General Tanaka, commander of the three Kagetorian corps which had been stationed in Arvand after the talks and was headquartered in the military base being constructed in the capital, had been coordinating his divisions in preparation for the reclamation of Pashmanistan requested by the Arvandi government. Of his 21 divisions, most of which were predominantly light infantry, eight would drive toward the Pashmani capital of Pashashar with the main body of Arvandi troops. Another six would push along the north, in an effort to reach the Stoklomolvi border and reduce the length and increase the consistency of supply lines.
Suddenly, an older lieutenant walked in the door, bringing his hand to his neck in a submissive salute. Tanaka returned it with the dominant salute, a wipe of the hand in front of his face.
"Sir. Word has come in from divisional command, all units are in position. Word has been sent to High Command."
"Excellent, let them know to deliver the ultimatum."
"Yes sir. Permission to speak freely sir."
"Granted lieutenant."
"Sir, is this truly a good time to begin operations like these? We recently destroyed relations with many of our southern neighbors, and we have a new generation with powerful ideas, as well as a gang war that just started in the south. Should we not focus on our problems at home first?"
A saying among Kagetorian military men was, "Generals are field marshals, but not quite." They thought they were truly in charge, disillusioned with their power and hungry for glory, that one battle that could earn them a promotion. They had a reputation for hotheadedness, a disregard for the lives of their men, and Tanaka was no exception. His ears turned red as he clenched his fists.
"Lieutenant, we have a powerful, modernized military. We have intel constantly updated from space. Any problems we have down south will quickly sort them selves out, and the new generation wouldn't dare rise up. There is nothing to worry about. We will win this war, there is nothing they, can do about it. Now, lieutenant," he said, breathing the word lieutenant through clenched teeth, "you'd best get out of here."
Looking in the mirror yet again, Warrant Officer Tokuda straightened his helmet, before taking it off for a third time to comb his fingers through his hair. His squadmates in the back of the tent laughed at him as they continued their card game.
"Tokuda, just relax man! The lieutenant won't court martial you if your helmet isn't on perfectly, and he won't even see your hair!" came a voice followed by another round of laughter. The warrant officer didn't even hesitate as he repeated the ritual. Perhaps he really was a lunatic, if sticking to your own sense of honor and morals made you such. Although none of the men in his squad had served in the Santherese jungles, most of them had been taught the hard skills of staying alive in hostile territory, and none of them believed in taking prisoners.
"C'mon. Sit down and let me win a few ryos off ya!"
Tokuda was part of the main body of troops that would advance on Pashashar through the mountain roads and valleys, and if possible, he wanted to change the public image of the Kenpeitai from an army of dishonorable and untrustworthy men to that of a valuable ally and reasonable enemy.
Shouldering his assault rifle, he stepped out of the tent and looked around at the hills. To the north, he could see the border, marked by the Arvandi checkpoint, and beyond that, only ridges and the sky. The hills themselves were dotted with caves, evidence of recent landslides, and if he could look through the rock, probably bodies and fragments.
To: "Islamic Republic of Pashmanistan"
From: Kagetora; Arvand
Subject: Return of Land and People
Encryption: Nil
Since the Arvandi Civil War four years ago, the impostors of your "government" and "military" have defied the rightful sovereignty of the country of Arvand. You have broken law after law, and you are a shame to your people. We are giving you one chance to retain what dignity you have left. A rejection of a single term will be considered a rejection of all of them.
1. All land claimed by "Pashmanistan" is to be returned to the rightful government of Arvand
2. The illegal body known as the "Pashmani government" is to disband, and its members are to submit to trial for treason by Arvandi courts
3. The "Pashmani military" is to disband, and all members are to submit to trial for treason by Arvandi courts
4. Foreign advisers not invited by the Arvandi government are to be expelled from the region
5. The people of "Pashmanistan" are to pay all taxes that were left unpaid during and after the Arvandi Civil War
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