"General."
"Chancellor."
"I take it you received my message?"
"Senators being problematic, congress pondering your position, the Europan Council questioning your involvement within the alliance and if you're just helping me overthrow governmental power through militaristic gain. I see nothing different from any other period in history."
"Regardless of if you see it that way or not, we are facing quite the conundrum and we have nothing to show for it yet."
"So what do you want me to do?"
Shifting in his chair, the cane wielding chancellor brushed his goatee methodically, pressing one leg over the other. With a sigh the man turned his eyes to the Europan map in the west end of the General's quarters. Standing with the assistance of his cane the middle aged man approached the frontline and studied it quietly. Every inch of the shifting borders ingrained itself into his mind. He tapped upon the proposed destination for the operating base of Black Echo, ushering the General to his location.
"We need something to show for our efforts. We need intelligence."
"We also need Echo Black to press for advantages. I have a grand strategy in mind that will work brilliantly."
"Tell me more."
"With requisitions and funding. we will pressure the Imperials into an attack. We will purposefully lose our position until we can fish them into our net."
"And pray tell, what will Echo Black do against the divisions they will find themselves up against?"
"Their goal will be the command center that will be left lightly guarded as we begin our counter assault."
"Are you absolutely certain they will simply leave the command center unguarded? Headquarters are a foundation of the army, are they not?"
"What is more important than a headquarters is understanding your enemy. Spies have brought me information that tells me what I already knew. General Rangz is my opponent. He's a very aggressive man. I am preparing everything for this strategy. He will use armor as soon as we stall and that is when we will hold him down. As we speak my defenses and traps are being build prematurely. Once the command center is down... well... I'll let you read the rest in the newspaper."
"How do you intend to take lots of ground when you give it up?"
"I intend- to bleed them."
"You cannot be serious."
"Chancellor, we are soldiers. Regardless of morality, war is fought with manpower. If I can get them to lose a large swathe of men then we will be in a position to not only go on the offensive but pressure their other armies."
"Well... all things considered I believe the idea is brilliant, but I do hope this does not come back to harm us. Remember that the council will judge us on all accounts."
"Yes, but currently the council is afraid. I'm sure you can understand that a decisive victory that appeared to be a decisive loss that turned out to be actually in control..."
"Will strengthen their confidence and in turn provide more support to our organization's efficiency."
"More men..."
"More funding..."
With a nod the Chancellor traversed the refined floor, the tap of his boots ending abruptly as he slipped into the cushioning of the guest chair before the officer's desk. Ducasse was still pondering the situation at hand and found herself staring into space. There was much yet left to do and where to begin was the question. The pieces were set but where to begin? Thankfully, experience told her something rather valuable.
With the chancellor busy with his own thoughts on the situation, she moved to her chair, softly pressing herself into her own pedestal and loomed over the lives which laid before her. Her own personal project had come to fruition and with war on her mind she had to decide how to spend those precious drops of blood. She would never meet many of them. Some would even go home before she could ever come to examine the losses themselves.
"So, General, where are they now?"
"Now?"
"Alright boys, let's pack it up! Let's go! Let's go! General Ducasse wants us at the point at soon as possible!"
With a bold shout the command to march and ride was given. By the fireteams did the convoy move with a designated driver to each. Two fire teams to a supply truck, a fire team to a car, infantry to march alongside them on the way. Scouts lead the way.
"Come on gentlemen! Let's get a move on!" The brazen red hair shot, again, waving about his arms with yellow eyes piercing into a recruit or two.
"Give it a rest, Hamlock. We're not your subordinates."
"What of it Clover? You're as green as they come. I have experience!" The private insisted, nearly prodding the woman's curly dark green hair before her hand wafted it away.
"You're not a bright one are ye? Get in the fockin' convoy ye sorry bastard. Te think I'm going to be relying on you to relay information..."
"What's so wrong with that?"
"Be Janey! Ye can't honestly tell me yer not gonna sit there wavin' knob in hand over the first order that pee brain of yers can muster?"
"If you're going to insult a man speak the proper-"
"Both of you cut the chatter. Come on, we've a war to fight." As the sergeant entered the supply truck the two calmed their arguments, sitting upright within the vehicle as it began to move. Boasting a confirmation they were on their way.
"Ugh... I can't believe we get to march alongside the tank instead of sitting on it."
"Well, Sandra, we could always play cards to get it off your mind."
"With a trickster like you? No. No, I'd much rather shower in mud."
"Hey! I don't bite! I just like playing games."
"Yeah...I'm sure you do, creep."
"Alright, alright. Listen, how about this, I'll carry you for a bit and then when we're almost there you carry me on your back. How does that sound?"
"Uh- no. Not at all. Besides- it's not proper for regulation dimwit."
"Like riding on a tank when you're supposed to be marching to keep an eye on things? Leave it to the navy to take it easy."
"Yeah, I'm sure you army mutts pride yourself on licking glue and eating bugs."
"O-ho! A little bite on you."
"Sandra and Antonio, cut the bullshit. If we get deducted because of your behavior I will make your military careers hell. Do you understand? It's bad enough I have to listen to 'Sir Winston Hamlock' spout his lines about his high class escapades with servants of the ball. I don't want to hear you two talk loudly about how you plan to be fucking."
"We hear you, Uyless. Don't worry your Vinland head about any of this. After all, it's not your land you have to worry about is it?"
"Kiss my ass, Tony."
"It's beautiful isn't it?"
"Hm?"
"The landscape... It's... so green. It's lush everywhere. It's so odd to experience a land so warm and free of the snow."
"Oh yeah, you're from the north, aren't you, Eija?"
"Yes, sir. Field medic, at your service."
"I heard your mother was an incredible servicewoman. Saved a lot of lives I bet."
"She still has the letters of thanks. I hope I can make her proud like she did so many others."
"Well, I'm sure. My name is Yhobi, by the way."
"Yhobi? Well I think that's a fantastic name."
"Thank you, would you like some chocolate?"
"I would love some!"
Heads were held high with the sounds of soldiers talking and marching. Where these men and women would end up was a matter of time, though there was no doubt in Ducasse's mind that they would be successful. They had to be. Given special permissions to operate as a highly valued asset tied to her word and reputation was nothing to scoff at and it certainly wasn't something that she intended to fail on delivering for. That's why she chose two very special lieutenants to the operation.
Maxi Höfler was an interesting choice. Even among her own officers a question would be raised over the order. "Make Maxi a core lieutenant for Echo Black?" It made no sense to a number of them. It ran by as another decision by another head boss that didn't know what they were doing in the slightest. Yet, like all of those in high management positions, she made the decisions and they had to follow them to the letter if they wanted to maintain their positions and grace. Ducasse simply saw it as an obvious choice. She was a misunderstood soldier. Not the most professional or even methodical in the typical sense, but pragmatic in her own mind. She would shoot out of bed with a bolt and understood what needed to be done. If there was a need for a bridge she was the type to simply make one instead of waiting for another. What lieutenant wouldn't be serviceable for such a high strung operation given the nature? Choices always went beyond that but that alone was always enough to make a questioning officer simply leave it be. Maxi is an elite, that much is clear. Besides, the general was no stranger to days of chaos.
Then there was Pyry Kyllo. He was perfect for the position in her mind. Records indicated survival with all limited resources upon encirclement being not nearly enough to last a week even with rationing and yet the man crawled his way through hell and caused strides of destruction where he went. Commando Elite and a fine one at that. Some could ask, "What makes a special operations team efficient?" Many meanings to the question, of course, but Ducasse knew what they asked. The question of how one who could survive for such a long time unaided and unseen for long periods with an entire squad with him... well... the answer was very easily given. Survival. It doesn't matter how much you give a soldier if they die immediately. It doesn't matter how elite the soldier if the common grunt can cut them off and finish them with ease. No, there was only one thing that officer needed to be able to do when the chips were down and the lines were cut. No further argument needed.
"I will be arriving later today. I take it you and Lt. Höfler will have everything ready when I come for inspection?"
"Yes, sir."
"Good. I will speak with you more then."
"And our mission?"
"Proceed as ordered."
"Yes, sir."
"Hopefully the lack of snow won't bother you much."
"I'll learn to live with it."
"As always. Now go meet with the others. Dismissed."
It was 4 in the morning, but Maxi looked and felt about as awake as she could have been at any other time of day. Rude awakenings were more or less par the course for the Rangers, and if this upcoming mission was half as important as the upper echelons had said it was, then Echo Black needed nothing short of perfect display. Even Maxi’s hair was done, neatly brushed and even sporting a cute red-and-white bow.
“...and last on the list, regulations...”
Maxi cast a wide grin across Squad C, quickly making eye contact with everyone as she scanned the crowd, left to right. The Lieutenant cracked a chuckle, then softly shook her head.
“Alright, look: I don’t think I need to beat anyone’s head over it, but just...don’t be an idiot. Alright, yeah, we can all have fun and chat, but the bigwigs are all on-site today and tomorrow, so we need to look and act the part. If you can’t act the part, then pretend the part the best you can.”
She took a few steps sideways, then returned her cocky, smiling gaze to the left of the room, starting off her mental checklist.
“That means; Rosie, no sprinting around base...Vicky, don’t break anything…”
Maxi’s eyes darted across each and every person she called out, exchanging with them a sly smirk, as if to say she didn’t really expect them to - or rather, would not be surprised if they did not - heed her advice.
“...and Yori, try to be less...grim. Lighten up, jeez~!” she chortled. Soon after, she returned to the center of the room, and stood tall. Her hand swiftly reached the top of her head, standing pridefully as she gestured the room to salute.
“Atten-shun!” She hailed, gesturing upright, “Squad C! Dis-missed!”
Maxi swiftly signaled, exhaling as quickly as her form relaxed.
“Now..”
She sighed quickly, glancing over with a half-tired smile.
“Breakfast, anyone?”
"Chancellor."
"I take it you received my message?"
"Senators being problematic, congress pondering your position, the Europan Council questioning your involvement within the alliance and if you're just helping me overthrow governmental power through militaristic gain. I see nothing different from any other period in history."
"Regardless of if you see it that way or not, we are facing quite the conundrum and we have nothing to show for it yet."
"So what do you want me to do?"
Shifting in his chair, the cane wielding chancellor brushed his goatee methodically, pressing one leg over the other. With a sigh the man turned his eyes to the Europan map in the west end of the General's quarters. Standing with the assistance of his cane the middle aged man approached the frontline and studied it quietly. Every inch of the shifting borders ingrained itself into his mind. He tapped upon the proposed destination for the operating base of Black Echo, ushering the General to his location.
"We need something to show for our efforts. We need intelligence."
"We also need Echo Black to press for advantages. I have a grand strategy in mind that will work brilliantly."
"Tell me more."
"With requisitions and funding. we will pressure the Imperials into an attack. We will purposefully lose our position until we can fish them into our net."
"And pray tell, what will Echo Black do against the divisions they will find themselves up against?"
"Their goal will be the command center that will be left lightly guarded as we begin our counter assault."
"Are you absolutely certain they will simply leave the command center unguarded? Headquarters are a foundation of the army, are they not?"
"What is more important than a headquarters is understanding your enemy. Spies have brought me information that tells me what I already knew. General Rangz is my opponent. He's a very aggressive man. I am preparing everything for this strategy. He will use armor as soon as we stall and that is when we will hold him down. As we speak my defenses and traps are being build prematurely. Once the command center is down... well... I'll let you read the rest in the newspaper."
"How do you intend to take lots of ground when you give it up?"
"I intend- to bleed them."
"You cannot be serious."
"Chancellor, we are soldiers. Regardless of morality, war is fought with manpower. If I can get them to lose a large swathe of men then we will be in a position to not only go on the offensive but pressure their other armies."
"Well... all things considered I believe the idea is brilliant, but I do hope this does not come back to harm us. Remember that the council will judge us on all accounts."
"Yes, but currently the council is afraid. I'm sure you can understand that a decisive victory that appeared to be a decisive loss that turned out to be actually in control..."
"Will strengthen their confidence and in turn provide more support to our organization's efficiency."
"More men..."
"More funding..."
With a nod the Chancellor traversed the refined floor, the tap of his boots ending abruptly as he slipped into the cushioning of the guest chair before the officer's desk. Ducasse was still pondering the situation at hand and found herself staring into space. There was much yet left to do and where to begin was the question. The pieces were set but where to begin? Thankfully, experience told her something rather valuable.
With the chancellor busy with his own thoughts on the situation, she moved to her chair, softly pressing herself into her own pedestal and loomed over the lives which laid before her. Her own personal project had come to fruition and with war on her mind she had to decide how to spend those precious drops of blood. She would never meet many of them. Some would even go home before she could ever come to examine the losses themselves.
"So, General, where are they now?"
"Now?"
"Alright boys, let's pack it up! Let's go! Let's go! General Ducasse wants us at the point at soon as possible!"
With a bold shout the command to march and ride was given. By the fireteams did the convoy move with a designated driver to each. Two fire teams to a supply truck, a fire team to a car, infantry to march alongside them on the way. Scouts lead the way.
"Come on gentlemen! Let's get a move on!" The brazen red hair shot, again, waving about his arms with yellow eyes piercing into a recruit or two.
"Give it a rest, Hamlock. We're not your subordinates."
"What of it Clover? You're as green as they come. I have experience!" The private insisted, nearly prodding the woman's curly dark green hair before her hand wafted it away.
"You're not a bright one are ye? Get in the fockin' convoy ye sorry bastard. Te think I'm going to be relying on you to relay information..."
"What's so wrong with that?"
"Be Janey! Ye can't honestly tell me yer not gonna sit there wavin' knob in hand over the first order that pee brain of yers can muster?"
"If you're going to insult a man speak the proper-"
"Both of you cut the chatter. Come on, we've a war to fight." As the sergeant entered the supply truck the two calmed their arguments, sitting upright within the vehicle as it began to move. Boasting a confirmation they were on their way.
"Ugh... I can't believe we get to march alongside the tank instead of sitting on it."
"Well, Sandra, we could always play cards to get it off your mind."
"With a trickster like you? No. No, I'd much rather shower in mud."
"Hey! I don't bite! I just like playing games."
"Yeah...I'm sure you do, creep."
"Alright, alright. Listen, how about this, I'll carry you for a bit and then when we're almost there you carry me on your back. How does that sound?"
"Uh- no. Not at all. Besides- it's not proper for regulation dimwit."
"Like riding on a tank when you're supposed to be marching to keep an eye on things? Leave it to the navy to take it easy."
"Yeah, I'm sure you army mutts pride yourself on licking glue and eating bugs."
"O-ho! A little bite on you."
"Sandra and Antonio, cut the bullshit. If we get deducted because of your behavior I will make your military careers hell. Do you understand? It's bad enough I have to listen to 'Sir Winston Hamlock' spout his lines about his high class escapades with servants of the ball. I don't want to hear you two talk loudly about how you plan to be fucking."
"We hear you, Uyless. Don't worry your Vinland head about any of this. After all, it's not your land you have to worry about is it?"
"Kiss my ass, Tony."
"It's beautiful isn't it?"
"Hm?"
"The landscape... It's... so green. It's lush everywhere. It's so odd to experience a land so warm and free of the snow."
"Oh yeah, you're from the north, aren't you, Eija?"
"Yes, sir. Field medic, at your service."
"I heard your mother was an incredible servicewoman. Saved a lot of lives I bet."
"She still has the letters of thanks. I hope I can make her proud like she did so many others."
"Well, I'm sure. My name is Yhobi, by the way."
"Yhobi? Well I think that's a fantastic name."
"Thank you, would you like some chocolate?"
"I would love some!"
Heads were held high with the sounds of soldiers talking and marching. Where these men and women would end up was a matter of time, though there was no doubt in Ducasse's mind that they would be successful. They had to be. Given special permissions to operate as a highly valued asset tied to her word and reputation was nothing to scoff at and it certainly wasn't something that she intended to fail on delivering for. That's why she chose two very special lieutenants to the operation.
Maxi Höfler was an interesting choice. Even among her own officers a question would be raised over the order. "Make Maxi a core lieutenant for Echo Black?" It made no sense to a number of them. It ran by as another decision by another head boss that didn't know what they were doing in the slightest. Yet, like all of those in high management positions, she made the decisions and they had to follow them to the letter if they wanted to maintain their positions and grace. Ducasse simply saw it as an obvious choice. She was a misunderstood soldier. Not the most professional or even methodical in the typical sense, but pragmatic in her own mind. She would shoot out of bed with a bolt and understood what needed to be done. If there was a need for a bridge she was the type to simply make one instead of waiting for another. What lieutenant wouldn't be serviceable for such a high strung operation given the nature? Choices always went beyond that but that alone was always enough to make a questioning officer simply leave it be. Maxi is an elite, that much is clear. Besides, the general was no stranger to days of chaos.
Then there was Pyry Kyllo. He was perfect for the position in her mind. Records indicated survival with all limited resources upon encirclement being not nearly enough to last a week even with rationing and yet the man crawled his way through hell and caused strides of destruction where he went. Commando Elite and a fine one at that. Some could ask, "What makes a special operations team efficient?" Many meanings to the question, of course, but Ducasse knew what they asked. The question of how one who could survive for such a long time unaided and unseen for long periods with an entire squad with him... well... the answer was very easily given. Survival. It doesn't matter how much you give a soldier if they die immediately. It doesn't matter how elite the soldier if the common grunt can cut them off and finish them with ease. No, there was only one thing that officer needed to be able to do when the chips were down and the lines were cut. No further argument needed.
"I will be arriving later today. I take it you and Lt. Höfler will have everything ready when I come for inspection?"
"Yes, sir."
"Good. I will speak with you more then."
"And our mission?"
"Proceed as ordered."
"Yes, sir."
"Hopefully the lack of snow won't bother you much."
"I'll learn to live with it."
"As always. Now go meet with the others. Dismissed."
It was 4 in the morning, but Maxi looked and felt about as awake as she could have been at any other time of day. Rude awakenings were more or less par the course for the Rangers, and if this upcoming mission was half as important as the upper echelons had said it was, then Echo Black needed nothing short of perfect display. Even Maxi’s hair was done, neatly brushed and even sporting a cute red-and-white bow.
“...and last on the list, regulations...”
Maxi cast a wide grin across Squad C, quickly making eye contact with everyone as she scanned the crowd, left to right. The Lieutenant cracked a chuckle, then softly shook her head.
“Alright, look: I don’t think I need to beat anyone’s head over it, but just...don’t be an idiot. Alright, yeah, we can all have fun and chat, but the bigwigs are all on-site today and tomorrow, so we need to look and act the part. If you can’t act the part, then pretend the part the best you can.”
She took a few steps sideways, then returned her cocky, smiling gaze to the left of the room, starting off her mental checklist.
“That means; Rosie, no sprinting around base...Vicky, don’t break anything…”
Maxi’s eyes darted across each and every person she called out, exchanging with them a sly smirk, as if to say she didn’t really expect them to - or rather, would not be surprised if they did not - heed her advice.
“...and Yori, try to be less...grim. Lighten up, jeez~!” she chortled. Soon after, she returned to the center of the room, and stood tall. Her hand swiftly reached the top of her head, standing pridefully as she gestured the room to salute.
“Atten-shun!” She hailed, gesturing upright, “Squad C! Dis-missed!”
Maxi swiftly signaled, exhaling as quickly as her form relaxed.
“Now..”
She sighed quickly, glancing over with a half-tired smile.
“Breakfast, anyone?”
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