Pro Patria (Valkyria Chronicles)

[Emdeman]

[X] Commit the reserves to take the town, it should fall quicker
-[X] Have Nivelle's scouts look around for a weak point in the enemy defenses (unguarded sewers, a poorly secured building that can enfilade the enemy positions, a route to the enemy headquarters, etc.) and have Vorbeck's battalion exploit it.

Now is the time to be bold. The enemy is in a dire position, ripe for being vanquished. You order the units held back to enter the town and reinforce the committed forces. Thereby opening a new front for the embattled defenders to shift scant resources to protect. You won't be accused of being timid and letting some of your formations fight unassisted, taking greater damage then they otherwise would.

Under the overcast skies the rest of your forces stream into the burg, its really more like a small city. The buildings are a little spaced out unlike in normal cities where everything seems cramped. The sounds of explosions and firefights ring across the urban landscape. The echoes of falling mortars and reverberations of tank guns can be heard repeatedly like a grim symphony.

More time given
Roll = 56 + 10 Radical Firebrands = 66 — Failure
15 Entrenched => 30 Heavily Entrenched

You follow behind with your guards into the township, places that have already been cleared. A good commanding officer never leads from the front, instead delegating responsibility to able subordinates. Receiving information and making well informed decisions. You walk past the outskirts of the town, mainly battle scarred buildings and the occasional fearful inhabitant peeking through windows. You see cadavers hanging from lampposts and trees. Supposed traitors and collaborators murdered for being insufficiently devoted to the revolution going by the signs around their necks.

Typical mob justice roused by desperate demagogues to inspire solidarity. You doubt any of those people received proper trials, instead being randomly lynched after being accused. Whole families died together which only compounds the barbarity. There's more than a few darcsen among them, which is a rather absurd notion and would be amusing if it weren't so morbid. You're not the type of person to take joy in horrible things, unless its happening to certain someones who have personally wronged you of course. You are human of course.

Renewed attack
Roll = 84 - 30 Heavily Entrenched + 10 Reinforcements + 10 Outnumbered = 74 — Clear Success

The assault goes well. Numerous enemy positions are overrun or abandoned as they become untenable. Nivelle performed his duties skilfully, finding weaknesses in the enemy's defences that the heavier units could take advantage of. Raeder's troops repel a counterattack that was attempting to outflank some heavy armour several streets over. You are unsure if the pillars of smoke in the distance are just coincidental results of the heavy fighting or if the usual suspect is involved.

Still, the fighting is ferocious. The enemy has done their utmost to make this as painful as possible. The regulars fall back in good order to the next set of defences among the buildings, fighting alongside volunteers who put up zealous resistance on preprepared barricades and fortified buildings. Street to street fighting rages across the the town as your forces clear neighbourhood after neighbourhood. In one luckless occasion, the locals spread some form of tree oil used in the factory machines over one of the streets. Igniting it when some armour rolled up the road, cremating an entire platoon of tanks. Mueller's going to be indignant about that for a long time to come.

However, its only a matter of time before their defenses start folding and numerous vehicles are knocked out. You can start isolating their HQ soon, leading to a su-

Detection
Roll = 9 - 5 Fog - 10 Trivial Rearguard = 0 — Dangerous Failure

You are directing operations from an abandoned townhouse when the unexpected occurs. Urgent runners from the rear bring word of attacks on your brigade from outside the town, far behind the current frontline. How could this happen? Those areas were cleared on your approach! Any Merovian troops there should have been dislodged or transformed into bullet riddled corpses! Damn you don't have anything potent there, just substandard rear echelon guards and whatever weapons the labourers can arm themselves with. Your supporting elements are vulnerable to a mauling.

Surprise
Roll = 61 + 5 Trivial Rearguard + 10 Ambush - 20 Winning Handily = 56 — Mixed Outcome

After a moment of rapid thought you come to a realisation. There wasn't a disagreement among the leaders of the Lublin garrison. The forces you faced were acting as a forlorn hope to slow you down. It was a deliberate plan to buy time for rest of the regulars to get some distance from the town. Where did they go afterwards? You naturally assumed they'd either come here or keep on running. Instead they must have melted away into the countryside between the two towns and waited for your forces to move on. And then launching raids on your rear. Blast.
The enemy always gets a vote Rudolf, familiar voice whispers in your mind.
Actually this reminds you a little of one of the historical battles one of your ancestors fought in. The third league war where the Preuthenian military continually surrendered ground to the joint Novan-Wiennese armies during the Baden campaign in order to gather enough strength before forcing a confrontation at the battle of Selhiem. Its an idle thought thats not really relevant since this isn't a conflict between peers.

Okay, you can salvage this. Its only a moderate setback. In a bleaker world, your forces could be encircled right now… if the noose resembled a string. Its like trapping a bear with walls of paper.

You divert the closest units - regardless of battalion - to get over there posthaste and drive them off. You have got to prevent as many supplies from being destroyed as possible.

The response weakens the concentration of your lines. The enemies reaction to this is audacious. Under the cover of the dim evening sun the Merovians stage a breakout with their remaining vehicles and professional troops along with some of the auxiliaries. Using most of their militia in one final attack to pin down the bulk of your forces they strike at the weakest point. Punching through and fleeing from the field. With the core of their forces gone the remaining militia soon surrender.

You are half tempted to have them shot for causing that much trouble but that would violate the conventions, all of them are wearing some kind of identification or uniform. You want to find those that participated in the lynchings and give them a taste from their chalice but you don't want to get down to their level. You only want to punish those who are certainly guilty, but that's impossible to determine by now. Plus it would still break the rules of war.

You are enticed to pursue immediately before you witness the chaos that is your supply train. It wasn't as terrible as it could have been but its still severe. Not an insignificant amount of supplies have been torched, munitions wreaked and menials have been indiscriminately slaughtered, regardless of whether or not they were resisting. There are scatterings of Volhyn and Darsen dead around the areas unlucky enough to be hit. Scoundrels probably killed some of their own countrymen you ironically think.

Its a blow but not a major one. There's still plenty of materiel and labourers left to continue operations, the vast majority in fact. The main issue is fixing the disorder and disarray. You were oversupplied to begin with and the raiders didn't have much time before they were driven off.

You'll need at least a day to reorganise the brigade and finish securing the town. Any immediate pursuit would be reckless in your opinion. Now is the time to take stock of the damage.

Casualties

Roll = 189 * 1.2 Entrenched Foe = 227

4765 - 227 = 4538 effectives

You wonder if you will ever have the courage to read the names of the fallen and not just quickly glance over the lists. Would things have gone better if you had done things differently?

Questioning the prisoners reveals the size of the forces arrayed against you and their commanders. About half a battalion escaped from Seczerin under the command of one Tomasz Daow. The man who made taking this town grueling and then got away to fight again. Approximately another company of troops attacked your rear area. They were led by a Stefan Antoniak, who is presumably the master mind of the Lublin deception. You promise there will be a reckoning with both of them.

The following day you hear some interesting news. The battle for the strategic Midlon fortress is heating up, now is a good a time as any to intervene. That was the main purpose why you took these two towns in the first place wasn't it? Its the next objective. However, that would mean letting this federation force get away. Sure you've already given them a day's head start but shouldn't following on their heels and keeping the pressure applied be prudent? Though they may find extra reinforcements along the way, but you have score to settle with these men. On the other hand you're somewhat inclined to wait more and allow the brigade extra recovery time. Delaying would mean more supplies and reinforcements could come. Not that you're hurting for either honestly.

[] Move to assist the assault on the fortress
[] Pursue the Merovian forces
[] Wait several more days to recover further.

OOC: In case anyone's missed it, always read the last paragraph carefully. They usually provide context to votes.

 

[Emdeman]

[X] Move to assist the assault on the fortress

The next day your weary forces move out of the battle-scarred town of Seczerin. You are now riding on a re-purposed civilian car - driven by Jaimes - far away from the van, Mueller having now decided he needed all his machines for operations and couldn't spare a platoon to be glorified chauffeurs. You defer to him on this matter, he knows tank actions better than you.

The road to the fortress should take nearly two days. In the distance you can hear the dull thunder of explosions. You pass refugees going the other way, few want to talk and you're not inclined to force them. Though one geriatric fellow out of all the people deigned to inform you of some details. The fighting at Midlon has been going on for more than a week. Garrison was at beginning was half its normal size, being able to hold a maximum of four thousand soldiers. Judging by the tone you suspect the old man has resistance sympathies. Apart from directing the troops there isn't much to do which leaves plenty of time to think.

One thing that stands out to you is that there always appeared to be a smaller number of faithful patriots in federation lands compared to the apparent herds of republican terrorists in the empire.

In your opinion, commoners these days have no idea how good they have it. Your father is always grumbling about moochers and how in the past it wouldn't have been allowed to exist in the first place. No welfare wastrels back in the old days. Near constantly complaining about how the reforms enacted during the reign of Emperor Otto the Great (may he forever find worthy conflicts) were infringing on the ancient rights of the nobility and interfering in the running of the nation states. Its that kind of thing that fueled the sovereign's rights movement.

No new-fangled concepts like 'insurance' or 'dole' which even many federation nations haven't yet copied and passed. Though to be fair they at least had the illusion of choice and didn't have it 'shoved down their unwilling throats' in his vivid words.

You yourself are of two minds about this. On one hand it helped the economy by sharply reducing the number of emigrants leaving the empire in peacetime, while also keeping the proles content. But on the other hand it signaled a dangerous destabilising effect on the age old status quo, an unknown path that could spell disaster. Not to mention more cultural encroachment by the corelands, more homogeneity and less diversity.

Though to be honest, the nostalgic old days your father dreams about were also used to carry out some barbaric customs like ritual mutilation and sacrifice or first night. Its just that going to the other end of the extreme was not the answer in your opinion.

Back to the matter as hand, the Federation has always had an edge over the Empire in the fifth column arena. Which said something about the character of the republicans. The revolutionaries' seductive promises of liberty and egality seemed to sway many naïve and feeble-minded people to their cause. At least the Empire made up for that shortcoming by fermenting trouble in the Federation's colonies. There at least, the sanctimonious rhetoric could be used against them and exposed for the hypocrisy it naturally was.

The stumbling block to the whole overthrowing the nobility idea was that it simply placed the merchants at the top instead. And they have practically no accountability or legitimacy whatsoever. Being ruled by the mercantile classes was substantially worse for the working man than anything that came before, you have been informed. Continuously exploited to endlessly generate profit without any regard to well-being.

As you approach the location of the fortification you see large craters littering the fields, an obvious indicator to the presence of enemy artillery. It is just after the end of the day, with the last rays of light piercing the dark horizon.

You have the good fortune to encounter Giraud's outfit first, who are watching over the northern approach. The man himself seems relieved to see you. He invites you to his tent and shares a glass of wine.

"To the king of kings", you both intone before drinking.

"You couldn't have come sooner colonel", he starts off, "there's something nasty going on".

"What do you mean?" You ask perplexed, "Is the enemy doing something unusual?"

2d100 = 72 + 15 Artillery + 10 Numerical Superiority = 97 Minor Failure

Result: Midlon fortress mostly overrun, only last federation defenses and bastions still intact.

Click to shrink...

"No sir, they've mostly been losing and dying. Its the other colonel here, some chap called Baumann. He's doing something shifty".

"As in?" you prompt, vaguely remembering the fellow.

"About the arty section you told us to escort, he keeps it close to him. Says that its permanently assigned it to him for duration of the campaign. That you were ordered to transport it here by the general in order to take the fortress", he finishes.

You stand up, outraged, "What? Why didn't you tell me this earlier?"

"I sent a message a few days back, thought you were responding to it. I see it hasn't gotten to you".

"Well it appears we have quite the problem".

Hot damn, do you have a problem. The commander of the siege can't officially take away formations legitimately part of your brigade, like Giraud's troops. But that artillery wasn't originally a part of your force. The isolation granted by being the highest ranking officer around must have given him ideas. If you had come here with your whole force instead- no point contemplating possibilities. Thank goodness you came here now instead of chasing those federation lackeys, otherwise you'd be getting Giraud's messages somewhere dozens of miles away.

"Here's a report on casualties we've taken so far capturing this pile of rocks", he hands over a some papers to you.

Losses taken by 33rd battalion so far
Roll = 69
4538 - 69 = 4469 effectives

Click to shrink...

That's more than ten percent of the battalion's strength. Steep losses, and as of this moment your most diminished formation. The melancholy thought is soon interrupted by the current issue.

How dare he try to take your artillery! You had to use up valuable capital to get them. You should go right up to him and take back what is yours. The risk of confrontation should make him back down. Though if things go awry you could get into trouble. On the other hand… you could go upstage him and finish off the fortress right now. His troops have retired for the night to conduct the final attack for tomorrow. Swooping in and taking the glory would be quite satisfying but night operations tend carry extra risk. Then again he could be operating under a severe misunderstanding, unlikely as it may be. You could always jointly take the fort tomorrow and converse with him afterwards. Or you can accept that this metaphorical battle is not worth fighting and walk away, though you'll be damned if you're forgetting about it.

[] Confront. Him. Now
[] Decide later, take the fortress first
- [] Now, on your own
- [] Tomorrow with Baumann
[] Disregard the transgression, but remember it
^ (attack happens together tomorrow)
[] Write-in

OOC: So I fell asleep just before finishing the update. Sue me. This is brought to you by the miraculous time called lunch hour.

 

[Emdeman]

[X] Decide later, take the fortress first
- [X] Now, on your own
-- [X] Send a dispatch to HQ afterward announcing the fall of the fortress and lauding the contribution of your artillery crews while recommending basic medals

This situation will require some deft manoeuvrings, the other colonel is clearly up to no good. But that can be settled later, now is a good chance to strengthen your position.

"Giraud, how soon can you get your unit ready for battle?" you ask off the cuff.

"Battle? We've spend the whole day fighting though we haven't been at the forefront", the older man frowns.

"Then you can handle the rearguard operations, give me a situation report", you respond calmly.

"Our side has been spending the last few days clobbering this place. Too many damn mines lying around, but most of its been cleared. It hasn't been easy but the enemy is on its last legs, the last push petered out shortly before their final lines".

"I gathered, we're going to move out in three hours, now what about…"

***​

It is dark as your forces move out. The moonlight provides a dim backdrop to the area. There will be no armour for the initial attack, much to the displeasure of Mueller and the heavy infantry commanders. There had to be a stealthy approach, the tanks will come afterwards. No point alerting the sentries beforetime, the enemy's or Baumann's. To this effect, the infantry placed rags between armour plates to muffle sound and tarnish shiny surfaces with soot or grime. You shared a joke with a few men that this was one of the few time they'd do the opposite of what field regs demanded. That earned a few chuckles. In the low visibility they looked a bit more like elites and special forces than regular grunts.

The Midlon fortress itself was no antiquated middle period castle but two twisting rings of modern bunkers, pillboxes and volley gun nests. Based around the Wislah river it had presented a formidable obstacle. Key word being had, the acrid smell of smoke from recent fighting still hangs in the air. The defenders had been uprooted from the bulk of the defensive works after several days of heavy fighting. However, the combat had been so intense it had left both sides exhausted just before the final bastion could fall. This presented your fresh forces with an opportunity.

Apparently there was an armoured train - affectionately nicknamed Death by the rank and file - which had been causing havoc among the imperial forces. Battering the attackers from range with artillery fire before moving away to other points in the defense. According the Giraud it has now been immobilised by your artillery tearing up the tracks.

The troops advance into the fortress, cautiously checking for any fresh mines laid by enterprising Merovians recently. The burnt out husks of outposts and ruined fortifications litter the field. The concrete seems to have weathered the battering fairly well... other things didn't. You pass by the bodies of the recently dead out in open, barely cooled. Baumann's men fought hard for this place. You feel a pang of regret for taking their accomplishment away.

The discharge of firearms half a mile in front of you announces the start of fighting. Fire is exchanged between your forward troops and enemy sentries. The low light will mean most of the shots will miss, meaning close quarters fighting. Something your heavy infantry excel in. Your forces immediately overrun the initial outposts. Your supposition was right, the enemy troops were bone tired. They weren't expecting an attack of this size. The response is sluggish and more outer defenses fall. You hear small pops of grenades going off.

The roar of tanks can be heard as they race toward the front to support the infantry. Shellfire soon joins the chorus of ear-splitting noises. There is very little answering anti-tank fire, maybe they're running low on lance ammunition or just caught off guard.

The thin federation defenses become weaker as two thirds of your brigade roll them up. Your soldiers are about to reach the final defensive lines before their last fort when the enemy resistance finally solidifies. They seem to be able to put up more of a fight now that they can rouse enough bodies to the frontline, but it won't matter soon as your tanks and mortars will just shred them.

Then an indistinct roar suddenly fills the air. You can't tell where its coming from. The buildings around you seem to shake. An enormous amount of dirt seems to have been suddenly kicked up. The sound of deep explosions reverberate through the air.

What ever-loving hells was that? It sounded like a super-heavy shell detonating. Which is nonsensical as there are no railway guns or capital ships for hundreds of miles.

You can see even from here that your forces are obviously in serious disarray. Going by the confused shouts, disorder is the main result from the commotion, though that's because there's no indication on the number of casualties yet. You could go in person and re-form them. It would put you at risk but you do have an honour guard of elites. You are leery of throwing yourself into danger considering the consequences but you are no coward. Your troops need you. Yes, there are lower ranked officers there but they could be incapacitated or too slow. The enemy certainly isn't going to pass up this chance.

Personally rally the troops?
[] Yes
[] No

***
Last part of the vote be held in abeyance until relevant.

Enjoy cliffhanger while I sleep. Next update will be soon, 12-18 hours.

 

[Emdeman]

"Forward."

The word comes out of your mouth softly as you unfasten the holster at you waist. You move ahead with steady steps. The scene in front of you blurry, dust obscures much of the limited night vision. People and objects appear as indistinct shapes. A cacophony of confused voices ring out.

Your bodyguard follow you into the fray. They fan out slightly ahead of you, scanning for enemies. Your own personal Gardes du Corps, ha. They're probably not that much more exceptional than the rank and file. It still reminds you a little of the praetorians though the comparison is laughable.

"Rally!" you shout as loud as you can in your best command voice towards the nearest troops, "Form on me. Get it together troops!"

Rally
Roll = 32 + 20 Inspiring Leader = 52 Mixed Result

Click to shrink...

Many can't hear you, being temporarily deaf but they can see your maroon uniform. Theres enough moonlight for that. Sometimes it helps to be distinctive.

Unfortunately, you are just one person you can't hope to assist them all, especially in the darkness. However, through your efforts you manage to organise squad after squad behind you. The troops are mostly from the 82nd and 33rd. Anhalt Liners and Chasseurs, people who didn't really get along when you first encountered them. Now they seem to be standing side by side without much animosity. Mutual survival tends to do that, but who knows if it can last?

After a hundred paces you notice the ground appears to have sank several inches or a foot in some places. Footing is not the best and the unstable foundation doesn't lend itself well to sending in extra tanks. Not you could order that since you decided to throw yourself into combat. You know there are some advanced imperial tanks somewhere in front of you so there'll be some armour support, though their condition is another matter.

The sound of chaos is soon joined by something else. A strange sound emerges, it has rhythm. Is that singing? Its like a hundred of voices forming a broad ranging chorus. You can't tell where its coming from, it could be from your people.

Courage!, Duty!, Honor!

The sounds of gunfire on front of you intensify. "Don't shoot unless you can see the enemy!" you scream, "look out for our people." You want to minimise friendly fire as much as possible.

Our way of life is what we are fighting for.

You take out your sidearm and hold it to your side. Its your primary weapon since you deigned not to spend time extensively training with common military firearms.

The dust settles somewhat though vision is still not passable. Soldiers are still stumbling out of the dark miasma.

The flag that flies above us, inspires us each day.

You don't recognise the words of the song but then again you're not familiar with all the ditties of the rank and file. Could be some platoon's marching song.

Random event
Roll = 8 Oh Dear

Click to shrink...

Striding forward from the dirty mist are numerous shadowy forms, so many you don't bother counting. Scrambling around the sandbag and trench works your troops had cleared a few minutes before. The advance is steady and orderly, moving at walking pace.

It's a good day to die.

You raise your sidearm but don't fire, the range is not quite right. Soldiers around you begin opening fire with their long guns. The sound is ear splitting.

When you know the reasons why.

You see it happen in front of you. Multiple grenades falling on your forward positions, the farthest where the brigade had reached. Soon they are overrun and your forces are on the back foot. All along the line troops are being pushed back or overwhelmed. Its close quarters fighting and neither side is in the mood for mercy.

Citizens we fight for what is right.

A tank ahead of you is desperately firing its volley gun. Its tracks have sunk into the ground, immobilising it. The armoured vehicle is swarmed by the enemy in the dimness. Grenades and improvised explosives knock it out. Unsurprisingly they take horrendous losses, bodies are littered across the landscape.

A noble sacrifice.

The distance closes and soon you're a stones throw away from the enemy, your infantry clashing with theirs. Through apparent bad luck your position has become the focus of a couple of platoons. Shots whiz through the air, and you duck for cover. Sometimes it doesn't help to be distinctive. The bodyguard are methodically firing, doing their best to protect you.

This isn't the first time you've seen federation soldiers, but you have to admit it is a nerve-racking sight. They don't wear any visible armour apart from a helmet. It always struck you that their attitude to their troops was so expendable. The helmets were slanted on edges just like imperial ones though instead of the crests and peaks common on your side their helmets were flat and plainer. No visors either so you can see their faces as they die. And that they do, while singing that infernal song like their lives don't matter. Carelessly throwing it all away for honeyed words and false ideals.

When duty calls, you pay the price.

The defenders are obviously launching an all out last ditch attack. You are awfully close to being ventilated. Despite the desperate circumstances, you can't help but reflect what your sisters would think about your impending death. Little Miss Saviour Complex would pretend to be sad while being secretly glad and milk maximum sympathy for future use. Maybe Shorty would feel guilty about being happy but she'd do it nonetheless, like a natural politician. Miss Insecurity would breathe a sigh of relief and do her best to forget about you, responding to any queries about you with a blank look and people would no doubt interpret as extreme sorrow. Miss Prideful Bitch would laugh and pretend to be solemn on the outside, talking about duty and sacrifice while her eyes carry a hint of satisfaction.

Combat
Roll = 98 You are Very Lucky

Click to shrink...

Well too bad for them you're not leaving the mortal coil anytime soon. You raise your sidearm and fire. Its a small contribution but its something. Yet the federals keep on coming, like automations. When one goes down another takes their place, and many do since they seem to be eschewing cover. Soon you abandon all thoughts of conserving ammunition and start firing quickly, almost wildly. A vicious firefight occurs between the two sides, though accuracy is low in the darkness except in close quarters.

You shoot a charging Merovian soldier, the woman's head snaps back as the bullet hits between the eyes. Wait what, you were aiming for the centre of mass like you were taught...

For the federation I will give my life.

Another enemy is shot in the shoulder, causing him to drop a grenade. Finishing off a clump of soldiers. All around you the enemy is being hit with accurate fire. Finally the Merovians falter, the shock of taking ridiculous losses seems to register and they hastily retreat.

You notice that your sidearm has run out of ammunition a while back and you have failed to notice due to your alarm at the frantic situation. and terror.
You hastily reload before anyone notices you've been pointing an empty pistol around for half the fight. You suppose you should have focused some more on personal combat skills. Or it could simply be inexperience and shock at work.

A squad of your troops soon approach, 11th grenadiers you guess since Vorbeck is personally leading them. She is grimly holding a scouts rifle while a couple of attendants hold spares. The troops around her look awed, no doubt by your bravery and willingness to risk yourself on the frontlines. You greet the major and she gives you a respectful nod.

The routing enemy is pursued all along the front by your forces. They are soon surrounded around their fort. You demand their surrender. Surprisingly enough they accept, which was unexpected given their earlier fervour. Perhaps the will to fight left them?

Afterwards it turns out that a series of tunnels run under the Midlon fortress. Realising they would not last another day the Merovians had gathered up all their remaining artillery shells and placed clusters of them at strategic points points along the tunnel network. Creating a gigantic set of mines. Fortunately your surprise nighttime attack appears to have preempted their plan. It was not fully completed and activated prematurely. They had placed them expecting to be aware of when each defensive work fell to inflict maximum damage. That was thankfully averted.

Casualties
4d100 Roll = 184 * 1.5 Boom * 0.8 Premature Detonation * 0.9 Night Attack * 0.9 Surprise = 179
4469 - 179 = 4290 effectives

Click to shrink...

You dread to think what would have happened you'd launched a joint assault the next day. Maybe Baumann's troops would have taken the bulk of the losses, maybe not. Nevertheless you saved quite a few imperial troops. However, you did end up taking some losses. The initial attack went quite well but the counterattack wiped out whole squads.

You have to hand it to the enemy, they fought well to defend Midlon fortress. Its certainly no Iserlon but the Merovians made your side pay a steep butchers bill for taking it. Fortunately most of it was paid by Baumann's brigade in earlier part of the assault. You have the sinking feeling that you may have created a legend here tonight, and not the way you'd prefer. At least you're still alive.

Originally before taking command, you were disappointed you weren't going to face any of the Federation's premier soldiers like the marines or republican guard in this campaign. Now you know better than to underestimate the average federation trooper. You're sort of dreading fighting those elites now. how many more will you lose?

***
​

After a small amount of time the other imperial forces approach. Soon you are face to face with Colonel Baumann. In front of you prisoners are being escorted out by your troops with their hands on their heads. The meeting occurs under the night sky, you idly note that its filled with stars. Its good to be around to enjoy the small things.

The older man greets you with a firm handshake. "I'm glad you came, your help was invaluable and saved many lives. Though its regrettable that you encountered their last trick", he spits on the ground. He's relieved not to have tripped the Merovian trap, it outweighs his indignation at losing some of the credit.

"It was my duty to assist Colonel Baumann" you respond seriously, "after the effort your brigade spent to keep up the pressure, I couldn't let them rest through the night."

"Too true", he smiles thinly. He looks around and points out the obvious, "I see you have taken many prisoners. I wasn't expecting the fanatical extremists here to surrender."

"Everyone gives up sooner or later, though many did choose death in one last hurrah", you respond somber.

"Yes, I suppose they would", he says knowingly. Huh? "I would like to ask something of you, Colonel Hapsburg."

"Go on."

"Could you turn over just the officers to me? I have a promise to keep," He says this matter-of-factly.

No mention of the artillery at all. You're almost a loss for words at the gall of the man. How do you bring this up?

It looks like you can swing one concession for another if you want to leave on reasonable terms. Those republicans probably did something inexcusable to warrant such emotion. Or you could not acquiesce to the request. You haven't mentioned to him yet that you've sent dispatches back to HQ announcing your success. Hopefully your commendations for the artillery will give you an edge.

How do you handle this?

"Well..."

How do you handle this?
[] Compromise with Baumann: hand over the enemy officers while taking your artillery back - should mollify him somewhat.
[] Antagonise Baumman: deny the unorthodox request and take your artillery back - you don't care what he thinks about you.
[] Make Baumann be in debt to you: let him have the artillery and keep the prisoners - he'll owe you big time.
[] Be firm with the regulations: you won't let surrendered foes out of your watchful eye, in consolation he can have the artillery - he'll still owe you.
[] Write-in

OOC: Not dead, just slow to update due to being extremely busy. Shouldn't quite that bad in the future. I also found out you can throw multiple dice in one post. Can't believe I didn't know that before.

Music credit.

 

[Emdeman]

[x] Cavalier write-in

"Well... There's plenty of time to determine how we deal with the prisoners," you reply with an air of nonchalance. The statement is greeted by a look of annoyance from Baumann. You can imagine the thoughts going through his mind.
Useless fop
"I wouldn't-", he begins before you cut him off.

"Why don't we head over to my command tent for a toast to victory and settle out the final report to General Hall? I've already taken the liberty of sending a preliminary dispatch," you smile thinly as you stress the penultimate word.

The reaction is palpable, the other colonel's face sours at the words. "What about?" he grinds out.
Scheming son of bitch.
"Announcing the fall of the fortress, of course. I also passed on some award recommendations for the artillery and light battalion I lent you to support the siege, but I wouldn't want to misrepresent your forces. You can tell me what happened here and we can get the full and proper account of the battle on the record for the High Command. After all, there's plenty of credit that can be shared in a joint effort."
Condesending prick.
"I see", his face smooths out into a mask of neutrality. "After you then", letting you take the lead. He doesn't contest your ownership of the artillery; maybe it was just opportunism, or he didn't notice your words. Perhaps he is withholding judgement.

Ringed by the privacy of the tent, holding a glass of wine, he looks the very image of Preubian severity as he explains what happened.

"The progress was slow and bloody. The enemy resorted to dirty tactics to prolong the affair. Such as-"

The way he describes them, the 'dirty tricks' sounded more like desperate measures of an outmatched force to hold on for as long as it could. Sure there were dishonourable ploys like booby-trapping their dead but it takes guts to order artillery to fire on friendly positions. Maybe you're just being unfairly forgiving against the enemy due to your bias against Baumann.

"At the rate of losses I was taking I expected to lose half my brigade before this was settled. I wasn't expecting help so the arrival of your forces helped greatly. For that I will always be grateful. As it stands I have just over three thousand able troops that-"

He does appear grateful, but its obvious he doesn't like you. Probably the age difference despite sharing the same rank.

"Faced with the prospect of further losses I demanded that they lay down their arms immediately or face harsh repercussions. Their leaders did not surrender despite the clearly hopeless position."

"So you want to punish them?" You don't like where this is going.

He agrees with a wordless nod.

"I can't let you abuse surrendered prisoners Colonel Baumann."

"I assure you it will be quick and relatively painless."

You look up in shock, so he just wants to shoot them out of hand...

"Thats against the regulations, we could both be in serious trouble if it comes out", you try to keep the horror out of your voice.

"I gave my word that it would happen if they continued fighting past the point of any hope of victory. I will take full responsibility if word gets out, Hapsburg."

"What authority do you have to execute our opposite counterparts for doing their duty?"

"Duty? I've lost people close to me because idiots couldn't see an unwinnable situation for what it was! Who wanted to take as many people down with them as possible. How would you react if you had been ordered to defend an untenable position or make a suicidal charge for no possible gain?"

You freeze upon hearing the words, eyes zoning out, your mind flashes back to that moment. When it seemed all was lost and your time on the mortal coil was over. Seeing the enemy in the distance just coming at you.

Spoiler

They didn't seem unhappy, going by the singing. Its almost like they were resigned... or glad. Bah fanatics, you'll never understand them.

You should investigate what happened then. Upon further reflection that moment really should have been the end. The uncanny way in which the enemy attack wilted. You were too infused with adrenaline to notice what saved you.

You snap out of it. "I don't know what I'd do", you respond after a minute lost in thought.

The other man seems to realise he touched a nerve and prudently doesn't press the issue. You talk with Baumann some more. Nothing quite so dramatic comes up. He tacitly agrees to give up any claim to the artillery though not in so many words. After some discussion on what to officially report back he leaves.

On the prisoners you:
[] Let events run their course
[] Firmly ruled it out
[] Held off on a decision until later (next update)

Soon after you gain surprising news that the leader of the enemy forces was captured alive. A brigadier in fact, which now that you think about it was not much of a surprise. Originally you thought someone lower ranked had taken over after the commander perished. You have a chance to hear the other side of this story and maybe gather some intelligence. Its a chance to find out what the hell the other side is thinking firsthand. Besides a part of you wants to see the person who made things so difficult.

Additionally you could get to know your counterpart more. Getting him to form a better opinion of you could come in useful later. You can do both things but splitting your efforts could result in less returns.

So, you could spend time and investigate what happened further, or leave the matter closed. To just walk away now and go back to business.

On sending word back to HQ:
[] Send a joint report sharing the credit
[] Send separate reports
-[] Highlighting your successes

Over the next couple of days you:
[] Meet the enemy commander and talk
[] Get to know Colonel Baumann some more
[] Prepare to leave at the earliest opportunity

 

[Emdeman]

[X] Firmly ruled it out
[X] Send a joint report sharing the credit
-[X] Recommend HQ establish a war crimes investigation
[X] Meet the enemy commander and talk

You approach the enclosure where the prisoners of war are being temporarily held. A few guards follow in your wake. Left behind at your desk for later reading is the report on the wounded. Its too early in the day for that.

You sent off the official report to the headquarters a few hours ago. Much to your counterpart's approval, Baumann didn't have any objections and made few changes to it. He just wanted to get it out of the way as quickly as possible. Seems like the man just wants to get things moving again, which is a mark in his favour. You're nowhere near as timely in paperwork you ruefully think.

You also recommended an investigation into possible breaches of the Conventions committed by irregulars in places like Seczerin. Maybe something will come of it. You hope it doesn't turn into a political seleball.

Your contemplations are cut off upon reaching the waiting area. Looking past the wire is a mass of human beings corralled like cattle. The prisoners mostly look resigned as they sit on the ground or aimlessly stand around. They are no longer the enemy, just people. Misguided people who time will show the error of their ways, ancestors willing.

Orders are issued, and the guards of the makeshift prison start seeking out your person of interest. This elicits a response from the initially subdued prisoners. The atmosphere becomes tense as hostile looks are directed at you. It is quickly cut off by a stoic looking man as he steps forward. The guards escort him to an isolated area with you. Both of you examine the other, he is an older fellow, probably late-forties. He looks shocked by your age given the uniform. You'll have to get used to it.

You can handle this. You once attended a series of lectures given by renowned interrogator Sir Hans Scharff. This therefore makes you an authority of grilling prisoners without having to resort to crude methods.

"Who do I have the honour of speaking to?" you start off.

The Merovian looks surprised at the respectful address. "I am Brigadier Avigdor Kowalski. Why am I summoned?"
The words of someone who expects to die
You always wondered why the two polities used a different name for the same rank. Apparently the rank of brigadier was phased out a few decades back in the Empire for organisational reasons. You think the people higher up just wanted to differentiate the hierarchy.

"I would like to meet the man that ordered one of the bravest things I have ever seen," you make no effort to keep the admiration out of your voice.

Kowalski gives you a piercing stare before sighing. "And who are you? I had thought Colonel Baumann was in charge", the way he says your counterparts name makes it clear he doesn't hold the preubian in high esteem.

You tell him your name. He recognises it surprisingly enough, and looks at you with new realisation. He's probably thinking you got the rank through connections rather than merit. which would be the case dammit.

"I'm investigating what occurred here before I arrived to reinforce from Seczerin", you put on your best conciliatory voice.

"So my forces there eluded you", the fed remarks casually. Huh?

"No they were killed to the last", you say quickly.

He doesn't believe you.

"Daow can be quite a handful, in more ways than one," Kowalski responds.

"It wasn't him, it was the commander you had in Lublin. He caused quite a lot of trouble, what was his name?" you ask, taking a shot in the dark and trying to hit two birds with one stone.

He ignores your question, "Well well, I didn't think the historian had it in him." Meh the answer tells you something at least.

Despite seemingly coming off worse in the exchange you did learn one thing. His brigade was responsible for both your and Baumann's operational areas, your respect for the man has increased markedly.

"Back to the original matter, can you tell me your version of events?"

Kowalski goes on to describe the events of the battle. You listen respectfully, but interrupt halfway.

"Wait, so you're saying Baumann demanded your surrender after the outer defences fell, and said he wouldn't take any prisoners if you refused?"

"Yes, he said it would be the last time such an offer would be extended", he says stiffly.

This is... unsettling. You can see what he was trying to do. Reduce casualties and end the fighting early with tough words. But he took a gamble and the bluff was called. Would you ever be in that situation? You hope not.

"Is that why did you fought so hard? You could have tried to withdraw several days ago or capitulated." You are mad now, if Baumann hadn't done what he did last week then its likely the federation forces would have surrendered before you arrived. Avoiding the combat and losses against an enemy that thought it was going to die anyway. A cornered foe fights the hardest afterall.

"It was hopeless either way, I wanted to make a stand." Kowalski says with an air of finality.

"But why not accept his offer then if it was clear you wouldn't win? Or did you want your underlings to die for your pride?" you accusingly challenge.

A fire seems to ignite in his eyes at your words.

"I did what I could to defend my country! Unlike others who thought abandoning it was the best idea. Every one of the soldiers left behind to fight here was a volunteer and knew what they were getting into. Even the civilians who put on spare uniforms to fill up gaps made by those who favoured evacuation."

So thats why the fortress was understrength. Still you can see other reasons for why he did what he did. Buy time for something else to come into play, wait did he just say he was fighting with even less professional troops and sizeable numbers of armed civilians? Bloody hell. Anyway there was something useful in what he said.

"Abandon? You mean to say your armed forces are simply giving up your country?" You ask with a hint of incredulity, laying the bait.

"Aye, it shouldn't a secret for much longer. Our leaders came to the conclusion that the country couldn't be defended and hightailed it. Most of our forces have ceded the border regions as you may have noticed by now". He seems bitter about this reality and the rational decision made.

So you've basically been fighting diehards for the past month who either fighting out of honour or trying to slow your side down. While the rest board whatever floats and evacuate. Time to wrap this up.

"So was there anything else you want to add. There's no need to describe the end, I was there. A bit too close really."

Kowalski thinks for a moment. "Baumann, he used the inventive tactic of having civilians clear some of my minefields."

"He just forced them walk over live minefields at gunpoint?" you ask in shock. What, why didn't he mention that first?

Bloody Baumann, he was specifically told not to do that. Wait, that was for rounding up people in Alliance territory, not in Merovia. Enemy civilians weren't mentioned but that defies the spirit of the order if not the wording. Its sort of hypocritical to recommend a war crimes investigation when horseshit like this happens. Is that why Baumann wanted the report out of the way quickly? Dammit. Though can you actually do something? All you have is the word of a high ranking PoW. What if he lied? Yes, thats a decent reason for not acting.

While you were lost in furious thought, Kowalski responds, "No he gave them standard minesweeping equipment and ten minutes of training, then made them clear the mines at gunpoint. It was difficult at first but eventually some of my troopers could live with shooting civilians."

Thats not as bad as your initial thought, wait no, its still very bad. "I'm very sorry about that, I'll do what I can to see that he is punished", you say without thinking. Besides its not like he'd know if you did anything with where he's going, a PoW camp.

Kowalski shrugs, "don't bother, they were darcsen".

You pause, thoughts frozen. "Fair... enough".

Such a cavalier attitude to the death of people who were ostensibly civilians. Though you can understand the sentiment. You never encountered any of those blueish haired people in your formative years as there were none of their kind in Wien. Probably from the many crusades and porajmos' of the middle period, centuries past.

Your first encounters with the Darcsen people was when you travelled to the Capital and entered the academy. There, you discovered and personally experienced that the stories you heard at home were all well founded. Darcsen are thieving, lying, primitive, backwards scum. The sooner that toxic culture vanishes from the pages of time the better. For everyone, including them.

This sort of attitude is understandably common on Europa across its broad variety of cultures. You even know some cultures where darcsen are considered impure and just touching them requires ritual purification. You heard of a story where a dehydrated local noble who accepted water from one had to undergo days of cleansing. All superstitious nonsense of course, you suppose thats what happens when you practice polytheism.

Anyway, Darcsen are the lowest rung of the ladder. You suppose even the commoners need someone to look down on. Once they are successfully integrated into society and stop being wandering parasites perhaps they can make something of themselves. Isn't that how it works in corporations? You join the lowest position and then work your way up. Heh. Though didn't the managers have a responsibility to ensure the wellbeing of the employees? Okay now you're just stretching the company analogy. Corporate managers don't practice empathy in your experience. The same is most probably the case in the Federation where mercantilism is stronger and more unshackled.

Just killing them seems too... barbaric and primeval. Which is why what Baumann's done leaves you very uneasy. Would you do something deplorable if it meant preserving the lives of your soldiers?

You conclude the conversation with the Brigadier. Theres not much more of interest to said. What to do now.

Pick One:
[] Confront Baumann on this new information
[] Investigate what occurred during your brush with death
[] Write-in

Pick One:
[] Leave as soon as it is practicable.
[] Wait for a few more days, you could flitch some of Baumann's supplies and recover more wounded.

OOC: An interesting guy, Hanns Scharff. I've said it before and I'll say it again; the narration is not always accurate or fairly portraying the facts. The vote options are determined by what Rudolf thinks is correct. For example, a few of updates back you had a good chance of just asking for surrender.

Put yourself in the enemy's shoes, they're position was hopeless and troops on their last legs. They were fighting because they thought there was no choice (which is why they surrendered when Rudolf thought they were beaten). One good dice roll and you would have taken the fortress without a fight. However It simply never occurred to him to do this, as it would have take away from surprise. This was one of the pitfalls of attack immediately, if you'd waited till the next day and maybe found out what Baumann did. But you can easily guess the surprise for that path. It demonstrates a blindness on his part that can show up sometimes, granted he was operating off imperfect information like you all were. Write-ins can alleviate this, though they may encounter other problems.

That said you could have avoided Baumann's worser decisions had you been present at the fortress earlier. Rudolf could have disagreed and he'd have to listen. But then it would have been a trade off with the other options. Just to remind you that stuff happens when you're not around and other people have agency.

 

[Emdeman]

[X] Investigate what occurred during your brush with death
[X] Leave as soon as it is practicable.

Preparations to depart are well under away as you conduct an unofficial investigation into what occurred in the final moments of your clash. Battle lines don't fold that unexpectedly in your limited experience and expansive academic knowledge. There had to be some stimuli at play, it could be something innocuous like enfilading fire from a hastily set up volley gun that you didn't notice, but you have to know for sure. The uncertainty at this detail nags at you for some reason. The knowledge of a reprieve is just not enough.

You send out feelers among the rank and file. The general gossip rumour mill is opaque and doesn't provide definitive answers. It also seems mostly focused on other things and events. What you find isn't that useful. People like that you personally entered the fray and appreciate it. But some of the tales are outlandish; its not like you're some master fighter or martial expert. You weren't expectations weren't high so don't fault the Sargethi for the results. The next step is to interview people who were there. Which proves unfortunately difficult as you never found out their names. This halts the investigation, seemingly for a while. Then an interesting development occurs, you manage to encounter someone who was there by complete coincidence. How convenient.

The man you recognise is sitting on a jerry can. His eyes are shut as a foot taps on the ground at a steady beat. A string of words come out in a low chant. In his hands is a rosary that carries a triple barred cross set on a diadem. Great, a cultist how fortunate. Now though is not the time to start being intolerant, most of them seem like decent enough people if a little weird from your point of view. You clear your throat to attract his attention.

"Otto Luther Frederick Albert Gustav… Oh", his eyes shoot up as he notices you, "what can I do for a progenitor?"

See, this is why religious people annoy you. Especially when they don't have the good grace to be from the correct one. You ask him about the heart of your inquiry.

He's eyes widen in revelation, "I was there", nothing more is said.

"And?" you prompt.

"You were there as well, didn't you witness the blessing?"

Teeth are now grinding, "My attention was occupied, please enlighten me."

"A guardian came forth and struck down the blind ones in our darkest moment. Capping... decollating... ripping faces off. It was a terrific... no beatific sight. One shot one death... so many."

"Who was it?" a hint of skepticism in your voice.

"The fine officer under your command. The one with the scar and burn marks."

You rack your mind, Vorbeck? What did she have to do with anything associated with this rambling? It never crossed your mind to ask her something so trivial. Of course she played a part, personally leading a group of reinforcements to bail you out. You should remember to show your gratitude... Your mind registers the words spoken more clearly. Is he implying she somehow singlehandedly did turned the tide? Ha, this man is exaggerating or letting his religious bias affect his judgement. War is a team effort, with no place for purported individual heroics having a significant impact. Or he is mad.

Now Rudolf don't talk to crazy people, your mother's voice echoes in the back your mind.

This was all a waste of time you conclude. Extra troops from the 11th Niederbayern came and saved the day.

You quietly thank him and leave, in a completely natural manner. Of course.

***​

Eventually the brigade decamps and puts Midlon behind it. After several days of traveling your forces encounter a scouting party comprised of Avars. They shared some useful intel on the local region. You will have to thank Colonel Azgle at a later date. There was also a simple message conveyed. Federation warships have been sighted off the Mervoian coast. Nothing bigger than a cruiser so far. Even that shouldn't be a concern for the foreseeable future in combat since you're nowhere near the sea.

The Empire was never a serious naval power, that was the Federation's domain. It was a natural consequence of owning most of Europa's developed coastal real estate. When you were younger you remember being awed when witnessing the launching of a Scharnhorst class battlecruiser in Treviso. Of course that before being taught the concept of 'fleet in being' at the academy. Without a doubt the Fed's Combined Fleet reigned supreme over the waves. Still that was a good day, you remember it fondly as the time when you pushed Arty into the harbour in retaliation for when she threw your mothers flute into the lake, you paid her back in appropriate fashion.

Replenishment
55 * 0.6 Recovery + 0 Reinforcement = 33
33 + 4290 = 4323

Click to shrink...

No reinforcements arrived since you were outside your operational area. They should be building up in the last urban area conquered. Also, the first of the seriously wounded have recovered! You remember reading the astronomically high casualty figures of historical battles and shudder. Modern medicine is truly a wonderful thing.

You're now back on track, detour concluded. Though 'on track' is also a pseudonym for 'middle of nowhere'. Miles of countryside abound around you. One option is to chart a path back to the last town you cleared out. This would meet up with your supply train and reinforcements, also allowing more wounded to recover. Who knows, maybe Frenzel has something nice for you.

On the other hand you're less than 40 miles from the Merovian capital. Heading in that direction could shorten the conflict and provide the enemy with less preparation time. The supply train can meet up with you later.

[] Head back to the last town
[] Push forward

OOC: RL has been very busy. Full time study and work have been a tiring combo. Combined with lethargy and lack of confidence in writing decent dialogue have brought about the delay.

 

[Emdeman]

Onwards, you decide. Now is the time seize the initiative. The order is dispatched to all the formations and the brigade lurches on. Civilians don't realise it but a spread out outfit consisting of a multi-thousand troop can cover miles of frontage. Especially when roads are not agreeable to arbitrarily drawn zone lines on a map. Though to be fair to the higher ups, maps are never quite accurate. Missing minor roads and tracks, sometimes even main roads which connect urban areas can meander in the oddest of directions.

After travelling a few days the forward companies report light skirmishes with isolated squads trying to set up minefields. This was followed by a prompt disengagement by the enemy. Their presence has been scarce, with the height of activity made up of a couple of raids and small ambushes on reconnaissance elements.

Aside from the lack of Merovian soldiers you've been encountering plenty of their materiel. Partially set up minefields or a seemingly random scattering of the things. Light, hastily set up affairs that seem more to inconvenience and slow down. Discovering where the infernal things are and then clearing them would normally cost time and lives. Fortunately the latter is almost virtually avoided thanks to the appearance of a resistance cell which provides some valuable advice. There are ways to pick out where the mines were hidden, important hints and markers indicating where they are that only natives would notice or be informed of. Whoever ordered them placed wanted to them to be avoidable by civilians and minimise their impact. Helping them manage in hard times.

Now they help you.

Some would call that naiveté, others honour. Though you suppose thats a downside when local forces are tasked with defence. Or maybe someone on the other side is sentimental and doesn't want to waste lives over a formality.

Casualties
1d50 = 19
4323 - 19 = 4304 effectives

Click to shrink...

Scouting
Roll 1d100 = 33 Failure Irrelevant

Click to shrink...

Everything is proceeding as normal. The battalions are moving forward. Its a bright sunny day on the plains surrounding the Merovian capital when you receive a report from the front. Another group of local sympathisers provide more intelligence, this time on enemy troop positions.

Really, this is getting a bit much. You didn't expect a nation with such a renowned intelligence service to be that bad at counterintelligence. Perhaps the Eyes singled them out for special attention, cultivating networks. Or it might be a ruse to feed disinformation, but come on these are important tactical details! Maybe the reputation is just a smokescreen, or underlying discontent that high? You've noticed rural areas don't seem to support the revolution as much when compared to their city brethren. Bah, no point looking a gift horse in the mouth. You've done that before... and it kicked you in the shin, damn Glitterhoof.

When you get around to reading the report and the helpfully provided photographs, you feel your jaw dropping.

That should not be there.

​

​

These things are spread out in a row pointing in your general direction. With attendant infantry and light armour support in battalion strength at least. They are standing between you and the route to the capital. So close, you can smell traces of salt in the air.

The pieces of artillery are the federation's answer to the imperial armour dominance. The 80mm gun, the latest cutting edge federation hardware. Which rumour has it can reliably ventilate your tanks from twice their maximum range especially the lighter ones, quite formidable. Fortunately the same cannot be said for their modern armoured forces. You think there is something inherent in the republican way of thinking that makes developing anything with tracks on it a dismal failure. You want to see their equivalent of the Batomys.​

In any case these guns really should not be here. The Merovians didn't have any of the latest equipment. They don't have the endless piles of money like certain countries to get the finest gear. Which means they received it from elsewhere just recently, shipped in.

Evidence supports this line of thinking as there appears to be the beginnings of an attempt to camouflage them, but they will not be completed in time thanks to your promptness. It would have been a nasty surprise if you had been tardy or unaware.

The flatlands give excellent sight for both sides and there is certainly no arguments from the weather.

You discuss with your subordinates for ideas.

Mueller wants to drive his tanks through them, arguing that their mobility and numbers would prove crucial in flanking and overwhelming the enemy rapidly. Plus the heaviest tanks should hold up relatively well. Giraud objects, saying he is uncomfortable with the idea of our armour playing a game of cats and mice.

Raeder argues for a combined infantry assault. Spread out they should provide minimal targets and be capable of dealing with threats. Remarkably enough Giraud agrees wholeheartedly with him. So does Nivelle, but only slightly adding that Mueller's plan works just as well and provides less breathing room to the other side. Mueller also sharply remarks that the Frank's earlier objection also applies here, only more-so since they would be under fire for longer due to moving at walking pace.

Vorbeck suggests waiting until dark and then attacking. This brings up several objections immediately from the others. Can you really afford to delay? It is doubtful you could catch them by surprise given the terrain. The low visibility would hurt both sides. They would probably finish the earthworks and concealment by then. Giving them more time to prepare could result in unpleasant surprises and somewhat alleviate earlier concerns.

Surena doesn't lean toward either option or offer any original ideas at all, claiming that a lack of experience makes her unsuitable to offer an informed opinion. Damn bitch. You're both around the same age. She's subtly implying that you don't have the required knowledge and experience for the rank, isn't she? Well you don't have any time for her passive-aggressiveness.

How to deal with this situation?

[] Armoured rush

[] Mixed foot assault

[] Night attack

[] Write-in

 

[Emdeman]

Its been a while.

[x] Combined Arms

Sounds of thunder echo as shells rain down on the enemy positions. The ground is peppered with four inch shells leaving it pockmarked. There is no reply as your guns outrange their direct fire ones. You had completely overlooked the presence of the artillery in the initial planning session. A fault on your part yes but in the defence of you and your immediate subordinates, imperial officers on this level don't usually deal with batteries of artillery. You are not at all irritated the oversight was pointed out by an adjutant who appeared even younger than you.

As you view the effect of your heavy ordinance with field binoculars you feel a measure of satisfaction witnessing Merovian soldiers ducking for cover or abandoning ruined equipment. They didn't expect that did they? Probably expected to have the advantage for some time, confident in the knowledge that the big guns would be a while coming… if they were dealing with any old colonel.

Meanwhile your infantry advance under the cover of the artillery. You had to cease the bombardment for some time in order to avoid friendly fire. You don't have expertise to launch creeping barrages like you've heard some artillery personnel can manage. Oh well at least you managed to pry the pieces from the artillery corps maw.

Sustained gunfire is heard as your troops identify and penetrate weak points in the Federation line. Affairs are proceeding well as the remaining AT guns are suppressed and then cleared. You prepare to give the order for the armour to advance.

Artillery Effectiveness
Roll = 2

Click to shrink...

Then an unexpected hitch occurs as ammunition explodes en mass in the midst of your troops. It seems the unpleasant surprise was left on a timed charges not wired detonation which limits losses. What doesn't is the coordinated counterattack that follows on your disorientated troops. It seems the enemy wasn't too fazed by your bombardment. Sharp firefights ensue but the enemy don't have the numbers to capitalise on the opportunity. They never did. The Federation forces break off before the first of your tanks arrive.

Orders to pursue are half-written when you see a huge amount of dust kicked up on the horizon. It looks like the entire Merovian army is approaching. That many vehicles would mean you would be heavily outnumbered. But where did they get so many troops? They had to be scattered somewhat to slow down the other brigades. Perhaps other Federation forces had landed at the Merovian capital? You are fairly close to the city but not within sight. Though why abandon any fixed defences around the capital? Maybe they have information that you do not possess.

Casualties
2d100 Roll = 106
4290 - 106 = 4184 effectives

Click to shrink...

Your forces are not arrayed in the best possible defensive positions, dispersed as they are to fight the now fleeing enemy detachment.

[] Pursue the retreating Federation force anyway
[] Reposition on better ground to meet the advance
[] Stay where you are but concentrate the battalions
[] Never mind that, retreat immediately at all speed

OOC: Can't believe I procrastinated this long. Granted work and study were time consuming. I actually had an update mostly written but it got lost when my browser crashed and SV didn't save the draft. That destroyed my motivation to continue for a while. Lets just say this update is quite different from the original, shorter, no dialogue, some additions etc. Though I still have the general outline for the quest in mind. Don't want to waste so many notes by abandoning it. Apologies for trying to remember events from a few months back, I'll try not to make the wait that long in the future.

 

[Emdeman]

[X] Reposition on better ground to meet the advance
-[X] Push out scouts to get a better idea of the enemy forces involved

In the face of the incoming onslaught you judge it prudent to fall back to more favourable terrain, issuing orders immediately. Units dispersed and strung out by fighting reorganise and withdraw to more defensible ground. Though given the numbers involved it takes some time.

Once the brigade is sufficiently concentrated, soldiers are put to work on erecting barriers and earthworks. Artillery and mortars placed are behind ridge lines and pre-sighted on kill zones created by hastily dug mines. The armour is concentrated at the rear for rapid response or protected by ditches in the earthworks, creating strongpoints. After several hours it transforms into an acceptable defensive position. While all this activity occurs, the plume of dust paints an ominous background.

After expending all this effort you are thankful to have had sufficient time to prepare a welcome for the Federation. Eventually night falls, though wary of nocturnal attack you keep up a wide screen of pickets.

The next day you are confronted with something weird.

The dust is gone.

What is going on? Did the Merovians halt their advance? Perhaps they abandoned their vehicles? Is it a trap? Maybe another brigade swooped in and stole your glory!

Messages from the scouting parties sent forward yesterday report no sign of the enemy. But that doesn't really mean much since its only from the closest patrols. No feds in your general vicinity. It will take some time for the most forward scouts to report back. A part of you didn't want to send them at all, they'll be alone and unsupported.

Though... if something has happened there may be a chance to strike. You are of two minds, one cautions against leaving the prepared position, thinking it'll only be a few days for the rest of the scouts to report back. The other desires action not waiting, there could be a window of opportunity slipping away.

[] Wait
[] Advance