Arc 3, Chapter 9: Operation Midnight Battalion

Dusk light settled into hues of dark purple, hooves trampled across the thin grass spikes and the curling petals of tiny pink flowers.

Cacti grew red flowers that dripped sap onto the sand. Major Schroeder sat with a diagram on the moving cart, next to him his first lieutenant—tanned skin and a hat with a gold circle and two points.

The four of them huddled close around the paper. "The enemy is a rogue battalion that's deviated from Trailon's invasion force on the western border of Galuvit.

The rogue Lieutenant Eli Frye has taken with him two hundred soldiers to further the invasion and surround other territories to put pressure from all sides.

His plans were apparently denied by the invasion force and that's how this rogue party formed from our sources. So, no backup will arrive for them.

If it does, then it confirms suspicion that Trailon did approve of this and thus would warrant further and more drastic action from Cravolta's end.

I understand you four exposed a war crime committed by this Regime so be on your guard in case of any surprises; they will use any means to secure victory.

As for their offence, they are all armed with muskets, seventy metre range, but thirty metres for an accurate shot. They are also equipped with combat knives in case of close quarters.

The base and tents will be set up on our arrival; artificial cover will be planted in the ground to provide shelter from shots here, here and here," he circled the general areas.

"If all goes to plan, we will win in a battle of attrition," the major gazed at them, "So, where will you all be assisting?"

"Is it time!?" Asobi scanned for permission; Hotaru nodded. "Okay!"

The magician brought her wand above the map—four tiny figurines of illusion, yellow, dark magenta, bright blue and white. "Presenting to you, Operation Midnight Battalion!

Hotaru will cast Rejuvenate on anyone near us and then protect us with an Aegis-Aura spell to stop fatal wounds!" the blue figure splashed a fountain above the map.

"Your magic can do that?" Major Schroeder looked to the redhead.

"As long as everyone stays within range, I can protect them from far bullets; close range bullets on the other hand, probably not. I'll have to keep my distance too."

"Then I set off distractions all over the place!" dozens of white figures covered the map, tiny fireworks went off and small tornadoes of sand formed.

"How effective are these distractions?"

"Hm…" Asobi poked her chin, "It's night so less light can disturb the spectacular show!"

"If they don't know we have illusions on our side, it makes for a good surprise attack. We can go invisible if need be and misdirect incoming shots by placing decoys," Jotou added.

"Right! The plan is to make it look like we have A LOT of backup so they'll run the other way!" The yellow figure began moving with a tinier yellow sword.

"Once the stage has been set, Jotou will go in on the attack and unleash her mighty spells and sword fighting into battle!"

"Once we can get close that is…" Fumeko corrected.

"Yup yup! And then when they're all screaming in awe, running away at our awesomeness, Fumeko will blink back and assassinate or catch anyone left behind!"

The dark magenta figure teleported to the back of the map and unleashed a shadowy slash and teleported back to the circled areas which surrounded the enemy base.

"Then, we come out victorious! Shooting fireworks and drinking alcohol to celebrate!!!" all the illusions disappeared into a burst of white butterflies. Asobi took a bow, taking off her hat.

"How does that all sound?" Jotou cocked a brow to him.

"It sounds like we will deploy you late; after a few hours of fighting, you will come in and execute your plan, weakening their forces for a clean-up and breaking their morale.

We will make ground and advance the artificial cover before we give you the signal and you can rush in for close-quarters combat."

The reinforced wagons came to a halt. Tents were pitched by the dozen, a hill of sand and stone was within walking distance. From this lit up area, they could see another in the distance.

Tiny figures to the eye, moving in the enemy base across the sand and small dunes. The four were left near a tent and table; food was being poured out into bowls and spread out.

Hearty laughter and cheers went around—some sweating, stocking black powder into their muskets, some taking heavy breaths.

Jotou held Fumeko by the wrist gently, "Hey, are you sure you want to blink in and… 'assassinate'?"

Fumeko glanced up, "What? You can kill, but I can't? This is the same thing with the beer when we met Jotou, I can handle myself."

"If we make it through you can drink all you want. The reason I didn't let you drink the first time was so that we didn't get arrested again; luckily we had an out. I just," Jotou sighed, "I worry about you."

The brunette's eyes went to the side, "Thanks for caring about me… but I want to protect you too. Who else is gonna have your back on the battlefield?" she smirked.

"I trust you detective. It's just that, you've never killed before and it doesn't feel great."

"That's an understatement," Fumeko mocked. "I've been through that trauma with you too Jotou. I've done violent things too, I understand it as much as you do. It's not a fair world and it's not easy," she frowned.

'It's not fair for me to convince her otherwise. I'll be by her side when this is all over, so, I can give therapy if need be.' "Then, please keep safe," the blonde smiled.

"Well, now that booze may be on the line, how can I not? Hey! Not here! Not in front of all these people!" Fumeko's arrogant pose fell apart as she fell into Jotou's embrace.

Jotou let go of the hug, "It's embarrassing for me too detective but it's comforting," she shrugged.

Flushed red, Fumeko glanced to Asobi doing tricks where some soldiers ate, "Sobi! Come with me, I have something to do!" she blinked away.

Jotou shook her head, joining back with Hotaru in the tent. Major Schroeder got up from speaking into the transceiver and made his way to the two of them, just as Jotou took a seat.

"We've sent the rogue battalion a message that we'll attack at eleven. If they retreat, we go home. If not, then good luck," the major signed off, leaving the two to some privacy.

Jotou gripped the hilt of her blade. "How long has it been since you've cut your nails?" Hotaru asked beside. She opened Jotou's hand; even after gripping for a few seconds nail marks had dented her palm.

"It's fine, I can cut them after." Under the yellow lantern hanging—no bite marks, a little long for comfort, but could break at the slightest bend.

"No, no. Don't play the fool in a fight like this," Hotaru reached into her purse, "Dammit, I left my nail clippers in my luggage."

"You can just break them off and heal them. You're really good at that. Like you've, practiced…" Jotou faced the grass and sand.

"Yes…" the redhead shared the view, "That'll hurt you, I'd rather not."

Jotou bobbed her head from side-to-side, "Yeah, but it feels kinda nice. Especially since it's from you." The two blushed as Hotaru gently took Jotou's hand in hers.

"Trust me, my dad's the greatest detective in Burnetrout, I can handle a musket. Maybe a pistol? A rifle? Any firearm really, I'll take it."

"It's true! It's true! Please let Fumeko shoot all the bad guys! She can blink everywhere like an assassin!"

"Those two are such kids sometimes I swear," Jotou peered to the sound outside the tent.

"What's wrong with that?" Hotaru hummed, breaking nail by nail.

"Nothing; no matter how old you get, being immature can be fun," the blonde's eye winced from her nails healing and being broken off into smooth curves.

Hotaru held the last finger, "If you could, would you have kids?"

"Maybe… I haven't put much thought into it. I'm not good with kids. They're disgusting creatures."

"That's a lie," Hotaru smiled.

"Huh?"

"I saw you with that boy in The Split. Not to mention Analine liked you."

"Uhh, trust me; I'm not cut out for all the goo-goo-ga-ga stuff."

"I mean, disgusting sure, but there's some joys to it. How many do you think you'd have?"

"Zero, one or three."

Hotaru's brow raised, "Why three instead of two?"

"Well, three's a crowd and they'd have tons of fun; picking sides, trying to annoy each other. Odd number also decides what's for dinner.

The third one would be the smartest or maybe the first; the first would be the most responsible and the second would be competing and tries to coerce the third into messing with the first.

Growing up together, they can be the best of friends and I'll help the first, so that they can help the second and- Why are you smiling?" the last nail had been cut for a few minutes now.

The pinkie remained in Hotaru's grasp as her crimson hair shook with her head, "Nothing," her ears bent down, "Not a lot of thought into it, huh?"

"Ugh," Jotou looked to the top of the tent, "Whatever, they're still disgusting and zero's still an option. Besides, that's when I wasn't in this world."

"Oh? So you've put thought into this way before?"

"Augh…"

"Not fun being on the other end of being smart-assed is it?" Hotaru leaned her head forward under Jotou.

The blonde peered down, "Only one person could keep up with my level of smart-ass. Even then, I always win in the end."

"I'll just have to beat whoever that is at your own game then," Hotaru rose to the challenge, "You'll be begging me to let you win."

"In your dreams," Jotou smirked.

"We'll see," Hotaru giggled, glistening her fangs.

'Whoever that is… Sigh… I wish I could be a smart-ass to you again Daiyu…'