The Life of Brian Part 2: To the Victor, the Spoils.
Napoleon looked across the desk to Brian Auclair, and in front of him, laying on the desk without a sheath to cover the nacked blade, the finest sword Brian had ever had the privilege of seeing. And he had seen many fine swords carried by officers in many armies. Even rebels in France carried fine blades. But this one was extraordinary. The smith who made it obviously was a master of his craft and was possibly paid very handsomely for this work. "Brilliant blade? From the battle?"
"There are a thousand like this you know?" Napoleon stated. "Many of the men are taking extra guns from the supply tents, taking their flints or silver finishes or the rifles themselves to use as firewood, melting down the metal for pieces of metal to fix their belts or sewing needles. The Swords trophies or for Lannes brigade…. Over two thousand promotions for his volunteers and over 500 commissions that are needed to be signed before the month is out… and reports, commendations, and medals to assign." Napoleon paused, looking at Brian's blank face. "I'm guessing work isn't what you wished to talk about?"
"No, there are some other matters that need to be discussed, like our prisoners." Brian started.
"Prisoners… soon the war will be over, with our nation being victorious and there will be no need for the continued care of prisoners." Napoleon stated.
"But right now, we are at war, and we need to care for these men as best we can in the meantime," Brian replied. You were going to make friends of the enemy, not needlessly torture them or deprive them of the basic decency that they deserved. You were not going to spread any more misery while you had the power to prevent it. "Our current location is ill-suited for such measures and continued prisoner management. If you allowed me to take them closer to France, I would-"
Napoleon stopped him from speaking. "Brian, as much as I agree with your sentiment, Vienna is wide open. We have the ability to march into Austria, strike an even greater blow against the Austrian Forces, securing Italy as a new ally against the reactionaries of Europe."
"These men are no longer our enemies," Brian stated. "For the love of God and your fellow man Napoleon, stop thinking about grand strategy and the next victory and try and stop more death."
"We are soldiers Brian, we are surrounded by death. Other men will attempt to make peace, our duty is war." Napoleon replied.
Brian shook his head and looked away. "Mercy is not a weakness Napoleon."
"Says the man who wanted Robespierre executed." Napoleon replied with a smirk, before looking down.
A moment of weakness… Anger had clouded his judgment then when there was so much death the Committee of Public Safety caused. Brian had hoped that Robespierre would pay for the suffering he caused. Yet now, he was back in power… a diminished power that was still… influential.
Brian did not wish for him dead anymore… he had long made peace that Justice, however flawed it may have been, in the courts, in the hearts of men… and even himself… Had been served.
It was not the outcome he wanted… yes, but it was the outcome the courts gave. One he would have to live with. "Mercy also is for the strong Napoleon," Brian replied. "We have sacked, looted, and stolen across Italy, our enemies. But we showed mercy to those who surrendered… even praised them. And Caesar showed mercy to his enemies."
"Until those same enemies killed him… Are you really my Marc Antony, or Labinus?" Napoleon jokes.
"I've followed you so far… loyally, enough to where you allowed your sister to marry me… and I haven't immediately ended your correspondence with my sister because of your shitty love poems." Brian found himself smiling again, at the mention of his sister.
Thérèse Auclair, a General of the Army of the Orient... The only woman Napoleon Bonaparte seemed to have eyes on, even when there were so many others whom he had relations with. They never went beyond strong friendships.
The love poems he composed were… god awful. Enough to where Brian burned them at every chance he found them, tucked away in Napoleon's diary or notebook.
Napoleon leaned back, faking wounds. "You wound me, sir!" He then jabbed Brian in the ribs. "And I shouldn't try and remove all the books that you have stashed in your tent for that."
Brian laughed. "I think you are drunk sir because it would be impossible to remove them all without compromising the entire camp to the enemy Agents!"
Napoleon continued laughing.
A few minutes later, the laughter subsided… and the air of decorum and authority returned. To Napoleon. "The Equipment?"
"Over 50,000 muskets, 23,000 horses, 73 cannon, 10,000 pistols, 5,000 lances, and over two thousand words," Brian stated. "Though the cannon needs to be replaced, and several officers wished to have their swords and horses returned to them," Brian stated. "We also have 25 standards, colors, and eagles."
"Do what you believe is best. I have other matters to attend to. Lannes needs to be reminded that he is under orders to remain in bed." Napoleon stated.
"Lannes believes he must do everything in his power to give us more work." Brian snarked.
"Yes… I wished Massena would temper his energy with more… discipline." Napoleon replied.
"Lannes would just find something creative to get around it."
Napoleon smiled. "You are my Chief of Staff General Auclair. I am leaving it in your very capable hands."
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Depending on what is chosen, it will affect Brian's Reputation and the rolls in his rumor mill next turn.
Treatment of Prisoners (The Treatment of Prisoners may affect negotiations between Austria, France):
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[]Humanly: It would be a waste to treat them inhumanly. They are men, and they deserve to be treated as men. It may cause a strain on your supply lines, but the war seems to be over to you
[]As Expected: They are prisoners of war. They will be treated as expected with the supplies you have. Some may starve… some may die, but you will not ignore them, and leave them to fend for themselves.
[]Harsh Treatment: There will be order, or there will be heads.
[]Release them: They are men who fought bravely, but they will return to their homelands, with the condition that they never take up arms against France again.
[]Write in
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Shall you send the officers to Paris (This will affect negotiations between Austria and France):
[]Yes: You will send them to Paris to be prisoners there.
[]No, but they will remain with the Army of Italy until Peace is returned to Europe.
[]Release them: You will let them go home, they have no army, and they are disgraced in defeat.
[]Write in
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What shall you do with the Equipment that you seized from the Austrian Army (This may affect the negotiations between France and Austria for Peace):
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[]Confiscate it: All the Weapons captured in battle will be confiscated and used by the Army of Italy… at least it solves the supply problems
[]Sell it to the Italians: The Italian States, especially those who are in the Orbit of France's greater Geopolitical mandate, and the loyal ones will get the material to shall we say...arm and not infringe.
[]Sell it back to the Austrians: The Austrian's SHALL recover their equipment, for a bounty, and a fair price, set by your government.
[]Send it back to Paris: The Army of Italy is supplied enough for the continued campaign. Perhaps the captured weaponry will be useful there.
[]Write in
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Do You Return the Imperial Colors and Eagle Standards:
[]Yes: You will allow them to keep the colors and standards.
[]No: The Colors and Standards would remain with the Army of Italy as Battle Loot.
[]Send them To Paris: If the Regiments wished to have their standards and colors back, they would have their government return them.
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"Brian, there is one more thing we must talk about?" Napoleon stated.
"Hm?" Brian asked.
Do you listen to what he has to say?:
[]Yes (This unlocks a new action with Thérèse)
[]No (This Unlocks a new Action with Thérèse)
AN: Well now... a Finale to the Duology... A Day LATER!
I know it's not the longest, but I decided that it should not be all the Generals together... but instead just a one on one between Brian and Napoleon. And with Napoleon showing how much he trusts Brian, by giving him important tasks involving management of all the important items and prisoners that he captured.
There is a Moratorium on the Vote for 36 hours for Discussion and plans.
Also, about the Write-ins.
For the Options Available, the more detailed the write-ins, the better, for they may grant... certain boons down the line.
First I've ever heard of this. I thought it was the opposite?
