Reviewing her troops, Hinata now strolled through camp observing the kitsune who swore loyalty to her. Kitsune ranging from wide eyed two tails to grizzled seven tails saluted and nodded, tending to their duties and caring for equipment. Looking into their eyes, she could see that these kitsune were ready to give their lives for her.
"Lady Hinata."
Hinata turned, watching the six tailed Ryomo approach. The grey kitsune throughout her campaign was her most loyal follower. A competent warrior, Ryomo was her second in command, having led her armies to victory.
"Yes Ryomo." she said.
"We've secured provisions and made repairs to our artillery," he stated. "However, Dr. Eastly and Dr. Chapman wished to speak with you. They're in the command tent awaiting your arrival."
"Thank you Ryomo," Hinata replied. "Summon your commanders for the planned assault of the capital. I will join you shortly."
Bowing, Ryomo turned to leave as Hinata continued her journey. The kitsunes campaigns was flawless thus far, thanks in large part to the efforts of the two former Normal scientists. Within Eastly and Chapman's scientific prowess, Hinata believed the campaign would not have been such an overwhelming success. After all, charisma can only take you so far in war if you don't have the weapons needed to succeed.
Entering the tent, Hinata could see Doctors. Katherine Eastly and Neil Chapman awaiting her. Despite a passage of nearly 20 years, Eastly remained the same.
The virus from her biological experiments had left the woman a permanent child of 10. A childish face, purple hair, and juvenile outfit gave the woman an eternal youthful look. The only factor that broke this mask was the woman's lilac eyes. Those eyes held a wisdom of a woman who was much older than she appeared.
"Dr. Eastly, Dr. Chapman," Hinata said. "You wished to speak with me?"
Neil Chapman nodded, the now elderly man slowly rising to his feet. Despite being over 60, Chapman remained in relatively good shape. Chapman's face contained several wrinkles, his hair a mix of grey and brown. Still, his body was trim, Neil chalking up his physical fitness to the rugged conditions of the North. Gazing at the elderly man it was hard not to find him distinguishedly handsome, despite the burn scars along his face.
"We wanted to go over the rail cannons operating performance." Neil stated. Hinata nodded, taking a seat as the scientist began reviewing the armies most powerful artillery weapon. The Rail Cannon.
Using the inherent magic of the kitsune realm, Dr. Eastly and Chapman devised an artillery system that would use those magics as ammunition. Absorbing the ambient magics of the realm, the rail cannon would fire a salvo of pure destructive energy. The design had taken years to perfect, however, it's battlefield performance was stellar thus far.
"The cannons have worked to perfection thus far," Chapman continued. "Their firepower surpasses anything the enemy has. We've also noticed that it has an effect on machinery as well, acting as a sort of EM pulse that temporarily disables mechanical units."
"Have our units experienced any issues?" Hinata asked.
"Neil and I have upgraded the troops equipment to to avoid any malfunctions from an EMP," Eastly stated. "Couple that with the genetically modified rations that the troops have been issued and we believe your army is unstoppable."
"Thank you Dr. Eastly," Hinata bowed. "My scientific knowledge is...lacking. I have a tendency to worry when you mention these things."
"Understandable," Eastly said, a soft smile spreading across her face. "To put it in layman's terms, the armies water supply acts as electrolytes similar to Gatorade while the food is designed to perfectly supplement a kitsunes physiology. It's basically a super food that repairs muscle and increases stamina like a health bar."
Hinata nodded, thanking the pair for their efforts. Seventeen years ago Hinata fled the Normal with Eastly and Chapman in tow following the fall of the Boss. During those years, as Hinata traveled, the doctors began to work. Their efforts helped the Shimizu clan, the pair acting as the northern clans health and well being. Despite originally working for the Normal, they grew to care for the kitsune community. When Hinata returned, the kitsune was astounded by the good they had done for the kitsune.
With the doctors help, Hinata helped create an army that few could rival. Dr. Eastly and Chapman weren't just medical doctors, they were geniuses in the fields of mechanical and biological engineering. When Hinata discussed overthrowing Tatsu and Shizen, the doctors immediately agreed to help. Tapping into their skills, they began to design weapons and armor that eclipsed almost every other clan, save Tatsu's. It led to many early victory's and with Hinata’s charisma the army had grown.
Everything was proceeding as planned yet Hinata felt a feeling of dread wash over her.
Ever since she began her campaign, she had begun noticing a dark figure. This figure was at first faint, non descript, gradually becoming darker, more visible to the kitsune. In time, she realize what this figure was. It was a shadow of death.
"You seem distracted Hinata, is everything okay?" Chapman asked.
Hinata turned, pausing as she looked at Chapman and Eastly. She didn't know how to explain it, but the figure of death lingered in front of her army. Was it an omen?
"I..I'm fine," she stammered. "I suppose just tired."
"Understandable," Eastly said. "You're so close to the end. We just need to pass this mountain range and we'll be at the capital."
The mountain range. The mention of it made Hinata anxious. Something told her that she needed to be there. It was hard to explain, almsot as if the mountain was calling out to her.
"Have the scouts said anything about the mountain?"
"Nothing too drastic," Eastly shrugged. "The terrain is rocky and narrow. It's impossible to move a massive army through it."
Once more Hinata’s instincts screamed out to her. An army couldn't travel through it, but what about a smaller force?
"Could troops move through those mountains?"
"I suppose," Chapman replied, confused by Hinata’s question. "But it wouldn't be a lot. Maybe 50 troops max."
Fifty. That was plenty considering the resources the capital had. If she were in Tatsu's shoes, she would consider sending a force of that size to attack.
"Send word to the commanders that I am in need of 50 troops for an expedition into the mountains." she ordered.
Chapman and Eastly cast Hinata a dubious look. "What for?" they asked.
"Hopefully nothing," Hinata replied. "But I need to make sure."
Chapman and Eastly nodded, quickly exiting to find the commanders as Hinata gazed towards the mountains. Perhaps this specter of death was an omen. Perhaps it was trying to warn her of a coming attack. Regardless, she would make sure. If Tatsu's forces were planning a surprise attack, she would meet then head on.