Patrick Kale - president of the ANI sector 7 made a call to the recent appointed head commander- Rale Fontaine.

The first rule of diplomacy is to understand your opponent’s perspective. In this regard – Kale felt well prepared. He spent a great deal of time looking up the conflicts along the border. There had been quite a few- even some that he couldn't gain details on despite his position.

From here- it was his goal to consider what was reasonable and not to end the conflict- he was by no means greedy and felt that the long-term effects of a treaty now would carry over into the future - even if it weren't a popular decision.

On the agenda- he would negotiate a peace treaty- a ceasefire for a long duration and reparations and even trade agreements if the opponent desired as dragging out an extended battle against an invisible opponent would only hurt in the long run- so in this regard reparations were much less expensive.

Additionally – President Kale had been born before the dispute had begun between the ANI and the Territory. He grew up along the outskirts and was taught to have respect for all human life. From his perspective those within the territory were neighbors and not barbarians- the modern term 'barbarians' had only been given them in the past generation and Kale wasn't akin to the term.

However the attack was an immediate threat and he was initially responsible to the people - and to represent the territory's wishes rather than his own.

Even though it was something he wanted to settle the conflict peacefully- there were quite a few who wanted to fuel the dispute - or so he'd gathered from the investigation.

Therefore- he wanted to make the immediate negotiations before an all out war commenced. Even if they could win- at what cost?

Overall- negotiating with barbarians was an unpopular decision- however, he would take the hit to his popularity and repair fallout later.

–

Reagis sat contentedly in his head office as the commander of the new formed United Territory. Not only was he in command of the forces- but had been given authority as the de-facto leader in charge of all the territories that stretched across the North American continent.

How long had he waited for this turn-about? he would finally be able to lead the territory in the direction it was meant to go- thanks to his liaison from the East.

Soon enough- a not-so unexpected call came on Reagis’ desk- a special number representing the private line between Head Commander and President.

“Is this Acting Commander of the Eastern Front- Reagis Fontaine?” a voice spoke- and as Reagis pressed the com- the an image of the president took center stage in front of him.

Reagis made it an immediate point to correct the President, "As of last night- I am acting commander of the 'Five Territories'," He paused to let the statement sink in, "President Kale i assume?"

The voice along the other line paused- Probably in consideration of how to address the newly appointed head of five territories. Instead of succumbing to the pressure of the misdirect - the president continued with the initial purpose of the call.

“I’d like to begin negotiations with you- before this absurd conflict becomes war.”

Reagis assumed something like this would occur- and had prepared for it. Of course they would attempt to dissuade the territory from war- but at what cost? He prepared the appropriate response.

“Ah- You would- would you?” Reagis returned- suppressing a smile, "Just like you had with the last commander?"

He was aware that he had the upper hand, and using the upper hand- he would play it out. Negotiating beforehand would be a waste, “I’m sorry, but i believe we have nothing to discuss at the moment… until all our demands are met on our own terms.”

President Kale paused once again... it seemed that Reagis meant to play hardball with his current position.

Reagis could hear Kale's hesitancy across the line. While Reagis was shrewd and prepared for a debate - it seemed that the president had come with sincere intentions as he continued with his polite nature despite the candid responses.

Reagis could understand why Sousa was more inclined to work with this man. But in truth – even with sincerity - the decision was a mistake. The territory would full under the weight of the ANI forces if they didn't hold their position now.

“Would you consider a ceasefire?”

Once again- Reagis was prepared. To disregard ceasefire without reason was a trap- but Regeis figured he’d make use of his best tool for now.

“You ask that of us after intiating this conflict with the former commander's assassination and the advantage in our offensive?”

He could feel the regret seem out of the president’s voice.

Advantage huh? the president responded. He doubted it was true- as the ANI had much more resources at their disposal- but decided not to start an argument over it - it would be bad diplomacy, "We have spent a great deal of time looking into the assination and believe we've found a couple leads- If you create a treaty with us and we work together- i believe we can find the truth and expose it and its intent. It was a terrible tragedy...but i believe Sousa's last wishes will be wasted if we continue down the road to destruction."

At the mention of the word destruction- the president held a sterner sound, which was a little bit frightening even to Reagis, “do you really want that?”

Reagis held his ground – deciding rather to end the conversation here and now before he lost overplayed his hand, “If that’s what it takes for the territory to be taken seriously as a governing body- then that’s what we’ll do.”

“Please!” At the president’s plea, Reagis could only hold onto the com without hanging up- “…At least let me propose our offer…”

At the president’s plea - Reagis could only wait, “I doubt that you’ll succeed our demands…”

“-Thirty year ceasefire! Double reparations for the value of the territory we’ve taken- including damages.”

Reagis was impressed. To think that the president would go so far when thinking he had the upper hand.

In fact- he was sure that from Kale’s perspective- this would good for both parties. The territory would be able to make up for the damages that they had received of course- able to repair and have wealth for a time to come. Thirty years was quite a long time- and only time could tell what would happen between the two nations.

The thirty years would be a stepping stone- while the president would work to extend the peace for more than thirty years with his influence- perhaps create permanent peace.

Even still... Reagis wanted much more - “Haha, you must be joking..."

and he pressed the button ending the com.

–

The president sat there dumbfounded. The implication of the last statement was not lost on him. The other side not only did nothing to foster peace- but it seemed that they truly wanted war. Was it possible... had the assassination order come from Reagis himself?

While instinct told him to be wary - he put the thought away- the evidence pointed towards an outside source. Even if the Reagis had some sort of involvement in the assassination- the actual culprit was somewhere else... besides... there was nothing linking the idea to actual evidence.

Reagis steeled his heart at the final word given him by Reagis. Whether or not he sympathized with the territory or even respected the late commander as as person- his primary responsibility was as an ANI president- and if war was inevitable then he would do the utmost to end it with ANI victory.

He was no pushover when it was necessary to be strong. He would use everything at his disposal which included accepting a former proposition that he'd rejected by the head general. With a history in diplomacy rather than military he knew that he must give proper respect to his general's expertise rather than well wishes. He could no longer be a diplomat- now was the time to be a commander-in-chief.

"God save us all..." he thought as he put a call to his head General.

--

"-Salis.." Salis heard his name spoken by Kale, "You are now allowed to use any means necessary..."

Those were the last words given him by the president on the com.

General Salis was quite surprised at the last directive given him by the president. He’d always thought of Kale as a pacifist and a pushover. However- Kale had just ordered him to end this as quickly as possible, with any means necessary.

A slight smile crept on Salis' face. Finally, a real opportunity to show off the military strength of Sector 7's armed forces had just fallen onto his lap. This could be the start of an even larger conquest. The pieces were in place- if he could lead with tenacity and

“Finally...” he thought to himself. With his hands no longer tied- he could enact all the ideas he'd had across the border - and he would take charge of the armies in the way that they should be used.

He’d had many ideas in place - but until now, he'd had his hands tied-

With a brisk pace he called up his lieutenant and major generals as he placed himself at the head of the command post. He looked around the room. It seemed that this would be his new home for the next few months at least.

"gentlemen," he spoke as he imagined what the great leaders of the past would say, "Our day has finally arrived. Begin operation 'Alpha'."

—

Along the com lines both the ANI and the territories heard an announcement:

"This is a declaration of war. The territories are united against us. With the attack onto our soil threatening the safety of the common people within our cities- we have no choice but to retaliate," the voice of Kale spoke, "We will put those barbarians in their place and dismantle the terrorist network known as 'The Underground'."

Reagis stared intently ahead at the battle screen. All at once many places along the network were being encroached upon by the ANI. It seemed that they were indeed prepared for this Blitzkreig strategy.

He received detailed reports from his personnel about the hurried advance from the ANI military.

While he knew that he wasn’t a diplomatic man- when it came to military decisions- Reagis was one of the best. This was why he was selected over the other commanders after commander Sousa was retired. Had it been for diplomatic reasons a different commander would surely have been elected.

It was for this reason that Commander Reagan desired the conflict where it was to begin with.

This move by Saris was within his calculations. While it was a blitzkrieg advance- a mass movement across the territory- it was nothing he hadn't prepared in advance long ago. This was where theory became practice.

He surmised his opponent's strategy. Using overpowering force - an attack by the ANI troops would instill fear as they swept across the territory with a show of great force. Most likely they would crush anything that stood in their way- including villagers- forcing them as prisoners.

The problem with this- is that unlike they history books- the territory a unique tactic to respond- knowledge of the vast tunnels whereby they could hide. In the meantime - Reagis would have plenty of traps in place to hinder his opponent. A mass advance was exactly what he hoped for.

It was a battle of chess now. Reagan would respond to black's next move with his own strategy in place.

---

It had only been a short

"Scout."

Michael's new assignment was this title -as one of the scouts in the northern area of the eastern territory- he would be responsible for looking at enemy movements in the northern territory. Michael's fellow scouts had been a part of this section for a while and seemed intent on slacking off as much as possible.

"Nothing happens here..." The team leader- J. spoke.

Even still Michael looked ahead at the monitors that scanned fifty miles or so of territory. It’s a lot of responsibility for one person- mainly because the rest of his team is taking a break inside one of the villages. From his team leader’s perspective- Michael was the grunt and should be the one that did a majority of the work. That’s the way it has always been.

When he returns to HQ he’ll probably tell command about the structure, not that he wanted to- but this kind of attitude during a war would get people killed.

In the meantime- while he was here- he tried his best to learn the terrain by zooming into different areas- learning the nearby terrain and possible routes the enemy would take.

With all the land surrounding his post – there was a lot to learn about it- so he started with the nearest to his post.

Over time- he learned about possible routes. There was also a map handed to him about the tunnel system accessible to those who knew. Over the past ten years, the Underground dug along the hillside in preparation for this moment, in addition to the tunnels that were previously there.

Michae looked at another screen- and thought he saw something. He zoomed in – to find a ANI caravan- he looked at the coordinates to the location – it looked like they were headed towards the nearest town. It just happened that that was the same town as where J and the rest of the scouts were already

“J,” he called on the com, “Emergency.”

“What is it, Michael?” J spoke with an attitude.

“A caravan of a three hundred or so troops are closing in on the village location.”

“Are you joking?”

“No.”

“Contact HQ- ask for reinforcements at our location. Keep them informed of the ANI movements. How long do we have?”

At the current speed of the caravan, “Probably twenty or so minutes before they arrive at your location...” Michael said as he did quick math in his head.

Michael looked at the screen and saw that the caravan had an interesting device equipped to a boat- it looked to be some sort of giant antenna.

“Instantly he picked up a com to contact his commander,”

“HQ this is station D31,”

“Password?”

“Hot Hot Heat- Middle of Nowhere,” he responded. Passwords were generally obscure songs from the twenty-first century.

“What news?” the voice responded.

“ANI, caravan of one thousand approaching D30 at 60 klicks. Requesting assistance.”

“Please wait.”

Michael waited for a bit.

“We’ll have assistance to your location for in a few hours…keep us informed.”

A few hours... that wasn actually relatively fast considering this was the first assault.

“Yes. Okay.”

Michael looked at the screen- they were slowly closing into the town directly.

“J-we’re on our own for the next few hours…“

“Alright…“ J responded, "try to keep an eye on their movements and get us the fuck out of here."

"Yes sir- they..."

Suddenly he heard an explosion nearby his own fort underground. It seemed that his hole had been found out.

The shaking in itself seemed to dismantle some of the wires. The screen as well as the com both went black.

Proceedure told him to scrap the hut. Scout locations were designed as a burn and run. He started to light a fire inside.

He didn’t have much time to think. He followed up with emergency procedures.

It shouldn’t be possible for the ANI to find the hole easily- Another explosion shook him again closer still.

He grabbed a gun- equipment- his radio and rushed outside of the hill.

He couldn’t see anyone around, but he thought he heard someone yell in the distance. He listened intently trying to grab what was spoken. Immediately he was already being targetted.

“There!”

Someone must have had a visual in his direction... True to his reasoning, it seemed a warning shot of some sort fired at him next to his feet. That was their first mistake – and they only chance he’d let them get.

He rushed behind the other side of a hill.as the voices neared him. Thankfully- he had a speeder here still - despite them leaving him the oldest and most broken.

He jumped onto a speeder- putting it into gear and …

The motor didn’t turn firstly. He tried it again- but It still didn’t work .

Shit. He thought to himself as he tried it again and the sound of enemy troops rushed towards him.

At this rate even if he started it- they may still catch him – or at least have an easy target. He hid behind the vehicle- looking around his side of the hill to take a good position.

He rushed towards a tree- just as he did – others came into the direction of the hill. It seems that they approached it with their guard up- perhaps expecting retaliation or some sort of trap.

Which it was.

A gun fired at them from the hillside. They took cover- a couple shots hit. The bike itself that they dove behind’s powercell was overloaded. An explosion came from the bike- opening wounds in the nearest three of the five that had approached him directly.

“There!” They pointed in the direction of the firing. With ANI military- their uniforms protected a majority of the attack. He wasn’t likely to kill any of them if they charged at him directly.

A couple rushed towards the bush the shooting had come from to find a gun connected to a glove and nothing else.

The gun had been remote controlled to activate through a signal he’d connected with his radio.

The safest place- Michael figured- was to circle around to the direction they’d come. By now he’d already gotten a quarter mile and was behind them on the hill in good cover. He was inside of some brush so he wouldn’t be found immediately.

He figured by now they’d found the gun and would be scanning for him. He didn’t have time or knowledge to cover his tracks- so speed was his ally.

He looked at where they’d arrived from and saw a speeder and a guard. He approached as closely as he could without being noticed and then took careful aim- shooting the guard dead in an instant.

He didn’t want to certainly- but this was war. That was his only justification that he thought as he rushed towards the spot. Another guard came up to him. The seven he’d counted earlier was accurate then. He bobbed downward – avoiding the predicted shot from the guard- and returned fire with two hits. He doubt it would kill the second guard- but he wasn’t going to waste time checking.

He rushed up to the speeder and turned it on- taking the first guard’s gun, com, and left.

Certainly if not the first- the second two shots would have attracted the attention of the soldiers behind him.

In fact- it looked like they were on his tail directly behind him as he left the area.

He sped up into top gear –taking one of the trails that lead throughout the mountainside. Equipped along his waist he unholstered his gun while trying to ditch the followers and head in the direction of his team...

Wind rushed by him at a biting rate- branches became guillotines as he dodged throughout the trees..

---

Breaths were lost inside of the rushing storm that formed from the force of the speeder. It looked as if he was losing his tail. He recalled a a side path – a secret tunnel that dove through the hillside that he could enter. And inched his bike to go right. Abruptly turning into the side trail.

As soon as he did – he realized that he had to find a way to stop them from following and parked his bike. Waiting for the soliders to pass by the trail. He laid in wait from a high hill getting a glance at the soldier with his gun out. He shot as soon as he saw speeders to which they collided into each other . an explosion resounded through the wood a few hundred meters away from him. And he hopped back onto his own speeder the spoils of the conflict.

He geared himself up and prepared for chasing towards the team. IT was the only thing he knew to do.

He worked his way towards the group- Perhaps he could be of some assistance from the outside- if they needed help to begin with.

J wouldn’t have been able to gain any new information from him, since he had to leave the hole- he would also have to warn them not to return.

By now it was probably already nearing the town being approached by the large battalion- as he rushed toward a hill overlooking the town.

He approached it and waited. Doing anything now would probably get him in trouble- the best thing he could do was wait for the arrival of reinforcements while looking for details in the defenses. It was possible that he could gather intelligence while awaiting the arrival of the others.

However – he needed to make sure the team had escaped.

It seems like the battalion was already laying the groundwork: setting up a giant antenna as they got to the town. He wondered about the townspeople and went in to get a closer look.

He circled around the city from a distance until he found a good spot on a hill that he thought would be safe- realizing that it was probably best not to give up his position at the moment.

Unfortunately – it looked like he would have to help his team to get out somehow- or they were stuk inside of the town. He spotted one of their vehicles.

Additionally- it looked like security was already starting. The soldiers were going through the village- and had already filtered through 2/3rds of the citizens. Michael didn’t know if they’d screened the teammates- If so- they’d probably at least hidden the weapons.

The ANI seemed to have some sort of device able to look for tunnels quite well. In this situation – most of the underground entrances and exits would be covered.

---

A figure in an ANI uniform jumped down the ledge from the mountainside.

The figure approached the base gate.

“Who goes there?” a guard spoke as the figure neared the entrance.

“Quan.” The figure responded, “At least that’s what it says on my vest.”

“Oh from the early reconnaissance unit huh?” the guard responded looking at the vest, “I’m sure the captain would love to get an update on everything.”

The guard lowered his weapon as the figure entered inside. The guard looked at Quan… it seemed like the person had it rough.

---

The captain watched as a recruit from the scouting division entered into the tent.

Alongside the captain was another person - it seemed they were looking in detail over the hillside as well as keeping up with the updates from scouts and anything else they could do.

“Hmm- what happened to you?” the captain spoke.

-His clothes were ragged and he seemed out of breath- not to mention scars.

“Ran into some trouble up on the hill, sir,”

“Oh - how many?”

“It was one unit –but they knew the terrain well- they destroyed their hideout and escaped. We pursued but I’m the only one to remain.”

“Ah…”

“What is your name soldier?”

“‘Quan’ sir…”

‘Quan’ – the captain report, to Michael, “Report.”

Michael would have to wing the next line’s unfamiliar with anyone in the camp-

“Sir… our target’s hideout was destroyed- an escapee injured five. I chased him myself, but lost track of him amongst the brushes… I believe he may be somewhere in the bushes scouting on our location.”

“Hm…” the commander speaks looking at Michael’s mask, “what was the last location?”

“He went from here to here before I lost him…” Michael pointed on the map…” Hopefully this would give him enough time to misdirect the unit into chasing a phantom.

“Hm. Are you injured then?”

“I’m fine sir…”

“Good work. You may rest for now in the barracks ‘Quan’. I would like a full report this evening.”

“Sir…” Michael saluted the ANI salute as well as he could.

The commander watched as 'Quan' left the premises:

“Hm…” the commander spoke to his next lieutenant, “That was a damn good salute. It’s a shame he’s not from my division. I guess there is some hope for the rookie’s after all…” he spoke before looking down at the map once again.

“Do we chase the recruit?” another replied.

“Don’t worry about him- there’s nothing he can do against us- just continue loading up the Ray-Dev Cannon and ready for a fight.”

---

Michael took his leave from the commander’s tent. He’d taken a gamble that the scouting unit Quan had been a part of had been a separate division from the Captain in coming here- otherwise they may have recognized that he wasn’t ‘Quan’.

Also he had to risk coming through some sort of scanner along the way- but fortunately again- they hadn’t installed anything like a hand scanner as of yet- one of the detriments to a blitzkrieg advance.

Thankfully – his gamble paid off…

He started to look around the base. It seems that they’d already taken the villagers under supervision with a separate part of the unit and the majority was at this location in an attempt to do… something.

Rather than reporting to sickbay- of course he wanted to see if there was a way to check up on his own unit and if possible – try and see any weaknesses in the structure of the base.

He slowly walked around- attempting to get a better look at the base structure- nodding as he passed other soldiers. Thankfully the most important part of this situation…

He looked towards the north wall of the base. It seemed that there was the location of the antenna. He was certainly curious about it. Along the west wall however- It also seemed like twenty or so recruits were calibrating some sort of machine with a large cannon pointing out of the end towards the hillside.

He decided to walk slower to see if there was a way to get more details on it.

---

“Geez- what is that?” Michael as Quan spoke.

“Oh this? This is our special advantage,” a response came from one of the builders- Ray-Dev,” He responded, “Once we get it up and calibrated- buh bye resistance.” The builder spoke while sweating a bit during the building process. It seemed like it wasn’t something that the machines could put together. Whatever it was looked gigantic however.”

Michael decided that he had to find his team from here after they got captured- at the worst he could find out where they were. It seemed they were actually somewhat nearby to the sick bay- so it was a good opportunity to go in that direction.

---

"Michael?"

One of the three teammates that had been captured said as he entered inside.

Michael motioned to be silent.

"My name's Quan," he spoke with a wink.

Michael told them about the reinforcements and just to sit tight until then and they'd get them out- most likely.

As he was getting a strange look from one of the guards - he decided it was best to start walking from there.

"Ah sorry," he said as he left the small tentlike structure, "i got this mixed up with the sick bay..."

"sick bay's that way..." the guard spoke.

Michael walked on and around towards the antenna in the north of the camp.

It was giant- and with it- it would definitely be possible to connect across a few hundred miles.

As the dusk was starting to set in he looked at the time... It didn’t seem like he’d have much more time here- so he made sure to record as much as he could to his memory as then walked towards the gate again.

He waved to the guard with a complacent look-

“They want me back out on the field right away…” Michael as Quan sighed.

The guard just watched him and scratched his head as MIchael safely escaped the location.

(Hostages? are there any?)

----

As Michael finally left the camp - he breathed out heavily. That was probably the more stressful thing he'd done- but with all the things going on today - the adrenaline hadn't dropped off yet... and it seemed that there would be more to come.

He worked his way back to the meeting point as quickly as possible.

Already it seemed that the Underground had an initial camp setup. He watched as the Underground seemed quite active in their preparations -and team alpha was about to move out.

Immediately upon arriving he was told that they were expecting to meet up with him in command for extra details that Alpha may be able to use.

His captain seemed to be a little smaller than himself- but with a friendly demeanor- even still -procedure took precidence.

"Hey there, soldier..." he spoke as Michael saluted, "you must be Michael..."

"yes sir," Michael responded.

"So then- what's the report. Any details we can use?"

Michael went into a detailed report and the captain took note of everything on a map they were constructing- following this it seemed they were going to use some stealth and attack the weak points and corners of the forming structure before it could get setup.

"Also- they have some sort of cannon that makes them seem pretty confident..."

Afterwards Alpha team was informed of the details as they moved out- gaining strategic positions along the edge and building in miniature forts.

Michael was informed to rest for the next hour- he would join up rest of the unit as they prepared to mobilize for after sunset.

---

Michael awoke the entire mountainside shaking by a great explosion.

As with the rest of the group - he got out of camp to see what had happened. ten or so miles away - where Alpha team was located- there was now simply barren piece of rock

The only remnants being flames and smouldering broken limbs.

"Alpha?" the captain called on the com. There was no response.

"Sir..." a late response came- it seemed whoever it was was also injured, "Alpha team is wiped out."

Whatever "Ray-dev" was seemed it would be difficult to break through with simple numbers.

--

"Haha," a voice spoke, the operator looked out from the cannon lens, "a clean shot."

It seemed like the Underground forces were starting to get situated a few miles away- but that was quickly abated with a firing from the fully functional Ray-Dev cannon.

Ray-Dev was the first real high impact lazer- not only this - but it had a sensor which could detect body heat, motion, and other things- and target anything that it found as a hostile. It could literally take out an entire hillside men in one shot- by firing a a pulse or pulses of energy through anything that wasn't at least five feet of dirt. Even hiding behind trees and the like was useless. There were only two weaknesses - recharge time and direction.

"With this- these rebels won't have a chance..."

It was true also- greater numbers and more impactful technology seemed highly in favor of the ANI.

---

Despite Alpha being wiped out- the attack was still on. Priority was on taking out Ray-Dev first if possible. The team was spread out far so that when it fired there wouldn't be as many casualties. As far as who it attacked - that was a russian roullette.

Michael and the battallion moved forward as one group.

it was between the first and second watch of the night as they rushed forward onto the ANI camp.

The ANI certainly didn't expect. As they got out- there was only a giant smokescreen in front of them.

---

"Load up Ray-Dev!" the captain spoke as first priority, "Hold the base here."

Because of stealth technology- it seemed that the Underground had been able to approach without being noticed.

Michael as part of the strike team and having seen the camp earlier located "Ray-Dev" immediately. From what it looked- it was already almost ready to be in operation.

"Provide them cover!" the captain spoke as Michael's team rushed towards the cannon under the smoke cover. If he could take it out- it would probably save fifty or so of the one hundred fifty in the attack.

Under the cover of smoke he dashed towards the cannon through one of the holes in the wall. Unfrtunately he could be seen within a few feet of his location - so two ANI soldiers went for their close range knifes on their uniforms to attack- He immediately knocked one knife out and then threw out a disarming grenade.

The grenade itself would stun the device- but he wanted to make sure there was no chance of being repaired so he took hold of an assault rifle and started shooting it point blank. In the meantime gunshots opened up in his and his team's direction - so they took cover beside the cannon and tried returning fire. One of them got hit- as right now they didn't have the complete cover of the fog that had taken over the outside of the battlefield. It looked like they were being closed in upon by a big number until shots began to fire from the outside. The rest of the battallion had caught up.

With the experience in the battlefield vs. the inexperience of the ANI troops- the ANI soldiers began to retreat.

----

"Fall back!" the captain spoke.

The remaining hundred or so soldiers that could retreat from the battallion did so- taking whatever vehicle they could.

Meanwhile- Michael rushed towards the prisoners- attempting to free his team- it seemed like a soldier there was ordered to shoot and had his gun held up to the prisoners.

He shot towards the soldier and the soldier quickly backed off.

"hey guys..." Michael spoke after he opened up the lock with a shot and the door opened

---

Reagan looked at the battlefield on the screen- it seemed like his plan was working properly. the edges in the north and the south were slowly being pushed backwards.

While the ANI had been able to push a hundred and fifty or so miles out and approach the mountainous ranges - it seemed that.

---

Reports began to filter into HQ to Reagan as he watched the battlefront along the line based on the reports.

"Sir- it seems that they've made their move."

"Very good... you all know the drill..." he responded, "I want those bastards pushed twenty klicks backwards along the line. Give up the center- but use a hit-and-run team- Force them to chase- dont let them set up a camp."

"Yes sir," came the response from the different commanders along the borders.

---

The UG 22nd Infantry had achieved victory in the north and was pushing back the ANI forces in the north with great gusto- Only 100 or so ANI remained from the initial 300 troops- and despite the first captain's death- they second captain still refused to order a surrender-

However- Michael's battallion had run into a snag. Despite rescuing the POWs - there was now another issue. The villagers were being held hostage.

"Please... let me negotiate,"Michael said after he entered into the captain's tent. They were currently overlooking the villager from a surrounding hillside.

The captain talked with Michael regarding the terms- having learned of Michael's background meeting with the ANI in disguise- as well as being the chief to a village- he responded, "Do as you will."

Michael headed down to the ANI alone- with hands raised.

---

"You would actually let him move forward?" Cardinal spoke to Bleu about letting the negotiations take place.

"well, yes... if he seems so adamant- then of course- at worst we lose a recruit- at best- we get a good shot at the commander while they're talking..."

"Ah," Cardinal responded.