After the 101st division rejoined with the forward elements of the Edinburgh Army, a swift advance was carried out sending the Army deep into Imperial territory. By late September, the Federation supply lines were stretched to their limit and the closest point of the army to their objective was still over a thousand miles short. Then the rains came. Up at the front, it wasn't too bad, usually amounting to a morning mist and nothing more. However, behind the lines a few dozen miles, reports of washed-out roads, rock-slides, and swollen rivers filtered forwards, practically cutting off the vanguard.

Claude knew that with their current rationing, they'd run out of food in a month at most and so he wasn't surprised when High Command issued foraging orders. But he was surprised at one directive in the orders, "Purchase? Does Command not know that Imperial citizens are unlikely to accept Federation Ducats or do they just not care?" he asked.

Minerva grimaced, "I wasn't told. Though I'd suspect both personally."

Claude sighed, "Why don't we split the duties? Squad E will get the parts and other mechanical supplies while Squad F gets the foodstuffs that we'll need?"

Minerva nodded, "Seems fair enough, besides, it'll give you time with Riley since she'll know what the Grenadiers need." she replied, smirking at his slightly bashful face.

"I won't lie, that was an influencing factor yes." He quietly replied.

Minerva nodded, but a thought entered her mind as Claude was leaving the tent. "Claude, how long do we have before we get bogged down in the winter weather?"

Claude paused and shut his eyes for a moment before opening them and looking over his shoulder, "I think we're well past that point Minerva."

Leaving a quiet Minerva behind him, Claude joined up with his squad. There was certainly still a divide in the squad after Jacob's revelation some months ago, but thankfully, everyone was keeping civil around either an officer or Karen, and since Jacob wasn't away from either, it was always civil. Claude nodded at them then drew the rest of the squad's attention. "We have foraging duties. Squad F will handle gathering foodstuffs whilst we're on parts, ammunition and other mechanical supplies duty."

As members of the squad nodded, Claude continued. "I want Kai and Raz to take the Shocktroopers, Lancers, and Scouts and get ammunition. Miles? You'll take our engineers and gather parts while I want Jacob and Neige to head with Karen, myself and Riley and resupply our medical stores. I would rather be over-prepared and laughed at for gathering surplus items than be underprepared and suffer for it."

The squad split as Claude wished and departed for the town of Einhemt.

As Squad E set about their duties, Claude looked over at Riley, Karen, Jacob and Neige. The group of them had grown closer with Jacob and Karen almost fulfilling parental roles for Neige. Claude then looked at Karen, "What do you need and do you think we can get it?" he asked.

Karen sighed. "Not likely." she replied finally, "I doubt the Civilians would part with medical supplies willingly to a foreign invader. Though there are some more natural remedies that would work in certain cases."

Claude raised an eyebrow and Karen explained, "I doubt the kitchens would give up their Basil, but we could forage for Mint and Wintergreen for their medicinal properties just in case we run out of Ragnaid."

Claude nodded, "Then we'll do that. No need to trouble the locals for something that they wouldn't be willing to help us with after all."

They spent much of that day foraging throughout the nearby forest before making their way back to the camp. Karen was quite pleased with the amount of greenery they managed to find that she could use. Jacob had even found a cutting of a Ragnol Flower, the crushed up leaves and seeds could yield a small amount of Ragnite, so he took a few seeds from it so, once they found a place to settle down, they could plant a large field of the blue flowers. One of the flowers adorned her hair as she had always found it to be quite beautiful and Jacob knew it. When they got back to base, however, a surprising sight greeted them. "Raz? Kai? Why is most of the squad on the ground and in pain?" Claude asked.

"Blame him!" everyone shouted as they pointed at Raz.

Claude raised an eyebrow and Kai obliged. "We came back from foraging duties as Squad F did. Since you all weren't back yet, Lieutenant Victor suggested a mock battle, "to keep our skills sharp" she said and Raz agreed."

Claude slowly nodded. "Uh-huh…" he said, "I take it that you lost?" he asked.

Several people groaned, but Minerva spoke up from her position off to one side. "Hardly." she scoffed, "It was close, but the victory went to Squad E."

Jacob blinked. "If this is what the victors looked like, I'd hate to see the other guy…"

Minerva chuckled, "In their tents, trying to sleep off the pain." she replied. "Trying being the operative word."

Claude chuckled, "While these ones didn't even get that far, you sure you lost?"

This time, more laughed, however, before it could get much further, Claude felt something drop down the back of his neck. It was cold. A moment later, everyone stopped laughing and were looking to the skies, disbelief in their eyes. "Snow already?" Minerva asked in half awe half exasperation.

Claude grimaced. The War just became a whole lot harder…

I'm Back! I know it's nearly been a year since I last updated this fic but the months since December have been hellish for me and my family so forgive me for the delay. Between classes being hectic with freak weather, the pandemic and also losing my grandfather in April, I had little motivation to write this fic but I'm back now. Hopefully, I'll see this fic finished in short order but with classes only looking to get even more hectic with the slow return to normal and the fact that I will be working towards my Bachelor's Degree, busy won't even begin to cover how I'll be.