In the afternoon after the fall of the power plant, Grimm called a staff meeting. All his sector commanders as well as Vaukt and Yarnitch's replacement heading the Imperial Troopers. Vaukt set his rifle on the table, looking around at the others. Their uniforms pressed and polished, compared to his own that was clearly evident of a man who keeps close to and on the front. Even the paint on his helmet was chipped and scratched. One of the reasons Vaukt held respect among his troopers.
Staff meetings in themselves weren't uncommon. Typically, they were scheduled weekly and reports were filed daily to Supreme Commander Grimm to avoid unnecessary bureaucracy on top of waging an effective offensive against a well-defended peer adversary. What was abnormal about this one in particular was the abruptness of it. No prior planning and of the utmost importance to draw not only the commanding officers of the assigned sectors surrounding Tallum, but their secondaries in reserve handling supplies and logistics. An all-hands meeting, as it were.
The requirement for parade dress was equally strange. They were in the middle of a campaign and within sight of the sprawling urban battlefield. Attracting attention to themselves was something most of them wished to avoid, especially with the uncomfortably high rate of success of VDF marksman thinning out the chain of command the tighter the proverbial noose slipped around Tallum.
High-ranking officers, varying from Lieutenant Commander and up, sat around the appropriated conference table of the fortified office complex Supreme Commander Grimm had taken to for the siege of Tallum. A high vantage point, easily defendable, and restricted access. Safety and security against their battle-hardened adversaries who nearly succeeded in killing him. Rumor was the man hadn't been the same since mentally and was a touch paranoid. No one dared speak of this beyond private conversation and even then risked running afoul with their superior in the worst way imaginable.
The din of conversation among fellow officers, ranging from curiosity of their summoning to informal tactical and strategic assessments of their respective assignments. Everyone seemed to be in the dark about the purpose of this meeting. Grimm typically handled affairs remotely or addressed them individually...that and having the entire cadre of command staff responsible for the Vort campaign in one location was nerve-racking enough as it were.
Grimm was yet to make his appearance as the remaining stragglers began to file in. Among them was none other than Special Operations General Vaukt, de facto commander of all Spec Ops units and their assignments.
Unlike his peers, his parade uniform was nowhere to be seen. Rather, his filthy, damp, and stained field uniform clung to him as he tracked mud with each step into the conference room. The disruption of his battered helmet and weapon clattering onto the table earned him a few less than enthused looks from most...all except for the late General Yarnitch's replacement.
High Marshal Zha, a recent arrival to Vort, was among the newest additions to Grimm's command staff. Coming off of the completion of her most recent campaign against the Quo'lim Dominion's outermost colonies, her transfer to the Vort campaign was no surprise. Across all of the Armada's ongoing conquests, Zha's resourcefulness and tactical brilliance held one of the lowest casualty rates. She made due with less, lost the fewest soldiers, and still completed her assigned tasks in a timely fashion.
Vaukt's unceremonious arrival elicited a faint smirk of bemusement tugging at the corner of her thin lips. Bright, lime green eyes remained fixated on her data slate. Her lithe, slender figure filled out the Armada dress uniform nicely, complete with peaked cap from which her thin antenna trailed down into tight curls.
"Fashionably late, as always, General…" She commented in jest. "I assume you received the memo?"
"Something like that…" he withdrew a holographic projector that displayed a map of Tallum, noted within the barrier were various markings. Anti-air emplacements: plasma-based, lasers, missiles, and even interestingly a few old ballistic emplacements set up recently. "I'd rather be out there seeing to my men and devising ways to deal with these threats. Not sitting here inflating Grimm's ego with yet another meeting."
Rather than chastise the man for daring to speak ill of their commanding officer, she gave a bemused huff.
"Something you and I have in common. I needn't remind you of the Empire's...shortcomings here. To say I was handed a "mess" would be an understatement." Zha reasoned sharply towards the end with a faint narrowing of her gaze. "Though I am admittedly curious...this meeting is rather spontaneous."
"That it is." He rubbed his chin, wondering why, "This isn't typical. Usually these are scheduled well in advance and I can usually find some...excuse to stay in the field and contact via hologram. This...I suspect something more this time. Though I'm not sure what."
"Many of us have our theories, but we will find out soon enough." She reasoned, setting the data slate down to take up her drinking glass on the conference table. "Sooner the better. I have a war to win and these games of posture are getting us nowhere."
About that time, the double-doors to the conference room whisked open. The half-masked Supreme Commander Grimm had finally made his appearance. The Irken Elite standing guard to either side of it snapped to attention, saluting with a resounding "Officer on deck!". Those present followed protocol, rising to attention from their seats.
Vaukt was the only one in the room who stood out among those at the table. Always a man of the field. He could clearly tell a change of expression to Grimm. A glare of death. Before he could address the matter, the intercom in the center of the table buzzed to life
"Supreme Commander, sir," on the other end was Grimm's personal secretary, "the Tallest are on the line and want to join your meeting. Shall I patch them through?"
Grimm moved to his seat, remaining standing next to his seat, adjusting his coat. "Yes, you may put them through now."
"Right away, sir."
Within moments, a hologram of Red and Purple appeared at the center of the table. Grimm delivered a sharp salute, "Greetings, my Tallest."
The Empire's enigmatic and...eccentric leaders became visible after a brief moment of static. Red, the more...intelligent of the pair, paid the feed more attention as Purple could be seen sipping away at a straw stuck into some drink.
"Ah, Supreme Commander Grimm...and everyone else." Red greeted from the other side, giving a wave of his slender hand for them to return to their seats. "I see you assembled your staff as requested."
"Yes, my Tallest, I've assembled them as requested. I'm also happy to inform you that we are a mere three days away from total victory on Vort." Grimm sounded off, proudly.
Tallest Purple scoffed with a roll of his eyes, drifting closer to the feed.
"Pffft...Total victory on Vort? Where have we heard that before? That's like the...8th time you've told us that. Lemme guess...it's true this time?"
Red briefly narrowed his gaze unkindly at Purple's interruption but returned his attention back to Grimm.
"...he does have a point, Grimm...you have borne false witness before…"
"It is a certainty this time, My Tallest. Thanks to the efforts of Major General Saro, we have closed the Vortian's last external lifeline. The occupants of Tallum are on borrowed time. Their barrier will fall, we will take the city, and all of Vort shall belong to the Empire this time."
Zha cast a knowing look to Vaukt, resisting the urge to roll her eyes at her superior's bravado before their leaders.
"Is that so?" Red queried, doubtful with a raised brow. "Is the Major General present?"
"He is, my Tallest," Grimm pointed directly at Saro at his seat. "Commander of Sector One in our siege."
Having heard his name called directly by Grimm, his attention was undivided. Now, all eyes fell upon the recently-appointed Major General. A lowly Irken Elite Captain thrust into a level of command he was unprepared for and had it not been for the unlikely assistance of his least-favored individual in the universe, his success and praise would not have been possible.
Nevertheless, Saro rose from his seat upon being addressed, hands behind his back at-ease.
"Major General Saro, at your service, My Tallest."
"...aren't you awfully short for a Major General?" Purple squinted suspiciously at the man through the feed.
Saro bit his tongue, stifling his defensiveness in favor of calmer waters.
"I...rose to the occasion, My Tallest. Supreme Commander Grimm promoted me as my predecessors had been...disposed of."
"Killed, you mean." Red interjected.
"Yes, My Tallest. Killed." Saro settled, maintaining his composure.
Purple snickered, earning his co-ruler's ire.
"What's so funny?"
"...he said "rose to the occasion"...and he's short."
Red venomously glared at Purple before turning his focus back to Grimm and his command staff.
"...anyway...excellent work, Major General. Per Grimm's prior reports, your sector remained unsecure. Tallum has effectively been surrounded in full thanks to your efforts."
Glowering praise...from the Tallest? It was difficult to not be overcome with glowering admiration...if not guiltily so. His success was not attributed to his own strategic prowess. Vult and his lackey saved his skin and likely thousands of soldiers' lives with their efforts and assistance. All he did was carry out issuing orders that were not his own. Instead, he settled for a small nod of acceptance.
"You humble me, My Tallest."
"Keep up the good work, Soldier." Red smiled at him before looking back at Grimm. "Is High Marshal Zha present?"
Upon hearing her name, Zha did much of the same. Rising to her feet, nearly Grimm's height, her shapely chin tipped up and shoulders back with a straightened back. An authoritative presence established.
"Present as requested, My Tallest."
"Good...Grimm. What is your assessment of the High Marshal's performance since her arrival?"
"Sufficient to the task, my Tallest. Unlike the...unfortunate late General. She also seems capable of following directions and adhering to what I request. Unlike some people." He spoke with a hint of venom as he directed a glare at Vaukt. The man remained in his seat, a deadpan expression upon his face. "I appreciate her presence here."
"Wonderful-"
"Hey, aren't we gonna tell him?" Purple interrupted Red much to his dismay.
"Yes...I am getting to that…" Red managed through barely contained contempt.
"Well, get to it! We have better things to do...like go get lunch...or watch Zim fail at something…"
Red gave an exasperated sigh, restraining himself from wishing to strangle Purple before regaining his composure.
"...Supreme Commander Grimm...you are to return to Irk immediately. High Marshal Zha will continue operations on Vort in your stead. With victory assured on Vort, your talents are required elsewhere and Impending Doom II is behind schedule as it is."
Silence enveloped the room. So much so that even at their elevation, behind closed doors, and far from Tallum in the distance, the reverberating echoes of artillery reached them. An interesting turn of events to say the least. Some of his staff appeared shocked, others disdain, and a select few suppressed their visible relief.
"I- but-" Grimm seemed shocked, absolutely dumbfounded. He hoped to be present during his final victory. He looked over to Vaukt, seeing the Spec Ops General develop a shit eating grin at this recent development. "What are you smiling about, you walking pile of mud and filth?! Do you have something to do with this?!"
"I certainly minced no words about your performance in my own reports to the Tallest, if that's what you're asking."
"You little- I'll have your head!"
"I'd like to see you try. But really, are you going to keep our leaders waiting while you throw a fit in front of them?" Vaukt seemed laid back, but kept a hand on his holstered sidearm, just in case Grimm tried anything.
"Enough. Your personal quarrel is of no consequence to the Empire." Red rebuked both of them sternly. "Take your leave, Supreme Commander."
The Supreme Commander glared at Vaukt before straightening himself, "I understand, my Tallest, I shall return on the first shuttle out."
Thankfully, the tension diffused before either party set in motion actions they would regret. Zha remained steadfast at-ease, caught between pride in being given the opportunity to deliver the killing blow to the Empire's largest thorn in its side and guilt in doing so after Grimm had headed the campaign from the beginning. Competency aside, he still produced the current result.
"Good. Leave the scraps to your underlings. Your brilliance is needed elsewhere." Red smiled at the Supreme Commander. "We will discuss your next assignment in detail upon your arrival. Don't delay."
Grimm rose from his seat and rendered a salute before leaving the room, the rest of the commanders remaining seated.
"So who's in charge now?" Purple queried aloud, scratching his head.
"In charge of what?"
"The...Vort...thing!"
"If you'd stop stuffing your face for one second you would have caught that part!" Red growled at him in frustration, sighing.
"...which would be?"
"...The High Marshal."
"Which one is that?"
Zha did her best to remain composed as their leaders put on display questionable levels of intelligence and statesmanship. "That would be me, My Tallest."
"Oh, right. Whats-his-face's replacement! Zhee, right?"
The High Marshal blinked.
"Zha, My Tallest."
Red intentionally butted Purple out-of-frame to focus on the feed himself.
"Ignore him. Your orders stand, High Marshal. See to it that the Vortian homeworld is subdued in short order and the Imperial banner flies over Tallum. Sooner the better. The Vorts possess dozens of colonies and outposts that aren't going to conquer themselves."
The High Marshal straightened up with a nod of affirmation.
"Consider your will be done, My Tallest."
"I expect a full report of your success very soon. That will be all." Red concluded, the feed cutting out to leave the boardroom full of the campaign's command staff, one Supreme Commander short and his successor the newest, albeit proven, addition.
With that, the newly-christened campaign leader rose from her seat. Polished boots clipped across the hard floors as she moved to take her place at the head of the table, standing before the room of her peers.
"Well...this is...unexpected to say the least." She began. "...but not unwelcome. I will not prattle on further than what is necessary. We have our objectives laid before us. I have worked alongside most of you in the prior weeks with little incident. I wish to maintain that...but I will make it explicitly clear to the lot of you here and now...I will not tolerate anyone speaking ill of Supreme Commander Grimm in his absence. I care not about your personal beliefs or opinions about your superiors and fellow officers. We all share a common goal and that is to serve the Empire and our Tallest. Nothing more. Nothing less. Remember that."
Vaukt nodded, reactivating the map from earlier, and turned his attention to her, "Well, I suppose I'll address my plan to you. Very basic idea as of now. I think we can handle this with minimal casualties. Take down the AA, massive aerial bombardment, sweep and clear with the Elites after the fact. They won't dare to use their plasma or laser AA. That'll burn up whatever juice they have left for the barriers. In fact, I'm willing to bet they've taken them all offline right now to squeeze every last volt out of their systems. The biggest concern are these missiles. The guns are secondary, but our shields can probably survive them."
The officers from all the surrounding sectors assigned encircling Tallum observed Vaukt's proposed plan and intelligence. One of the few Armada men present, a Rear Admiral of the fleet in low-orbit, was the first to speak.
"...why are we bothering with a ground offensive? The issue up until this point has been the phasic barrier presenting orbital bombardment. Once it falters, why not flatten the city from space and be done with it? Admiral Carus has become...anxious to level Tallum ever since this siege began."
Vaukt slid a datapad across the table to the Rear Admiral. A recon photo of one of the heavier ballistic missile defenses present within the city. Something that could easily reach ships in low orbit. "Is the Admiral also eager to lose ships?"
"We have more ships than they have defenses, General."
Zha gestured to the Rear Admiral sharply.
"That mentality right there is why this campaign has been a bloodbath from the beginning. I distinctly remember Grimm's speech since making landfall on the Vortian homeworld. It would be a matter of weeks. Here we are, many months later and several million soldiers invested."
"Apologies, High Marshal, I meant no offense."
"I don't want apologies, Rear Admiral. I want Admiral Carus' fleet to remain effective and use strategy beyond absorbing the remaining VDF holdouts' firepower face-first. Cornered prey often turns out to be the most ferocious when faced with survival or death. I need not remind you the men and women we face currently have been against us steadfast since the beginning. The novices and cowards have all fled and died. These are battle-hardened veterans. They are backed into a corner with an ultimatum: Fight or die. They are going to fight. Do not take this lightly."
"My plan calls for maximum use of what firepower we have available, minimize casualties, and bring a quick end to this." Vaukt added in, "The air power we have here should be the ticket to that. Not to mention, do I also need to remind you people of that assassination attempt some time ago? Have you seen the footage of that Vortian that tried to eliminate Grimm? Do you want to send your troops against that? We need a scalpel, then we need to throw everything at this."
Zha reviewed General Vaukt's recommendations on the holographic projection. His approach was to be expected as the head of Special Operations. A rapid, covert deployment to strike deep and by surprise. Render the remaining VDF defenses ineffective and prepare for a combined assault once air superiority was achieved. A sound strategy and not terribly far off-base from what she would enact herself.
She manipulated the map to tap near the base of the governmental citadel near the center of Tallum. A looming monolith of ancient masonry and modern reinforcement. The last bastion of VDF holdouts and likely operations center.
"...the lawns surrounding the civic center contain several artillery batteries. Both recon and satellite imagery have confirmed as much. They appear to be older iterations utilizing self-contained shells rather than running off of an integrated power grid. Not as powerful, but still problematic for massed troop movements. I want these marked and taken off the board as soon as possible."
She paused, looking to the Special Operations General.
"Moving anything larger than a platoon that deep into enemy territory is going to result in disaster. Sooner air superiority is established and those guns are marked for destruction, the sooner the Irken Elite and Troopers can push and rout the remaining defenders."
"I have some units in mind for this operation. Those that can operate in teams, squads at most. This can easily be done. But you may also want to see this." He showed her another reconnaissance photo of much older artillery, mass driven, stationed in various plazas in front of various corporate headquarters, with some netting placed over them to distort their view from the eyes above. "They don't have a lot of these. But your view is correct. They're throwing everything they have left into this fight. My men can provide coordinates to the flyboys so they can make their runs once air defense goes down."
He paused, marking several pylons on the map, "We have one alternative option if we want to provoke this early. We can take down these pylons, disrupt the barrier. Though, if the barrier goes down, the Vortians might switch on their plasma and laser defenses. If we wait out the clock, those remain out. But, if we push it, well...what's to stop them from turning them on? Your call on what to do with that."
The High Marshal paused, mulling over their options as her bright green eye studied the map momentarily.
"...Let's not mince words here as we all know why Supreme Commander Grimm was recalled to Irk. His...shortcomings throughout this campaign could no longer be ignored and it is up to us to finish what was started. As much as I would rather we seek victory by attrition and starve them out, further delay will result in much of the same. Eventually, the Tallest's wrath will fall on less broad shoulders until there are none of us left."
Another pause.
"...they know we are coming and will come. They are expecting a major offensive from us. The longer we delay, the more time they have to prepare. I am of the volition that we move as quickly as we can and force their hand. If there is any objection or further input, I am all antenna."
Vaukt thought on the fly with his plan waiting for any of the others to speak up. Not a word. Then again, this is what happens when company level officers end up flying up the ranks… "All right, I might have to commit some more teams, but I can run them on redundant objectives so we have everything covered. Primary objectives are the elimination of their missile and energy air defenses, delivering coordinates of all artillery positions, and any other obstacles that might impede progress. Secondary objectives will be to eliminate these mass driver defenses, few as they are, less things shooting at our Ringcutters and lowering their shields the better, and even eliminating some of the artillery ourselves if the opportunity exists. Last primary objective we'll do, and I'll hold onto the detonator for those charges personally, is to bring down the barrier. Once it's gone, that'll give the others the all clear to attack." He paused, "Some radio chatter came across. Some of my interpreters said there's talk of a possible counterattack. I don't know the veracity of it so I can't confirm or deny it outright, but I may as well make you aware of it."
"Duly noted. Keep it on your radar and we will plan accordingly." Zha nodded, scanning the room. Those present either lacked the strategic experience to refute the proposition or were onboard to some varying degree. "As for the rest of you, maintain your presence in your sectors. Ensure your troops are ready to move on a moment's notice. Your artillery is primed and your armor fueled. The moment General Vaukt's teams are successful in their objectives, all of you are to simultaneously begin your offensive and provide support for one another. Our perimeter around Tallum will remain airtight and will collapse rapidly. Your first lines are to rapidly advance and do not stop. The second wave will tend to your wounded and cover your rear. Textbook shock and awe tactics, hard and fast. Any questions?"
The others after a few moments of silence answered in a variety of ways expressing their understanding of the plan, not a question among them. Vaukt, meanwhile, was already strapping his helmet on, ready to move out once more. He had arrangements to make.
Taking their assurances...or silence, as confirmation enough, Zha proceeded accordingly.
"Good. Make it happen. Dismissed." She concluded, gesturing to General Vaukt. "Except you. You remain behind. I have matters to discuss with you in private."
Just as he was about to throw his rifle across his chest, the General nodded, letting the others take their leave. He remained in his seat, calm, collected, seemingly relieved to have Grimm removed from the scene. The change of leadership was most welcome. He kept silent in the meantime, letting the High Marshal have the floor for whatever she wished of him.
She said nothing until the rest of the command staff took their leave and the door closed behind the last one. With that, a great sigh of relief escaped her lips as the stress melted from her shoulders.
"...I didn't anticipate inheriting my superior's duties today." She reasoned with a casual huff. "I realize this can potentially lead to...animosity considering how recent my station here is. The last thing I wish is to step on your toes, General."
Vaukt kept quiet, wanting to lay into Grimm's incompetence in the previous months. "Well, if anything, I don't think you're the type who is likely to cost weeks of progress by...overextending." He really was trying to put it bluntly, clearly biting his tongue at what he really felt. "I've heard of your successes elsewhere. I honestly welcome someone far more amicable to work with."
Zha resisted an authentic smile at Vaukt's assessment.
"Difficult to overextend whenever your forces surround the enemy on all sides, but I digress." She put in a lighter tone. "...on a more serious note, I have zero intentions repeating the same missteps here. Throwing away men and resources does not do us any favors at any level of leadership...speaking of...considering the scope of this operation, I would like to meet these teams you speak of. Our success is hanging off of their backs, after all."
"That can be arranged." He paused, thinking of one of them, "Though, there is one team that recently came back from the field. The Tallest's personal team that Grimm had dispatched here. If not for them, Saro would still be stuck where he was and we'd have this deadly funnel between the recently captured power plant and Tallum itself. If you really want to see all of them, I'd advise seeing them last."
Personal team to the Tallest? She was not aware of any such unit...then again, she had just recently become the leading authority for all military operations on Vort at that point in time. Rather than needle Vaukt further with doubts or confusion, she gave a single nod and a gesture for him to proceed.
"That is acceptable. I am ready to depart when you are."
"Very well," He stood up, slinging his rifle across his chest and getting on the radio. "Sawbones, you read me? Get your apprentice and be ready to go in a couple hours. I got an assignment for you two."