Gallia
Randgriz military base
August 29, 1935
When Zaka arrived at Randgriz military base it was nothing like he inspected. The base was almost empty. Form what he had picked up with brief conversations with the other recruits on the back of the military truck. Most of the Gallian army was stretch out across the every expanding front with the Imperial and at the rate that the army was moving at many people felt that the invasion of Gallia would soon be over.
In a way it was funny really. After nearly a year of war against a nation that was expected to fall in only months. But instead of that the Imperial army groups in Gallia under the command of Maximilian and Drei Stern seemed to be in full retreat at the moment and only serious input from the central area could turn this situation around and Zaka was happy for this situation to stay the same. Peace seemed to slowly be returning to Gallia.
His travel of thought was soon broken by a wave of militia soldiers running passed him. One of soldiers from the crowd knocked him and the soldier looked to be about to say what are you doing till he saw the Sergeant uniform Zaka was wearing and wave Zaka off and continue in his path. Zaka thought what the hell is going on till a soldier answered his question. "Hey Sir. Didn't you hear Lieutenants Welkin and Faldio are having a fight." . Before he could respond or question the soldier he ran off in his attempt to catch the crowd he was a part of.
Wait he thought ,Welkin. Don't that name seem familiar. And then like a light bulb had went off above his head he realised who he was. He was the one in charge of the liberation of Fouzen and he was the bastard who let the Darcsen prisoners die. Only if he would of acted he could of saved them but he instead allowed them to die by issuing a order to attack that cause the Imperial commander to follow through on his threat on using the rail cannon to attack the escape Darcsen prisoners. If only he would of acted their might of been saved. But he was also indebted to this man for doing what the Regular Gallian army had failed to do. He had freed Fouzen but had failed to protect the people inside it. He would soon learn what kind of man this 'Welkin' was. This would be interesting, he smiled as he walked after the crowd to see what all the activity was about. He might as well get to learn his new brothers in arms.
...
Gallia
Randgriz military base
Mess hall
August 29, 1935
Who would of thought it. In only 20 minutes the mess hall had went from a calm and quiet place to something like a brawl, as before people were enjoying they lunch break , before they continue they duties as soldiers of the militia and regular army alike. After everyone was running in opposite directions trying to escape the military police , that if you were caught you would be put down a rank or two and spend a night in one of the god forsaken onsite prison cells that smelt like something had died in them.
It all started something a little like this.
"Hey Welkin". Alicia said as she tapped Welkin on the back. "Hey" Welkin respond in the same dead voice he had been using for the last couple of days now. Since the death of his sister. Isara. "Can I sit here" Alicia said as she pointed towards the empty chair next to Welkin. At further inspection you could see that the whole row he was sitting on was empty. Since Welkin's meeting with Captain Varrot and giving Squad 7 their new orders he had rarely left his room and any conversation with him had brief and to the point.
"Sure. I've been meaning to talk to you anyway so this is great". Welkin said with rare show of emotion in recent days. Even if he tried his best then it was still too hard to effectively push her way. He knew that letting her in could get her killed. If he let his emotions cloud his vision then would he be able to save them all. Would he turn her into his favourite and in a attempt to shield her from the world d let others take the bullets that were designated for her body. He wondered.
"Oh ok Welkin. What about" she said as she placed her stuff on the table. In the corner of her eyes she stopped a angry looking Faldio heading towards her and Welkin's position. At the time she thought nothing of it and return to her conversation with Welkin. But due to her error on not acting on that information the two could not even get past formalities before Faldio acted in a most unlikely way.
Welkin turned his head as he sure Faldio running towards him. "Hey Faldio. Wha". His speech was interrupted by flying fist from Faldio that made contact with his jaw, which sent him flying off his chair and he only partially missed the shocked Alicia who was half way thought the motion of sitting down next to where Welkin was before his flight. Welkin realised what was happening when he reached the floor. Faldio was fighting him put why ?
Faldio could not believe what he was seeing. He had just thrown a blow that would knock most men larger then Welkin clean out. But they he was wiping his mouth of a small river of blood flowing down his face and he was returning to his feet to top it all off. In the same blank, broken expression that was all most becoming a trademark for Welkin. This was not going to end easily. Why couldn't he just stay down?
...
Ghirlandaio
Command centre
August 29, 1935
To say that Radi Jaeger was like a kid in a candy shop was a understatement to say the least. He was over the moon and all because of a brand new heavy tank called the Lupus in front of him. It sported a heavy 122mm cannon that would rival even five Gallian tanks fire power in a head on fire fight. The name of the tank suited it perfectly. Wolf. This tank truly would be the feared hunter on the battlefield. That he was sure of. If it could defeat Gallia's own state of the art tank the Edelweiss, was another question all together that he intend to find the answer to in good time. It was the very tank that cause Berthold Gregor or the demon of the Empire as he was more well known by ,so much trouble until his death
The tank also had a dark red coat that clearly showed which side this tank was fighting for. Blue versus Red. Good versus Evil. The idea of taking ones countries freedom so that one day he could regain the freedom of his homeland. The kingdom of Fhirald. Was something that he often questioned himself over. He knew what he was doing was wrong but if he fought for Maximilian then one day he still might be able to gain the independence of his nation after Maximilian was made emperor of course, for all his loyal years of service towards the Imperial Empire .Had any one had told him that he would be leading the invasion of south Gallia over ten years ago then he would said they were drunk or stupid. But here he was flying the Imperial banner.
Tank group Lupus or the dark hunters as they were also known by, would be ready in only a few days times and with Maximilian finally getting reinforcements from the centre. This war would soon be over and another conflict in the history of mankind would soon come to its end.
...
Gallia
Randgriz military base
Mess hall
August 29, 1935
Welkin's vision was still a bit blurred from the initial impact of the strike but he would not allow himself to show weakness in front of his troops. Not now, not ever. "Is that the best. you can do.? His sentence was broken up unnaturally due to the growing pain in his head from the impact of his fall. Faldio struck again but this time his aim was for the chest but due to the brief course of hand to hand combat Welkin had taken when he was 15 he was able to predict the path of the strike and make an interception of Faldio's fist flying towards him. The room was shocked that he was able to block the attack. Hell, Welkin was even shocked him that he had been able to pull it off.
"I won't let you get two free shots. Friend". The last word was loosely used as both personal understood that they were past the point of friends now and that it would take a miracle for them to return to their former ways.
Before the fight could continue a watching regular army officer had a militia troop drop his bowl of some kind of red liquid all over the officer's uniform which lead to the regular troop pushing the militia man into a group of militia soldiers who in turn pushed the regular army officer into regular troops. That was the start of the legendary brawl in the Randgriz military base mess hall, that everyone in the army for the next 50 years would learn of but never would they know how the rumble started and it would remain that way for all but a small select few.
...
Gallia
Randgriz military base
Captain Varrot's office
August 29, 1935
"What do you mean a fight broke out in the mess hall?". Captain Varrot couldn't believe what she was hearing. In the middle of war, troops on the same side were openly attacking each other under her own and they commanding officers noses. "Get the Military police in they and make it quick". They had always been a gap between the regular army and the militia but now more than ever it was showing even more then ever.
In the eyes of the Regular army, the militia was nothing more than a bunch of unprofessional fools, who would only serve as a hindrances to the regular forces and the only use for them was in being cannon fodder and meat shields for the regular army. The problems was that the militia was usually under the command of General Georg Von Damon was in command of the militia, who was a noble by birth who looked down on the militia and often due to his poor requisite competence, he often saw the commoner militiamen as disposable and often led many soldiers to their death for very little gain.
On the other hand the militia didn't like the regular's as they first looked down on them and most regular troops were from some kind of nobility, that poorly treated the militia soldiers before there joined the army . Even if both groups were working for the same side usually the two forces being used in successful cooperation was almost un heard of. But this was just another one of those days Varrot thought out loud.
Just what she needed now of all times. First her fighting force the 3rd regiment was now half its original size, but now she would get a earful about how the fight in the mess hall was all her fault like she had thrown the first punch and how she should keep her 'unprofessional mob' on a tight rope as regular army officers like General Georg Von Damon and General Gilbert Gassenral liked to always point out and express for their own amusement even if General Damon 'professional forces were yet to win a battle that didn't have the help of the 'unprofessional mob' at its side. But that pig of a man still found ways to try and steal the credit of those under him. But this was just another one of those days Varrot repeat to herself in her empty office, that left her all alone.
...
Gallia
Randgriz military base
Mess hall
August 29, 1935
This sight in front of him was the last thing Zaka expected. A fight had broken out in the mess hall and from what he could judge from what he saw, the fight was between the regular troops and the militia troops. Seeing the military police bust into the hall and quickly break up the fight at the simple threat of keeping people lock up for a couple of days and even if they were outnumbered from one to eight and to see so many battle harden veterans simply retreat to their everyday tasks like that, was a sight to behold.
Running from the scene like so many others he quickly found a familiar face in Rosie. After a brief catching up where Zaka learned that the reason he was operating the Edelweiss now was because it's former operator had been killed in action at Marberry Shore and also he had taken from Rosie's words that see blamed herself for Isara death. Could anyone blame her for this. It was so easy to read, it was all over her face.
He soon was taken by Rosie to the squad 7s meeting room where he was quickly introduce to squad 7 members that he had not seen before. He could see a few familiar faces like Largo but as hard as he tired, he could not see Welkin anywhere. He wanted to find out what kind of man his new leader was but he guessed that could wait for the time been.
...
Gallia
Randgriz military base
Officers' quarters
August 30, 1935
Welkin's night was again plagued by another nightmare. But this time it was of a blue flame that destroyed all in its path. A whole armoured group of heavy Gallian tanks were wiped out in only moments and the hull with huge parts broken off were all that remained in the unnamed location that seemed to be a barren wasteland from Welkin's best guess, that Welkin now found himself in again.
Like the previous nightmare, the ground was covered with the husks of Welkin's former brothers in arms and like the earlier version the worst part was coming up. Alicia ran towards Welkin again but instead of the wall of lead the blue flame replaced it and was like a hurricane coming towards her, destroying everything in its path. The source of this power could not be made out from Welkin's current position. Alicia screamed down Welkin's eyes but her words fell upon death eyes and only when she pushed Welkin into a nearby trench did the nightmare reach its conclusion. This time Alicia's last words were "I love you" , which he piece together from her lip movement as trying listen to what the was saying was almost impossible over the sound of the destruction that the blue flame was causing. Then she was gone and like the other nightmares, he awoke.
The familiar feeling of heavy line of sweat around his body had also made an reappearance to his discomfort. Instead of trying to return to his ever increasing in horror and happening nightmares he thought a mid night walk would be in order as tomorrow he would be leading troops in combat the first time since his dear Isara's death. He hope that this time everyone would return home and that his decreasing mental health would not lead to him making the wrong choices any time soon.
...
Gallia
Randgriz military base
Vehicles warehouse
August 30, 1935
Welkin was shocked to see that a light was on in the vehicles warehouse, it brought both hope and paranoia to the tired militia leader. at first he came running in when he saw that a light was on next to the Edelweiss. To both Welkin's surprise and sadness his hopes that Isara's death were just a nightmare was short lived and the surprise that no other then the former resistance leader of Fouzen was standing before him working on the Edelweiss as passionately as Isara had once done. Only days ago. "Zaka? Why are you wearing that and repairing the Edelweiss so late at night?" The double question was something that Welkin want an answer to quickly, as he was in no mood for riddles or empty half answer which in the short time they had know each other he had used time after time.
"Well Sir. Can't you tell I'm the Edelweiss new operator and sorry sir but a beautiful tank like this needs to be look after at a very high standard sir. Much like it's previous owner did for it". At the mention of her, Welkin's face tighten and Zaka took the hint that it was still a topic he was still coming t terms with.
Changing the topic Zaka asked a equally important question that had been weighing heavily on his mind. "Sir. Why did you sacrifice the Darcsen at Fouzen? Does it still weigh on your shoulder the knowledge that you could of prevented all of their deaths?" The question was straight to the point and a very hard question to answer truly when you didn't have an answer for yet.
Even if Welkin wasn't the man to refuse the Imperial demands and continue the attack he still felt like only if he had tired he might of saved them all. Faldio was the one who took action but he was the one who forced him to make that move. Even if the resistance and the militia surrendered would the Imperial even stay true to their words and not fire the rail gun aimed at the Darcsen?
"Would you believe me if I said I wasn't the one who made e the call but was still the one to blame for not taking action and tired to a at least save them not sign they death warrants? Answering a question with a question but both sides still learn much from the other, from this conversation. Like what kind of man they both were leaders, cowards and heroes where thought that went through both men's minds at the time.
"That all depends commander. Do you believe yourself? Do you think that you were in any position to both free Fouzen and her people?" The question gave Welkin deep thought as his words were true but that still shouldn't of served as Welkin accuse. As a soldier wasn't his job to fight for and protect those less capable them himself?
"Does it even matter if I blame myself? Shouldn't I be asking for your forgiveness in what I've done. " That was also true to Zaka , while what a person who had known and lived with the Darcsen in question was important the most important things was that this 'commander' stop blaming himself for everything that he had seen in this world. It was easy to see for Zaka as reading people was something that he learn at a very young age. His attempted at trying to push people away could be easily be read from and figured out from the calm, basic and blank emotion he tried to show. Even at the simple mention of his sister had cause him to in a way lock out the outside world and become rooted into his thoughts.
"I all respects Sir. It does matter, as I not the person who will be blaming himself for the rest of his days if he doesn't learn to forgive himself for what's happen. You blame yourself for Isara's death" and like before he had tighten up and was starting to replace his calm face with that of sadness. "You blame yourself for what happen at Fouzen. You blame yourself for already for what might happen in the future of this living hell".
"Then what should I do?" Welkin both question Zaka and himself. Could he just forgive himself? If only he had been faster, stronger and better. Then they might all still be alive. His father. The great General Belgen Gunter. The hero of Gallia. Who contributions to preserving Gallia were one of the few reason Gallia remained today. But more importantly he was his father who even when he lost the love of his live. Welkin's mother. Still carried on and immediately depart the alone Welkin who was still coming to terms with the ideas that his mother was gone and return to do his part in the First Europan War. His father would probably look down on him now. As a dubbed 'Hero of Gallia' was all was up and locked in inside a cycle of never ending grief. What a sight he must of seemed. Now a man who Welkin had only know for a short time was telling himself that he should just 'forgive' himself. Like it was that easy.
Little did Welkin know that many years ago his father faced the same situation but due to not even being grant time to grief for his lose he was forced to leave his only child, Welkin with a deep haltered for his father's actions and the 'Hero of Gallia' was ok with that. As long as his son never had to fight and kill in a god forsaken war. Then he was ok with that.
"Sir, you learn that you can't save them all but on the other hand you fight as hard as your mind and body will allow you till you can't physically or mentally go on". Before Welkin could question the Darcsen man's word he continue. "Well I'm going back to the barracks now. Goodnight Sir."
That was the last thing that the Darcsen man said before he left the warehouse. Even if Welkin fired a volley of questions his way, like how did he know he had this problems weighing on his mind. But his pursuit quickly end as thought across his mind. He had a way with words just like Isara. It must of been a Darcsen thing. In a way, it was ironic that a people who had such a beautiful way with words were forever discrimination against for the simple reason of their birth and a old wife's tell about a event that happened over two thousand years ago.
If starting the day Zaka knew nothing about his commander now he could say that he knew he well. He was the type of person who would shoulder the blame. This surprised him due to the commander of squad 7s well know 'gentler' ways and approach to things and a person like that wouldn't usually blame them self for things that happen miles away that they had no control over. But here he was seeing it with his very own eyes. He just hoped that his words had knocked some sense into him as being lead by a person with their head in the clouds was a very quick way to insure your death. But now he understood the man who would be holding so many lives n his hands soon enough.
In the first time in a while Welkin had some kind of peace as he slept at the knowledge of Zaka's words still playing in the back of his mind. "Sir, you learn that you can't save them all but on the other hand you fight as hard as your mind and body will allow you till you can't physically or mentally go on". Welkin was going to make every attempted to follow those words. Even if he died by them.
...
Gallia
Randgriz military base
Squad 7s staying area
August 30, 1935
The plan was simple enough for Largo to understand the ins and outs of the mission. A reduced 3rd Regiment of the militia would take over the small border line town of Bruhl and this would serve as 3rd Regiments advanced headquarters for the unseen able future. Squad 7 would again sever as the vanguard force to take the town that if guys at intelligence was correct should only be manned by a company sized garrison force. But this was quite unusual for a change as in much of the wars that Gallia were forced to fight in, they were almost always outnumbered. So having the numbers on their side for once was a nice change of pace.
The squad was in a four vehicle convoy. The Edelweiss would make up the vanguard of the vanguard due to its strength and heavy armour that easily would be able to block any type of tank round or lancer shot, like it was some kind of rifle or smaller round shot. The Edelweiss would be command by 2nd Lieutenant Welkin and Sergeant Zaka. The rest of the convoy would be made up of Gallian APCs with Sergeant Alicia and Largo himself in charge of in that order the first two APCs and Corporal Rosie in charge of the last APC that was mostly filled with medical supplies and ammo and equipment. The only major problem with APCs was that it only take a lancer shot or a tank round and this lightly armoured vehicle could quickly become its passengers firer grave.
Due to Squad 7 not been given a date on when it was expected to return to Randgriz military base, everyone had empty all of their belonging into the limit space that the APC gave. If they were attack as they travelled to the outer rim of Bruhl. Largo would of expected no one to be able to leave they transport due to this. But what was most annoying of all and plague his mind the most was how his beautiful vegetables planted at Randgriz would not see the light of day due to their loving owner not being there to get them past the cruel, harsh and evil winter months.
The thought of winter also raised some concern as the squad was not yet issued with its winter clothing that it would soon be needing but this severed as further encouragement to take Bruhl as soon as possible. As being stranded without winter clothing in the freezing winter months was the last thing that anyone wanted.
Largo climbed into the seconded APC and was meted by a ray of familiar face all packed together in back of the vehicle. Edy, Homer, Hannes and Jan to name a few all watched him as he entered the APC. It gave Largo a warm feeling inside of him, to see so many faces of people who would gladly take a bullet for each other if the time came. Was the 'old' man of the unit getting soft? No. This 'old' veteran who was living fight in his second Europan war was not planning on quitting his military service any time soon. The only question was if the Imperials were ready to run out of Gallia for a second time.
It was almost becoming a cycle. The Imperial's declare war. They had Gallia at knife point and Gallia rearms. Gallia counter attacks and slowly takes they land back piece by piece until the Imperial go running back to the centre with their tails between their legs. The liberation of Bruhl was about to start in only a few hours. The Imperials wouldn't know what hit them
...
Author's notes: That number 3 out of the way and I think I wrote over ten thousand words for the story now. Not bad for a noob writer . Just a quick side note chapter 4 will take a longer period of time to do as first it will be the story's first major battle scene so I will be tests to see what works well and not so well. So it should be out by the end of Friday (English time) at the latest.
Also I would just like to say that I found it really weird how in the anime where the Darcsen are killed by a rail gun and the game where they basically cooked alive, that the producers didn't do anything more with it like making some of the Darcsen squad members have a battle potential where there worse next to non-Darcsen due to them blaming them for what happen at the liberation of Fouzen. Just a thought.
Remember I can't tell just from views what people think of my writing and the story as a whole. But who gives a damn they are people from the Unites States, United Kingdom, Sweden, Singapore, Australia, Puerto Rico, Philippines, Indonesia and Germany. Nine countries, not a bad start if you ask me.