A Commander's Considerations

[Kira]

With the arrival of fall, the considerations of Valderan Command turned to consider a far more deadly foe in their eyes. The southern snows would soon be upon the nation, along with the bitter cold they would bring. Trade would nearly freeze beyond that which came on the new Zedonian rail road, and the logistical ability to supply the Valderan's weapons of war would be crippled. Within the town of Harrlowsburrow, Field General Tyrann stood among several of his officers. Before them on the ground of the former market square was a rough map of the region surrounding Xagreau and it's neighbors. The battlelines of the eastern and western front's were drawn accordingly, with minor notes made on the map about planned troop movements. 

Looking around the assembled officers and trusted couriers, the General began his speech.
"Before us lays a enemy unlike any other. The ganglanks of Xagreau seek us gone from these shores, removed from the homes we built. They think us weak and fragile due to our size, and believe we have no ability to fight them off. If these thoughts have not be bled from their minds yet, they will soon discover the folly of their attack." The General took a drag from his cigar, knocking off the ashes off as he exhaled, resuming soon after. "Commodore's Grant and Rex advance along with our Zedonian allies on the Eastern front, while the Kith and our detachment aids their own assault in the west."  Outlined in their respective colors on the map, the General took the cane used for indication as he directed a line from the pink forces north into Xagreau territory.

"Their lines as stretched thin, while we have yet to devote the rest of our forces. Commodore's Arcus and Walshin are to lead the assaults flanking the Xagreau, aiding in the breakthrough of hostile defenses. We must take as much as we can, if we are to reach the capital by winter." Those assembled murmured between themselves, a few giving open affirmations as the General took another drag of the cigar. A more minor officer rose his hand to speak, Tyrann giving a nod towards the man as he took the floor "Warfare of this style has never been tried, my liege. Along with that, these foes have seemed determined in their goal and spite. They may not accept a quick peace when things start going south" The officers continued their murmuring, turning to the General for an answer. The Mil'Nor in-turn pointed directly towards the capital "They have no aid or allies to come to them, and I doubt they will be able to supply a war for long. Be it by blood or by weapon, they will run out of the ability to fight eventually. Beyond that, the more they waste on the Xaspesh defenses, the better we will have breaking them here. Victory is at hand gentlemen, we must simply seize it"

[Kira]

With the arrival of the winter snows came also a thorn in General Tyrann's plans. Sent from the capital was the honorary Elder Tzu, foremost scholar of war within the Clans-turned Republic had to offer. An Inselni refugee from the before the fall of the old Empire, regulation's following the man's own teaching had been enforced throughout the army. The two were to meet within the war room established at Harrlowsburrow, the town having been rebuilt more as a fort then a place to live. Standing alongside his own guard at the rail station, a UKUG engine pulled along the lookout and passenger cars it carried. Once arrived, Elder Tzu and his delegation would disembark, the nine-foot tall Elder towering over the much smaller Mil'Nor. Forced to look skyward, Tyrran cracked a grin at the Inselni



"Does the air at least treat you well up there, Elder? I can't much imagine the smell of these ganglank here much agree to you" Tyrann said. The Elder gave a forced puff of air before he spoke in response. "Not much better then I can imagine it fairs you, little one. Now tell me, how have your initial breakthroughs faired?" Tyrann gave slight bow in response before turning to lead the war forward, both delegation's moving towards the former inn of the town.



"Caustics in the West were last reported to be running higher then initially projected, but our winter offensive had kicked off as a resounding success per latest reports." Tyrann responded, the Mil'Nor giving a dismissive gesture towards the direction of the battle field as they walked. "They have grown weak and brittle over the past twenty years alone per your own observation, Elder. The aid given by the old world have proven to be more then effective at seeing to our own defenses."



"Caution is of the primary concern on the field of battle, Field General Tyrann." The Elder replied as they reached the building, his voice hushed as they made their way to the war room proper. Door sealed and the place near empty save for the two and a few chosen officers, the Inselni continued. "I doubt you all have forgotten my words on the matters of ears, yes? If nothing else, it is good to hear some of our losses were avoided. What of our allies aid and losses?" The General indicated towards the central map the room, new tokens having been made to represent the different newly formed branches of the Valderan Military. The deployment of UKUG airpower was tracked alongside the Valderan's own minor efforts, with the armored pushed of the eastern and western front's displayed endpoint's projected further then ever possible before the past few decades.
"Their losses have been far larger then our own. I doubt we really have anything to gain from this, following my understanding our of current and future orders" Gesturing towards the Xaspesh front, which had barely been defined on the map, the General continued "Their number has been spent to a horrific degree on both sides. Their use to us diminishes with each man they lose"

The Elder took a seat that had been brought forth for him, an Kumo routed Elenrian import luxury chair, a drink from his homeland having been delivered to him upon arrival to the war room. He'd take a sip, appreciating the wine before he'd speak.
"A fair assessment, Field General Tyrann. I take it you've also begun to test my theories as well?" 
"We have" Tyrann replied, taking his own seat as he lit a cigar. He'd give it a puff before blowing the smoke away from the Elder. "Reports on hygiene, proper outfitting and medical treatment are positive thus far, both from officers and by what makes it this far up. The Captain's idea has seemed useful thus far, with casualties turning out non-fatal due to his efforts and those under his command. Any further campaign waged would fare well with a proper hospital supplied as close as logistically possible. The use of trucks for both supply and the offered mobility to keep up with our Pomaz imports is believed to prove vitally crucial during our winter reinforcement"

The Elder gave a nod, taking another sip before he spoke.
"On that we are agreed, little one"

[Kira]

Dusk settled on the town of Harrlowsburrow, and as Elder Tzu strolled along the defenses and guards of the town, he was glad for escape from the capital. General Tyrann had finally left the Elder to go revise plans for the spring counter offensive, giving the Elder time to enjoy the quiet of the countryside. He'd return salutes casually, although the few attempts to grovel to the Elder brought a firm quip about zealotry to the offender. From the horizon of the north, a Siskin fighter caught the Elder's eye. He had heard about these "aeroplanes" long before this war had begun, and puzzled about their possible applications on the battlefield ever since. His own people had at one point possessed the power of flight, the proof of which was the Inselni's wings. The idea of a "Sky Rider" was not new by any means, but with the combination of utility with mobile units and firepower from Old World weaponry, it's importance could prove to be the lynchpin of any engagement.
~
The fighter soon landed at the makeshift runway the Valderans had built. While unable to service any of the heavier UKUG planes, the dirt path worked well enough for the pilot's landing. Private Sugo brought the craft to a stop on the dirt, the man practically collapsing onto the steering once he engaged the break. A few assigned ground crew rushed to the plane, yelling for the man's attention as Sugo felt a smack on his check.
"Wake up little one, and give me your report." The voice held an strange accent to it, and as Sugo opened an eye to view the disturbance, he'd find himself wide awake. The yells of the ground crew had silenced now as Elder stood above the Mil'Nor, a tested patience clearly heard in the Inselni's voice.

Rising to a quick salute, Sugo's exhaustion was pushed aside as he spoke
"Private Sugo reporting sir! Hostile forces in full retreat, minimal allied casualties sighted." Elder Tzu eyed the Mil'Nor for several seconds before giving a small smile. "Very good, Corporal Sugo. You are to inform your comrades of this news before you prepare for your next flight." Sugo was left confused by the Elder's words before the man quickly bowed his head as it clicked. Those others assembled were already moving off to inform others, with celebrations being talked about for the rapidly approaching Day of Rising.
~
Tyrann had been napping when news came to him of the victory, the man more displeased by the disturbance then celebratory. Victory had yet to be won, and with news of the Xaspesh and Western fronts breakthroughs, little time was to be wasted. Orders were drafted and sent out to push for Jakka, the trucks and armor from Pomaz to be used to rush the retreating defenders. If reports were to believed, the Valderan's had broken the enemies morale and numbers. Tyrann intended to finish what the Xagreau started, the man soon beginning on his own report back home. Gentaki and his people had preached for years for the Mil'Nor's exile from a snowbound home, and the General was more then happy to return the sentiment.