Unknown location
August 24, 1935
Jean Townshend the Federation ambassador was not proud of what he had just done. He felt like there was already blood on his hands for what he had done as he already knew the effects and consensuses for it. To a bystander it would look like that he had done nothing more or less then sign a peace treaty that would stop a war that had already claimed millions of lives. But in reality he had effectively signed a nations death warrant. This empty peace with the Autocratic East Europan Imperial Alliance was simply play like. All that this treaty had done was effectively but the federation allies, Gallia into its grave.
All that this treaty done was allow the two major powers in Europa to simply solve the problems at home and re organise they forces. What choice did he have? The higher ups back at the heartland of the Federation had order him to do this. It was his own country's chance to regroup and re organise thy broken, shatter and de moralised armies on the vast western border with the Imperial forces. Buy in doing so an allied nation that he had already tired to protect once by taking they princess against her will into their country s so that at the price of its independence, Gallia would be saved as it would join the growing alliance of the Federation. This would of allowed troops and aid to enter the country, that desperately needed it. But the plan failed and ever since relations between the two nations had only worsen in a dowsed pattern; even if reports suggested that Cordelia didn't know that her kidnappers where from the Federation.
Just he had effetely signed this allied nations death warrant and like it's executioner taken the very hopes and dreams from this small nation. Gallia was like lamps for the slaughter now, as one key term of the treaty was that both sides could only keep a third of the current forces on the Federations' western border . It didn't take a master mind or a military leader to guess where most of these troops would be heading from the Imperial side of the border. Gallia. It's forces were already over stretch due to the rapid advancement that it was currently taking. He guessed that Gallian forces weren't even making fortifications in the land that it had taken and in knowing the idiots that were in charge of the Gallia force there had probably stop mass recruitment as they thought the war was already won. But with a force the size that would make even the Federation scared coming towards their very door steps right now, made Townshend glad that he wasn't born a Gallia.
All for an empty peace with the Empire so that the Federation could keep a few miles of barren wasteland that in was in current danger of losing to the Imperial forces.
" Pleasure doing business with you" the crown prince Maximilian said with a devilish grin on his face that even made Townshend feel a shiver down his back.
"You too. I hope this peace lasts between our two nations" with a broken expression. Both of the two men in the room new that the other was just using them for they own nations needs . As people get tired of war but if you give them a false peace and then throw them straight back into war and blame the other side for start this 'new' war though a string of lies then suddenly everyone is straight back on your side and wants the war to continue till the other side is beaten and punished for their crimes against your nation.
"Goodbye ambassador" was the last thing he hear from his oppostion before he left the room.
...
Gallia
Randgriz military base
Officers' quarters
August 27, 1935
Welkin broke out of his nightmare painting and panicking. Soon the panic from his face left him leaving no evidence of what he was feeling as he returned to his calm expression. Apart from the heavy coat of sweat that now covered his body. His nightmare was something he didn't want to re live anytime soon. It start with squad 7 surround by other Gallian troops charging on a unnamed heavy defend position.
The charge was soon broken as people all around Welkin were hit by the incoming wall of lead. Rosie, Largo, Edy and Homer to name a few, were smilingly there one moment and the next life less husks on the floor. Being surround by those he consider close friends killed in a instant was enough to cause him to fall to the ground, broken. Why did it all feel so real? And then the worse part. Alicia ran from her cover that was an artillery crater. She seemed to be flying thought the ain of lead like a robin. She approach him and tired to move him as he remained still in the line of fire. Things remain this way for a while till a stray round struck her in the back and she fell, like so many around her and he remained shocked by what had just happened. the nightmare end there. He hope that this nightmare would not become a reality and soon he would be able to return to his normal life and no longer have the scythe of death hanging over him.
Welkin's vision soon turned to his clock mounted on to his wall. Damn it, he thought. He had a meeting with Captain Varrot. Judging from, liberate' report which he had read from intelligent that was kindly posted under his door from Faldio. He soon thought that since Alicia had left his room had remain closed. That door that was the entrance to his current world would soon open and he would take his first steps in returning to the land of the living.
From what he had heard outside his window was that people had heard rumours and thought that 2nd lieutenant Welkin had gone mad and was no longer in any fit position to be the leader of those under his command also fellow comrades in arms thinking that due to the driver being killed in action and the commander effectively losing it, that the Edelweiss should be gave to a more capable squad . Not even gone for a week and the vultures were swooping in he thought. He wonder if this meeting with captain Varrot was just for dismissing these rumours and if he didn't show up would people start to think of replacements for him. The idea of not attending the meeting and being kicked out of the militia did cross his mind but he quickly dismissed it. What right would a coward have to live a normal live while his country men fought and died in his place.
He had made up his mind. He would attend. As ending this war as quickly as possible so others would not have to feel his pain was now his main mission in life. He fight to do this and if needs be he would die for it to.
...
Gallia
Vasel bridge
Military convoy
August 27, 1935
A darcsen man awoke to the sound of vehicles' moving. The smell of so much ragnite burning was enough to awake him alone. At first panic and confusion filled the man's mind as he desperately tried to find out where he was? Was he being transport to a Darcsen concentration camp? Then all of this feeling vanished as he remembered what he had done. He had volunteer for the militia.
When he told the recruitment officer that he had a vast experience with machinery and combat experience as a tank operator, he was vastly surprised for the man behind the counter to break out in laughter. When he asked what the man's problem was he respond " Do you have a death wish or something mate? The wars nearly over. Why would you apply to be in one of them death traps".
To the inexperienced people would think that joining the tank corps of an army would be miles safer then charging in on foot like the infantry but due to improvements in anti-armour technology like armour pricing lancers being armed with small ragnaid canisters which were becoming standard issue, being in a tank automatically made you a top target on the battle field and unlike years before a single lancer man could disable these moving fortress.
The Darcsen respond with "You might not understand this. But I owe the militia a lot they freed by hometown Fouzen. I intend on repay the debt I owe them". The man behind the counter quickly stood up at that word. At further inspection of the man he was a regular in the army. Shit, he thought he would of not took that in the best light.
"What do you mean? The militia! Regular like me saved that town and dirty Darcsen like you should be grateful". Looking like he had just insulted the man's religion or something". The Darcsen man was used to abusive language or racial slurs like that he had gone though out his whole life being target because of birth.
"That's where you wrong". The regular was about to object what he was saying but the Darcsen man quickly finished his speech. "Regulars' like you simply came in after the militia solider had taken the town and tried to take the credit and before you say anything else I know because I fought beside them and watch them risk they lives for us 'Dirty Darcsen' !".
The regular solider was shock so much with what the Darcsen respond with that he simply dropped the argument and dropped his head in defeat and return to his job. "Name " the regular soldier ask bluntly.
"What" the Darcsen respond.
The soldier sighed as he was about to explain what he meant by 'name'. "I can't put you in one of them death traps without a name".
The Darcsen man was looking confused at the sudden change in the soldiers voice. He figured that hr really must of hit a soft stop for him to suddenly drop what he was arguing about. He wonder. "Oh. My name is Zaka".
The soldier sigh had grower louder as he asked " and your last name is".
Zaka remained silent.
Want this 'Zaka' man who had both cause confusion and shock a the same time out of his office,; he simply wrote Zaka on his enlistment form.
"Ok Zaka there's a military truck waiting outside to take you and a bunch of other recruits to your new units and before you ask Sergeant you new unit is 3rd regiment's squad 're be driving the Edelweiss".
Sergeant he wondered. Before he could ask the soldier he gave him a look of get out of my face before I change my mind look. That was in Zaka's thoughts, the story of his first day in the militias squad 7.
... Gallia
Randgriz military base
Officers' quarters
August 27, 1935
Welkin's first steps out of his office were the hardest. He knew that a assault of question, rumours and looks that could kill at waited him. This was nothing to what waited him next time he slept he thought. As he started his walk in the corridor all around him went quite. It was like they were seeing someone who had been brought back from the dead. In a way they were.
As he enter captain Varrot's office the sea of eyes continue like they were all waiting on his every word. Like his next words were life and death. Even Faldio by his looks, former supportive friend of Welkin stare at him with a look that good break many people a hundred times over.
Finally he spoke as he stood in front of captain Varrot saluting her "Sorry for being late madam. I will accept any punishment you chose to give. Slowly rising from her chair Varrot simply wave Welkin off and taking her hint took his place in line next to Faldio.
"Now I'm sure your all aware of the continue counter attack against the Imperials at the moment. Are unit has been chosen to reclaim and defend till further orders Bruhl. But do to the small size and lack of importance of the town are regiment will split into two. I will carry on to lead a weaken 3rd regiment that will include the squads 1,3,5 and 7. Every one else will be fold into 5th regiment due to the lack of active personal in that unit and there target of defending the outer rim of Fouzen deem more important to the higher ups. Any questions?".
The leader of squad 3 raised his hand and was allowed to speak " No offence madam but why are we being tasked with taking a backwards town like Bruhl. Does it serve any purpose?".
"Well. First of all it will serve as are advance headquarters' after we take it and a few people were born in Bruhl like 2nd Lieutenant Welkin Gunther. So show a little respect and don't make empty insults to your brother in arms and if I remember correctly weren't you the 'backwards' commander who managed to crash a tank into a tree".
The room went silent after that last remark. Even if captain Varrot never raise her voice still see was seen as a person you didn't want to be on the wrong side of. Her being like by those under her command and being very smart were just some of the many reason a wise person avoid being on her bad side.
"That is all. Dismissed". Everyone in the room salute and left. This was everyone apart from Welkin who was staring aimlessly at the floor and Captain Varrot who was staring at him Things stay like this for a while until a fake cough from Varrot broke Welkin phase that he seem to be in.
"A word of advice from one commander to another. If you're not up for the job then quit before you get people killed".
"I can't" Welkin respond calmly.
"why can't you?". Varrot was very confused at that choice of words. What does he mean does he think that people will look down on him if he does? I wonder.
"It's because they're all depend on me to led them out of this living hell and who else is they who could do what I've done?". Varrot saw past the clearly meaning of the words. What he said was true in her eyes he had gave squad 7 victory after victory and no offence to the soldiers in squad 7. Largo. She quickly brush that thought aside and continue her analysis. He was right as the source of many of squad 7s victories had come from Welkin's own blend of different and crazy tactics. Who would of ever thought of driving a tank underwater to cross a river and surprise a attack an enemy? Who would of used animal paths to flank an whole enemy company? The idea of letting this man leave the militia would be a disaster as who would replace him. largo. No. His turned down promotion after promotion he wish to stay as a none commission officer. Alicia. No. She didn't have the drive or tactically knowledge to command a whole squad. He was right who else could lead the squad? He certainly had the drive to keep going but see would have to keep a close eye on his mentally health which she believe was decreasing due to the stress of command.
"That is all you may leave".
...
Gallia
Randgriz military base
3rd regiment's vehicles warehouse
August 27, 1935
It was a weird feeling that Alicia felt while see was both angry and worried for Welkin at the same time. Faldio had seen her leaving Welkin's office with tears down her face and in trying to be her knight in shining armour offered to 'speak' to Welkin only for a locked door to defeat him. Was it simply the stress of all the fighting making her like this or was she developing feelings for Welkin that went past close friends so pondered. Like her thought had been read he step in for the first sight of him for 3 days for most of the squad.
Acting like nothing had happen he took to the centre of the room "Gather in everyone. We have are orders to lead as the vanguard for the liberation of Bruhl. Where we will defend the town from Imperial counter attacks till we receive new order. We leave in two days after are new operator for the Edelweiss. Remember to pack everything as we won't be returning to this bade for a very long time. That is all".
Just like that he planned to make his exit after not a word for 3 whole days. Alicia knew that her prediction of him changing was even more true now. That kind warm hearted man that she and the rest of the squad had came to know and love looked to have died when that lone Imperial sniper had taken lsara life. As one of her teachers had once said in the work of some poet that escaped her mind. "It is the cuts that we can't see that take longer to heal" and until the day that the cut in Welkin's heart was heal she would have to get used to this new persona / mask that Welkin now wore.
...Authors' Notes: This is chapter two and I hope you enjoyed it. Plus I upload the wrong version of chapter 1 being a noob to Fan fiction and all. So feel free to read the extended version. As always feel free to give me any positive or negative feedback. Thanks
