…
…
…
Earlier that day, at the damaged docks of the Poseidon's Point Exclave, dawn breaks, illuminating the myriad of Elysian Navy ships docked therein. Lt. Colonel Baelz Hakos holds onto the rails of the singed gangway to the flagship, the ECN Metro Elysium as the salty sea breeze blows in and threatens to blow off her peaked cap. Thankfully, her fuzzy rat ears twitch and keep her hat firmly in place.
"Are you alright there, Lt. Col.?" calls a voice, "You haven't been on a boat before, haven't you?"
Bae looks up the gangway and she sees Admiral Jurard Rexford grinning at her.
Bae snorts.
Jurard didn't lie, after all.
Bae still remembers the early years of the war - when she still lived in the shadow of the late, aristocratic Brigadier General Olivier. She flew by airplane to the Exclave years ago at the behest of her uncle H. M. Taro, skipping the ordeals of the week-long journey by sea that most Elysian troops had to slog through.
'Just so that the old man could say he has family fighting on The Continent. For his damn confirmation hearing.'
Bae scoffs at the memory.
Thanks to her name and her connections, she was afforded all the luxuries of the ruling class, ate well and stayed far from the frontlines - wanting for nothing. A comfy position at the board of the Elysian branch office of the Chef Botan-dee canned spaghetti company supposedly awaited her too when she came back at the end of the war.
All she had to do was behave and wait.
'An end that just never seemed to come.'
Bae shakes her head. She looks out to the unusually placid waters of the Emerald Sea and sighs.
It makes her feel uneasy.
"Lt. Colonel?" Jurard repeats his question, snapping Bae out of her meandering thoughts.
"I'll be fine." Bae finally answers, hurrying up the rest of the way onto the deck of the Elysian battleship. She glances over her shoulder and points behind her, saying, "Worry about her."
Jurard turns to where Bae points and sees her 'superior', Colonel Nerissa Ravencroft grasping onto her adjutant Shiori Novella for dear life.
"I don't want to go on a boat again!" Nerissa wails, "C'mon Shiorin. Can't you just represent me in this damn meeting? Uhm… c-can't we have this meeting in a hotel or something!? There's gotta be a hotel in the Exclave, right?"
'Not one that's still standing.' Bae quietly thinks.
Shiori just smirks and carries on up the gangway with Nerissa in tow.
"No can do, ma'am." Shiori urges, "Just don't look down and keep a steady pace. Nice and easy. You've done this before."
Both Bae and Jurard share the same thought in their minds.
"NOT ON A FLIMSY FREAKING GANGPLANK!" Nerissa panics.
'And to think she was the one who's already sailed before.'
Bae shakes her head. Looking at Nerissa feels like looking at a mirror to the past.
Shiori calms down the Colonel and helps her, with some effort, onto the ship. They join Bae and meet Jurard at the deck of the Elysian battleship. Jurard welcomes them with a sharp salute. Bae and Shiori answer sharply as well, but Nerissa's response is much more timid and shaky.
A strong wave lifts up the battleship ever so slightly and Nerissa immediately lurches forward.
"Oh, Mother Kanata…" Nerissa grasps at her stomach. She leers at Bae beside her and grunts, "How come you're not getting seasick?"
Bae snorts again.
"I've had to worry about worse things." Bae mutters beneath her breath.
Trying not to starve to death, for example. Or hunkering down from intense Pavolian bombing raids. Or fighting Pavolian tanks head-on for the first time. Or being in the thick of battle after losing battle.
Things that Bae never thought she would have ever been able to stomach.
Nerissa tilts her head.
"What was that?" Nerissa scolds.
"Nothing, ma'am." Bae shakes her head. She turns to Jurard and asks him, "If you would do the honors, Admiral."
"Of course." Jurard tips his hat to his guests, "The rest of the War Council is waiting for you."
He pauses.
"Things… aren't looking so good right now." Jurard admits, glancing at Bae.
Bae raises her brow.
"Isn't Kureiji already with them? She usually holds the fort with those guys." Bae comments, rubbing her chin.
"That's what Ruze and I thought too." Jurard takes off his hat and scratches his head, "We're in the Navy, so we don't really know how you Army folks work - and you're their superiors. Maybe you can work something out."
"What's there to work out? We have our orders." Nerissa speaks stubbornly, "The Prime Minister has spoken. She's our commander-in-chief!"
"There might be some deeper wounds that we're not seeing, Madam Colonel." Bae intervenes, "Put a Xenokunian crusader who wants to cut down every last one of Zeta's men for revenge and a college-educated war-dove pining for Metro Elysium together and you'll get fireworks. It's only natural."
Shiori leans towards Bae and deduces, "But those two aren't the ones you're most worried about, are you?"
Bae shrugs and feigns innocence, "Let's see the damage for ourselves, ladies and gentleman."
Bae takes a deep breath, fixes her peaked cap and marches in to start the meeting.
…
…
…
Back in the present, after debating over the uncertainty of the Pavolian civil war - and Elysium's role therein - Bae folds her arms and taps her feet. A brass timepiece ticks in her coat pocket, echoing in the silence of the ECS Metro Elysium's bridge.
Consensus should have been easy to come by. They had their marching orders from Prime Minister Fauna Ceres, after all. Their forces were still deployed along the Xenokunian border and their navy stands ready at the Exclave to see their orders through.
And yet, the high afternoon sun has already started to set. There were three dissenting, disagreeing voices whose silence grew deafening. Bae, Nerissa, Jurard, Ruze, Amelia and Gura could only watch.
Altare Regis, the pacifist turned tank ace whose frown is laden with weariness and whose eyes already longed for home.
Kiara Takanashi, the Xenokunian draftee whose people were still fighting and dying under Zeta Vestia's unrestrained wrath just beyond the border.
And Ollie Kureiji who, for the first time, had a deeply haunted, hunted look on her face. Her usual cheer and vigor is nowhere to be seen and she clutches onto the ceremonial sword of Moona Hoshinova hanging in its scabbard by her hip.
Ollie glances sideways towards Bae and shakes her head.
'She's gonna need help resolving this deadlock.' Bae thinks.
"What's going on here, exactly?" Nerissa muses, looking around the deathly silent room, "If we're gonna fight a war, let's fight a war! We have the authorization. We have the funding. That's why we're here, aren't we?"
Bae pinches her nose.
"This buffoonery is the last thing we need right now." Bae thinks. She clicks her tongue but says nothing.
Nerissa turns to Ollie out of instinct, but the Pavolian turncoat officer doesn't utter a word.
Kiara takes a deep breath and tries to reply.
"Senorita Ravencroft, I speak on behalf of the Arsobispo when I say that Zeta Vestia is a demon - a scourge of this earth that must be purged. Everyone who follows her must follow the same fate after the hell they brought to Xenokuni and her people!"
Fire seems to burn in Kiara's eyes, shimmering on the beginnings of tears forming at their sides. She clenches her hands and gnashes her teeth.
"Elysium is the only power on the continent to mete out divine punishment on that… on that hellcat who rapes and pillages my country as we speak! You must attack that demon NOW!"
Nerissa and Bae turn towards Ollie, hoping for some answer from her. Unfortunately, Ollie's silence continues.
Altare folds his arms and answers Kiara.
"Please be reasonable. You're asking the Elysian Army to do the impossible, Miss Fénix. We've only just ejected Zeta's forces from this province - from Poseidon's Point. We have brigades that are still putting out fires and fighting pockets of resistance in our countryside. Our troops are exhausted. Our supply lines are a mess. We haven't even been able to treat our wounded or bury our dead and…"
"What about the Xenokunians who have already been spilling their blood since the war began? Do their sacrifices mean nothing?" Kiara interjects and points directly at Altare, "Keep speaking like this and Elysium will bury more of her country's bodies courtesy of that grey demon!"
Altare furrows his brow and stands his ground.
"We have a ceasefire, albeit an informal one because of Pavolia's turmoil." Altare tries to explain himself, "We have to take this time to…"
Kiara doesn't let him finish.
"This ceasefire will not last!" Kiara shouts, "Zeta Vestia has designs for the entire continent - not just Pavolia!"
Kiara flails her arms around.
"We - you and I, señor Regis - are safe in this battleship. Xenokuni is not."
"But this battleship cannot grow legs and crawl upon the plains to go to the frontline!" Altare lashes back.
He glances sidelong at Jurard, but the Admiral scratches the back of his head.
"L-land battles aren't the Navy's forte. We can't lend you the Navy Riflemen units forever either, not when we still have to patrol the sea lanes." Jurard answers tepidly. He adjusts his hat, leans towards Altare and Kiara and mutters, "Keep me and my ship out of this, you two."
Altare snorts. He buries his hands in his pockets and faces Kiara again.
"Elysium should act when it is ready to act Miss Fenix." Altare snaps, "We acted in haste once in the past. In the Monteazulas, we walked into Zeta Vestia's trap. We will not make that same mistake twice! We lost so much…"
As soon as Altare says this, Kiara's eyes go unfocused. She rips off the ten gallon hat with Elysian Artillery insignia and grips it tightly in her hands.
"Don't tarnish la Capitana's sacrifice like this, Señor. You and I are alive because of Capitana Mori's sacrifice, so it is our DUTY to avenge her."
Altare and Kiara both turn towards Ollie, quietly urging her to intervene on their behalf. Ollie's silence, again, continues.
Jurard leans towards Bae and whispers in her ear.
"This is getting out of hand, Hakos." He says.
Bae glances towards Ollie again. These were the times that she would have intervened, but her silence persisted.
Bae takes a deep breath and heaves a sigh. She raises up her hand and shouts over the bickering pair.
"Alright everyone. Settle down. This is getting us nowhere. We're not going to get anything else done here tonight, so let's conclude the meeting and resume tomorrow."
Amelia and Gura salute the rest of the war council and leave in a hurry. Kiara and Altare, however, stand still on the battleship bridge.
Bae frowns.
"Did you not hear me, you two? This meeting is over." Bae faces Kiara and Altare squarely and says, "Please return to your units until then."
"But…!" Kiara and Altare both try to urge.
"No buts, Miss Takanashi. Sergeant Regis." Bae shakes her head, "We will not leave Xenokuni out to dry, but we cannot leap into this without a proper strategy either."
Nerissa blinks innocently at first. Then, she parrots Bae's order.
"Y-yeah. We're done for tonight."
This time, Jurard steps forward.
"Go back, have a good meal and think things through tonight you two." Jurard urges them. He turns to his adjutant and asks, "Show them out of the ship, Ruze."
"Yes, admiral!" Ruze salutes Jurard and ushers the two, "Let's get going."
Kiara storms out of the bridge, slamming the heavy metal door behind her. Altare, likewise, gives a begruding salute and goes out the other way.
Jurard taps his adjutant's shoulder and urges him, "Make sure those two hotheads don't break anything on my ship… or throw anyone overboard."
Ruze salutes the admiral and goes after Altare and Kiara in a hurry.
Ollie salutes weakly and also starts to move towards the door.
Bae rushes over to her and stands in her way. Ollie halts in place, blinking like a deer caught in the headlights.
"Lt. Colonel…?" Ollie croaks.
"Walk with me, Kureiji." Bae declares.
Ollie trues to look away, but Bae cuts her off and looks her squarely in the eye.
"Olivia Udina Bin Kureiji, third of your name - disgraced Baroness of the now non-existent Istana Udin." Bae calls her by her full name and title.
Ollie shudders and sweat starts to form on her brow.
"I… haven't been called that in so long." Ollie laughs uncomfortably, scratching the back of her head.
"Do I have your attention now?" Bae asks, "If I do, let's grab a bite to eat. I'm feeling quite hungry."
"Yes ma'am." Ollie nods and salutes, "Lead the way."
…
As the sun sets over the Elysian Exclave, Bae and Ollie find a quiet spot overlooking the damaged seaport - away from the eyes of the troops and the civilians. The two of them have cans of Chef Botan-dee canned spaghetti, a can opener and a bottle of smuggled Pavolian Arak distilled sugarcane liquor. The two commanding officers open their spaghetti cans and take turns nursing from the contraband bottle.
"Ahhh… that hits the spot." Bae gasps, downing a dollop of Pavolian liquor, "For a country that doesn't drink liquor, you guys sure make good stuff over there."
"It's a religious doctrine from followers of the Holy Mother Towa, ma'am. 'Thou shalt only be intoxicated by the beauty and grace of Mother Towa', the scriptures say." Ollie says, taking her sip of the Arak, "Though, after years of war, faith and devotion to the divine has been shaken."
"Is that so?" Bae hums, taking the bottle back from Ollie for another sip.
"Yeah. I've actually had the pleasure of sharing a bottle of this stuff with the Empress back in the day. Not this watered-down 'export quality' stuff. The real deal." Ollie laughs, "We even shared the bottle just like this. No shot glasses or whatnot. We didn't want the Grand Council to find out that we were breaking taboos in the Imperial Palace after all. Hah!"
"Heh. I totally get that." Bae laughs, taking a bigger swig this time, followed by a hiccup, "My uncle… the War Minister… was such a big… fucking… war hawk. Anything Pavolian had to be taken off the shelves. It became a real witch-hunt back in the day."
Bae cradles the bottle of Pavolian Arak and says, "One of the reasons why uncle Taro was so eager to send me to the Continent was because those dumb fucking Anti-Pavolian laws that he urged Parliament to pass would have thrown me to jail."
"So he threw you to a warzone instead?" Ollie gasps.
"We believed we would win a quick victory." Bae reminds her, "Serving under Olivier was supposed to be nothing more than a desk jockey job in a fancy hotel here in the Exclave."
Ollie's gaze drops down to her lap.
"But the war didn't turn out that way, did it?"
Bae snorts. She puts aside the liquor bottle and starts opening up her can of spaghetti - then she opens Ollie's can too.
"It's funny, isn't it? The more we try to avoid trouble, the more trouble we find ourselves in." Bae says, giving Ollie her opened can, "That's why I find this sudden 'peace' surreal."
She looks Ollie straight in the eye and guesses, "You feel the same way, don't you. That's why you're hesistating."
Ollie grips the can of spaghetti, bending its body slightly in her hands.
"Kaela Kovalskia is dead. Zeta Vestia would know this by now." Ollie begins grimly, airing out her thoughts "She was killed by a Keris Abu Abu pressed into service by Elysium - now, in the service again of Empress Reine. And Kovalskia's HaKu V Panther is in our possession."
"A war prize, that beast. I heard it's in mint condition." Bae remarks with a hum.
"It's a mark of vengeance stained on all of our names." Ollie warns.
She stabs her spaghetti with a fork and tries to take a large bite - but she only manages a small nibble.
"Zeta's forces aren't firing at us right now, but that's not out of Zeta's benevolence or wilingness to negotiate." Ollie continues, shaking her head, "She's always planning something - and now, there's no Kaela Kovalskia to 'filter' her thoughts. No trusted adjutant to appeal to her humanity."
Ollie's face goes pale.
"The Elysian Armed forces are bound by the terms of the Pekolander Convention - the rules of war that we have followed…"
"As best as we can." Bae chimes in.
"As best as we can, yes." Ollie agrees, "But Zeta, unfettered, could care less about the convention. She is a wild beast who has nothing else to lose."
Bae falls silent. Beads of sweat form on her brow.
Moments later, Ollie breaks that silence.
"I agree with Altare and Miss Fénix. The two of them are absolutely right." Ollie declares, "Zeta Vestia deserves to be punished for her crimes against the world - but most importantly against Pavolia. But at the same time, this war has gone on for so long."
Ollie looks up to the stary sky and shakes her head.
"Looking up to the sky and not seeing a desperate dogfight above us is surreal. Eating leisurely like this without a Garand rifle in arm's reach makes me feel uneasy. Not hearing the artillery batteries going off makes me think like this is a strange dream… and I…"
She clutches her heart with her free hand, "A part of me wants to believe that this peace is permanent - even under Zeta's sadistic shadow. I wouldn't have to hold a gun or command a tank ever again. Nobody else has to die. I'm so tired - so tired of all this that I want to believe the impossible. The untrue."
Bae produces her mess kit and takes out a fork for her spaghetti. She takes a forkfull and wolfs it down before she speaks.
"I understand what you mean, Kureiji… but leave the decision to Colonel Ravencroft. She's the one who ultimately has to sign off on our final decision." Bae reassures her, "Our marching orders will bear her signature, not yours."
"But you and I still have to advise her." Ollie counters, "Our decision will be Colonel Ravencroft's decision. Her adjutant, Major Novella, told me as much."
"Yeah." Bae crosses her legs, "And that's why I need you to answer two questions for me, Kureji. Answer honestly."
Ollie blinks.
"I'll try to answer them." Ollie replies.
Bae nods and eats another forkfull of spaghetti before she speaks.
"Firstly, with the forces that we have, do we still have a chance to defeat Zeta Vestia's forces? Quickly and decisively?"
"That's not an easy question to answer, ma'am." Ollie replies tepidly.
"And that's why I'm asking someone I trust." Bae counters without a shadow of doubt, "That's our advantage over Zeta Vestia, isn't it? She's alone. We're not."
Ollie's jaw drops. Her cheeks flush red for a moment, but she takes a deep breath and pauses to think.
"Hmm… frankly, I'm concerned about Zeta's designs." Ollie answers, speaking her thoughts as they come, "She hasn't fortified the new front lines as tightly as she normally has. Either she's hoping that the 'peace' with Elysium could last - or that she's holding her forces in reserve yet again. She's halted her attacks on Xenokuni again too, choosing to starve them out and encircle them instead."
"She's playing 'wait-and-see' with us, you mean." Bae confirms.
Ollie nods.
"This is how Zeta always plays. Mystery and deception are her forte." Ollie admits, "The only way to play her game and win is to outfox her. Dare more…"
Ollie shudders, adding, "Sacrifice more."
"This is war, Kureiji. Sacrifices will always be made." Bae heaves a sigh.
"Can we sacrifice more than a madwoman who will shamelessly sacrifice everything to get her way?" Ollie asks, her voice cracking.
"Only you can answer that, Ollie Kureiji." Bae begs, laying a hand on Ollie's shoulder, "Help me choose the right path - one more time."
Silence falls again upon the docks, broken only by the rumble of far-off airplane engines from over the Emerald Sea. The silhouette of large, Elysian B-29 heavy bomber planes flying towards the Exclave interrupts the pristine moonlight over the water.
"I know." Ollie looks at her can of spaghetti in the moonlight. The thick tomato sauce, for a moment, looks odd, "We'll need to use every card in our hands, Lt. Colonel. Every single one. The last thing we want is Sergeant Regis and Miss Fénix being at each others' throats. The both of them will play crucial parts."
"I'll help you talk some sense into those kids." Bae offers confidently, "The two of them and the forces they lead are some of our strongest weapons, after all. Plus, if you believe we have a chance, I'm willing to believe you."
"Of course, ma'am." Ollie agrees. Then, she faces Bae and asks, "What is your second question?"
Bae then takes her fork and points it at Ollie. The remnants of tomato sauce on Bae's fork looks like streaks of blood, sending chills up Ollie's spine.
"Kureiji, answer me. Can I count on you to kill Zeta Vestia?"
…
A long silence follows. Then, Ollie stabs her canned spaghetti with a fork and starts to eat.
…
…
…
Later that evening, Bae and Ollie finish up their humble dinner, bid farewell and part ways. Ollie hurries off and catches a jeep bound for the Xenokunian quarter of the Exclave. As the jeep passes by Bae, Ollie salutes her - and Bae returns the gesture.
"I hope you get through to the phoenix." Bae prays.
"So do I, ma'am!" Ollie cheers, "Those two gal-pals from the OSS will be lending me a hand. And I've got more of the secret weapon!"
She holds up a bottle of Pavolian Arak up for Bae to see - but promptly hides it when a patrol of Military Police on motorcycles passes by.
'That girl, I swear…' Bae scoffs. Her smile deflates, 'Even after the things she just said.'
Ollie Kureiji's answer to her question echoes in her head, but the roar of the B-29 heavy bomber engines drawing closer brings her back to the present.
Alone now at the docks under the light of the moon, she digs her hands into the pockets of her winter coat and heaves a sigh. Her breath doesn't fog up as thickly as it used to.
'Spring is coming, whether we like it or not. Sergeant Regis understands this too.'
With that thought in mind, she paces briskly to the headquarters of Ollie's PCAP units - the 2nd Provisional Armored Brigade, or the 'undead armor' that had been crucial to just about every key victory in the past campaign year.
'Just a few miracles more. I hope the gentlemen have it in them.'
Military Police sentries shine flashlights towards Bae. She winces and hides her blue eyes under the shadow of her peaked officer's cap, but she doesn't flinch. The flashlights make Bae's insignias shimmer briefly and illuminate the unmistakable red fur of her rat ears holding her peaked cap in place.
"L-Lieutenant Colonel!" The sentries gasp, absolutely shocked by her presence. It takes them a moment before they remember to salute.
"At ease." Bae urges them, "I'm here for Sergeant Regis. Gentlemen, please take me to…"
RATATATATAT!
Her words are cut short by the bark of automatic gunfire echoing in the distance. The fur on Bae's rat ears stand on edge and she keeps her hand close to the M1911 pistol holstered at her hip.
'A machine gun…!? This deep in the city?'
The sentries, on the other hand, are the unmoving ones this time around.
"Oh, that's Sergeant Regis shooting at the range. His crew and that Pavie officer we got from the North Beach is there with him. Do you still want us to take you to him?"
The automatic gunfire blares again.
RATATATATAT!
Bae shakes her head.
"No need, gentlemen. I know how to follow the sound of gunfire." Bae teases.
She turns towards the gunfire echoing in the night and finds a bombed-out district of the Exclave turned into a makeshift shooting range. There, by the ruins of coffee shops, stores and apartments, Sergeant Altare Regis wields a curious Pavolian weapon.
One that Bae had, during the desperate defense of the Exclave, consistently pointed at her.
'StG44 rifles… and a lot of them.'
Now, Sergeant Regis holds that strange weapon and shoots at empty cans of Chef Botan-dee spaghetti scattered about the backstreets. His crew, Corporals Axel Syrios and Vesper Noir and Private First Class Magni Dezmond crowd around crates full of those StG44 rifles and their ammunition. They take the weapons from the box and inspect them - under the instruction of the turncoat Major Ina'nis Ninomae of the Pavolian Imperial Guard.
Guided by Major Ninomae, the three tankers join their leader and take shots at the tin cans. Together, the four men shoot down the tin cans faster than a whole platoon of Garand riflemen could ever dream of doing in such close quarters.
Sergeant Regis notices their new visitor in the corner of his eye. He lowers his weapon and faces Bae.
"Everyone, cease fire!" Altare commands.
Magni, Vesper and Axel follow the order immediately and turn to where Altare faced. Once they do, Altare gives Bae a sharp salute. Vesper and Axel follow suit, but Magni brightens up like a Kanatan Solstice Tree.
"Hey! Madam Hakos has come to see us!" Magni cheers.
Vesper face-palms while Altare folds his arms. Axel, on the other hand, grunts and grabs Magni by his hair, forcing him to lower his head and salute.
"That's your Commanding Officer's Commanding Officer's Commanding Officer you bogan - not some random bloke or sheila!" Axel chides.
"Ow! Ow! Okay, okay! Don't be so rough, soldier boy!" Magni squeals.
The two men tussle, rattling the StG44 rifles slung over their shoulder. Vesper adjusts his glasses and turns to Altare.
"Shall I separate them, Leader?" Vesper asks.
Altare rubs his chin, pondering what to say. Bae, however, speaks first.
"Relax, relax. We're not technically on duty right now." Bae reassures them, replying with a short but polite salute. She matches towards Altare and says, "I came to your headquarters looking for you, Sergeant Regis, but I heard the gunfire so I moseyed on over here. What exactly are you doing with all these Pavie guns?"
"Oh." Altare cradles the StG44 rifle in his arms and glances at Ina, now tending to the crates of weapons, "When we retook control of the entire Poseidon's Point, Major Ninomae and the Munafik troops under her command helped us take stock of all the Pavolian weapons left behind."
He shows the StG44 to Bae and hands it to her. All the while, he speaks fondly - like a university student presenting his thesis.
"This is the cream of the crop. The StG44, a so-called 'assault rifle'. Major Ninomae surrendered a large cache of these weapons to me today, so she was showing us how to use them. We have a lot of weapons to replace, after all - and the Munafiks are already scraping the bottom of the barrel. These guns will solve some of the shortages."
Bae holds the 'assault rifle' in her hands and inspects it. All the while, Altare calls over Major Ninomae who hurries to their side - carrying her own StG44 rifle as well.
"Good evening, Lt. Colonel Hakos." Ina bows meekly to her. The assault rifle rattles crisply in her arms.
"Good evening to you as well." Bae muses, but her eyes remain fixed on the strange Pavolian weapon, "Major Ninomae. These look unlike anything I've seen or used before. Not quite a rifle… but not quite a machine gun either."
Major Ninomae nods eagerly.
"Humu, humu. That's because that gun is meant to replace both rifles and submachine guns." Ina speaks, brimming with pride. She gestures to the shot-up cans of spaghetti in the backstreets and says, "Mr. Regis and his men were able to pick off all these targets in such a short period of time. Imagine what a full platoon of riflemen could do with these weapons!"
"Giving this much firepower to every rifleman would be… horrifying." Bae speaks frankly.
"I hate to say it, but I agree with Major Ninomae." Altare interjects, "The battlefield is only going to get dirtier and dirtier - and battles will be fought closer and closer than ever before. That means that the side that can put the most firepower - accurate firepower - downrange, is more likely to win the engagement."
"Oho, you understand the concept quite well!" Ina praises Altare.
Altare nods politely.
"I wrote a thesis on it once." Altare reveals, but his smile becomes sour, "At least, I was in the middle of writing it… before Elysium called for my service."
Bae's brow furrowed. Though Altare didn't look her way, his bitterness spilled through his polite voice.
"Let's put that aside for now." Bae interrupts, "These weapons are impressive either way. We were fortunate that Zeta's forces weren't properly trained on this new weapon."
"And that Magni and Axel here helped blow up a good chunk of Zeta's best shock troopers with dynamite in a ditch - before they could turn the tide." Altare adds, gesturing to his soldiers.
The pair grin proudly in response.
"Thanks to them, we aren't ten feet under the ground in a mass grave somewhere in this city." Altare continues. He looks up to the moon hanging in the sky and muses, "But given enough time, Zeta will be able to get her troops trained on these guns. The question now will be - will those guns be pointed at the Pavolians, or at us?"
"It'll be up to us to answer that question, Sergeant Regis." Bae reminds him. She points to the StG44 in Altare's hands and says, "Have your men work with Major Ninomae to learn as much as you can about that gun. Do what you can to put that old thesis of yours into practice."
Altare pauses for a moment before he gives a salute.
"As you command, Lt. Colonel Hakos. Are we dismissed?"
Bae puts a hand on her hip and ponders for a while. Then, she faces Altare to speak.
"Major Ninomae and your troops are dismissed, but you and I still have to talk, Sergeant Regis."
"Is it about Miss Fénix?" Altare guesses with looming impatience.
"Yes - but there's more." Bae looks the taller Altare in the eyes, "It's a conversation that's been a long time coming. You understand, don't you? After all, those two topics are… intertwined."
A shadow forms over Altare's brow. He looks like he has something he wants to say, but he takes a deep breath and mutters beneath his breath instead, "Through Lieutenant Kureiji, I serve at your pleasure, ma'am."
He turns to Ina and the rest of his crew and commands, "Everyone, continue training with Major Ninomae. Afterwards, you're all dismissed!"
Ina nods to Altare while Magni, Axel and Vesper give sharp salutes. They continue their training, leaving Altare alone with Bae.
"Let's talk at our headquarters." Altare offers, "I have a pot of coffee over the fire there."
…
Sergeant Regis accompanies Bae through the sprawling encampment of the 2nd Provisional Armored Brigade. The M24 Chaffee light tanks and M4 Sherman medium tanks of the brigade are lined up along the cobblestone city road, saluting them with their main guns trained upwards as they pass.
Every now and then, the odd Pavolian HaKu III and IV medium tank flying Elysian flags stand among them - their short, stubby main guns also seemingly raised in reverence.
But then…
"That tank…" Bae remarks, spotting a vehicle that stands out among the rest - even as it also flies the green, Elysian Starfall Banner.
"That's the HaKu V that once belonged to Kaela Kovalska." Altare speaks plainly, "It's one of the few HaKu V's that our forces managed to capture during the Pavolian withdrawal from the province - and it's the only one in mint condition. Every mechanic who's seen it says it's been well taken care of."
"It was well loved." Bae muses.
Altare glances at the tank under the moonlight, "Well, it's been meticulously maintained. That's for sure. Unless you're talking about the previous owner."
"Let's just say that I've heard stories from a credible source." Bae tepidly reveals, "But more than that - have you or Kureiji assigned that tank a crew yet?"
Altare shakes his head.
"None of our crews trained in the Chaffees or Shermans - even the ones who've dabbled in the HaKu III's and IV's can quite figure out the operation of the V's." Altare admits with a shrug, "And the Munafiks and the other Pavolian defectors seem to avoid that tank like the plague. Even the rowdiest Hakugrenadiers fell silent when we threatened to make them crew that tank. It's worse than a prison sentence."
The ace tanker rubs his chin, "Do they think that crewing that thing will incur Zeta Vestia's wrath?"
"The Pavolians are a superstitious people - but they don't think that, Sergeant Regis. They believe that." Bae affirms.
"That cat's shadow looms even from afar…" Altare clicks his tongue, "The 'true believers' fear Zeta's wrath more than the Holy Mother Towa."
"And that's why we have to deal with that self-proclaimed goddess, or whatever she thinks of herself." Bae spits.
Altare nods. With that, the two carry on to Altare's tent at the end of the road. They sit down on barstools taken from a pulverized coffee shop and share a pot of coffee between them.
"So, you want to reminisce, madam?" Altare asks, sipping his coffee while stealing glances at Bae.
"I do." Bae openly admits. She swirls the tar-black coffee in her cup and distorts her reflection therein as she reveals, "Once upon a time, I must admit that I doubted your patriotism."
Altare frowns and snaps.
"So much so that you, Colonel Ravencroft and Brigadier General Olivier all signed off on the order to expel me from the Metro Elysium Military Academy? On grounds of Anti-Elysian treason?"
"I did." Bae admits again, "And before you ask - I did the same to Corporal Vesper Noir's case too."
Altare blinks, surprised by the sudden honesty.
Bae crosses her legs and sips her coffee.
"You're a brilliant young man, Sergeant Regis. One of the top students at the Academy, even." Bae gives her lukewarm praise, "I'm sure you can figure out what the rationale for that was."
Altare grumbles, his frown deepening. The shadow hanging over his eyes grows darker than the coffee.
"The powers that be demanded scapegoats to mobilize the country entirely for war." Altare deduces, clicking his tongue, "Vesper and I were just collateral damage for 'the greater good'. Is that right?"
Bae nods. Altare tightens his grip on his coffee cup.
"Lt. Colonel. Why are you telling me this now?" Altare asks.
Bae sets down her coffee cup on a table and lays a hand on her heart.
"I'm telling you this because - on behalf of Elysium and her people, I deeply regret what I have done to you, to Professor Vesper Noir and to all the innocent people who were dragged to prison to pass that damn law. If I had known about your steadfast resolve and your sheer grit in the face of improbable odds, I would have acted differently."
"But that time has passed." Altare counters, "All we have is the present - and the enemy army sharpening their knives behind the Xenokunian border."
"Then allow me to compensate you somehow." Bae offers, facing Altare squarely, "Brigadier Olivier is dead. Colonel Ravencroft has completely forgotten about your case - and my uncle is fighting for his life in Parliament. I have the power to rescind that order and restore your honor."
"Restore my honor…?" Altare raises his brow.
"You'll be considered a legitimate graduate of the Military Academy - and I can have you elevated to Second Lieutenant. Plus, in your outstanding service to the Commonwealth, you'd be promoted to First Lieutenant immediately. Maybe even Capta-"
"Respectfully speaking, madam Hakos…" Altare cuts her off and looks straight into Bae's eyes, "I don't give a damn about rank, or about my degree - or even my honor."
Altare grits his teeth. Tears start to form at the sides of his eyes.
"I just want this war to end. I want to go home to my sister - in a world at peace! That's all I want!"
"Sergeant Regis…" Bae staggers.
Altare sniffles and wipes his tears with the back of his hand as he laments.
"One month becomes one year - and that one year becomes eight. I'm tired of this damned, endless war that's getting us nowhere - and I know for a fact that I'm not alone. We didn't sign up to fight a Xenokunian crusade."
He furrows his brow and glares at Bae again.
"That's why I need you, Lieutenant Kureiji - and everyone in high command - to make the right choice."
Bae lays her hands down on her knees and grips them, almost as if she were holding on. Then, she dares to face Altare again.
"Sergeant Regis. I will make the right choice - but that choice depends on whether or not you're willing to work with us one last time."
Altare falls silent, watching Bae with an intense gaze. Bae clears her throat and continues,
"Lieutenant Kureji has a plan - a risky but daring plan that could very well decide the fate of the continent. But she will need you - and Miss Fenix - to be on the same page for it to even have a snowball's chance in hell of it working in our favor! Her plan hinges on the two of you… on all of us!"
Bae grips her uniform and grits her teeth, "If you don't want to believe me - and I wouldn't blame you if you don't - then, believe Lieutenant Kureiji. That girl… she told me that she will do what needs to be done to set things right, but she hopes that she won't be facing that ordeal alone."
Heavy, contemplative silence grips the tent. Altare's frown deepens. He slouches forward and covers his face for a short while.
"Alright." Altare finally speaks. He sits upright and raises his head to face Bae, "Tell Lieutenant Kureiji that she can count on me. I'll meet her - and Miss Fenix - on the battleship tomorrow morning. We'll write a proper ending to this story - to this war. I swear it."
"That's good. Thank you, Sergeant Regis." Bae sighs in relief.
"But for now, please leave me, madam Hakos." Altare urges, turning away from Bae, "I have too much on my mind - and I'd like to be left alone."
Bae doesn't say a word. She shoots up from her chair and gives Altare a sharp, respectful salute. She doesn't wait for Altare to return the gesture and sees herself out of Altare's tent.
Once Bae leaves the tent, Altare hobbles over to his desk and brings out a pen, paper and an envelope. He takes a deep breath, sits down and begins writing a letter to his sister.
…
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TEMPEST
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