A New Beginning

by Alexander W Meurant

  Sain was sitting wide eyed on his bunk staring at his boots that he had just laced up. The youth looked up and noticed Travos. A look of confusion was all over his face.

  "What, what am I supposed to be doing Trav?" he asked rather confused. Travos felt a stab of annoyance and stepped into the room, a hand going out to grip the young man’s shoulder.

  "Get cleaned up if you haven't already. Eat some food. Get dressed into your combat uniform and make sure your side arm is in working order. Bring it all to the briefing room and make sure you get there in time. Follow Luto. Once the briefing is over, there will be a few hours to get ready and gear up fully" Travos stated and rolled his jaw, wondering if the lad was actually ready for his first real assignment. He was in a unit similar to western special forces. There would be no babysitting him. Travos just shook his head and turned away and exited the room.

  He made his way to his own quarters; a large room hidden in the corner of the barracks and collected his own combat uniform from a cupboard. Putting his folder down on his bed he quickly got changed and simply threw his discarded clothes into a pile on the floor. He would deal with them when he returned.

  Picking up his folder once more he left his room behind and strode out of the barracks. He started to walk in the direction of the briefing room area. It was a series of rooms attached to a large hangar where dropships and smaller aircraft frequently flew from. There was a small mess hall and a small number of recreation rooms. Places for soldiers to de-stress before and after briefings and de-briefings. It was also where the main armory was located. Once the briefing was over the platoon would stay in that area and get ready until the mission departure time.

  Travos saw the building in the distance and huffed. He opened the folder in his hands and started reading the content as he walked. He was going to need to know this stuff back to front for the briefing.

  Chapter 14

  * * *

  "What do you mean insurgents? Didn't we clean up the survivors of Pagua months ago?" Niall asked of Colonel Godeslas as he and Phidel’s commanders stood around the mapped table in the command Centre of Pagua. Phidel was standing in that circle tapping a finger idly at the left side of her chin as she looked intently at the map.

  Colonel Godeslas shot an irritated look at Niall and then sighed.

  "It’s not something you or her Highness has been briefed on previously as I thought it beneath your notice. It started off with isolated attacks at the beginning of winter on some supply convoys. A few logistical staff dead. My subordinates have since had a dozen altercations with the insurgents, all around the Altai mountain range in the north. We know the insurgents have their base there but not it's whereabouts. The ground is all rocky and hard to track anything over" the Colonel stated and then leant forward to tap a hand on the north of the map where a mountain range ran across a significant area.

  "So why are we hearing about this now?" Phidel asked as she turned to lock her gaze on the Colonel. The man didn't even blink before replying.

  "Because they stopped attacking convoy's and have started attacking outposts. I started flying supplies instead of trucking them and the attacks stopped. Obviously, they got desperate enough to attack these outpost's for supplies. Not that they would find much" Colonel Godeslas replied.

  "The issue is that these outposts are observation outposts. As they go down, we lose our warning systems that watch those mountains and the coast, potentially opening the north for small amphibious landings. I have already heard whispers of Federation troops being landed along the north coast to join up with these insurgents. The guerilla fighters. And the last thing I want is a fight in the mountains and then the forests of Seirei. It would compromise our entire eastern front" Godeslas stated, his finger still tapping on the map.

  "I see" Phidel simply stated and tapped her finger to her chin again. She looked thoughtful.

  "Contact General Harriet on the eastern front. I want her advice on this. Ground combat is not my forte. And Guerilla fighting certainly isn't your strong point either Colonel" Phidel stated and lifted her gaze to look Godeslas in the eye. He didn't budge though. He didn't see the Princesses words as an insult. None of her commanders ever did.

  "Ask her to send an advisor knowledgeable in such things if she has one as well" Phidel stated and nodded decisively. Colonel Godeslas dipped his head in acknowledgement and then stepped away from the table and made his way over to the communications area of the command center, obviously intent on getting right on the task. Phidel looked around at her other commanders then and eyed each in turn.

  "Any updates on the tasks I gave each of you?" she asked looking pointedly at Xevec and Niall. Niall opened his mouth just to speak even as Xevec interjected.

  "My lady. Not much from my end. Prince Harald has been, let’s say willing to acquiesce to my recommendations and has pulled back his forces from the North Sea. Last count was he had lost two cruiser class airships at sea fighting. He has lost a third of his forces fighting in the north since he left your command. I fear he is becoming a liability. Even Admiral Riley has requested the Prince stand down from the campaign in the last few weeks. It seems the Prince is too eager to make a name for himself" Xevec said, his face impassive as he held his hands behind his back and stood ramrod straight whilst he addressed Phidel. Phidel just sighed and shook her head.

  "He is no longer under my command. And without a direct order from father, I fear Harald will continue to be his own man. The siege of Pagua gave him a taste of victory, even if that victory was achieved by others" she stated as she turned her gaze to Niall and smiled. Niall felt his heart leap and then smiled in return. As Xevec remained silent, Niall rolled his jaw before reporting on his own task.

  "Well, in that case, I have some good news. Xie Li and her research team are finally set up in a suitable part of the base. Took a while to find such a location considering how insane that woman is" Niall stated and received a snort from a few of the commanders around the table. They all knew what he meant. The Lyesian defector was notoriously hard to deal with and was a complete handful for Phidel. So much so that the Princess had delegated Xie Li and her divisions matters entirely to Niall.

  "In the last two weeks, Xie Li has reported that one of her teams has managed to crack part of the code surrounding the Federation satellites. Mostly what comes through is nonsense. She calls it a waste of technology when all the Federation is broadcasting is sports games. The military satellites are proving a real challenge apparently" Niall stated his tone rather humorous. Again a few chuckles sounded and even Phidel had a wry smile upon her face.

  "Alright. Well that is good news. If there is nothing else, then you are all dismissed" Phidel stated and looked around expectantly at those surrounding her. When no one piped up she waved them away.

  "Sir Belford, if you would walk with me?" she asked with an eyebrow raised as she jerked her head towards the door that led out into the main corridor. Niall obediently followed his liege and stepped in to walk beside her. He stayed silent, waiting for her to speak. Eventually she did.

  "I heard recently that one of your bridge officers is a relative of yours. A stepsister?" She asked and Niall felt his heart jump.

  "Yes. That is correct. Her name is Jenna Yarrow. Why do you ask?" Niall asked of his liege, a frown on his face.

  "I ask only because I don't want it to be an issue. I do not approve of favoring family for positions. I know that is odd for a royal to say, but it is my stance" Phidel stated, continuing to walk. She now clasped her hands behind her back and stood straight, offering smiles to subordinates as they walked past. Niall stayed silent for a little and then sighed.

  "It isn't really an issue. I mean, I barely even know her. We met once or twice back in Rindai when I visited my father. That was it. Not really a connection. If it will make you feel better, I will transfer her to another command" Niall stated, a grim look on his face. Phidel chuckled and dropped her hands from their position behind her back.

&n
bsp; "No no, don't need to do that. If you say it isn't an issue then I will trust that. Just be mindful of any promotions you may offer her. I want it on merit, not blood. That is how it works in my command" Phidel stated just as she turned left and entered a small mess hall. Niall followed her as she made her way to the counter and picked up one of the metal trays. Getting a knife and fork as well she lay them on the tray and then sidled past the counter, looking over the food. She pointed to a few of the pre-made dishes and a cook scooped out generous amounts for the Princess. Once Phidel had what she wanted, Niall did the same.

  Once Niall had his food he turned and found Phidel waiting patiently for him. She smiled and then turned, leading the way to a bench. She parked herself down and then started eating, Niall sitting opposite and marveling somewhat at the scenario. He had never imagined Phidel to be the sort to eat beside the common soldiers, but had been pleasantly surprised to discover she did. She had once told of a method of leadership called leading by walking. She had described it as setting aside time in her day to simply walk around the area's her subordinates lived, trained and worked in. She would stop, talk and even offer advice or comments to them. And it worked. Everywhere Niall went he heard stories of the Princess, or remarks and comments filled with dedication and admiration. Phidel was a born leader. Far much more than her brothers in their own military commands.

  "I have come to a decision regarding your bodyguards as well" Phidel suddenly spoke out, snapping Niall out of his thoughts. He brought his eyes to Phidel's face and noted a small bit of rice stuck to Phidel’s face. He smiled wryly and chose not to say anything on that.

  "Oh? Do tell. I had been wondering when that would happen" Niall stated as he started to dig into his own food with gusto.

  "I asked Mark if he would recommend any of my guards and he suggested Rella Sader be appointed as your chief guard and that at least four other guards be assigned under her command. I asked Rella if she would like to serve in that capacity and she agreed, albeit it with some disdain. I suspect the promotion to First Lieutenant was what sealed the deal. She will still report to Mark. As an Army Captain he is responsible for all the details of my closest staff officers now. A nice promotion since the expansion of my command" Phidel stated wryly before scooping up more food.

  Niall stayed silent a bit, thinking as he ate. Rella didn't outright hate him. Just showed disdain for his presence. But that had lessened significantly lately. If she still had disdain, she didn't openly show it.

  "Alright. That’s fair enough. Seeing as we already have a working relationship it makes sense" Niall stated and nodded. Phidel just shook her head.

  "Just be careful with her Niall. She has a fiery temper and she holds a lot of her emotions in. Her stony expression can flip easily. I saw it once. She is highborn and knows it" Phidel stated and eyed Niall with a frown. Niall knew that look and it usually meant Phidel was planning something. He snorted.

  "I'll be sure to remember that mother" he joked softly and Phidel snorted into her food, causing Niall to laugh out loud. Now that was not a sound he had expected to hear from a princess. A few of the other people nearby shot amused looks at the two of them as Phidel raised her fork and jabbed it menacingly at Niall.

  "Now now, don't you start. I have enough of that nonsense with Xevec and my household soldiers" Phidel stated, causing Niall to offer a cheeky grin before sobering up his expression, his mind turning to something else entirely.

  "My lady. I wish to ask you something you did not discuss in the meeting that I thought you would at least touch on. What are your finances like? In the homeland I saw the production cost for the new fleet. They did not come cheap. How are you paying for the expansion?" Niall asked as he leant forward, his voice now quiet so others nearby would not hear. Phidel raised a brow and leant forward slightly, her face now quite close to Niall’s.

  "Look, I'll be honest. I don't want this as public knowledge. Xevec knows, and I'll let you in on it too. I have very little money. The grants from the Imperial coffers are drying up, the revenue from my own lands is declining and I had to take some massive bank loans just to cover costs of employment for those directly under my command" Phidel whispered to him and then sighed, leaning back a little. Niall blinked and leant back a little as well. He had not been expecting that answer. It was actually concerning. Leaning forward again, Niall shot off a question.

  "How long can we operate here then before finances dry up?" Niall asked and watched as Phidel leant forward to answer him.

  "I'd say twelve month's give or take" Phidel said and then sighed and placed her fork down on the table. She just stared at her half-finished meal now and Niall felt a stab of guilt run through him. Had he killed her appetite with an unwelcome discussion. Phidel looked up suddenly, a glint in her eye and Niall felt his guilt disappear. He knew that look, and it was one he had seen her make after Phidel was preparing to make an unpopular decision.

  "But I am working on something now with Xevec to secure funds. I have had him looking into the council and their gold. Specifically, that matter that my brother Bradley spoke to us about at the banquet for our victories here" Phidel added, her voice quiet yet firm.

  "But that is a secret, so shh" Phidel stated and lifted a finger to her lips, that playful side of her flashing through her for the briefest of moments before disappearing under her professional manner. She picked up her fork again and then started eating once more, that single bit of rice still stuck to her face. Niall followed suit, leaning back in his seat, his mind whirring now. Phidel always seemed to be thinking ahead and that was something that amazed him. He was only ever concerned with the present, not the future. Perhaps that had something to do with him growing up as a commoner. He shrugged mentally, putting the thought out his head. That was something he could dwell on at a different time and place.

  Chapter 15

  * * *

  Stepping into the briefing room after Luto, Sain cast his wide-eyed gaze about the area and looked over all the other members of his platoon. He only knew about a third of them and there were plenty of new faces. Noticing he was standing there looking like a lost rabbit he moved inside the room and took an empty seat at a desk next to Luto, a folder placed upon it. Flicking his gaze around again, he saw some of the other members of the platoon flicking through folders on their own desks, looking through the contents. He gulped.

  A few minutes went by and a few stragglers arrived, each taking seats. The whole place was deathly quiet as everyone waited. Sain looked to the front and saw Travos and Lesha quietly conversing. He felt his heart leap as he looked at Lesha. He had been spending a lot of time with her over the last few weeks. She had been helping him learn the Samite language better as well as to read and write it. His entire life revolved around a strict routine now, and because of that it seemed like the last few weeks had rushed by in a blur.

  Hearing a cough to the front Sain snapped out of his thoughts and watched as Travos cleared his throat, readying himself to speak.

  "Alright, looks like everyone has arrived. Kenna, please close the door and dim the lights" Travos stated, nodding to the rear corner near the door. Sain turned his head and saw a female soldier stand up from a desk and go over to close the door. Then she flipped the lights off and took her place at her desk once more. Sain kept looking at her, having not realized there were women in the platoon, but looking now he could see at least a half dozen amongst the forty or so people in the room.

  Looking back to the front he watched as Travos stepped towards the right side of the room and Lesha made her way to the left side. The wall was blank between them and it suddenly lit up as Travos clicked a remote. A stream of light lit up above Sain’s head and he surmised there was a projector at the back of the room. The room was quiet and Sain swore everyone was holding their breath as they waited for Travos to speak. But to his surprise it was Lesha who started off.

  "As most of you will know, the Elder Council has been in negotiations with a minor Warlord by th
e name of Rana Stouminas for some weeks, ever since he seceded from the Union. Negotiations have since fallen through and it has been decided that Rana is to be dealt with. As such, you will be getting inserted into Rana's territory via air drop. I will leave Major Ligare to explain the mission particulars now" Lesha stated and made a hand gesture to Travos as if to hand the conversation over to the Major. Travos cleared his throat again and then lifted the remote, clicking it until an overhead map of a village and what appeared to be a foundry appeared on the blank wall.

  "Everyone please turn to the first page in your folder. Unit designations are there. There will be eight units, each consisting of five personnel. Each unit will have a designation of Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo, Foxtrot, Ghost and Hotel. Make sure you know your unit and commanding officer" Travos stated.