[b]Cagayan Mountains, Luzon, Philippines[/b]

Explosions were heard in the distance, too far away to see but close enough to hear. Colonel Jonathan Osprey grimaced at the sound as he led the last few civilians into the mountain bunkers. 'I have ordered men to their deaths, I have done it before and I shall think about it now.' He shook away his thoughts and ushered the last few civilians in. Afterwards, he gathered what was left of the meagre garrison soldiers and planned to find the leader of the 8th Army.

It didn't take long, asking a few soldiers returning from scouting duty that directed them to the general's camp. Jonathan entered a small command tent, bolstering his gun and standing in attention. General Palmenco greeted him with a grim face and motioned for him to sit on one of the chairs in front of his desk. When he was seated, Palmenco asked "What is the situation, Colonel?"

"Sir, we have identified the troops as Japanese. We believe that they have made a beachhead on Fort Lapu Lapu and have levelled the jungle nearest to it, destroying our traps with it. I think their ETA is in an hour, sir."

The General rubbed his stubble beard in concentration, eyebrows furrowed. He sighed and looked the Colonel in the eye. "Unfortunately, retreat is not an option. With so much civilians here and with little time left, we would need to fight the Japanese head on. I have ordered my men to make trenches and traps along the mountains. I have an attachment of tanks that will be positioned on the more defendable parts of the mountain. They will drown in their own blood if they attempt to go into these mountains."

Jonathan raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean attempt to go into these mountains, sir?" He queried. Palmenco leaned back into his chair and folded his hands in his lap. "This is where you come in. As an understrength regiment, I have no place for you on these mountains. There is a great possibility that the Japanese will go around the mountains, taking the longer but safer way. I need you to link up with the Forts around the area and make some sort of defence to the left of the mountains. Round up any villagers you come by and make some sort of defensive line. I have radioed command and they will buffer you with the 12th Army and 8th Armoured Regiment in two hours and thirty minutes. You better get going Colonel."

Jonathan saluted and exited the tent, the importance of his missions dawning on him much later.