Former Imperial Palace, Tyrsis Prime, Central Free Tyrsis
17:00 EPT
The Dannistrian Army was now settled into its main field HQ in the middle of Tyrsis Prime, the capital of Free Tyrsis. The offices were set up in the old imperial palace which until recently housed the Emperor and his entire family. The once ornate yellow brick building now blackened from oil stains and diesel fumes as vehicles from all branches of the Dannistrian Armed Forces based in the area moved in and out. Several sentries stood position around the outer perimeter of the palace.
“So, what is this new General like anyway?” asked one of the soldiers to his colleague.
“He’s an alright guy but certainly nothing like Nakata. Don’t get me wrong, he isn’t a pushover but I don’t think he is quite ready to hold the rank of General yet. The politicians promoted him too early, in my opinion.”
“What about you?” the first soldier asked another colleague, who was sitting at a table reading a newspaper.
“I agree. He’s too green. They should’ve waited a few months at least before sticking him in the deep end. Nakata had the right idea. She too no nonsense and was not afraid to hit back at insurgents regardless of where they were. Nh’gouzii on the other hand is a bit too hesitant. When he does act it is sometimes too late. On the other hand, I commend him for not being a jackass and being a little bit more approachable than Nakata.”
“What about you?” a third soldier was asked.
“All the top brass is the same to me,” he replied curtly, “Nakata, Nh’gouzii, N’outah…they all don’t care about us. We grunts take bullets for them and that is all that happens.”
“Be careful what you say, he might hear you.”
General Nh’gouzii’s office, Imperial Palace, Tyrsis Prime, Central Free Tyrsis
“So, what’s the latest situation?” Nh’gouzii, a lanky man barely in his thirties asked his adjutant. The General’s uniform he wore looked a little too big for him.
“Not good sir. Earlier today an aid convoy was ambushed by insurgents. 2 killed, 4 injured and 12 missing, presumed either dead or kidnapped. And yesterday, an aidworkers camp near Darril-Bensoh was bombarded by modified Katyusha rockets. 6 dead, 20 injured.”
Nh’gouzii sighed.
“Did you find the insurgents responsible?”
“No sir. They made a clean getaway before we could respond. We are currently still searching Highways 1, 3 and 4. No sign as of yet.”
“And my request for reinforcements?”
“Denied sir. The Ministry of Defence said that most troops and reserves are engaged in Bai Lung. They may review the situation tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow…tomorrow…to-freakin’-morrow…” Nh’gouzii hissed, “I’d like to see them try to maintain some stability with decreased manpower…anything else?”
“We received word that a large group of insurgents have taken shelter in a village near the Hah’jar Woodlands. The village is under constant surveillance as of yesterday. It looks like they are still there and they are loading up several modified trucks with Katyusha rocket launchers and ammo.”
“Hmm…I would like to have them attacked, but then there is that village…too many civilians…is there any way we can draw them out?”
“Not at the moment, sir. And even if we did attack them as they left, they would still be too close to the village, if you are hoping to avoid civilian casualties.”
“Damn…tell the recon squad to maintain watch on that area. If they so much as twitch, have them report it immediately.”
“Yes sir.”
“Anything else?”
“Another group of insurgents have been tracked down to a power station. They seem to be using the equipment and machinery there to aid their efforts.”
“Hmm…”
“Sir, permission to speak freely?”
“Granted.”
“May I suggest you attack the group at the power station now? It may be our only chance before they leave again.”
“Can you avoid damage to the power station if we attack?”
“That isn’t a certainty sir. The power station is rather large and supplies power to parts of Port Oakham. But on the other hand we can’t leave the insurgents unopposed.”
“I agree, but I’m worried that cutting power to that city could turn too many civilians against us. Certainly it would be nice to simply barge in and bomb the insurgents to kingdom come, but I want to avoid affecting civilians adversely.”
“Understood sir, but you have to bear in mind that the insurgents are starting to cotton on to this by hiding munitions amongst civilians for example. Please understand that sir.”
Nh’gouzii nodded.
“I’ll think about it. That is all.”
“Understood sir.”
The adjutant left Nh’gouzii to brood over matters. Nh’gouzii sighed and took a swig from a canteen on his desk.
“Maybe I’m not cut out for this, he mumbled to himself, What would you do, Nakata?” he asked to himself.