When Tropics meet the North (Closed)

[Astares Amauricanum]

The Opposing Force soldiers (in reality the Bodarks of the 1st Bodark Squadron) gather the protective gear of the AHSCAian guests, before nodding to them with some smiles and going away.

Meanwhile, while they do this, Orem and Mareva (which Marcella and Gisella met before.), approach Adrean and Anna and exchange a few words with them, to debrief the exercise they just all went through.

After a few minutes, the two older Imperial Guards walk away with the rest of their colleagues, as the rest of the Phantoms have now joined the rest of the group.

"All right then, let's go." simply says Adrean, before leading the whole group out of the training room, and back in underground corridors and stairs, on their way to the Baniar...

A few minutes later, the entire group ascends a final set of stairs that leads them back to ground level, where a door leads them to a corridor open on one side with a large set of windows, giving them a view of the Palace Gardens.

"This way please." says Adrean to Marcella and her followers as he turns right, and after a few meters, opens a door leading to a large changing room, with metallic lockers on the left and right. In a corner, a small area has been cordoned off by woodland camouflage tarps.

"Since this is our personal Baniar to all of us," starts explaining Anna as she gestures to designate her husband and their friends, both male and female, "we have only this unisex changing room. That's why we've made this little area for you if you do not feel like showing your body to others while you change." she explains to the five UIS women as she shows the tarps.

[AHSCA]

Most of them giggled a bit "Oh not to worry" Marcella spoke "Hardly any of us are shy. But the thought is certainly appreciated."

Asuka further went to explain, "In AHSCA, most communal bathing is unisex, I mean there are places where it's single gendered but I think we'll all be fine. Thank you, kindly." The women took up their hosts offer anyway disappearing behind the little makeshift partition set up for them. Getting undressed and wrapping up in towels for the time being. "It's nice to get out of the heavy equipment. But it was good to have them"

"I'd hate to see if you had really nasty welts, Milady" Asuna said "Trust me, I've gotten my share in combat training."

"Ah you're so considerate"

"Well, it is my job after all." All done, changed and ready to go. "We're all set when you folks are."

[Astares Amauricanum]

When the five AHSCAian women reappear, they would see that the Astarians have undressed too, the women having wrapped towels around them while the men have done too around their bottom half,exposing their muscled chests and abdomens.
On their abs, the ominous Wolf Head that Marcella and Gisella had seen being branded on Adrean and Anna during their training. And of course, various tatoos here and there, as well as numerous scars, to the point where Marcella and her group might ask themselves if there is still some untouched skin tissue on the Astarians.

"Very well, follow us then." says Anna as she opens the door leading in the Baniar proper.

As the Keisaerina leads the group, they enter a large room filled with various shower stalls, positioned so that you have to sit on a small seat to use them. Next to each shower, a set of shampoo, body wash, etc.

"In an Astarian Baniar, you always wash before you use the main pools, similar to a Japanese onsen." explains the Keisaerina. "While in the past, people washed themselves or each other with buckets of water, nowadays we all use small showers like these ones. So choose one and start." she finishes with a smile, as various of their friends walk towards some stalls, take off their towels and start to wash themselves...

[AHSCA]

"Simple enough." They nodded each picking a shower stall to clean off, honestly it was probably as relaxing as a soak but no need to get too comfortable yet, the best was still to come. Asuka had a chipper song in her she could hum as she washed up the guards are a bit more quiet, reflective on their training and going over everything. Marcella quiet but happy as she let the water wash over her, Gisella slid some soap over to her "Use this one, it don't know if it's the same in yours but this one smells really nice, like lotus flowers"

[Astares Amauricanum]

"It is indeed lotus flavored." replies Anna from the shower stall next to the Villa sisters. "I'm glad you appreciate this." adds the Keisaerina with a smile.

"If I may ask Duchess, do people shower too before going to a hot spring in the UIS?" asks Ophelia from a nearby stall as well. "I don't remember having seen this back in 2009 when we were in Animalpolis."

[AHSCA]

"Rarely they do. Some might dab themselves with a cloth at first others might jump in the sea real quick but otherwise it's a straight walk in. The water is seldom stagnant enough to warrant a concern about it on top of how hot the water runs. Granted it's safe enough to bathe in and that. Indoor baths tend to have circulating water supplies too, if you've noticed fountains spouting in new water. Showering is a very well other thing, it's present but still not as common."

[Astares Amauricanum]

"Interesting, thank you for your answer." replies Ophelia before going back to shower herself.

A few minutes later, the entire group has finished cleaning, and Adrean leads them to another door.

(A fact Marcella and her group may have noticed, is that ever since they changed, Adrean, Anna and their friends all carry their Masada 35 pistols in their holsters, holding them in their hand
OOC: I forgot to mention that earlier, sorry.)

As he opens it, the Keisaer reveals to the five AHSCAian women a large rectangular room. Pillars with blue mosaics arranged in a wavy pattern support a low ceiling, about 4 meters high. On the left and front walls, half-circular windows give a view of the Palace gardens outside. On the columns and the walls, some photos, depicting the Imperial Couple and their friends in various moments of their life, mostly military, keeping track of their deployments over the past ten years.

In the center, a large pool, 1,20m deep, with a bench going all around so that people could sit while being emerged.
To the right, five hot tubs with a capacity of 5 persons each. A few stone tables as well, so that people could lie on it for a massage. And finally, some deck chairs, and a water fountain, dispensing both hot and cold water, as well as a small stand holding tea mugs and tea bags.

"Welcome to our humble relaxing spot, where we can throw away the worries of a day's work." says Anna with a smile and a laugh as she gestures with her arm to show the room to Marcella, Gisella, Asuna, Sayaka and Asuka. "We hope you like it."

Meanwhile, the rest of the Phantoms scatter in the room, either going in the pool, hot tubs, or some lying on a massage table so that their loved one could give them a massage, after which they would swap places...

[AHSCA]

"I'd say that's a strong chance" Marcella said taking in the sight of the room with awe.

"this looks great" Asuka said taking it all in as mental notes for later documentation when she'd write up her article about the whole trip. "Seems we all like to realy soak in style."

"Well no sense staring at it, let's go in and enjoy" Gisella pushed to take the intitivave and so enjoy it they would as the ladies made way into the large pool first and foremost to enjoy the water soaking around their tense sore muscles after the rigorous exercises they just went through, they earned this.

[Astares Amauricanum]

The Imperial Couple simply nods to the AHSCAian answers, before following them in the large pool, sitting on one of the benches, and relazing so far.

"So, how is the day so far." asks Adrean, who leans back in the water, letting the heat relax his muscles.

[AHSCA]

"It's been interesting. Unlike any state visit I've been on" Marcella admitted

"Thank you for the fine exercise. It's good to keep our skills sharp and ready." Asuna thanked

"This is all going in the article, it's been super enlightening." Asuka praised with glee

[Astares Amauricanum]

"Cool, glad to hear you all liked what we showed you so far." replies Anna, before snuggling to her husband and hugging his arm with her own, letting out a content sigh as she closes her eyes for a few seconds.

"Say, Asuna, Sayaka, I'm just curious, but for how long has your training as a Royal Guard? And since you belong to two different branches, is the training different for each one of you?" asks Alicia to the two AHSCAian women in charge of security.

[AHSCA]

Asuna spoke first "I was recruited to the Guard out of my military service. You know well I'm sure we all have to serve the country either in religion or the military. My CO was impressed with my grit and determination and thought I'd be a good candidate for the Knights. Honestly, I thought I'd be a flank, I served in general infantry training and work, hardly anything stunning. When we were recruited to the Knights we underwent a further physical examination and training."

"Same I was recruited out of the Navy by my CO. Our training for the Knights is honestly not that different really, but Asuna probably has more scrutiny because she's in charge of Her Highness directly. We're both trained on firearms, swords, hand-to-hand, knives, everything. All kinds of outfits, shoes and the like. From there the heads of each units determine where we best fit."

[Astares Amauricanum]

"Interesting, very interesting." replies Alicia with a warm smile. "As Adrean and Anna showed you, in our case, we joined at the start of the Civil War back in 2005, but the normal process is more or less the same as what you described."

"As you may know, in a way similar to you, every Astarian male and female must do three years of compulsory military or civilian service, from 18 to 21.' explains the female Colonel. "Among those who do their military service, the Keiserlig Custos will usually prospect among the top one or two percent, and offer them to join.
If they accept, they will then undergo thirteen weeks of basic training, followed by usually two months of specialized training, based on the branch they are assigned. I do not have to remind you that unlike you Knights, the Keiserlig Custos is an army of its own, with armor, artillery, air power, etc."

"A thing to note though," continues Pavel, her husband, "is that for branches such as the fighter pilots, which are usually made of a majority of officers, they may be recruited directly from the outside after a few years of college. But for the rest, the Keiserlig Custos is the only armed force in the Imperium to have its officers come exclusively from what we call the Seraglio, which means they nearly only come from the Keiserlig Custos, by internal promotion and officer school. There are a few exceptions, for example an officer from another branch which may come and become an officer here, but usually our officers are only Keiserlig Custos from the start."

"And that's only scratching the surface about the Imperial Guard." continues Adrean as he opens his eyes again and looks to the AHSCAian women. "Take a guess: in what consists the principle of Rotatio we use in the Keiserlig Custos?" asks the Keisaer with a playful tone to the five women.

[AHSCA]

"Mmm" they nodded following the conversation, pretty interesting stuff. "Mmm best come out and tell us, don't think either of us can guess. Your customs are your own. Interesting for certain." Asuna said

"And the fact you got practically your own mini army there, needless to say you guys are well prepared for anything that comes your way . Goddess help anyone who dares go to war with you." Sayaka added

[Astares Amauricanum]

"Indeed, may the Gods help anyone who try to attack us." replies Anna with a small laugh. "And the large size of our armed forces is to add to another element: the fact that in the general population, there are about 120 weapons per 100 inhabitants. And they know how to use them." adds the Keisaerina with a small smile (a bit wicked on the edges).

"The Rotatio principle is simple." continues Adrean. "Even though the Keiserlig Custos started as mounted crossbowmen, over time, new formations and units were added, among them infantry. And back then, when we were fighting with swords, crossbows, etc, our ancestors tried something: to have half of the infantry use for a period of time only their crossbows, and the other half fight with their Langastas -a polearm of Astarian design, similar to a swordstaff- and their swords. Then, they would switch roles for another period of time, and the cycle would repeat indefinitely. This allowed them to be trained in both ways of fighting, both ranged and in close quarters.

But as time went on and new ways of fighting appeared, the use of crossbows, polearms and such became obsolete, although they still train like this today, alongside using modern weapons.
Nowadays, the Rotatio principle is still used, but in a different way. In each Division of the Custos, each of the three infantry regiments has during one year a different specialty. For example, for the first Division, in this year 2020, the First Infantry Regiment is trained as a paratrooper unit, the Third Infantry Regiment as a marine infantry unit, and the Fifth Infantry Regiment as a mountain unit.
Next year, in 2021, they will rotate their specialty. The Third will become paratrooper, the Fifth marine infantry, and the First mountain. And in 2022, Fifth paratrooper, First marine, and Third mountain. This way, the soldiers learn a variety of different skills and techniques, and while they won't be masters in one way, they will be knowledgable in everything.
Of course, this is quite expensive to do, but we manage to do it. And just so you know, unlike the regular armed forces, the Imperial Guard sustains itself by its own landownings, as well as shares in various companies." finishes the Keisaer with a smile.

"So, was I clear enough?" he asks after letting a few seconds pass. "Feel free to ask questions if you need." he adds to the AHSCAian women.

[AHSCA]

"Crystal clear." Marcella noted "I feel best not to push further to preserve your military integrity but you do sound quite robust and we best leave it at that." She glanced at her party a non-verbal message to not press further even to their journalist attache with them.

"A general question" Asuka asked "Obviously women and men both serve in your forces, same as us, so curious was that always the case or is that something that came about later, both in terms of conscription and for volunteering. We all know some countries like our own have long had women warriors, others only more recently opened it up for women to join in the last century or so. And then there are some who don't allow women to serve at all."

[Astares Amauricanum]

"Oh don't worry, we do not mind you asking questions, as long as they do not go into certain details." replies Anna with a smile, "And even on our side, we realize that even we could talk about military matters for hours, there would come a moment where it would become boring, and the line would maybe be crossed from "Look, we have cool weapons to protect ourselves." to "Look, we have stuff to kill you." Even if we do not mean any harm in the conversation in the first place." adds the Keisaerina with a sigh as she looks down for a few seconds before raising her eyes again.

"To answer your question Miss Kotobuki," continues her husband, " women have more or less fought in the armed forces since the beginning, mostly as support such as siege engines operators, scouts, etc, and also as nurses, logistics, etc.
When the Europeans powers came in the 16th century and we fought them, it was still the case. But as we opened ourselves more on the world, and so sent a few expeditions here and there, among the military expeditions, the number of women was greatly reduced, they stayed in the forces that would defend the mainland. And at the time, the rules of wars not being the same, becoming a prisoner of war as a woman in another part of the world would have been hell.
This stayed until the 1950s, where we welcomed women back in more numbers, and with more active roles, up to direct combat roles. And this leads us to now, where as long as you have the ability to do the job, whether you're a man or woman, no one cares." finishes the Keisaer with a happy and proud tone.

[AHSCA]

"That's so interesting" Asuka nodded along thinking about it "I think that's a good attitude to have, everyone who is able can and should be welcome"

"It's good way to run things, a nation needs it's men and women to defend it." Marcell agreed.

[Astares Amauricanum]

"Indeed. And may the souls of those who fought and fell in defense of our nations find peace in the afterlife, and in our case at Astartes's side." says Anna as she relaxes in the pool.

"Amen." reply her husband and the rest of the Astarians as one, before going back to their previous discussions.

"Sorry, small professional deformation here." says Anna t the AHSCAian women with a small laugh. "As my title Highest Servant of the Stars suggests it, I am qualified as a Priestess. I'm curious though, when it comes to fallen AHSCAian soldiers, which one of your Goddesses handle their souls? Tamura or Homura?"

[AHSCA]

They all gave a solemn nod in agreement that their divinity would take care of the souls of their dearly departed, those who gave their lives for their homelands must always be remembered.

"Wow a Priestess, me too!" Gisella said "Well not yet, but soon enough I will become an Apprentice and then fully fledged. To answer your question, Madoka takes care of their souls sooner or later, sometimes Homura claims them first, usually the darker souls, not necessarily beyond evil, just those a bit dark in spirit or those lost at sea. But Madoka ultimately takes us all in the end. It's not as though there's a Hell with Homura just well we don't really know, we only can guess what The Beyond is like. There's just as likely a chance the domains are connected and you walk freely between them, we only have guesses."

[Astares Amauricanum]

"That's very interesting Gisella." replies Anna to the young Princess.
"Although in my case, my role as a Priestess is mostly a traditional one. I didn't go through a full training, just the bases in theology and mythology of our religion. Still, what I learned is enough for me to lead masses or prayers for people around me, like for example our group before we go on a mission."

"As for the domains of our gods", continues the Keisaerina after letting a few beats pass to take a sip of water," all the souls of the deceased go to rest by Ymir's side first and foremost, but they also travel to the domains of their respective gods, like for example Astartes for all those who died in battle. So in a way, all their domains are interconnected.
Regarding hell though, we don't know if it exists or not. To this day, most Astarians priests believe that the souls who can not undergo redemption become underlings of the gods to do the most ungrateful tasks, but there may be another way which we ignore."

[AHSCA]

"Well nevertheless I think that's still interesting you're devoting yourself like that. That's the case in our faith too, some women take a total vow to be a full Priestess others it's more of a side thing. Either way, we all just want to be of service to the faith. Mmm there are many mysteries the Divine keep from us. We won't know until we move through the astral planes. Hopefully for not quite a long time."

[Astares Amauricanum]

"Indeed, let the Stars call us at their side the latest possible." replies Anna with a small chuckle, mirroed by her husband and their friends around them.

"Aside from religion, I have a small question regarding the Inner AHSCAian politics." says Phillip Smetov from a nearby hot tub, as he looks to the five UIS women, especially Marcella. "Your Highness, my friends and I are curious about General Sturnum. According to intelligence, he has been known as a more or less soft critic of your rule. The question I have, is he dangerous regarding the stability of the UIS? Would it be in his plans to, let's say, stage a coup against you if something bad happened?"

Even though Adrean and Anna would have preferred to ask this question later, in a more formal atmosphere and not when they were all relaxing from a long day, they could not deny the matter revolving around General Sturnum had been in their minds ever since intelligence regarding him had arrived, gathered and transmitted by the spy network their Ambassador Daniel Vincao had established around the UIS with his wife Patricia. Although the existence of said network would only be revealed many months later...

[AHSCA]

Marcella sighed "The General...He's a difficult man to read but I need to keep him at arms length. When he came to power, Stillestando fell into a real internal crisis, it's attempt of having a wholly internal democratic government failed, things were in shambles there. As a nation and a government, the Federal system of AHSCA was sill so young it just wasn't ready to deal with this matter. There was a lot of back and forth if it should or if it's a state matter to let them work out. Straum and his family really did stabilize the island and likely prevented a full blown crisis, a crisis that could have involved foreign intervention even if it got bad enough. To be honest, I don't think he'd really want to stage a coup but I can't put it past him for soft power grabs. I have to keep him at arms length and keep a sharp eye on him. Miss Kotobuki,"

"Yes milady, off the record I know."

"Good. No nation is without growing pains, I suspect this is one. His daughters are far more stable as far as I know, even if he tries to keep them stringently obedient to him. His eldest I can tell is being groomed to become the next General of Stillestando. If I can keep in good graces I suspect things will fall where they fall. That said should the unthinkable happen and I were to be impeached, I wouldn't be surprised to have him vote against me in a heartbeat."

[Astares Amauricanum]

"Thanks a lot for this insightful information Marcella." replies Adrean with a smile to Marcella, before taking a deep breath and looking to Marcella very seriously.

"What you shared with us is also the opinion shared by our intelligence services. So far he has caused no problems, but we need to keep an eye on him.
Now, what I'm going to tell you must be kept secret, but in the unlikely event we have confirmed evidence he would prepare means to stage a coup against you, you can rest assured that the next day, you would find him blindfolded, handcuffed and gagged at the doorstep of the Ducal Palace to be judged by you. If you're wondering how we would do that, let's just say we have very competent specialists in the Malditas." says the Keisaer with an enigmatic tonebefore taking a sip of his glass of water.

"Now, please don't consider that we would do this to interfere in the UIS internal affairs." says Anna with a reassuring smile to the Duchess. "But as we've told you, what we want first in the Malditas and their vicinity is stability, and that includes first and foremost the UIS. And regarding the General, what we have analysed about him has led us to come to this option. As Adrean told you, we would just deliver it to you, nothing more nothing less, just simple couriers delivering a package swiftly and surely."