Pacing in the large tent with all the advisors, they could all sense Jamal's disappointment from the battle earlier in the day. Even with the information the recon team sent back to report, their underestimation of Youden's forces once reorganized and equipped was an unexpected sight. This was the challenge they needed to overcome or lose everything they worked on.
"I mean, I don't understand how we didn't see this coming." Jamal began to mutter to himself.
"I did warn him." Sera had her arms crossed while standing in the corner. "No one listened."
"You mean, Jamal didn't listen." Alice sided with the other woman. "This was to be suspected, but not of this readiness."
The room stayed somewhat tense even after those comments. It was unfortunate with their losses mounting upwards of fifty or so fighters and five of their carrs in the face of the defensive response of the Reserve Guard. Such a defense would be hard to conquer, especially with the lack of proper equipment and information on the locations of the enemy.
"Well, regardless, what happened will allow us to understand one thing, and I must be clear on this. That we cannot have another mishap like that occur again, or any one of y'all attempt to overcome their entire lines by yourself. It's just too costly." an advisor nearest to Jamal established, "Am I clear, Jamal?"
"I understand." Jamal looked at all of those inside the structure, before making his way towards the exit flap, "If anyone needs me, I'll be thinking of what to do next. You'll know where to find me."
Before anyone could question where exactly that was, the man had already disappeared from their sight and to who really knew where. It had little to do with them at that point, as the other advisors not engaged with his antics were already coordinating the next plan to deal with their temporary holdup, hopefully.
"This is going to take a lot of firepower for us to even have a chance to get even a small opening." Sera paced herself to the table with the map of the current situation.
"That doesn't take into account the number of divisions we will need to cross the river itself, let alone face the army giving us trouble. This static defense will prevent us from properly breaking their entrenchment and in return damage our forces beyond a replenishable rate." another advisor began to take note.
"So, you're suggesting we wait or something?" Alice nodded slowly.
"I suppose we have no real choice at the moment. This will take some time."
It appeared that this would really be the case. Until more divisions or a proper plan came about, they could do nothing but consolidate their forces on their side of the river and wait for the right moment. But even then, they couldn't just wait for that opportunity to come and not expect an attack from the Reserve Guard to come about. It would all be about timing on how to defeat the other side and minimize those casualties to the best of their abilities.
"Alright, if that's the case, then I should see if I'm needed back at the city." Alice started to walk towards the flap herself.
"Are you sure?" Sera moved towards her side, "You even said yourself back at the bridge that you couldn't even fight properly without the book of yours, and that was of no use."
"Depending on the severity back home, I can make do with what needs to be done." Alice gave her a quick thumbs up.
Even with that confirmation, Sera had every reason to be uneasy with those words. They needed every member of the Viligantes to be prepared for any future endeavors or they would be in the same position as every other revolt and opposition against Youden, a complete failure. They could never afford to go back to the old days, and the motivation to fight still burned bright among the army. If an operational pause was truly needed, then so be it. The Reserve Guard could be as holed up for as long as possible until the time came to be and a plan led towards the fruition the city army was expecting, the real offensive.