The Winter Exercises

[Moshel-Generał]

The Red Army was under going harsh exercises. Maréchal Tukha was disappointed with the status of the troops, believing they were not ready to fight, and that the officer corps was also in shambles. The caused a massive shakeup of the leadership of the Red Army, with many former revolutionary generals being forced into retirement while younger officers were promoted. The problem was the Tukha herself was not thinking long term, and the dismantling of the Red Army command was detrimental to long term war plans. as such it was up to the many Générals under her to fix the problems she was inadvertently responsible for.

The most important of these Générals was Yury Zhu. Considered a tactical mastermind within the Red Army she was able to ensure that many of the fired officers were instead given office assignments to help with planning logistics and the like. While she may disagree with the Maréchal's methods she did agree with the reasoning. The Red Army barely survived the Revolution, winning due to select few officers as well as the timely deaths of the enemy commanders. The new generation of Officers are to be trained by the core officers of the Revolution and hopefully will lead to a stronger Red Army.

---

"These results are abysmal," Tukha said angrily staring at the reports of training. "They are just using numbers to overwhelm the enemy, not tactics." She took a swig of her flask. "Yury, how are the new officers doing?"

"They are coming along Maréchal," Yury responded stiffly. She was tasked with training up the first group of officers and was annoyed as well at their slow progress. "They still need work. I believe the Revolution has gotten several stuck in their ways. I am in the process of beating it out of them."

"Good. We will forge them into stronger officers yet." Tukha stared at the lists and noticed a mark next to another officer. "Who's this Konsta you have highly rated?"

"Konsta is the newest Mobile Commander. She was a former cavalry officer during the war and has transitioned to our motorized corps. She believes in our modernization plans."

Tukha nodded and then sat down in her chair. "Yury, I need your honest opinion. What is your view of the state of the Red Army?"

Yury thought for a moment before answering stiffly, but honestly. "The Red Army is in disarray. Many officers have grown complacent. The best thing to do would be to show them how complacent they actually are, but we cannot do that without going to war, and we cannot go to war without fixing the complacency of the officers."

Tukha nodded. "We are in agreement. Général we are halving rations and moving the soldiers and officers out of the barracks. You are to split the Army in whatever way you see fit and select your top officers. We will be holding a mock campaign."

Yury saluted. "Yes Maréchal!"

[Moshel-Generał]

The mock campaigned ended in complete success for Général Zhu's forces. She completely dismantled the opposing forces, driving home the need for modernization. After seeing the new tactics in motion the resistance to the modernization faded and many officers took to their new tasks with gusto. At the end of the exercises the Red Army started to look like a much more dangerous military force. The General Staff met with the Maréchal in order to discuss the results of the exercise.

---

"Congratulations on turning around the horrid performance from earlier," Tukha said dismissively. "Before I was worried that we would lose the next war we fought. Now I can confidently say we will at least hold our own. Now however it is time to prepare our defenses against the enemies of the revolution." She pointed to the map of the borders on the table in front of all of them. "We are surrounded by enemies. Transkolyma survives. This middling alliance surrounds us. If we are to survive we mush prevent these nations from getting any bright ideas."

"The border garrisons request more support Maréchal," spoke one of the officers. It was Général Omer Pétain, one of the old guard who had survived. He was known for the tenacious defense he had put up with the Imperial Army during the Staol War, and was currently in charge of planning border defenses. "As it stands a concerted effort by the alliance would be able to push through our defenses. I recommend doubling our border defenses."

"Let's not act too hastily Général," Yury replied stiffly. "If we double the garrison there is no telling what they might do. However I do agree we are lacking on the borders. My recommendation is that we have the forces that Général Pétain requested on standby near the border, but just far away enough that they won't be detected by the alliance's border personnel. That should give us enough troops for a quick defense as well as prevent a provocation on the border."

There were nods of agreement, including from Pétain who was happy to have hear his concerns addressed, before the Maréchal spoke again. "Then we shall follow Général Zhu's plan. Increase the border garrison without letting the alliance find out. Comrades, I expect success. We are the shield of the Revolution. The citizens depend on us. For the honor of our people!" There was a chorus of salutes as the officers responded to the Maréchal. As they dispersed to carry out their orders Tukha smiled to herself. The Red Army was looking ready.