Spiders, Flies, and Possibly Spies

[StaolDerg]

Falkar mimicked the Imperator's lowered voice, making himself scarce under the shadow of the plane as he replied. "Kaln's legitimacy comes from two sources: his successful leadership of the revolt around the same time of Eleria's own war against Eonia, and his noble blood being descendant of the original Greatfern Kings, which supposedly gives him some holy right to lead as appointed by Heaven. You would be well right to call him both a heaven-sent ruler loved by the higher of our people and a brute at the same time, for he has the support of the monarchists and the theocrats, as well as those who want independence. He's reliant on them the most to back his throne, which makes up about a third of the population, but certainly not all the militaries and people themselves."

"Our own people are divided into a number of military-led provinces with varying ideologies depending on their leaders, but ultimately most under Kaln's thumb. I assume he told you about not being able to organize properly to win? Well, that is partly true- the Free Army is, as you probably guessed, a number of our provinces' armed militaries tied into one entity, controlled by his own officers and supporters, or really whoever can afford to pay their way up. Saying we have poor coordination and troops is a generous description- the officers dont' trust the soldiers, the soldiers are tempted to shoot the officers in the face. But when not in combat, these very forces are used to garrison our land. Kaln isn't a fool- he makes sure that the soldiers garrison somewhere new every few weeks so they get soft, and never their home regions. Some of the armies are blind and are little better than bandits and mercenaries, doing whatever they're told for whatever their reason is. They are very effective for when there are revolts over something such as overwork or unsafe working conditions because he wants supplies for another war. That is how he cements his position- by living in his own world."

"But you asked before what support he has amongst my own. For all the things that I can only speculate about, this is one piece of information I can say with confidence: he has none. In fact, I know those amongst my supporters who would gladly draw their revolver and give him a piece of mind. The problem is that the majority of well-trained forces reside with him, as well as military infrastructure. I merely have the majority support of the common people, and heaven knows Kaln would happily have me arrested if not for the risk of another revolt delaying his plans again. I can plan a war against him and be hopeful of a victory- but I cannot do such if he secures new war material, nor if he continues to hold my forces where I cannot command them besides fighting our eastern kin."

[DrMedic]

"I've got half th' mind tae off th' bastard myself yae know that?" He replied, leaning out of the cockpit with a scowl.

[StaolDerg]

"Were it not for the number of guards he keeps in his belt, I would happily give you my revolver to do it," Falkar agreed, shifting to look at the Imperator. "But to say he sits atop a house of cards would be underestimating. He has soldiers with the equipment and training to put down any mass movement started, and the industry to sustain it."

[Sophie]

Takanashi spoke up after listening intently. "If Kaln were to die. How easily would you be able to take command of the greatferns?" She asked, a plan beginning to form in her mind.

[StaolDerg]

Falkar frowned in thought. "Not easily, that's for sure. Although many of my kin are disaffected, Kaln still controls the vast majority of the military forces, along with a considerable number of supporters, most of the military governors with him- six out of nine, to be exact. I myself have a single supporter, Lieutenant General Kerriat, who while with a miniscule force of his own, supports with his access to the Delta and the last governor, Marshal Velcher, is more a paid bandit than official supporter if anyone. If Kaln were to die, they'd simply fall into line behind one of his own subordinate generals that he probably has lined up, then pin the blame on my clique for one reason or another. Ultimately, they control the factories and the armies- I can maybe at best call up their local populations to mass strike for a few weeks at best before they bring in more soldiers to smash whatever remains. I cannot guarantee sympathy from the east, for they have no reason to trust me. If words come to blows, I expect I will last at the least four months, perhaps half a year with militias I raise without regaining control of my army. With, a slog of a civil war that will very likely cost dearly with no unity whatsoever. Without help, I cannot guarantee anything."

He watched the other General carefully, wondering if they would furnish him themselves with equipment. It was clear their meeting with Kaln had gone abysmally, but if they'd be willing to assist him was still up for question. He purposely left his relationship with the east unclear- both because he was genuinely unsure of support from them, and because he feared them knowing more about his rather... xenophilic attitude towards the Crown and inselni might damage his argument, given their tumultuous history.

[DrMedic]

"Perhaps this is something we could arrange, but if someone just stepped in and replaced Kaln, we wouldnae stand tae gain much. Ah'd think it'd be best if he saw trial, the brass won't see much, but a proper trial that folks can believe is fair should send waves through the lower ranks. Of course, key word there is should. Cannae say I know much about yer armies there, General Falkar." The Imperator replied from within his aircraft, the ailerons and rudders fluttering up and down as he checked the traction of his control surfaces.

[Sophie]

"Maybe," Takanashi interjected, "You could strike a deal with TAKPOE. Convince them to protect your people while you take power within the Greatferns. We can assure you take power from here with a rapid strike force." She looked back to the imperator, "I do agree that putting him on trial would be best. For now, we should fly back home to Eleria and prepare for the assault here."

[StaolDerg]

Falkar couldn't believe what he heard out of the general's mouth? He pondered if he'd grossly miscalculated Elerian xenophobia- or was this a trap? He shook away the thought immediately, decrying that built-in paranoia of his fellow countrymen. No, perhaps they simply misunderstood the relationship between Greatferns and TAKPOE. No matter- this was a genuine benefit to his argument.

"If I had a channel of communication to them that wasn't fully occupied by the lies of Kaln's followers or marred by distrust from the TAKPOE's own government, I would have done so by now. The simple truth for such an endeavor is that I need a medium to reliably speak to TAKPOE without being interpreted as another ruse. I'm sure they understand that there are Greatferns who are willing to cooperate with them- but the behavior of Kaln's underlings during combat understandably forces caution on their side, even if it means that I have to take matters in a more... different approach." 

[DrMedic]

Laurence carefully worked over the Greatfern's words in his mind. This could be the opportunity, the chance to strike a decisive blow at the heart of a group determined to bring Elenria to its knees. If he played his cards right, this simple trio of strangers could very well be capable of bringing great change to the ancient kingdom. Further still, they could prove a most useful ally for Eleria, what with their access to warm water ports and the great wealth of their parent Kumosenkan among many other things. Yet even with the great benefits laid before him, doubt still clouded the pilot's thoughts. If the Empress took this wrong, viewed his involvement as an affront, or even a challenge to her rule, it could spell the doom of his fledgling empire. All she would need to do is say the word and all the hopes and aspirations of his people would be snuffed out, with a decent chance they would be shackled once more. Empress aside, if General Falkar proved to be less reliable than he had hoped, it could push his efforts back to square one, likely further. He wished it were as simple as diving onto an unaware enemy fighter, engine off with guns ready to bear against his foe, he was never very good at political matters. Even still, he had a duty to his country, to humanity to see this through, to provide a brighter future. The young Imperator closed his eyes and took a deep breath, pushing himself over the last mental hurdle that stood before him.

"Yae need tae pay a visit tae Eleria, so we can discuss our options without fear of drawing the attention of our enemies, both within and without. All yae need tae do is get into the plane, and we can work together to resolve this problem in a way that benefits us both." He said in a hushed tone before starting his engines.

[StaolDerg]

Falkar hadn't expected to get this far. He was incredulous, delighted, but very much aware of his surroundings, careful not to make himself too apparent, just in case they were being watched. Pushing back the urge to turn about in the din of the engines, he nodded, saving his questions- and requests- for the plane ride. 

[DrMedic]

Silently returning the General's nod, Laurence stood from the pilot's seat, climbing through the fuselage to the back of the plane where he opened a door in the side for passengers to board.

[StaolDerg]

Falkar quickly boarded, thinking about what he'd need to do en route. Perhaps he could have the Imperator bring a message his allies by air? His own people weren't used to him dissapearing- but they did expect it, even if it usually meant the worst in their hearts. He hoped his lieutenants made the right choice and held back themselves while he conferred in Eleria. Please, he silently begged to the heavens as he stepped into the steel bird's hollow body, let them be patient. Let them hold themselves back from superstition and panic. Give me time, I beg you. I won't be long- I only need time.