111th Front Field Command HQ
17 kilometers from Matahian-Martilian border
In the wide open hilly fields of southern Lodi stands a busy Forward Operations Base occupying almost a square kilometer with military vehicles going in and out of the compound. Less than 5 kilometers away is another busy military area where a make shift airfield was constructed by the air force CBs to complement the nearby FOB. In a matter of days this part of a hilly grassland was transformed into a staging point for military operations that will be conducted at the Matahian-Martilian border. It is one of the several FOBs scattered across near the southern Martilian border in preparation for mass exodus of ethnic Martilians entering Martilia from Matahi.
The 111th Front under the command of Marshal Patricia Robin was assigned to conduct military patrol operations at state of Mano, a southwestern Martilian state bordering with Matahi at the south and Lakanda to the west. While the border with Lakanda only stretches for no more than 25 kilometers, the border with Matahi stretches up to more than 150 kilometers almost thinning her forces while conducting patrol operations on that long stretch part of the border. Twenty thousand ethnic Martilians arrived at the state of Mano most of them are exhausted, sick, hungry and thirsty from their exodus towards the Martilian border, but some of them suffered severely from the hands of Matahian military. Out of the 1,700 ethnic Martilians her command treated, almost 500 of them suffered from blunt injuries to severe cases of torture either from the military or from Matahian civilians who were encouraged to attack them on plain sight.
Marshal Robin hopes that the exodus would soon end and no bloodshed would be spilled in her command, but with the deteriorating relations of Martilia with the nations of Matahi and Lakanda it seems obvious that sooner or later she would be ordered to deploy her forces heading towards the Matahian border. Although the brass from the Decagon has prepared for an imminent conflict with these two nations, military action has not yet been recommended by the High Command due to the lack of public support, and support from the legislative and judicial branch of the government.
As she gazes out into the window an unexpected visitor stopped by at her office. It was retired Grand Field Marshal Gio Hernandez, an old well-built man in his early 70s, a veteran of the 1st and 2nd Communist-Fascist War, and Haluziki revolution, and a retired military officer or was retired.
"Sir!", a startled Robin exclaimed as she gave the former officer a snappy salute. "What are you doing here, sir? I thought you're retired?"
"At ease, soldier.", Hernandez ordered. "I thought so too.... Marshal", he added as he looked upon her insignia on her shoulder.
Robin puts her hand down and offered Hernandez a seat. The two officers sat down with Hernandez seating at a monoblock chair infront of her desk while she sits down with her wooden chair behind. Hernandez continued, "Apparently, the brass from the Decagon wants a well-experienced officer to lead this operation."
"Operation? What operation, sir?", a surprised Robin asked.
"Operation Requiem a.k.a the invasion of Matahi. In about two hours Foreign Affairs Commissar will announce to the public that the Batasan has approved the bill declaring war against Matahi and Lakanda with genocide against ethnic Martilians as its pretext.", Hernandez replied.
"I wasn't expecting this would be all too soon.", Robin retorted.
"I also wasn't expecting that we would be dragged into another conflict too soon. Our country is still recovering from the effects of the revolution, yet here we are.", Hernandez affirmed.
Hernandez can see a worried Robin as the situation slowly sets into herself. He knew that Robin was not a warmonger unlike the other officers within her ranks. She hates conflict but she chooses to join the military to serve the country as she grew up from a very nationalistic family. Hernandez saw her rose through the ranks while she was serving under his unit during the Communist-Fascist conflict, and the Haluziki revolution and he knew that she could lead her forces to victory. "Can I count on you, Marshal Robin", Hernandez asked.
"Yes, sir! I will do my very best to implement this operation and win the war", Robin replied without any hesitation.
The two officers stood up and gave a snappy salute to each other before Hernandez left the office. Robin gazes again towards the window and looks to the horizon before picking up her peaked cap and went out.
Santa Clara Joint Naval and Air Base
Santa Clara, Divisoria
At the southwestern state of Divisoria, the 332nd Airborne Division is now preparing for their airborne assault towards Matahi. They will be launched from the Santa Clara Air Force Base while will take them an almost 4 hour travel to the land border between Martilia and Matahi and another few hours before reaching their dropzone. One of the companies under the 332nd is led by Capt. James Lam, a veteran of the Haluziki revolution and the Communist-Fascist War, although it will be his first time to lead his company in an airborne assault.
Lam walks towards an open hangar where his men from his company are waiting for him. It has been the tradition of the Airborne Command that company commanders should give speeches to their soldiers before the assault since most of them doesn't make it out alive during the initial assault. Most of company men are between 21 to 28 years old and some are just fresh graduates from the academy. Lam looked at each and every one of them before climbing up a wooden platform.
Lam clears his throat before he began giving his speech and like every Captain it is just a usual one. After giving it, he gave them a snappy salute before ordering them to board the aircraft. Thirty transport aircraft took off from the airbase as they head towards Matahi. They were soon followed by two squadrons of multi-role aircraft which will provide close air support and air cover once the paratroopers have reached the ground. Although they will be not the first soldiers who will set foot on Matahi since the ground forces have begun pushing towards Matahi several hours ago.
