Cannon Fire Arc

September 27, United Kingdom, First Paratrooper Division station.

Division Commander Shaun put down the operational plan in his hand and looked at his officers above the platoon level.

The "officers" of the First Paratrooper Division reach down to the platoon level, so these are all the officers of the entire paratrooper division; below that are only non-commissioned officers.

Shaun: "Any questions?"

A major raised his hand.

Shaun: "Just ask directly."

Major: "Why not wait until after the rainy season in the Low Countries to air-drop? At least then the marshes would have plenty of solid ground."

Shaun scratched his cheek awkwardly: "Well, you need to ask Marshal Rocossov of the Ante. He advanced too quickly, making our Prime Minister Leonard restless."

"So, he's sending us to our deaths?" Another officer asked.

Shaun: "It's not exactly sending us to die. We'll kill quite a few Prosen devils. As long as you kill one Prosen devil, you've contributed to this world war, and the United Kingdom will remember you."

At this point, someone muttered: "But we are the army, we don't even have a royal title."

Everyone laughed.

Shaun also laughed. After ten seconds, he straightened his face: "Although we don't have a royal title, we are soldiers, aren't we? Of course, given the nature of this mission, I've had Colonel George, the medic, ready. You can now go to him and get a malaria diagnosis, and stay in the hospital instead of participating in the air-drop."

"After all, we can't let someone who leaks feces all day get on the plane. That smell would be terrible."

The officers looked at each other.

Finally, a colonel stood up on behalf of everyone: "Lead us on, Shaun. Killing one Prosen is worth it. If you come back alive, promise us you'll run for prime minister and take out those damned politicians."

Shaun: "I'm afraid being prime minister isn't possible. We have to learn from the Anteans."

Everyone burst into laughter again.

Someone quipped: "That would need the navy's cooperation. They'd have to sail the Rodney into the Thames River, guns aimed at Fleet Street. But, you know, they'd be blocked by London Bridge."

Everyone laughed even more joyfully.

Suddenly, Shaun slapped the table: "Alright! Gentlemen, when future historians write the war history, our United Kingdom might not get much credit. Even if we do, the Commandos will take it all."

"In the future, any unit they reform into will be seen as the elite of the United Kingdom."

"Now, an opportunity lies before us. We all know this unlucky offensive is unlikely to succeed, but if we show our mettle and eliminate enough Prosen devils, future war historians will note us down."

"They might call us the Red Devils, and our red berets will become a symbol of glory."

Shaun stopped, scanning the whole room.

Finally, he concluded: "Of course, Colonel George will wait until just before boarding tonight, we won't let a leaking guy on the plane."

Everyone laughed heartily.

Everyone knew that no one would go to Colonel George.

Not out of loyalty to the dying empire, but because they could not let their comrades die alone.

————

Also on September 27, capital of the Federation, Peanutton.

The door opened, and the President's Security Affairs Assistant came forward to report: "It has begun."

President Old Ro took off his glasses and made the sign of the cross on his chest: "God bless these kids, and also hope God forgives us who send them to die. It's for the greater good."

The Secretary of State, who had followed the Security Affairs Assistant in, asked directly: "How about we set the meeting date for October 15th, and the location to be Thebes, where we can also visit the city in the sand?"

President Old Ro: "Is it the city Dr. Jones discovered?"

"It is. When the Prosen army was in Mamluk, they sent a small unit there to look for some ancient circle characters. Dr. Jones has uprooted them."

"Very good. Let's decide on that. By October 15th, this damned offensive should be concluded." President Old Ro leaned back against the wheelchair's backrest, "Leonard's say at the meeting will be greatly reduced, that's the significance of sacrifice."

————

October 12, Balkan Peninsula, Sarajevo.

Wang Zhong climbed out of the plane cabin and stood on the gangway, gazing at the distant city.

He remembered the famous movie line: "I found Walter. What? Who is he? Look, this city is called Walter!"

The local guerrilla leader was waiting for Wang Zhong at the bottom of the gangway and surprisingly looked exactly like the Walter from the movie Wang Zhong was familiar with.

Now Walter not only has to defend Sarajevo but also defend the Southern Yugoslav Union.

Wang Zhong descended the gangway, shook the man's hand, and asked: "Should I call you Walter, or should I call you Tiger?"

The other laughed: "Those are both my codenames. They say the intelligence of the Secular Court is outstanding, but I didn't expect it to be this outstanding. How many of your Secular spies are around me?"

Wang Zhong: "Not spies, comrades."

Saying that he patted "Walter" on the shoulder: "You're a comrade too. Here you'll feel the warmth of spring."

"Walter": "You've indeed given us great help. Without your Southern Front Army striking the enemy's forces hard, we wouldn't have been able to liberate this city with so little cost. Come, the whole city welcomes your arrival."

Wang Zhong: "Shouldn't it be welcoming His Majesty the Tsar?"