AN UNNAMED MEDITERRANEAN ISLAND
HOME OF THE ULI-SCHWYZ REGIMENT
He sat on the bench staring out the window. It was a rare cool, breezy day on their Mediterranean island. A pint of Burgunden Chateaux pilsner sat in front of him on the thick, scarred table. It was half finished. Sigma and Psi Companies of 3rd Battalion were having a sevens friendly out on the parade ground, right out his window. Yet, his eyes didn't...couldn't focus on them, as he was off in a dark cloud, replaying one of the more horrific days in his head from a couple years back. Coming fresh off their successes during the Big War and some occupation contracts, they had signed on with their latest client, Generalissimo Chiang Kai Shek. They would fight the communists that had grown so much stronger during the brief couple years after the ouster of the Japanese. He remembered the last couple days as they had to fight their way to the coast and any junk or skow they could jump into. Like the other various contracted mercenaries and volunteers propping up the Kuomintang, the Uli-Schwyz had to abandon their allies to their own fate as it all collapsed so quickly. It was not a proud moment for the Regiment. They had gotten out by the skin of their teeth. He could actually still feel the salt water lapping at his boots, the smell, the sounds...He shook it off, glancing to the end of the table. A gentle hand had been laid on the mess hall table, it was attached to Dietrich. Colonel Dietrich Klempmann, who had been the hero of Ningpo, keeping 1st Battalion out of the hands of Su Yu's Eastern China Field Army of the PLA.
"General, can we talk to you?"
Jean Caragin turned around to see who 'us' was. Major Adriano Matarano stood a little off to the side holding a dossier.
"Of course, Dietrich...Adriano. Quan vas lopasso?"
"Well, we have a new contract here."
"Ah, sit down. Do tell."
They circled the table and scooched up on the bench on the other side of the table. Despite the off hour for meal times, there were orderlies always on duty for the officers. Klempmann motioned to one, then pointed to General Caragin's pint. "Same as the General. Zwed, dankmerz." He held up two fingers.
Major Matarano spoke first, clearing his throat.
"It's from the Panzermmian Government. During the sorting out Post-war, they were given some Axis territory to police and quite a lot of Post-war occupational duties. They got stretched pretty thin."
"Accorzu, yes. OK."
"Accorzu, so...with some other commitments to some other Allies that fought against the Pyeki and Exponent Empire during the Second Fascist War-"
"Wait. The what? When did this happen? I thought we took out all the fascist dictators during the last World War."
"Yes, sir. Sort of. The Second Fascist War happened further down on the Dark continent. 1938 to 1943, at the same time, so it's little wonder most of us never heard about it. Nobody even thought of what was occurring just a few hundred klicks south of El Alamein and Tobruk. It was quite bloody, though, from what I hear. The Exponents and Pyeki lost. Panzermmee got dragged into the occupation to help out, being a trusted neutral, not involved during the conflict."
"Go ahead, have at it. Provici!"
The pints had arrived and the Major and Colonel klinked with the General, then both took a moment to sip, before Matarano continued.
"So, the Exponents have gotten agitated recently, found a new sense of Nationalism..."
"Uh oh."
"Yes. So, it started with guerrilla attacks, then they started swarming the Panzermmian and other allied bases. They captured and smuggled in more arms and now they've just about taken everything back, driving out the 'peacekeepers'.
"Except for our new friends?"
"Except for one fire base of Panzermmian Forces, yes."
The Major, who also served as the Regimental S-2, slid a small map over of the contract AO. He tapped at the west African horn.
"Here's the fire base in red, just north of Klerksdorp, the 'pink' dot. That major town, the brown dot, is Crescent Bay, the closest major town. It's held by some Exponential Forces. The nearest major city is Espis, the big blue dot down there. Also held by a sizable force of hostiles."
"So, all their egress points are gone. Can't they fly out?"
"The rebels, er, now the Imperial Exponent Forces, keep shelling the airstrip of the base. They've closed in, but are sitting tight for now, content with some probes and sniping."
"Ah, I see. So, this is a rescue mission. Is it all up to us?"
"No, sir. They are sending a sizable force, by carrier group, but they still can't match the Exponent numbers, so we're filling the gap."
"How much did they contract?"
Col. Klempmann chimed in, "Adriano's Second Battalion, plus two Companies of the 1st. Half the Regiment, plus all but one of our squadrons."
"Accorzu, fair enough. Who is it we're rescuing again?"
"Various Panzermmian surviving forces at the Firebase. They speak English, so communications should be easy. Pretty up to date arms, mostly American."
"And the enemy?"
They took some slugs off their pints, then continued.
"Well, a little sketchy, but here's what we got: In the area? At least 2 to 3 Regiments, maybe more. It's jungle terrain and they know it well, too. Their arms are outdated, all domestic arms from the last war, or captured. Their factories were destroyed and there was a pretty well kept embargo with the treaty. Still, they have the numbers and they know the terrain. The quicker we get there, the less time they can reinforce. Also, they're still dealing with some recalcitrant anti-Imperialist groups in other areas of the Empire keeping them pretty busy. Our ride will be the Panzermmian Task Force Carrier Group. We will link up with them. Use their landing craft and such. We will have the light mobility company."
"Speaking of, how is Harry's company coming along with the patch ups?"
Captain Harold Stockbridge was the British Commander of Delta Company. They were a light mobility company that used a mixture of Indian, Triumph and BMW motorcycles and folding bicycles to traverse most terrain quickly.
"He says they're up to snuff and the bikes are raring to go. I take it you are signing off on this, sir?"
"Merd! Of course, sounds like it's right up our alley. I will have to miss the show, but Dietrich, you're the man. Make me proud."
"Ja, sigher. I always do."
"Cozzfickin' arrogant Teuton bastard!" He drained his pint. "What are you waiting for? Get going!"
The two junior officers scrabbled to get out from the bench. In a matter of hours, the Uli-Schwyz Regiment once again geared up for battle in the jungle.
