operating on. But here's what we do know..." He directed everyone's attention to an enlarged map on a wall behind him. "We know that there's a harbour on the other side of the railway bridge. The trouble is, as Johnathan and Natalia found out, is that there's a roadblock on the bridge itself and the area has a rather unusually large garrison."

Kurt then began to speak, "To deal with the roadblock, we will be drawing troops away from the bridge with a series of diversions. We have identified a series of targets that should draw enemy soldiers and vehicles away from the bridge." Kurt then turned and put a number of pictures up on the map, showing the targets in a number of locations that they had been to before. "At each of these locations, there's a target of very high importance that the bridge will have to send reinforcements."

"Just because we have been growing our army, does not mean that we could take the enemy in a straight fight. Until we can build a stockpile of resources such as vehicles, weapons, ammunition and food as well as some decent reserves, we will have to be very cautious about our actions." Roy warned them all. "Ivan, you are to destroy a truck carrying ammunition and spare parts at the town we went to a few days ago. Natalia, you'll be going to an enemy patrol base to blow up a supply depot there, a warehouse more specifically. Johnathan, you'll be going back to the mountain base to blow up some of the equipment used to monitor that... boy." Roy then paused while Kurt placed photographs of some armoured and mechanised columns around the map. "We expect several columns such as those that are pictured to be the initial responders to the diversions. That's why when we've done our acts of sabotage, you'll be capturing the columns as well in the process, definitively forcing the bridge garrison to send reinforcements to the affected locations."

A balaclava wearing soldier then asked Roy and Kurt a question, "So we're not just diverting troops away from the bridge, we're also denying the enemy tanks, armoured vehicles and equipment that could be used against us, correct?"

"That is correct soldier. We hope to increase our strength whilst weakening that of Gene's forces." Roy replied affirmatively to the balaclava wearing soldier.

"Do we have the strength to carry out these objectives?" Ivan asked worriedly.

"I would say that we just about have the strength to carry out these missions simultaneously." Kurt replied confidently. "Would it be better if we did these missions one at a time? Probably yes, but we do not have the luxury of time so we need to take risks and sometimes even gamble and the history of war shows that risks and gambles can be extremely beneficial."

"As it is, there's no other course of action. We have to try and get the enemy forces away from the bridge and see what is happening." Roy said firmly.

For the next hour, Roy and Kurt spoke with Ivan, Natalia and Johnathan, discussing their objectives in more detail. The other soldiers who had attended the briefing had left to prepare, checking their equipment and getting whatever rest they could. Things such as guard numbers, patrol routes, munitions and rations at the locations, prisoners, enemy reinforcements and more were discussed at length by Roy, Kurt, Ivan, Johnathan and Natalia. All with the intention of securing a quick and decisive win against Gene's forces.

"Roy, Kurt... What do you think that we'll find at the harbour once we get across the bridge?" Johnathan asked the pair. Ivan and Natalia let out a breath, knowing that the question on their minds was now in the open.

"I don't know. All know is that if we don't find anything there, I'd rather worry too much now and laugh about it later." Roy said to them truthfully.

"And what about the boss?" Ivan asked them gruffly. "When should he be back up and moving?"

"It all depends on what John says when Harry wakes up. From what I've learnt about him, from intel files and meeting him in person, I reckon he'll ignore any advice to rest until the pressure has eased up a bit." Roy replied in a doubtful tone, his face showing concern.

"That could be ages yet!" Johnathan said in horror.

"That is why we need to act as soon as possible. We need to make Gene and his army think Harry's commanding the attacks. They know that he's on the loose anyway." Roy said to Johnathan.

Natalia then broke into the conversation, having pondered the situation and remembering her childhood. "When I was growing up, my father used to make me study military history. One of the things he taught me was that as long as the objective was known, the unit or units could approach it however they wished. We know what our ultimate objective is. Harry gave us that. Now, we have to go ahead with this without him."

"You're saying that you agree with acting before Harry has recovered?" Johnathan asked Natalia with some surprise.

"As it was said during the main briefing, time is not on our side at the moment and we have no clue about what kind of schedule we're operating on." Natalia answered.

"I don't like it but I'd rather not wait around until Harry has fully recovered." Ivan spoke up, finally becoming very impatient with all the talking. "Shall we get ready for this?"

Johnathan and Natalia looked at Ivan and gave their shoulders a slight shrug. "No sense in putting off the inevitable." They replied simultaneously and began rounding up troops and equipment for the upcoming fighting.

All of them knew that the fighting would only get tougher from that moment onwards.

A/N- I hope you have enjoyed the chapter and please review.

And do remember that while I try my best to make everything make sense or easy to understand, explanations are not my strongest strength. Thank you for your time.