>>1895572
As you surveyed the map, you noticed that you had two real paths. The first was to follow a dirt road halfway into the range, before breaking off it and passing between two peeks, from there you would be near the rough location of the OSS base. On the positive side, it was mostly smooth sailing, at most you'd have to deal with some mud and an incline. But on the negative side, you'd have an increased risk of encountering Japanese patrols and being spotted by aircraft or people watching the road. The other option was to simply walk directly there, through the forest. On the plus-side you ran the least chances of being spotted by anyone. But on the negative side, you'd have to deal with the terrible terrain.

>Take the road, you can probably take out anything that you encounter short of a tank.
>Go off the beaten path. You don't even want to run the slight risk of encountering a tank.
>Other (write in)

>>1895578
>>Go off the beaten path. You don't even want to run the slight risk of encountering a tank.

>>1895578
>Go off the beaten path. You don't even want to run the slight risk of encountering a tank.

>>1895578
>>Go off the beaten path. You don't even want to run the slight risk of encountering a tank.

Deciding that discretion was far better than running the risk of being spotted by passing aircraft, you decided that it would be better to stay off the beaten track. It would be tough to say the least, but at least you would be undisturbed. And with your path chosen, you continued to lead your team into the forest. Fallen leaves and wet branches crunching beneath your boots as your small group moved at a careful pace.

Your team was walking in a short line as it climbed up the hill. You were in the front, leading the team and keeping your eyes peeled for targets to your team's front. The monitor in your hands and your sword on your back. The prisoner was just behind you, mostly so that he could be easily watched by Logan. Your most mundane of comrades keeping his shotgun in hand so that he could easily blow your prisoner away should he attempt to run. Though if you were honest, you weren't sure if Logan's shotgun would even be effective in the humid and damp conditions. Those paper shells weren't long lived, even with wax to help keep the shells water-resistant. bringing up the tail of the line was Kyouko. Her submachine gun locked and loaded with a 100 round drum magazine so that she could lay down a lot of fire whenever it was needed.

The squad continued in silence for almost an hour in silence, the only sound being the crunching of the ground beneath your combined boots. The path you had chosen through the mountain range was up a gully between two of the closest mountains, a rainwater stream running through the deepest part of the gully where rainwater was still coming down from higher up the mountain. Your team stayed close to the stream as you continued along, and at first the incline was only around a 20 to 30 degree incline. But as you continued on the incline began to rise and the two mundane members of your party began to slow down.

"Hey, Eugen. Logan and the prisoner are struggling." Kyouko called up after a good hour and a half. Your team mate sounding a bit more tired herself.

"I'm fine, trust me." Logan stated simply, though you could hear the strain in his voice. The sustained effort of carrying so much equipment apparently getting to him now even more so than in the past few days.

"Should we stop for a bit to catch some rest?" You asked as you came to a stop, taking a look up through he canopy to try and view the skies above. The clouds above looked as if they were getting darker, rain was on it's way.

"I think that would be for the best." Kyouko stated in response, before reaching down to her side and taking out her canteen for a swig or water.

Or brandy. You were pretty sure that she had some alcohol somewhere on her.

>CONT

>>1896083

>Stop here and rest for half an hour. If you can keep up the pace after your short rest then hopefully you'll find the OSS camp before the rain starts to fall.
>Keep moving, the sooner you get to the OSS camp, the sooner you can all rest.
>Try and find a cave or some more solid cover from the rain, you'll rest and wait out the rain.
>Other (write in)

>>1896096
>>Keep moving, the sooner you get to the OSS camp, the sooner you can all rest.

>>1896083
>Try and find a cave or some more solid cover from the rain, you'll rest and wait out the rain.
What's the prisoner's name, anyways?

>>1896096
>Try and find a cave or some more solid cover from the rain, you'll rest and wait out the rain.

>>1896134
Eugen doesn't know as the prisoner was quiet throughout the trip. You can ask him later if you want.

You paused for a second as you considered the options you had at your disposal. If your current estimates were correct then your team wouldn't make it to the location of the camp before the rain began to come down in force. With that in consideration, the only viable choice was to find cover and wait the storm out. You could rest under the canopy of the trees, but then you'd all just be standing around getting rained on, and that wouldn't be very good for any of you.

"We shall have to find shelter then." You stated simply as you stopped and turned towards the sheer eastern walls of the gully that surrounded you, they probably had some caves that you could find shelter in. The opposite side of the gully however looked gentle enough that some people could possibly have built houses out there. This would seem like a good place for hunting after all. Though from down here, you couldn't see much of the local terrain.

Unless...

Quickly thinking, you looked around for a decently sized tree as you began to take off your backpack.

"Keep watch, I'm going to get a bearing on the lay of the land." You stated as you handed your backpack to Kyouko and slung your rifle over your shoulder. While you were sure that there was no need for such firepower, you didn't want to be caught flat footed. You quickly pulled your boot knife and jammed it into the tree, burying it up to the hilt and giving yourself that first handhold up the the first branch. The tree's trunk was surprisingly dry at first, though as you began to climb up higher, the tree became damper. The recent rain having drenched the top of the tree to the point that you almost lost your grip more than once.

The other time was when you climbed head-first into a tree-snake. But a quick dodge from you and the snake missed it's lunge for your face. Instead hurling itself clear of the tree, and to it's doom as it sailed to the ground.

You poked your had out through the top of the canopy and had to blink the sunlight out of your eyes. While you had been expecting the sun, the long time spent in the canopy of the jungle had certainly made you less acclimated to the sun than you cared to admit. Regardless, you quickly shook your head and began to look around the canopy. Looking for any signs of clearings where houses could be, or for caves in the slate cliff. It didn't take you long to spot a few open patches in the trees, and some caves that your team could hide in.

After a few seconds, the calm chirping of the birds in the canopy, and the wind through the trees began to be tainted by a faintly audible drone. One that was not unfamiliar to you. And it didn't take you too long to spot the source of the noise. Directly to your north west trundled an airplane. While you couldn't really make it out well at this range, you were almost certain that it was Japanese. The Flying Tigers had been practically wiped out in recent months.

>CONT

>>1896808

>Keep looking for places to rest, that airplane probably isn't coming any closer.
>Stay low and keep your eyes on the airplane. Get ready to either hide or shoot it down if it gets any closer.
>Climb down from the tree and start looking at places to rest (clearing s or caves?)
>Other (write in)

>>1896814
>Climb down from the tree and start looking at places to rest (clearing s or caves?)

>>1896814
>>Keep looking for places to rest, that airplane probably isn't coming any closer.

>>1896814
>>1896814
>Climb down from the tree and start looking at places to rest (clearing s or caves?)

>snake falls to its death
>with millennia of evolution behind it
>with the square-cube law working to its advantage
Good job, snake.

>>1896814
>Climb down from the tree and start looking at places to rest (clearing s or caves?)

You all need to choose if you want to investigate the clearings or the caves.

>>1899536
>caves
Whoops.

>>1899536
Caves

>>1899536
caves

File: It's in deeper than this.jpg (69 KB, 720x479)

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For a good few seconds, you considered the merits of waiting for the aircraft to fly overhead before trying to hose it down with fire from your monitor. Back on the eastern front it was not unheard of for the Soviets to try and send low flying biplanes strapped with bombs to attack heer convoys. And during most of those attacks the aircraft were often repulsed by the pintle mounted machine guns on the top of the tanks and armoured vehicles. You hadn't really seen it in action, but it couldn't be too hard? A barrage of rifle rounds would probably hit your target if they weren't trying to manoeuvre out of the way. And they probably wouldn't be expecting to be shot at all the way out here.

Eventually however, you decided that there was no point. If the plane wasn't bothering you then there was no point in bothering it. Not to mention that even if you did manage to shoot it down, the Japs would come looking for it.

A quick glance at the clouds confirmed that a storm was rolling in, a thunderstorm by the looks of it. You could see lightning off in the distance, the bright arcs stabbing into the earth from the blackened skies, this storm would probably stick around for a while. You couldn't help but grimace, if you wanted to stay dry then you'd have to stay in shelter for as long as the storm lasted, and from the looks of it. It would seem like a while. You had maybe an hour, maybe a couple hours, before the storm arrived. You'd have to get a move on if you wanted to reach the caves.

Climbing back down a tree wasn't as fun as back when you were a young boy. Back in Germany you would often spend the summers at your grandmother's house in the Rhineland, you and your brother would climb the tall apple tree in her garden for fun with some of the other kids in the neighbourhood and sit at the top eating apples straight from the tree. You had stopped climbing that tree when you fell out of it while climbing down for supper. You broke your arm in a few places when you landed badly, and had to be taken to hospital. Your father berated you and your brother over the incident once you returned from the hospital, while your mother was too worried about your injuries to berate you herself.

Of course, your brother still climbed trees after that incident. You however decided that it was too risky and instead stayed on the ground under the tree. You and a few other boys split off from your brothers group after that and became fast friends. Sometimes you wondered how they were all doing right now, no doubt a few of them had joined up with the military wen war began.

You stopped and shook the thoughts out of your head halfway down the tree. The less thought about your old life in the fatherland, the better.

All in all however, it took you less than 5 minutes to climb out of the tree. And with a loud crunch of rotten wood and leaves crunching beneath your boots, you dropped down the last few meter s onto the damp ground next to your squad.

>CONT

>>1899977

"What's the plan chief?" Logan asked as you stood up and reached for your knife, still buried in the trunk of the tree.

"We're headed for the caves to the east. They will provide natural shelter to us and may not be searched by roaming Japanese patrols." You outlined as you yanked the knife out of the tree. The 6 inches of steel coming out coated in the tree's sap. You quickly wiped the worst of the sap off your knife and onto the tree before returning it to your sheath. You'd have to properly clean it later.

"And shelter to any animals in the area, especially the big and carnivorous types." Kyouko stated as she passed your pack back to you. You quickly took the pack and slung it over one shoulder, before unslinging your rifle.

"That may be true, but there is no guarantee that we have any other choice." You replied as you finished putting on your backpack. The heavy pack also laden with the ammunition taken from the Japanese patrol that you had sacked. If the loot was to be useless to you then you could gift it to rebel groups in the area.

Kyouko simply shrugged as you turned away, and lead the squad up towards the slate cliff. Your squad making good time through the heavy brush, and making it to the first of the caves that you wanted to explore.

The first cave was surprisingly shallow, only recessing a few meters into the cliff's before ending. However, a few large rocks provided some shelter from the outside elements. And the ground was relatively flat to boot. While it was a good start however, you knew that you had time to effectively go shopping for other caves.

The second cave was certainly deeper than the first, and it definitely provided cover from any winds as it curved to the right as it deepened. it was also uninhabited by any animal life. However it also had issues, most notably it dipped downwards. At first the incline was relatively shallow, but as you went deeper the incline grew greater, until it reached the end of the cave. Where a small but deep pool of water sat. There was no doubt in your mind that water would get into the cave. But a benefit was that the water might very well be clean. Such a vast source of clean water wasn't just good for drinking, but also for bathing. After so long sweating in the jungle, you certainly wanted a bath, and you were sure that your squadmates did too.

The final cave was similar to the second cave, not only was it deep and wide like the second cave, it also offered good protection from the wind. But unlike the second cave, it didn't seem to be flooded. The cave climbing up as it went deeper.

And,it seemed to be inhabited. Inhabited by something that ate flesh. Bones and blood peppered the small clearing around the cave's entrance, and the first few meters into the cave.

"You know, I don't really want to go in there..." Logan stated flatly as your squad looked into the cave. All of you noting the dried splattered of darkened blood on the walls.

>CONT

>>1899983

>Shelter in the first cave.
>Choose the second cave.
>Maybe the third cave is abandoned?
>All of these options are shit, look for another cave.
>Other (write in)

>>1899988
>>Maybe the third cave is abandoned?
Nah son there's spooky shit in this cave but we're spookier

>>1899988
>Choose the second cave.
Ain't nobody got time for chink bears.

Need a tiebreaker

>>1900200
I guess we'll go swimming
>Choose the second cave.

Looking at the smeared blood, and the bones, and hairy lumps of rotting flesh. You didn't fancy facing whatever was inside. Even with the advantage of magic weapons, modern weapons and an unhealthy amount of explosives, you didn't want to go in there. It would be terrible if you got this fare, and lost one of your squadmates or the prisoner to some rabid animal. Not to mention that the commotion would probably attract attention for miles around.

"We'll ignore it, we have other options." You stated, before turning around and walking back towards the second cave. Unlike this cave, the second cave wasn't liable to kill you.

As you entered the second cave, you looked around to confirm that there was nothing lying in wait. Fortunately, there was nothing in wait in the cave. And the lake at the bottom of the cave looked clean enough to drink.

"So, who's posting guard?" Logan asked as you cupped some water into your hand and sipped it straight from the lake. The water tasted clean enough, even if it had been languishing in this underground lake for a while.

>Logan watches the entrance, Kyouko watches the prisoner, you're going to rest.
>Kyouko watches the entrance, Logan watches the prisoner, you're going to rest.
>Logan watches the entrance, You'll watch the prisoner while Kyouko rests.
>Kyouko watches the entrance, You'll watch the prisoner while Logan rests.
>You'll watch the entrance, Kyouko will watch the prisoner while Logan rests.
>You'll watch the entrance, Logan will watch the prisoner while Kyouko rests.
>Other (write in)

>>1900391
>>You'll watch the entrance, Kyouko will watch the prisoner while Logan rests.

>>1900391
>You'll watch the entrance, Kyouko will watch the prisoner while Logan rests.

"I'll watch the entrance, Kyouko, keep an eye on the prisoner. Logan, catch some sack-time you need it." You ordered as you stood up, your rifle returning to your hands in a lazy grip. You walked up towards where the cave turned down and took up position looking outside. A conveniently sized rock serving as a decent seat for you to sit upon.

"Sure, I'll fill your canteens if you guys want?" Logan asked as he he put his backpack down. The pack clinking lightly as it came to rest against the floor.

"Sure, let me just empty it." You accepted his offer as you took the canteen off your belt and poured it out onto the ground. You looked at the water as it hit the ground and began to pour down towards the small lake. The water streaked down towards one of the walls and traced a stream down the wall of the cave towards the small lake, a barely noticeable dip against the side of the wall showing where the water had started to erode away it's path. With the knowledge that at least most of the rainwater would run along that side of the cave, you handed the now empty canteen to Logan.

Your comrade took the canteen from you, and walked back to take the offered canteen from Kyouko as you looked back towards the entrance to the cave. The automatic rifle aimed loosely down towards the entrance to the cave. A few minutes later, Logan sat down a meter behind you, propping himself back against the door.

>Talk to your comrade, you might as well pass the time.
>Let your comrade have a nap.
>Other (write in)

>>1900823
>Let your comrade have a nap.

>>1900823
>Let your comrade have a nap.

Deciding to let your comrade make the most of his nap, you turned your attention back to the entrance to the cave. You weren't one to state it openly, but you had noticed that the climate was affecting Logan more than it was affecting either you or Kyouko. Maybe he just wan't built for long treks, or maybe it was the large ammounts of equipment that you all were carrying. Either way, you hoped that it was something that would quickly pass. Outside, the clap of thunder roused you from your thoughts. The tip of the storm having reached your shelter not a moment after you had gotten yourselves comfortable.

You didn't like the rain. You used to, but that was before you had joined the fallschirmjäger. Back when you were young, you had liked the rain as your father would light up the old log burning stove in the living room. You and your siblings would roast sausages and occasionally marshmallows in front of the stove while your parents read whatever books or newspapers they had. Your family's house didn't have much in the way of heating, like many homes in Herrsching. But that was because it was too expensive. As such, during the winter the stove was almost always alight.

You sighed as you remembered back to those days. When you were young, innocent and stupid. You missed those days dearly.

"WHAT THE FUCK?" Kyouko shouted urgently from deeper inside the cave. Instinctively, you turned and cast your gaze down deeper into the cave, your rifle snapping up to face the threat.

Logan was just getting back up, but was still conscious enough to point is pistol down past Kyouko and the prisoner. Your comrade already sighted in on the new arrival that all of you had missed.

Down in the bottom of the lake, peaking his head up out of the water, was a young boy or around 11 years old. A look of shock and confusion across his face. The cave was silent for a few seconds, before the new arrival spoke.

"You. American?" The boy asked cautiously in very basic English. His Chinese accent colouring his words.

"Yes?" Logan replied cautiously, your comrade tentatively lowering his pistol as the unarmed boy made his way out of the water.

"Me OSS. You come. Quick!" The boy explained with a relaxed and happy tone as he made his way up and out of the water, headed for the exit. As he passed Kyouko both you all lowered your weapons, the unarmed boy posing no threat.

You looked past the boy as he approached you, both Kyouko and Logan looking very surprised by the turn of events.

>Follow the boy.
>Don't follow the boy.

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>>1901012
>Follow the boy.

>>1901012
Do any of us know Chinese?

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>>1901012
>Follow the boy.
This is almost certainly a trap.

File: rural village.jpg (1.29 MB, 2048x1536)

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You just shrugged to your comrades as the young man eagerly passed you. On the one hand, there was a chance that this kid was in league with the Japanese. But on the other hand, the chances of that was very low. The chances of of even being out here was so damn low that part of you wondered if you were hallucinating again.

"Saddle up, we're moving." You ordered as Logan picked up his backpack lethargically. The prisoner was already on his feet and making his way out of the cave, Kyouko followed behind him with her weapon raised. The pair of you shared a glance, before you turned and made after your impromptu guide. He was waiting by the mouth of the cave, looking very eager to get going. You could understand why in a way, standing around while soaking wet was not enjoyable. The sooner he got your team to your destination, the better.

Your squad continued after the guide as fast as you could. You had to in order to keep up with the boy, who still outpaced you. Every dozen meters he would stop and wait for a minute for your team to catch up, before shooting off again. His path took your team further up the mountain, easily over a over a mile or two under the thick canopy. Before then going up the face of the cliff. Someone had hacked out a very crude and simply path into the steep side of the cliff. The sides of the set of impromptu stairs featured a pair of semi-rotten ropes to help you keep balance on the wet path. Unlike under the canopy, the rain was pouring down hard, and made the ascent hell for all of you.

Except for that annoying kid. Who reached the top and waited for all of you like an annoyed teacher on a school field trip. And to really make things a piss-take, as soon as you reached the top he took off back into the tree line.

"Stay out of open." The boy chided you as you helped Logan up. Your tired comrade looking even more worn out than before, and you knew that he was only going to get even more annoyed as you continued this slog.

Regardless however, you continued on, and after another good twenty minutes of pushing yourselves through the thick tree line, you finally caught up to your guide at the edge of a clearing. The clearing was around 30 meters wide and bisected by a large stream that seemed about ready to burst it's banks. A shoddy wood bridge crossed over the stream and lead over to the small village on the other side.

To be honest, you weren't sure if it even deserved the title of "village", even the tiniest villages had more than 4 houses.

"You, wait. Will get OSS." The boy stated as your team finally caught up. Before bolting off into the clearing, headed straight for the houses.

"Why the fuck are we following this kid?" Logan asked breathlessly, obviously annoyed at having been denied his chance to rest and stay dry, and instead having been forced to follow some local kid for the better part of an hour at a full jog in heavy gear.

>CONT

>>1903308

"Apparently he's going to lead us to the OSS." You stated as the boy reached the bridge and sprinted over it. The cold and the rain apparently not effecting him too much.

"And if he isn't? And this is just some Jap trap?" Logan asked as he sat down behind a tree. A few raindrops managing to pass through the canopy and land in your immobile squad.

"Then we'll kill them." You replied simply as the boy disappeared behind one of the houses. You slumped down into a low crouch, taking the weight off your feet.

"Still, if he is grabbing the Japs, then shouldn't we get out of here?" Kyouko asked from the very back.

>Leave, this doesn't sit well with you.
>Stay in place, you've come this far after all.
>Other (write in)

>>1901012
>>follow the boy.

>>1903310
>>Stay in place, you've come this far after all.

>>1903310
>>Stay in place, you've come this far after all.

"Maybe. But that's if the Japs are even here. From the looks of it, this place is fairly deserted." You pointed out as you waited. From what you could see, all of the buildings had their windows shut. All at least seamed to be quiet.

"And if it's a trap?" Logan asked tiredly as he looked over to the small cluster of houses.

"Then we'll kill them all. And burn the damn village to the ground." You promised your squadmate as you flicked the safety off your monitor. The heavy rifle ready and prepared to rain death upon those unfortunate enough to be caught in it's sights.

Your team sat in place as you waited for your apparent contact to return. The distant rumble of thunder and the downpour of rain made it slightly harder to hear the things around you, do instead you cast your gaze over the field and through the forest to try and spot any movement. Occasionally you did spot something, but those turned out to just be the occasional deer. Finally, after nearly half an hour, you spotted the boy once again. The boy walked out from around one of the buildings and gestured to where your squad was sat, exchanging some unseen words with someone out of sight. After a few seconds, the boy returned back into the village. And a pair of men walked out.

From behind the building that the boy had came out from behind, walked a pair of men in the US military fatigues. Both of the obvious Americans jogged towards you with their weapons -Thompson submachine guns- held lazily by their sides. As they reached the bridge, you stood up and walked out of the treeline and into the clearing, your squad following sluggishly behind you. The G.I.s approaching your squad with a weary, but not unfriendly, smile.

"You the folks sent out here by central?" The lead soldier called as he crossed the bridge, his Alabama drawl carrying over the rain.

"Yes, we heard that the Japanese were up to not good. Sorry that we didn't get here sooner." You replied as your two parties met, the trailing G.I. seemed to recoil slightly at your noticeably German voice. But the one at the front didn't seem to care about it. If anything, his smile only got wider.

"Then it's good to see you dutch. My name's Hollis, this here is Dick." The soldier identified himself, before gesturing to his friend with a thumb over the shoulder.

"It's good to meet you too Hollis. I'm Eugen, my friend with the shotgun is Logan, and the lady is Kyouko." You shook your new associate's hand as you introduced your squad. Even though you didn't break eye contact with Hollis, you noticed that his friend's smile seemed to drop as he noticed your comrades.

"And I see that you've already gotten to work on the Japs. Looks like you'll fit in well around here!" Hollis grinned as he spied the prisoner and assorted equipment that you had looted from the patrol that you had jumped.

>CONT

File: they look like these guys.jpg (606 KB, 2048x1627)

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>>1903491

"We thought it would be polite to give your team a gift for hosting us. I'm sure that you can find a use for all of this equipment." You brushed off Hollis's enthusiastic praise as you gestured to the assorted Japanese weapons that Logan and Kyouko were carrying.

"Indeed we will brother. Come on, let's get ya'll inside right now." Hollis said as he turned around and began to lead your team towards the village form whence he had came.

>Ask Hollis something as you walk (about what?)
>Talk to your squad (about what?)
>Other (write in)

>>1903493
>Ask Hollis something as you walk (about what?)
What's the situation around here?

holy shit i got home late

>>1903493
>Ask Hollis something as you walk (about what?)

Japs in the area, aside from our pow here.
General orders
Lay of the land
Holding place for our friend
Friendlies in the area
Resources available
Relations to anti-Japanese forces

Ask this all out of sight and held in an area away from the pow, with a bag over his head, under watch.

Following quickly behind Hollis, you gestured for your team to follow as you asked some more questions.

"What is to become of our prisoner?" You asked as you slung your rifle over your shoulder, you wouldn't be needing it right now.

"That depends, was he co-operative?" Hollis asked as you walked over the bridge, your new acquaintance slightly raising his voice so that you could hear him over the quickly flowing water.

"Yes, he was co-operative. why do you ask?" You replied with another question.

"Because it effects how we treat the prisoners. because he's co-operative we'll take him down into the pit. The less co-operative ones just get put into one of the spider holes in the field." Hollis explained, before reaching into one of the pouches on his webbing. From inside, he pulled a folded burlap sack. He then passed it to Kyouko. "Put that on your prisoner's head."

"And what is the pit?" You asked as you stepped off the bridge, your boot landing in a small puddle less than an hour old.

"It's our base. Not the cosiest of bases by a good mile, but it's certainly the safest." Hollis explained simply as Kyouko put the burlap sack over the prisoner's head and began to actively lead him along. You raised an eye at Hollis, but decided to accept his explanation for now. You'd find out more about this pit later.

"What's the situation like around here? Apparently people have been going missing?" You changed the subject as you approached the houses, all of them seeming to be deserted.

"I really can't tell you much with good accuracy. Me and Dick have been stuck here running guard duty for the past few weeks. As such we aren't really in the loop about everything happening in the region. What I can tell you with certainty is that the Japs don't tend to send regular patrols out this far. They mostly send aircraft to perform regular sweeps, and then maybe send in an infantry patrol if they spot any signs of activity. They do send a squad out here every fortnight to check to see if anyone has been hanging around here. Though because our base is hidden so damn well, they haven't found us. Occasionally, the boss sends out a couple of guys to liaise with the local anti-Japanese forces. They usually spend a week or two in the field before returning." Hollis explained as he lead your squad into one of the abandoned houses, the door wide open. the interior seemed pretty normal for a house. A few bags and boxes sat in one corner, a straw bet in the other, a fire-pit for cooking and some scattered farming equipment.

The only thing out of place was the large hole in the far corner.

The hole seemed to go down quite a distance into the earth. A table and a section of fake floor rested off to the side as it's cover.

"Come on, let's get you inside. The boss is gonna want to speak to you." Hollis stated as he walked towards the hole.

>Go in first, you might as well get a move on.
>Go in last, you want to keep talking to Hollis.
>Other (write in)

>>1906012
>>Go in first, you might as well get a move on.

>>1906012
>>Go in first, you might as well get a move on.

>>1906012
>Go in first, you might as well get a move on.

>>1895572
I only came because of the sexual nature of the filename you left in QTG.

Sell me on your quest.

>>1906149
We got hot asians, and cute innocent German girls that we have to get back, and full penetration of hot lead

>>1906167
Also grenades. Don't forget the grenades.

>>1906220
And the weird occult shit.

File: SS patrol.png (2.07 MB, 1600x900)

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>>1906149

It's 1946, the Second World War has not ended. Mostly because D-Day failed due to advanced Nazi tech (wolfenstien style stuff, like panzerhunds), since then the Nazis have been bouncing back. Also, the war in the Pacific isn't going well because of some blunders early in the war Kreigsmarine-style submarine warfare from the Japanese.

You play as Berkhard Eugen, a German defector who has occult powers following a mission to attack a Nazi base in the last arc. Now he's part of the OSS and is now in Asia, investigating why Chinese civilians are going missing en-mass.

There is a lot of late WW2 and wolfenstine style tech, occult themes and brutality. So if that's your jam then come on in. If you want to read more then you can check out the sup/tg/ archive for the rest of the archived threads.

As you walked over to the hole, you noticed that it dropped down a good meter and a half, and linked to a dimly lit tunnel. A string of dimly lit lights illuminating the path just enough for you to see where you were going.

"Better let me go first friend. We'd hate for you to get lost down there." Hollis stopped you with a hand, before jumping into the hole. He dropped into a low crouch as he landed and moved into the entrance of the tunnel. You carefully climbed down rather than just jumping, making sure to be careful with your equipment.

"You'd better just take that bag off and push it along. It's fairly tight down here." Hollis cautioned you as he moved deeper into the tunnel. The tunnel dropping deeper into the ground at an almost 45 degree angle. You quickly unslung your bag and rile and carried them down with you into the tunnel.

"So, how deep is this tunnel?" You asked as you followed Hollis deeper into the tunnel. The dirt remaining surprisingly dry in spite of the heavy downpour.

"This whole complex stretches out over a few kilometres, though most of it is made up of storage rooms, air filtration and trapped tunnels.Thankfully though, the heart of the complex isn't trapped, so you should be fine to roam around the main rooms once your in the deep end." Hollis answered as Logan dropped down into the hole and began to take off his pack to follow you down. As Hollis reached the end of this stretch of tunnel, he moved into an alcove and disappeared.

"So, how long did this take to build? I can't imagine that this was done in a week." you asked as you reached the alcove, and found that it was the entrance to another stretch of tunnel, which linked to another one just past Hollis.

"No, we didn't build this though. It actually belonged to the Chinese communists before we moved in. During the civil war this area was fully under nationalist control, so the communists built this place as a supply base for guerrilla raiding teams. They called this place Mǎyǐ cháo, the ant's nest. And it lives up to it's name." Hollis explained as he stepped over something in the ground and crouched down. Just underneath a layer of soil, you spotted a set of spikes.

"They had covered the place with traps like this." He continued on, gesturing to the trap as he uncovered it and started to disarm it. "Though when we moved in, we added to the traps. Entire sections of tunnel can be collapsed or filled with water. We've got dead ends, pit-fall spikes and fake rooms rigged up with directional charges. So for your entire stay here you're going to have to be guided in and out. You'll also be restricted to the centre of the base while you're here so that you don't accidentally run into a trap."

"Aren't explosives underground a bit counter-intuitive?" Logan asked as he came to a stop at the bottom of the first tunnel, where you had been standing just a moment before.

>CONT

>>1906416

"Fortunately, the earth around here is a lot like clay. If the walls are thick enough then it should contain the blast. Though everybody will feel it." Hollis clarified as he released the trap slowly, letting the almost beartrap-like jaw slowly close before gesturing for you to continue on.

"How many people are here?" You asked as you stepped over the trap, you were now even more on guard as a fall could have even worse consequences.

"Around twenty, going onto thirty, at a time. We've got intel analysts, planners, cooks, guards and other such people here. Though at maximum capacity we can support close to seventy people, nearly a hundred if we make a few of the fake rooms habitable again. We tend to operate as a base for five or six OSS teams that operate in the area. They mostly provide support for the Chinese rebels by way of training, specialist support and reconnaissance. Though we still have a couple for heavy support and specialist missions, your team is going to be acting as both by my guess. Though you're the first team I've seen with swords and spears..." Hollis continued on as he went deeper, his voice reverberating through the tunnels and acting as a guide for you.

>Ask Hollis a question about the base (write in)
>Ask Hollis what more he knows about the Japanese presence in the area (write in)
>Ask Hollis something else (write in)
>Keep quiet and continue through the tunnels.

>>1906418
>>Keep quiet and continue through the tunnels.
Probably better to ask the boss when we meet them.

>>1906418
>Keep quiet and continue through the tunnels.
I can't imagine how much fun it must be to navigate the place.

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"That's fine, I'me sure that I speak for all of my team when I say that none of us want to die down here." You answered confidently as you continued down. The team continued through the tunnels, going both up and down multiple times through the winding tunnels. At multiple times you crawled through smaller sub-tunnels on your belly, pausing to pass on directions to your squadmates keep following you instead of continuing down the tunnel, and into a trap. Before long however, you reached a section marked out by a pair of stones with a red cross on each. As Hollis passed them, has stopped to turn to you and the rest of the squad behind you.

"These here markings are our was of marking out the edge of the safe zone of the centre portion of the base. Down here you're safest from bombing attacks, we have a decent source of power to keep the lights running and we have some good food too. I'll take ya'll to the briefing room while Dick'll take your prisoner to one of the cells. The boss will see you soon after." Hollis explained, before continuing on. Thankfully, the tunnels seemed to start to get taller as you continued on, and soon you were able to walk comfortably through the tunnels. Within 5 minutes you found yourself in a surprisingly basic briefing room.

The briefing room's ceiling was surprisingly high and used lamps to cast light into the room, an odd difference from the tunnels that made up the base, but you were sure that they had their reasons. A large wooden table sat in the middle was flanked on either side by benches. On a wall sat a map of the local area, with a number of lines marked out with red string pinned to the board. On another wall sat a basic looking callander with a number of dates bearing certain information. Hollis excused himself as your team milled about in the room, Logan taking a seat on one of the benches while Kyouko tried to brush the accumulated dirt and grime off her backpack. You instead took this time to check the gem that was embedded into your vambrace. The blue gemstone still shone with ethereal energy, but deep inside it you noticed dark, wispy clouds within the gem like slicks of oil over an ocean. The research into the information stolen during the Märchenland raid had warned you of this clouding. While not lethal, it could put the owner of the clouded gem into a coma until it cleared, and it only cleared when you were not using magic. Because extended use of magical abilities sped up the clouding process, you couldn't use your abilities too much. Lest you knocked yourself out in a fight.

You were broken from your thoughts by the sound of the door opening, and your eyes snapped to the door. The man was unshaven, sporting the beginnings of a beard. the cigarette in the corner of his mouth was half burned down as he stopped in place. His uniform was unkempt from having been worn too many times and bore more than one stain. Regardless, he regarded all of you with a cool and level gaze.

>CONT

>>1906696


"So, you're this wonder team that command has been telling me about..." The officer stated coldly, regarding all of you with a stare. "You don't look too impressive to me."

>"Look can be deceiving sir..."
>"The feeling is mutual."
>Show off your "abilities".
>Other (write in)

File: germanicsnickering.png (38 KB, 184x209)

38 KB PNG

>>1906700
>"Just wait until you can see how far I can throw a grenade."

>>1906700
>"Just wait until you can see how far I can throw a grenade."

>>1906700
>"Just wait until you can see how far I can throw a grenade."

>>1906700
>>"Just wait until you can see how far I can throw a grenade."
kek

"Just wait until you can see how far I can throw a grenade." You replied sarcastically, you didn't care much for this man's opinion as long as he did his job. For his part, the an just stared at you for a few seconds, before sighing.

"Whatever does you best I suppose, regardless, let's get down to this." The officer shrugged as he walked towards the table and tossed an assortment of folders onto the table. He then pulled out the bench a bit and sat down as you and the rest of your squad sat down opposite him.

"So before we begin, do you have any specific questions on things going on in the area or do you just want the general rundown?" The officer asked as you sat down, the bench creaking slightly as you took the weight off your feet.

>Accept his offer and ask about a specific topic (what topic?)
>Decline his offer, you'll push for more detail later.

>>1909207
>Decline his offer, you'll push for more detail later.

>>1906416
>Mǎyǐ cháo
Wut?

>Accept his offer and ask about a specific topic (what topic?)

Standing orders, and rules of engagement, reactions to combat and guerrilla activity.

>>1909301
sure

"What are your standing orders? Are there any spesific rules of engagement? What local resistance units are in the area and what is their typical reaction to engaging the Japanese?" You listed off your specific questions, giving the new arrival some specific questions to work with.

"My team's standing orders is to man and maintain the command post here at the ant's hill. This base is a vital supply and intel gathering post. The rules of engagement are whatever you think is appropriate. Though as a matter of course, we try to keep civilian casulties as low as possible so that we don't piss of the local resistance groups. The circles around each rebel base indicate either their striking range, or scouting range. The latter is the larger circle." The officer began as he took out a map marked with a number of dots and circles. Scribbled notes on each of them denoting that they were related to the assorted resistance groups in the area.

"The four local resistance groups in the area are split up into four separate bases. We have two communist groups in the north and west, a nationalist group in the east and a British organised group to the south. We have varying degrees of communication with each of them, though as a rule of thumb they all like it when you attack the Japs. Preferably their bases though they don't mind the odd patrol being wiped out." The officer continued as he pointed to the dots on each map. You noted that the group to the east was the furthest away.

"The first communist group is based out of the mountains north of Gulin, they mostly strike at the supply convoys between Hengyang and Qiannan. They tend to run fast and loose with the Japanese by using stolen Japanese equipment, mostly anti-tank guns and machine guns, to ambush Japanese convoys before looting what they can and running. They're supported by the local farm, which they invest highly in defending. Their leader is a guy called Xuan Jianhong, he's a paranoid and very un-trusting man. If you want to get anything out of them then you'll have to get on his good side. They do have their benefits however, as they have good relations with some of the villages in Guangxi and Guizhou. However, other villages in Hunaan and especially Guangdong will be more hostile towards you if they find out that you're in cahoots with that group." The officer explained as he pointed to the western most dot, a red line that snaked across the map passed close to their base, and you assumed that the line represented the supply line between Hengyang and Qiannan.

>CONT

>>1912483
"The other communist group is located to the north-east close to the boarder between Hunan and Jiangxi. They tend to have free reign over the supply line between Ji'an and Nanching, though they mostly shy away from direct confrontation due their limited resources. Instead they choose to harass the Japanese by using road-side bombs while dedicating most of their forces to protecting the local civilians. Their leader is a woman called Song Shufen, though she commonly used the nickname grandma when working with us. Unlike Xuan, she's more welcoming to OSS teams. But if you get a bad reputation with the local civilians then she won't hesitate to either kick you out. Unlike Xuan's cell though, she doesn't have much in the way of resources, courtesy of a few Japanese airbases in the area making it hard to ambush a convoy and escape with enough supplies. If you can take that airbase out and help her cell build up however, then they will probably be willing to throw you any support that you need. They have good relations with most of the northern Hunan and Jiangxi, along we middling relations with the villages in Guangxi and Guizhou. Though the latter relations are only because they are a fellow communist group, so you might not be able to get support from the villages in Guangxi and Guizhou unless you have the best possible relations with grandma. Unfortunately, villages in southern Hunaan and especially Guangdong won't be too happy that you are working with communists. Thankfully they won't be as angry as if you were working with Xuan's cell, but even then you ought to remain on your guard. There are certainly people willing to report to the Japs about a bunch of armed foreigners in their village for a price." The officer pointed to the northern-most dot on the map, and you noticed with some dismay that the circles around their base's location were the smallest on the map.

>CONT

>>1912489

"The eastern most group are the nationalists. While they don't have many supply lines to attack, they have to deal with roaming Japanese patrols looking to stomp out any remaining army units. And those particular Japanese units aren't unwilling to burn down a few villages to get what they want. Unlike any other group however, they have access to water craft, and they can take you up and down the coast if you either pay them or get good enough relations with them. They're lead by a guy called Cao Li, he used to be a major in the Chinese army, and most of his cell used to be under his command. As such, they have a massive stockpile of old chinese military equipment, including some tanks and artillery, though they are loathe to take them into battle. The vehicles they use the most however are a squadron of six US-made patrol boats. They usually use them for attacking Japanese ships that stray too close to the shore, or to carry people around the coast. They are on good terms with us, but not so much with the local villages. If you can help them build up relations with the local villages, then they'll be more willing to help you. Though I don't know how you'd cripple such a large force of Japanese troops." The officer pointed to the eastern most dot, which sat on the coastline between Fuzhou and Xaimen. All of it's circles only encompassed the land however, mostly because their operating range at sea was so great.

"The final group is the British operated group. They're the remnants of the British forces who were defending Hong Kong, like grandma's cell they're small in number, but they make up for it with skill and brutality. They are lead by Captain Alex Chambers, a former Royal Marine. Like Cao's cell almost all of his cell are soldiers, but they have better training instead of more vehicles and artillery. They have good relations with us, and will usually steer you right. Though don't expect any help from them until you help them break more of their buddies out of Japanese internment. Most villages won't care that you're helping them unless the Brits start making more waves in the area. Though that will probably attract more attention, and with Hong Kong so close, they aren't willing to kick the hornet's nest. If you get them on your good side however, then you'll have access to probably the best fighters in the area. They aren't on the best of terms with the communists or the nationalists, though I think that's more down to a lack of communication between both parties." The officer pointed down at the final, southern-most, dot. You had heard stories about the battle for Hong Kong, and what came after it. Tales of the wounded being slaughtered in their hospital beds and the likes had happened when the Japanese took the city. So chances wore that the British would overlook your heritage if you helped them to slaughter the Japanese.

>Ask about a another topic (what topic?)
>Ask for the general rundown on the area.

What has this to do with Super Battleships?

>>1909301

It's meant to be "The Ant Hill" in traditional Chinese. Though because it was done with google translate it may mean something else.

>>1912551

You can probably blow one up. Just make sure that you pack fuses if you plan to detonate the magazine.

>>1912578
>You can probably blow one up
REEEEEEEEEEEE US ARMY AIR CORP GO HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TENNOUHEIKA BONZAI!

>>1912597
>US ARMY AIR CORP

This ain't no sissy "bomb it from an airplane going well over 100 mph until it keels over and dies" this is the macho "infiltrate it at port, stick some demolition charges with VERY GOOD FUSES on the magazine and then run like a motherfucker". Cause when that magazine goes up then ho boy, you'll wish that you're 10 miles away. That much cordite and high explosives will make one big boom.

>>1912492
>Ask for the general rundown on the area.

>>1912578
>Google Translate Chinese
You could probably do fortune telling with the resultant mess once you've run the results back and forth across a few other languages.

>>1912492
>>Ask for the general rundown on the area.

"What's the general situation around here?" You asked as you took the map off the table and began to study it in more detail, a handily pinned distance scale giving you some information on roughly how much the different rebel cells could project their forces.

"The Japanese have been making gains in China since the start of the Sino-Japanese war. They've been brutal in their invasion, so the only thing locals from taking up arms against the Japs has been that they know what happened in Nanking, none of them want a repeat of that. None the less; they mostly support local resistance where they can, though old wounds from the civil war mean that there is prejudice against certain resistance factions. many of the villages in southern Hinaan and Northern Guangdong are hostile towards the communist rebels due to communist forces performing false flag attacks to try and swing local favour away from the nationalist government and to force people with nothing else to support the communist rebellion. Many people died in those attacks; Xuan was apparently involved in those attacks to a significant degree, hence why many villages are more hostile towards him and his cell.The Japanese have been trying to combat the local resistance by putting bases in every town, and by sending out roaming patrols to assert their authority. It's been effective in stopping new resistance cells from forming in the towns, but not in combating existing resistance groups out here in the wilderness." The officer stopped for a second to take a sip of water before continuing.

"They've been making use of air power where possible as a force multiplier, though many of the aircraft are older aircraft that aren't going to be useful on their front line against the remaining Chinese armies and British India. Not to mention units being shifted off to reinforce their island bases while they can. They also have tanks in the area, but they are limited to purely defensive roles, such as convoy escort or base defence. Those tanks are part of the reason why resistance groups are unwilling to attack the bases in the towns and cities, though the main reason is that the Japanese won't care about civilian casualties. As many of the rebel groups are dependent on rural farms for their supplies, they tend to guard them as much as possible, and the Japanese will torch any inhabited farms that they come across in order to deny them to the rebels. If you can hit the Japanese hard enough to keep the locals safe enough, then you should make friends easily around here." The officer explained as you committed the map to memory. You frowned at the mention of communist false flag attacks, you idly wondered if the Xuan's cell was planning any more false-flag attacks, except this time in the guise of the Japanese.

>Ask about the war with India, how is it looking for Japan?
>Ask about the reports of mass disappearances and his theories on the matter.
>Ask about another topic (what topic?)
>Other (write in)

>>1913309
>Ask about the reports of mass disappearances and his theories on the matter.

>>1913309
>>Ask about the reports of mass disappearances and his theories on the matter.

"What do you know about the mass disappearance of civilians?" You asked as Logan passed the map back to the officer, who put it away.

"That's a bit of a blank spot I'm afraid, as we have no evidence that the Japs are actually taking people. We do know that villages and small towns have been abandoned in many parts of China. Though we haven't been thinking much about it as the number of people in the cities and major towns has increased concurrently. Of course, the different rebel factions have their own opinions about the phenomena, but they have differing opinions on most things." The officer answered as you reached down to your canteen, only for you to be answered with a hollow thud as your fingers rapped against the empty bottle. The officer seemed to smile, and turned towards the door.

"Hey, Welch! Grab some water from the stores for our guests!" The officer called out of the door, his raised voice rebounding around the room and through the corridor outside. No words answered him, the only noise from outside was the sound of someone walking away. Their boots making an interesting noise as they waked through the tunnels.

"Thank you." You nodded to the officer as he thanked him. The man smiled and nodded back before continuing.

"As far as we know, only the Chinese rebels care about the apparent kidnappings. The British cell are far to concerned with harassing the Japs to care. Xuan blames the Japanese for the disappearances, which fits the Japanese modus operandi. After everything that's happened in this war, I wouldn't be surprised at the Japs taking slaves. Cao blames the communists for either killing or driving the civilians to the Japanese. And Grandma simply believes that people are fleeing the villages to the cities to avoid the war between the Japanese and the rebel cells. Personally, I think that Xuan and Grandma are more on the money with this matter. It doesn't make sense that the communists would force the civilians to the city centres. Though the two other OSS intel posts north of us have been reporting Japanese attacks and kidnappings of civilians, so Xuan is right in some regards." The officer finished his report on the situation. You sat in silence for a few seconds as you considered your next questions.

>Ask about the war with India, how is it looking for Japan?
>Ask about another topic (what topic?)
>You've asked him enough questions for now, it's time for something else (food? / sleep? / questioning the prisoner?)
>Other (write in)

>>1915524
>You've asked him enough questions for now, it's time for something else (food? / sleep? / questioning the prisoner?)
Figure out where we're headed to next.

>>1915524
>>You've asked him enough questions for now, it's time for something else (food? / sleep? / questioning the prisoner?)
A few hours' R&R if our team is allowed any. We've been slogging through the jungle since we arrived. Better to be fresh in body and mind when we head out on our mission.

>>1915791
Also, this.

"Thank you, that should be all for now. I hope that you don't mind if we stay about for a day or so to rest up. We've been on the move since we made landfall and we need some time to rest up before we head out into the field again." You explained as a soldier walked in with a tray, you guessed instinctively that the man was the soldier called Welch. A sawed off shotgun was slung over his shoulder to allow him to carry the packed tray into the room.

"Thank you Welch." The officer thanked his subordinate as he put the tray down onto the table. The tray was laden with a jug and 3 wooden cups, which knocked against each other as they were put onto the table. As the soldier turned and left, the officer checked the watch on his wrist.

"If my watch is correct, lunch should be getting served up now. You can either stay here and go over the info here while you eat or you can head to our impromptu canteen. In the case of the former, I'll have one of the cooks bring your food down here for you." The officer offered as he turned back to you and your comrades Kyouko had already grabbed the entire tray and was pouring out water into the provided cups.

"I see, and how long would we be allowed to stay here?" You asked as you took a cup from Kyouko.

"Technically, you can stay here for as long as you want. But you won't be getting anything done. With the prisoner that you brought here you could probably spend time questioning him, but there is only so far you can go with questioning. So eventually you'll have to go out and be proactive. I'd give you four days to a week until you get everything you can out of that prisoner and the available info that you have here." The officer continued, before shrugging as he finished.

>Eat in here and go through the intel while you eat.
>Eat in the canteen, you can go over the data later.
>Other (write in)

>>1915524
>Ask about the war with India, how is it looking for Japan?

>Ask about another topic (what topic?)
Weapons and supplies, how much we can take, how often the get resupplied and how long can they stay in a protracted fight before having to retreat. Ask for a box of stick grenades.
>Other (write in)
Have they any Chinese translators? If not then maybe we can hook up with the Brits and poach one of their guys.

>>1916009
>Eat in here and go through the intel while you eat.

>>1916009
>Eat in here and go through the intel while you eat.

>>1916009
>Eat in the canteen, you can go over the data later.

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"We'll stay here and go over what information you have. We might as well start making some headway into the infomation you have on hand." You decided after taking a long sip from your drink. The water tasting slightly chalkey as opposed to the slight chemical taste that was part-and-parcel of drinking water that had been cleansed with the standard issue water purification tablets.

"Sure, I'll private Welch to collect intel for you from the archives after he's finished his lunch. The stuff right here should be enough to keep you occupied through lunch." The officer nodded as he tapped the stuffed folder on the table, before then standing up. "Private Welch will also show you all around when you require it. Said tour will include the important places, such as the canteen, the cells and the toilets."

"Thank you sir." You stood up as well, and offered your hand for the officer to shake. While you had both gotten off on the wrong foot earlier, you hoped that the both of you could continue past that incident.

"I hope that you enjoy your stay." The officer bid you as he shook your hand, before then leaving. As the door closed, you sat back down, and reached over to the mass of folders.

"So, what do you think is his problem?" Logan asked as you began to read through the names scribbled onto the tops of each folder. There were 4 folders on the assorted rebel groups, with each folder relating to a certain group. There were 3 folders on the Japanese, including their numbers in the area, their overall strategic goals and their methods for dealing with the assorted resistance groups. Some loose folders included a track of each OSS unit in the region, odd occurrences and a report into the proper use and acquisition of supplies. So all in all, there were 10 folders of varying sizes and topics.

"He's probably thinks that we aren't the promised wonder team. Or that our capabilities are overstated." Kyouko reasoned as you finished off your cup of water. Reading through all of this was going to take time.

>Read a folder on group rebel group (Xuan's cell / Grandma's cell / Cao's cell / Chamber's cell)
>Read a folder on the Japanese forces(current strength in the area / overall strategic goals / counter-insurgency methods)
>Read a miscellaneous folder (OSS units in the region / odd occurrences / proper use and acquisition of supplies)
>Talk with your squadmates until the food arrives.
>Other (write in)

>>1919287
>Read a folder on the Japanese forces(current strength in the area / overall strategic goals / counter-insurgency methods)

So if someone else would vote then that would be great. We can't do anything until we get a minimum of 2 votes per option.

>>1919287
>>Read a folder on the Japanese forces(current strength in the area / overall strategic goals / counter-insurgency methods)

Reaching into the pile, you grabbed out the folder on Japanese forces and opened it up. The 20 page dossier featured most things from the standard arming and training of a basic Japanese infantryman, specialist units, divisional structure and typical enemy strength at varying sized bases. You began to read while your comrades talked amongst themselves, dedicating as much knowledge as you could to memory.

As of a few months a go, the Japanese had deployed around 1.6 million soldiers to the war in mainland Asia. The bulk of them were deployed in China, with other fronts including Burma and Mongolia. A further 883 thousand were deployed in Manchuria, of which 100 thousand were slated to be deployed to support the war in China. There was also around 1 million collaborators operating with the Japanese, they included Indians, Chinese, Burmese, Siamese and Manchurians who were organised into separate units. This number included many second line units, such as anti-aircraft units, medical units, transport units epidemic prevention and water purification units and many more. The Japanese also had a good thousand tanks at their disposal, the majority of them were old inter-war tanks or light tanks. However, a number of German tanks had started popping up in northern China. The tanks were modified, or license build versions of the Panzer III tank, and used the Japanese 47mm gun in the place of the Panzer III's 50mm high velocity gun. Unconfirmed reports of Panzer IV's had also appeared, but were unconfirmed. In addition to the tanks, the Japanese we also fielding close to 3000 aircraft, though a significant number of them were older model biplanes. Many of the newer aircraft in the war for mainland Asia were deployed to the front lines against Mongolia, Burma and the Chinese remnants. The older model aircraft were assigned to support anti-insurgent operations in the captured parts of China.

The Japanese forces in China were spread out through a number of bases across China, with small bases in the smaller settlements, medium sized bases in the larger towns and cities, and larger regional bases. The smaller bases were situated in large villages and small towns. They were often manned by around two platoons worth of men, though only a platoon's worth were actually assigned to combat roles. They were equipped with fixed machine guns, mortars and some confiscated civilian vehicles. They mostly acted as the muscle for the Japanese complaint law enforcement in each settlement, and as a show of force. But due to their small size, they were the easiest to raid and wipe out.

>CONT

File: nip equipment.jpg (79 KB, 560x770)

79 KB JPG

>>1920619

The medium sized based in larger towns and cities contained a company's worth of men, around 700 men, though like the smaller bases, a number of those men were non-combatants. They were equipped with heavy machine guns, anti-aircraft guns, mortars, tanks and various other types of vehicle. Just like the smaller bases, they served to pacify the settlement they were deployed into, but also had the power to strike at rebel bases outside their settlement if they posed enough of a threat. They also stood a chance of defeating any uprising in their settlement due to their firepower.

The larger bases were kept mostly outside of towns and cities due to their strategic importance. They were mostly supply bases, naval ports, airbases and major command posts. They were almost uniformly manned by entire battalions of 1000 men, and unlike the other two base types this did not include base staff. Base staff alone added between an extra 800 to 1,200 extra personnel. Additionally, these bases included artillery, tanks and important logistical units. The airbases also had their own aircraft, which added between 20 and 50 extra vehicles. These bases held vital roles in the supply and support of the Japanese forces, and were only ever attacked by brief mortar and light artillery bombardment. Though any attack always brought major retaliation from the Japanese. The major Japanese bases in the region included the port of Guangzhou, a supply base at Hengyang and an airbase at Nan-Hsiung. Other, ports and airbases existed. But Guangzhou and Nan-Hsiung stood out as the former was the only port in the region capable of servicing larger warships, the latter because it was the only airbase in the region capable of supporting bombers.

The Japanese plans for combatting the resistance was to control all settelments that had over 1000 inhabitants, and then to begin coercing the smaller farming villages into denying their support to the rebels. All those that did not begin supporting the Japanese and continued supporting the rebels would be completely wiped out. This method was meant to starve the rebels either to death, or into a final battle where they would be defeated. When a larger rebel cell was found, they would be encircled and slowly pounded into submission. Once the rebels was suitably weakened, the Japanese would then use the encircling forces to completely crush the rebels and anyone who supported them.

No prisoners were to be taken during these assaults.

Aside from that, they also used bribery and threats to turn people into informants. The idea was to build up a comunity where everybody was watching for any signs of rebellion, so that it could be reported back to the Japanese forces in the area. Aircraft were used for counter-insurgency patrols, mostly being armed with 25kg bombs and machine guns. They were good at keeping the rebel cells underground, to the point that a number of planes were being kept in service for this role.

>CONT

>>1920629

>Read a folder on group rebel group (Xuan's cell / Grandma's cell / Cao's cell / Chamber's cell)
>Read a miscellaneous folder (OSS units in the region / odd occurrences / proper use and acquisition of supplies)
>Talk with your squadmates until the food arrives.
>Other (write in)

>>1920634
>Read a miscellaneous folder (OSS units in the region / odd occurrences / proper use and acquisition of supplies)

>>1920634
>Read a miscellaneous folder (OSS units in the region / odd occurrences / proper use and acquisition of supplies)
Feels like all of these intel folders are far more information than we could possibly use in any effective manner.

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As you made to put the first folder back, your attention was taken by the door opening. Standing in the door was a local woman, holding a pair of plates. Behind her was a small wooden cart that was ladened with a few other plates and jugs. She walked in with a smile and set a plate down in front of you and Kyouko.

"Here you are, it's a chicken and pepper curry. It's a bit spicy, so do be careful." She warned in posh accented English. She reached into an apron, and pulled out a pair of metal forks for you and your comrade.

"Thank you." You bid the chef, before moving the plate out of your way so that you could swap out your previous folder for the remaining one. Kyouko and Logan were sharing the other folder on the assorted rebel groups. As you put the folder down and pulled your food back next to you, the chef returned with Logan's food. You read the folder as you ate.

The first folder was on the recorded odd occurrences in China. It was not in any way organised, instead being packed with a number of different incident reports. You sighed and began to dig into your food as you read the assorted reports, you didn't like having to read through multiple different reports as it forced you to put together a picture of each incident together from some guy's half remembered version of a firefight. It was like trying to piece together a concise book from a library that had burned down. Thankfully however you were proven wrong, as each report was written out clearly and concisely with annotated notes to other reports that corroborated events. So it didn't take you too long to get up to speed on the most noteworthy occurrences.

The first odd occurrence was the appearance of an unknown Japanese special operations unit. Said unit was apparently the Japanese equivalent of either the German SS or the British SAS, they were an elite group of well trained and experienced soldiers. They were also well equipped, with automatic weapons, reliable grenades and body armour. They had started to be seen around a month back, mostly around Formosa and Manchuria, and were apparently trained to combat rebel cells and OSS teams directly. Thus far, they had been spotted on around 8 different missions around China, and in all incidents they had either attacked OSS cells or interdicted in OSS missions, causing them to fail. The most recent of which had been an OSS mission to Formosa, which had resulted in all but one member of the assigned OSS team being killed. The final remaining member of that team had been sent home via India, and was replaced by an OSS reserve team in India. That replacement team was the one that you had briefly encountered on the Thornback, they left when you arrived. These Japanese special forces teams operated from unknown bases, though the two most suspected bases from them to operate from were either the large, strategic bases. Or from small and hidden bases in the jungle. Either option was as likely as the other.

>CONT

>>1924650

The second odd occurrence was some rebel cells using German weapons. Mauser rifles, Rheinmetall machine guns and assorted other weapons. While it was known that the Chinese government had imported and silence built German weapons from before the start of the Sino-Japanese war, it was currently unknown as to how the Chinese forces that used them kept them fed. The two prevailing theories were either that the cells using these weapons were obtaining ammunition and spare parts from supply caches left behind by the Chinese government, or that the cells had their own ability to manufacture ammunition and replacement parts. A 3rd option existed, which expressed the possibility that the Germans were supplying the rebels with limited supplies, though didn't seem to work as the Germans and Japanese were allies. It wouldn't make sense that the Germans would support Japan's enemies.

The final odd occurrence with any substantial backing was the mass migration of Chinese civilians. While this was explained as the civilians looking to escape the volatile rural areas where the rebels and Japanese clashed, a number of northern cells had reported that there were discrepancies between the numbers of civilians leaving the rural areas and the numbers arriving in the towns and cities. The prevailing theories were that either the missing civilians were fleeing the country altogether, were moving to other villages and settlements outside the tracking range of the interested OSS cells. Or that the Japanese were taking civilians as slaves. All of the theories seemed equally likely, though no cell was able to confirm if the last theory was true as there no cells investigating all Japanese shipyards, production facilities, or the Japanese home islands in general.

You finished your food as you came to the end of the first sub-folder, finding yourself full and slightly happy at having a hot and cooked meal and a rest. In your time on the road, your team had only ate cold or lukewarm rations with little in the way of flavor. It was great to have something other than SPAM and K rations. You downed a cup of water and let the food go down as you dived into the next sub-folder.

As it turned out, not including your team, there were currently 8 other OSS units in the area. The first and largest group was the command unit assigned to this base, with 34 personnel assigned to the base. The commanding officer, the man you had just been talking to, was Captain Kennedy. 24 of the people in the base were genuine OSS agents, the other 10 were local assistants. The local assistants included a pair of chefs, a translator, a local negotiator, and 6 others who acted as either maintenance or water collection and purification.

>CONT

>>1924651

The 7 other teams were field units, they performed everything from intelligence gathering and medical support, to sabotage and assassination. There was one in every southern region, and each regional unit took up the name of their assigned region. As such 6 teams were named Guangdong, Fujian, Jiangxi, Hunan, Guangxi, Guizhou. The one remaining unit was permanently assigned to the British rebel cell to make up for British losses caused by a botched OSS mission. That team operated under the name Ascalon, taking the name of the lance used by Saint George, an English saint.

Each OSS team was armed with American made weapons. Mostly M1 Garand rifles, Thompsons, and either an M1919 light machine gun or a Bazooka rocket launcher. Though a number of teams often carried similar Japanese weapons, mostly because they could loot ammunition from the soldiers they killed or the convoys they raided. Explosives were often sparsely used, Japanese grenades had problems with their fuses failing to ignite, American made grenades and satchel charges were hard to procure as a few only came in on the bi-monthly supply drops, and even then there was only a few charges.

Speaking of supplies, while there were supply drops every fortnight by USAAF Skytrains. Each flight flew in low and was supported by radar-equipped P-51 Mustang fighter planes. The P-51s were used as both an escort and as a distraction. While the Skytrains dropped their supplies in by parachute, the Mustangs would attack enemy bases with rockets and bombs. The mustangs would always garner an enemy response, but would draw attention away from the transport planes. However in-spite of the heroic efforts of the USAAF aircrews, it simply wasn't enough keep the various teams supplied and effective. As such, teams were under orders to take what they could in the field. When it came to food, the instructions were short and too the point. Teams were to take anything stored in cans or otherwise meant for long-term storage, dried rice and canned goods were the best examples. However, teams were not to steal from local civilians as it set a bad example. Each team was to try and use either rebel cells in their regions, or black market sellers, to procure supplies.

When it came to procuring weapons and equipment however, it was a different ball game entirely.

>CONT

>>1924654

The general rule of thumb was to take as much as they could from any Japanese squads that they encountered without weighing themselves down too much. Weapons and ammunition could be exchanged with local rebels from supplies or intelligence, but at the same time it was a double edged sword as said weapons and ammunition could be used to procure more barterable supplies. Vehicles were not to be recovered back to each cell's operating base as they were easier to find and could be followed back to said cell's base. Instead, the vehicles were to be taken and hidden in places away from both where the vehicle was taken from, and the cell's operating base. Then, they were to try and sell it to the rebel cells in the area for more supplies. The standard means of making this trade was to lead a rebel team to the vehicle's location and help them return it to a rebel base. Once there, they would be able to get their payment and leave.

While it was rare for a rebel cell to double-cross an OSS team, or not uphold their side of a deal to exchange supplies. It had happened in the past. The advice for a situation like that was to simply let the rebel cell have the vehicle, and then inform other rebel cells of what had happened. Scamming or not upholding deals with other rebel groups was a sure-way for a cell to wither and die. And if the cell did not crumble from the lack of support they were getting from other local cells, then they would likely get desperate and attack either the Japanese, the OSS cell, or another rebel cell. All of those ended the same way, with the offending cell being either wiped out, or having a massive leadership change.

It was advised that each OSS cell was to keep a stock of Japanese weapons and ammunition along with their American made weapons. It was a harsh reality that the chances of them running out of ammunition was rather high, especially when operating out in the field for extended periods of time. As such, having a stock of relatively easy to re-supply Japanese weapons was a good idea. In this case, it was recommended to take Japanese rifles or light machineguns. Though anything chambered in the 7.7mm was considered useful. Submachine guns were prised due to the availability of ammunition, high rate of fire, low recoil and reliability. Because they were rare to find in the field they also fetched a high price with rebel cells, even without ammunition. Their main problem however was they wired weak bullets, the 8mm Nambu rounds that they fired lacked stopping power. As such, they were only recommended for close range combat.

>Read a folder on group rebel group (Xuan's cell / Grandma's cell / Cao's cell / Chamber's cell)
>Talk with your squadmates on what they think about the current situation.
>Leave to check on your prisoner.
>Other (write in)

>>1924661
>Leave to check on your prisoner.

>>1924661
>Read a folder on group rebel group (Xuan's cell / Grandma's cell / Cao's cell / Chamber's cell)

Whats up with the Chinese NRA and Guomindang? What about the chinese civil war? It should be starting heating up right about now.

Need a tiereaker

>>1924661
>Leave to check on your prisoner.

As you put the assorted sub-folders away, you looked over to your comrades, who were still going over the folder on the rebel bases in the area. Logan jotting down information on a notepad while Kyouko helped point out relevant information.

"Saving some information for later?" You asked, interrupting Kyouko and Logan't efforts for a few seconds.

"You know it!" Kyouko replied enthusiastically, her mood having improved after having a proper meal. "Do you want this folder once we're done taking notes from it?"

"Maybe later, right now I'm going to check up on the prisoner. I trust that you two will be fine?" You asked as you poured yourself a final cup of water. You sipped the lukewarm water as Kyouko spoke.

"Sure, we'll also grab notes from the documents that you just read through. If only so that we have detailed info when in the field." Kyouko replied as you finished your drink. You calmly stood up and nodded silently to both of your comrades, before turning and making the door. Outside in the narrow corridor stood a single guard, the man from before. He gast his bored gaze to you as you opened the door and stepped out.

"Excuse me, would you be able to take me to the prison cells? There is a prisoner that I would like to check up on" You asked as you noticed the man looking at you. The man simply grunted and straightened himself up from the wall he was leaning against. With a silent nod, he began to lead you towards the cells.

As you walked, you began to notice more of the complex’s supporting structure. Wooden ceiling-beams and stone walls reinforced the complex from the weight of the soil above, and anything else that tried to punch it’s way down to the underground recluse. The corridors snaked around in a twisting and confusing manner. You weren’t sure if this was as a passive measure against intruders, of just if the designers hated the people who would call this place home.

As you arrived at the cell block, both you and the guard were nearly bowled over by the chef from before. The once calm and endearing expression that she once wore had been replaced by a mixed look of anger and disappointment. She passed the two of you with a quiet apology as she left carrying an empty plate and fork. You were directed into the room that the chef had just came out of, said room being covered by a pair of shotgun-toting guards. The room itself was just over twice the size of the briefing room that you had been dining in just a few minutes ago, but unlike the briefing room, it had been carved out of the deep rock of the mountain. The room was divided up into 3 small cells, with each cell being divided up by steel rebar bars, all welded together with a basic door built into each cell. Inside the only occupied cell, was the prisoner that you had dragged along with you all the way out here. The prisoner was sat on the cot that took up most of his cell. He didn’t look up as you approached, instead keeping his eyes locked to the floor.

>CONT

>>1925818

"Hello again, how are you finding your current... accommodation?” You asked the prisoner as you came to a stop in front of his cell. He was silent and immobile for a few seconds, before slowly looking up at you.

”I am currently living in a cell, in the depths of a man-made ant hill, awaiting interrogation and possible torture…” The man before you let his statement hang for a few seconds, before giving a resigned shrug. ”...though nothing has happened yet. So I hazard to say that things are well enough.”

"You will not be tortured." You firmly stated, you knew that torture was on the table. It always was for units such as yours that couldn’t afford to ask nicely in the field. But you hoped that it wouldn’t come to that.

"We shall see..." The prisoner stated as he looked back down to the ground, his tone darkening. You couldn’t help but feel sorry for the man, but even then, you knew that the information that he had was important.

Though if you were honest, you were not looking forward to this.

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I'm gonna call the thread here guys. This thread ran for longer than I had hoped, but the more the merrier I guess.

Anyways, if you have any questions then feel free to ask them and I will answer them as best I can.

>>1925821
>>1925821
>This thread ran for longer than I had hoped
No kidding! Things really started to drag along, and I don't mean the update frequency.

>question
Have comedically large prototypes of all sorts seen a new lease on life as a result of the war not turning into an Axis stomping party?

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>>1925891
Yeah, in retrospect I would have done things differently. But it's all part of getting back in the groove.

>Have comedically large prototypes of all sorts seen a new lease on life as a result of the war not turning into an Axis stomping party?
Of course, and while I can't talk about axis powers as I may spoil some surprises. I can say that some allied tanks, such as the American Pershing and the British Black Prince are starting to appear in the few frontline units that are still engaged with the Axis nations. The Soviets aren't really developing any new tanks due to the Germans savaging them, but in return they are getting high-velocity 76mm equipped Shermans to help bolster them.