The Land of Rivers Heavy Combined Arms Battalion's logistical support unit quickly moved into the battlefield. Eight-wheeled heavy field supply trucks pulled up beside Colonel Ka's battered convoy. Logistics soldiers in protective suits jumped down, dragged out thick fuel hoses, and efficiently connected them to the fuel ports of the Golden Tanks and modified pickups. High-pressure pumps roared to life as diesel rapidly poured into the tanks. Elsewhere, loaders assisted by mechanical exoskeletons carried down crates of standard 125mm armor-piercing shells and heavy machine-gun ammo belts, stacking them on the sand.
Colonel Ka ignored his own men. He stood beside a Land of Rivers 155mm self-propelled artillery piece, both hands continuously stroking its thick barrel. The barrel still radiated the lingering warmth of recent fire. He stared at it blankly, repeatedly muttering figures about caliber and chamber pressure.
General Quan's adjutant walked up behind Colonel Ka. Expressionless, the adjutant patted his shoulder and pointed toward the forward command vehicle parked atop a dune. General Quan was waiting there, ready to formalize the incorporation agreement they had reached verbally.
Reluctantly withdrawing his hand, Colonel Ka straightened his filthy, exaggerated dress uniform and swaggered toward the command vehicle. He was calculating how to use his achievement of holding back the monsters to squeeze more benefits from this regular army.
General Quan stood beside the command vehicle, holding a military tactical terminal. Its screen displayed the "Standard Agreement for the Reorganization of Irregular Armed Forces" issued by Konoha High Command. He watched Colonel Ka approach and handed him the terminal.
"Sign it. Hand over all nonstandard equipment. Your personnel structure will be broken up on the spot. The female bodyguards will be assigned to the logistics medical company. Combat personnel will be mixed into the Third Armored Infantry Battalion. From this moment on,