[X] Respectfully disagree with the Colonel.
You think for a moment on which side to take before replying, "I'm of the opinion that the good Colonel..."
The General's eyes subtly narrow
"Baumann", the colonel supplies.
"Baumann's idea has its merits and flaws", you open diplomatically, "but in this particular situation the latter outweigh the former. The main problem as General Hall pointed out is sending isolated bands of men scour the land in an environment of Merovian spies and infiltrators, along with other issues."
"A valid concern but it would give the troops something to do while waiting, unlike the last two weeks. Its what soldiers do, fight" the colonel snorts, "What else?"
Not exactly a quality retort, "It could affect morale, especially those who don't possess such... conviction." General Hall seems to have taken a step back and let the debate continue.
"We don't need milksops in this army," Baumann snorts, "if thats a concern then just take volunteers."
This man is starting to get on your nerves with his loutish mannerisms, "There is also a negative public image the military would cause if it created a perception of-" Bad habit of yours, being overly formal when irritated.
Hall gives you a strange look.
"Showing we're tough on crime," Baumann cuts in boldy, an annoying habit, "the border populace would cheer us on."
"The time spent rounding up the condemned, criminals, miscreants, darcsens, deserters and other low lives from all the nearby slums and prisons would take longer than you expect and be too much hassle".
The General's left eye twitches, to all appearances it looks natural.
"I don't see how thats possible during a time of war," He sounds a little uncertain.
"You would have to deal with the local bureaucracy," You play your trump card.
All the people listening seem to collectively wince. It seems no one has thought of interacting with the civillian government. Baumann looks unhappy and seems to be thinking of a response, he opens his mouth before being interrupted.
General Hall appears to have had enough of the discussion and speaks out in an authoritative voice, "That is enough time on that tangent. Back to the matter at hand, since Commandant Scheer has told us he expects his engineers to clear a path through the minefields within 5-7 days, I want your troops to be extra alert for assassins. Double the sentries, triple the guards around the engineers, I expect them to be targeted even more. Also, make final preparations for moving out. I want the vanguard to march as soon as the engineers give the go ahead. Messages have been sent to the other colonels to this effect. Any questions?"
Did he want a distraction to change the subject?
"Whose brigade is the spearhead?" asks Baumann curiously.
You can't fault the him for taking a way out of a tiring argument with that man.
"Colonel Ahzgle's" There is a murmur of surprise. Hall pronounces the Avar name as "Ah-s-gle" in his light Angle accent. He turns to someone in the audience, "Is that fine you ma'am?"
Why is he so polite to a subordinate? Is he an old fashioned gentleman or is it something more?
A brown skinned woman off to the side nods silently from behind a gaggle of watching adjutants. You're surprised you haven't noticed her at all given she wears an identical uniform to yours. How long was she there, like a quiet killer? You don't like it when stereotypes are perpetuated. A cruder person would make a rude joke at the name... And probably be gutted for it, Avars are a serious people. Hang on, how did Hall notice she was there?
"Good, dismissed", the general looks a little pleased as he turns to you, "Hapsburg, since your newly arrived I'll give you a quick personal synopsis of the current situation. While my army was resting on its laurels for the last few weeks waiting to breach Merovia's Great Mine Wall, the other armies under Field Marshal Keital's have advanced into Caucasia and encountered heavy resistance. Not surprising given the proximity to Baku, the Feds are going to throw everything they have to stop us. Therefore it is imperative to liberate Merovia as quickly as possible so we can assist with the capture of Baku."
Baku, the location of some of the largest ragnite deposits and refineries on the continent. Nearly one-tenth of continental supply, eclipsed only by Gallia itself. Taking it would be invaluable to the Empire. With the hilarious political impasse in Xenobia, the time has never been more ripe.
"Your brigade will be assigned to sector 7, resistance across the line should be minor. Merovia never had enough money to modernise their army and maintain their obsession with mines so expect to be fighting museum relics. Though be careful not to be bogged down in civil unrest, how you deal with it is up to you since you'll be on the front-lines while I'll be in the rear. That should be all for now, good luck". With that, Hall turns to talk to a staff officer. You exit the General's headquarters.
Wait, Jaimes and his car is missing... He was supposed to wait... How are you going to get to your brigade command post? You are stranded in the middle of the sprawling camp... Where is he? How dare he leave you here? You take back all the good things you have ever thought about that wretched Sargethi. You will have that commoner's hide! It will be mounted on your father's hunting wall and you will use it to terrify your stepsisters, or even better when they are having a tea party with their friends, making them die of embarrassment. Thus making your stepmother even more furious at you for thwarting her tireless efforts for negotiating for play dates or 'acquiring a network of acquaintances'.
You bring yourself back from pleasant revenge-filled fantasies to the current situation. No way are you going back to the general's HQ and looking like an idiot. You'll find your own way to the destination, though you're not sure where it is.
Anger slowly fades in boredom as you start walking in the direction you came and begin noticing the things around you in the tedium. Common soldiers are busy carrying out daily activities normal in any army camp like servicing their weapons. Menials walk past doing common chores and labours. Messengers race past on old-fashioned horses carrying missives. The most 'remarkable' incident was a tank rumbling past at a fraction of its true speed, sadly in the wrong direction. After about ten minutes of movement an officers car saunters by. Through the window you see the surprised face of Colonel Baumann looking back at you. After a moment the car speeds up, kicking up dust and getting some on your once pristine uniform, its fortunate darker colours hide stains well. You hope the Merovian bumps on the road gave the scoundrel some bruises.
Several more minutes pass and the mid-summer sun was starting to get unpleasant when salvation came. People cleared the road as side by side two convoys made their way up the road. One was a line of trucks carrying supplies to a stockpile somewhere. The other seems to be part of the general's artillery battery. Either is valid choice and you could make important connections among the people on either convey.
[] Hitch a ride on the supply trucks
[] Hitch a ride on the artillery battery
