It shows the head medic of Davy Crockett, named Ben, looking over Houston, who is now lying on the recovery bed, with Jefferson, his Vice Commander, looking over at him. Houston has one of his arms covering his face. As Ben walked over to Jefferson, he looked at him and spoke.

"Is Commander Houston going to be okay?" Jefferson asked.

"Yes, he's going to be alright... You know he's very lucky to have survived from what I could gather. His seizure was the same result of what happened to him during the Dallas tournament match, if you remember that," Ben said.

"Yeah... He's extremely lucky to have survived that," Jefferson replied as he looked over at Houston.

"You know, if you guys hadn't gotten the syringe that would later save his life, his heart could have stopped," Ben explained.

Houston's coughing fit subsided as he stubbornly sat up, despite Ben's attempts to keep him in bed. Jefferson couldn't help but offer a wry smile at his commander's resilience.

"Look who came back from the dead," Jefferson remarked with a mixture of relief and amusement.

Houston pushed himself up, wincing at the lingering discomfort. "Damn... My head hurts... and my body seized up all of a sudden. Haven't felt it since..."

"Since Dallas," Jefferson finished the sentence for him, understanding the gravity of the situation. The memories of that fateful tournament match were still fresh in their minds.

Ben, though concerned, recognized Houston's determination. "Commander, you really should rest," he urged.

Houston's determination burned brightly, and he was unwilling to rest when he believed the city was still in danger. He turned to Ben, making his case clear. "I can't rest, Ben. If I do, who will stop Commander Chiaki and her siege artillery from hitting this city? Someone like me has to destroy it before it's used."

Before Ben could respond, Jefferson stepped in to provide an update. "Actually, while you were recovering from your seizures, the other Commanders like Muller and the others have agreed to take out the siege artillery with our Rangers, along with Muller's Stormtroopers and Wesley's Commandos. Marshal Commander Maho and her team are providing armor support as well. Our boys will be going on foot."

Houston's eyes widened in disbelief. "What?! Are they insane? I told Graham and Muller that the Federation might be using live ammo!"

Jefferson nodded gravely, understanding the gravity of the situation. "I know, Commander, but they believe it's the best course of action. They're determined to eliminate the threat before it's too late."

Houston clenched his fists, torn between his duty to protect and his physical condition.

Determination etched on his face, Houston gathered his gear despite the protests from Jefferson and Ben. He couldn't stand idly by while his comrades faced a potentially devastating situation.

"Houston, you just suffered from seizures; you need some rest," Jefferson pleaded, genuinely concerned for his commander's well-being.

Houston paused, his eyes reflecting the weight of his decision. "If I sit here and do nothing while our guys and Maho and her school team try to fight Commander Chiaki without knowing they're using live rounds, it will be a massacre. I'm not letting anyone else die like we witnessed in Dallas."

Ignoring the protests of his subordinates, Houston left the medical room, determined to prevent another tragedy from occurring. Jefferson and Ben exchanged worried glances, knowing they couldn't dissuade their commander when his sense of duty was so strong.

Meanwhile 

Dean and his Rangers were on a high-stakes mission to neutralize the siege artillery and secure the city, and their planning had been meticulous. Gathered around their sergeant, they listened intently as he outlined the mission.

"Alright, Rangers, listen up. We've been authorized to take out the siege artillery, primarily the Type 96 15 cannon located at the center of the Federation Forward Operating Base. However, this base is heavily protected by Leopard tanks, which we need to eliminate so our armor can support us. Reinforcements are an option, but we have limited areas to call them in. To ensure our supply lines, we'll also need a secondary attack on the north side of the city. There won't be a base of operations there, so precision and discretion will be key. Let's get to it, Rangers."

With their plan set, Dean's team moved out from their hidden position in the small forest, taking advantage of the cover provided by the night sky. As they approached the city, they encountered a small guard outpost, where two Federation women were on duty, either chatting or playing cards to stay alert.

Unbeknownst to the guards, two of Dean's Rangers silently and swiftly approached them, incapacitating them with either a well-placed blow or their non-lethal airsoft WW2 guns. They dragged the unconscious guards away from their post and assumed control of the north sector.

Dean, taking point, scouted ahead to ensure there were no more Federation women in the vicinity, keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings as they pressed forward with their daring mission.

As Dean secured the area, he noticed something strange: a cardboard box was moving away from an unconscious Federation woman. It seemed like someone was wearing the cardboard box and trying to sneak away. Confused by this, Dean raised his Airsoft pistol and unloaded his entire magazine, causing the person using the cardboard box to become alert and run away.

Dean was about to pursue the mysterious person when one of his team members approached him.

"Sir, we heard your Airsoft go off. What happened?" one of the Rangers asked.

"I don't know, but something strange occurred," Dean replied. "Get me on the radio with Marshal Commander Maho."

The radio operator nodded and quickly established contact with Maho, then handed the radio speaker to Dean.

"Commander Maho, I just saw someone using a cardboard box, just now" Dean reported.

"Dean, a cardboard box? Are you certain?" Maho asked

"Yes, Commander, I'm absolutely sure. It was moving away from an unconscious Federation woman, just like in those Metal Gear Solid games." Dean said as he looked over at the knocked-out Federation women

 "Dean. Are you telling me someone is using a cardboard box for cover in the middle of a mission?" Maho asked so confused of what she just heard

"That's exactly what I'm saying, Commander. I couldn't believe it myself, but I unloaded my airsoft pistol at it, and it took off running!" Deans nodded as he spoke

"Well, this is certainly unusual. Alright, Dean, remain vigilant, but let's not get carried away with cardboard boxes. It might be some sort of distraction or tactic." Maho said

"Yes, Commander, you're right. I just thought it was too bizarre not to report." Dean responded 

"No need to be embarrassed, Dean. Your diligence is commendable. Keep your team alert, and if anything else unusual happens, report it immediately. We don't want any surprises on this mission." Maho said

 "Understood, Commander. I'll stay vigilant and keep you posted. Over and out." Dean said as he ended the radio call. 

After ending the radio call with Maho, there was a sudden explosion, followed by the chaotic scene of a small squad desperately sprinting for cover. In the distance, a massive Leopard tank roared to life, its metal behemoth giving chase, but another Ranger squad moved swiftly to disable it.

"Well, so much for stealth," Deans remarked, his voice tinged with frustration.

The alarm at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) blared, instantly alerting every Federation soldier in the area that they were under attack.

"Alright, Rangers, let's show them how it's done! LET'S MOVE!" Deans shouted, his men following his lead.

They scrambled to take up defensive positions, seeking cover amid the chaos. airsoft pellets whizzed through the air, and some of their squad members took hits. Those wounded raised their hands to signal they were hit, prompting Deans to yell out orders.

"Move out, Rangers! Watch your spacing!" Deans hollered as one squad entered a nearby building, providing cover for the others.

"Covering fire!" one of the Rangers shouted in response.

"Hustle, Rangers! Don't make yourselves easy targets!" Deans shouted as he dove for cover, firing his airsoft Thompson submachine gun.

As the Rangers held their position, they found themselves gradually overwhelmed by the relentless enemy assault. The radio operator's voice grew increasingly frantic as they shouted into the radio, desperately calling for reinforcements. Dean and his men continued to fight valiantly, shifting from one cover to another to avoid getting pinned down.

In the midst of the chaos, Dean's ears perked up as Captain Ludwig's voice came through the radio.

"Stormtrooper reporting - Scheiß Feuer!" Captain Ludwig's voice boomed, and his German stormtroopers arrived on the scene, providing much-needed support.

"Finally! You Stormtroopers arrived!" Dean shouted with relief as Ludwig joined him in their makeshift foxhole, both of them firing their airsoft weapons at the approaching Federation forces.

"We are Stormtroopers, not a bunch of magicians; we couldn't appear out of nowhere!" Ludwig retorted, his voice laced with a touch of humor, as he raised his airsoft MP-40 and unleashed a hail of pellets upon their adversaries

"They've brought in more tanks!" one of the Rangers yelled urgently.

Spotting the additional Leopard tanks approaching across the field, Deans' Rangers and Ludwig's Stormtroopers quickly sprang into action. They used Panzerschreck rocket launchers and M6 Bazookas to disable the tanks, causing the unmistakable sound of the white flag popping out as the armored vehicles were neutralized. With each tank taken down, the combined forces of Rangers and Stormtroopers gained more ground.

"Come on, push forward!" Deans urged his men onward, motivating them to advance despite the intense battle raging around them.

"Hahaha, Japanese Panzer is done for!" Ludwig laughed heartily, his jovial spirit lifting the morale of his soldiers as they continued to press forward.

"It's Panzerschreck time to 'umpimp' their rides!" one of the German Stormtroopers shouted enthusiastically before firing at yet another Leopard tank.

As they fought valiantly, they realized that they had successfully limited any more tanks from entering the city. Dean took this opportunity to grab the radio and signaled to Maho and her forces to move in. Meanwhile, Wesley Commando units arrived, digging trenches and fortifying their position as they held the line.

"Sarge! Where's our armor? We're taking more wounded men!" one of the Rangers urgently called out from their cover.

"They'll be coming in soon; just keep pushing forward! We're almost there!" Deans shouted back, his voice filled with determination and reassurance. The Rangers continued to advance, knowing that reinforcements and armor support were on the way to aid their effort in the battle.

Amidst the chaotic battle, a Scottish Commando was seen dragging a wounded Ranger to safety, where they conducted a quick checkup and swiftly got the injured soldier back into the fight. Their teamwork and determination were on full display as they ensured that no one was left behind.

However, within the city, Commander Chikai stood atop her Leopard tank, surveying the ongoing battle with a sense of satisfaction at the arrival of more reinforcements.

"Commander, the Rangers, Stormtroopers, and the British Commandos are steadily advancing toward our siege guns. They might reach our position very soon," one of her tank operators reported.

"No, we can still hold them off. Deploy our Motor tanks; they'll break their lines," Chikai ordered decisively.

With the Sturmtiger in position, it began firing its devastating mortar rounds at the advancing troops, causing havoc and chaos as some were thrown back by the impact, while others cried out in pain after hitting the ground hard.

"THEY ARE GOING TO KILL US HERE!" one Ranger shouted in desperation.

"BLOODY HELL, WHERE'S THAT ARMOR?!" a British Commando yelled, echoing the urgent need for their armored support to counter the formidable Sturmtiger's assault. The battle had reached a critical point, and they needed their armor quickly to turn the tide in their favor.

"Dean, get down! If you go down, we all go down!" Ludwig shouted urgently as a mortar round landed dangerously close to their position, sending a shower of dirt and debris raining down upon them as they sought cover.

Amidst the panic caused by the mortar barrage, Commander Chikai's sinister smile widened as she observed the disarray among the American forces, deprived of their tank support.

"It's such a shame to see these American dogs fighting without their tank support. What do they think they are?" Chikai mused, her satisfaction growing.

But the tide of the battle was about to shift. Another tank operator alerted, "Enemy tanks are coming in on our right! They're supporting the American infantry."

"What happened to the sentries we put out there?" Akari asked, her concern evident.

"Somebody has taken them out," the tank operator replied.

Before they could react, the Sturmtiger and its crew were caught off guard as a massive explosion disabled the formidable tank, causing it to erupt into flames. The American infantry, seizing the opportunity, charged forward with Dean leading the way.

"GO, GO, GO!" Dean shouted as they charged ahead, determined to take the fight to the Federation.

As the American forces surged forward, Maho and her team moved in closely behind the infantry. Her team included herself, Erika, and a coalition of tank units from Saunders, Pravda, St. Gloriana, and Ooarai. Graham and his team stood by in the rear, ready to join the battle in the second wave.

Their primary objective was to focus on any Federation tanks within the city. The American Rangers, Stormtroopers, and Commandos broke through the enemy lines, making the battlefield resemble a reenactment of the historic Battle of Hacksaw Ridge in Okinawa, with soldiers pushing forward with unwavering determination in the face of adversity.

The intensity of the battle reached its zenith as the American forces, led by Deans and Ludwig, clashed fiercely with the Federation. Amidst the chaos, their voices echoed with fierce determination.

"SHOW NO MERCY!!!" Deans bellowed, his voice filled with righteous fury as he punched a Federation woman square in the face, sending her reeling.

"GEH UND SCHALTE DIE FÖDERATION AUS!" Ludwig roared in German, his words a battle cry as he and Deans continued their relentless assault against the enemy.

The fighting was brutal and personal as both sides fought tooth and nail, and the rage of past injustices fueled the American boys. Some American boys, driven by a desire for vengeance, tackled and subdued Federation women who had mistreated their captured comrades after the Battle of the Alamo. The battle had become a visceral struggle, where emotions ran high, and each soldier fought for victory retribution, and justice.

"Retreat! Retreat!" Shouted one of the Federation women, their voices filled with panic, as they began to fall back and retreat from the city. The tide of the battle had turned against them, and the relentless assault of the American forces was forcing them to withdraw.

As the enemy retreated, Dean and his team wasted no time and swiftly moved towards the siege artillery. They encountered a group of determined Federation women who remained behind to defend the guns, engaging them in a firefight with their pallet airsoft weapons.

"Take cover!" Dean urgently shouted to his men as they exchanged fire with the defenders. Realizing their precarious situation, Dean grabbed the radio to call for support from Maho.

"Commander Maho, we've got eyes on the gun! But we're being pinned down here! We need support!" Dean relayed his message.

"Stay where you are, Sergeant; we are on our way... Panzer Vor!" Maho's voice came over the radio, promising assistance.

"Stay strong, men! Tanks are on their way!" Dean rallied his team, throwing a smoke grenade to blind the enemy and provide some cover.

Commander Chiaki, watching the Americans push her forces out of the FOB city, seethed with anger. She climbed onto her Leopard tank and grabbed her radio to contact any remaining Federation forces in the city. The battle was far from over, and she was determined to regroup and continue the fight.

"Damn you, Nishizumi! You will be the first to fall, along with the American dog!" Commander Chiaki seethed with anger, her voice dripping with resentment and determination.

Maho and her team arrived, swiftly eliminating any remaining Federation tanks in the area. As some of the Federation women retreated, others surrendered by dropping their airsoft guns and raising their hands in defeat.

With the artillery guns secured, Maho opened her tank hatch to observe the situation. Dean, standing nearby, reported to her.

"Commander Maho, we have secured the guns," Dean announced.

"Good job, Dean. I can see why Houston favors the Rangers units so much," Maho complimented.

"Well, the Rangers lead the way," Dean replied, a hint of pride in his voice. He then turned to his men, who were preparing to plant charges to destroy the captured artillery guns.

"Good work, boys. Check your airsoft ammo and smoke 'em if—"

Before Dean could finish his sentence, one of Maho's tank units was suddenly disabled. Commander Chiaki and her reinforcements had arrived, launching a fierce counterattack.

"Counterattack!" one of the Rangers shouted, and the battlefield erupted once again as the two sides clashed in a desperate struggle for control of the city.

Dean's command to hold the line was met with determination from his Rangers, but they soon found themselves facing a relentless onslaught of Federation reinforcements. Just when things looked dire, Ludwig and his German Stormtroopers arrived, running to Dean's side, bolstering their defense.

"Sergeant Dean, the first Leopard tank is being suppressed, but we're taking fire from the second one," Maho reported over the radio.

Dean's response was grim. "I'm sorry, Commander, but we can't handle those tanks alone. We need reinforcements."

As Commander Chiaki's tank took aim at Maho's Tiger I, a sinister smile played across her face. Her gunner prepared to fire, but before they could unleash their deadly shot, something struck the tank's rear, causing it to shake violently.

"What hit us?!" Chiaki shouted as she opened her tank hatch and peered behind, only to find Houston standing a few feet away, holding an M6 Bazooka. Houston radioed his Rangers and Maho.

"I surely kept you waiting, huh?" Houston's voice crackled over the radio.

"Commander Houston? You're a sight for sore eyes. I thought you were recovering," Dean asked over the radio.

Houston, focused on his mission, replied, "I'll explain later. Right now, focus on the reinforcements. I'll handle Commander Chiaki." After reloading another rocket, Houston fired at Commander Chiaki's tank as she pursued him, determined to turn the tide of the battle.

As Chiaki's tank turret turned to target Houston, she shouted profanities through the tank's intercom, clearly infuriated by his interference. Undeterred by her words, Houston maintained his cool and reloaded another rocket for his M6 Bazooka.

"Fire!" Chiaki ordered, and the Leopard Tank's cannon roared to life, sending a powerful projectile hurtling toward Houston. He rolled out of harm's way with lightning-fast reflexes just in time.

Houston swiftly regained his footing, took aim, and fired again, the rocket striking the tank's armor. The Leopard Tank's machine guns blazed, peppering the area where Houston had taken cover. Undaunted, he quickly reloaded, his mind briefly drifting to a haunting memory of an old enemy from Dallas who had once used a tank against him.

"Hahahah. It would be best if you hadn't betrayed us. Now you shall crawl like the traitorous snake you and your little brother are..." the voice echoed in his mind.

Drawing strength from his resolve, Houston fired another rocket at Commander Chiaki's tank. His determination to protect his comrades and prevent another tragedy like Dallas spurred him on, as he continued his fierce battle against the Federation's formidable commander.

Chiaki's tank fired another round, and although Houston managed to dodge the direct hit, the shockwave from the explosion knocked him to the ground. Determined and undaunted, he quickly regained his footing and sprinted for cover as the tank's machine guns unleashed a hail of bullets in his direction.

While the firefight raged on between the reinforcements and the Federation's forces, Dean, along with Ludwig's Stormtroopers and Commandos, and Maho's team, finally succeeded in destroying the siege artillery. With their primary objective accomplished, Maho expressed her desire to assist Houston against Commander Chiaki. However, Dean intervened through the radio.

"Marshal Commander Maho, I know you want to help Marshal Commander Houston, but all I can say is he can handle her," Dean relayed over the radio.

Maho, still concerned, questioned, "What makes you so sure about that?"

Before Dean could respond, he pointed out the ongoing battle, displaying Houston holding his own remarkably well against the Leopard tank. Everyone watched in awe as Houston continued to stand toe-to-toe with the tank, displaying incredible determination and bravery.

"Is he that insane? Doing that alone," Erika remarked, her shock evident.

Dean's voice rang out in support and admiration for Houston, "No, it's not crazy... Give 'em hell, Commander Houston!" His words reflected their unwavering trust and confidence in their commander's abilities as he fought valiantly against the tank, refusing to back down.

As the smoke billowed from the damaged Leopard tank's engine, Houston realized that this was his chance. He swiftly reloaded his last rocket for the Bazooka, determination etched across his face. Peeking from his cover, he saw Commander Chiaki's tank turret slowly aiming at him. Without hesitation, Houston seized the opportunity, leaping over his cover, taking a final aim, and firing.

The rocket struck its mark, disabling the Leopard tank, and causing the white flag to pop out, signaling its surrender. Lowering his Bazooka, Houston discarded it to the side and approached the incapacitated tank. As Commander Chiaki and her crew began to exit the tank, they were greeted by the unmistakable clicking sound of Houston's airsoft pistol.

"Don't move... It's over," Houston declared firmly.

However, Commander Chiaki, still defiant, refused to accept defeat. "No... it's not over yet!

Quickly getting up her feet she then grabbed Houston airsoft pistol moving to the side as she punched and kicked him away disarming him from his gun as Houston quickly got up to his feet he saw Commander Chiaki throw his pistol to the side. 

Houston then quickly attacked first as he punched her in the face twice not before getting pinned to the wall Chikai quickly hit him with her knee to his gut and gave him some headbutt. But Houston pushed her away and the two continued fighting until Chikai kicked Houston away from her As the two were separate from each other Chiaki threw in a punch but missed Houston quickly he punched her in the guts and tackled Chiaki to the floor the two rolls. 

As Houston was on top of her delivering punches until Chiaki caught his right arm and headbutted him off as she got on top of Houston she continued punching Houston as she delivered one punch thinking she knocked him out. Before she could move Houston grabbed her arm and threw her off of him once again separate. 

Houston raised his fist ready for the fight until he heard the younger voice echo in his head. 

"....Don.... Try to remember your basics of CQC." 

With the echo of the younger voice and the wisdom of the past training ringing in his mind, Houston readied himself for the final phase of their intense fight. He and Chiaki circled each other warily, both understanding that this round would determine the outcome.

In an explosive burst of energy, Chiaki lunged forward with a rapid series of punches and kicks. Houston expertly blocked and dodged her strikes, utilizing the fundamentals of Close Quarters Combat (CQC) that he had learned over the years.

As Chiaki attempted a high roundhouse kick, Houston seized the opportunity, ducking beneath her leg and sweeping her off her feet with a well-timed leg sweep. She crashed to the ground, momentarily stunned.

Chiaki lay on the ground, struggling to catch her breath, Houston stood over her, his breathing heavy but steady. The fight had taken its toll on both of them, but Houston had tapped into his training and experience to secure the upper hand.

Gasping for breath, Chiaki realized the fight was over. She looked up at Houston, a mix of exhaustion and admiration in her eyes. "You're... You're something else, Houston."

Without saying a word, Houston walked up to her and swiftly knocked her out with a punch.

A few hours later

 in the city of Pottosboro, Graham FOB's 'Room 101 Interrogation room,'

 It showed Commander Chiaki unconscious, seated in a chair with her hands zip-tied behind it. The next thing she knew, someone threw a bucket of water on her, jolting her awake. She looked around and realized she was tied down to the chair. Her gaze fell upon Commander Graham, who was holding the bucket and placed it to the side. Meanwhile, Commander Muller was going over the intel files he had received.

Breathing heavily after waking up, she saw the two American commanders standing in the room, looking at her. Houston was in the other room, observing the interrogation. Graham came in, holding a syringe, and Commander Chiaki looked at him.

"What is that?" Chiaki questioned.

"Truth serum... Stronger truth serum," Graham answered as he injected it into her neck.

"Now tell us," Muller pressed on, "two months ago, during my imprisonment by your group, explain why you executed nine of our men—mine, Houston's, and Elijah's men."

Chiaki shook her head in disbelief. "What do you mean? I didn't kill anyone, believe me, I didn't," she pleaded, her voice quivering with anxiety.

Muller's expression remained stern. "You executed nine of our men, killing them in cold blood in front of me, Vice Commander Jefferson, and Vice Commander Gunther, right before our eyes," he stated firmly.

Tears welled up in Chiaki's eyes as she frantically searched her memories. "I swear... I have no part in it. I was in the meeting room back then, two months ago, before the traitor Nishizumi betrayed me and the Federation," she insisted, her voice filled with desperation. The truth serum had compelled her to speak the truth, and she hoped her words would be enough to convince her interrogators of her innocence.

Muller's anger flared as he confronted Chiaki with his accusations.

"Then why did our Marshal Commander Houston find your girls smuggling live ammunition here in this match?" Muller questioned her, his tone dripping with venom.

Chiaki's eyes widened in surprise at the revelation. "Live ammunition? I wasn't informed that we have live rounds here on this island," she stated, her voice tinged with genuine astonishment.

Muller's frustration boiled over. "Don't bullshit us! We want to know the truth!" he yelled, his patience wearing thin.

Chiaki maintained her composure, despite the rising tension in the room. "I'm telling you, Americans, the truth. I didn't know we were getting live ammunition here on this island," she insisted, her voice steady. She was genuinely perplexed by the discovery of live ammunition, and her denial seemed sincere.

Muller and Graham exchanged a skeptical glance, clearly grappling with the conflicting information. The interrogation had taken an unexpected turn, and the truth serum had brought forth a revelation that raised more questions than answers. 

Houston remained in the observation room while Muller entered, clearly frustrated by the lack of substantial information obtained from Commander Chiaki.

"So, anything useful she said?" Houston asked, his arms crossed, concern etched on his face.

Muller sighed in response. "No, nothing useful just yet. All she kept saying was that she had no involvement and didn't give such an order to kill our men... I don't know if she's telling the truth or not."

Houston nodded thoughtfully. "I see. What about the live ammunition? What was her response to that?" he inquired, his curiosity piqued.

Muller replied, "She also didn't know about that... She was quite shocked to hear about that part."

Houston leaned against the wall, deep in thought. "Then something strange is going on," he remarked.

Muller furrowed his brow. "What do you mean, Houston?"

Houston unfolded his arms and turned to face Muller. "If Commander Chiaki didn't know what her girls were doing, then... were they following someone else's orders, like the Federation council or something else we don't know?"

Before the conversation could delve further, Commander Graham entered the room, capturing their attention. He had information that could shed more light on the situation.

"Boss," Graham spoke up, "she mentioned something interesting."

Houston and Muller turned their focus to Graham, eager to hear what he had to say.

"What's that?" Houston asked.

Graham revealed a cassette tape and continued, "Ever since we lost communication when Muller and the others were imprisoned, Commander Chiaki has sent scout parties to scout our League professional players. But what they came across was this." He handed the cassette tape to Houston.

Houston took the cassette tape and inserted it into a player. The room filled with the crackling sound of an old recording as the tape began to play. They listened intently to the recording, hoping it would provide them with valuable insights into the ongoing mystery

As the tape played, the room was filled with the recorded sounds of Leopard Tanks moving, and the voices of Federation women who seemed to be discussing the skills of professional league tankers. Houston, Muller, and Graham exchanged puzzled glances, wondering where this recording was leading.

Before the Federation women could continue their conversation, the tape suddenly picked up the sound of a baby crying in the distance. The unexpected addition of this sound left the three commanders thoroughly confused, their brows furrowed in bewilderment. They continued to listen, hoping to make sense of the situation.

The confusion escalated when the recording captured the sound of a sudden explosion. Panic filled the voices of the Federation women as they scrambled, seemingly under attack. They could be heard running through the forest, their distressed voices growing fainter.

"Sad... So sad... So very, very sad..." an unknown voice spoke through some sort of voice modification, followed by a chilling wolf howl.

The room fell silent as the tape ended, leaving Houston, Muller, and Graham in a state of shock. The bizarre sequence of events on the recording had raised more questions than answers. They exchanged uneasy glances, realizing that they were dealing with an intricate and mysterious situation that extended beyond Commander Chiaki's involvement.

"What in the world was that?" Muller finally spoke, breaking the silence.

Houston shook his head, unable to provide an immediate explanation. "I have no idea, but it's clear that something much larger is at play here."

Graham, still holding the cassette tape, added, "This recording raises more questions than it answers. It's as if there's a hidden layer to this conflict that we haven't fully grasped."

Muller, his expression grave, nodded in agreement. "We need to find out who that unknown voice belongs to and what their agenda is. This could be a key piece of the puzzle."

Houston pushed himself away from the wall he had been leaning on and turned to his fellow commanders. "First, let's verify the authenticity of this recording. We'll need to check if it's been tampered with or edited in any way. Then, we'll need to identify the Federation women in the recording and try to track them down for questioning."

Graham chimed in, "We also need to conduct a thorough investigation into the live ammunition smuggling. If Commander Chiaki truly didn't know about it, someone else within her organization must be responsible."

Muller clenched his jaw, a determined look in his eyes. "And we'll continue the interrogation with Chiaki to see if she can provide more information about this mysterious event and the unknown voice."

"Alright then," Houston began, "Muller and Graham, you two continue your interrogation with Commander Chiaki, but under no circumstances can we let the others get involved. Something is going on here, and I don't want anyone getting hurt or killed."

"Understood, sir," Muller and Graham replied in unison, their determination clear in their voices. They were prepared to delve deeper into the mystery surrounding Commander Chiaki without compromising the safety of their team.

Muller raised another important point, "What about Commander Maho Nishizumi and the others? They may want to know why we are interrogating Commander Chiaki without them."

Houston considered this for a moment before responding, "They will question her once you two are done." With that, Houston left the room, leaving Muller and Graham to continue their crucial interrogation, and the mystery surrounding the unknown voice and the live ammunition smuggling remained at the forefront of their investigation.