Year 13, Month 07, Day 08
Allied Force Headquarters
London, Albion System
General Eisenhower sat in his office, with him was the Prime Minister of the Albion Empire, Winston Churchill, and sitting in front of the both of them was a hologram of the President of the United Planets of America, Cordell Hull. Eisenhower was still amazed by the technology that he could have access to. This long-range hologram projector allowed it to where he could talk and even see the President without him having to leave American territory. However, this meeting was to cover the recent events that had been taking place within the Europa Region of the Sector, and with the fighting between the Royalists and Fascists in Noria, both Hull and Churchill needed to discuss on how to deal with this new situation.
"As you can see, Mr. President, the situation in Noria is important. Right now, their military is split between those who are supporting King Emmanuel III and those who support Mussolini. Those who are supportive of the King have pledged to assist us in fighting against Getov forces in their territory," Churchill explained. "I don't think we would get a better opportunity than this to make a drive for Europa Proper."
President Hull's hologram, rubbed his chin in thought. "This does offer us a good opportunity, but they want us to attack them ahead of schedule. The initial invasion of Noria was to take place not for another few weeks. Do we have enough preparation to pull this invasion off?"
Eisenhower took that opportunity to offer his opinion. "Mr. President, I do agree that this is unexpected, but I have to side with Prime Minister Churchill. We won't get another chance at something like this. The longer we wait, the longer Getov forces and those loyal to Mussolini are able to consolidate their positions and make it harder for us in the long run."
"I know we had plan in place for the invasion, but will moving the invasion up cause any changes to this?" President Hull asked.
"I don't think so, Mr. President." Eisenhower answered. "We have most of the necessary equipment and vessels needed, but we will need to have more personnel to replace our losses sent here for several of our formations. The good news is that the Sicilians don't seem to offer any resistance to us on the planet, and seem to be happy that we are there, so we won't need to leave many behind to protect our supply lines."
"What about King Emmanuel III?" President Hull asked. "Your message stated you planned on rescuing him, but it didn't specify how. I take it this was for security reasons?"
"That is correct, Mr. President," Churchill answered. "We plan to have the SAS send in a team to retrieve the king and his family. This should provide the Norian people someone to rally behind, and possibly cause more Norian forces to side with us."
President Hull thought for a moment before asking the next question on his mind. "General Eisenhower, How do your commanders feel about this operation? Is there anyone who disagrees with this?"
"No, Mr. President," Eisenhower answered, promptly. "You might say that some of them are even eager to continue fighting and not giving them the chance regroup. Everyone wants to take the fight to Getov and their allies, and they see this as the chance to do so."
The President smiled slightly. "I take it that Generals Patton and Rommel have been two of those who have been eager? I've read the reports on their activities and I doubt there could be anyone better suited for their jobs."
"Yes, Mr. President, they are two of the best under my command," Eisenhower replied.
President Hull thought for a moment before he answered. "Normally, I wouldn't approve of something like this, especially considering that the men who originally took part in the invasion of Sicily are still recovering from close to a month of fighting, but under these circumstances, I will have to agree. Invading Noria would provide us with a spot to hit Getov from below, and divert them in sending forces against both the Rarus Federation and for the upcoming invasion in Floevis." He turned to face Churchill. "When you originally pushed for this invasion a year ago you said that this would allow us to hit the soft underbelly of the Axis. Do you think this is possible to end the war sooner?"
A few puffs of smoke came from Churchill's cigar before he answered. "I don't think it would be possible. The terrain is too hazardous with too many asteroid fields around every system. It makes every one of them a fortress to try and storm. Maybe that will change as we make more progress in that theater, but I think my previous assumption was optimistic."
"Very well, Prime Minister," President Hull said. "I wish you the best of luck General Eisenhower, and those under your command."
"Thank you, Mr. President, but I do have a question to ask."
"What is it?"
"Has there been any word on if we will receive any support from the Republic with a clone army?"
Cordell Hull took a deep breath. "Senator Roosevelt has been trying hard for us to get one, but with the whole galaxy at war, everyone is calling for those armies to assist them. However, I think he may be close to getting one to come to the sector to assist us."
"That is good to hear, Mr. President," Eisenhower said, some relief coming into his voice.
"Indeed, it is," Churchill said, nodding in agreement.
"If that is all, I will leave you two to your jobs," President Hull said. "Good luck, to the both of you."
Year 13, Month 07, Day 08
Messina
Allied-occupied Sicily
Music was playing in the background, a local band that was trying to provide entertainment to the locals, as well as the many soldiers of the Allies. George Patton sat in a booth, enjoying a glass of the local alcohol as he took a moment to listen to the music. Right now, with Sicily secured, he was having his men drill to keep proficiency, and to prepare for the upcoming invasion of Europa. So far he hadn't heard of anything about him being reassigned, like on Earth, but with rumors of Noria falling into a civil war, he wouldn't be surprised if he was kept here to help with the fighting.
As George put his glass down, he took a moment to look around the cantina to see that it look very similar to how the ones on Earth. He had also looked up some of the history of the sector and saw how it was almost parallel to that on Earth, but scaled up. He made a point to visit some of the sector's version of Roman Empire ruins, and was impressed at the similarities they had, even if the technology was far more advanced that what he saw on Earth. He looked back up toward the entrance of the structure to see his newest friend in the war, General Erwin Rommel.
Rommel looked around the building and found Patton sitting at his usual booth, a drink on the table accompanying a datapad. As he walked up to the booth, Patton stood up and extended his hand to his former enemy. Rommel took it, shaking it as if with an old friend. "It is good to see you again, General Patton."
"You too, General Rommel." Patton welcomed him to take a seat, and soon motioned for the waiter to bring some drinks.
Both Patton and Rommel had been coming to this particular establishment a couple times a week when they were off duty, usually talking about things back on Earth, usually about their experienced prior to the Second World War. At this time, Patton was telling his experience in Mexico as part of General Pershing's expedition to capture Poncho Villa. "I have to tell you Rommel, I will never forget the first time that I saw action down in Mexico."
Rommel found this story interesting, especially since it seemed more like the old "Wild West" stories that you would hear about the American expansion westward, and less like a war. He was just starting to tell his story about a shootout with several Mexican bandits when a junior officer walked up to their table, saluting.
When the salute was returned, the officer spoke. "I'm sorry to bother the both of you, sirs, but General Alexander wants to see the both of you, immediately."
Patton glances over to Rommel who merely shrugs, and both of them get up from their seats. "Take us to him then."
The officer saluted again and the three officers left the cantina and were soon off in a speeder. Since the planet had been taken, Alexander had moved his headquarters from the Tunis System to the city of Messina, to help coordinate forces that were moving onto the planet for the inevitable invasion of Europa. When they arrived at the building, the three walked in and approached Alexander's office door. The officer escorting them knocked and when they heard a reply, he opened the door and allowed the two generals to enter, closing the door behind them.
Reading a datapad, General Harold Alexander looks up to see his two best generals. "Please sit down, the both of you," he said, setting his datapad down and motioning toward the two chairs in front of his desks. "Gentlemen, I have just received our next assignment. Because of the civil war in Noria, we will be commencing the invasion of Noria proper in two weeks."
"Rommel, you have been placed in command of Albion forces in the invasion of Noria. There has already been plan drawn up for it, but you can look over them and make changes that you see fit. I would, however, include General Clark in you discussion on plans for the invasion. He is a capable commander, but I remember how he was criticized for his performance in the invasion. Perhaps you could offer some advice to him."
"I will do what I can to support him, General," Rommel replied.
Next came the part that Alexander would not enjoy. "General Patton, unfortunately, you will not be taking part in this invasion. You are being reassigned to Albion."
Patton's expression was that of outrage. "Goddamn it. Whatever for? I haven't done anything to warrant this type of action. What is Eisenhower thinking back in Albion?"
Alexander cleared his throat before he explained. "If you must know, Eisenhower, and I mean the one from Earth, personally requested that you return to Albion for a specific assignment."
Upon hearing that it was the Eisenhower from Earth, Patton calmed himself down. "What is it?" he asked, some resentment slipping into his tone
"The Prime Minister Churchill and General Eisenhower have a theory to why Getov High Command has been making different actions that what we know from Earth." Both generals were now interested in the explanation and Alexander continued. "As you remember from Earth, the German military did not retreat from many battles while fighting the Soviets, but after the defeat at Kursk, that was exactly what they did, falling back to the Dnieper. Then there's the Norian Civil War, which began with Getov's Teutonic Knights visiting Mussolini, and soon after that, the King and several members of the Norian General Staff being dismissed."
"You're making it sound like someone has joined Getvo's side from Earth," Patton said finally.
"That's the conclusion that the Prime Minister and General Eisenhower came to, but what they had difficulty understanding was whom it could be," Alexander explained. "Whoever it is would need to have knowledge of when specific events that happened."
"That could be anyone on the General Staff," Rommel said. "Though it would have to be someone with enough influence to allow Hitler to…" Rommel trailed off as his mind came to a conclusion.
Patton's brow furrowed until he realized who it could be. "You're telling me that goddamned crazy Nazi bastard is leading Getov?"
Alexander just nods. "It appears that way, which is why you are being reassigned, General Patton. So far the war hasn't drifted too far from how it went back on Earth, and we are going to keep it that way." He steepled his fingers and continued. "From what I remember, the reason why the invasion of France was so successful was because of deception. We are going to do the exact same thing, but we are going to it by acting as if nothing has changed. We'll use the war on Earth as a guide to fool Hitler, and allow him to believe that we do not know anything."
"So you plan on making tricking him by making him think he know how things will go before they happen?" Patton asked, skeptical of the whole idea.
The room was quiet for a few moments before Rommel spoke. "It might work. I remember hearing how Hitler always believed he was right, and with him knowing how things happened during the war, this may cause him to become even more overconfident than before."
"And more likely to make a mistake," Patton said. "So what is my assignment, General Alexander?"
"You will be placed in command of the First United Planets Army Group," he answered. He could see Patton begin to bristle at the mention of the name of his new command and raised a hand before he could say anything. "It's part of the deception. Instead of it being a paper army group, it will be the main force for the invasion. However, I am unable to give you more details than that. You will have to talk with General Eisenhower when you arrive."
Alexander could see that Patton was not satisfied with his assignment, "General Patton, I know that this is not what you wanted, but right now, we need to convince Hitler that nothing has changed."
Patton grunted, his face showing his displeasure in being pulled away from a combat position. "General Alexander, I will be up front when I say this, but I am not satisfied by this, but if it helps in stopping that crazy Nazi bastard, I'll do it," he said begrudgingly.
"That's good to hear, General, and if it is any consolation, I am sad to lose one of my best commanders." Alexander could tell by the look on Patton's face that he wasn't happy with this turn of events, but it was for something more than the general's quest for glory. "You can take your staff with you, but I would suggest against telling anyone the details of this until after you have arrived in Albion."
"I understand, General Alexander."
"That is good to hear," Alexander said, relief coming into his voice. "That is all for the both you. You have your assignments, and I suggest you get to it. We have much to do and very little time."
"Yes, sir," both generals said, standing up and saluting. Alexander returned them and they both left the room, both to prepare for their upcoming parts in the invasion of Europa. The question going through both of their minds however: If Hitler was there, then who else could there be?