A Battle Unseen

[Doc]

Ananto Estate, Duchy of Vrassa, May 20, 5637 2:15 pm

The Empress was at her desk, looking over plans to send election monitors to Tukarali.  She thought it an excellent thing that other nations trusted Kalistan with monitoring elections as they transitioned to democracy.  It was a mark of pride that Kalistani political scientists had such an excellent reputation for verifying election results and fairness.  

And she was glad to know that elections monitors would never be needed in Kalistan.

A small chime rang.  Her Imperial Majesty hit the buzzer and the door to the ante chamber opened.  The Chancellor of the Empire walked in and the Empress invited him to sit down.

"Sir Koenig..."

"Your Imperial Majesty, we have the initial reports from Etxea."

"Go ahead Sir," she said.

"Hutori has declared war.  The Militia are under Union command, and we believe they are expected to serve in a rapid mobilization force under Union command.  Several false reports of activity along the Endralon border have failed to distract the Legion.  We're expecting the fiercest fighting to be at the beginning of the battle, but Militia won't be used in the first waves of the landing.  From satellite reports, the Legion is concentrating forces in the south, but their secondary is much less concentrated.  They are having their slaves dig tranches for their cities, and I don't think the Union forces will conduct pitched battles for every stupid little city the way the Legion would prefer.  The North is far more lightly defended, and the analysis is that the war will be won in the north, while the main body of the Legion's troops are held in the south."

"Sounds utterly dreadful, Sir Chancellor."

"War is dreadful, Majesty."

The Empress sat silently and stared into space, clearly thinking...  Finally, she dropped her gaze back to the Chancellor.  "Do you think we can win this Mr. Koenig?"

"Well Your Imperial Majesty, I do think we can."

"Do you think we will?"  asked the Empress.

The Chancellor caught his breath...

"Your silence speaks volumes," said the Empress.

"Your Imperial Majesty," began the Chancellor after a moment.  "There is a greater than zero chance that we will.  Based on the plans I have seen, its significantly less than one.  And I think it is a much higher probability that the militia is wasted and used as fodder.  I...  I don't have a lot of faith that the Artanians have our forces' best interest at heart.  But they know what they were signing up for.  And Colonel Martinez will certainly do what he has to do to ensure that our troops aren't squandered."

"What is your read on the participants?"

"Defense gave us a report," said the Chancellor.  "The Hutorians will hit them with brute force.  The Etxeans will fight fiercely.  The Luthorians will...  I suppose they will fight competently, but they often show up after they would do the most good.  I don't know...  The Mordusians are a bit more enthusiastic, but they are sycophants and would rather impress the Luthorians than anyone else.  We don't know much about the Davostagers..."

"And what of the Legion?" asked the Empress.

"Well, they have their share of fanatics, but most of the people who populate their armed forces are slaves.  I can't imagine there is any fighting spirit among slaves.  And they don't educate their people, but simply brainwash them all day.  The ones who are dedicated will fight to the end.  I suspect most of them would surrender at the first opportunity.  But it only takes a hand full of idiots in a strategically advantageous location to cause real problems, so its Martinez' hope that the militia largely avoids their defensive positions, to deny them the opportunity to gain any benefits of the prepared defense...  He's not all that optimistic."

"Well," said the Empress.  "When the history is written, at least Kalistan will be numbered on the right side of history.  We shall ask our mother to say prayers in her church for the Militia, if that will do any good."

"The Militia I am sure, Madame, will be happy to know you are thinking of them."

"Indeed.  Now, we will hear the reports from out other ministries, please."

"As you command, Your Imperial Majesty," said the Chancellor.