The two military vessels follow the many, smaller boats as they arrive in the port near Ben Arous, not far from Tunis. Having sailed all the way from Palermo, the men were tired.
"The map, let us see the map", asked General Stannikov, aboard of the ISF Adrien. A cadet takes off the map of Tunisia off the wall, as the General Stannikov, Captain Howards and Rossi, and Admiral Ricci get around a table. Admiral Ricci had two colored pencils in his hand. "
As we were told by the International Soviet, our only role in this war is to protect Tunisia and her seas", said Captain Rossi. "Yes, it is. We will be patrolling with our two ships this zone", said Ricci, drawing a red circle from the city of Tunis to the city of Gabes. "The rest of the Tunisian coasts will be responsability of Tunisia. However, if we hear that their situation is dire, then we go and help."
"That's the main plan", said Stannikov. "In land, our men will be deployed in Tunis, with the hope of protecting the city from any possible danger, given that our fleet fails to protect."
All of a sudden, Coronel Landau barges into the room. "What did I miss?", he asked. "Nothing really, you must know the plan already", answered Captain Howards.
"Oh, yes. I cannot really agree to the plan, however. We're not winning this war just by sitting over here, and you well know it!", responded Landau. "Landau, we do not have the forces to attack anyone. And, as far as I know, the Tunisian ship Gagium sunk was not far from here.", Stannikov fought back.
"Well, yes, but here's the new plan." Landau took a green pen from his pocket, and took the map of Africa from the wall. "We leave Tunis in some days, and then go to Cape Verde. There, we will be ready to go to Togoland fairly easy. We will not find resistance at all. We will be able to overrun their positions with our tanks and mortars."
"No. Orders are orders, Landau. We're not leaving our positions. And not to mention you have no authority over me.", said Stannikov unwavering.
There was a second-long silence, before Landau left the bridge angrily.
"That was not really needed.", said Captain Howards."We all well know that he is an excellent offensive commander. Like that time when he managed to route a large army of nationalists near the Volga."
"But Lomé is not the Volga.", finished Stannikov, before looking over a window and seeing the beaches of Tunis.