The remainder of April passed with surprising speed, all things considered. The Federation's push advanced to within 50 miles of the former Imperial Border from the pre-EWI days and the Imperial army's retreat showed little signs of slowing down, and anyone who suggested they might soon turn to face the federated forces in full was laughed out of the room. By the end of the month, Squad E and the rest of the 101st division had made their way to the tip of the spearhead. However, High Command had a rare moment of hesitation rush through their veins as they ordered a full halt to let the army recover and to scout out the planned advance.

Riley walked through the base, looking for Claude. Though they had been the centre of many teasing sessions after the Battle of Riene for leaving the same tent in the morning, neither of them could complain too much as they had felt more refreshed than they had in years. Besides, the commanders either didn't care or didn't know and what they didn't know wouldn't hurt them. "Claude? Where are you?" she called out.

Suddenly, Claude's voice called out. "Under Hafen, Riley!"

Riley ducked her head under the Hafen and saw Claude under an armoured plate working on, if her memory served her correctly, the transmission. "Transmission acting up?"

Claude nodded, "Ever since the last battle it's been a bit touchy. And since we've moved from the flank of the spearhead to the tip, I don't want to suffer a breakdown in the next major battle."

Riley nodded, "I'm surprised Hafen took that mine as well as it did, it looked nasty from my position."

Claude chuckled, "I figured." he murmured. That night Riley had held him as if he would disappear if she relaxed her grip. However, Claude looked to her, "You doing alright?" a look of concern crossed his face.

Riley smiled at him, "Yeah," she replied before taking a seat on the ground, "I don't know how well I could have taken you getting injured then. Or now for that matter. Not when we still have so much time to make up for."

Claude smiled at her, "We'll be fine, and soon we'll be back in Gallia rebuilding the Miller Plant."

Riley smiled before starting to discuss some new shells that she had helped develop for the Grenadiers. A few meters away, Raz sat on a crate of munitions while Kai stood a few steps ahead of him, both of them looking towards where Riley and Claude were talking. "What do you think? Think they're fully over what happened back in the day?" Raz asked.

Kai grimaced, "Perhaps, but they're still trying to figure out where they sit with each other. It has been about ten years or so since they last saw each other."

Raz raised an eyebrow. "Huh… you really think they're that complex?" he asked in reply, with an air of skepticism. When Kai didn't respond, he smirked. "Must be woman's intuition."

"Except I'm a man here. Don't forget it," Kai growled at him, her eyes glaring like a predator ready to pounce.

Raz shook his head. "Yeah, yeah," he muttered before standing back up and walking over to her. "But let's be real here," he began before grabbing Kai's arse, "no man's got an ass this tight," he whispered.

To the casual observer or anyone else for that matter, it wasn't surprising that Kai spun on her heel and socked him in the face, sending him to the ground. Kai shook her hand a few times from the pain, his head harder than she had thought at first. Raz, on the other hand, was indignant. "What the Hell was that for?" he shouted, apparently unaware of the problematic nature of his own actions.

Kai rolled her eyes. "What do you think?" she grumbled, her hand screaming in pain. His head was really thick, in more than the figurative sense.

"Come on! It was just a friendly butt pat between dudes!" Raz spluttered.

A pair of feet appeared near Raz's head. "Having difficulties Ma'am?"

Kai shook her head. "Slapped a block of concrete, probably shouldn't have."

"I'm sure Karen's got some painkillers," Jacob sighed. "You want me to take the block of concrete to lock-up in the mean-time?"

Raz spluttered indignantly, but Kai sighed, "Give him a couple of days and release him in the morning one day." she finally said, raising a hand to stall Raz's betrayed look. "You know damn well that I'm your Superior Officer! And that, considering your actions, you're getting off light. I could file a report and be well within my right to request you be discharged. Dishonourably!"

Jacob nodded and escorted Raz off, a much quieter Raz than anyone in the squad had ever known. Not long after Jacob left Raz in the care of the MPs, Claude approached Jacob. "Jacob, feel up for some scouting in an hour or so?"

Jacob nodded and assembled some of the scouts and a few other members. Leaving the rest of the squad at camp, they went into the forest.

It didn't take long before the spring rain began to fall, and, unfortunately, it wasn't a simple spring shower, but a proper thunderstorm. Jacob looked over at Claude, "This storm's gonna play havoc with comms!" he shouted, barely being heard over the thunder.

Claude nodded, but looked to the others, "An Imperial column was sighted moving through the area! We need to find out where they're heading! Move out!"

Jacob and Claude split off from the others, figuring that they'd cover more ground in small groups. For the most part, they travelled in silence, their focus honing in on the Imperials. However, they soon came upon their target. "Heading eastwards sir." Jacob whispered, a conclusion forming in his mind, "Isn't that towards the massive fortification on the former Imperial Border?"

Claude frowned, "Unfortunately, yes. And I don't see any way for us to stop them from getting there."

Jacob thought for a moment, "What about getting the rest of the division?"

Claude grimaced, "If we could get a transmission through, perhaps."

Jacob set his rifle to the side and made the attempt, but soon he looked back, "Damn, means we'll have to face them when they're behind walls."

Their rendezvous with the rest of the scouting party and subsequent return to base was quiet. Claude sat in his tent, working at his desk, thinking about all the different ways the mission could have gone wrong. While he had originally wanted to take Raz, hoping to remove him from another potential blow-up, it seemed he had counted on the man keeping his hands to himself. A knock on a tent made Claude drew his attention away from his paperwork. "Come in!" he called, and Jacob stepped through the flab that made his door, closing it behind him and saluting. "At ease, Jacob."

"Thank you, sir," the young man replied, and relaxed. "Permission to speak freely, sir?"

"Granted," Claude answered, and gave a vague wave of his hand as he put down his pen. "What can I do for you?"

"Well, sir..." Jacob started out, looking slightly down as he spoke. "I know this is a bit awkward, but it's about Riley..."

"Ah... I see..."

"I know that it's not my place to say, sir, but if I may; What are your intentions regarding her? With all due respect, of course..."

Claude actually smirked at Jacob's tense nature before standing up, "Of course, she is your little cousin after all." he began. Taking a slight breath, Claude laid it out for the overly concerned man, "By my estimate, the soonest I can buy a ring, assuming we're near a town that will accept Ducats as payment, would be August."

Jacob raised an eyebrow, "A little over a month and you're already thinking of proposal? Forgive me sir, but doesn't that seem a bit sudden?"

Claude chuckled, "Like you and Karen?" he asked. Jacob had the good grace to look slightly embarrassed at his comment. "In truth Jacob, I never fell out of love with Riley. I just had hoped that one day I would be given the opportunity to try and win her affections once more."

Jacob nodded, "I see…" he murmured before taking a breath. "To be honest, if there's one man I'd want in Riley's life, it's you, Claude."

Claude grinned, walking over to Jacob, "Then I'm glad I have your approval Jacob." he replied, offering his hand, which the Sniper took, "Maybe when this war is all over, you and Karen can come to Gallia to visit Riley and me."

Jacob smirked, an idea forming at the back of his mind. "Perhaps." he simply replied before walking out.

Claude chuckled to himself before setting about to his paperwork once more. The war was going well. But Claude could see a potential problem with their supply lines once the snows of winter set in. He just hoped that the Federation's slogan of "Home before Winter" proved true. Otherwise, this war would take a dire turn, one that he wasn't sure they would be able to rebound from.

Phew, chapter up. Today was the first day of term so I'd expect updates for both stories to slow from here out.

regarding the question in ghost777's review: No, this story is not set in the same canon as Valkyria Chronicles: Alliance of Blood and Iron. It's a separate universe entirely.