Dramatic Reenactment—January 2, Unified Year 1928
On that day—deep in the heart of the Empire’s General Staff Office, an organization that had once shaken the world—General Hans von Zettour, presiding over the office of the Deputy Director of the Service Corps, glared at the various staff officers whom he had invited there to discuss the reformation of their defensive line in the east. He soon delivered a bombshell to the room with the same casual air with which one might inquire as to what was for dinner.
“Obviously, the Federation is coming. The question, however, is when.”
The slight rise in tone at the end of his sentence might have suggested a question. The look on his face, however, as he glanced around the room, seemed to show annoyance. Why could they not understand?
“Listen,” he said, standing up. “Much of what we know of the Federation Army’s logistics is mixed with speculation. But extrapolating from the general situation, a winter attack seems to be the only option available. They are coming.”
“Available is not quite the same as certain, though.”
A voice of dissent. How could Zettour be so sure?
In response to this question, General Zettour sighed as if to suggest the subordinate officer who had asked was slow-witted.
“In turning toward Ildoa, we’ve diverted a large volume of men and supplies from the east, and the Federation must have noticed. It’s a simple calculation. The mud season will come again soon,” General Zettour continued. “This is the Federation’s only chance to take advantage of that opportunity, now before the roads turn into rivers of mud… If they’ve got the guts to risk it all, the only time can be now. Which is precisely why I’ve quietly given them this push.
“Do you see?” General Zettour removed a cigar and quietly took a puff as his words slowly settled on the inner chambers of the General Staff Office.
“It is now. This moment is the most dangerous. Which is why the enemy will come. I’ve made sure of it.”
The faces of the collected staff officers stiffened in unison.
What is there to fear? General Zettour, alone, continued to speak with almost childish ease. As if there was nothing in the world he would shrink from.
“However, that does not mean there is no need to worry. To put it plainly, it is a fight against time. If they don’t come now, we will be in trouble. Unless we lure them in to strike at our weak side, the Federation will be in a position to ensure victory come spring, and they will be able to plow through our defensive line with sheer numbers alone.”
And if they do not come now, we will not be able to catch them in our trap. There is no record of what the others in attendance thought of Zettour’s confidence, but when questioned by later generations about that day, former Colonel Lergen simply mumbled that “he was known only as the enemy of the world,” before falling silent.
General Zettour delivered a decisive statement to the room.
“Now then, we must keep our essential plan of defense a thorough secret. Under the current situation, our sealed plans grant us a certain degree of surprise, so if our level of preparation were to be revealed, it would be a disaster.”
A strategic surprise counterattack, in response to a strategic surprise attack. To carry it out effectively, they needed to conceal the fact that they were lying in wait until the very last possible moment.
“This winter is a turning point. Gentlemen, every day is vital. This is not the time to relax. However, the days ahead will be tough. Breath in the fresh New Year’s air while you can. This will be your last chance for quite a while.”
For they would soon be busy.
With those last words, General Zettour granted the staff officers a short break.
Previously, scholars had seen the fact that General Zettour had approved this time off as evidence to support the hypothesis that he had not foreseen Operation Rising Dawn. A careless oversight during the holidays, and thus proof that he had mistakenly believed the Federation was not preparing to act. However…the opposing theory that this leeway arose precisely because the general had correctly anticipated the timing of Rising Dawn has now become the favored view!
In General Zettour’s words, “as long as I am here, the Empire will not lose, at the very least. I shall yet teach the Communists a lesson in reality that supersedes their ideology.”
No Comments Yet
Post a new comment
Register or Login