Two weeks later.
The Battle of Alma was a devastating loss for the Allied forces. Despite their superior numbers, the Russians were able to defend the port and force the Allies out, leaving them to set up fortifications in anticipation of another attack. The commanding officers of the British forces were left exasperated and bewildered by the outcome.
"How could we have lost to the Russians?" one of the generals questioned, wiping his forehead with the back of his arm. "We had every advantage."
"It's a surprising turn of events, to say the least," the other general conceded. "I didn't anticipate the Russians would be so formidable."
Another officer spoke up, his voice hushed with concern. "Reports suggest the Russians are using a new type of rifle that can fire instantaneously without the need for cycling. One soldier recounted that, as they were cocking their rifles, the Russians were simply pulling the trigger multiple times."