At The Border

[alxeu]

First Recon Company:

After a few days of scouting out the Franerri fortresses for weak-points and the trenches for vulnerabilities, the First Recon concluded its work and returned to Elenria.

Their biggest breakthrough in potential attack avenues was a pair of fortresses that were a bit out of the way compared to the other fortresses and which were likely out of range of the guns of the others in the area. Whether or not further defenses were similarly out-of-place was hard to tell, but it offered at least a direction of attack in the sector, which was probably the best they were going to get. On the whole, however, this sector appeared to be the most heavily defended in the neck and would require significant effort to dislodge.


Third Recon Company:
Night Four of Infiltration

In the fading hours of the night, the Third Recon finally found an area of the trench line safe enough to cross without any risk. Their maps of the border itself indicated some rough terrain along the border they could bypass going even further south, close to the river that demarcated the southern Elenrian border with Franerre.


Franerri Investigation:
Between Night Four and Night Five

By now, the locals had realized something was wrong with the increasingly large manhunt going on in the area. Local men offered aid in looking for the missing soldier, unsure of what he looked like, but now concerned by the matter, they would offer what help they could.

The main investigation, meanwhile, continued its work, taking photographs and sending them to the proper authorities to get them analyzed. With luck, they would get an answer in two-three days’ time. Out in the field, the search continued.

It took most of the day and deep into the afternoon, but with the sun setting, the worst possible news was confirmed. An unusual formation of rocks marked with a long branch was found deep in the woods near one of the local hamlets. Stumbled upon by a farmer and his dog, the formation was removed to find a partially decayed, stinking body wearing a military uniform. The farmer brought the body back to his hamlet and sent notice to a nearby fortress. It would be an hour after sunset that the body was brought to the fort, 5-6 hours from where Leblanc’s investigation was stationed, and a telegram was sent to Leblanc.

DEAD BODY IN LOCAL WOOD   DOG TAGS MATCH MIA PVT   BODY DEAD FOUR DAYS   
CAUSE UNCLEAR TWO WOUNDS   DOC LOOKING   RESULT TMW

[callmedelta]

Fort Douglas

Inspector Leblanc sipped at his mug of imported coffee, thinking. It was an expensive imported treat, saved only for a reward after a job well done, or for when he needed a pick me up working on important jobs. This occasion was very much the latter. With a soft metallic click Maurice flicked his lighter open and lit a cigarette. Inspector Camus, for his part, paced in a straight line from one end of the admittedly small room to the other. His eyes were closed as he paced, the man trying to imagine the scene. Maurice didn't worry about Albert tripping or falling walking like that. It had been Inspector Camus' preferred method of thinking for as long as the two had been working together.

Leblanc blew out a puff of smoke. Tonight was one of thinking and speculations. Tomorrow would likely be one as well, as soon as the result from the medical headquarters at Fort Gatrie, and it would probably result in half of what the two thought of tonight being thrown out. Such was detective work. "It has become clear to me that Private Favre was neither murdered nor a deserter," Leblanc said. Camus opened his eyes and shot a look at Maurice, his eyebrow raised. It wasn't an accusatory look, it was an opening for Maurice to explain himself. "If Favre had deserted, why would he have been killed by the very people who, until this point, we had been assuming was helping him desert?"

"Perhaps he was paying for their services?" Albert asked, returning to his pacing. Devil's Advocate was practically the man's middle name. "We know our Favre was a gambler, and either bad at it enough or desperate for money enough to cheat. He may have needed it for something, that something being his desertion."

"I thought of that too," Leblanc answered, "But if it was a monetary dispute that dissolved into a murder, why the odd cause of death? Why the burial? If it was payment, why not turn him into the government as a deserter? The reward would likely make up for whatever Favre had paid them, unless our Private was much richer than he let on."

"Risk of Favre selling them out?" Camus offered.

"Who do you think the government would believe? A cowardly deserted who would do anything to get out of military duty, or a group of Franerri citizens only doing their patriotic duty and turning him in?" Leblanc countered.

The room was silent after that, save for the pacing of Camus and the occasional sip of coffee from Leblanc. It wasn't hard to connect the dots. Assuming the exceedingly unlikely outcomes of a random mob of Franerri Inselni murdering a solider were just that, exceedingly unlikely, the only potential source for those tracks would be Elenrians. The most likely reason, one could naturally assume, that a group of Elenrians crossed the border and murdered a Franerri solider without a declaration of war was a test of sorts. One, it seemed, Franerre may not have passed. Neither man wanted to utter what they both knew themselves and the other was thinking, as if the truth wouldn't be real if they didn't acknowledge it.

It was Camus who broke that near-silence, reaching into his jacket for a flask. "My God help us all."

[Sophie]

Third Recon Company:
Being Kumo, the choice was obvious take the rough terrain home. Hiking up mountains and even ninety-degree angles was no challenge for a Kumo with their adherent pedipalps. Before dawn could break, they had once again reached Elenrian soil. Their primary radio operator immediately called the motorized HQ for a pickup.

---

The next day at the territorial army base near the border. Each of the Recon company's combined commanders had just finished giving a complete and detailed report of the situation beyond the border. "They're not just weak. They're pathetic." General Makoto Suzuki was practically drooling at the mouth. "If we were to apply any pressure to this line, it'd snap like a twig in winter. All of you will be receiving commendations for this. However, Captains Satsune Kitahara and Penika, for bravery in face of extreme circumstances, I will be recommending each of you to receive the Empress's eye."

For a moment, both Captains were stunned. The Empress's eye was the highest possible award that could be handed out during peacetime. "Suzuki-kama," Captain Kitahara spoke without an ounce of tremble in her voice, "I believe all credit is due, Private Naiya. Without her strength, skill, and accuracy, our mission would have been guaranteed to fail."

"Are you requesting your recommendation go to a Private, Captain?" A baffled Suzuki questioned.

"That is to whom the credit is due, Ma'am," Kitahara spoke, entirely sure of herself.

"Very well, Captain. I will be recommending Private Naiya for the Empress's Eye, as well as immediate promotion. It's not often you speak so highly of someone." The General noted, writing the recommendation change down on her clipboard. "That will be all. You're dismissed."

"Thank you, Ma'am." Each of the officers bowed and then saluted before leaving the room to the two generals.

"The Mzukarakana is in place in Aundi bay, the seventh marine army is in place and ready for action, the Yayuri fleet is foaming at the mouth for action, the Franneri are weak and helpless, and the Empress has delegated all responsibility to me."

Api looked at Suzuki; her anxiety painted her face clearly. "Suzuki-kan, what do you mean? You said you weren't sure why we were here."

"Circumstances have changed, General Api. Prepare your women for war." Immediately Suzuki sent a message home, reading only, "We are ready."