August 28th
Armored Train "Pelegri"
West Siberian Plain
En route to Germany
The rattling of the traincar around them would have made anyone a little nauseous, but after a little while? It wasn't so bad. It was definitely a far sight better than the rattling the orbital forces were taking, so that was at least something to be grateful for. Row upon row of Mobile Weapon lay, concealed underneath a camouflaged exterior intended to prevent for as long as possible any detection by Terra Sentinel's Guardian Satellites, dust slowly collecting on their frames in the dull light as tech crews worked hurriedly to make requested adjustments by a deadline.
In ones and twos, pilots filtered into the command car, seating themselves on either side, or standing, gripping rings that dangled from the ceiling. Lunarian and Terran, segregating into their own private groups, each easily distinct by the manner of their grooming, the quality of their equipment, both eyeballing one another anxiously.
It was a reminder to Director Sullivan that there was still much work to be done. The Terran, Lunarian by blood, caught between the two worlds, stood at the head of the room, a large screen behind him. It displayed, at present, a map of Europe, as well as their projected route towards Berlin, the armored train's unstoppable advance through the region, a glowing dot of crimson in a sea of green and blue, inexorably inching forward towards the front lines.
"Thank you all for coming." Said Sullivan, eyes scanning the room as it filled to capacity. Holographic screens projected a mirror of his diagram into the center of the room, making it easier for those at the back to see - and most importantly - hear - what he had to say.
"For obvious reasons, we couldn't disclose the full nature of the operation until now."
He glanced aside - sure enough, Juliette was there, leaning against one of the walls, watching him intently. Her presence was reassuring, and set his own nerves at peace as he tapped through to the next slide, the map zooming in to show their destination: a map of the city Berlin, causing a mumbling to rise from the collected masses.
"On September fifth, we will deliver a decisive strike that will end this war, and bring the Directory remnants fully under our control. Queen Selene and I are in full agreement on this matter - and I will be spearheading the offensive alongside you, with Granteed."
More muttering. It wasn't exactly the fevered endorsement he had hoped for, but he was, after all, the outsider. The only way to win their trust would be to fight alongside them - Selene herself had been particular on this fact.
"For this, we have selected our best and brightest. You are the elite of the elite, and your strength is needed now more than ever before."
Still. Could he get the buy-in he needed? Or would he be left marching on the capital by himself? It would all depend on the next few minutes of his life - and whether or not there would be any interruptions.
Armored Train "Pelegri"
West Siberian Plain
En route to Germany
The rattling of the traincar around them would have made anyone a little nauseous, but after a little while? It wasn't so bad. It was definitely a far sight better than the rattling the orbital forces were taking, so that was at least something to be grateful for. Row upon row of Mobile Weapon lay, concealed underneath a camouflaged exterior intended to prevent for as long as possible any detection by Terra Sentinel's Guardian Satellites, dust slowly collecting on their frames in the dull light as tech crews worked hurriedly to make requested adjustments by a deadline.
In ones and twos, pilots filtered into the command car, seating themselves on either side, or standing, gripping rings that dangled from the ceiling. Lunarian and Terran, segregating into their own private groups, each easily distinct by the manner of their grooming, the quality of their equipment, both eyeballing one another anxiously.
It was a reminder to Director Sullivan that there was still much work to be done. The Terran, Lunarian by blood, caught between the two worlds, stood at the head of the room, a large screen behind him. It displayed, at present, a map of Europe, as well as their projected route towards Berlin, the armored train's unstoppable advance through the region, a glowing dot of crimson in a sea of green and blue, inexorably inching forward towards the front lines.
"Thank you all for coming." Said Sullivan, eyes scanning the room as it filled to capacity. Holographic screens projected a mirror of his diagram into the center of the room, making it easier for those at the back to see - and most importantly - hear - what he had to say.
"For obvious reasons, we couldn't disclose the full nature of the operation until now."
He glanced aside - sure enough, Juliette was there, leaning against one of the walls, watching him intently. Her presence was reassuring, and set his own nerves at peace as he tapped through to the next slide, the map zooming in to show their destination: a map of the city Berlin, causing a mumbling to rise from the collected masses.
"On September fifth, we will deliver a decisive strike that will end this war, and bring the Directory remnants fully under our control. Queen Selene and I are in full agreement on this matter - and I will be spearheading the offensive alongside you, with Granteed."
More muttering. It wasn't exactly the fevered endorsement he had hoped for, but he was, after all, the outsider. The only way to win their trust would be to fight alongside them - Selene herself had been particular on this fact.
"For this, we have selected our best and brightest. You are the elite of the elite, and your strength is needed now more than ever before."
Still. Could he get the buy-in he needed? Or would he be left marching on the capital by himself? It would all depend on the next few minutes of his life - and whether or not there would be any interruptions.
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