November 15, 2025 — 09:10 AM
Japanese Self-Defense Forces Enclave – Hidden Military Base, Japanese Highlands
The air was crisp, almost biting, as Thomas Estaris and Lieutenant Madel Madel followed Lieutenant Takeda into the heart of the military conclave. The camp was nestled in the valley of the mountains, shielded from the outside world by jagged cliffs and dense forestry. The perimeter was heavily secured, with sentry posts and camouflaged barriers placed at strategic points, but there was a stillness to the place—a stillness that hinted at both peace and isolation.
The path leading deeper into the enclave was narrow, lined with small wooden buildings that had been fortified with scrap metal and stone. The scent of fresh pine mixed with the faint smell of smoke, coming from the campfires scattered around the area. There was no large base structure here, no towering infrastructure. Just a series of makeshift shelters and a few well-hidden vehicles, parked under tarps.
