A Faint Smell of Fish

[Artsy Astra]

In the mid evening of a cool autumn day, ships bearing a banner of gold red and yellow would appear on the horizon. Within the hour after permission was granted, Marrlan ships would begin docking and offloading the 6 division Expeditionary force.
The divisions were:
The 3rd Army Division "Gravel heads"
The 6th Army Division
The 4th Army Division
The 3rd Marine Division "Helgas Hellfighters"
The 9th Marine Division
The 2nd Beast Hunter Marine Division "Pits-eye"

The men would begin separating into their respective outfits and organizing themselves.

Among the commotion, General Richard Grendel would step off the URM Grizzly with his command staff and look around the Franch port. Though they took care not to linger as they had almost immediately received orders of the more sensitive nature of their arrival. They were to remain in close proximity to their vessels as to not disturb the citizens as much as possible until they were to begin their march south.

[callmedelta]

A small crowd of interested onlookers, as well as a much larger garrison of soldiers, were there to meet the Marrlaners on arrival. Many of the upper officers in the Franerri ranks maintained a look of stoicism, while the lower-ranked soldiers didn’t bother to hide their opinions of the Marrlaners. Most faces bore looks of disgust, with the remaining minority looking either indifferent or trying to look anywhere but the Marrlanner troops. Among the civilians, most just appeared to have come out of simple curiosity, while a minority actively cheered the arriving troops.



The reason for this soon became clear as the first trainful of Marrlanner soldiers left the dockside station. A much larger crowd had gathered along the tracks, with a much smaller garrison of soldiers seemingly the only thing keeping them from marching right onto the tracks. Most of the crowd had the same disgusted look as the soldiers stopping them did, but a few closer to the end of the crowd were much more vocal. Most of the signs and banners they held were in Franerri, though the ones that were in Commons got the message across clear enough. “Colonizers Go Home!” “This is Touli’s War, Not Yours!” “Mainlander Lapdogs Are Traitors!”



This portion of the track was where most of the soldiers seemed to be, keeping the former group apart from another smaller one. This second group didn’t carry many signs, especially not in Commons. Given how they seemed to be feuding with the first group, and the comparatively warm looks they gave the train, it was clear they were a pro-Marrlaner group. Once they left behind that initial group of protesters, the trains made a straight run south to Saint Parsson. There, thanks to a much larger presence of professional soldiers and proximity to Tafatu, the reception was warmer, though a small group of anti-Marrlanner protestors were heavily watched by a division of dragoons. From there, it was a two-weeks march to Le Troi for the Marrlanner troops. 

[Greywall]

Kendaya and Aniya would await the Marrlan forces in Le Troi, several rebel leaders were now assembling within the city hall to begin the process of creating a new government. Kendaya was more or less focused on winning the war first but as usual some found ways to make themselves politicians.

More rebel troops were being trained within the capital as the new force would be led personally by Kendaya, no longer content with conscripts he wanted actual riflemen and trained combat soldiers. Armed with Marrlan weapons this force would be known as the 1st Rebel Army. Kendaya also had a local rancher train a horse and build a saddle just for him, the saddle was made to accommodate his missing leg and the horse would be trained to allow him to mount it alone.

He would be riding his horse in a stable in the outskirts of Le Troi awaiting the arrival of the Marrlan.

[Artsy Astra]

The distant sound of marching could be heard as the men and women of the MEF arrived. Commander Helga and her outfit were the first to reach the outskirts and quickly ran into Kendaya. Word would be sent back up the column that he was here but it would be a few minutes before General Grendel showed up. She would have her jeep driver pull over to begin speaking with him once they were waved down.
The older Shazzak woman stepped out of the car, flecks of grey tinted her hair and wrinkles began to take under her eyes yet she stood tall. She adjusted her glasses and spoke, "It's a pleasure to meet you Commander Kendaya, I'm Commander Helena Kent." She'd extend her hand.

[Greywall]

Kendaya was helped up by his assistants, he would lean heavily on the crutch he needed to walk as he approached Commander Kent, "A pleasure to meet you Commander, welcome to Le Troi. I wish it were under better circumstances." After the introduction, a rebel officer walked up saluting Kendaya interrupting the exchange, "Apologies Commander, the 1st is ready to march with your word." Kendaya would salute him back and dismiss him, "Do your people need rest or are you ready to march Commander Kent?"

[Artsy Astra]

She would shake her head, "No sir, they're still fresh and can move now. I'll notify General Grendel of the joint march, he shouldn't be too far back up the column now."

[Greywall]

Kendaya would mount his horse and head the 1st Rebel Army, 60,000 standard infantry armed with Marrlan weapons, 100 field guns salvaged from the UST and would begin their march South to Ferville.

[Artsy Astra]

The MEF would be right alongside them. The 60,000-strong force was made up of 25,000 Standard infantry, 20,000 Heavy infantry, 15,000 Special Infantry, 110 Field guns, 100 Howitzers, and 130 Mortars.

[Greywall]

The harsh cold winter had set in, Kendaya was wrapped up in Basotho blanket trying to fight the cold. His men marched behind him in winter gear and nearby would be the Marrlan forces, a scout rode ahead of them to see the situation at Ferville, he returned at a hastened pace. "Sir, the coalition is deployed just West of the city but the UST are East. They say Omani and the other leaders are in the city talking to the Mayor." Kendaya nodded in approval, "Good, that is..." his words were cut short by the sound of distant thunder. "Storm?" said the rider, "No. Not the one you think. We need to get there now!" he ordered his troops to double time it, the battle was now at hand.

[Artsy Astra]

The Shazzak among the Marrlan forces, even with their winter gear, were partially slowed due to the more chilled conditions coupled with their biology. Despite this, the slightly shivering sharks still attempted to increase their speed and keep pace with the Tafatu and Human/Rel portion of the MEF.

[Artsy Astra]

With the request begrudgingly accepted by Marrlan High Command and the Senate, another 4,000 standard infantry volunteers 30 mortars, 50 Field guns, and 70 howitzers 20 of them being massive 200mm coastal defense guns. They would be organized to be sent overseas. This acceptance came with a stern warning of no further refreshment of men. Only ammo and the like would continue to be sent.