Spiders, Flies, and Possibly Spies

[DrMedic]

Laurence gave the Lord a nod, taking a seat at one of the available chairs as he inspected the elegant craftsmanship of his surroundings. It was quite nice, very different from Elerian styles and not necessarily his taste, but beautiful nonetheless. He imagined it probably would've been even more stunning, were it not for the egregious amounts of propaganda plastered about the place. 

"Lovely architecture, though I must say I find the more recent additions to the décor a bit tasteless, they take away from the original beauty that was here."

[StaolDerg]

"Consequences of appropriated structures, I'm afraid," Kaln replied apologetically. "The place is one of the few hardened structures that we have to hold against the assaults of the Lizards and their puppets, taken during a fierce campaign around the time of your own revolt against the demihumans. Its rapid conversion into a major headquarters was... hasty, I should think." He nodded towards the posters. "I'm sure that given time from relentless attacks we might have had the opportunity to actually give the time a proper redecorating, but, well, fate has other plans."

[Sophie]

"It's understandable that decoration isn't exactly a priority. I can't imagine the spiders provide much of an opportunity to relax." She looked around the building taking note of as much as she could so she could get accurate information back to the web of logistics to aid in the ousting of future greatfern bases. "The fortifications here are.. adequet. Though I can't imagine they would sustain a dedicated assault from the Kumo."

[StaolDerg]

"Indeed so," the Greatfern agreed. "We've only ever faced assaults by royalists and Territorials, nothing close to any sort of equipment that could be fielded by the central Kumosenkan military. Another reason why I reached out to the Imperator for assistance- there's not exactly much we can do against fifteen centimeter cannons with the masonry we have for protection. Nevertheless, are you comfortable to begin?"

[Sophie]

'Good.' She thought, 'They haven't heard of the troop deployments yet. Surprise is heavily on our side. The greatferns will be easy to topple with the forces we're dedicating to hunting them.' Holding back a smile, Takanashi nodded. "As comfortable as I can be. Let's get this show on the road."

[DrMedic]

"Of course. There is much to discuss and time is of the essence." Laurence replied, pulling out a notebook and pencil so he could write things down throughout the course of the meeting.

[StaolDerg]

"So then," Kaln began, pulling out a notebook for documentation of his own. "You mentioned in the letter that you wished to know more about my people's plight and condition. Is there anything specific you would like to know, or would you like a general overview of what our state is instead?"

[DrMedic]

"A general overview, but really the things I'm most interested in are why you're fighting, what you changes you'd make that the Kumo can't, and how exactly you're convincing people to join you."

[StaolDerg]

The Greatfern nodded. "Naturally. My forces, the Greatfern Free Army, are a combined mass of all Greatfern military units under my command. While some reasons for our struggle may not align with one another among the many... executive officers of my government, our first unifying reason for conflict is the defense of our people from both Kumosenkan and Inselni political and economic dominance, the past results of which have been beyond negative for centuries. Not since the last defeat of Greatfern kings long before the Reign of Akel the First have conditions improved much, and even then they have been marginal. The next would be the establishment of an independent Greatfern state under the jurisdiction of a Greatfern-led government. As far as the Crown are concerned, my people are divided- but I am of the opinion that they should be readjusted for Human rule, as should the Inselni. There is ample evidence that their method of rule is inconceivably corrupt in its style of temporary and corrupt leadership. We should have the say in what happens to our resources, and we should have the say in the laws that govern Elenria. For things that Kumo cannot provide, why we'd give our people freedom from their insufferable taxes and provide a nation that actually cared for them. When has Kumosenkan ever given so much as a hint that they'd ever give up their hold on Touli? I should think that the threats of being eaten alive, imprisoned in a work camp, starved, and the great library's worth of other painful ends is enough for people to join us."

[DrMedic]

Laurence nodded, taking notes whilst carefully dissecting Kaln's words as he contemplated what he'd say next. 

"Alright, and when did you last try to work with... whoever leads Elenria? Have you attempted to reach out to the Kumo and perhaps work together towards a solution? Oh, and of course I should ask, what do you know of these attacks on civilians I've been hearing about?"

[StaolDerg]

The Greatfern leader shook his head. "For what? They want us to pay taxes that scrape the moon in their demand- how could I reasonably justify such a demand on my people? I have a duty to protect their interests, and their interests ask that they not starve every season when tax collectors come. If we don't pay, they will send the Territorials to arrest us and the trains to take our people away to the camps. Even if we did negotiate a new deal, why would they spend it on developing our lands for anything but the development of their own interests?  No, we refuse to be enslaved like the Crown and the Inselni are. No compromise unless the Kumo lower the taxes. As for the civilian attacks, I cannot say for sure. My forces are numerous but scattered by constant war. While I can command them on large-scale operations, the soldiers can grow restless. If the Territorials did not spend every other day abducting people from their homes, perhaps my troops would not have to resort to such extreme measures to equate that their honor to protect their people did not go unpaid- even if that means taking the lives of those suspected to have helped the Crown with their filthy atrocities."

[DrMedic]

"I couldn't care less whether or not your enemy's doing it, your men shouldn't be. I have no respect for an unprofessional army that can't even maintain order within its ranks. If you fail to keep even your own forces in line, how will you manage to lead your nation to glory?"

[StaolDerg]

"It is admittedly difficult," Kaln pointed out, "to lead my nation when I have exactly no radio, barely phones, and just about no telegraph either. I have no schools to teach my people, no factories to make such equipment. The Kumo rob my people of everything they can lay their hands on, and their lizard underlings are only too happy to deny my peoples' homes modern infrastructure, whether through civil governance or military sabotage. Orders I give to the frontlines specifying the removal of unprofessional officers are ignored or obsolete by the time they've arrived. Any attempt I make to rally and reorganize, the Territorials immediately launch an assault. I cannot buy equipment either- where from? Franerre is too far away, the southern border too heavily guarded by Territorials and rough terrain. Thus why i turned to Eleria."

[DrMedic]

"Surely you must understand why I'm not exactly eager to supply you and start yet another war though, right?" Laurence asked, letting a pause hang in the air before continuing. "But I digress. You realize you've been branded a terrorist by Kumosenkan, right? That means the majority of Elenria believes you desire to do little more than spread fear, discontent, and hatred among the people. Couple that with your men running around like savages and doing as they please, and it's no wonder you aren't able to drum up much support. Your cause has no legitimacy whatsoever, which I'd imagine is why Kumosenkan refuses to give you the time of day, and the men amongst your ranks do little to actually provide you any form of legitimacy. You lost this war even before you had equipment troubles, you lost when your countrymen's perception of you slipped through the cracks and into the abyss below. You and the Greatferns serve to sow chaos and disorder, Kumosenkan does the opposite."

Laurence sighed, rubbing his temple as he carefully picked his next words. 

"Understand, I would gladly swoop in and lend my expertise were it not for me trying to resolve this conflict peacefully. Unfortunately, that's going to be exceptionally difficult when you and Empress Reito won't even speak with each other. Would you mind if General Douglas and I took a moment to speak in private? I need to hear a second opinion on this, and I'm not eager to reveal my hand to anyone just yet."

[StaolDerg]

Nothing about the way Kaln's body language reacted said anything about him was calm. A storm had gathered in his eyes, and he clenched his jaw with suppressed fury. Insolence- to him! To his face! To all of his people, brought low by one they held so high. He saw a treasonous betrayal by Laurence to be called amongst anarchists and butchers. Blood rushed towards his face, but he tightened his jaw so that they only seemed to more pale.

He knew he'd only worsen it if he had an outburst here. He felt the desire to point out what Kumosenkan did was about a thousand times worse compared to what his men could possibly do, that they fought to make the lives of their people better, the colleges they'd sought to build, but... the Imperator spoke the truth- that his armies had no good reputation among anyone but themselves and their fellow people. He felt that he of all people had little reason to seek diplomacy with barbarians- those who would gladly have him arrested the moment he wrested to make peace. 

Even so, Kaln nodded, motioning behind them. "The room across should suit your needs fine."