10.1 France First, France Forever; La France d'abord, la France pour toujours
August 15th, 1795, Lyon, France
You watched the flurry of activity inside the Basilica of Notre Dame de
Fourvière, which was serving as unofficial headquarters, the only building to handle the massive traffic of people going in and out of the building, and host the massive maps of France, Italy, and the German frontier, with pieces detailing movements of every action that they could depict.
The one thing that surprised you was the staff workers… women in uniforms, army uniforms, with a brigade badge you had never seen before.
And in the center of the chaos, controlled as it was, was Brian, and Napoleon, with both men speaking to the assorted generals that were gathered around the map on the table.
"General Marceau's army of the Netherlands has mobilized ten thousand more troops than we expected, and is marching them south to defend Paris," Brian stated as he placed another piece down onto the map. "That means there are over 100,000 men within the vicinity of Paris, in fighting order. The Army of the North has already moved south towards Bourdoux"
"They will not be able to remain in supply, not when so many men are needed for the harvests," Napoleon replied. "They will need to force offensives, and with their flanks exposed to the Germans, Vendee, and the British, they will be defending such a state without competent officers to lead them, they will falter."
"That may be, but in the short term, they will be turning Paris into a fortress. A Fortress we cannot possibly take without great losses." Brian replied.
"Perhaps," Napoleon replied. "But we are not focusing on Paris, we are focusing on saving the rest of the nation from foreign invasion."
Napoleon turned to the five men who were standing over them, men who must have been generals within his inner circle. "Lannes, you shall go to General Jourdan, tell him that we must immediately begin an offensive into Prussian Territory, we need to divide their forces into two fronts, and prevent the Batavian Republic from falling to hostile forces."
"Yes, Napoleon," Lannes replied before eyes turned towards you. " Générale Auclair? You've returned?"
You saluted Napoleon and the rest of the generals. "Générale Thérèse Auclair, reporting as ordered with the Armee d' Orient I and III Corps."
A smile broke onto Napoleon's face. "General. It is good to see you."
You didn't let your personal feelings get the better of you and smile back. With the chaos that was now occurring, you couldn't allow yourself to lose that focus. But it was good to see him.
You then looked at Napoleon's Map and found yourself grinning. He did find Cassini's maps of France… all of them.
And he was putting them to good use.
"It is good to see you." Brian seemed to be wearing a mask of professionalism, though you could see clearly that he was excited to see you. Excited and worried.
"Status report on the Armee d' Orient?" Napoleon asked. Clearly wishing to see what good news you brought to the army.
"II Corps is in Rome, under my orders to secure the holy father, and the city itself. Should be simple given that I've ordered them to use the velvet glove." You said. "They are in prime position to knock Naples out of the war, and to reinforce the Army of Italy if they are in need of reinforcements." You stated. "If not, I trust Davout's Judgement to make decisions, and Colonel Murat and Colonel Severin are there to give him a swift reminder of such actions that are needed for an offensive."
You paused, before continuing. "I and III Crops, along with my reserves are here as well."
That earned a nod. "It seems that General Massena will have a truly formidable force to call upon, while he reassembles the Army of Italy from the Garrisons." General
Beauharnais stated. "It is good to see you returned to France, Thérèse."
You gave a nod. "Thank you."
"It seems we shall need to procure some promotions to all the men involved," Napoleon replied. "Seeing as they are commanding forces that are… ill-fitting for their ranks."
"Thank you." You gave a small bow of the head. "What is our situation Grand Marshal?" You asked Napoleon. "I only have conflicting reports from my march north."
Napoleon nodded as he looked at the map. "General Marmont has been placed in the Army of the North, recruits called up and conscripted within the last few months. They have been hastily trained, but we have not discounted the forty thousand of their number to not be a threat if they are blooded." Napoleon paused, before pointing to the Netherlands, the Batavian Republic. "General Maouru's Army of the Netherlands, a garrison force that was advising and assisting General
Dumouriez's efforts to rebuild the Dutch Army. General Dumoriez is still conducting his mission to build the Dutch forces, but they may soon come under siege by General von Kalckreuth's Army of the Netherlands. But they are not a fearsome force, only numbering 30,000. What we fear is the Prussian Main Force on the Rhine,
Blücher's Army of France, numbering 90,000, who are preparing to meet with General Mack's Army of Hungry, numbering 70,000. General Jourdan's Rhine Army number 100,000 and are well trained but lacks true battle experience. However, we believe that his plan to attack while they are divided will be a device one."
Napoleon pointed to the map towards the Pyrenees, where two Army groups were stationed on either side of the mountain's main passes into France. "General Pérignon and
d'Aoust commanded the Spanish theater, and while we have no accurate reports on the front, we are preparing for a great attack on the southern flank. Their orders are to secure the passes in the mountains and begin an offensive towards Barcelona, to make a quick peace."
"Are you sure the Spanish will fold like that?" Brain asked.
"The Spanish are in chaos, their colonies around the world are burning in the fires of revolution, and with the American's seizing many important possessions in America's They are weak and are desperate to restore their national prestige. If they lose, the Revolution may just overtake them as well." General
Carteaux replied, putting another piece on the table, indicating your own army and down in Rome, Davout's Second Corps.
"Do we have any information on the Italian front?" General Ney asked.
You nodded. "Naples has no army to speak of, save for a damaged division and a few militia units… The problem is the Austrians. We have no intelligence on their forces beyond our Italian border of their forces, and who commands them."
The thought made you feel ill. What was wrong? And what would come your way, and towards Davout and Massena?
"And what of Robespierre and his government?" You asked.
General Ney then stepped forward. "The national guard is the main force protecting Paris, but they know they cannot defeat us in the field, even with their numbers swelling to 75,000. Paris is slowly becoming a fortress, and if given more time, it may even surpass Verdun as the most fortified city in France."
"A Siege will be needed to break them." Brian replied.
"Not unless the citizenry believes that Robespierre will get them killed," Napoleon replied. "The army in the field will need to be broken or turned. We shall try to use the mob against them, get them to surrender the city."
"General Auclair…"
"Yes." Both you and Brian said as you both answered Napoleon.
"Uh… Thérèse." He said, allowing you to feel less confused.
"Do you have any preference for command over a Theater?"
"An independent command?" You asked.
"You have already proven yourself capable of such commands in Italy and Sicily. I have absolute faith in your abilities." Napoleon replied with confidence. "But Massena has won my confidence and he claims to have a plan of attack that I cannot rightfully deny, once the Garrisons have reformed, and I believe that General Jourdan's aggressive abilities will be more suited to a rapid offensive."
You nodded.
Reward: Due to your actions in Italy several of your officers have been promoted to fill out Military Command.
Davot is now General of the Division.
Sevrin is now General of the Brigade.
Murat is now General of the Brigade.
With Second Corps being down in Italy, what should their orders be, while they operate independently from you?:
[]Invade Naples: Even you knew Ferdinand would attempt to reclaim Sicily for his kingdom, and he would assault the Island to kill your Sister Republic. That cannot come to pass, go and defeat them anyway.
[]Come Home: The Situation in Italy can be handled by the Army of Italy...Come home and help Save France from Traitors and fools.
[]Give the command to Massena: The Army of Italy...is in Italy, and close by to Rome, a short march away, best to combine their forces in case of the Austrians march through Italy. Davout won't complain, and you have a feeling that Massena's more aggressive leadership might lead to more victories than you have.
[]Remain in Rome: Let's give the Pope ideas...at all, enjoy the sun, the Wine, and keep Southern Italy from getting any ideas of supporting Ferdinand. Not that it was going to happen but better to be safe than sorry.
[]Do What you Feel is Right: You know what...you're not going to question what Davot does in Italy, you have bigger things to worry about.
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You have been given a chance to choose your own command, by Napoleon. Where do you think you will be the most valuable?:
[]Towards Paris, and the Siege There: Napoleon has plans to lay siege to Paris, and you will join him, and hopefully prevent the city from being destroyed. General Ney is also… brilliantly… interesting in his own brash way. (Join Michel Ney and the Volunteer Veterans to lay siege to Paris. Napoleon will join in Two turns with his guard.)
[]The Army of the North: Your former comrades… and new conscripts, are mustering near Orleans, preparing an offensive against the Vendee. You will go there, and you will stop them… maybe save them. Hopefully, Marmot will see the reason, and join your cause. (Go with the Army of the Orient to Orleans and try and reason with the Army of the North. If not… destroy them)
[]Towards Spain: The Army of the Pyrenees is a force of almost 60,000 led by competent officers. The thing is, they need to be elsewhere in France… so this entire operation needs to be dealt with… quickly. (You will assist the offensive in Spain, and hopefully force them out of the war)
[]With the Fox on the Rhine: General Jordan is in need of support to hold the Rhine against the Austrians when they inevitably arrive, and who better than the Firefighter herself? Really the Prussians' should know better by now. (You will be placed second in Command to General Jourdan's Rhine offensive, and will be making some moves on the Prussian and Austrian's coming towards you.)
[]In Italy: General Massena is someone you have never had the pleasure to work with, but many men consider him a perfect soldier, and a man suitable for independent command. You are unsure why you would be made his subordinate, but you trust Napoleon's judgment.
[]Remain in Lyon: You wish to take a break from campaigning, to assist in the creation of this new government. Brian certainly appreciates you remaining behind… to have someone else he can confide in.
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August 16th, 1795
Napoleon entered your room alone, as you turned to face him. "Napoleon? What do you want?" you asked.
Napoleon sat down on the desk and sighed. "I don't know how I can keep my promise to you?"
You snorted. "What happened here was not you keeping your word, that was something entirely out of your control."
Napoleon shook his head. "I know."
He seemed unsure of what he wanted to say. "Is something wrong?"
The concern caught him off guard. "Will you hate me for what I am doing? The Republic has betrayed us… and I am merely doing what is necessary to protect France and her people."
You shook your head. "I don't know what is right anymore. All I know is that we will do what needs to be done to save our home."
Then you saw Napoleon nod, and he did something you did not expect. He fell to one knee and pulled out a ring. "Therese Auclair… Will you marry me?"
And you could only say one thing:
[]Yes
[]No
[]Not Yet… I'm just… afraid.
ANL Enjoy and please vote in Plan format.
Also, there is a moratorium for a few hours for discussion.
Also, holy shit cyber, I didn't think you would pull the Nappy thing, but thank you for it.
