>trip

-several hundred miles away from the frontlines, the city of Salstadt

An emergency meeting of the Sosalian League had been called, in the face of recent events. The representatives were anxious, whispering to one another and gesturing furtively towards their rivals. This meeting would be the first of its kind since the foundation of the political body of the Sosalian League; one concerning the reaction to a threat to the existence of all of the constituent nations.

The Minister of the League, William Brandt, took his position at his podium, standing and glancing around at the representatives while he refreshed his memory of the situation with the notes before him.

“This meeting, the 21st meeting of our nations in this court, has been called due to a dire threat to all of our nations. If you have somehow not heard, the nation of Strosvald has been invaded by the Kaiser, presumably hoping to conquer what I am sure we can agree is one of the more powerful states in the league. This would be concerning enough, if not for another event.”

The seats designated for the representatives of Twaryi were empty. Their decision to not come to this meeting was one of the major sources of anxiety in the room.

“Not only are we under enormous threat from the Grossreich, but also from within. The Twaryians, with foreign assistance, have mounted a mass invasion of Ellowie.”

This surprised many representatives. Minor skirmishes were common between members of the Sosalian league; petty disputes for territory or old grudges, but they were often tiny and resolved quickly; any more would risk an opening for another neighboring state to make a move.

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“Foreign assistance from whom?” a representative from Vynmark asked. It was a question he, as well as anybody aware of the history of Twaryi, already knew. The question was merely implying the proof that the primary suspect was involved.

“There is no proof yet of involvement from the Lisvyisk Union,” the Minister of the League replied. The Lisvyisk Union was a massive nation across the ocean. Twaryi had a large population of Lisvyisk descent, and had received much assistance from the Union in the past in becoming a financial and industrial competitor in the Sosalian League.

“If there is no proof, what action can we take?” a representative from Strosvald stated, “even if Lisvyisker Carrier Planes were to bomb out cities without abandon, what could we do about it? As long as they are attempting subtlety I say we address the larger problem first. If we do not unite against the Grossreich, it shall conquer us one by one.” The representative slammed a fist onto the desk in front of him. “I do not see how there would be any other options.”

In the end, a vote was cast. The states of Ellowie and Vynmark chose not to act in support of Strosvald, citing the potential threat of the Lisvyisk. Their energies would be devoted to defeating the Twaryian invasion. Netilland cited economic troubles as a reason to abstain. Western Valsten also declined to help, not wanting to divert troops from their lands in the event of a Grossreich invasion of their country. East Valsten, Sosaldt, Roussmark and Plisseau, in the end, were the nations that chose to come to the aid of Strosvald against the Grossreich.

Strosvald would have to hold until they could mobilize, however. The capital was as of now still far from the front lines, but the gap shortened each day, and with the rebellion of numerous noble houses, it was unknown how many of Strosvald’s soldiers would be fighting on the Archduke and the Nation’s side when the time came…

>repost of general geography

You have decided to keep Maddalyn von Blum, the noble girl who blocked your platoon’s path and demanded that you take her along, with you, for a variety of reasons, but mostly because she could be a powerful bargaining chip in the event of anything going wrong. It certainly isn’t a chivalrous motive but you’ve learned by now that war is far from chivalrous.

You continue to head northward, as whatever plan happens to turn out to be the best move, north is the way to go. Delsau is not far at all to the north, and the 6th Panzer and 34th Infantry are also to the north, holding out against the Von Blum faction and making a desperate assault on your passenger’s home in order to make their position less hopeless.

This offensive posture makes you and your platoon’s plan to go over to them difficult.

“Commander,” your radio operator addresses you, “I got a word from the company. They’re saying there’s a search on for our guest.”

Maddalyn tries to sink into her seat, but it is impossible to hide in a metal crate with four other people.

“Why do you want to go to Delsau?” you ask. “There’s more to your plan than just escape, isn’t there?”

Maddalyn looks down and purses her lips, silent.

“Don’t worry, little lady,” Stein reassures her, “we aren’t turning you in.”

Maddalyn looks up. “You aren’t?”

“No.” you say for Stein, “2nd Company is going rogue.”

“We just haven’t told anybody yet.” Hans, the radio operator, calls back sarcastically as Maddalyn snaps up in alarm.

“Rogue!?” she nearly shrieks, “Why did you even stop for me then?”

You mention that you had asked your question first. Maddalyn looks down again and appears pensive for a moment.

“I…know somebody. They’re relatives; distant relatives. They’re really influential in Delsau’s government. They’ve always had their eyes on this territory, but the main branch of the von Blum sided with Strosvald instead. I think I can get them involved.”

Getting Delsau involved would not change things very much. Delsau was cautious of the empire, and had substantial fortifications, but to assist Strosvald they would have to come out from beyond their walls. This would not happen, to say the least. You mention this fact.

“That’s not the point,” Maddalyn says, “I may be young but I’m not that ignorant of the world. Delsau is a close ally of Naukland. Strosvald can fight the Grossreich, but without any allies more houses will just do exactly what mine did. This nation is too confident in its Sosalian League.” Maddalyn scoffs and brushers her hair out of her face, “the League is just this nation but on a grander scale. Even if some action is taken everyone’ll be keeping one eye on the people who are supposed to be their best chance. It’s absolutely hopeless.”

“Strangely noble for a traitorous family,” you hear the loader muse.

“It’s my best hope!” Maddalyn snaps, “If I stay, I either become destitute, or some nothing concubine bribe to the Kaiser! Absolutely unacceptable!”

Maddalyn appears to think for a second, and then her face becomes flush with a scarlet hue. It appears that the last part of her statement was something she did not mean to reveal.

That would have to be addressed later though. The radio operator informs you that he now has a link to 4th Company, who are ready to move out as soon as you arrive.

>Continue with the original plan. Accompany 4th Company to the lines, and then break off as soon as you can

>Use Maddalyn as justification for not linking up, and take a more direct route to the loyalists (restrain Maddalyn)

>Do something nuts (write in)

Be aware that coming into contact with the loyalists of 6th Panzer and 34th Infantry is easier said than done. You have no knowledge of their radio frequencies, codes, or of their definite positions; only that they are attacking the villa of the von Blums. Your vehicles are marked with the 3rd Regiment Insignia, so they likely will shoot first and ask questions later.

>>42476270
>>Continue with the original plan. Accompany 4th Company to the lines, and then break off as soon as you can

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>Lisvyisk Union
Fuck, so much for USSR assistance.
>>42477442
This I guess

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>>42477553
I agree, though I'm curious if there's a France analogue west of the Reich we could potentially call upon. Or hell, America.

>>42477442
+1
Why is it so hard to avoid white knighting?

>>42477442
Yup. Same as last time.

Is the thread dead?

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>>42478978
OP is just a bit slow as seen in the previous threads.

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>>42476318
Come on OP this story is pretty damn cool. Don't let it die.

RIP OP

>>42478978
>>42479091
>>42479299
>>42480436
Ah fuck me dead

Sorry guys I don't know what happened. Don't know how many of you are still here but I just got punished for not sleeping. I'll try and get shit back on track

>Really sorry guys. One moment I was awakeand then the next it's four hours later.

“Keep going,” you say, “We’ll be on a flanking operation; we’ll just loop around wider than everybody else.”

“Aye. 4th Company wants to talk with you.”

The 4th company commander was a boisterous officer. You can tell from the first few words that he is a presence on the battlefield.

The plan to break away turns out to be slightly more difficult in execution; the 4th company commander is a rare individual in Strosvald command, possessing an initiative and an ability to read the flow of battle far beyond the ability of most. For this reason, he informs you that he elected not to wait for you and has already begun his attack.

By the time you catch up to the line, he has already made terrifying progress.

The results of his blitz are scattered throughout several miles of carnage. There are occasional knocked out tanks with the 3rd Regiment Panther marking, but these are few and far between.

You catch up in the middle of a treeline. You stop there to observe the situation in front of you.

The thunderous crack of a pair of anti tank rifles can be heard from the pitiful defensive line in the ditch almost eight hundred meters ahead. 4th company is made up entirely of Pz.28s; there are no equivalents in their ranks to your first and second tanks, but there are still 18 of them, concentrated in the field ahead of you and bearing down on the loyalist infantry, responding to each shot with a fusillade of machine cannon fire.

>Fire on 4th company; from the rear, even your 13mm gun armed tank can pierce their thin armor.

>Continue around; avoid a conflict with 4th company and instead try to find a loyalist patrol to make contact with

>>42482151
>Continue around; avoid a conflict with 4th company and instead try to find a loyalist patrol to make contact with
By the time we find a loyalist patrol, they'll be dead at the rate the 4th company commander is going. Still, that's a lot tanks, I don't trust the dice to pull us through.

>>42482151
>18 of them
>we have 5 if I remember correctly
We might create some chaos and disable'em if we shoot but I don't like these odds. Can we run to Deslau like she said?

>>42482375
There are five, yes. I just added the current platoon status to the PB, but I'll post it here anyway. 2nd Platoon has 2 Pz.32 medium tanks and 3 Pz. 28 light tanks, one of which is armed with a 13mm machine gun.

Anyhow.

You curse to yourself and order the tanks to reverse and go around the spare woods where you are positioned. You order your loader back into the tank; now at the front, his position outside of the tank is quite perilous.

Maddalyn was quite recalcitrant when it came to making room, but quickly quieted down when the mechanics of what happens when an 8mm Messer shot hits a human body. She lay dejected on the bottom of the tank, next to the ammunition storage.

Your search happens to not last very long. A familiar sound reaches your ears through the thicket ahead of you.

The Pz.32 has an engine that becomes temperamental if not well oiled and clogged with dust. Specifically, while it is hardy enough to continue working through some abuse, it displays its displeasure by whistling at a cadence that has a remarkable rhythmic similarity to a popular children’s rhyme.

This incredibly annoying sound is the bane of a Pz.32 crew’s sanity, and from the sound of it, at least one Pz.32 who was suffering from acute coolant shortage was heading straight towards you.

Driving forward is suicide, quite plainly. Disembarking and removing your uniforms is an option, but one that leaves you open. There is one grease-stained individual cowering on the floor, however, who could plausibly make close contact without being identified as a thread.

> assume a non-aggressive posture and disembark

>stay hidden and send in the hitch hiker

>>42482817
>stay hidden and send in the hitch hiker
If we reveal ourselves at all, we're gonna get shot. Send in the Madame.

>>42483000
Supporting

>>42482817
> assume a non-aggressive posture and disembark
She is way to valuable to risk. Go out ourselves

>>42482817

> assume a non-aggressive posture and disembark

>>42482817
> assume a non-aggressive posture and disembark
Just started reading this, looks interesting. I'm a little confused isn't linking up with the loyalists against what she wants thus making the send her option a bad idea?

>>42483487
The end goal is for her to get to Delsau. We're her ticket up there so she'll do what's needed. She's a very popular person at the moment though, it's true.

Also goddamnit guys I had the first choice all written up and then we get three for the opposite. No complaints, understand, but luck is not with me today.

>>42482817
>>stay hidden and send in the hitch hiker

>>42482817
> assume a non-aggressive posture and disembark

>>42483632
Ah ok, got a bit confused.

Also the stay hidden choice was in the 15min mark, the other votes came later so technically it won and would be fine for you to go with.

>>42482817
> assume a non-aggressive posture and disembark

I hope we get shot

>>42483954

Wasn't aware of any time limits.

The other things turned out better written anyhow.


“Wait there,” you tell Maddalyn, “Everyone else except Hans and…driver, come with me. Tell the other commanders I’m going up ahead to see the people with the abused machine.”

“Can I-“

“No.” you preemptively refuse her request for a better seat, “if this goes wrong we’ll need to be back in position quick.”

“Yeah, stay there,” the gunner says, taking a carbine and strapping it to his body. All the crew had taken off their coats; a minimal precaution in case these people who were presumably 6th Panzer still felt sore about the betrayal of 3rd Regiment. “You’ll be nice and safe next to the ammunition. Unless it gets hit and it explodes.”

You do not stay to hear any continued protests. Time is of the essence, and you head into the brush ahead.

The guns you, the gunner and the loader are carrying are just a last resort, in case you encounter anything not planned. The weapons are all strapped to you and your crewmen, instead of being ready in your hands. You would certainly be shot otherwise. The gunner wears no shirt; he was chosen to provide the white flag of truce for this meeting.

You hear a sickening screech that interrupts the hideous whistling, combined with a meaty clanking noise. You can’t even see them yet, but judging by the swearing you immediately know that the noisy customer ahead just suffered from a terrible detrack.

“Nice.” You hear the loader say.

You hold up the dirty white shirt and start waving it.

“Hello?” you call, “hey, you guys with the teapot?”

You hear the heavy bolt of a machine gun ram home. The whistling must have drowned out the sound of the trucks behind the tanks.

It would have been unusual for the 6th Panzer to be anywhere without the 2nd Panzergrenadiers.

“Come out with your hands up!” shouts a gruff voice.

You walk forward, makeshift truce flag held high. As you suspected, the track of the lead Pz. 32 is hanging loosly behind the drivewheel, the crew digging around in the tool box in the back for a solution. More concerning are the stern group of heavily armed infantrymen lined up in front of you. Their uniforms are dark blue, with their sleeves bearing the emblem of the hammer; insignia of 2nd Panzergrenadier.

“Who are you and what do you want?” a middle aged man who appears to be the Sergeant demands. He carries a brother to the submachinegun your loader bears; his, however, is covered in battle scars as compared to your crew’s nearly brand new firearm.

They seem to be quite suspicious of you. Rightfully so, as you look quite suspicious without uniform jackets.

>You are 6th Panzer loyalists, come to defect

>In addition to the above, mention that you have Maddalyn

>All of the above, share your ultimate destination

>additional (write in)

>>42484130
3rd panzer. Ahem.

Mixed shit up royally. 3rd Panzer is the loyalists, 6th are von Blum. Sorry for the mix up.

>>42484130
>>You are 6th Panzer loyalists, come to defect

>>42484130
>You are 6th Panzer loyalists, come to defect
Let's not reveal we've got Maddalyn.

>>42484228
Aaaand what it really is is the reverse of that.

Don't worry guys I'll get my own numbers right at some point. I keep getting mixed up because the MCs are in 6th platoon of 3rd regiment.

>>42484108
>You are nth Panzer loyalists, come to defect

>>42484130
>>You are 6th Panzer loyalists, come to defect

“We’re from 3rd Panzer Regiment, 6th Company, 2nd Platoon,” you introduce yourself, “Lieutenant von Tracht. We came here to join with the armies of the Archduke.”
“Our friends got bombed and shot by the Grossreich this morning,” your Gunner continues, “We can’t fight alongside those who slaughtered us so soon.”
The panzergrenadiers don’t ease up at all but the crewmen of the tank call to you.
“You’re panzer? Can you come over here and help with this then? This piece of shit’s twisted in a way I’ve never seen it before.” The crewman, whose hat designates him as a commander, gestures at the Sergeant. “Stop sticking them up. If they were with the Blums we’d be dead right now.”

>ok guys I'm pretty sure I have the numbers right now.

The sergeant does not stop glaring at you and your men, but he tilts his head over to the disabled tank. You and your crewmen head over to survey the damage, and cringe.

Somehow, the tread not only ended up behind the drive wheel, but got caught in between one set of road wheels as well. The treads are wrapped tightly around the top and bottom of the wheels and their suspension; it would take hours to untangle.

“You’re better off scuttling it,” you recommend, “There’s a company of armor who are with the von Blums just a few klicks away.”

“We heard. We were on our way to intercept them.”

“They’re attacking en masse,” you say, “18 tanks when we left them. They’re close enough that their guns can penetrate Pz. 32 armor, I’d say. The situation isn't ideal.”

“Well we can’t sit here and do nothing!” the 3rd Panzer tank commander complains. “We can’t just leave our guys when they expect us to come to the rescue!”

Even with the lead tank disabled the platoon was a formidable fighting force. Unlike your makeshift platoon, theirs was entirely made up of Pz.32s. Their markings suggested that they were of 4th Platoon of the 6th Panzer Regiment. Their insignia is of a tower.

>decide that you’re coming to the rescue. You have 5 tanks, and even with one disabled four additional Pz.32s make the odds a bit better.

>Recommend a retreat. The odds really aren’t too good even with a surprise attack

Write in reasoning for either.

>>42484751
>decide that you’re coming to the rescue. You have 5 tanks, and even with one disabled four additional Pz.32s make the odds a bit better.
We've got the numbers, we need to do something.
Have the lead tank scuttled or towed, we don't have the time to repair it.

>>42484653
Fuck uh. Huh

>>42484751
>>decide that you’re coming to the rescue. You have 5 tanks, and even with one disabled four additional Pz.32s make the odds a bit better.
Remember, if we fire first and surprise them, we will throw them extemely off their game, with them haveing ti identify, retraverse, and all that

Rolled 36 (1d100)

Let's see how's our luck tonight

Rolled 36 (1d100)

>>42485358
Shit

Rolled 31 (1d100)

>>42485358
>>42485549
Luck is a misnomer.

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“Are you in command of the platoon?” you ask the tank commander. He responds in the affirmative.

“I am Lieutenant Otto Smitt, of 4th Platoon, 4th company.”

The company attacking the loyalists was also 4th company, but of 3rd Regiment. To simplify matters you deice to yourself to just refer to them collectively as the von Blum forces.
You ask if you can get their radio information, and he is hesistant at first but surprisingly forthcoming after you reveal the position and disposition of your tanks.

You inform Otto of your intent to help him; he can scarcely contain his joy, but it is time to plan.

The von Blum forces do not know of your change of alliance, nor did they suspect it. They assume their flanks are clear, that you’d be reporting any change in that. That assumption could doom them.

You adjust on the map for where you expect the enemy tanks to be. If the infantry from earlier had managed to hold, you would come up on their flank, and if they hadn’t, you would be behind them. Either way an ideal starting position for a tank battle.

“Our markings are still for 3rd Panzer…” you muse, “we don’t have any paint to amend that with.”

You try to think of whether you took any flags, but you don’t remember any. You do think of one thing that could work as an identifier to your allies, but you’re not sure if Maddalyn would tolerate it. Her dress was quite a noticeable shade of blue, after all.

It might be a decent idea to concentrate your forces to eliminate the possibility of friendly fire, but the tactical advantages of a multi-pronged assault would be immense…

>plan for battle

>>42485682
I guess returning to the von blum forces, reporting their position, waiting them get attacked and then attack them from the rear sounds like the best choice

>>42485682

Have the panzergren platoon engage from the flank while the two armor platoons hook around to the enemy's rear. The flank attack will cause the enemy to slow their assault and consolidate their offensive line to deal with the new threat on their flank, which will make them perfect stationary targets for the two tank platoons bearing down on their rear. Leaves them no room to escape either. Proceed with removal.

>>42485682
Hah, we can always dress Maddalyn up in one of our uniforms. Having an identifier so we don't get shot by friendlies is a good idea. Let's give that idea a go, couldn't hurt to try.

Rolled 23 (1d100)

“Have the panzergrenadiers move here,” you point to the location on the map. As long as they moved on foot, they could catch the flank of the von Blum tank company by surprise. “Once they’ve engaged, we’ll let the Blums redirect their attention. I hate to say it, but by now the defenders are probably worn ragged. Hopefully we intervene in time.”

You point to another location on the map, behind where the von Blum forces are. “We’ll drive both our tanks around here, going wide. Then, we hit them in the rear.” You prod the map for effect. “An ambush followed by a surprise attack. Their commander is formidable but we can probably take them out if this goes right.”

“They’ll think something’s up if you’ve stopped responding to them on the radio…” Otto murmurs.

“Do the panzergrenadiers have any smoke grenades?”

A short conversation with the troop commander reveals this to be the case.

“Right. Once we move out, scuttle that tank and throw smoke all over the place, right before the Panzergrenadier move out. They’ll think we got ambushed. It’ll make them expect a flank attack, but they probably won’t assume we’re coming around the back. At least not with the teapot.”

You arrive back at the platoon with the other platoon following. Your commanders are relieved to see you back, and you quickly brief them on the situation.

“Get ready to move as soon as I signal,” you say, jumping into your tank after your gunner and loader. “Maddalyn!” you address the lump on the floor, “take off your dress.”

“What!?” she nearly explodes, “You …you barbarian! Pervert! Beast! What makes you think-“

“So our new allies don’t shoot us.” You interrupt.

“And blow up the ammunition,” Stein helpfully chimes in.

There is no time for an extended lecture on the importance of unit markings, so you are forced to convince her with fear.

Stein tosses her his jacket. “I can’t give you my pants so that will have to do. Don’t worry; we’ll be too focused on the mission to stare."

Maddalyn looks ready to burst into tears, her mouth twisted with smoldering frustration as she pulls off her dress. You quickly snatch it and attack it with a knife. Each commander in your platoon gets a blue section of cloth to hang out of the commander’s cupola as an improvised pennant. This form of ID is relayed to the panzergrenadier, who are in the same breath ordered to move out.

An explosion booms in the distance, and smoke of varying density begins to rise.

It is time to begin.

>One and four fifths of a platoon worth of firepower needs to go out. Give me nine d100s.

Rolled 50 (1d100)

>>42486613
We are fucked

Rolled 63 (1d100)

>>42486613
RNG please save us.

Rolled 80 (1d100)

>>42486721
>>42486613
The RNG isn't merciful. Are low or high rolls better?

Rolled 82 (1d100)

>>42486613

>>42486739
Lower is better but I tack on modifiers depending on the situation. I won't tell what the success number is because it's more fun that way.

>>42486739
>>42486613
KEEP ROLLING

Rolled 57 (1d100)

>>42486613

Rolled 58 (1d100)

>>42486921
Fine.

Rolled 75 (1d100)

>>42486613

Rolled 12 (1d100)

>>42486613
>>42486921
I'M GIVING HER ALL SHES GOT CAPTAIN.

Rolled 56 (1d100)

>these rolls
We are dead.

>>42487013
YOU MAY HAVE JUST SAVED US
THANK YOU RNGESUS

The first section of the operation goes remarkably smoothly.

When the Panzergrenadier arrive, they report that sections of the defensive line are still resisting. An initial attack from their AT rifles failed to deliver severe damage, but skillful shots have damaged two tanks by the time you are in position.

You drive the platoons into position and briefly observe the tactical situation. The company appears to have split in the face of the Panzergrenadier ambush. One platoon has angled its armor so that neither the defense line or the ambushers have a good angle on them, while the another appears to be reversing to hit them from the flank. The last visible platoon is busy attempting to obliterate the remnants of the defense line.

An uneasy feeling descends as you realize that one platoon is missing. However, there is no time for hesitation; the opportunity will not be there forever.

You give the order to fire at will.
A spectacular series of missed shots eviscerate the ground next to the enemy tanks. The first volley, it appears, was largely ranged in incorrectly.

While the majority of shots fall short, you are relieved to see your own tank’s shot fly true, directly into the rear of an enemy turret. The turret splits like a log struck by an axe, and even though the tank continues driving it is clear that it has been crippled. A shot from your allies sends a 47mm shell through the rear of one of the enemy light tanks. The tank is drenched in the flames of its own fuel near instantly, and a single crewman leaps out of the tank just before it begins to chatter and pop with the sound of the ammunition burning.

The enemy does not react in time for your gunners to adjust their sights and fire a second volley, however.

>Nine more d100s, please. This time just take three each so we don't clog the works. Should have said that from the start really.

Rolled 28, 13, 5 = 46 (3d100)

>>42487429
inb4 100

>>42487429

Rolled 2, 76, 83 = 161 (3d100)

>>42487429
TIME TO ROLL LOW

Rolled 18, 2, 98 = 118 (3d100)

>>42487455
I just saved us all

1/2

A second shell from your tank is accompanied by a long burst from the 13mm gun. The tank you directed fire at, marked with platoon commander markings, is perforated by heavy caliber fire before a shell crashes through the turret rim. The ammunition begins exploding near immediately and fuel from the perforated engine soaks the wreck. It only takes seconds for it to become a roaring fireball, and no survivors come out.

The volley has similar effects throughout the enemy, who although were only lightly wounded by the first volley, are ripped apart by the second. The firepower of your combined platoons reduces the enemy by nearly half before they have even turned about their turrets.

The enemy is in disarray. Of the 14 tanks that were before you, five are twisted infernos and three are definitely knocked out, having suffered catastrophic damage from the combined ordinance of your platoon.

You hear a "hurrah" from the panzergrenadiers, cheering. The AT rifles crack once more and sparks fly from pierced side armor.

With that, the enemy seems to give up. The crews emerge from their tanks, waving their arms and shouting before prostrating themselves on the ground.

You still have no idea where the missing platoon went, but with the ruin of the company it would be unlikely for them to linger.

2/2

In the aftermath, you tally up your losses and gains. Your gunner makes a note marking the tank’s second and third kills. The defenders of the line were the most heavily hit; out of 30 defenders, only six remain unhurt. The Panzergrenadier’s trucks drive in and pick up the wounded before spiriting them away back to wherever their base was. The Panzergrenadiers suffered heavy losses too; they suffered ten wounded and nine dead. However, without their contribution the attack would not have gone half as well.

You notice a group of Panzergrenadiers lining up groups of the von Blum crewmen, many with bruises upon their faces. They have put them in a tight row in front of one of the knocked out tanks. The prisoners are prodded into place with bayonets, and they seem to be pleading. One of the panzergrenadier moves in front of the line with his light machine gun, and lines them up in his sights.

>Intervene
>Leave them

>>42488040
>Leave them
If they're not nobleman, leave em.

>>42486613
>“So our new allies don’t shoot us.” You interrupt.
“And blow up the ammunition,” Stein helpfully chimes in.
Heh nice, just got back catchin up.

>>42488040
>Intervene
Men following orders.

>>42488040
>>Intervene
"That's seems like something the Gross would do

“What is the meaning of this!?” you bellow. The panzergrenadier snap around and stare at you. “Are we brigands, that we murder the helpless? Where is your honor?”

There was a moment of silence before a grenadier shouted back, his face contorted and red, “Where are these bastards’ honor, Lieutenant?! We came to help them, but instead they stab us in the back! They got into bed with the same people who killed their countrymen! Who dropped bombs and shells on them!” he punctuated this outburst with a savage kick to the prisoner he was next to, who collapsed with a yelp. “Where is our honor? Up your ass. Sir.”

A shout of agreement is raised from the other grenadiers.

One of them had tears streaming down his face. “These shit eaters killed Anton and Franz! I knew them since I was a boy! We all took the oath to protect Strosvald together. How are we rewarded for our loyalty, our sacrifice?” his voice was breaking, his teeth grinding together, “A knife in the back!” the rifle in his hands shook, his finger coming on and off the trigger.

Everything you learned while growing up taught you that to take advantage of the weak and helpless was disgraceful, that one had a weakness of another kind if they partook in it.

You remember the anger of your platoon, however, that drove you to your current decisions. You can feel the same blind hatred from the Panzergrenadiers. The blazing fury that was obscuring the despair of having lost friends, comrades, brothers.

You had seen pain and death, but you could not say that you had lost any friends. Even in this battle, your tanks had not even been fired upon, laying waste to the enemy for no loss, while the infantrymen held out against odds that, had your tanks not been there, would have been hopeless.

What right did you have to condemn their anger?

But it would be wrong to do nothing. Their hearts were ablaze with rage now, but the rage would eventually subside...

“I…”

>write in

>>42488786
Martial court exists for a reason.

"Do you want them to do the same to us? The rules of war exist for a reason. Violating them like this not only puts our comrades at risk it proves that we are on the same level as these backstabing traitors."

>>42488786
"I understand you're angry but, you are better men than this, slaughtering men are what cowards do, what those with no honor do! If you kill them now you will be no different than them and the sacrifices of your friends and allies will be forgotten in place of more rage and dishonor. Show them the honor of your people show them you are better men."

>>42488786
"You are soldiers of Strolsvald! You and your friends all took oaths to defend her! You all knew what that meant! If you lost your life in war so be it. It's what you expected!"

"Your friends gave their lives with courage and valor, fighting an enemy head to head, face to face. They did not kill those who could not fight back! They stood and fell bravely in the line of duty and if they could see you now I'm sure they would have condemned you for such a heinous act! So if you dare spit in the face of your friends sacrifice by executing these men I will kill you myself!"

TO be honest, I'm not sure about that last part of that last line, but I stand by the rest.

There a twitter for this?

1/2
“So if you do kill them?” you retort, “What does that accomplish? Will it bring your friends back to life?”

You don’t allow them to think of a comeback. “What do you think will happen if you do kill them? Will you accept it when they do the same to us? Would you accept this as justice if you were in their position?”

“That’s different!” a grenadier protested. “I would never be a traitor!”

“Fine,” you say, “you wouldn’t be. What if you had no choice? You!” you point at one of the prisoners, who flinches, “why do you fight?”

“I…I’m no traitor! I fight for muh-muh-my family, my son, my mother, my…oh, God, don’t let them kill me!” the man had begun sobbing in the middle of his sentence. Few could look death in the face and not feel terror.

“Look at him!” you scream, “Sniveling, pathetic, defeated…did our comrades die so we could stain their honor by killing prisoners?”

This sentence deflated many of the panzergrenadiers. The one who had first protested opened and closed his mouth a few times, unable to put together a response. You focus your next assault upon him.

“If they have no honor, then do we stoop to their level?” you accuse, “We are soldiers of Strosvald, are we not? To die defending her from our enemies, such is war. At least in death we have done our duty. Is our lot as defenders of Strosvald to kill the helpless and weak, or to protect them?”

The grenadiers were all looking down now. Their rifles hung limply at their sides. The machine gunner had sat up and had his head in his hands. There were no responses.

“Who’s giving a speech here?”

You hear a haughty voice and look towards it. Coming towards you is a panzergrenadier. The symbol on his sleeve marks him as a lieutenant, although he appears to be relatively old for such a low rank. He has bandages wrapped around wounds on his head and left arm, and his gait has a slight limp.

“What the hell is this?” he growls, addressing the soldiers, “Are you scumbags from 2nd Squad? Does your Sergeant know what you’re doing?”

They began to respond but the Old Lieutenant cut them off. “Damn you, of course he doesn’t! Unless that bullet in his lung made him psychic, he doesn’t know you’re all here about to commit a goddamn war crime!”

He steps up to one of the grenadiers and slugs them in the stomach. The grenadier doubles over in pain. “How many of you are here in this shit?” the Lieutenant shouts, “Six, huh?” He grabs the grenadier by the collar and strikes him. Four more times, he punches him, in the face, in the abdomen, and then he throws him down to the ground and kicks him in the ribs.

“Let that be a lesson!” he shouts again, “You aren’t fighting for yourself here, you shitboots! Ask your friend here how it felt to be punished for your bullshit! Now piss off, and send 3rd Squad over.”

The grenadiers stumble away, helping the one who was beaten walk. The Lieutenant watches them with a flint stare for a moment and then turns back to you.

“Forgive them, Lieutenant…von Tracht? Yeah. They’re young and foolhardy, drunk on emotion. This is their first time, but they have to learn that it won’t be their last.”

He pulls out a small box and pulls a cigarette from it, as well as a box of matches.

“Smoke?”

>accept

>decline

>other (write in)

>>42489579
Sure. It's Tanq@scheissfunker.

>>42489622
>>decline

>>42489622
>decline
Smoking's bad for your lungs.

>>42489622
>Decline
"No thanks, take some whiskey instead though."

Cool, thanks.

“No thanks,” you decline the offer of a cigarette.

The old lieutenant shrugs. “You’ll want it eventually. Trust me.” He tucks it back into the box. “Good job out there Lieutenant. We won this one thanks to you.” He reaches forward and pats your shoulder. “You ought to be told that.”

“…thanks.” Something seems off about the man.

“You feel guilty, don’t you.” The old lieutenant says, sucking in a breath from the cig. “Guilty that you don’t know their pain. You don’t feel you can understand it. I can tell, no need to answer me.” He looks directly into your eyes. “Listen Lieutenant. It’s going to happen to you, that’s just the way it is. Everybody’s fucking furious the first time, cause they don’t know the feeling. They think they’re special. That they’re the only ones who know their pain. When it happens, just remember what you told them just now. You’re not alone, so don’t act like it.” He punched his shoulder, “Let’s do good work out there.”

As he limps off, you feel that this old lieutenant is a strange man indeed.

“Hey, you.” You address one of the prisoners.

“Y-yes sir?”

“Do me a favor.”

“Anything!”

“Give me your pants.”

“Here.” You toss the trousers at Maddalyn as you climb into your tank, and she scrambles to put them on. “How did you like your first battle?”

“I didn’t see anything,” she said curtly, “All I was doing was lying on the floor, afraid, while explosions happened everywhere.”

“Welcome to war.” The Loader says simply, ripping a piece of jerky in two with his teeth.

“So what…where are we going now?” Maddalyn asked.

“Well,” you think for a moment, “We managed to beat away the counterattack we were supposed to be part of. I don’t know how much it affected the assault on the villa. From what I can tell from the prisoners, capturing the von Blums won’t make much of a difference. This may as well be the Kaiser’s land now, so the soldiers will swear fealty to him so their homes aren’t crushed by the Kaiser’s armies. All in all, the assault was a nice political move but a pointless strategic one.”

“So what do we do?” Maddalyn presses.

“We go back to the loyalist base with our new friends,” you say, “then we consider our options. We still have the markings of 3rd Panzer. As long as that panther is on our turret, we can pretend to be friends with the Grossreich. We can either try that or see if we can get more than ourselves up to Delsau with you. You don’t mind company, do you?”

“Not really,” she said, “As long as they don’t mind me. I don’t know if that’s a good idea though. A few soldiers is one thing, but I don’t think Delsau will let in everybody we have here, let alone the whole force from the capital. It could provoke the Grossreich.”

>Go for subtlety. Get passage through friendly territory, then set out for Delsau under cover of your markings

>Get everybody out. Inform command of the situation and try to break out to Delsau.


This'll be the last story post in this thread. The votes for this will be applied to what happens next thread, which'll probably be next weekend.

>>42490308
>Go for subtlety. Get passage through friendly territory, then set out for Delsau under cover of your markings

>>42490308
>Go for subtlety. Get passage through friendly territory, then set out for Delsau under cover of your markings

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>>42487969
>>42488040

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>>42490308
>>Go for subtlety. Get passage through friendly territory, then set out for Delsau under cover of your markings.
Also any chance of acquiring flakpanzers soon? Hate to have a bomber ruin our day again.

>>42490308
>Go for subtlety. Get passage through friendly territory, then set out for Delsau under cover of your markings


42490547
A little early in the war for SPAAGs

>>42490547
What >>42490715
said.

Any AA right now is motorized at best.

>>42490308
>>Get everybody out. Inform command of the situation and try to break out to Delsau.

>>42490860
Next session when?

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>>42491306
He posted a twitter link for the quest. Tanq@scheissfunker