"No plan survives contact with the enemy, but without a plan there is no chance of victory, such are the contradictions of war."

Alexander Andreas Gustavus Di Britannia.

"You have done well young Lion, an exemplary operation." The giant on the screen in front of me said, "Only five days, you far exceeded my expectations."

"My thanks, your Majesty." I responded maintaining the small bow, my face showing nothing of my emotions.

"Rise my son." My eyes snapped wide open and up towards my father as I rose to stand tall, wondering at the acknowledgement of our relation. "I was honestly not expecting you too succeed as you did, but I keep my word."

A map appeared to the side as my father's face began to shrink to the side coming into the corner of the screen. The pacific was shown in great detail, the Britannia areas red, the Chinese federation in yellow, Australia greyed out, the isolationist Switzerland like nation neutral as always.

Last but not least was the republic of the Philippines, highlighted in blue.

"You are familiar with the pacific, I know. As you are aware the republic of the Philippines and Britannia were in negotiations for it to become a protectorate state." The man paused briefly to breath. "What you do not know is that a coup overthrew the pro Britannia government with a pro Federation dictatorship yesterday."

"If the federation takes control of the islands..."

"Indeed the entire pacific would be at risk, this cannot be allowed to happen." The Emperors face came back to full scale, a thunderous expression on his face.

"I am hereby promoting you, General Alexandre Andreas Gustavus Di Britannia, to Field Marshal and Commander of all Britannian forces in the Pacific and Indian oceans."

I was sure my jaw went slack at it and my eyes wider than ever before. This effectively gave me command of a third of the entire Britannian army. The amount of trust placed in me was immense, beyond any in the empire except the Prime Minister, Schneizel.

It was a position I could not refuse, even if I wanted to. The things my father required me to do however... Not clean cut at all, war with the Philippines would draw in the Chinese Federation no matter what. Even with all the forces in the empire it should be a long fight. But I would not have nearly all forces at my command.

Taking away fleets from the Atlantic was not an option for the Empire, the Euros had accepted that we owned Iceland but their war with the Arabs was over now, as such with any sign of weakness they would intervene. A war against both Europe and Asia was not an option, not right now.

War against the Philippines hmm. How would I play that, what would be the opening move to this great game. Standing army of 500.000, 3 million reservists. Small tank corps with both Britannian and Chinese models. Air force consisting mostly of air superiority fighters from China and VTOLs from us. Infantry equipment outdated for all troops but Spec-Ops. Only a few dozen Knightmares on loan from the Chinese. No real navy to speak of, just a couple of frigates and a single outdated cruiser.

At my command was the Britannian Pacific military. The largest single standing army in the empire, some 3 million well-trained and equipped men, to be reinforced by several east coast divisions making up another half a million. Top of the line tank corps containing the up to date S-pattern tank and the new S+ pattern tank. Not to forget the Knightmare battalions filled with Sutherlands.

Add to that the fleet, 4 fleet carriers full of top of the line Drake VTOL aircraft, half a dozen battleships, dozens of cruisers and just under a hundred frigates. More than enough to beat the island nation. The problem was not the Philippines however; it was the Chinese who were bound to intervene.

They have over 5.5 million standing personnel, 10 million reservists. Tens of thousands of tanks, thousands of planes and helicopters and the mass production of their Gun-ru's had been ramping up into the dozens a week. Not to forget their navy as well, 7 fleet carriers, 5 of which in active service, 2 in maintenance, no less than 50 cruisers and hundreds of their mass-produced Shanghai type frigates, more than two thirds of their fleet was stationed around the Chinese coast.

I could win but it would require planning, preparation and cashing in a few favors. Not to mention that I need a new frame.

…..

"Are they ready?"

"But of course my lord, please over here." Harris guided me towards the three tarp-covered machines not far away, each tall as a house. "First and foremost may I present the SP-31-SPARTAN II, successor to its predecessor."

The machine held most of the originals looks, even the in my opinion awesome Mohawk atop its helm. But its frame was different; the Glasgow base frame the original was based on could just not keep up with any further upgrades so I ordered a new base frame designed.

"As requested we managed to put together a new frame, it keeps the same base body shape but this new one is made to deal with all deficiency's and issues we discovered the Glasgow/Sutherland frame has during the recent wars." The man took a breath before continuing.

"We increased its loadbearing capacity while decreasing the strain on the joints. We managed to reduce its power consumption by adding internal plate wiring and a new distribution system, we also added a fact-sphere model that doesn't need to open for a full scan."

"And the weapons?" I asked.

"All as you requested, two slash harkens in the chest, hands for grabbing most Knightmare weapons we make. And most importantly a shoulder mounted cannon copied from the Leonidas."

"Excellent, begin limited production, I need at least thirty by the end of the month. I will need three hundred as soon as possible." I smiled, this was a great opening machine, a true testbed for the next generations of Knightmare tech.

"As you say my lord, we will work as fast as we can. On to the next?"

I nodded and the lab rat pulled the cover off of the next frame, it stood near a head taller than the SPARTAN next to it, whilst being more bulky. Looking like someone mixed a roman centurion and a Viking. Its arms held large folded in clubs below them, on its shoulders sat two guns larger than the ones on the Spartans next to it. On its back sat a single short barreled weapon of some sort.

All in all the black painted frame look intimidating even unpowered and slightly hunched forwards.

"Meet the UM-02-H Hercules, this bad boy weighs in at just under 10 tons and stands 5 and a half meters tall. As specified it comes equipped with two arm mounted electrified bludgeons, two shoulder mounted antitank cannons, five chest mounted slash harkens and a back mounted high-precision mortar, range five kilometers."

"Marius will be happy I think."

"If not we can always make changes as needed."

"Alright now, where is mine?"

The man smiled brightly and practically danced over to the last covered machine before pulling the cover down. I was stunned by what I saw. It was taller than any Knightmare I have ever seen, at least six meters, armored head to toe in plates and muscle wire. Painted a solid gold broken only by the occasional line of red, its head was the visage of an ancient Greek warrior. A faceless plate crowned by a helmet, the only thing in its 'face' were a pair of lights that would function as 'eyes'.

And the weapons oh the glorious gorgeous weapons. Three folded up lances were held to its lower back, two softly green glowing barrels rested on its massive shoulders and on its upper back sat a folded up weapon of some kind and at its side hung a sleek looking sword.

"I think I am in love..."

"I knew you would like him my lord, I have the pleasure of introducing you to your new mount." He swept his arms around and took a bow. "UM-01-P Perseus, the most advanced Knightmare ever built! 11 tons and 6.27 meters tall this is a true war beast!"

"It's gorgeous, absolutely perfect..."

"Armed to the teeth as well, but first let me explain the Jets! I told you about our breakthrough in small scale plasma weapons yes. Perseus is not only our first practical application of that technology, but the use of it in movement as well! We installed plasma thrusters that can both provide the ability to jump and to dash at speeds other Knightmares can only dream off! Then there is the sword! It uses magnetically contained plasma edges to cut through near anything!"

He took another deep breath before continuing on, red faced and out of breath from his endless ranting.

"We applied our research into plasma naval guns to the shoulder mounted Charge cannons, each fires a five centimeter diameter bolt of plasma at the speed of sound with a fire rate far slower than the guns used on the mark II's but with much more destructive potential." He smiled, I was already impressed, this machine seemed to tick all my boxes and we weren't even halfway.

"The rifle on its back is a prototype precision plasma cannon, it will fold out over Perseus's head, it functions like a sniper rifle, firing a single hyper destructive shot. With a range of anything you can see, its click and boom."

"I love it. But the lances?"

"Of course my lord the lances are perhaps my greatest advancement yet! I applied what we learned from making the plasma-sword and combined it with research I ughm 'acquired' from an old friend of mine to create them. Your old lances functioned decently but often broke when piercing armor, these will not."

Harris's excitement was a little endearing I would admit, but his rambling nature, while useful, was starting to annoy me.

''The alloy they are made from can withstand punishment beyond anything else, I would have made Perseus from it entirely but its incredible expensive, as in half of the budget expensive. Back to the point these Kraken type lances will pierce and cut damn near through anything with their magnetically shaped superheated plasma tips."

I put my hand on the giant frames knee and looked it in its power down eyes.

"I think this is the start of a beautiful relationship."

…

My arrival at the command center in Okinawa was not what anyone had expected, most commanders arrive at their post by plane or car. I arrived aboard a massive Ceres pattern cargo Copter, along with a battalions worth of experimental war machines.

Needless to say, people were looking at their new commander strangely.

Entering the command center itself I was greeted by my new officers, a few I recognized by looks. One of those was general Douglas Mac-Arthur, the man who had conquered Japan for the empire. Another was Lord Admiral Grey, commander of the Pacific's largest CBG. Along with a whole host of officers selected for their competence.

The last person I recognized was a bit of a surprise, not that I did not expect her, I did send for each person here myself after all, but that I was able to recruit her for this. She had been recently promoted and was of an age with me. Not to mention that she was bound to become a Knight of the Round within the next few years. For before me stood the blond bombshell, General Monica Krushevsky. Future knight of Twelve.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, you know who I am, you know what I do, you know what our goals are. Let us not waste time on meaningless introductions." I began a second after I entered the room, seeing the eyes of a few of the command staff light up in anger though no one important seemed offended. I signaled to Marius to begin broadcasting my words throughout the base.

"Some of you may be skeptical about my being in command. I ask that those with objections about my leadership look at my achievements. Look at the former nation of Iceland, with its broken military. Look at the victorious men under my command. Know that I live by the words; Plan and adapt."

I took a deep breath before continuing on, looking each of the men and woman in the eyes, some flinched away some held my gaze wearily, only a few looked back with a similar confidence.

"Know that I live by those words, know that I plan every action in the coming days, know that I will adapt or adapt you if needed! For the Emperor has given us an near insurmountable task, the conquest of ASIA! We have been set an impossible task, but I plan to make the Impossible possible, as long as my plans are followed."

I swept my golden cloak around in a grand gesture, reveling in the slight breeze that brought precious cold to myself.

"And my words headed."

I sat down slowly in the chair facing the map table, its screen displaying the situation and our goal.

"Each of you has been called here because I have uses for you and your talents, I will not have your time go to waste, nor your lives. Each of you from this point onward are my men and woman, my warriors of fate and fatherland! I will forge you into the strongest army the world has ever seen! And we will BREAK THE FEDERATION! WE WILL SHATTER THE POWER OF THE CHINESE! WE WILL STAND AS TRIUMPHANT TITANS AND ASIA WILL LAY AT OUR FEET!"

A cheer echoed around the command center, Britannian's are known as stiff and unemotional, but nothing brings them to cheer and energy as a speech. The normally composed officers cheered and shouted before a chant began. "Triumph. Triumph. Triumph. Triumph! Triumph! THRUIMPH!"

It rang out of the command center and into the base around it being picked up by all soldiers who heard it. I sat silently smoking my pipe, a habit I had picked up recently, and waited. When silence finally returned to the command center all of the gathered generals and admirals were out of breath and sitting down silently. "This is the time to ask questions, but know that I do not have the time nor patience to repeat myself."

The first to speak up was Mac Arthur, standing and pointing towards where I had sent orders for his troops to prepare, Palau.

"I have received your orders sir and I can't say I disagree with your plan, at least the first part. If my men are to attack the southern islands I can assume that you will be leading the charge for the capital?"

"I would not call it a charge General. My plan for dealing with the Federation requires specific conditions to be met, for those conditions I need the southern islands to be a fortress. I know that my actions may seem strange during the upcoming operations, but trust that all is with purpose."

The old general nodded before resuming his seat, I looked to Lord Admiral Grey, the man had sent me a personal request to ask a question before my arrival, he was a man both fearful and respectful of royalty.

"My lord I must make mention my apprehension towards facing off against the Chinese navy, we are incredibly outnumbered, the Chinese have 5 fleet carriers ready to sail out, all but one of those are stationed to strike against us, if we split the fleet as you suggest..."

"Do not worry Lord Admiral, I am taking steps to equalize the numbers between us. Though I understand your concerns, be confident that we will win the seas even though the skies might be contested."

"I am at your command my lord, the Inferno will dominate Indonesia as you demand."

At those words Monica stood up, a slightly nervous look on her face she turned towards me.

"My lord whilst we are on the topic of Indonesia, I understand that I will be commanding the assault on the archipelago?"

I sent the girl a smile, rising myself and with a few hand motions made the map zoom in towards the aforementioned region whilst making a few figures appear.

"Yes General, you are to lead the 4th Pacific army. Your first goal will be the capturing of the western portion of the island of new guinea, from there you will push through the Moluccas under support of Lord Admiral Grey. Your strategic objective for the campaign is the capture of the Straits of Malacca, though secondary objectives are in fact preferable in the early stages. Your invasion is meant more to tie up Federation forces in the south until we deal with their navy."

I moved the pieces around as I explained, moving the Chinese fleet in India towards the Straits of Malacca.

"We want to make the Chinese think we are planning to cut off the Straights, this will cause them to rush their Indian fleet to pass them. After which they will be crushed." I removed the Chinese fleet from the board, "When you receive my signal your objective will change. When that happens your goal will be to make a push for the straights ignoring everything not needed for their capture."

"I will not disappoint my lord."

"I know you won't, one does not rise in the ranks as quick as you whilst disappointing their commanders. Do this well and I will recommend you to my father, he desires a new commander for the Imperial-guard."

I saw the girls face light up and her eyes widen, before she saluted and sat back down. A major stood after her, grey and past his prime, but still fit and strong, I recognized the man, John Hackett I remembered. The commander of the largest portion of the marines under my command.

"Sir, I know that the role of my men has shifted more towards infiltration in these past few years. But I do not think we are capable of what you ask of us, taking ou-"

"Major, I know that it may seem like this task is beyond you and it very well may be, yet this is of incredible importance to our success. Most of your men have family in Area 11 yes? Make sure they know that it is them they will be fighting for."

And so the scene would play out for the next hours, reaching deep into the night.

…

"Alexander, how good to see you brother dearest!" I cringed at the reminder of our relation. Clovis was the first to greet me when I came off of the plane, he was as always surrounded by his entourage of reporters and yes men. "It has been so long!"

"I'm sure it has been Clovis, we have much to discuss."

It was not long before we found ourselves in a limo heading towards the government Bureau. I took the opportunity to catch up with Clovis, the man is vile truth be told, but he is still my blood brother. I would need to see for myself the suffering he caused before I can truly give judgment.

I was tired of the secrecy in my family, tired of the hidden meanings and daggers in the dark. It was one of the reasons or why I had joined the military, and for military matters I was here. We arrived at my brother's office quickly, though calling the massive room an office was not completely accurate, way too much marble for my taste too.

"Enough pleasantries Clovis, I am here for a reason."

"And what reason would that be brother?" he answered in an apprehensive tone, his smile faltering.

I sat down in the chair behind his desk, making my brother look at me in annoyance. Why did I do this? I have to make sure that he knows that this is not a request without ordering him, make him see that I am in charge of this situation.

"I am here to cash in the favor you owe me brother."

"I did not think that you were serious about that..."

"I am." I responded, "Your administration is responsible for the three mothballed Fleet-Carriers of the former Imperial Japanese Navy correct?"

"Well yes though we are in the process of disassembling one of them..."

I scowled in annoyance my plan was still possible but significantly more difficult, those carriers were supposed to be my equalizer three would be enough to turn the tables on the federation. Yet two would be enough for now and if all went well in the first stages I might make do without the extra carrier.

"It will do, I am hereby requisitioning them into the pacific fleet, you are to make sure they are seaworthy and loaded with the Drake's I am having sent over before the end the first week of this month."

"I don't think tha-"

"Dear brother you know what father thinks of people who don't pay their debts, and you owe me a favor."

Clovis swallowed nervously, people seemed to do that a lot around me I noted. Must be my looks. Then Clovis nodded, causing me to smile. All was in place.

….

'Manipulation, deceit and power, those are not just tools of war, but of politics as well. Yet while I hate politics, I love war.'

Alexander Andreas Gustavus Di Britannia.