It seems that I have written a second chapter! I hate the set-up.
I want to get to the good parts, with the blood and the emotional downward spiral of some poor souls!
The commission felt heavy in his hands, the weight amplified by the sheer disappointment. Antoine didn't know how to respond. He reflected for a few awkward moments passed.
I… I don't understand…
Then with as much sincerity as he could muster, Antoine responded. "Thank you, your majesty. I am honored for the opportunity to serve the Kingdom."
King Max placed a hand on the young coyote's shoulder. "Everyone knows of your great deeds. You deserve this." His majesty sighed, and retreated a few steps back, before adding: "Your father would be proud" The words stung Antoine's Ears.
Proud? Of a low level officer who shuns his own namesake? His thoughts raced through his mind. What type of Experience does Elias have anyway? Antoine was cut off by more news.
"You leave today." Those simple words echoed in the giant throne room. Max's cloke kicked up some dust as he twirled around to tend to other business.
What?
"Your majesty?" Antoine reached out to grab Max, but upon remembering the guards, he pulled back.
"We must capitalize on this opportunity as soon as possible." Max leaned over his desk, facing away from Antoine, and looked over some papers.
"But what of my wife? We haven't seen each other in days!" He reminded the King.
"It's a minor sacrifice, you will be able to write to her. And besides, the campaign should not last long." Antoine continued to press.
"But who will we take with us? We can't take the royal army to sand blast city!" The new officer informed his King.
"We will use new recruits, Sonic made it clear that only a small force was present." Max became impatient. "The campaign will be quick and decisive."
"We know nothing of the defenses, the encampments!"
"I am sure the Sand Blasters will share their intelligence."
"How about supplies? We cannot pick up everything and go. We need logistics and a supply chain!" Antoine was listing the basics of any campaign. His frustration deepened.
"You will be deployed now, supplies will arrive later"
"How is that a quick and decisive campaign?"
Max attempted to answer, but Antoine wouldn't let him.
"And then what? What is the plan of attack?"
"We will divide our forces, and strike in two places"
Antoine balled his fists, and shook silently.
Je ne comprendre pas. Ce plan n'est pas intelligent! Mais max ne voit pas!
Max paused. "Do you not trust Elias' plan?"
" C'est un plan des imbéciles!" Antoine failed to stop himself. He covered his mouth.
Max sighed. "And your English was getting so much better…"
"I…" Antoine paused. How could he speak out in such a way? He would never have said such things before. He expected a court-martial, mere minutes after getting his position. But Max simply stood there, looking as worn out as ever. Years of broken trust have left him a broken man. He was in no mood to alienate himself from the ONE family still loyal to the crown. He simply said.
"I understand your concerns, but I am confident in my son's plan."
He motioned to his right, and three weasels entered the room. "These are the technical directors; they will oversee the entire operation in conjuncture with Elias." The weasels gave Antoine a glance over, he couldn't sense a reaction. Antoine felt like pushing his luck.
"Since we will be fighting the D.E.L, we will be needing experts on technology. I believe that Miles Prower would be very useful on this missi-"King Max wheeled around.
"We do NOT need the assistance of the PROWER child!" He spat. His stern voice only aiding his point: "It has been proven that keeping the affairs of the Kingdom within certain boundaries serves its purposes better." He narrowed his eyes. "And I don't believe your recent actions have endeared yourself to him, hmm? I do commend you for your concern, but my men are more than capable of handling a few robian miscreants. Children have no place in the affairs of men."
"I see, i apologize, your majesty." Ant bowed.
Was this the royal family my father had served so loyally? Were they just a few Paranoid bourgeois that would throw the kingdom under the bus whenever they wished?
Before his mind could wander further, the King got back on track.
"If you wish to meet the men before you are deployed, I suggest you go now, Antoine." Antoine looked up; the Kings back was turned to him, again. He pointed towards the three weasels. "They will show you out."
"Thank you, your majesty." The commission was tightly held in his grasp. As weasels led him out, Antoine took one last look at the Castle. He was no longer blind to the superfluous extravagance in which the royal family lived. He thought of himself less and less like a true D'Coolette, protector of the throne.
The outside air was stuffy, the humidity and the heat driving even those most able to deal with weather inside for the day. The Weasels said their goodbyes, and quickly left Ant to travel by himself, with only a faint idea of where to head.
Good, I would rather not walk with all the eyes on me.
Despite what the king had said, the attempted reforms of a former general did reach the public. The populous also took note of the man who had arrested, and jailed him. Amadeus Prower was a hero to the common man, and Antoine's actions, while in line with his sense of duty, were not interpreted as such by the citizens. The name D'Coolette was now an insult, an affront to the people. It represented the old order that simply reigned over its people. Antoine had ceased speaking French, to further separate himself from the name, but he never stopped wearing the uniform, it meant too much.
His solitary walk continued, until he was in the large field at the center of the city. There were APC's, and about 1 to 2 thousand men. Antoine was shocked, he had never expected so many men here, and he picked up the pace, and made his way to a makeshift command center. He was greeted at the entrance by two guards, "Stop!" But Antoine was prepared. He pulled out his commission, and held it aloft. They knew who he was, and they reluctantly let him in.
"Well now, I see that his majesty is really scraping the barrel if he's bringing in kids!" An older gentleman commented upon Ant's entrance. He didn't respond. Ant looked around the room, and noted some of the faces, the three weasels had somehow showed up, and were in the back conversing among themselves . Antoine merely waited for General Elias to welcome him. He wondered if he should call him Sir, or my liege.
The Prince stepped forward with open arms. "Ah, Antoine! I knew my father would choose you for this campaign! Your experience will prove invaluable!" He extended a hand. Elias might not have experience, but he makes up for it with personality. He doesn't let his royal blood separate himself from the people. A fact Antoine cannot help but admire. He shook his hand warmly.
He would make a great King. But for now, he is my commander, whether I like it or not.
"Yes, he will make an apt bodyguard, we all know of his devotion to the royalty!" The comment came from the same gentleman. He was an aging wolf, a Lieutenant Colonel; his uniform had obviously seen some years, and some battles. The sabre at his side was worn, but the most telltale sign was his face, it was covered with scars.
Under his breath, Antoine couldn't stifle a "Ta Gueule!" His hand instinctively reached for his sabre, but he stopped himself. He was fortunate that nobody had seen him.
"Please, we are all here for the same reason!" Elias stepped back and addressed the collection of officers and senior staff. "We have to work together if we want to defeat the D.E.L, and secure Sand Blast city!"
"And how do you plan to do that?" The same wolf inquired.
"Please, , my plan depends on us working together."
"We would love to hear the details!"
"You'll be briefed upon arrival!"
"You're waiting until we get there? I have to go into battle with a bunch of raw recruits and no strategy? We barely even have a battalion! How do you expect us to hold a city with such a force?" The entire tent erupted with the yells of other high ranking officers.
Despite years of training, and the legacy of his family, Antoine couldn't help but agree with the old wolf. But he could not bring himself to join their voices.
"SILENCE!" Elias seized control of the room. "Go to your men, I trust you to handle the situation until I GIVE ORDERS!"
The quiet in the room was almost tangible. The men began to shuffle out of the tent, some disgruntled, others encouraged. Antoine was the last one out, he was going to give some words of encouragement to Elias, but decided against it.
"Hey." He turned his head, and was face to face with . "Kid, you had better do a gut check, because you're about to be on the front lines, with lives on the line. I will NOT let men die because a little punk like you wanted to be like daddy, and went to war."
Antoine's anger reached a boiling point, he was amazed that he could keep it in. He took a deep breath. "I consider my responsibilities as a soldier to be priority number one, and I would like to know that there is some sense of camaraderie between the officers."
Ha, he can't argue with that! Now maybe we can talk like equals…
"Kid, I used to be like you…" He placed a hand on Ant's shoulder, and smiled. "And then I grew a brain, a heart and some balls." Antoine stood his mouth wide open.
Without another word, Solman left, and Antoine was alone. He continued on, hoping that the day would not get any worse.