Najenda sat in the dimly lit war room of the Night Raid hideout, her fingers steepled together as she studied the latest report laid out before her. The news was troubling. The battle at Aria's mansion had ended in its destruction, yet there were no recorded casualties among the REDs. Not a single body was found in the wreckage, yet an entire division of Imperial troops had been annihilated.
Leone, leaning against the table with arms crossed, let out a low whistle. "This doesn't make any sense. How do you suffer a 'defeat' and still come out without a scratch?"
Lubbock flipped through the pages of the report, his brows furrowing. "The Empire got slaughtered. Their troops were completely overwhelmed, and they don't even know what hit them. But somehow, the REDs just disappeared?"
Najenda exhaled, placing her hand on her temple. "That's what concerns me. This isn't just another skirmish. The REDs are changing the battlefield in ways we can't predict. Their tactics don't match any conventional warfare strategies we've encountered. If we can't understand how they operate, then we have no way of knowing if they're truly on our side."
Tatsumi sat quietly, his hands clenched into fists. He hadn't spoken much since Mine had been wounded and brought to their hideout. Now, he exchanged a glance with her. Mine, still pale from her injuries, sat beside him, a frown marring her face. She was in no condition to be on the battlefield, but she insisted on attending this meeting, feeling just as disturbed as the rest of them by the growing mystery surrounding the REDs.
"I don't like this," she muttered. "Not one bit. It's just like before, when they… when they saved me."
Najenda's one visible eye studied her carefully. "You're still convinced they're allies?"
Mine hesitated, biting her lip. "I… I don't know. They're not on the Empire's side, but they're not really on ours either. They do things their own way, and I don't know if that makes them trustworthy or just another wildcard."
Tatsumi finally spoke, his voice low. "They didn't just disappear. They had a plan. They're up to something." His mind was racing, remembering the last time he had seen Sheele and Bulat—alive, with the REDs. But could he bring himself to tell the others? Would it change anything?
Leone sighed, rubbing the back of her head. "Well, whatever it is, they're keeping us out of the loop. They took down an entire Imperial division, but we still don't know where they went after that. And what's worse? If they have a base somewhere, it means they're settling in for the long haul."
Najenda tapped her fingers against the table, deep in thought. "This only raises more questions. If they were forced to retreat, why didn't we find their bodies? Why were they the only ones who escaped unscathed? Even if they had superior tactics, an operation of this scale should have left some trace of them behind. But instead, all we have is wreckage and Imperial blood."
Lubbock leaned back in his chair. "You think they have a new base somewhere?"
"Possibly," Najenda admitted. "And if they do, it means they're becoming something more than just a group of mercenaries. We need to find out what they're planning. Whether they intend to help us or not, we can't afford to be blindsided by them."
Leone tapped the table, her golden eyes sharp. "What do you wanna do, boss? Send someone to track them?"
Najenda considered it but shook her head. "Too risky. If they are working on something big, sending one of our own could be seen as a provocation. For now, we observe from the shadows. We wait for an opportunity to learn more."
Tatsumi and Mine shared a glance. They knew something the others didn't—Sheele and Bulat were alive and with the REDs. But revealing that now? No, not yet. Not until they could be certain of what the REDs were truly after. If they were carving out a new place in this war, Night Raid needed to know where they stood.
For now, Night Raid could only wait and watch, hoping they wouldn't be caught off guard by their elusive former allies. But deep down, Tatsumi couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that the REDs weren't just unpredictable—they were becoming something else entirely. And soon, they would have to choose whether to stand with them… or against them.
The aftermath of the battle at Aria's mansion left the REDs with a singular goal—establishing a permanent stronghold to cement their foothold in the war. Their sights turned to Shisuikan Fortress, an abandoned Imperial stronghold, its thick stone walls still standing resolute against time. Seizing the opportunity, the mercenaries and their allies moved in swiftly, wasting no time in transforming the ruin into their new base of operations.
The first order of business was securing the perimeter. Engineer and his crew deployed a network of sentry turrets along the walls, their metallic frames whirring to life as they scanned for intruders. Alongside them, dispensers and teleporters were erected to ensure quick movement and medical aid for the defenders. Spy's team worked in the shadows, ensuring the fortress was clear of hidden threats or Imperial remnants that could stage a counterattack. Meanwhile, Pyro methodically scoured the interior with bursts of fire, eliminating any concealed dangers lurking in the dark corners. Once the exterior was fortified, trenches and barricades were established beyond the walls, creating an additional layer of defense. With the fortress now secured, the real work began.
The once-dilapidated courtyard became the Boot Camp, the heart of the fortress's military training. The ground was cleared of debris and reinforced with sand pits, training dummies, and sparring rings. Soldiers, recruits, and trainees filled the space, their footsteps echoing through the stone walls as they trained rigorously under Bulat's watchful eye. Barked orders rang through the air as drills commenced at dawn and ended well past sunset, ensuring that discipline and skill were ingrained in every fighter. Heavy supervised strength training, pushing recruits to their limits with weighted exercises and endurance drills. Sniper provided lessons in precision marksmanship, setting up long-range targets along the fortress walls to ensure every shot counted. Meanwhile, Scout introduced agility courses, honing speed and evasiveness, essential for survival on the battlefield. The Boot Camp soon became more than just a training ground—it was the crucible that forged warriors fit for revolution.
Within the fortress's interior, Engineer spearheaded the development of the R&D Division, converting an old armory into a state-of-the-art workshop. Machinery clanked and hissed as workbenches were filled with blueprints, metal components, and prototype weaponry. Sparks flew from welding torches as his team repurposed old Imperial technology, fusing it with the ingenuity of the REDs' own designs. What was once a collection of rusting weapons and outdated armor became an innovation hub where experimental firearms, reinforced armor, and even modified Teigu prototypes were being refined for use. New ammunition types, ranging from armor-piercing rounds to incendiary shells, were tested in underground firing ranges. Pyro assisted in flame-based weapon research, while Medic experimented with field medical kits and combat stimulants to enhance soldier endurance. Every corner of the workshop buzzed with activity as Engineer orchestrated the production like a maestro leading an orchestra of steel and fire, ensuring that the REDs remained a step ahead of their Imperial foes.
The Mess Hall was next. What had once been a cold and desolate barracks was transformed into a lively center of camaraderie and sustenance. Long wooden tables were arranged in rows, covered with steaming plates of rations that steadily improved as the fortress's supply lines strengthened. Engineer and his team even installed rudimentary cooking equipment, allowing for more than just the standard fare. Laughter and conversation filled the air as the REDs mingled freely, sharing stories of past battles and dreams of a future beyond war. At one end of the hall, a bulletin board displayed mission updates, schedules, and the occasional crude doodle from Scout. The Mess Hall became more than a dining space—it was a rare place of respite amidst the chaos of war, a sanctuary where soldiers could momentarily forget the bloodshed outside the fortress walls and remember what they were fighting for.
In contrast, the lower levels of the fortress were dedicated to the Prison and Interrogation Center, repurposing old dungeon chambers into high-security holding cells. Reinforced cells lined the stone walls, their iron bars unyielding to even the strongest of captives. Engineer reinforced the doors with modern locking mechanisms, ensuring no escape was possible. Spy ensured the interrogation rooms were outfitted for extracting valuable intelligence, his methods as precise as they were effective, ranging from psychological manipulation to classic espionage tactics. Each room was equipped with soundproofing to prevent eavesdropping, and some held specialized restraints for high-value prisoners. Every captured Imperial officer or soldier found themselves at the mercy of those they had once underestimated, and every whispered confession became another weapon in the REDs' arsenal against the Empire.
Alongside its military functions, the fortress also housed a fully operational infirmary, overseen by Medic. What had once been a series of neglected storage rooms was converted into a state-of-the-art medical bay, equipped with reinforced surgical stations, sterilization units, and a steady supply of alchemical medicines. Engineer and Medic collaborated to develop automated medical dispensers, capable of administering pain relief and antibiotics with precision. The infirmary also featured isolation wards for treating infectious diseases and trauma bays for emergency surgeries. Medic's expertise extended beyond traditional medicine, incorporating experimental treatments and advanced prosthetics for those who had suffered grave injuries.
In addition to treating wounded soldiers, Medic relocated Kurome and Bols to the infirmary for further study—not for experimentation, but to better understand their conditions and ensure their survival. Kurome, in particular, was monitored closely due to the strain of her Teigu, while Bols received medical attention to stabilize his condition. This decision sparked debate among the REDs, but Medic remained firm in his belief that knowledge was as vital a weapon as any firearm.
Wounded soldiers were treated with a mixture of modern science and experimental healing methods, ensuring the REDs could sustain their forces in prolonged conflicts. The infirmary was not only a place of recovery but a testament to the REDs' commitment to keeping their fighters alive and ready for battle.
Within the depths of the fortress, the Intelligence Room was established—a nerve center dedicated to gathering, analyzing, and disseminating information critical to the war effort. Banks of maps adorned the walls, marking key locations, enemy strongholds, and potential supply routes. A network of couriers, informants, and spies fed a constant stream of intelligence into the room, allowing the REDs to stay ahead of Imperial maneuvers. Engineer outfitted the chamber with encrypted communication devices, ensuring secure transmissions between operatives in the field. Spy's team oversaw intelligence-gathering operations, employing both deception and reconnaissance to extract vital data. Every intercepted message, every decoded cipher, and every piece of battlefield reconnaissance was processed here, shaping the strategies that would guide the revolution forward.
Beyond its military might, the fortress also expanded into self-sufficiency with the establishment of agricultural farms within its outer courtyards. Plots of land were cleared and tilled, allowing for the cultivation of staple crops and medicinal herbs. Water irrigation systems were devised, ensuring sustainable growth even in times of siege. Engineer and his team developed automated farming equipment to increase efficiency, while volunteers from the REDs tended to the fields. The presence of these farms ensured that the fortress would never suffer from food shortages, securing the longevity of their war effort.
The REDs had not just claimed a fortress; they had built the foundation of a revolution, fortified not just by steel and firepower, but by the resilience and determination of those who called it home. Every stone and structure within Shisuikan Fortress now bore the mark of their unwavering resolve, a testament to their unity and their commitment to forging a future free from the Empire's tyranny. It was no longer just a stronghold—it was a symbol of hope, resistance, and the unyielding spirit of those who refused to be broken.