@Simpli So... You know how we talked about how if the Waiting List did something, there might be bonuses? Well, I did something... And holy shit did it get away from me...
3rd Far Eastern 'Far Reaches' Rifled Artillery Regimental Encampment. Earth-side of the Bridge, 1st Expeditionary Corps Encampment.
3pm Local Time
The Parade and Inspection Grounds
The regiment is lined up on the grounds, as if for inspection or parade, though in this case, it's a speech. All 1000 men, divided up into 40 Gun Sections, organised into 8 Half Batteries, which form 4 Full Batteries. All chatting away at each other in a strange, nigh incomprehensible form of Russian, which appears to be lacking the vast majority of the rules of grammar as well as much of the Russian Language, with seemingly the same word meaning 6 different things, depending on tone and emphasis placed on it, when there's perfectly good words meaning those things in actual Russian. A bugle sounds and the men quiet, snapping to attention. Well, something vaguely resembling attention at least, though you do have to give them credit for getting that close after 12 years without practise. Preparing yourself, you walk out and take your place in front of them, and begin your speak, in Russian.
"Men of the Far Reaches, I am Jackson Dragomirov, as some of you already know. I'm talking to you Alexei, 1st Charge Man, 3rd Battery, Half, 4th Gun." 'Momentary pause, in which a few men laugh'
"I have had the distinct honour of being assigned as your commander for the regiment's latest task."
"As you should already have been informed, if only through the rumour mill, which is always able to avoid such things as 'Need to Know' and 'speed limitations', the 3rd Far Eastern 'Far Reaches' Rifled Artillery Regiment was remobilised to serve in the First Expeditionary Corps, which has been given the honour of guarding, and crossing the Bridge to a new world, which we shall claim in the name of the Tsar and the Russian Empire! Having said all that however, we have not been given the honour of being amongst the first wave to cross the bridge to the new world."
"I look on this as a fortunate occurrence however, for our gun drill and accuracy is atrocious compared to how the regiment performed before poor Nikolai suffered his tragic fate, and I
WILL HAVE THAT FIXED before we are called upon to either support our comrades on the far side, or defend their supply lines against enemies on this side of the bridge."
"As such, I have organised the provision of powder, a small amount of replacement ammunition and access to the closest artillery firing range every second day of the week, barring Sunday, for the majority of the day. This shall allow us to refresh the memories of those of you who served with Nikolai, and instruct those sons, nephews, cousins and brothers who have joined us to replace those who have since died in the traditions and skill required to be a member of the 3rd Far Eastern 'Far Reaches' Rifled Artillery Regiment! And also so no one repeat's Ivan's unfortunate stunt with the Smoking Break and the Powder store."
"So be prepared for a lot of firing drills, learning the quirks of your gun, sighting it and the like"
"However, the first, and last hour of our access to the firing range shall instead consist of learning from our pioneers how to do quick and dirty temporary fortifications, for in case we ever come under attack and the Guns are not emplaced in a pre-existing fortification. We don't want any of you getting killed by a bullet or cannonball, now do we?"
"And be warned that I shall be running surprise fortification drills during the days we aren't on the firing range, again, baring the God's day of Sunday, which I shall leave clear so you can go to the church, or more likely for some, the tavern. These drills will have you being timed to see how long it takes for the crew to reach their Gun and create an adequate fortification. The fortifications will then have the pioneers inspecting them to determine how good they are, again, for quick and dirty temporary fortifications."
"Those gun crews that are most skilled at firing their Gun on the range, or at quickly creating a decent fortification for their gun, shall be given an increased alcohol ration, and maybe one or two other privileges. A competition shall be run every 4th week, whereupon those crews that win, or are determined to have performed something exceptionally, shall be given special privileges, at least until the next completion if they lose that one."
"I shall also, in my
abundant spare time be working to improve upon Nikolai's Artillerist's Pidgin, and hopefully turn it into a
Soldier's Pidgin, so we may avoid another incident like what happened with Alexander and the 'Red Smith'. So be warned, you will be required to learn it in the future. Though I shall try to make it so it's easy to remember. No point making it if you forget it half the time."
"Having said all that, you aren't dismissed just yet, as I still have to repeat this speech another 13 times for the other 9 in 10 men who don't understand enough Russian to know what I've been saying, and have been standing there thinking about what they'd do when able to go to the tavern tonight" 'Momentary silence, before most of the men laugh'
'The speech is repeated another 13 times before finally...'
In Russian: "Okay men, I've finally told you all what I have to say, and as such..."
In Artillerist's Pidgin, using the appropriate tone and emphasis: "DIIIISMIISed"