The following morning did little to ease Cordelia's fears. The sheer enormity of their task was starting to sink in for her. She, Eleanor Varrot and Welkin were looking at a map of Gallia, "The Wessel river forms the current front-line borders for the Empire and Federation up to Ockkuam. While the Federation have nominal control over the Kloden Woodlands, in truth, it makes for an excellent resistance holdout since an armoured army would have a great deal of difficulty moving about with any real effectiveness." Welkin explained.

Cordelia nodded, "But surely Kloden is not the only base we have?"

Eleanor shook her head, "Of course not Highness." she replied before gesturing to the map. "We have cells in most major cities and several small bases in the Barious desert and Naggiar plains thanks to the Army personnel who remained true the Gallia."

Cordelia nodded and shut her eyes. "My next question is: how do we focus our resistance? Do we focus on throwing out the Federation or the Empire?"

Welkin and Eleanor looked at each other. "Neither Highness." she finally said. "We cannot fight a traditional war against a foe that outnumbers us over sixty to one. Raids, industrial sabotage, ambushes and the like are going to be the order of the day for us until we can drum up the support of the population enough and get foreign aid to supply us."

Cordelia sighed, her mind coming to a conclusion she wished it didn't. "Then I must fight alongside everyone else," she said, raising a hand to forestall their protestations. "I am little good at being a figurehead. I had enough of that from Borg and you saw how that went. But if I can make the Royal Family's image that where we share in the struggles of the common Gallian, then we'll have a leg up on Gassenarl and Borg. I hardly see them endearing themselves to the population."

Neither Welkin nor Eleanor could argue against that, but they were clearly uncomfortable with the risks involved. Before either could offer any form of concern, however, Faldio approached. "Just got this from my network in Wessel," he said, handing Cordelia a scrap of paper.

Cordelia read it and grew a slight smile. "Vinland has completely cut ties with both the Empire and the Federation, as has most other countries who are not puppet-states or colonies of them," she revealed. "They cite the invasions of Gallia and the creation of illegitimate governments as the critical factor."

Eleanor rubbed her chin. "Enough victories against the Empire and Federation might be enough to sway Vinland to intervene in the conflict."

Welkin nodded, "Especially if we can get one big one and show that it's not a fluke."

Faldio nodded. "My source also claims that there is someone high up in the Gallian Kingdom willing to defect but is currently unwilling to commit to a lost cause with their soldiers," he revealed. "Perhaps a victory that is symbolic in addition to strategic?"

Eleanor raised an eyebrow. "What do you have in mind Mister Landzaat?"

Faldio point to a point on the map. "The town of Aaniun was built near the site of the final battle of the "War of the Valkrur" took place. The first King Randgriz had his coronation there." he said, "It is also a guarded crossroad for the Imperial Army and a critical point in their chain of supply."

Cordelia thought for a moment about what he was suggesting. "A tactical and political win. If we can pull it off."

Eleanor readjusted her glasses. A pensive look on her face. "It is possible." she finally said. "But I would want a bit more of a firm footing before moving onto a High Valued Target if only so we don't have one shot and one shot only."

The others nodded and returned their attention to the map. They finally decided on raids against Imperial and Federation supply lines with any excess material they liberated going to the populace. Cordelia would join Welkin and his group when they attacked a small resupply base for the Federation outside Ockkuam. She had turned down a more plain outfit, simply saying that "Gallia needs to see their Princess fighting back the invaders." when pushed.

In a few minutes, everyone was armed and moving towards the objective. The trip didn't take an excessive amount of time to take, but it was near midday by the time Welkin, Alicia and Cordelia knelt behind some bushes, observing the Federation troops in the supply camp. "Well… at least they haven't had enough time to construct watchtowers and fortifications," Alicia remarked. "That'll make things easier somewhat."

Welkin grimaced as he looked through his binoculars. "Still going to be difficult," he replied before handing the binoculars to Alicia. "They have Heavy Machine Guns set up already. We're going to need Catherine and Marina to knock out their operators before we can move into the camp proper. And they have a tank. Largo's going to have his hands full with that I fear."

Cordelia frowned. "I thought we had a tank ourselves?" she asked.

Welkin sighed, "We don't have the provisions to keep it running. Hence this raid and Isara's part in it."

Cordelia nodded, remembering the chirpy Darcsen girl on the trip up trying to keep morale up despite the circumstances. Though she had doubts about her own performance in battle, it was clear that Isara didn't have them herself and that Welkin and Alicia agreed with her.

Focusing her mind on the here and now, she looked at the camp again and noticed something strange. "That's odd…" she murmured, drawing the glances of Welkin and Alicia. "The stances of the soldiers. It's like either they don't trust someone in authority over the base or something. They're not paying much attention to their duties and I can see a few of them slouching against the fence."

Welkin peered through the binoculars after Alicia handed them back. "Well I'll be…" he murmured, looking at Alicia, "This may be easier than feared," he remarked before picking up his rifle. "I'll get into position and give the signal. A swift and sharp surprise attack should see victory quickly."

Cordelia nodded as Welkin dashed off and Alicia signalled the rest of their group forwards. "Strike hard, strike fast. Catherine, HMGs are your priority. Largo, gonna need you to deal with the single tank in the camp." she said, receiving nods in return.

Just then, a warbling call sounded in the forest and Alicia nodded. "That's our cue," she said before bringing her rifle up and letting loose.

As one, the Gallians unleashed unto the unsuspecting Federal troops with deadly consequences. Cordelia was shocked at the chaos and carnage but kept pulling the trigger of the rifle in her hands. The screams and shouts reverberated with her and she found herself biting her lip to keep her own screams in her mind. The Gallians saw the look of determination on their Princess' face and, mistaking it for courage, doubled their efforts, not realizing that it was an effort to keep that morning's fare in her stomach.

Catherine and Marina had found trees in which to hide themselves and were taking out equipment operators and infantry with precision. Largo and the other Lancers kept the Federal light tank at bay until Largo struck a lucky hit that sent a fissure of fire high into the air emanating from the tank's ammunition holds.

When Cordelia saw that, she found relief her companion rather than the horror that would have accompanied the individuals burning alive and she found she had to bite harder to keep her screams away, nearly drawing blood. But finally, no further gunfire came from the Federal troops. It could not have, for not a single soul was left alive in it. The two groups of Gallians approached the camp and met within. "Grab what you can, torch what you can't!" Welkin ordered and everyone set out to carry them out. Except for Cordelia. She found an out of the way section of the camp and lost her battle with her breakfast.

She did not know how long she stood hunched over a pile of her own vomit and bile, but eventually, when her mind returned to the present, she felt a strong hand on her shoulder and a canteen being pressed into her hand. "Use this to rinse your mouth, you'll feel a lot better," Largo said.

Cordelia accepted the canteen and rinsed her mouth out. "I must be a disappointment…" she muttered.

Largo scoffed. "I'm impressed actually. Every soldier I've met has had some sort of "first battle jitters" effect them, anyone who says otherwise is lying to you, but most of them throw up where they stand when the battle ends. You managed to retain control long enough to find a spot out of the way." he remarked before chuckling. "Besides, can't be worse than when I had my first battle jitters. I threw up on my Captain. And I do mean on my Captain."

Cordelia was surprised. "What did he do?" she asked, curious.

Largo smirked, "Exactly what I did for you, kept me upright and gave me a canteen to rinse." he said before gesturing to where the others were working. "I already told Welkin and he agrees that you should take a few minutes to recompose yourself before returning to duty."

Cordelia nodded and thanked Largo for his advice. Largo just smiled and walked off, leaving Cordelia to her thoughts. She rubbed her face dry of sweat and took long deep breaths, trying to steady herself before rejoining the others.

It took some time, but when she calmed herself, she rejoined Welkin as he poured over a list. "Is that everything we've liberated?" she asked.

Welkin nodded. "With the exception of Medical and Mechanical since they are still being accounted for but so far, we've made out like royalty," he remarked before paling. "Uhh… forgive the pun Highness."

Cordelia smiled and shut her eyes. "In these times, it lifts my heart to hear humour, even if it is at my own expense," she replied. Then she cocked her head, "How much are we having to torch to keep out of enemy hands?"

Welkin shrugged, "I was planning on having a small, nondescript group run some of the excess foodstuffs to Ockkuam but beyond that, we'll have to wait and see."

Cordelia nodded and surveyed the bustle, hoping that the Resistance would finally start making headway in reclaiming their homeland.

Unbeknownst to the Princess of Gallia, or the small cell bar Eleanor Varrot, news of her survival and subsequent determination to see the restoration of the Gallian people had spread like wildfire throughout the Resistance cells. Similar raids to the one near Ockkuam, taking place at the same time, had similar levels of success and the cells were starting to believe that they had not only a chance at success but a good chance.

But as success was granted to the Resistance that day, a new danger emerged. One that crossed borders in a rare case of similar motivations occurring between the Puppet-States. For as a Great Good rises, a Great Evil will seek its destruction.

That Great Evil would prove fatal for many. But for many others, it would harden their resolve to restore the rightful government.

For Gallia Rises.