TO: HIGH COMMAND
SO FAR MANY SUCCESSFUL OPERATIONS IN NORTHERN XATHUECIA. MOST ENEMY FORCES ARE DISORGANIZED AND CONFUSED. OUR INTERVENTION WAS NOT EXPECTED. WE’VE SECURED MULTIPLE CITIES WITHIN MILES OF THE BORDER AND ARE CREATING NEW DEFENSIVE LINES FOR LOCAL COMMAND ELEMENTS. THE XATHUECIAN GOVERNMENT HAS COMPLETELY FELL AND DISORDER IS IN THE STREETS. IF WE SHOW QUARTER TO THE CITIZENS THEN WE MIGHT AVOID INSURGENT MOVEMENTS.
BRIGADEGENERAL VOGT
TO: BRIGADEGENERAL VOGT
YOUR ADVICE HAS BEEN CONSIDERED AND THE CHIEFS OF STAFF AGREE WITH YOUR SENTIMENTS. AVOID ANY OVERLY AGGRESSIVE ACTIONS IN CAPTURED CITIES AND REPRESENT YOUR FORCES AS LIBERATORS. YOU ARE BRINGING SECURITY AND REMAKING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF XATHUECIA FOR THE PEOPLE THERE. HAVE NO SOLDIER OR OFFICER GIVE A SLIP OF THE TONGUE REGARDING OUR BATTLE PLANS. ALLOW MOST LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCILS TO FUNCTION AT A WEAKENED STATE BUT DO INTERVENE AND OBSERVE IF THEY ARE AGAINST OUR INTERESTS. OCCUPATION MUST NOT BE BROKEN. REINFORCEMENTS WILL BE DISPATCHED SOON BUT YOU MAY NOT EVEN NEED THEM. CARRY ON YOUR MISSION.
HIGH COMMAND
Field Base Vogt,
200mi from Border
“There, there and there.” General Vogt said pointing out areas on a map of Xathuecia on the table. “These are suitable locations for us to continue the push.”
Around the field base was the collection of commanders for all of the forces currently in northern Xathuecia. The fighting initially was hard and difficult and there was some loss of life, a regretful reality for the Brigadegeneral. Yet the armored forces of the 27th Armored Regiment proved to be the devastating blow needed to break through the rebel forces. By their Oberst’s tactful and ambitious maneuvers, the regiment left behind their supply forces in order to make a hard and fast strike into the defensive lines. They were crippled and pushed back, the German military free to make their presence known as they went from population center to population center, securing them in the name of the Kaiser.
While the General held a great deal of disdain for the Xathuecian people and especially after the attacks on their fatherland it seemed only more justified, the commander recognized the difficulties that would come from a harsh subjugation of the local people. He extended most towns and cities under his occupation a generous length of rope; they could still meet and congregate in public places and the local government was free to organize still, although under observation of the Heer and only at times they permitted.
Vogt looked up from the map and watched the collection of officers from each battalion and regiment under his brigade take note.
“We’ve already got the Balkan forces on the run; they’ve fallen back to a defensive line just above the Adriatic, on the Slovene line. I don’t think they’re organized enough to really attempt a push, so as long as we have some people there, we can put ‘em out of our minds.” He pressed down on the map again, sliding his finger down to the center of the northern provinces. “Now most of the liberal and noble rebel forces of the north have either already been defeated by us, fled, or were absorbed into Amin’s army.”
“What do we know of our enemy sir? Who is this Amin?” An officer asked.
“Good question… he’s an idiot. He’s trying to claim himself as some Roman successor.”
The officer looked confused. “Rome, sir?”
“What’s a Rome?” Another officer asked.
“Some old ruined city that the Xaths, Carthies and Ralies like to lament and bitch about. What Amin wants to do isn’t really important; it’s his ability to defend his lands that we’re investigating. Naturally I’m inclined to send the 27th but we can’t afford to lose any tanks, especially ahead of the reinforcements Lindauer promised so the 78th will have to make do. Send out some small detachments, probe the west and see how Amin responds. We need to know before I commit to any more land grabs.”
