บท 13: General.
As Frainh followed the butler into the lavishly appointed chamber, he found himself grappling with a whirlwind of emotions. His mind raced, struggling to process the events of the day. In just a few short hours, his life had transformed in ways he had never anticipated.
He was almost executed then unexpectedly got promoted, thrust into a position of immense responsibility, and tasked with overseeing the fate of the Imperium.
Before he could collect his thoughts or prepare for his meeting with the Supreme Commander, the butler led him into a room where his new general's uniform awaited him.
As he stepped closer, he noticed the three medals pinned to the uniform, each telling a story of its own.
The first medal was the North Star, awarded to those who had led their troops through the darkest times as a beacon of light and inspiration.
The second depicted a guillotine with a severed head lying on the ground, a stark and chilling representation of his affiliation with the executioners, those tasked with carrying out the Imperium's most severe judgments.
Finally, to his astonishment, the third medal was the Imperial Seal, a golden emblem decorated with the Emperor's monogram and regal crest. It spoke of authority, power, and a legacy that Frainh was now a part of.
The rank insignia was embroidered in gold, clearly displaying his name but what truly caught his breath was the ceremonial sword, crafted entirely of gold, its hilt adorned with sparkling diamonds and rare gemstones.
Frainh stared at them, momentarily overwhelmed by the realization that this new rank carried with it not just prestige, but also a formidable power and wealth he had never known.
He changed into it and he stepped out of the room, feeling the change within him, as if he had been reborn into a new identity.
As he walked he noticed the shift in the atmosphere around him. Every guard he encountered snapped to attention, saluting him with a respect that felt foreign.
The honor they showed was a stark contrast to his previous experiences, where he had often felt like an outsider.
Upon reaching the door, the guard on duty needed only a brief glance at the Imperial Seal medal to understand the gravity of Frainh's presence. The guard immediately clicked their heels together and opened the door.
Stepping inside, Frainh was greeted by a vast room brimming with maps, reports, and an array of strategic documents. The centerpiece, however, was a colossal model map detailing the entire empire.
"I thought you got lost." Hares said as he noticed Fraihn and continued "Now, let me introduce you to the command staff who will be serving under you." He gestured toward two officers standing at attention nearby. "This is Executive Officer Colonel Adrian Valen and Operations Officer Colonel Selene Harkov. They will assist you directly."
"It's an honor to meet you, General Frainh. I trust you will achieve great things." Colonel Selene said, stepping forward to extend her hand in greeting. Her voice was steady, filled with a blend of respect and expectation.
"Let's hope so." Frainh replied, returning the handshake with a firm grip, feeling the weight of her gaze.
"If you need any cigarettes or other goodies, consider it done." Colonel Valen chimed in, his tone light but serious as he clasped Frainh's hand. The colonel's friendly demeanor helped ease some of the tension Frainh felt in this unfamiliar setting.
Frainh couldn't help but feel slightly awkward in this situation, both Colonels were significantly older and undoubtedly more experienced than him. Yet, neither of them addressed the age difference nor questioned his qualifications, which he found oddly comforting
"And now, with only two weeks left so General, let me hear your thoughts about the operations."
Frainh looked surprised but hid his shock, not wanting to appear unreliable in front of his commanders. He stepped closer to the map.
"Firstly, leading 2,000 men to the territory is tricky. I'm certain there are scouts already out, and even in the city, there are people reporting on troop movements. What we need is to move separately." He said, gauging their reactions.
"You mean, like splitting into groups of 500, each taking a separate route?" Colonel Selene asked.
"Yes, because if we move together, we'll be a clear target. They'll know we're coming long before we arrive and will prepare,traps, explosives, anything that could harm us."
"But won't we still stand out if we go separately?" Colonel Valen pointed at the map. "There's only one main road leading there."
"True, the map shows just one main road, but there are numerous dirt paths that aren't marked. If we take those, we'll stay hidden for a longer time, moving less predictably. Another thing," Frainh continued, "and this might sound crazy, but I'm certain some of our own soldiers have switched sides. Where else would they get weapons and supplies?"
He voiced what everyone had been thinking but hadn't said aloud.
"What are you suggesting?" The Supreme Commander asked.
"I'm saying we should send some of our men posing as rebels. That way, we can gain insight into how their operation works from the inside."
"That reminds me, sir." Colonel Selene chimed in. "Why haven't the special forces been deployed to assassinate the rebel nobles?"
"Because too many people are involved." The Supreme Commander replied. "If the Emperor or I made a move, word would spread, and they'd accelerate their plans. That's why I chose you all. An execution division is the perfect cover officially, you're heading west to the frontlines to deal with the prisoners. So if anybody questions you about what we talked about, say it and play the fool that you are going to the western front."
"Out of 2,000 soldiers, someone's bound to talk about all of this." Fraihn said.
"They won't. Only the four of us know the real plan."
"But sir," Colonel Selena spoke up, her voice laced with concern, "I've heard the rebels have the same uniforms and weapons as us. How are we supposed to tell who to shoot?"
A tense pause followed. Then the commander replied casually, "You'll have red armbands on your right shoulders and left legs."
They exchanged uneasy glances, unsure if that was really enough, but didn't press further.
Fraihn broke the silence. "Sir, what kind of weapons and equipment will we be issued?"
"You'll get the latest automatic rifle, equipped with a 30-round magazine and—"
"We don't want it." Colonel Valen cut in sharply. "No offense, sir, but I've seen 'latest' weapons before. They blow up, overheat, or just jam, leaving us in a bad spot."
The tension in the room thickened. Hares stared at Valen for a moment.
"Fine. Request what you want."
Surprised by his cooperation, they didn't hesitate to exploit the opportunity.
"Twenty-five cartons of cigarettes and—"
"I meant weapons and equipment." Hares snapped, shaking his head at Valen.
Selena stepped in, eyes glinting. "Let's keep it simple, Liffer bolt-action rifles for us, a Liffer automatic pistol for the general, and despite Colonel Valen's doubts, I'd like fifty of the latest mortars, and at least fifty shoulder-fired rockets, if they're available."
Her smile was sharp, and Hares took a step back, narrowing his eyes.
"And how exactly do you know about classified weapons?" He asked, suspicious.
"Well, sir, when they test those 'classified' weapons right next to my office, they aren't so classified anymore."
Hares sighed, "I will try to get those,but in the meantime, you have two weeks to come up with a detailed plan that will work. I expect reports every third day, but only verbally, nothing is to be documented in writing."
After the Supreme Commander left the room, Colonel Selene approached, grabbing his hand.
"Let's head to the office, General." She said with a bright smile, her energy catching him off guard.
Fraihn blinked, slightly shocked. Selene was a beautiful woman, with short brown hair and warm, brown eyes. She smelled of a light, floral scent, but her demeanor reminded him of a hyperactive child, full of energy. Despite that, she looked like she was in her forties at least.
As she began dragging him out of the palace, with Colonel Vallen following behind, Fraihn cleared his throat and asked hesitantly, "Colonel, can I ask... how old are you?"
Selene glanced back at him, her cheeks flushing.
"Oh, General, already making your move?" She teased, her voice playful but with a hint of a blush. Selene moved closer, her chest almost brushing against his. Her eyes sparkled as she whispered, "I'm 28, General."
"What, I thought you were over forty." He said while looking into her eyes, "It's a relief to know someone around my age is—"
But before he could finish, Selene pushed him away, her expression shifting from playful to hurt. Without another word, she turned and walked ahead, her shoulders tense.
Colonel Valen caught up to Fraihn, chuckling. Valen clapped him on the shoulder. "Don't feel too bad, General." He said, still laughing. "I made the same mistake when I first met her."
Fraihn's cold expression didn't change, but he listened carefully. Valen continued, "She looks older because she's been on the frontlines for almost four years straight. That'll do it to anyone."
Valen's smile softened as he added, "You should apologize. Best way is to buy her a bottle of Lysa's red wine and a chocolate donut from Penelope's Bakery."
Fraihn didn't react much to what Colonel Vallen said, he simply muttered, "Okay," and continued walking.
They made their way to the office building, which took about 20 minutes. Fraihn had imagined something a bit more... ordinary, but the place before him was anything but ordinary.
The five story structure was heavily guarded, with barbed wire surrounding its walls. From the outside, it looked more like a haunted mansion than an office.
But the moment he stepped inside, the atmosphere changed completely.
The building was surprisingly well kept and luxurious. The first floor felt like someone's living room, with couches, a fireplace, and even the washrooms nearby. The second and third floors were different, crammed with desks and stacks of documents, though oddly, no one was working there.
The fourth floor housed the offices of the colonels and the general, while the fifth floor, to Fraihn's surprise, was a cozy set of bedrooms. The warmth from the hearth on the fifth floor made the space feel homely and inviting.
Looking around, Fraihn turned to Colonel Selene and asked, "Can I live here?"
The question caught both Selene and Colonel Vallen off guard. Selene blinked, while Vallen raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"Yes, General, you can if you'd like." Valen answered after a pause, still processing the suddenness of the request. "There's also a kitchen in the back of the building."
"Okay." Fraihn said plainly. "Then I'll live here from now on."
Valen, still amused, nodded. "I'll go find you some bedding, General. I'll be right back." He hurried down the stairs, leaving Fraihn alone with Selene.
Fraihn turned to Selene again and said, "I'll take you out for dinner sometime, if I get the chance. But for now, I need to rest a bit."
Without waiting for a response, he sat down on the bed, sinking into the soft mattress. Selene watched him, a mixture of amusement and confusion on her face.
"That's your apology?" She asked, smiling slightly.
Fraihn, eyes closed, responded without hesitation. "I'm a virgin. Never had my first kiss, so I don't really know how to deal with women."
Selene's face flushed a deep red at his bluntness, more than she had ever blushed before. Without saying another word, she hurried out of the room, leaving Fraihn to his rest.
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