Two Predators, One Prey

[Sophie]

Immediately upon hearing about the Samurai Rebellion in Eleria, the Ministry of War authorized a small contingent of officers and soldiers to deploy into the contested zone. Two hundred soldiers and twenty officers were approved to make the trek over the Insera Shanmai mountains. They intended to bring enough arms and ammunition to arm four thousand soldiers.

The Kumo were not to do any of the fighting but rather train and arm the soldiers already present. Led by Colonel Mai Kagehira, a handful of friendly Inselni were so kind as to aid in leading the soldiers to their destination. As they had several taratect drawn carriages carrying the arms, they were in serious need of direction and help to bring the guns where they needed to go.

Finally, after months of travel, the Inselni led the soldiers to the land of the rebellion. Beyond the mountains, their search for anyone in charge began.

[Greywall]

Ikazuchi would meet the Kumo delegation, the Samurai forces were digging in deep into the last regions they controlled but Ikazuchi believed eventually the Elerians would launch an all out assault.

"Thank you for coming, our Emperor and Shogun appreciate this very much." Ikazuchi bowed in the traditional sense that would be expected to the Kumo, his armor despite having some cuts here and there would be clearly visible to the Kumo to resemble their own traditional armor, but to see it and actually be used must have alarmed them.

Some Niaorinians would already be handing out the rifles, noticing them to be more advanced than what they used. Shogun Tokugawa watched from afar, still unable to pull himself from the depression he felt after suffering such horrid losses to General Gulliver.

[Sophie]

Colonel Kagehira returned the bow happily. She initially appreciated the armor Ikazuchi wore, but her wonder became horror as she realized he wore this into battle. "Those who respect and reflect the culture of my people will always have our backing and support. My only regret is that I could not be here sooner. It seems you are in quite a bit of need."

Kagehira's number two cracked open a crate of rifles and handed one to her. "Unfortunately, we weren't able to bring the best Kumosenkan has to offer, and what we have brought probably isn't enough. Hopefully, it should help you hold out until my people can train yours to fight as a real Kumo would. We need to get an emergency training camp together to train your officers who can, in turn, train your soldiers in Kumo-style combat. I promise," Kagehira placed a hand on her heart. "I will help lead your people to victory."

[Greywall]

Ikazuchi noticed Kagehira's expression and showed some slight confusion, "We are honored to have Kumosenkan here, the enlighteners of our people have come to free us."

Ikazuchi would assemble all of the head officers and low lords who trained what warriors they had left. Most of the Samurai left were riflemen with a small portion of them being cavalry.

Samurai scouts would relay that for the second week in a row the Elerians remained static on their side of the exterior valley, Ikazuchi didn't understand why they didn't simply finish them off, but suspected they were growing in strength.

[Sophie]

"We will do our best," Kagehira confirmed. "However, it seems like we have our work cut out for us." The Gorse Orb-weaver poked the man's armor with her foremost leg. The steel was warm against her pedipalp. "This... armor... its beautiful in a museum and unparalleled in a melee; it is a death sentence in modern combat."

Kagehira could see the gathering protest and tried to get ahead of it. "In ranged, firearm based, combat, mobility is king. You need your full range of movement and agility to fight effectively. This armor is not only weighing you down, but it's restricting your limbs and your vision. More importantly, against modern ammunition, this armor won't stop a bullet."

She pointed at someone that seemed like they were some low-ranking rifleman. "You. Give me your armor." Met against bafflement, she repeated her order until they began to doff the ancient samurai garb. "Now," Kagehira continued. "Watch what happens," she spoke as she placed the armor around a log on top of a fallen tree's stump. "When I fire this rifle into that armor." She walked fifty meters away from the armor, filtered a round into her rifle, aimed, and fired.

The hole in the front of the armor was immediately apparent. Removing the armor revealed the large hole left from the expanding round. "This armor will not save your life. However, your ability to see and move will."

[Greywall]

Ikazuchi gave a slow look down at his armor after seeing the demonstration, he didn't realize the gap probably till then. He was so busy fighting, surviving, it was clear why the Elerians were now cutting them down so swiftly.

"Some might object, the old way is what they know." He said this knowing the Kumo would likely scoff, but even with these weapons they didn't really stand a chance.

A rider entered camp causing a commotion as he ran into the main tent. Ikazuchi would quietly comment, "They are coming."

[Sophie]

"Damn it," Kagehira swore. "I thought we'd have enough time to train your active soldiers. Ladies!" She turned back to the girls unloading the carts. "MGs first." They offered a quick salute of acknowledgment as they continued pulling out boxes. With the help of the former Elerians, they began distributing Kumosenkan's light machine gun. The Niaoren could only carry two of the weapons, while each Kumo could easily haul four. "Alright. Take us to your lines. We need to set these up in your most defensive positions."

"Ma'am?" one of Kagehira's girls asked. "Are we fighting?"

"We don't have the time to train them yet, and it is our duty to protect these people on the honor of our Empress. We will fight today so that they may live tomorrow." The Colonel answered. "Come on then. Let's give these Elerians a black eye."

[Greywall]

"Isoi de kudasai!" shouted Ikazuchi, several armed Niaoren rushed down toward the hill facing the open valley ahead. They had situated themselves on a forested hill facing a green valley about 300 yards wide. Behind them were steep cliffs, it was risky but Ikazuchi felt it was the best defensive position they could find. Several wooden defenses and dug in ditches lined around the hillside as the Niaoren led the Kumo and Elenrians to the front.

"Where's the Shogun?" Ikazuchi asked one of his lieutenants, "still drinking and sulking, the Emperor is trying to muster him." Ikazuchi shook his head, "dammit, Tokugawa has lost it." Ever since the war began going poorly the once proud Shogun had become a drunk, drinking sake and mulling about the end that was to come. Hanzo was desperately trying to find that flame in the old bird once more but for now Ikazuchi had to lead his people.

"There! Along the tree line!" shouted a rifleman. Using an old telescope Ikazuchi looked and saw them, Elerians gathering around, but something was different about them. "What standard is that? A blue eye?" He turned to the Kumo, "What is that?"