Code: ASSIMILATE

"Of course milady."

Caroline blushed slightly for only a moment before nodding and leaving the tent to get back to work. With her exit, Silver took a couple steps forward with Felicia at his left and Serenity at his right. Obviously ready to discuss the battle plan, they would need one for what they were going to be doing.

"Ready to get started then?"

"That girl, always so willing to do anything to help. I wish she's take a break and do something for herself once in a while." Marcia said to herself before returning to the topic at hand, "Yes now the first battle we'll be deployed in is at the river near the border of our two nations. The overall plan is that the Whitewings, taking advantage of our mobility and versatility in the air, will strike at their main forces on the other side of the river. We are to disorientate them, disrupt their formation, and otherwise buy as much time as possible for a force from the main army to cross the river and strike from behind their lines."

With that said, Marcia sat back down with a sigh and stared at the map, biting her lower lip. She seemed extremely frustrated, for she was crossing out marks on the various maps. With another sigh, Marcia took a drink from a canteen set at the side of her table, and looked back up at the group.

"Now the main problem here is I have no idea how we are going to be able to do this." Marcia explained, "Since the Whitewings are a group mostly used for reconnaissance, most of us have no experience in a head-on conflict with another army. It's like the main army thinks us militia are expendable, using us as decoy like this. No doubt after the battle is over the general will take all the glory."

Silver nodded slightly as Marcia rattled off details of the upcoming battle, his mind working a mile a minute. While he was not one used to actual war and carnage, he did know something of strategy. When he was in the real world, he had done it quite a bit on ED, that much he remembered. Just as it seemed he was lost in thought he snapped, looking up with a confident aura.

"Mount your best fighters and loan us some Pegasi, let the others sneak around with the main army. That way only the most capable fighters will be put on the front lines, that way only those of us who can handle ourselves will face them full force."

"That won't work." Marcia said, an expression still full of frustration, "First of all, the rest of our forces won't be able to join with General Bismarck's forces. Reason is that the main army is influenced by a bunch of aristocrats and bureaucrats. They'll never let anyone from the militia into the army. Sec-"

"Then what about just leaving the ones who can't hold their own back here and signal them to join the fray when the enemy is disoriented and thrown into chaos?" Kuori interrupted.

"...as I was saying," Marcia continued, seemingly ignoring Kuori, "Secondly, as a militia force our numbers are thinned out as it is. When you couple that with the fact that we only have a handful of us with enough experience and skill capable of handling ourselves in a full-on assault, our numbers will be so little that we'd be quickly overwhelmed."

Kuori became silent, back to trying to come up with a viable strategy for this battle. But so far from the looks of it things aren't going to work out no matter what they try.

At this point Silver went back to thinking, however, Felicia took a step forward. A smile was still on her face despite the seemingly troubling situation. Looking down at the maps for a second, her smile grew for only a moment.

"It is actually quite simple. What you need is replicas, decoys to distract the opposing army. While they're busy dealing with them, the rest of us sneak in from behind and get reinforced by the army."

Marcia literally facepalmed. Had this girl not been listening to her explain everything the whole time? The Whitewings WERE the decoys! With yet another sigh, Marcia opened her mouth again to ridicule this girl.

"That's the problem you idiot! We're supposed to be the distractions. The enemy forces are rather well guarded along the river banks, so that's why we're attacking. So that their right flank will be diverted to fighting us so that the main army CAN actually cross the river!"

"I believe I may have a plan." a voice from outside the tent said.

In walked a male roughly three years older than Marcia. He carried himself with a type of elegance that the others in the division lacked. He had short silver hair, and was wearing a rather heavy suit of armor, just like Caroline was. He also had a spear in hand, which he set at the weapon rack near the edge of the tent. He glanced at the party, as if evaluating them, then turned back to the pink-haired commander.

"These people, if they're as good as many here say they are, then we can do this." the boy said, "I've just returned with Fang from scouting the enemy formations again, and a little birdie there told me that several senators of the Empire are travelling through the area. They're supposed to set up camp not far from the river banks but also not too close for these two nights."

"So? What would that have to do with our battle?"

"Quite a lot, actually. that is, if you want to win." he said with a smirk, "You see, we can deploy our best fighters to meet them at their side of the river, but only stall. While another group escorts our friends here to the other side of the river into the senator's camps. There, we begin our assault on the guards at the camp. Knowing how senators are, they would undoubtedly call back the general and some of his men to help defend from this attack. That's when we'll charge with the rest of our flight of Whitewings. With the enemy general, as well as a good chunk of their army at a distant location, we can hopefully take advantage of their weakened state to strike enough of them down so the main army can cross to provide us support."

Marcia paused for a moment, her wide eyes staring at the male. Her mouth opened, and Kuori prepared to listen to another case of Marcia chewing someone out. Quite on the contrary, Marcia's expression returned from being frustrated to serious and determined. She even had a smile on her face.

"Alexis, you're a genius!"

Felicia's eyes sharpened on the commander for a moment. She hadn't truly understood what had been said, but she didn't need a plan anymore. The man who walked in had an idea, and for whatever reason it seemed it would work. However, there was one thing that caught her ear, the smile that had faded returning.

"So she is here... interesting..."

But no one paid her any heed, as after the man walked in, so did a woman. Dressed similarly as the man and Caroline, she too was outfitted for heavy battle. But she was different from Caroline at least, she looked as though she didn't belong in the group. She was much more fierce than most of the fighters in the 31st division.

She turned her head to the Gambler momentarily, a look of slight distaste forming.

"Lady Felicia. How nice of you to grace us with your appearance and help."

Marcia's eyes shifted from the two women, were they acquainted already? Although if they were, Fang obviously did not like this woman named Felicia. And even though Marcia would like to know what happened between them, now was not the time for a walk down memory lane. Averting her attention from the two females, she turned to the silver-haired male.

"Alexis, please get Caroline here so I can explain the plan to her." Marcia said, pinching the bridge of her nose, everything that's happened so far today was giving her a migraine, "And Fang, please don't fight in the tents. The blood on the ground would be unpleasant to look at."

"As you wish, Commander." Alexis said after a nod.

Alexis then proceeded to leave the tent, as she passed Kuori, the android girl took a quick photo and kept it in her database. Then her focus went straight to the tough-looking green haired girl. Fang, her name was, or at least that was what the commander called her anyway.

"If you so wish it."

Fang nodded at Marcia, taking a step to the other end of the tent so she could avoid any contact with Felicia. However, while her gaze avoided Felicia, she did look upon the other four members of the group. A definite frown appeared on her face, lightening only slightly when she looked at Kuori.

"I hope these others can fight. The metal girl seems to be the only competent fighter."

Felicia's smile faded, Silver's fists clenched slightly, Serenity moved her hand to Silver's arm quickly. How could Marcia have such ignorant and inconsiderate warriors in her division? Actually, how could they be so different? He was just about to speak up, the mana he radiated flaring up rather dangerously for a moment. Had Caroline not returned with Alexis at that very moment, there would have been some serious magic flying around inside the tent.

"You requested my presence milday?"

"Ah yes Caroline. Nice timing." Marcia said, glad that Caroline was able to come in and break the tension in the room, err...tent, "Thanks to Alexis, I have a plan for the upcoming battle."

And as Marcia began to explain the battle tactics to her favorite subordinate, Alexis also reentered the tent and came up to Fang. A serious expression on his face as he grabbed his spear from the weapon rack to toss and twirl it around, just to pass the time.

"Fang, you look displeased. Mind telling me what's the matter?" Alexis asked.

Kee stared at the ground after hearing Fang's comment. It was true, he wasn't a good fighter, and his songs really weren't of that much help. Sure, it does have its benefits, but most of the time his abilities seem insignificant. Even though he can return vigor to his allies' battered bodies, his songs wouldn't be able to bring one back from near-death like Serenity could. And for all that he could do, his powers wouldn't ever be as destructive as Silver.

"That's right...I'm useless..." Kee said out loud since no one besides Serenity could hear him anyway.

"That's not true Kee. Don't listen to her, she doesn't know what she's saying."

While Serenity attempted to reassure the troubled bard, Silver moved over to Kuori, uncomfortable with Fang. Whoever the hell she thought she was, she had another thing coming. He didn't understand why everyone in this group disliked magic and thought those who used it were weak, but he said nothing more.

Meanwhile, Fang focused in on Alexis, finding her frown replaced with a small smile. It did however disappear when he asked her what was wrong, she wished not to speak of the dainty card player on the other end of the tent. But it was unavoidable, it would only distract them on the battlefield if she didn't say something. Keeping her voice low, it was quite obvious she was rather angry and displeased.

"The woman with red hair... I have the unfortunate chance of knowing her prior to today."

Alexis chuckled, using one hand to toss his spear into the air and then catching it with his other hand. Alexis, without even turning to look at Fang, could tell she was angry just from her tone of voice. And to be honest, to Alexis Fang seemed rather cute when she was upset. Of course, Alexis would never directly tell Fang that, lest he wanted her to chase him across the entire camp with a spear in hand. Knowing Fang she'd probably do that.

"Oh? The one named Felicia? So what did she do to make you spite her so much?" Alexis replied in an equally low voice.

"Ah, thank you Serenity. But you know, the girl is right. I can't pull of miracles like you can, and I can't really hurt anyone like Silver could. My songs are just minor benefits, I'm the weakest link."

Kee smiled and shook his head in self-pity. He held up his lute and began quietly playing a very soft and sad tune. He had always done this, to convey his emotions through his lute as songs.

". . . An event I shan't be sharing anytime soon."

With that said, Fang turned, making her point that she wouldn't be saying anything about the incident. She did however keep herself open enough so that they could discuss the upcoming battle. It was obvious they would need to be accurately prepared for it, lest they end up dead in battle.

"But Kee, those were flukes. Whatever powers you may think I have, I do not. I can not defend myself in any way, I'm useless in a fight. At least you have your melodies to help keep everyone safe."

"Alright, no need to get so defensive about it." Alexis said, letting out another small chuckle.

The male Whitewing sighed and shook his head, Fang can be so stubborn at times. She could do with a bit of loosening up once in a while, it'd do the girl well. He tossed his spear up and caught it one last time before setting it back down on the weapon rack, turning to their commander who had just finished explaining the situation to Caroline.

"And that is all. You are all dismissed. Return to doing whatever you were before." Marcia announced and sat down, but not before adding one last thing, "And at least try to get to know these five people. I know you may not like it but we're going to be working with them for a while."

"Yes milady."

"As you wish..."

Caroline smiled at the others, Fang just walked out of the tent immediately. Silver attempted to follow, but ended up staying behind with everyone else until they all shuffled out of the tent. He didn't know what was Fang's problem with them, but she would have to get over it herself. How else could they effectively do battle if they were preoccupied with how much they disliked each other?

As soon as they were out of the tent, Felicia looked over in the direction Fang had turned when she left. So she was among these pansies? How interesting. She never took the Wyvern Knight for one to join a group that was only for reconnaissance, but it appeared anything could happen. Looking back towards the group, a small smile returned, this would be fun.

Marcia breathed a sigh of relief, glad that the tension in the room, err...tent, has dispersed when Fang and that Felicia girl left. She was afraid that a fight might start between them, but luckily that was not the case. She sat back down, and turned to Caroline.

"Caroline, I've told you time and again not to address me to formally." Marcia said, "It sounds odd when you, my best friend, speaks to me as if you were my servant."

Alexis watched Fang leave and shook his head again, he would need to talk to the girl about this later. But for now, Alexis had his own work to do, namely helping the still "green" members of the division learn at least the basics of actual combat.

"And I shall be taking my leave as well."

With that Alexis was out the tent, there wasn't much time before sundown, and it was precisely two hours after sundown when the Whitewings were to deploy for battle. He was short on time, and these incompetent greens aren't helping matters.

"I'm sorry mil- . . . I'm sorry Marcia. I'll address you by your name."

Caroline nodded with a brief smile and slight blush, almost as if embarrassed by the thought of speaking informally. In truth she was, for her upbringing had taught her that such informalities in her environment was wrong. She was supposed to show respect to people like Marcia, for they were of a higher rank than herself. But, if Marcia preferred to be called by her name, then so it would be, Caroline preferred not to have her be upset.

Meanwhile, outside the tent, Silver had been watching Felicia, unsure of what to make of her little encounter with the fiercer Whitewing. Were they enemies or something? What could have transpired between the two that made them so full of antipathy? Turning his head, he decided it was best not to ask, and rather looked to Kuori.

"What do you think we should do until the attack?"

"That's better."

Marcia smiled and stood back up, walking past Caroline and giving her a pat on the head before exiting the tent to also return to work. Now that they've devised a plan all that was left was to inform the other Whitewings and get them prepared for the mission.

"I don't know." Kuori replied, "It's roughly two and a half hours until sundown, and then another two hours before we're actually deployed. It's had to find something to do to pass four hours of time."

Meanwhile, on the side a fair distance away from the rest of the group, Kee was alone by himself. Sitting on some sandbags and playing the same sad song he's been playing since they had come out of the tent. He was still sulking.

"Well... we could practice. I'm sure there is a training ground around here we can use. I'm sure a little friendly fight wouldn't hurt."

Silver threw his idea out casually, actually liking the sound of it. It really couldn't do much harm for them to have a little one on one or two on two fight if Felicia and Kee were up for it. It might even give them enough practice to be better prepared for the battle ahead. Looking over to Felicia she nodded, her smile fading once again.

"Couldn't hurt."

Kuori smiled and stood up, stretching and looking around to see if there was a training ground nearby. Although she couldn't actually see one Kuori kind of expected a militia encampment to at least have a training ground. and if it wasn't being used right now sure, a little fight would do them well. After all they haven't traded blows with anyone all day today, and they needed to be at their best possible. After all, if they fail their part of the mission then the entire plan, as well as the lives of the Whitewing soldiers, would all be in jeopardy.

"I suppose that's a good idea. But I don't think Kee's in any condition to be fighting right now." Kuori said, glancing to the side where Kee is.

"Go ahead then, Serenity and I will try to cheer him up. Besides, you two are the strongest of us anyway, the better prepared you are the better chance we all have."

With that Felicia took Serenity by the arm, heading over to where Kee was sitting, leaving Kuori and Silver alone for the first time in awhile. It seemed rather strange, being alone again, almost foreign. Shuffling from side to side he tried to think of what to say, it was rather awkward with how Felicia left them. Eventually he found the words.

"So uh... shall we get to it?"

"Yes, as soon as we find the place." Kuori answered with a nod.

It didn't take them very long to find the training ground, the encampment wasn't as large as they expected it to be. But then again, this is only a militia camp after all. Of course, the shouting of an angry drill sergeant also kind of gave the location away.

However, upon arriving at the training ground Kuori was slightly surprised that said drill sergeant was the male Whitewing they met in the tent earlier, Alexis. He was in the process of sparring against about twenty other Whitewing soldiers, neither Alexis nor the twenty soldiers were mounted, they were all on foot. Each of them were holding spears while Alexis himself went more of a traditional sword and board choice, having a rather wide blade in one hand and a large shield in the other. It would make one wonder how someone wearing such heavy-looking equipment would be able to even mount a Pegasus, much less fight as one of the Whitewings.

"Come on now, it's twenty against one and you still can't scratch my armor? You're going to need to get a lot better if you want to be able to hold your own in actual combat. Now come at me again!" Alexis ordered.

"Think we can show them how its done?"

Silver smiled slightly, if anyone could show them how to fight it would be them. They had faced quite a bit during their time in the digital world, and maybe their experiences could rub off on the new soldiers. Raising his hand, Silver began to flick his wrist causing water mana to form over Alexis' head. He wasn't going to drop it just yet, but in a moment he would.

Alexis turned, his expression remaining the same when he saw Silver and Kuori. However, one could tell that he approved of this idea from his nod. The male Whitewing stabbed his sword into the dirt ground and raised a hand, signaling the rest of the soldiers to back up in order to make room for the three to spar. Then he picked his weapon back up, wiped the dirt off of it, then returned his attention to the two challengers.

"Now watch carefully and learn." Alexis said, his shield and blade raised to a fighting stance.

File 02-01
Location: Whitewing Encampment; Training Grounds
Objective: Defeat Boss
Defeat: Party is Defeated
Soundtrack: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVy2OvtS7Dk

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( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) (A) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) B
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( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) D
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) E
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) F
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( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) (K) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) H
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) I
-1---2---3---4---5---6---7---8---9

Spoiler:

You may start in row H-I

Silver starts at I5!

The ball of water Silver had conjured earlier fell to the ground next to Alexis with a plop. Sure the Mana Expert could have used it to deal extra damage from the start, but this was a fair practice battle. Besides if they made it easier for them from the get go, what would they really accomplish? Nothing, that was certain.