Pro Patria (Valkyria Chronicles)

[Emdeman]

[X] Ask the general if he can spare some experienced adjutants or advisers (dice roll). Also ask if he can detach some artillery (hard dice roll)

You send off a missive to the general asking if he could spare some adjutants or maybe even an advisor or two. The current situation is a sorry state of affairs as you had to write the communique yourself. You're not sure if you have prerogative to do that but Hall did seem somewhat friendly. You also cross your fingers and send a request for some artillery, its a long shot but you hope it can overcome the inevitable vehement opposition from the artillery commander.

Roll 1: 55 — Partial success
Roll 2: 71 - 20 Conservatism = 51 — Partial success

It takes several hours for a reply to come back and you busy yourself with other tasks in the mean time. When it does come the results are relatively good. You're going to get some junior officers to help manage the brigade. Some of them may be older than you, that will be awkward. Furthermore it appears you have gotten a bonanza with your improbable request. The general must be more amiable to you than you first thought. You now possess a nice set of field guns and some Katyusha rocket launcher carriages. Though the rockets will consume your meagre rocket ammunition at a frightful rate they, along with the field artillery can deliver a considerable amount of explosive and smoke ammunition, among other things.

Unfortunately someone in the artillery corp seems to resent you receiving this bounty and has provided less than the necessary number of trained artillerymen to actually use them effectively. So you'll have to draft some privates or menials to help them out, which will hurt efficacy until they gain experience (small malus to any rolls involving artillery). The new ordinance will also be the slowest unit in the brigade since all the guns will have to be dragged with muscle power or draft animals if you're lucky. So you can't have them assigned to frontline units, they'll have to stay with the support troops until the brigade finds a sufficiently hard nut to crack. In your opinion this artillery doesn't provide options your tanks already didn't give though the additional firepower and indirect fire is nice.

[X] Investigate the brawl and the causes for how it happened (only available if you pick remember above). Try to resolve any issues you find.

You decide to scrutinise what happened in yesterday's brawl and see if it was something serious. Your initial move is to ask some of the majors. The first call is the old hand Nivelle. You find him drilling some of his troops.

"Didn't expect to see you here colonel, what do you require?" Maurice queries wondering why you came personally and didn't send a missive via messenger.

"I would like to find out what caused the brawl yesterday, do you have any inkling what happened?"

"I'm not sure on the specifics myself but Giraud and Raeder have a history. It only exacerbates tensions between their men, it only got worse when the old colonel departed, I couldn't rein them in. I've seen it before; either they end up killing each other or battle resolves the problem one way or another. I was angling towards the latter option when I was in charge", says Nivelle. He doesn't seem to resent losing the position to you despite being obviously younger. Maurice is a dependable man.

Afterwards you go to see Mueller's battalion, its a massive field of tanks of all kinds. Mechanics and soldiers running around and looking very busy. You find the major on top of his heavy tank inspecting some part or other, you would't know since tanks aren't really your forte. You go other to him and ask him the same questions.

"I heard that Giraud seduced Raeder's fiancee or childhood sweetheart several years ago, the story doesn't specify which", Mueller sotto-whispers knowingly. Oh dear thats not good, just your luck to have two subordinates who knew each other before joining your brigade and have a personal rivalry. On that note, you hope your mistress hasn't found a new someone or someones while you were gone. You'll be sad if thats the case but you won't mind too much, you both got what you wanted and you'll be forever grateful for the assistance. You owe her for big time for everything and it'll be a long time before you can pay that debt off.

After some more questions where you find out Mueller is a consummate gossip you bid the tanker a good day.

You decide not to ask Surena as she clearly has a conflict of interest and will give you a biased answer which won't help you in any way.

While going to query Vorbeck you come across a row of peculiar tanks. You've heard her Grenadier battalion colloquially referred to as the 'Inferno Summoners', now you see why. Since its a heavy foot formation the armour they possess are mainly light and medium tanks, all the light tanks and many of the mediums in her battalion are configured with flamethowers! What the hell is she thinking? The only anti-tank capacity in battalion are the lancers - who are thankfully all equipped with anti armour - some of the mediums and the handful of heavies who are of the specialised tank destroyer variant. Thats… not as bad as you were fearing but still even worthless federation armour could maul her troops on a bad day. Vorbeck's battalion has noticeably less than the standard amount of anti-armour. You suspect it has something to do with her experiences in the east.

"Major Vorbeck what is the meaning of this?" you demand gesturing towards the lined up flame tanks.

"I have a specific fighting style that I'm partial to and know how to conduct effectively", she responds in a practiced voice.

"How are you going to deal with large amounts of armour?" You ask curiously.

"Isolate them for the anti-armour to deal with or go around them, worst case fall back and regroup in a better position. I know how to fight and have the experience colonel." She says assertively.

"The easterners don't exactly have much in the way of tanks Major Vorbeck", you respond in an assured tone ignoring the barb, "And aren't most your soldiers inexperienced recruits?"

"I have a solid core of veterans who came with me, they are teaching the neophytes", she says defensively, "and its not like the feddies have good tanks".

"At least equip some more of the tanks in an anti-armour role", you say mollifyingly hoping for a compromise.

"Is that an order colonel?" Vorbeck asks irritably not noticing or just ignoring your tone. She is really set on this.

Press the issue?
[] Yes - A heavy foot battalion is supposed to have lots of anti-armour. Equipping most of the tanks in the battalion with short-range flamethrowers is not conducive to that goal.
[] No - Who are you to micromanage? She has her ways and that configuration would chew through most infantry and cover… at the cost setting a lot of stuff on fire.

"Anyway I came to ask you on what you knew about the fight last night".

"Raeder and Giraud got into another argument again over something. One of the pair threw the first punch and then their men joined in out of loyalty", the older woman says dismissively.

"Have their been the other altercations?" you ask.

"Several small ones but nothing major. Their men don't get along but thats a leadership problem if you get my meaning", Vorbeck says disdainfully. After a few more questions you leave.

After speaking with majors and getting mixed results you suddenly remember you could just ask the enlisted themselves. After all what better way to get the story than to ask the people that fought or were near the fight? So you seek out the punishment details and grill some privates.

It turns out the brawl had two sides and was not a free for all. Unsurprisingly two sides were ethnic gothic Anhalters from Raeder's 82nd Line battalion and ethnic franks from the 33rd Chasseurs under Giraud. Normally any inter-state tension would be kept on the down low but the rivalry between the commanding officers inflamed things. A bunch of small incidents created an environment where medium sized events could happen culminating in a large scale melee. If you hadn't gone to see the general maybe you would have had time to defuse the situation. Oh well its not like you're omniscient or something.

[X] Remember it - Whatever happened was a blow up that shouldn't have happened. You'll have to talk to them tomorrow in depth about what occurred. Make their men work together so this won't happen again.

Armed with this information you decide to talk with the errant majors. You decide to sort out Giraud first as he seems more likely to have started the quarrel. The man gives off the impression of one of those dashing rogue rascals from one of your stepsisters trashy romance novels. As you approach his camp you hear a familiar voice reverberating from it, followed by a chorus of laughter.

"And that's what happened to lancer who couldn't find his ah… colonel fancy seeing you here", Giraud cuts himself off when he sees you.

"Could I have a word with you privately?" you ask the major in a tone that clearly says the statement is not a question.

His expression clouds over for a moment before returning to its jovial air, "Sure, sure". He and you walk over past a container of supplies. Giraud starts off the conversation.

"So colonel, I heard the higher ups were considering using criminals as expendable mine clearers, did that idea come to fruition? Is that why we're breaking through soon?"

"No, it got dropped due to political considerations. The brass didn't want to deal with that can of worms", you airily answer.

"Ha that's putting it delicately", Giraud snorts, "the Sovereign's rights activists would have had a snit not to mention the liberal faction's histrionics".

"Yes those progressive bleeding hearts were part of the issue," not that anyone cared about those irrelevant fools, "but it had more to do with dealing with the local bureaucracy".

"Ayup I know from experience the Novan civil service can be mighty annoying", Giraud goes on, "Well the grunts wouldn't have liked it either, well most of them".

"I'm sure some would have, now stop changing the subject, you know what I'm here to talk about".

"So you're not going to let it slide?" Giraud asks faintly hopeful but he knows your answer.

"The regulations clearly mention no brawling so you know I have to conduct an investigation", you say authoritatively. Things have gotten out of hand and now its time for you to fix them and not leave to fester. "I want to know what happened".

Giraud sighs, "some ancient history and a man who can't let go of a grudge".

"That doesn't explain a brawl that involved a hundred troopers" you don't like how he's trying to shift the blame.

"His family and mine have a past. Anhalt and Auvergne border each other and have had a less than pleasant history pre-empire. Our families have in particular have had a feud for the last few centuries. This set the environment for other 'slights' to make him even more offended", Giraud explains.

You are too busy cursing your luck to respond so the major continues.

"After some personal conflicts between us that I would not like to mention he decided I was to be his eternal enemy. It doesn't help we have conflicting views on many issues".

"Okay, but I want this to stop now. Whatever issues you have with him will be left out of my brigade. Pursue it in your private time, I do not care. If there are any more incidents I will have your head. Now, I want you to go to Major Raeder and organise some exercises between your battalions. I do not want this brainless rivalry flaring up on the battlefield and costing lives".

"Of course Colonel, I get the message loud and clear" Giraud casually salutes you.

Afterwards you go to see Raeder to discuss the same issue. His battalion camp is very austere and orderly in stark contrast to the Giraud's Chasseurs. You find him supervising a company conducting a group endurance jog.

I am a soldier… and I'm marching on…

In the background the soldiers chant a popular marching song among the rank and file of the army.

I'll bring death to the place you're about to be… another river of blood running under my feet.

"What is it Colonel Hapsburg?" Raeder asks respectfully.

"Its about the large fight that occurred yesterday when I first came" you reply confidently.

"Ah that unfortunate event, no good leader would let something like that slide", the major looks out at the moving soldiers.

Forged in a fire lit long ago, stand next to me, you'll never stand alone.

You silently half-preen at the complement and continue on, "What exactly happened?"

"Giraud disparaged someone I was close to. I naturally took offence and retorted in kind. He couldn't handle it and started a fight, his cronies joined in", Raeder says definitively.

Alright this is a somewhat different version of events… "What about the incidents before?"

Aim with the hand, shoot with the mind, kill with a heart like northern ice.

"Colonel, do not trust Major Giraud. He is a dishonourable cur who lies like a Darcsen", Raeder replies emphatically. "He has been deliberately needling me at every opportunity and stoking tension between our battalions to make me look bad".

I am a soldier… and I'm marching on…

"Is that so?" you respond a tad dubious about his claims. "Well that all occurred before my time and but if it happens again I will punish him", give him a bone to placate him.

If death don't bring you fear I'll swear you'll fear these marching feet.

"Thank you colonel" Raeder says in a relieved voice. "The Frankish snake likes to act subtly and is a consummate actor. A silver tongue that can convince almost anyone", he says bitterly.

"Thats enough on that, this a personal affair that I will not have disrupting my brigade. Take your dispute out of the military, while you are under my command you two will act like professionals. Is that understood?" you demand authoritatively. It feels a little strange ordering about man a decade your senior.

Hope is a moment now long past, the shadow of death is the one I now cast.

Raeder sighs, "Yes I am, Colonel Hapsburg. I swear nothing will occur between me and Major Giraud on my own initiative".

My eyes are steel and my gaze is long.

"Good, now I want you to go see him and organise some group exercises between your battalions. I want your men working together now so nothing untoward will happen in combat". In the back of your mind you note Raeder hasn't mentioned anything about the background of the rivalry like Giraud did.

Chin in the air and head held high, I'll stand in the path of the enemy line.

Raeder looks unhappy at your pronouncement, "I understand". He formally salutes you.

Feel no fear, know my pride, for god and country I'll end your life.

Oh personality clashes, how I missed you, you think to yourself morosely as you walk away. You're not sure who to believe. This obviously isn't a problem you can fix overnight. Well you have to cope with the hand you're dealt with.

I am a soldier… and I'm marching on…

Random supply roll.
Roll: 35 + 15 Asking a tough favour = 50 — Partial Success

On the third day a convoy of menial porters carrying things and wagon drivers arrives at your brigade camp. The supplies they bring are mostly a variety of common things vital to military life; food, medical supplies, spare parts and even some fuel among other things.

Nivelle is overjoyed by the extra provisions but is curious about the unexpected resupply. "We're not scheduled to receive more supply until after the invasion, did you have something to do with this colonel?" You turn your head from the darcsen menials labouring over a crate and smile knowingly at him. He catches your eye and responds with a faint smile of his own and drops the issue. He doesn't want to know your methods.

You are given a message from the overseer of the convoy, its from Frenzel. She has sent you a politely worded request along with the extra supplies. You finishing reading the missive and feel perplexed. What an odd request. She would "very much appreciate it you sent any and every darcsen your troops encounter in Merovia" her way to help with the logistics. She wants you to press any darcsen your men find into the army to carry supplies for her. Normally your men would theoretically ignore the darcsen when carrying out their orders.

This is not your purview, if she wanted more darcsen menials then she should have gone to the Darcsen Taskforce. That's their job not yours. Your men are not darcsen hunters and will not appreciate being treated that way. Any decent soldier looks down on those cowards. The Darcsen Taskforce weren't true soldiers in your view, phoney troops who avoided real danger to pick on the defenceless. That part of the army tended to accumulate the worst sorts of people.

Rounding up darcsen in federation territory and transporting them back to the rear would require the use of some men. Something the majors wouldn't like, and large communities would be out of the question as that would require whole companies to escort them, bringing battalions to a stand still. It could cause morale issues among the troops.

On the other hand if you explicitly gave the order to leave them unharmed then it would prevent a small minority of your troops from acting in ways unbecoming of a soldier towards the darcsen. You can't actually legally order your troops to leave darcsen alone. But if they were to serve another purpose… Also was serving as labourers for the foreseeable future really that onerous? It wasn't as dangerous as working in the Ragnite mines. If you did nothing they would be left to the tender mercies of the Darcsen Taskforce anyway. Its not like the darcsen have anywhere to flee to since Merovia is surrounded by the Empire.

Regardless of your personal opinion of the Darcsen Taskforce as wastes of valuable air, carrying out the request would get you into a pissing match with them by interfering in their task. You're pretty sure you would come out on top, contingencies of war and what not but it could be too much of a hassle. Though it would warm some of the cockles of your heart to annoy those idiots.

You wonder why Frenzel would send you such a request. Then you realise that it would make her job easier, more bodies with carry supplies and what not. A textbook greedy quartermaster wanting more workers. Though wouldn't there be loyalty issues? You suppose the logistics corp have their own security. But why "Any and all?" and not just the able bodied? How would impressing the old, young and sick to help carry supplies make sense? Then you remember that there are some simple repetitive tasks in logistics that even idiots can do so it makes sense. You are not familiar with the Darcsen Taskforce's odious methods so you don't know that they'd do to them, probably just leave them behind.

[] Ignore the request — not your job and not your problem
[] Issue the order — well if it helped supplies reach you better you could live with some unpleasantness…

You're curious about the other colonels but you're a busy man these days. So you detail an assistant to find out details about the colonels you know.

Akhlin Azhgle's brigade
3rd Avar Rangers
7th Avar Rangers
8th Avar Rangers
12th Avar Rangers
23rd Andalusian (horse) cavalry
44th Saruhan (horse) cavalry

Wow… a very unconventional brigade, you don't think you've seen any like it before. A pure light infantry brigade with old fashioned horse cavalry as well! Like something out of the last century. Why would the general assign her the honour of leading the invasion? Hmm thinking back on that modern historical warfare elective you did on impulse perhaps some of the horses could tow light artillery like antiquated 'flying artillery' of old. Most of those cavalrymen should be dragoons. On further thought you think that the main purpose is to act as a fast moving reconnaissance force whose primary function is intel gathering and not picking fights with enemy strongpoints. Like a sea of water, going around tough foes and out manoeuvring them while soaking up intelligence like a maid's sponge.

Hader Baumann's brigade
4th Fhirald Light Foot
19th Novan Stormtroopers
14th Limousin Dragoons
29th Magdeburg Armoured Kavallerie
21st Auvergne Chevaliers

A conventional armoured brigade, essentially an army of tanks. Only noticeable change is the replacement of one light infantry battalion with a heavy infantry one. Nothing remarkable here.

[X] Finalise preparations so everything is ready before zero hour comes (decreases chance of organisational mishaps)

You spend a significant chunk of your time making sure the brigade is as ready as you can make it. Much time is spent making sure equipment is serviced and ready, supplies are good to go and and no foul ups could possibly happen.

On the third day while you are in the middle of these preparations you find a familiar figure skulking about. You see Jaimes is eating some commoner food off a stick. He sees the irate expression on your face and immediately turns tail and moves away from you at a fast walk like the coward he is. Good, he remembers what he did. You're going to give that cretin a piece of your mind! You should follow that ignoramus by yourself and deal with him personally. You still have your sidearm so you should be fine if he tries anything untoward. On the other hand there is a group of your men nearby, you could order them to follow you. Though you feel uncomfortable using them to handle a personal grudge, it makes you feel like a bully. It could make them lose some respect for you if have to chase the errant driver around the camp like morons. So deal with him personally like your honour tells you or take a bunch of men to handle it and risk being seen as a fool, decisions, decisions…

[] Pursue him alone, he is your problem and you will fix it yourself.
[] Order some of your men to pursue along with you.
[] Leave him alone and be the better man haha no you are too furious at the moment for that.

OOC: this update really ballooned out in size, 3-4 times bigger than the normal ones hence the lateness. Also first moral choice woo. The song being mentioned is here, its quite catchy.

 

[Emdeman]

[X] Pursue him alone, he is your problem and you will fix it yourself

You set off to pursue the guilty driver at a fast jog. Soldiers get out of your way with hasty salutes if rather bemused looks. Weaving through the tents you find Jaimes throwing away his food and breaking into a run, only confirming his guilt more. You follow, feeling the uniform pull taut as you break out into long strides, it wasn't made for running. The pursuit takes you around various parts of camp and goes on for several minutes.

Its a good thing there's no one watching this goose chase. You sidestep a bewildered porter, or the whole thing you quickly qualify, any bystanders would just guess it was something urgent.

You eventually lose him in the midst of some supply crates. There are some menials, five locals and a darcsen, doing some job requiring lifting. They look surprised to see you here.

Where is he?

You hear a sneeze from inside one of the crates. You smirk in triumph and silently approach.

You notice the menials have stopped working. You pay it no mind. It looks quite odd for an imperial officer to be tip-toeing in the black uniform.

You thoughts are interrupted when you hear the sound of violence behind you. Turning around you see one of locals strike the darcsen from behind on the skull, who falls to the ground in boneless heap.

What.

You should probably say something but you don't want to tip off your prey. That sort of behaviour is not on, even to d-

Then you notice that they are attempting to surround you.

"Well isn't this a nice present the cat dropped in our lap," one of the men says as others pick up improvised weapons. You're now pretty sure they aren't normal labourers.

You remember how the last colonel departed the mortal coil.

Oh…

Oh balls…

[1/3]

 

[Emdeman]

You immediately reach at your hip for your sidearm. Trying to emulate a quick draw from the motion pictures, but you've never focused on personal martial skill. You fumble undoing the holster.

Something hits you in the chest and makes you stagger. You peripheral vision picks up sudden movement. You look up and see men coming at you. The closest assassin is only a few yards away.

After what seems like eternity the service pistol finally slips out.

No time to aim. Release the safety. Pull the trigger.

Fire from the hip. The shot rings out.

Your hand jerks back from the unbraced recoil. The man in front of you falls with a grunt. A second assassin comes at you with an improvised club.

You duck under swing and attempt to counter swing the butt of your gun to strike the attacker's temple. You miss and hit his cheek instead. The blow seems to temporarily stun him.

You can't finish him off as a third man comes at you with a dirk. You don't bother trying to dodge the dagger. Too close for that. Instead you try to deflect it with your off hand seizing the wrist holding the knife. The spy doesn't miss a beat and grabs your gun hand. Both of you stare at each other while holding the others hand.

You're too slow to react and receive a knee to the abdomen. The air cascades out of your lungs as you slump, the fight going out of you. The other two come around and restrain you, throwing the sidearm away.

"You going to pay for that patrician scum", the knife wielder spits in your face. He levels the dagger at your eye level. You would say your life flashed before your eyes but that would be a lie, you just feel empty.

As he is about to plunge it in one of the assassins holding you barks out a warning. He turns his head only to get spear tackled by a familiar Sargethi. They both hit the ground, the knife cast away.

Out of the corner of your eye you see the guy you hit in the face starting to get back up.

The men holding you hesitate for moment before one of them goes for the dropped gun. With only one now restraining you, you push yourself against the sole subduer and the momentum pushes the both of you onto the ground. Struggling you kick yourself away from the man and pick yourself up.

Only to see your own sidearm pointed at you.

The spy grins and squeezes the trigger.

Something moves out of the corner of your eye and hits the assassin's shoulder. Its a steel hip flask. It came from the knife wielders direction, must be Jaimes.

The jerk the projectile causes makes the gunshot miss. You're already moving before he can get a bead on you again. You tackle the man and both of you struggle for the gun.

Unfortunately the situation looks bad for you as the two remaining assassins have picked themselves up.

Then the solid thuds of rifles ring out, downing the enemies. A couple of your scouts appear, likely drawn by the earlier shots. They knock out the man you were grappling with with the buts of their rifles. It turns out he was the last one as Jaimes had pummelled the knife-wielders face in.

You pick yourself up and dust yourself off, wincing at the new bruises.

The troopers call for more help which shortly arrives. The surviving assassins are bundled off where military intelligence will probably pump them for information on other infiltrators before being unceremoniously executed.

As you pick up your sidearm you ask Jaimes who is far less hurt than you, "why did you help?"

"You needed it, figured you wouldn't be mad anymore", he reaches for his flask and takes a sip out of it.

Thats an understatement, you literally owe him a life debt. Still, one thing bugs you, "why didn't you wait for me back at the general's HQ?"

"You didn't say to wait" Jaimes says hoarsely.

You're perplexed, you don't remember this, you're fairly sure you did say so but your memory is hazy. Perhaps you just thought you did or there was a miscommunication? You decide to give the man a pass.

"Then why did you run?" you ask curious.

"When a big man looks at you like that in my town, you hide", he says as if it explains everything.

"See to the health of the darcsen", you mention offhand to one of the soldiers about the menial still laying unconscious on the ground. No point letting him stay untreated and you're a tad grateful about the unwitting warning, a true surprise attack would have laid you low. You turn back to Jaimes.

"You saved me life… twice". You're not sure how to feel. Though grateful for being alive is a start.

Jaimes looks uncomfortable with your statement, "Aye".

"I need to find some way to repay you", you conclude.

"Sahib, I can't possibly in good conscious accept any promotions-" He quickly says before you cut him off.

"How would you like to be my valet?"

The Sargethi takes another gulp from the canteen.

[2/3]

 

[Emdeman]

[3/3]

After the dramatic events of the previous day, the start of the fourth day is rather mundane. You are reading reports when you receive a mail delivery from a courier. You weren't expecting something this nice so soon. Its things like this that remind you that people care about you.

There are four letters in the bag, you reach in but wince when you pull a muscle still sore and bruised. You slowly turn the bag upside down and empty it. The letters cascade out onto your desk. You slowly sort through them; one from Giselle, one from Mr Hartmann, one from Mo-

Oh look, its a letter from the plum rock. How unexpected. Unfortunately you don't have a handy fireplace around like usual so you'll just have to make do with throwing it in the waste bin. You turn and walk over to it.

You hear the sound of someone feminine clearing their throat from the entrance. Maybe you shouldn't have had your back to the door the whole time.

"Why are you throwing that letter away without reading it?" a familiar disgustingly perky voice pipes in.

It seems Limousini is paying you a visit.

"Because Major Surena", you begin by throwing the letter in the bin, "what I do with my personal mail is my own business". Hopefully she takes the hint and leaves it at that.

"Isn't it a waste to not at least read something thats travelled thousands of miles?" She completely misses your hint and tramples all over your reticence with almost childlike curiosity.

"Its not when the contents are insulting", you turn away from her and walk over to the other side of the room to hide your scowl.

"How do you know that if you haven't read it?" she counters, "Why would someone go to the effort of writing letters just to insult you, are they trying to harass you?"

"No, its the person themselves thats worthy of scorn", you start, still not turning back to face her, "when you loathe someone to such a degree that you want nothing to do with them, then any contact is the source of repugnance". Your hidden glower intensifies, "This person and their cabal of associates have been a source of tremendous adversity in my life, such that-" You're suddenly cut off in your tirade by a bewildered interruption.

"Rudolf… why do you have a grudge against a fourteen year old girl?" Surena asks carefully.

You look back and see her at the waste bin holding the letter open. How did she get there? You didn't hear any movement. Then you register her words.

How dare she read your personal correspondence? It is a gross invasion of your privacy! Those letters were yours to do whatever with. How much did she read while you were going with your diatribe? Also what's with the first name basis? Is that how she got everyone to like her, just calling them by their first names without permission over and over? It won't work on you.

"Major Surena, have you not learnt how offensive it is to read someone else's mail? Or don't they value the concept of privacy in Limousin?" You struggle to keep your anger in check.

She cringes and looks suitably horrified, "I just thought… since you weren't… ah… I'm sorry". She gingerly drops the letter back into the bin.

Bloody bastard wouldn't get letters would she? Now she probably thinks you're a petty man-child, who cares what she thinks. But she's a subordinate dammit.

You calm yourself, or at least put on a serene mask. You walk over to the bin and give her a small smile.

"I'll take your advice into consideration Alexis", you say sweetly , picking the discarded letter out of the bin and putting it on the desk. There, that should resolve her main point. Plus its going to bug you that she read something you didn't.

You could spite her and get rid of the letter when she leaves or you could bite the bullet and read the thing. On second thought maybe that wasn't an appropriate thing to think, you nearly did literally bite a bullet yesterday. You almost died, that hasn't quite sunk in. Maybe you should try new things that you wouldn't normally do.

[] Read the stupid letter later.
[] Dispose of it after she leaves without reading it.

"Anyway", Surena raises her voice, desperately trying to change the subject "Back to what I was coming here to talk about. I believe Frieda is going to do something… dumb".

"Frieda…?" your mind is still clouded with anger, it mostly clears when you realise your subordinate wants to share her concerns. You want to encourage that sort of behaviour. You sit on the chair behind your desk when your memory catches up, "Oh you mean Major Vorbeck, why do you think this?"

"As you may have noticed Fri- Major Vorbeck has something of a fixation with flames" she fidgets unconsciously while standing there. Shame there wasn't a second chair in here, oh well, no point going out and getting her one.

"I noticed", you respond dryly. Only a dunce could have missed that woman's obsession with fire. Those easterners must have been quite a bother, "Don't see how that could lead to unwise judgements".

"I have… suspicions she may try to sabotage or deliberately delay the modifications to her tanks so your order 'accidentally' won't be fulfilled when the invasion begins" the Limousini woman says cautiously, judging your reaction.

"Why on Europa would she do that?" You exclaim, sitting bolt upright, completely flabbergasted.

"They are just my suspicions colonel", Surena responds quickly while her holding hands out in peace, "I have nothing concrete".

"Still thats a serious claim to make of a peer, whats the basis of these… suspicions?"

"She is a Mithrast colonel, and I believe her experiences in the Far East only added fuel to the-", the she stops herself before making an awful pun, "her principles", she finishes awkwardly.

Oh… that explains some things, that should have been obvious earlier. But goddammit the woman's nearly forty why the hell is she doing something stupid like worshipping fire? She's from a firmly middle class background too, not from some backwater hovel where those beliefs still linger.

You pour yourself a glass of brandy and drink, not bothering to take out a second glass for the major. Too much hassle.

Why… why do you have to get the crazy people? What's next, is Nivelle going to turn out to be a serial killer, Surena going to be a princess and Mueller a chaste infantryman using tanks as transportation so he can get close enough to personally bayonet federation soldiers?

"Colonel?" Surena interrupts your thoughts, earning another point against her.

"I am not going to endanger the lives of some of my men over an officer's religious beliefs", you firmly conclude.

"Her configuration was unorthodox but its still very workable, she seems to have used it to good effect in the east," Surena counters.

"This is not the east, federation armour actually poses a threat instead of being non-existent," you hit back.

"She's thought of countermeasures like extra infantry support and-" she starts listing off things.

"I'm not having this discussion again", you cut in.

"Frieda can be very stubborn when she feels unfairly judged, perhaps you should have made your reasoning clearer," she says mollifyingly.

You groan and hold your head in your hands, "This is not a committee... what a mess, I'll have to send another order or see her again to make my point". You're in a tough spot, either option weakens your authority. Reaffirming an order with another or quietly letting disobedience slide. At least with the latter you have a fig leaf of cover. They don't respect you, you conclude. They all look at you and see someone too young to hold that rank. Even the differential Nivelle. That must be why they cause you so much trouble. Or it could just be normal inter-personnel friction.

"Those measures might not be necessary, let me talk to her. I'm sure I can get through to her," she tries to pacify you. "You're not trying to have all the tanks converted right?"

You nod.

"Thats somewhat different from what she was rambling about last night at drinks", Surena says in afterthought. "Let me convince her to go along with your plan. I'm sure I can get her to see the upsides of your idea and modify it in ways acceptable to her. Like mounting the flamethrowers on a medium tanks sponsons", She finishes with a nervous smile.

The flamethrowers could be mounted on sponsons? You didn't think of that. Further demonstrating your lack of experience with tanks. If it weren't for Surena you probably would have accepted whatever Vorbeck's excuse was at face value, like; 4-5 days was not enough time to modify all the armour or that the mechanics were delayed by such and such reasons. Bloody hell, a compromise was what you wanted all along dammit! Ugh, maybe you should just quietly rescind the order, after all a famous general once said never to give orders you know won't be obeyed.

On the other hand you see what Surena's doing. That smiling face doesn't fool you. Becoming friendly with all your subordinates... Its clear she's trying to ingratiate herself, maybe to become the power behind the throne. A mistrustful part of you questions if this is all a set up, after all you have is her word. Its not like Vorbeck will admit to disobeying orders.

No... thats paranoia talking. You really shouldn't second guess everyone, you'll become a nervous wreck. She probably wants to make herself indispensable. What she's offering has a bunch of benefits and you have very little to lose. Or you could be wrong and she's not a devious manipulator. Just a gregarious, outgoing person looking out for friends who you personally admit are rather biased against.

If Surena is this obnoxious then you're definitely not going to ask her to help with Giraud and Raeder.

[] Rescind the order, know when to fold and cut losses.
[] Reinforce the order, meet her, order her, whatever.
[] Have Surena talk to Vorbeck into accepting your order. What do you lose?
[] Do nothing, you'll see if Surena's words actually have any weight soon enough.

Her face looks conflicted as she debates whether to say something else. You motion your assent to the Limousini, can't have people holding misgivings in.

"One last thing colonel", she starts off warily. "I've gotten the impression over the past few day that you disapprove of something I did. I'm not sure what it is so I'd like to ask now if I have offended you in any way? If I have is there a way I can make up for it?"

Well... maybe she should have stayed silent. Do you tell her the truth? After all they do say that being honest is how healthy relationships start. But somehow you suspect that saying its her bastard heritage won't keep the conversation civil. Then again that could be a good outcome, seeing her mettle when under fire. Or do you just keep it to half truths? Say she reminds you of someone you know and that may have affected your impression of her. Or just outright lie, you'd have to think of something good.

[] Tell the truth
[] Tell a half-truth
[] Lie
- [] Write in (optional)

OOC: Spelling out some ideas you might have could be helpful. I might use them. I always like reading peoples thoughts.

 

[Emdeman]

[x] Half-truth
[X] Have Surena talk to Vorbeck into accepting your order. What do you lose?

You can't just baldly state your reasons straight to her face. Interesting as it might be you're more tactful than that. You also can't just lie to her either, she seems sharp enough to pick up something like that.

"No, nothing you've done until recently has offended me in any way", you reply with a straight face, technically correct was the best kind of correct. "I'm sorry I've given you that impression. I've done my best to hide it but you remind me of someone that hurt me greatly, I apologise that perception has bled over".

Surena's normally good-natured expression goes solemn as she contemplates your response. After a few moments of rapid thought she responds in her usual tone, "Well then, I'll just have to prove myself to be an able subordinate and overcome the bad introduction, won't I?"

You get the feeling she knows you're withholding information but doesn't want to press you. You curiously wonder how she would have reacted to your real reasons. You decide to change the subject.

"Good luck with Vorbeck, I'm trusting you to come through here," a tone of dismissal clear in your voice. You don't like depending on someone like this, making it become a common occurrence could damage your authority. Though at least this instance seems to have occurred behind closed doors.

Surena turns to leave but turns her head to make one last comment, "By the way I'm glad to know you're safe and unhurt from yesterday's incident with the Merovians". With that the major quickly hurries out without giving you a chance to reply.

Unhurt? you grumble to yourself, these bruises and sore muscles certainly make you uninjured. Perhaps she's mocking you, or perhaps she just has terrible phrasing.

[x] Read the stupid letter later

You leave that letter for last, reading the other three first. Giselle's and the old lady's letters are full of concern over your wellbeing, how you've been doing and the latest gossip, along with some suggestive innuendo in the formers letter. Mr Hartmann still seems to think you're an enlisted or junior officer. Thats right you didn't tell him about the sudden promotion. His letter is a plethora of mundane details and tips about the common soldiers life from his experiences in the first war. Its helpful in understanding the life of the common trooper.

Finally you turn to the last letter. You thought you had made your views on her clear in previous interactions and letters. Maybe a new governess is expecting her to write to her heroic brother fighting on the front.

The letter is full of dull details on the uneventful happenings in her life and attentive questions on your military life that nevertheless come across as insincere to you.

She dutifully reminds you that she is turning fifteen soon and quickly reassures you that there is no need to go to the trouble of getting a present for her since it would "impede you from doing your patriotic duty".

Ha, as if thats going to stop you. Still you're kind of impressed at the subtle barbs she managed to get in under the watchful eye of the governess. She's grown up so much, you've been a good step brother. She's probably hoping you die in the fighting, you'll do your best to disappoint her.

You should remember to send her a perfectly mundane present for her fifteenth birthday just to mess with her head. So that she'll spend half the time fretting over whether it has any unpleasant surprises and not enjoying her party.

Granted you focused your struggle more on her older sisters when you were younger but there was always a special spot reserved just for her. She symbolised the disloyalty and infidelity of your old man. It didn't matter that you two shared a parent, she would always be a step-sibling to you. She couldn't overcome the other half of her treacherous parentage.

Her uninteresting letter was probably an attempt to provoke an irate response or just be ignored so she didn't have to keep writing. Too bad for her that you understand her so well. The two of you shall have a perfectly normal correspondence.

You will send a completely ordinary reply with no hidden insults at all. It'll make her governess put pressure on her to do something she probably despises, write to you. It makes you grin.

You take out your fountain pen and begin composing a reply.

Dear Amethyst

Your concern is touching. I am doing well and am in perfectly good health. How is Mina, has she returned from her studies at the institute? Life here is quite interesting and engaging, did you know that a brigade requires 4 tons of...

Finishing your utterly unremarkable reply to your half step-sister you get up and decide what to do in the little time you have left before the offensive begins.

Pick Two
[] Go and train your artillery crews so they're not inept. (removes the penalty from artillery rolls)
[] Go and ask (read beg) the artillery corp for more ammunition (moderate difficulty roll) and some more trained crews (somewhat difficult roll)
[] Be seen out among the troops, get a personal feel of their measure. Drill them, train them more, push them to the limit (increased morale)
[] Go to the logistics corp and request more advanced equipment and supplies (low difficulty roll).
[] Get to know your majors more:
- [] Surena
- [] Raeder
- [] Giraud
- [] Nivelle
- [] Vorbeck
- [] Mueller

 

[Emdeman]

[X] Go and train your artillery crews so they're not inept. (removes the penalty from artillery rolls)

The first order of business is training your new artillery crews so they are not so inexperienced. Using some dummy shells that came with the field pieces you have the novices train with the experienced loaders, firing the shells into no mans land. Though you have nothing similar for the rockets you still have them practice loading the carts. After a few hours you leave them to it and move on to other things.

Penalty to artillery rolls has been removed.

[X] Go to the logistics corp and request more advanced equipment and supplies (low difficulty roll).

You eventually decide more supplies can never be a bad thing. So you pay a visit to the logistics corp and see what they have available.

Roll = 55 — Success

Greeted by some harried looking clerks you demand more equipment and supplies using your authority. After some pestering you get them to agree to send more of pretty much everything a brigade requires. Mueller and Vorbeck are delighted by the extra spare parts and fuel. Nivelle is no longer complaining about real or imagined shortages. This seems like a wise decision.

***​

The fifth day comes and goes with no announcement. But around mid-morning on the sixth day the long awaited orders to assemble finally arrive. Breakthrough has been achieved. Soldiers rush around the encampment to prepare moving out, tanks are started, tents are packed up, among a variety of other things that couldn't be done beforehand.

In different news, you've heard nothing out of the ordinary from Vorbeck. The modifications to the tanks are complete. You are not sure what to think. Was the pyromaniac major talked down by Surena and come to accept your order? Or did Surena fabricate the whole affair to make herself look good and Vorbeck look bad? Vorbeck may have never intended to do anything to go against your order in the first place. You just don't know since you're not familiar with the woman. Then again you remind yourself, this could just be your dislike of Surena acting up and influencing your judgement.

How do you mainly feel towards Surena for this?

[] Grateful
[] Suspicious
[] Write-in

There is no fanfare as the formation slowly moves to the fore. Yours is the 7th brigade to go through the breach and you've been assigned a specific part of the country to clear, sector 7. Walking over the bumps of recently cleared minefields the troops trudge onward.

You march with your black armoured honour guard among the various soldiers. Giving impromptu speeches to help morale and describe some of the orders you gave to the majors to make things clear.

"I want no civilian deaths if they are not resisting. Remember we are here to liberate them from the tyrannical revolutionaries and restore the legitimate government, not slaughter them", you assertively state to a group of nearby troopers. They respond with salutes and nods. You move on.

Eventually you are through and inside official federation territory for the first time. The countryside expands on into the distance. The terrain is relatively flat plains and farmland, with some local rises like ridges and hills.

How do you deploy your brigade?

Deployment Options:

[] Tip of the Spear - Put your armoured battalion at the front, a fast moving prong. The heavy infantry follow behind them as a solid centre. The light infantry will cover your flanks.

[] Relentless Tide - The heavy infantry act as a vanguard with the armoured battalion acting as a reserve. The light infantry guard the flanks.

[] Vigilant Advance - Screen your approach with a vanguard of light infantry, so you will know what the enemy has in advance and where they are. Have the heavy infantry and armour follow behind them to crush points of resistance.

[] Write-in

Whose battalion do you attach yourself to?

[] Nivelle's 17th Jaegers (light infantry)
[] Giraud's 33rd Chasseur's (light infantry)
[] Raeder's 82nd Line (heavy infantry)
[] Surena's 24th Fusiliers (heavy infantry)
[] Vorbeck's 11th Grenadiers (heavy infantry)
[] Mueller's 7th Cuirassiers (armoured)

Mostly a style question, you ponder what sort of uniform you should wear into combat. Since you're relatively high ranked you could go for either the formal one or field uniform like the rank and file are wearing. The formal uniform looks more stylish and would differentiate you from the troops while being easier to move in. Though you're a little uneasy about not wearing a helmet or body armour. The red armoured field uniform would give you more protection and make you familiar with the troops but could inconvenience you. You also don't like how the helmet restricts your vision. Either way you still look pretty conspicuous.

What uniform do you wear?
[] Formal uniform
[] Field uniform

 

[Emdeman]

You choose to attach yourself to Mueller's battalion and find yourself and Jaimes riding on top of a heavy tank lumbering across the Merovian countryside. Around you are other tanks and their infantry support, some of whom are also hitching a ride or moving on foot. Your bodyguard are in your general vicinity but don't seem too vigilant given your location. Every now and again an adjutant brings you a dispatch from the other battalions. Good thing this flat terrain is not good for snipers. Not that it would matter since your other battalions are either directly in front or flanking you. A brigade can cover quite a few square miles of ground.

Mueller hasn't spoken to you much apart from acknowledging orders. He doesn't seem very pleased that you're holding his armour back. Though he doesn't say anything out loud you get the impression that he would prefer to be at the forefront racing across the country at the true speed of his machines. His bad luck to be assigned to a heavy foot brigade you suppose. It was probably made worse by the fact his battalion had yet to see any combat. The last day has been fairly monotonous despite being in enemy territory.

The light infantry battalions lead the advance, fanning out to cover more ground. Resistance is well… very light, surprisingly so. Your troops pass by recently abandoned border outposts, and are unopposed as they move into the hinterland. No sign of the enemy forces. The only people encountered were some civilian farmers who said most of their army had abandoned the border region weeks ago. With small groups of observation troops having recently left a few days ago. It doesn't take to long to encounter them.

Several hours in you receive reports that there have been a few skirmishes between your forward troops and isolated elements of the enemy but contact is quickly lost. Neither side took any casualties. Probably a rearguard scouting force keeping an eye out for you. Perhaps if you had done what Mueller wanted the enemy would have been caught and wiped out, but small fry don't matter to you. This situation requires a steady, firm approach.

A few desultory patches of mines try to impede your way. But they are little more than a few rows of the cursed things every several miles at the most predictable places, like roads. Its obvious they were hastily placed. Most of the minor effect they would have had goes away when the local peasants point out the locations to your forces. It seems they did not like appreciate being inconvenienced. The situation is nearly always the same for little people like them, no matter the government in charge.

Still no more signs of the enemy armed forces. No one expects the Merovians to last long against the imperial army. They themselves concur given that a government-in-exile has already been set up in Angouleme before the invasion even started. But there should be more resistance than this. Perhaps their commander did the smart thing and pulled their forces back so as to not be destroyed piecemeal? Though that would probably mean you won't be running into the other side any time soon. That should theoretically make things quicker for you but you want to be careful. Despite Hall saying speed was of the essence you aren't going to trade lives to make things a little quicker, a few days mean nothing on the strategic scale.

You just hope the federation forces don't have a secret Valkyrian relic waiting around to erase you from existence. Both sides have been stockpiling whatever they can find from archeological digs or old collections. You don't know what to do in that scenario, apart from being helplessly slaughtered.

Around midday on the second day your forces encounter a small town. Exactly as the maps describe you don't bother remembering the name, it is home to several thousand people. You order Surena's battalion to secure it since they are the closest of the heavy infantry. An hour later an adjutant delivers a message from the cunning major. Apparently there is an incident going on in the town centre that in her honeyed words would help if you were present, though it could be ignored if there was nothing too important holding your attention. Given that you had nothing vital requiring your time and a bit curious you decide to check it out with a couple of platoons of Mueller's soldiers.

Your convoy approaches the town. Local farmers work on the fields surrounding the road, giving your troops nervous looks every now and again. A natural reaction.

The town is nothing remarkable. Just a border holding without much significance. Probably why no one thought it was worth defending. The townspeople seem mostly ambivalent which was probably why they didn't resist. Not a shot was fired when your forces entered the town, probably a happy surprise that wouldn't last for future urban engagements. Every now and then you see a squad of Surena's troops patrolling street corners.

Speaking of the duplicitous woman you find her in the town square with half a company surrounding the town hall. A crowd of curious onlookers watch the scene. You wonder what could attract a group of civilians a like this and not drive them away.

The major sees your approach and breaks off from a small group of officers to meet you. She bids an old local follow her before turning to you. For a moment she looks at you with trepidation before schooling her features to practiced neutrality. Showing some weakness to get you to sympathise? You've seen a teenager pull it off better.

"What is it that was so important it needs my personal attention?" you preempt whatever justification she's coming up with and cut to the point.

"The mayor and handful of town elders have locked the doors to the town hall and barricaded themselves inside" she replies businesslike.

"And this honestly needed my attention?" you ask a little incredulous.

"Its the nature of what they want," she replies uncomfortable.

"What do they want?" you ask bewildered at why that matters. By all measures she's secured the whole town and you didn't hear any fighting coming here so perhaps she's not totally incompetent.

"Ah… um… someone important to accept their surrender," she delivers another contrite reply.

"You brought me here to deal with this?" you flatly ask.

"You are the highest ranking officer nearby" she looks sheepish, "though it may not be important enough".

You sigh hold a hand to you forehead, "How important?"

"You might want to read the note yourself", she replies embarrassed, handing you a piece of brown paper.

You look it over, "They want a general… or barring that a prince… but if that's on too short a notice then a duke will do… is… is this some sort of joke major?" You ask after reading these ridiculous demands. You're a little dubious of her claims.

"Its… true", Surena replies with a bemused look. "They don't want to surrender to one as... lowly as me", there is a great deal of frustration in her voice along with another emotions. For some reason this makes you slightly happy on the inside. It seems even provincial commoners share your opinion of the woman. Still, no need to colour interactions by not being professional.

"Didn't you think of pretending to be someone more important before talking?" you critically ask.

"I didn't expect some backwater yokels to recognise or care about ranks of nobility. This is probably just one last act of defiance," she replies sounding thoughtful.

"How about having one of your officers pretend and accept?" you ask in a somewhat patronising tone.

"I did, this was the reply", Surena hands you a second note and starts talking quickly, "but don't read it-".

"Fuck You", you say a little too loudly.

"-out loud…"

Some of the onlookers as well as a few soldiers laugh. Did she deliberately do that to undermine you? Probably not.

"Most likely saw everyone deferring to me earlier," Surena explains.

"Weaponry?" you ask.

The civilian speaks up, "A few of pistols sir".

"And a wine cellar which may be used as Solhenitsyn cocktails", Surena adds.

"They're probably drinking their brains out, ladyship," he pauses in thought, "Looked a bit tipsy too".

"Who are you?" you wonder why an enemy civilian would be with the major.

"He is one of the town councilors that didn't go through with this foolish idea. He has been acting as an intermediary" she explains.

"Are there any actual soldiers or police inside with them?" you calmly ask the older man. No need to be disrespectful.

"No your grace, the last of the police garrison left weeks ago and an army patrol checked up on us a few days ago".

"Then why keep playing this stupid game and teach the idiots a lesson?" you ask Surena, surely she's not that squeamish.

"They're just a bunch of crotchety old men. They haven't fired at anyone yet, I'd like to avoid it if possible" the major says anxiously. So she wants this to end without a fight.

"Her highness is right, everyone inside is over fifty and haven't fired a shot in anger since the days of the old duke. A fight is extremely unlikely," the councilor says.

Surena looks bemused and you both share a meaningful look, the old man's jumbling of terms of address was quite amusing.

Silly burghers delivering these dumb demands. You're going to punch whoever thought this was a good idea.

"Whats the possibility of it being a trap?"

The opinions of both are immediately obvious, "Your majesty-"

"Alright I get it", you interrupt the councilor.

What game is Surena playing? Is she trying to make you look bad? Or just put you in a potentially dangerous situation.

"Whats your opinion major?" you ask.

"Just accept their surrender colonel, a fight will be one sided and probably create martyrs and a legend", she leaves it unsaid that violence could make the population hostile, probably making management difficult. Though its not like that's your problem.

You begin laughing at the absurdity of the situation.

[] "Would a colonel do?" - accept their surrender personally.
[] Wait them out - lack of food and water should make the seniors come out… if passing out doesn't do them in first.
[] Storm the town hall guns blazing - Not like there will be much resistance.
[] Just shell the building with the tanks - Be completely on the safe side.
[] Write-in

OOC: So I lost a day or two to RL. The first person who guesses correctly where I got inspiration for the scene will get a double vote.

 

[Emdeman]

Lost in thought you consider the current situation. Older people generally don't want to go out in a blaze of glory. If they were diehard republicans they probably would have fled along with the other authorities. Probably too attached to the local area. You come to the conclusion that they want a spectacle. Its stupid since a number of different things could have happened depending on the type of commander but you never claimed to understand the lower classes. Well, if they want a show, then you'll give it to them.

Still some precautions are in order of course. You prepare to have Surena position snipers on some of the surrounding rooftops, to keep mortars and tanks kept on standby just in case. And find that it has already been done. Was she anticipating this or does it have another underlying motive? Perhaps set up a false flag to take you out and pin it on the other side. You could be wrong and she's not planning anything nefarious but your gut feeling on the snake tells otherwise. Either way at least the woman has some agency.

You send the councilman back to tell the people inside that they've got their noble officer.

The older man smiles softly and murmurs in your ear as he leaves, "That dull bird of yours kept insisting she was a commoner. Didn't want to play along with those fools. Fine stubbornness though you might want to do something about it".

After he goes in you slowly walk up to the building, stopping about halfway across the empty space. The distance should take the power out of most pistol shots and if you spot any long arms you can always hit the deck. You hear an aged voice boom imperiously out of the front door.

"Who is this that walks these humble streets?"

You pose grandly, exulting in your correct deductions. Resplendent in your red field uniform you cut an imposing figure.

"You have the honour of addressing Rudolf Hapsburg, colonel in the Emperor's peerless army. I command the troops that have occupied your town and have arrived to accept the surrender of its wise leaders".

"What great house does the esteemed colonel come from?"

"I am a scion of the Hapsburg dynasty and heir to the archduchy of Wien. The jewel of Europa and home to the city of music," you pronounce with pride. The crowd seems to collectively 'ooh'.

After several moments of deliberation another voice rings out, "Very well, we shall give you the key to the city". That's a bold claim to call this place. After a minute of sounds of moving furniture a handful of people step out. One man slowly walks up to you and holds out his hand.

Its… just an ordinary key. You mentally sigh, shouldn't expected too much from them. There are a few more formalities to observe and then that's that.

The crowd begins to disperse as the drama finishes. As you move away from the square your major approaches you.

"You're the heir?" Surena curiously asks. There's a hint of skepticism in her voice.

"No of course not" you scornfully reply, "cadet branch, nowhere even close to the throne".

Now thats settled you look back at the course of events. Should Surena really have sent for you to deal with this matter? Surely she could have settled the matter herself. No she should have been able to, you tell yourself. Was she acting against you? She didn't do anything diabolical when you got here. Did she want to see how you'd handle it? Make you do something rash? Her initial report to you does seem too cursory and superficial, though that could just be inexperience or emotions causing poor decision-making.

Perhaps you should consider censuring Major Surena in your dispatches back to GHQ. A black mark on her record that should impede any promotion and make your feelings on this matter clear. Then again there's a chance it could ruin her career.

Officially censure Surena?
[] Yes - a reprimand is in order
[] No

You spend the rest of the night in a temporarily appropriated house, the owner being the mayor. Suitable payment for that irritation. Its good to sleep in an actual bed for the first time in weeks.

In the morning your forces prepare to move out. The rear echelon will eventually take over garrison duties.

The locals tell you there is an army cantonment "thirty or so kilometres" up the road. This is concerning news. It could be your first serious point of resistance. If of course it isn't abandoned.

The terrain is still mostly plains but with some breaks and modest elevation, a few hills. There is also some light woodland.

What do you do before you leave this hovel town. Pick one:
[] A man has arrived in town and approached your men, he is claiming to be part of an underground resistance movement. Investigate the veracity of this.
[] See how Raeder and Giraud's battalions are doing. Discern if nothing untoward has happened.
[] Go out among the troops and interact with them. Find out their concerns and inspire them.

Change your deployment? How do you approach the cantonment?
[] No
- Specify 2nd question (optional)
[] Yes
- [] Specify both

 

[Emdeman]

As your forces prepare to move out there is one last piece of business to attend to. Yes you could delegate meeting the alleged partisan to an underling but you want to handle this personally. You arrive at the company command post where the person is being held. Moving past a few supply trucks you encounter a curious sight, a man in a rather shabby suit is standing up against a wall while there are a row of soldiers holding weapons in ready positions. By all accounts it looks like a firing squad. You turn to the subcommander directing the troops.

"Whats going on here captain?" you ask in consternation.

"Executing a spy attempting to infiltrate our ranks sir", he replies firmly.

"What evidence do you have to confirm this?" you ask curious.

He looks at you rather obviously, "the man was trying to convince a patrol to take him to a higher officer by saying he was part of a resistance group".

"How do you know he wasn't being truthful?"

"Merovians are famous for their cloak and dagger stuff, its obviously an attempt to smoke someone higher up the common chain".

"Did he do anything incriminating?"

"Not yet, but it doesn't hurt to be careful".

You sigh, "I'm going to have verify that further, so I'm going to have to ask you to call off the execution for now", the statement is not a request.

The captain grunts disapprovingly and motions to a sergeant, the troops back off and the would be cadaver breathes a sigh of relief. You go up to him confident that he's already been searched for weapons and begin talking.

"I may have saved you from death for now but I'll need some good information to take to my superior to vouch for your credentials", you effortlessly lie. That interrogation elective you took was quite illuminating. Teaching how to gain information without resorting to loutish methods of coercion. Combined with your age it should deceive outsiders into thinking you're not an important officer. Elegantly removing the concern of an infiltrator trying to take out higher ups.

The man talks quite enthusiastically after your introduction. He is an older fellow dressed in a worn out suit. Apparently he is clerk from the capital, Flume. Part of a network of people that oppose the current regime. They are mostly older people with traditionalist leanings who support a return to the old government. Which makes them natural allies for the empire. Decent people who oppose the illegitimate administration.

Still it seems a little too convenient and you can't rule out a ruse. You don't have the rank high enough or have the connections with the spooks to know if they're associated with the Heritage Foundation. A web of partisan groups and sympathisers within the federation angling for a return to the old ways. Of course, the other side did the same; supporting republican movements in imperial territories. The military power of such groups would be negligible but they should provide useful information. Though you'll have to not trust it completely at least at first. Nevertheless, they are good people.

***​

Your forces leave the town in good order. Once again light battalions lead the advance. Your local contacts say the cantonment is currently occupied by a severely under-strength garrison. And that many military formations have pulled back towards the capital. They know the terrain around the area and are able to provide valuable information.

The sound of firefights in the distance already tells you the scouts have encountered resistance before the first messages arrive. Isolated shots are soon followed by the continuous clanging shriek of volley guns. Some time after the reverberations of armour can be heard. The sounds only intensify as the reserve battalions join in.

The initial reports say the enemy forces attempted to make several stands on agreeable terrain like ridge lines. Your troops managed to dig them out and rout them with light losses. Pursuing them several miles back through the countryside and a couple of hamlets to the cantonment.

Their equipment is laughably outdated but it still poses a threat. You pass the burned out hulks of several obsolete interwar and even great war federation tanks along with a couple of your own.

Spoiler

There is no artillery to attack the base, as its still back at the baggage train. But that's no matter as there's plenty of armour and mortars to soften up the strongpoint. The assault is carried out and the cantonment is taken within a few hours. Resistance was stiff but ultimately futile as you outnumbered the foe even before superior equipment came into play. Surrender eventually comes and you have a few hundred prisoners to send back.

Most of the supplies and equipment in the cantonment have already been destroyed, probably days ago. Though some of the bigger stuff was spiked weeks ago like a couple of ancient great war siege howitzers. There's not much that will be useful here.

Spoiler

Casualties

Roll 2d100 = 134 * 0.8 Intelligence = 107

4872 - 107 = 4765 effectives

Your first fallen... You're not sure how to feel. Men and women have now died due to your decisions. It is a heavy burden. You will have to make better decisions that put your soldiers at less risk.

Once the base is taken you have a few different courses of action. There are two towns of sizeable magnitude from here. One is somewhat closer than the other. The resistance says there are modest regular forces defending both along with some town militia. They have some support in one of the towns and can try convincing local forces to give up the town, the attempt could fail. The other town is home to a group of firebrand radicals who will try to stir up revolutionary fervour so resistance is almost certain.

You could try to take both towns simultaneously which would involve splitting your forces. Or you could just take one town after another. Though doing so could make resistance heavier with the extra time.

Along with that you've received a request for assistance from other imperial forces. There is apparently a significant enemy presence holed up in a fortress that is currently being invested by another brigade. Moving to assist immediately will involve leaving both urban centres to your rear which could be a problem. Or you could hold it off for later.

[] Split your forces and attack both towns at the same time.
- [] Which battalions will be split off and who will lead the detached force.
[] Attack one town first (the closest) and then the other with your full force.
[] Ignore both towns, move to the help other imperial forces take the fortress.
[] Write-in.​

 

[Emdeman]

[X] Send our artillery battery to support the Fort siege, supported/protected by one of our light infantry battalions.
[X] Attack one town first (the closest) and then the other with your remaining force.
-[X] See if this Resistance contact is on the level. Let them try to convince the traditionalist town to surrender.
--[X] Failing that, the resistance/traditionalists should shift focus to evacuating civilians from the town.

The weather is clear and sunny as your brigade approach the outskirts of the Merovian town called Lublin. It is a decently sized urban centre focussed around a few factories. White sheets feature prominently on the buildings, its clear the civilians don't want a fight.

The vanguard enters the town and quickly encounters a few resistance members waiting for them. They claim to have convinced significant numbers of militia to desert, though you are understandably unable to verify it. Probably had a bunch of sympathisers there already. They were unable to persuade the regular army to completely abandon the town. However there seems to have been a disagreement among among the military chain of command in the garrison. Part of it has left the town while others have stayed behind. You suppose that's what happens when everyone is socially equal. Unfortunately the resistance are unwilling to actually fight their fellow countrymen openly but that's not necessary. The information provided about the layout of the town will be quite useful. You have them do what they can to keep the population away from the enemy concentrations.

The troops advance further and soon encounter some sniper fire. It is sporadic and does very little damage though it achieves its intended effect, slow your forces down. After a few hours the enemy - about a company of troops - has been isolated around two strongpoints. In and around buildings providing good cover and vantage points. For the rest of the day they resist several attempts to take their positions. The streets around the strongpoints are blocked by debris and barricades impeding armour, creating decent defenses. Despite steady mortar fire and defensive lines collapsing, requests for surrender are rejected. After a night of minor incursions to keep them on their toes, you use the darkness to clear a path to bring up some of the heavier armour.

As dawn arrives the situation for Merovian forces is clearly hopeless. Outnumbered, surrounded on all sides with the end quickly approaching, they keep on fighting. Your soldiers take the surrounding streets after a couple of hours of fighting. As the mortars keep falling and heavy tanks break through the last defense lines, the white flag of capitulation is seen from the now pockmarked buildings. The remaining enemy troops surrender after their commander is killed by a blast. The rest of the day as well as the following one is spent finishing the takeover and recovering from the fighting.

Casualties were light for this type of fighting, less than a few dozen. It helped that the enemy's homeground advantage was mostly negated by insider knowledge. But still, three days were wasted on a town that should have taken an afternoon to occupy. Some post battle scrutiny by some adjutants reveals that the enemy force was made up of several platoons of actual soldiers with some irregular support. The population didn't really rally behind the defenders as much as they could have which certainly saved some trouble. You're not sure if it was just general reluctance or actual cajoling by friendly agents that prevented people from taking up arms, it could be both. You mentally tip your hat to the deceased CO, not any random officer could hold you off that long just some infantry.

After securing Lublin you immediately move to take the second town in your way, Seczerin. Its takes a day to march your forces there. One of the things you think about on the journey are the origins of the supposed Merovian resistance. Once a upon a time Merovia was a duchy in the kingdom of Volhynia. That realm collapsed during the Troubles half a century ago. Most of its constituent parts joined the empire but one part refused. The Merovian duchy stayed independent a few decades until it was overthrown by a federation supported uprising, which really anyone should have seen coming. The people who inhabit this country are the same ethnicity as the people in bordering imperial regions, which makes it easy for the Merovian agents to seep into the empire. A useful resource to the federation.

The resistance seems to be made up of people dissatisfied with the current republican government. Old fashioned royalists, ducal supporters or just people incensed by the natural brutality of the revolutionaries. Though given the nature of the Merovian intelligence apparatus, it wouldn't surprise you if the resistance was infiltrated to some degree.

Eventually your forces approach Seczerin. The initial hints by the partisans of possible heavy resistance are confirmed when your forward troops take fire on the outskirts of the town. Its not just small arms either, but squad weapons like volley guns. After some stiff resistance your forces advance further into the town. Its slow going, with numerous defensive positions amongst the houses. There is even some light federation armour, along with some of their signature infantry support vehicles like half tracks. A distinct characteristic of federal armies. Your armour helps out greatly in clearing these strongpoints.

Spoiler

There seems to be significant numbers of paramilitaries opposing you alongside the regulars. Its still mid-morning, the day is overcast and there some moderate fog hindering sight. But its not so bad as to hurt short range visibility.

With Giraud and his light infantry absent, you currently have five battalions under your command. Raeder's 82nd and Surena's 21st are supporting Mueller's armour in capturing the town. You've been keeping Vorbeck and Nivelle back from the fighting to keep your options open and to let them recover some more as they troops were in the brunt of the Lublin fighting. It seems like to time has come to commit the rest of your forces to eliminate the rest of the enemy presence in Seczerin. It should tip the balance further in your favour. Though it does leave you uneasy to have nothing on hand for emergencies. On the other hand this kind of cautiousness could cause heavier losses in the front. The artillery would have been useful right now but you can work with what you have.

[] Commit the reserves to take the town, it should fall quicker
[] Hold them back for now, just in case
[] Write-in, SV's plans can be very good, they can also be very bad

OOC: Been busy in the past week. Updates shouldn't be quite as slow in the future.