GATE (Thus the JSDF fought there): Breakthrough

Chapter 16: Past Memories

It seemed all of Pina's guards were on a huge defensive, setting more patrols along the walls and on the outskirts of the city, with everyone on alert, and it made complete sense to Claire.

Only 2 platoons of JSDF soldiers were stationed in Italica with the U.S. Task Force, one was a logistics and intelligence platoon and another was a ground force made up of infantry.

Around 70 soldiers against an army... of course, Pina's soldiers weren't included, but Claire didn't know how much help they could really provide against an army that utilizes magic against a completely magic-defenseless city.

JSDF scouting teams reported the army making its way to Italica contained around the equivalent of two Roman legions, which were around 10,000 soldiers heading their way. They were also bolstered with the help of multiple magicians from Kali's continent, and a few forces of wyverns.

The main force of the Empire wasn't even the one making its way to Italica, the main force was the two huge armies consisting of 100,000 soldiers combined with more mages and wyvern companies to assist them. This army was similar to Rome in a way. The JSDF did cut down a multitude of their forces before the mages were hired, but with the mages added it made the situation a lot more dire.

If an army like this, armed with mages that can take down jets and helicopters and capable of anti-missile magic walked into Earth, who knows what could happen?

The Empire, through many trials and errors, eventually found a way to counter air assets with the use of both their wyverns and mercenary mages. Both heavily relied on each other, with mages capable of anti-air locking spells and the wyverns able to use the dodge and weaving of the jet or helicopter to their advantage and attempt to grab onto the vehicle. If the pilots decided to attack the wyverns, it might lead them to be too open to a magic spell. This strategy from the Empire worked, forcing the JASDF to only use air assets once they had eyes on the ground to target the mages.

It was estimated the army heading to them would reach Italica in a matter of a few days, and with most of the JSDF trying to intercept the main armies up north the team was restricted in the use of resources.

However, the forces in Italica had two advantages. They were on the defensive, and with them having such huge farmlands surrounding them their supplies of food and water could sustain the forces within in a siege for multiple months, allowing for reinforcements to eventually help back up the JSDF. That is if the JSDF wins the main battle on the northern front. Their second advantage is that backup was inevitable, US Marines from the Third Marines Expeditionary Force were dispatched to help the American team with their defensive siege as well as the JSDF on the northern front.

Claire hoped that their reinforcements would come before the initial attack from the Empire, but there wasn't a guarantee, even with the help of Marines the magicians alone still proved a problem, but defenses and a plan were still drawn no matter what.

"Corporal Chisaka, your work hasn't gone unnoticed ma'am. Your name has been hitting the news headlines lately ever since the rescue of the Japanese Ambassador." General Barkley speaks to Claire on the radio.

Claire only laughs slightly on the radio, making sure the General can't hear her laugh. "Thank you, sir."

"Now, onto why I contacted you. From what intel states I understand that the JSDF has a lot on their hands right now, they're prepared as our marines train with them, and their forces are funded nicely. But I also know that they have their hands full at the moment, so in return, I'm sending a company of Marines from the 4th Marine Regiment to assist you and the others in defending that city as well as multiple LAVs to assist your team. I am also relinquishing an MQ-9 Reaper to assist the city, I'm sure you're familiar with it. The pilots of the MQ-9 will be in contact with you soon, and the Marines will establish radio contact with Lieutenant Chambers and Lieutenant Tozz. Good luck out there Corporal. Out."