After exchanging pleasantries, he was lead to a conference room where once everyone was properly seated, Metternich found himself next to Tarkan el Balamarus and Valyria Treakle with Butz behind him and Adrian next to Valyria.

On the other side of the table was Prince Dalius Augustus, Prince Georgaian vi Alontaire, Duke Oscar von Raqia.n.u.s, Viscount Antonius de Palamese, and Baroness Horatia T.J. Jackson, next to them there was Colonel Werner von Braun, the leader of the ground forces, the famous 88th brigade of the elite Black Berets Corps, also called the ‘h.e.l.lfire Knights’.

The 88th is considered by many to be one of the finest brigades amongst the Black Berets, some even said that it was one of the finest infantry units in the whole galaxy; one so strong than even the other Black Berets had trouble reeling them in.

Besides him sat the leaders of the s.p.a.ce fighter squadrons, who were also the aces of the flying corps, namely Captains: Nagira Tadamaki, Ivan Molotov, Ataru Starstruck, Furio Figaretti and alongside them the many s.h.i.+p captains and squadron leaders.

“Our forces are placed in the following order from north to south: Dalius, Georgaian, Oscar, Antonius, Horatia, Valyria, my division and finally Von Braun’s 88th make out the forces in this sector. Our opponents the Volunian Eight Army and the Federal Task Force have roughly the same numbers of troops and have fortified the Granada Depression, its southern flank is blocked by a mountain range and the northern one is blocked by the sea, so our only route of attack is a direct a.s.sault on their positions.” Tarkan briefed Metternich.

 “Also, there are only two energy nexuses on this planet, they control both of them, this enables the enemy to recharge their energy crystals, while we have to rely on warp trains to transport them here, giving them an advantage in a battle of attrition.” Valyria added.

“What about siege units like dragon towers, they are specially designed for something like this, could we not used them against those defenses?” Adrian asked them.

“We do not have any towers, h.e.l.l we don’t even have enough mines to make a decent minefield for one of our divisions, let alone our whole front.” Raqia.n.u.s replied.

“One more question, how in the blue b.l.o.o.d.y blazes did this force here arrive to such a deplorable state!” Metternich asked in earnest, for you see from what he gathered from the briefing slate the Planet which they now resided was the only one in this system that could sustain life, and  it along with Volun 1,2 and 3 where only an outposts for the World Cla.s.s Fortress Galiana.

And so the original mission of the 378th corps had been to come here, blast the small garrison into oblivion, set up a planetary base and s.p.a.ce port, wait until the enemies counterattack came, then withdraw back to their lines and draw the enemy for the  main fleet to cut down.

You might think that such a mission would seem odd or even insane, to blow up some garrison and then just sit on down and do nothing but wait for the enemy to come and then run away.

 But this was a ‘Moral Booster’, a battle indented to be of small scale, but also designed to be a victory in order to raise morale amongst the troops and civilians, to mentally prepare them for the upcoming bigger battles and to also act as bait to draw an enemy from their entrenched position with a raid.

Metternich saw it for what is was and in his mind it had been the ideal command for him, here he would be the highest ranking officer, the destruction of the base would be enough to say he had done his duty and he could be relatively safe here, at least for the time being.

The only problem was that the planet had not been bombarded from orbit, the s.h.i.+ps where now grounded all along their lines and used as anti-infantry weapons instead of being in s.p.a.ce, and the enemy instead of being small dust particles where now heavily entrenched on the high ground in front of them.

He looked at his new command, since everyone was refusing to answer his enquire and stated his question once more.

“I repeat, how did we arrive at this sad state of affairs?”

After a few moments of hesitation, and a few quick words of help and praise to her deity Horatia spoke up.

“Upon arriving, we scanned the planet and discovered that the enemy garrison was actually at only 20 percent strength, and that those 20% percent where troops composed of reservists, many of them quite old by military standards.” she then paused and even though it was difficult to see an expression on her arachnid features you could tell that she was now regretting being the one to begin the story.

“Continue Commodore.” Metternich said in an encouraging and appreciative tone and looked to her expectantly.

“We were about to commence bombardment, when our commander Rear Admiral Ca.s.sius, stated that instead of destroying it we should capture the supply depo with an infantry a.s.sault.” the voice of Antonius was heard saying and all of the gazes at the Eschimariom as he continued the story.

“But after we launched the a.s.sault, our troops were repulsed by the defenders.”

“Wait a minute! Are you trying to tell me that Black Berets where repulsed by a group of senile bingo players!” Adrian’s voice his opinion on the absurdity of the notion.

“Considering that those senile bingo players had a battalion of retired but recently brought back to active duty Holy Knights, I’d say that’s exactly what happened.” Werner answered his question.

This made Adrian’s mouth fall agape, the Holy Knights where elite shock troopers of the Federation and since the Federation and the Volunians where close allies, this meant that their presence indicated that the Federation had now unofficially joined the fight between the Empire and the Volunians instead of just offering ‘token’ support.

Adrian looked at Werner still in disbelief and hoping that it was some lie, but Werner sadly only confirmed with his gaze that it was the truth.

“And after that what happened?” Metternich asked breaking the silence in the room and the semi starring contest between Adrian and von Braun.

“We then did the only sensible military action during this whole fiasco and withdrew the troops.” Oscar replied. He then crossed his two pairs of arms and with a cold stare he used his gaze and body language to chide and visually reprimand those present for this inefficient report, but the only effect was more silence.

“What happened after that? And could one of you tell the whole story, since a standard day only has so few hours in it!” Metternich said, starting to lose his patients.

“The Admiral then ordered us to battle stations and used the s.h.i.+ps to ram the enemy defenses.” Dalius answered Metternich, with a cheery tone like it was a matter of fact.

“He………he rammed the planet!?!You’re kidding, aren’t you?” the commander said in disbelief to what he just heard.

“Sorry Commander, I only tell a joke when it’s funny, but I can tell a few now if you like.” Dalius replied, his voice devoid of cheeriness.

“And everybody knows that this is the best moment to tell a joke!” Valyria said the tone of her voice indicated that the meaning of the phrase was very much a different one from its literal one; in short she was being sarcastic.

“Yes, we rammed the defenses, but the enemy being the enemy had the impudence to actually use their brains and withdraw to another position as they saw us coming; eventually after we hit dirt side, our power crystals where too drained from s.h.i.+elding the s.h.i.+ps from impact to be any further use, so we deployed our ground forces in a defensive line facing the enemy.” Tarkan said before Valyria and Dalius started arguing and looked at them sternly. He discreetly separated a few dozen of the small beings which formed his body and they started flying around him as he looked at them menacingly with all the hard gaze of a drill sergeant preparing to discipline two raw recruits which was not surprising since he was a master sergeant before becoming an officer, it got the point across and they settled down and gazed away from each other and from Tarkan in particular.

After that, all eyes were on Metternich who was rubbing his temples as a headache started to form.

“The situation is bad sir, but it could have been worse, the s.h.i.+ps despite being drained are still battle worthy, morale is surprisingly high since every soldier and sailor heard you where coming and we have enough ammunition and fuel four one good infantry sc.r.a.p.” The tusked mouth of Georgaian said as the somehow heavy atmosphere in the room slightly improved

Finally after what seemed like an hour, although scarcely a few seconds had past, Metternich found his voice.

“And where is the former commander now?” Metternich asked.

“He hosted a feast weeks ago, to celebrate our ‘upcoming victory’ over the enemy fleet, so he drank, and drank, and drank, till he drank his final cup and since the other leaders all have the ranks of commodore with equal seniority, we did not have someone else to take over command, and where uncertain what to do, that is until you came sir.” Antonius replied and gave an honest smile, which unnerved their new commander, since it help punctuate just how deeply their where krifed and where desperately looking for a way out or a fall guy.

 “Why haven’t they attacked us with their s.h.i.+ps?” Metternich asked.

“Their gearing up for that, our most recent Intel says the fleet of Admiral Yemen is on his way here.” Georgaian answered him.

“Also, the enemy has been receiving a constant stream of reinforcements since we’ve tried to ram them, currently they outnumber us.” Antonius told with reluctance.

“But not by a large margin, for now they just have about an estimate 10-15% advantage in terms of numbers, still within a manageable range for us.” Georgaian added to the conversation.

 “Nuts, to our side then!” Metternich said cheerfully, with what seemed to be a hollow and humorless laugh as he looked over the map.

“No chances for a promotion here sir.” Werner said with a smile on his face, intentionally provoking the newly minted commander.

The other high ranking officers chided him for his words, with the exception of his subordinates within the 88th, namely Major Casper Lintz, whose species the Goy where white skinned and pale with notably longer than usual fangs but with a humanoid body, Captain Montpellier who was a Colian, a humanoid amphibious species, a fact made more evident by his scales, long dolphin like snout, fins on his head, membrane fingers and most notably a sort of reverse diving helmet which had its own reserve of water.

 And Lieutenant Jericho McClelland, whose species the Catcherfizer was very much human looking, with the exception of the fact that his race had the ability to reattach severed limbs and survive great wounds that did not include injuring one particular organ and namely the brain. As a consequence of that the surface of his skin was riddled with scars, so very much so that it was hard to tell where the scars ended and where the normal skin began.

They were used to their commanders behavior and where unfazed by it.

But for Adrian, that was an almost inexcusable insult to his liege and he looked ready to jump out of his seat and strike Werner, the Black Beret only match his stare with a smile on his face that said a non verbal challenge of ‘come and get it!’. 

“Oh, what a disappointment!” Metternich said with faux shock and a great deal of mostly comical exaggeration to those present and they replied with laughter, which helped defuse the tension in the room and stop the staring contest between Adrian and Werner.

“Colonel, you have never seen my shock and disappointed face, have you?” he added with a stony, emotionless expression on his face, and after von Braun shook his head the newly minted commander deadpanned with:

“Now you know it.” using the same statue worthy expression and in a dry tone which drew more laughter from those present, even Werner gave a healthy chuckle.

After it died down Metternich took another look at the tactical display.

His gaze studied the map and it was a most distressing sight since the enemy had both flanks secure, strong fortifications and with Yemen coming they were running out of time, but as he studied the display he saw something which could give them the much needed situation reversal.

“And a potential glorious destruction, of myself and this whole fleet!”

He thought to himself, as his guts started to hurt, which was the reaction his body made when something like this happened. He could have ignored it and simply ordered a general withdrawal trough the warp portal and scuttle the wars.h.i.+ps, but if he did that it would haunt him for the remainder of his life, which could be a very short time, especially since he knew from his years in the fleet that there were some commanders who would bravely defy all logic and reasoning and no matter how sound and wise a withdrawal like that would be, they would still send him back to retake the s.h.i.+ps and without reinforcements to boot. So despite his natural tendency to avoid battle he kept his gaze on the area of the planet where he knew the decisive one would be fought. For just south beyond the mountains on the enemies left flanks was a forest, one of the densest forests on the planet.

“We could bypa.s.s the mountains and go through the forest and attack from the rear.” Metternich.

“Sir, I would endorse such a plan but the forest in too thick, how could we move the troops trough it?” Horatia asked.

“Here is how.” he replied and he told them his method.

“We still have enough resources for that, but may I remind you that if we are discovered, not only are we in danger of having the flanking force ambushed, but since the initial phase would use up most of heavy equipment, the distraction force would be vulnerable to a counterattack.” Werner said to those present quick to point out the great danger of this plan.

“Also even if we manage to do it, if we do not capture the supply dump, almost half of our troops will be isolated in enemy territory without supplies and destroyed, we cannot afford the loss!” Valyria added.

“And with our lines so thin, our forces that remain here could be cut to pieces if the enemy counterattacks, which I am certain any decent commander would do, even with the danger of him hitting the s.h.i.+ps and starting a chain reaction.” Tarkan added.

At this Metternich closed his eyes for a minute, hoping that somehow he could block what he knew he was about to say.

“What you have all said is true and doing this plan would put us in immediate jeopardy, but in our current situation the enemy has a logistical advantage over us and with a fleet inbound we have little choice in the matter, it’s conquer or die.” He paused, stood up from his seat and with his arms crossed behind his back walked several feet away from the table, and after a moment of silence he added the following:

“If we execute this plan, there is a great risk of defeat and destruction within a week, but if we do not, then certain destruction await us within the coming month, or capture and then G.o.d knows what’s next! I don’t know about you fellow sentients, but when compared to being taken by the Federation, the idea of death in battle doesn’t sound so bad.” he added for once he was speaking the truth, or perhaps the truth a soldier of his reputation was expected to say.

At this not a word was spoken within the room, the grim reality of the situation Rear Admiral Ca.s.sius had landed them in left them speechless, the silence lended itself to an unspoken agreement to execute the plan, even Werner who was known to be skeptical and indifferent to fleet commanders (that almost got him court marshaled a few times), had nothing to say for it was hard to find faults in the cold heard truth of reality.

So he had a different kind of contribution to the conversation.

“Commodore, I have a purely speculative question which I’d like you’re opinion on.” Werner asked and Adrian tensed at that, as if knowing that the colonel would continue with his provocation of Metternich.

“If, from a purely theoretical point of view, I would call you a glory seeking jacka.s.s, who only got his rapid promotion because the Warchief sponsored you and that you’re name of Hero of Marengo was a just a fluke, what would be your response?” Von Braun asked.

“COLONEL DO YOU WISH TO BE FLOGGED!!!!” Adrian angrily shouted from the top of his lungs, his arm going to the hilt of his sword, he looked poised to attack Werner over the Colonel’s gross breach of protocol and great disrespect to a superior officer, von Braun remained unfazed and simply smirked.

Metternich, despite having a look of anger of almost the same caliber as his knight  did on his face, raised his hand to stop his subordinate from escalating the conflict, which seemed to partially calm Adrian down, as he let go of his sword hilt but not before adding:

“I was at Marengo sir, and I a.s.sure you that was no fluke!” the hatred for Werner was evident in his eyes as he sat back down.

But this was quickly forgotten by those around the table, as they all gazed at Metternich to gauge his reaction and a collective holding of breath was taken when he finally spoke.

“To your question Colonel, my response to your ‘speculations’ would be that ‘from a purely speculative point of view’ you will be denied lunch rations and that you will receive none at dinner.” Metternich said, and everyone where uncertain how to react at this, they expected Werner to be flogged or worse, not simply be sent to bed without supper for being a naughty boy.

Von Braun who was equally surprised as the others looked ready to point out the fact, but before he could say anything Metternich continued with:

“And if the colonel adds any more, he will be denied four days worth of rations.”

“You would deny the commander of your most elite infantry unit food right before a major operation?” Werner said, astounded at just how merciful one moment the punishment seemed to be and just how cruel it was the next.

“No Colonel, you will be the one to deny the aforementioned officer four days worth of food, so what happens next is entirely you’re responsibility.” the Commodore said and gazed with his red eyes at Werner, the color and intensity growing with each pa.s.sing moment of silence, making even the hardened infantry commander starting to feel ‘uncomfortable’ under that burning stare.

“Understood sir! And thank you for answering my ‘speculations’!” Werner said with a cheerful and friendly smile on his face, not the reaction one would expect when threatened with starvation.

“I want all preparation to be finished as soon as possible, how soon can we commence the operation?” Metternich asked after a few moments of silence.

“I’d say about 72 hours my lord.” Tarkan replied to him.

“Make it 48, also I’ll be part of the flanking attack, since that will be the decisive fight will take place I will need to be present, I am not saying that Tarkan, Werner or Adrian cannot lead it, but I must be there for morale purposes.”Metternich added which did make him grow in the eyes of his new subordinates since he willingly placed himself in the most dangerous area of the upcoming battle.

“And if things go rotten I can use that wood to properly exit stage left.” he thought of the real reason he wanted to be there and kept it to himself.

“My lord shouldn’t you address the troops?” Valyria asked the commander.

“Actions speak louder than words Valyria and in two days I intended to make this whole solar system tremble!” he said to her in a dramatic fas.h.i.+on, deciding to show the image of a brave, flamboyant and das.h.i.+ng commander, even though he didn’t consider himself one.

“Also the idea of making one big battle speech, right before a supposed secret attack, sounds like, oh…… ………what’s the proper word for that kind of idea?” he added with a soft smile on his lips, which indicated he was waiting for someone else to give the punch line.

“Nuts, commander?” Adrian added with a big smile on his face.

“Yes, that’s the one! Whether it’s the state of mind, or the fruit, it’s the appropriate word.”

Metternich said and a small collective chuckle was heard from the room, and as he got up to leave everyone else in the room gave a crisp salute, with the exception of Werner who gave halfhearted almost mocking salute which seemed to challenge Metternich to earn that from him, and instead of the desired effect of anger or of a indignation, the end result was only a few private homicidal thoughts from Metternich towards the Colonel, before turning around and leaving.

The junior commanders also left the room, all with the exception of Tarkan and Valyria.

“So that’s the man of the hour, Metternich per Pelasgiamus, what is your opinion of him Valyria?” he asked her.

“He knows how to lift a person’s spirits and he seems to have some degree of intelligence and wisdom in him, also he’s right, if we do not do this risky plan, we may not live to see home once more.” Valyria added with a small touch of nonchalance.

“And if his plan fails?” Tarkan asked, his voice filled with curiosity.

“Then this entire fleet corps and Black Beret brigade either dies in battle, from hunger, thirst or is captured and taken to a prison camp.” Valyria gave a deadpan reply.

“That’s not a very pleasant thought; shouldn’t you have a more optimistic look on the future? You could learn a thing or two from Georgaian!” Tarkan asked with a chuckle.

“My look on life is a realistic one, it’s not my fault that our reality is such garbage and I wouldn’t want to step on Georgaian’s toes, especially since his toes have razor sharp talons on them.” she said with a smile on her lips.

Tarkan gave a nod of acknowledgment, after which he got up from his seat and left to start working on the plan.

As he walked, thoughts of the battle ahead where weighing heavily on his mind, for he had never antic.i.p.ated than when they had left their base for Volun 4 on nothing more than a small ‘Moral Booster’ that it would devolve into such a desperate struggle and risky operation and the thought of dying in the land of the Empire’s enemies filled him with worry.

“What the h.e.l.l, no guts, no glory!” he said out loud to himself, in order to alleviate his troubled mind, as he took a small mirror from his pocket, looked over his uniform and made a mental notes to change it before the battle with a new one, if he was going to die in the next battle, he would go out in style!

Sergeants must look their best all of the time, especially sergeants turned officers!

In another section of the command center Colonel Werner and his subordinates were sitting down at table having a meal.

“That was a bit out of line Colonel, even for us.” Lintz said to him.

“Maybe ,but it was necessary for me to get a good idea of our new commander, after all we only know the guy for a few hours and we’re supposed to let him gamble with our lives!” Werner added as he took a sip of coffee.

“And what did you gauge from his reactions?” Montpellier asked.

“He got angry at my remark and refused to take the bait, that means he can control his emotions and impulses, he uses a punishment that fits the crime, he also made it so that I would get at least part of the blame from the troops, so that means he knows how to win a situation and avoid at least a part of the fallout from it, a good start but for now he is still on probation.” von Braun replied.

“Do you think we will be alright with him, he’s rather young for a commodore, I mean he’s barely in his late to mid twenties.” McClelland asked.

“Good question, I do not want another Ca.s.sius on our hands!” Lintz added and nearly spat on the ground in disgust, and considering his mouth was full with mustered fried pork and mashed potatoes, that was probably a good thing.

“If he turns out to be another Ca.s.sius, then we can always organize another banquet.” Werner replied coldly, as they all continued to dig in to their lunches.

Werner got a forkful of meat and potatoes, but just as he was about to take a bite he stopped, placed the fork back on his plate and pushed the plate away.

 He then laid back in his chair and simply continued to sip the coffee, the others noticed this and we’re surprised by it, but decided to say nothing about it, they only continued with their meal.