Desperate times

[callmedelta]

Before Zelgius could continue, Verenes took the floor. “Why not send weapons, then? Lord knows we have enough in our stores, and replacing them will provide good paying jobs with actual safe workplaces. That avoids the blood, time and money expenditures you were so concerned about, Dufour.”

Zelgius cleared his throat, clearly annoyed. “I don’t think this is a problem one can simply throw guns at. Soldiers need time and training to learn proper tactics and not to run at the first sign of shooting. And I’m sure Director Simone can list for you a myriad of reasons why trying to move enough weapons to make a difference over the Union’s border while not alerting anyone in the UST’s government would be a logistical nightmare.” Simone nodded in agreement.

“Even if we were able to accomplish that,” Director de Angelis added, “I highly doubt it would stay a secret forever. At that point, I would be surprised if Okeema saw it as anything other than an act of war if we continued. At that point, we come right back to this room, making the same decision. It is my belief that the people of Touli should be unified and strong to prevent further exploitation from outsiders. Franerre and the Union never saw eye to eye, but for all of their faults they were one of the few states able to modernize and protect their people from the outside, and I respected them for that. But if what Monsondo says is true the Union has become no better than Lusatia, Kumosenkan, Galra, Gaelia, or any other nation who has dared oppress another on Toulian soil. There will be consequences for Franerre’s actions in these times, but I believe it’s for the best on both a moral level and for the Kingdom’s political position that we invade the Union of South Touli and protect the Tafatu people. If I thought it best, I would say we should march all the way to Noscovo and see Okeema hung.”

[aimway921]

The two Ashinarans have been discussing something between eachother in their own language while de Angelis was speaking. By the end of his speech, the General stood up to put in his two koiykas.

"A unified people on our border come to us and plead for our help from their oppressors - it is only right that we come to help them. We are interested in the stability of Touli - and that is what we shall send as our declaration of war to Okeema, if we must. Furthermore, Zelgius is right in his assessment. Sending weapons mean nothing if they end up in hands of those who lack knowledge of how to use them - and can be even dangerous in the hands of those who lack the knowledge how to fight.

Unlike Franerre, Ashinara lacks a land border. We have no need of a border defensive line, as such. At the same time, however, we still need a garrison in our own home. As such, Ashinara is ready to commit 250,000 troops. With our technological advantage - even if it is not as much as one would hope - I believe that would be more than enough to humble Okeema, perhaps even force him into negotiations."

[Greywall]

"Then...you'll help us?" Aniyah was blunt in her response but she was still surprised by it.

[aimway921]

"For the sake of freedom and stability on Touli, and for greater goal of the prosperity of all Toulian people, I General Kliment Lishenko, on behalf of my nation, vote for armed intervention into the UST crisis by means of direct support to Tafatu," the Ashinaran General proudly proclaimed.

[callmedelta]

“Now hold on,” de Angelis interjected, “While I honestly appreciate your enthusiasm and dedication to the Tafatu cause, there are a few things you must consider, General. I recall our agreement requesting our military cooperation remain a secret. I’m happy to have our commitments out in the open, but that seems to be a matter you must consult with your Hetman on, given the new information that has came to light. The second is that, while perhaps Simone may be the most authoritative source on the matter, I doubt that one can simply add 250,000 men and the associated supplies without severely taxing Franerre’s rail and port infrastructure, which will already be under strain due to our own movements.”

de Angelis paused, waiting for someone else to object, and Zelgius did. “There’s also the matter of combining our war efforts. I have no idea how the Ashinaran army operates, on an individual, tactical, or strategical level, and you don’t know how Franerre does either. We can’t prosecute a war together without knowing what each other are doing. Not to mention the fact that 250,000 soldiers of a foreign nation we just entered relations with suddenly on Franerre’s soil is a natural cause for concern from the population. There may be too many logistical hurdles for your desired outcome, General.”

[aimway921]

"We can write it off as you allowing us to transit troops through your territory, but I see your point. I will travel home immediately after this meeting to bring the case to the Hetman."

"I would much rather we temporarily tax your rail and port networks, than Touli be further taxed more forever," Mahno, the short Colonel suddenly piped up. "Looking at the situation objectively, the collapse of UST presents an opportunity for the interests we consider hostile. A lawless land is ripe for colonization, and I am confident that Galra and Kumosenkan will pounce at the opportunity immediately as they get word of the crisis. We must move with extreme haste to prevent such a tragedy for all of Toulian people from unfolding."

"You are not wrong when you say that we don't know how the other operates," the General continued as the Colonel finished. "And we never will if we don't have our first mutual baptism of fire. I propose we divide the front into two sectors. Ashinara will conduct operations in one, and Franerre - in the other. And we shall have multiple officers attached to each other's armies to observe. That way we shall both not interfere with each others operations, and, more importantly, learn from each other."

[callmedelta]

“I think you may be underestimating the strain on supply 250,000 men will cause,” Director Simone finally spoke up. “That’s not a slight tax on our rail system. We were anticipating needing the logistics to carry Franerre’s troops to the Elenrian and Galran fronts, not expecting any outside support in case of invasion. It will be hard on Franerre’s logistics carrying her own soldiers to a front we weren’t suspecting in any large amount, but doable. I think a quarter of a million men may be a goal to strive towards for the time being, not the starting position.”

de Angelis continued after him. “I do agree that time is of the essence. Galra should be our primary concern, and there is always the possible threat of Shysil seizing the opportunity. The nations to the UST’s east are too far away for them to be a consideration for the time being, and will likely come into conflict with Galra first. The Elerians are always a wildcard. Perhaps a mission should be sent their way, but I can’t say anything for certain at this junction.”

“Whatever we do decide upon,” King Dante added, “It must be done before we leave this room. We have the luxury of a first shot, as far as foreign interventions go. We need to make it count.”

[aimway921]

"I believe you misunderstood me," the General addressed the logistics concern again. "250,000 is what I project to be the maximum force Ashinara would be ready to commit. Not that it would all arrive at your shores at once."

[callmedelta]

Marshal Zelguis sighed, while Ranulf muttered under his breath. "That would certainly change my outlook on this," Zelgius said. "It sounds like an amenable agreement. We still have plenty of things to plan out, but it looks like we're in agreement."

King Dante turned to look at Aniyah. "Well then, Ms. Monsondo. You have our support."

[Greywall]

Aniyah couldn't believe it; she came to get Frannerre to send weapons anything. She was now told not only Frannerre would send troops but Ashinara as well, "thank you! All of you! We're assembling at the city of Le Troi near the Southern border of Frannerre, I can tell my people as soon as possible of your decision."

Her excitement at the results of the meeting were dulled by that old Tafatu proverb, "Trust not the hand that offers, beware of the one unseen." Both nations were quick in their decision to not only send aid but deploy troops, she kept smiling but wondered what they wanted from Tafatu.

[aimway921]

"I would recommend against that," Colonel Mahno said. "Tell them enough to fill them with the hope they need to hold out until we actually are able to mobilize the resources needed. Leak of information to the UST command may result in them doubling their efforts against you."

"Should the decision be approved with no further delay," General Lishenko continued, "I expect the first Ashinaran troops to land in Franerri ports within two weeks." He then turned to his Franerri collogues. "How long do you project it will take for troops to move from your ports to the Southern border - accounting for the Franerri troops that will also be headed the same way?"

[callmedelta]

“A compromise, if I may suggest one?” de Angelis said. “Tell your comrades that Franerri arms are coming, as I assume we will still be arming the Tafatu?” Zelgius nodded. “You can just neglect to mention that the arms will be personally delivered by Franerre’s army to anyone but your leader and his inner circle. After all, it would be rather awkward if our arms were to be seized in transit.” de Angelis smiled wryly.

Damien Simone thought about the Ashinaran’s question. “The military runs her own lines for logistical needs, but they mainly run to the Bartles and Galatea Lines. You could supply some troops from the south of the railway to the Galatea Line, but it would be a circuitous route. We could seize civilian train lines for government use, but that would require the consent of the National Chamber.”

Everyone in the room then looked at one of the two politicians. They had this far stayed mostly quiet. The military was under the King’s authority, and as such the only thing they could really do was make the process smoother or tougher for the army. Dufour was the first to speak. “You’ve convinced me it’s worth supporting Tafatu, even if I would prefer material support to military support. But the interruption would disrupt the mining industry’s exports, and many of my donors would be unhappy about that. But if you were to support lowering the taxes on those companies, or loosening some work regulations then I’m sure the PPD would vote for in favor of such a disruption.”

Verenes across from his grit his teeth. “In case you’ve forgotten, the PPD doesn’t have a majority in the National Chamber.”

“True, true,” Dufour conceded, “But the SNF isn’t as unified as you’d like. I’m sure I could convince the needed members to vote with me.”

“Why bother with the PPD when I could-“

“Enough.” Verenes was interrupted by the King. “I will work out some compromise with one of you later. Now, we don’t have time for your political squabbling. Simone, you’ll have your railways. How long would it take to move the Ashinarans to the southern border?”

“I’m going to give you a conservative estimate here, since I don’t know what equipment the Ashinarans carry,” Simone said, “But, assuming we don’t have any Franerri troops to transport and the railways are clear, I would say 10,000 men in a week is realistic.”

[aimway921]

"Excellent," the General responded. "Gentlemen, this will be the first time our armies will be working together. I hope we shall both learn a great deal from eachother."

[callmedelta]

"Very well then," the King said, "Unless you have anything else to add, Ms. Monsondo, I believe we can adjourn this meeting and each get to our preparations. Lord knows we'll have enough work to do."

[Greywall]

Aniyah would nod, "Thank you for hearing me out, I'll leave for Le Troi near the Southern border. When can we expect supplies?"