Prologue

"He's running late." One of the Colonels commented as his gloved hand flicked to the next page of the newspaper. The front cover blared in massive, dark letters,

11 GALLIAN OFFICERS FACE TREASON CHARGES IN TRIBUNAL.

The latest issue newspapers were strewn across the large, oaken table, the convening Gallian officers took the liberty to grab the latest issues that were presented as they awaited. The ashtrays were already half-filled, the conference room becoming hazy with the excessive chain smoking, the room filled with hushed whisperings and chatter. The room hosted twelve Colonels; all formation commanders of the Regular Gallian Army and the Militia Forces. The meeting was called in haste with the telegrams being sent out late last night with a few of the officers receiving it just this morning as they arrived in their respective offices. There was no significant context as to why the Commanding General convened this gathering, but the Colonels were speculative. Are the rumors of Darcsen integration efforts true? How are we to feed the latest wave refugees?

'Atten-HUT!'

The authoritative sound of twelve boots stomping the floor at once halted all talk as the Colonels immediately raised from their seats. The door quickly slammed as the Commanding General entered to take his position at the head of the table.

'Seats' the General said

The Colonels transitioned from their stiff posture to reclaiming their cushioned chairs, a few snuffed out their last cigarettes out of courtesy for the Commander. Commanding General of the Gallian Army Erich Van de Graeft was the latest successor as the head of the Gallian Army after the Gallian Civil War. He posed as an intimidating figure to many who are not familiar with him. 'Mad Man Van' was of regular height and still possessed a healthy physique for a Gallian General, but was relatively young compared to his predecessors at 45 years; he was younger than some of the Colonels at the room by years and he knew it. General 'Mad Man Van' de Graeft earned his nickname well, a man of fiery temper that matched the intense color of his red hair and piercing green eyes.

Dropping his officer's cap to the table his eyes darted about the room to make a personal headcount of the attendance of his leaders. The General was in his regular dress, he was of the few in the Gallian Army to have earned nearly all of the Gallian decorations that were proudly displayed on his chest with the exception of the Splintered Horn and the Medal of Honor. He was a tested combat leader both feared and respected by those he led before he took this position; not by his choice or ambition. The General longed to be back with his formations. His eyes were heavy, the bags underneath were clearly visible and dark, he had a slight hunch as he walked into the room; it was a long night for the General.

'Gentlemen' he began with his soft-spoken, gruff voice. His figure slowly worked to take his seat at the table head.

'Yesterday. I received a letter from the Archduchess herself to have me summoned before her this morning.'

All the Colonels began to lean into the table to listen intently.

'It clearly wasn't a social call by far, nor some laudatory ceremony as I was called into her study at the palace. She asked me the simplest of questions.'

The General held a second pause, the silence of it deafened some of the Colonels thoughts.

'What is the state of our Army? She asked. I had to reply to her highness that it is in a state of ruin and disrepair, but she knew the answer already. There is no hiding that after the Civil War.'

Several of the Colonels began to slowly lean back into their chairs as their thoughts began to recede into pessimism. Letting out a heavy sigh, the General leaned over the table to grab one of the papers closest to him.

'Pages two, four and six, if you have not noticed already…' dropping the paper before him and turning its second page.

'Darcsen troops face harsh discrimination in the 499th, Gallian Army Battalion Commander sacked for laundering military funds through the 'Ghost Battalion.' I just signed his relief documents just two days ago!' His palm slapping the table with enough force to jostle the ashtrays in frustration.

All of the Colonels flinched.

Taking in a deep breath, he ran his hand over his face, his eyes almost getting dragged with his palm it seemed.

'Gentlemen, I know that all of you are still dealing with the mess your predecessors left behind, myself included. But know that Her Highness pledges all her support to us and that her trust in us has not waned despite what the press continue to say. She has hand selected each of us for a reason. What you all have done to make your formations succeed must now be brought to the fore of rebuilding our country and our forces. There will be changes to both the way we fight and even how we lead, yes, Darcsens will be given positions of leadership and we will begin further integrating members of the Militia into our Regular Forces.

And yes. We will continue with the tribunal for misconduct in our ranks, the Civil War is over but there are still many who wish to undermine this country and what it stands for. I need not remind you that a good half of the seats here that were once occupied by your former superiors were among those who undermined Gallia. You all are genuine leaders to Gallia, Her Highness truly recognizes that your loyalties did not wane during the wars and your character, your skills and your love of country is why you are now in these seats. Not the money nor your connections to the remnants of our Court. I intend to bring back the Gallian Army that we all knew that can stand its own, but I need you all and your trust and support for this to be possible.'

The Colonels began to nod towards their General, a newer air of optimism just started to show in the conference room. The General attempted to breathe fresh air into the Colonels' stressed souls. He was right, the Gallian Forces were in shambles and they all knew that they needed to rebuild, to relearn what was experienced during the wars. Years of decadent corruption and nepotism in the ranks did stagnate the military and it showed in the body count.

'With that. That is all I wished to bring to you for this meeting.' The General began to stand, grabbing his cap and swiping away its imagined dust.

Almost in unison, the Colonels rose with him, that harsh, unisoned stomp of their boots filled the room.

'The tactics review board will be convening in the next hour, I will be there with you all as well. Colonel Ruyter?'

'Sir.' the reply came from the opposite end of the table.

'See me after the board in my office. I wish to discuss your latest findings of our men in the Cavalier.'

'Yes sir.'

'Carry on.'

The General turned towards the door and departed as quickly as he stormed in. The room returned to its quiet chatter amongst the Colonels and the flick of matches began as some officers relit their cigarettes.