Fort Amatriain is, as usual, a hive of activity. A jeep pulled into the fort and headed to the main building. It had to slow and stop at times to allow, trucks, tanks, and infantry to pass by. It pulled in front of the main building and General Everhart stepped out. The two Guards at the front saluted and she returned it before stepping inside. The lobby had a few junior officers talking to each other and the receptionist was speaking to a First Lieutenant. She paid them no mind and turned left down the hallway before going to the third floor.
She pasted by a Major on her way to the war room. She opened the door and the field marshal, along with three Generals, were already sitting around a table that had a map of Gallia on it. Plastic models on the map represented friendly and enemy forces. She took a seat and waited. A few minutes later two more generals entered the room one of whom was General Damon, They took their seats. "Ladies and Gentlemen, let us get down to business. General Lawson, what is your army's status?"
"We've held our defensive positions along this line. I've launched small probing attacks and the Imperials are dug in heavily. If we want to retake Fouzen I will need more men and material."
"Understood, thank you. General Ensink, how is your second army holding at Naggiar?"
"Not great. We've lost ten kilometers in the past two days. Personally, I think we should abandon the plains and reform our defensive line here. It will also eliminate the threat to my army's right flank."
"Sir, we don't need to abandon the whole of the plains to the enemy. My fourth army can attack the Imperials here and drive them back. This will secure more of the Naggiar plains and remove the threat to the second army. Furthermore, it would allow us to hit the Imperials in the flank here."
"General, the Imperials are dug in well across their line. Even if the attack was successful there would be an unacceptable number of casualties."
"The fourth army is my army General Ensink. I know what it can and cannot accomplish."
"Gentlemen, there is no need to argue. General Ensink, I agree with your assessment. How long will it take you to pull back to the new defensive line?"
"Four days."
"Understood. I want the fourth army to launch multiple probing attacks across the front line. Keep the Imperials occupied if they catch the second army before it is in position it will be a disaster."
"Understood sir."
"Now, General Price, is central Gallia stabilized?"
"Yes sir. Thanks to the assistance from the First army we repulsed the Imperial attack and drove them back two kilometers. We have since started to dig in despite General Everhart's disagreements."
"Disagreements? General, care to elaborate."
"Sir, I am of the opinion that we should capitalize on the initiative and continue to attack the Imperials."
"Your reasoning for this opinion, General."
"The Imperial's most recent attack was repulsed and we counter-attacked. It is likely the forces they used for the attack are still recovering so their defensives are weaker than they were before the attack. If we concentrate our armor and attack here we can break through their line and have the chance to incircle Imperial divisions here and here as well as push for Hasselt."
"Sir, retaking Hasselt would lessen the blow the loss of Fouzen caused to our industry."
"Hang on a second General. Are you suggesting we use Imperial tactics," Damon accused. He glared at her and General Deleu caught on to what he was saying. "We do not copy Imperial tactics. That Implies that our tactics and by extension our army is inferior." General Ensink didn't say anything but he did narrow his eyes.
"Generals, we have all seen how effective these tactics are. If we use them we can break through their lines and cause chaos giving our armies the advantage."
"This, mobile warfare, is a tactic the Imperials will have counters to."
"I'm sure of it. But they will not be expecting it to be used against them. It will through them into disarray if only for a few minutes, but those few minutes can be a deciding factor."
"General Everhart! I will not see Gallia's armies pride be stained by using Imperial tactics! Our tactics have been effective in stopping the Imperial army and driving them back! I see no reason to use the tactics of the... Empire," he spat the word out with a disgusted look on his face.
"I agree with General Deleu," Damon said with a smug look.
"Generals, the pride of the army will not matter if all of Gallia is under Imperial occupation. Where will the pride of our army be then?"
"Everhart," Damon growled.
"Enough. General, what forces would you need for the attack?"
"Sir, I would need a large armored and mechanized and or motorized force to break the line and to cover the tanks. If General Damon will allow it I would want to pull the majority of his armor for the assault."
"I must object! If Everhart takes most of the tanks from my army I will not be able to defend Southern Gallia from attack! Furthermore, if the Imperials launch an offensive in central Gallia I will not be able to effectively reinforce our lines!"
"General Damon makes a valid point. However, the Kloden wildwood is a natural barrier that guards our Southern front and makes tanks all but useless. The tanks from the squads in the Wildwood can be redirected to central Gallia." Damon looked like he was going to argue but thought better of it.
"General, what motorized forces would you need for the assault?"
"I would like two divisions but I can do it with one."
"General Price, your army has a motorized division does it not."
"Yes sir, but they are green. They only finished their training a week ago."
"Combat is the best trainer General. That division will participate in the offensive."
"Understood sir."
"Is that all you need General Everhart?"
"Yes sir."
"We are putting a lot of recourses in this offensive General."
"I know sir, but I know we can pull it off."
"Hmmm. I expect a full briefing on this new assault."
"You will have it within the hour, sir."
At the newly named camp Stuart troops and supplies had suddenly started arriving in large numbers. Everyone knew what this meant; a plan to assault the Imperial's positions had been drawn up and from what they could see the attack would start soon. Squad fifteen was standing around their tank watching the chaos. "Yeah, we're definitely moving out soon. Did Jackson tell you anything Brooks?"
"Only to be ready to move at a moment's notice." Brooks was sitting on the turret and looked up for a second before continuing to write in her diary. A firefly rolled by with infantry sitting on it. It was followed by two transport trucks and one of them was towing a light anti-tank gun. The tank and the trucks stopped and the infantry dismounted. They gathered around the tank and their Lieutenant started briefing them.
"Jackson is sure taking his time," Blake said as he climbed on the front of their tank. "How long has he been at the briefing now?"
"Around twenty minutes."
"We're going to be waiting for another twenty minutes, I guarantee it."
"Blake, do us all a favor, and shut up."
"Come on, I know you guys love my voice."
"No, no we don't. That's why we want you to shut up."
"Blake, I will make that a standing order." He grumbled but didn't say anything.
"Thank you Chole. Now we have some peace and quiet." Moss looked at her, "How is this peace and quiet?" He made a sweeping motion with his arm at the camp.
"When you grow up in a city you have a different definition of peace and quiet."
"No kidding."
BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM! BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM!
Brooks looked up from her diary, "Preemptive artillery barrage." She closed her it and put it in her pocket.
"Looks like the waiting is over Blake."
"It's about time! I was about to fall asleep!"
"Squad fifteen listen up!" Jackson climbed on top of the tank while Brooks and Blake jumped off. "Alright! The artillery barrage you're hearing singles the start of operation Hurricane! Here is the plan! Our company along with the second motorized division and elements of the Third Infantry division who have been partially motorized will attack the Imperials center force! After we break though the infantry will follow up behind us and secure the territory! Clear so far!?"
"YES SIR!"
"Excellent! After that we are to drive deep into Imperial lines and hit their positions further down the line! This is a time-sensitive operation people so don't stop for anything!" BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM! BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM!
"All squads, operation Hurricane is a go!"
"It's game time people! MOUNT UP!"
"MOVE IT! DOUBLE TIME IT TO THE HALFTRACKS!"
The camp exploded into action. Squads rushed to trucks, halftracks, and tanks alike to climb in or on. Squad fifteen jumped into their half-tracks and watched a Firefly along with five Gallian light tanks, two of which had infantry riding on them, roll past. More tanks rolled past and a few more had infantry riding on them. The half-tracks and trucks fell in behind them a second later with the thunder of artillery following them.