FSE

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If there was one thing anyone could give the C.S.S it would be the respect it had for the dead. It made absolute senses with numbers of people put through the forces and the numbers who failed to make their way out. It was expected if not a requirement that the military and politicians put in some real effort on how they dealt with the dead; the people would likely riot if that was not the case.

They had a whole planet next to the capital, a single world that was dedicated to the dead; a singular giant memorial world where every soldier, sailor, pilot and the rest was provided a respectable spot amongst those of their service. Even the ships had some kind of small memorial; in the largest battleships it was a large circular room with walls that seemed to stretch the whole length of the ship and for every death a name was laser printed into the wall by drones; Rank, Name, Number, date of birth and date of death.

It was all in short hand but it was to make best use of the space and for the most part it was just symbolic; if your name was higher up on the wall it was hard to see and there was no real system for going up the wall to see those on the upper plates.

The main element was a console in the centre of the room.

That terminal was the most important part of all of this, a public database with up - to - date record of all; K.I.A. D.O.W. and M.I.A. It was meant to keep everyone in the loop though surprisingly it was not as used as one might have expected. It was possible to access from external means but it was far too much of a fiddly process; one had to be really inclined to do that.

"Are they there, are they there!?" a group of Yersin hung about the console for the minute while Roland stood to the back patiently waiting. She tried not to listen in though the rats' quite liberal way of speaking made that quite hard to do.

"Am not seeing it; what was the unit again?" the oldest of them tapped away on the console panel while the two younger ones seemed to huddle around him.

"It was... Oh try 603rd Artillery" the one on the left said seeming quite optimistic and the one on the right seemed to agree and with that the older one tapped away.

"No nothing, they must have gotten lucky..." the old rat pulled back with a smile and the other two seemed to smile to.

"Guess we can go back and tell the others, they'll be happy to know" the one to the left said.

"Yes, we'll need to write to ????, you know she'll love such good news" the one to right chirped. The older rat just shook his head as he pulled away from the console, "well that's if they believe us".

With that the trio walked away leaving Roland to here business as she made her way over to the console. She paused, a strange uncomfortable feeling rolling up her back. Why am I doing this? The question would not leave her mind but it slowly rolled away, her hands tensed as she finally tapped the name in.

Garand Olstrmin.

They could really be quick bunch in that paper room: it all came up, all up to date with such a handsome picture of his face. It was a fresh faced picture maybe one taken the day he started and maybe one could complain that it was a slight misrepresentation compared to how he looked in those later parts of his career but the smile was as a clear unchainging constant.

Why did it have to be you? She still couldn't escape the feeling, that feeling that maybe there was something that could have been done different, something she could have done, something that would have meant the two of them would have made it back.

It all felt so wrong, they been through so many similar ops and made it to the end with only scrapes and burses; maybe at worst the odd bullet hole or laser burn but Garand always made it, he was always a constant and yet now he was gone...

Her eyes drew off to another part of the screen; a whole list of awards and battle history and to be expected one stuck out: capture of The Leon, a small digitized ribbon was next to it though the screen made it hard to make out. She didn't focus on it and just before leaving her eyes settled on one last thing a tribute placed at the top of every recorded death;

Died a hero's death in service of the People and the C.S.S; always to honour and always to respect, R.I.P.

No one should have to die for all of this...

"Oh... You're here?" that subtle voice chimed in from behind Roland as the words hit her ears with a slight sour distain that nipped at the inner most being, Roland turned around.

It was Cu, the dark red and white vulpine was just watching her for a moment, fully dressed with a primed and proper uniform (as any vulpine should). A new ribbon stitched onto her jacket; yellow with navy blue to the side and a thin red line down the centre. "I was just... I er-" Roland was slightly lost for words with the look on Cu's face not being something that spurred comfort.

The fox still did not speak only slightly moving her head to get a look at the console; her face seemed to drop slightly as she made her way over to the terminal now just ignoring the spotted lupine.

The fox's gave a slight sympathetic slide but a neutral face forced itself back; "a good solider lost and I doubt will have another just as good", she seemingly couldn't help it and antagonistic hiss broke its way from her maw.

"I know... I wish it could have been different" Roland mumbled out though the fox was not about to be a sources of sympathy.

"Different...yes, but instead we're stuck with you" Cu finally turned to look at the wolfess a mounting look of anger in her eyes which somehow had Roland shrink. This was clearly something the vulpine had wanted to get off of her chest for ages but nice old Garand for as much as she respected was also the one thing that kept this wolfess safe...

"You; a coward, a weak pathetic coward a waste of a creature..." the fox just stood there growling though she reframed from going further (not the vulpine style to get over-the-top) and with that Cu came back, still horrendously mean spirited though eloquently put.

"Of the two of you the only one who should have died is youand if the world was based in any way on merit or skill... but no... Luck and fate is such a fickle thing and the good solider dies and the useless one lives". Cu moved forward never once breaking eye contact with the lupine and to that she stepped back. Despite the clear power difference Roland was relenting her voice a hollow mumble making all of her words impossible to hear or understand. She wanted to defend herself but Roland struggled to put together the words or even deny the criticism.

The vulpine eyes were still a flame with anger but she didn't push anymore though Cu looked as if she could degrade and insult Roland for hours but instead she just started to finish-up the interaction.

"You don't deserve this and I feel you know that" with that Cu tosses a small black case onto the ground as it clatterd to the ground an a little ribbon fell out and lay unceremoniously on the ground. After that the vulpine pulled out a bit of paper and made her way over to Roland holding out the paper waiting for the wolfess to take it before giving some parting words;

"Do us all a favour; get the fuck out of the CMC"

With that Cu walked away leaving Roland alone her head a mess of thoughts.

Her eyes slowly came to the bit of paper as Roland pulled it open; reassignment papers...

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"There you are" Admos called once he came into the office grabbing out to the man though feeling his heart jump as it phased into him; a hologram...

"It's very nice to see you Admos" Admiral Hahnemann's hologram replied though the image seemed to break and ripple until Admos pulled his hand back out. With that the two stare each other out; there hatred for one another was not something easily hid. Hahnemann was still sour that position of Kaiser had not being granted to him and Admos was still frustrated by the old man's inability to see the lupine as an equal.

"Now, now gentleman; let's not fight amongst ourselves, we've business to attend to".

A third person broke into the little stand off as both Admos and Hahnemann's attention was drawn towards him. Another human but he was one without the military flare or dress rather he was in regular civilian dress; suit pants, shirt and a blazer... Ah such a frustrating presence the one with no military history yet with all of power; a C.A.B. representative...

"And who are you?" Admos questioned as he looked the little man up and down, he showed no fear but then that was to be suspected from one whom likely spent his time in the den of political animals.

"C.A.B. representative Raljon... You can just call me Raljon or Ral, am just here to talk about the new plan"

"And what would that be?" Admos interjected "I don't think this was discussed with me" he followed up as his attention was slowly moved back to Hahnemann... The old man just ignored him while Raljon's eyes just flicked side to side though he avoided saying anything just for the moment as the two had their starting contest...Correction: Admos had his staring contest. Hahnemann just kept his gaze dead on towards Raljon.

"Can we just get on with this" Hahnemann followed up breaking the awkward silences as Admos finally pulled back.

It might not have been perfect but for the moment peace was established though the meeting was down a member. Raljon just pushed forward not wanting to waste his time in cases Admos or Hahnemann were to started again on something else.

"Yes... The party has pushed for one more operation to get us onto Federal soil; they're hoping to capture Joplin" Raljon said as he slowly stepped backwards to pull down a screen for some presentation aids.

"And why are we doing that?" Admos questioned as he tried to relax himself into comfortable position on the little office chair. He was already not in favour of this; the campaign had been well fought and with the Federals main warship and large segments or their fleet in ruins it would only be a matter of time and the Feds would sue for peace... They'd sue for peace hoping to prevent a C.S.S invasion; but if they dared to cross over now it likely would be enough to reignite a new spirit to repel if not build a new invasion force...

Though despite his rational understanding the Lupine found no good feeling form the tired look on Raljon's face before he gave party line on the Joplin invasion;

"They want a victory on Federal soil; the congress thinks it will help to get the people in order and get their confidences back" he said that all with a matter of fact tone, really that was because it was a matter of fact issue. If the party was in agreement then there was going to be no amount of logical arguments to change anyone's postion.

"That's really it?" Admos followed as he stretched up in his chair while Raljon's eyes slowly moved towards the table top as he fiddled about for a cigarette, lighting it up before saying anything.

"I can appreciate it's not the greatest justification for an attack but the fact of that matter is we're already in the mists of it and we've no way out Kaiser, I promise we tried"

"Then try harder" Admos finally spoke again his tone now equally dry as a horrifying sense of impending doom curdles in his soul; pushing the war to Federal territory did not sit right even if the politicians were hungering for it.

"We have and I promise you those who've spoke the hardest are currently no longer able to talk anymore... Luckily I mean they've just been given short 'break' from the parliament... We're not yet at the point of shooting dissidents... Well least not major dissident politicians"

Admos just sighed as he rubbed his hand to his top of his muzzle.

"How is the attack going" Hahnemann pushed, he did care about the politics; he knew fine and well that he had no ability to effect the way in which plutocrats and bureaucrats were thinking... He just needed to make sure they'd win.

"We've secured the space around the planet" Raljon explained as he puffed away at his cig finally coming over to map of the system; an awkward crop of some map the diplomatic parallel line located embarrassingly close to the planet, there was no hiding it this was just a simple 'show battle' but Admos still did not trust it.

"Third fleet is securing the planet and surrounding systems..."

Third Fleet; that was Verna's... Not the worst choice but Admos would have had more confidence with his own or Hahnemann's fleets taking charge, but for the moment they were off on the far flanks of the boarder still skirmishing with small ships.

It wasn't that he did not trust the vulpine it was only that she had a slightly; "am hear am hear sorry" a voice called as the black and red vixen made her way into the room and took a seat at the table.

Admos just looked at her with surprise, Hahnemann just giving a slightly distained roll of the eyes; he was off a position quite similar to that of Admos though he was far less understanding or willing to let the vulpine develop, he would have rather just kept her out of the way. Raljon just watch with little change to his flat expression as he just slowly moved the cigarette from his mouth and tapped off the excess ash.

"Good to see you could make it Admiral Verna" Raljon finally commented before he continued.

"Ground operations are under the command of General Ovex; it is also the issue of the ground which is causing us the most trouble... It would appear miners are being more trouble then we bargained for"

"Well what kind of population is it?" Hahnemann finally broke in with a question for a change, while Admos just readjusted himself in his seat again. Alternatively Verna seemed to just content herself with stacks of paper she had brought in and laid out before herself; clearly she was just physically involved in the meeting.

"It's a majority Lepus mining colony" Raljon said as both Admos and Hahnemann shared a moment of annoyed frustration as the old man leaned back while Admos rested his head into his hand... Verna was just shaking her head but that was more over all of the papers that were before her and the conflicting details of reports.

"You should just nuke the fucker from orbit and be done with it at that point" Hahnemann commented a flat somewhat cynical joke, likely he half believed it a valid plan. The rabbits were nothing to snuff and they'd fight tooth to nail every step of the way.

"Likely would be better to just blockade the planet and wait them out" Admos commented trying to think in the grander scheme of things but Raljon only shook his head.

"The congress isn't after a five year blockade, they want a victory and they want it now; that's why we're taking these marines, we need to send in some extra man - power to help out the troops"

Once again that got a shared glance between the human and wolf in a shared moment of concern. "Are things that bad?" Hahnemann questioned.

"It's not bad" Raljon defended "Just an underestimation; Ovex did not expect much"

"Oh what a twat" Hahnemann commented with a shake of the head "a rookie general I'd assume?"

Raljon just took a long draw on his cigarette without saying anything, he didn't have to, just that tired look in his eyes... Really after everything what veteran general would be convinced by a bunch of politicians trying to suggest going over the border and pushing the war on was a good idea.

War weariness; such a interesting thing... Admos wonder how much longer the army could go on before something happened. They did seem like the most pressured part in the whole chain; if the CSS was going to hit the fan it would likely start in that place, if not amongst the people... Not to say Admos ever desire such a thing; if the C.S.S. fell to bit... No, it did not even bare thinking about.

"Are you sure that'll be enough?" Hahnemann questioned as he finally pulled himself back putting Ovex stupidity to the side.

"They are just miners" Raljon defended though his comment only got a perplexed look from the two... Verna was still slowly ripping the fur from her head as she flipped between two reports while trying to find some plot points on a star map...

"Am sure that's what Ovex thought and look at him now" Admos commented as Raljon quickly corrected himself.

"What I mean to say is once we get some proper force mobilised on the ground will have them on the retreat... A quick easy propaganda victory"

"You better be right about that" Admos followed as he just shook his head while Hahnemann's hologram seemed to lean back not voicing his agreement though he was admittedly onside with the lupine.

Verna however was still checked out from the situation trying her best to get a grip upon what information was being sent to her from the unit around Joplin.

Her field of operation was to make sure no Federal force would come in and ruin the operation though the wider part of her orders was to keep Joplin secure and to be prepared for any potential counter attacks.

It was a wide field of operation made difficult by physical obstacles of asteroid belts which hampered movement. It was like a three - prong fork with the each end being the different planet with the void between each planet blocked by a screen of space rocks. The situation from that was then the need to route any ships backwards up the prong to the base to get ships moving along to locations it was needed... It was a long, laborious process and every movement needed to be deliberate.

One battle group was deployed to each prong; a primitive deployment, a waiting unit to report of any attacking force though now... Now the one thing was to wait for where the strike would come... She was certain of it but where? That was what was driving her mad; she had no scouts to identify hostile movement in advance.

Long - range sensors meant something but they did not give the benefit of knowing friend or foe, trader from military craft and the vulpine spent nearly two night not sleeping as she watched feeds of radar blips as benign little dots came mind bogglingly close and then just zipped past... It was getting to close and she would not deny that she had many moments of nearly ordering her precious reserves into position they were not needed... She luckily did not pull the trigger but her waning senses from lack of sleep were getting to her...

Verna finally pulled her gaze back up from the table as she checked a paper one last time allowing herself to finally coming to the realisation that she was left on her own; she was clearly far to invested in her reports.

I need to get back she thought to herself as she rose from her chair and left the room.

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Koda twisted about restlessly in her bunk, for as much as she craved the chance to finally get some rest after hours of active duty on deck she still found herself twisting about in scratchy sheets despite the perfect silence of the crew quarters. She twisted over again facing back towards the door for the sixith time; maybe hoping if she twisted enough time she'd finally just put herself to sleep.

This however went against her as the door to her cabin opened leaving Koda to slightly curl into her sheets in response to the bright light; ah the pleasure of shared cabins. The collie closed her eyes for a moment before finally peeking out from her sheets once her eyes adjusted.

She could slightly make out the figure in the door way as they came into the room and collapsed onto the floor by the bunk bed though it was only after the door closed when Koda was able to get a clear glimpse of the figure, "Roland?"

Well it made senses no random would so blazingly wonder into the cabin; they did share it.

The collie gave a little smile as she slowly stretch over from her top bunk to try and scratch at the Lupine's head; it was a little thing between the two though rather than rising slightly to receive the pets she just wallowed slightly, clearly not in the mood.

"What's the matter big girl?" Koda asked as she continued to lean over the bunk just letting her arm hang loosely.

Roland however just sat quietly still contemplating all of the thought in her head all the disgusted and conflicted feelings... She couldn't really put the words together in her head though one summed feeling finally found its way out.

"It's just fucked... This whole thing; taking that ship was just a waste; this whole war just a stupid waste of time and life"

Roland mumbled out at next to a whisper... She was riding a very thin line talking in such a way but she was talking to Koda and she trusted Koda least enough to know she could talk somewhat freely without waking to an impromptu meeting with the Commissars.

A sympathetic hand reached down finally able to scratch at a point behind Roland's ear helping to put her somewhat at rest.

"You can't trouble yourself with all that stuff; we are just troops..." the collie paused for a moment having a yawn as she drew a hand back before finally going back to scratching Roland's ear.

"You'll just do yourself more harm thinking about what could or could not have been... We've just got to get through this last spot; this last hurdle and we'll all be on our way... War can't just last forever" She paused again needing to get out another yawn.

The hand didn't come back down; at that point Koda was finally pulled in by the desire of sleep. Roland didn't reply still thinking about her thoughts, still not completely satisfied with how her mind was bending about with feeling and thoughts.

Just get through this and just go home? It seemed far too easy, go through all of this and just go back home like nothing happened...

Something seemed to settle though to whether or not it was permanent reprieve or some short term repression of thoughts... She needed to stop thinking... Thinking was just going to get her killed and it would only be a couple of days and she would be fighting on the ground in the open field. Just one last fight, one last fight and she'd be free, the war over and no more need for all this wasting life.

Roland finally let out a sigh as she got up just stretching for a moment as she turned around to face Koda. She wanted to thank her for the kind moment but at that point the collie was peacefully snoozing. Roland decided against bothering her just stretching a hand out to reciprocate the kind gesture as she scratched at the collies ear; it got her a few happy chirps before the lupine left the collie alone finally letting herself settle as she crawled into the lower bunk resting her head and letting herself drift to some kind of rest...

She'd likely be deprived of it soon enough.