[[An independent RP blog for the itchy necked General of the United forces, Iroh the Younger 夏朱 艾洛]]
[[See the About Me page at /rules and the /headcanon tag for more]]
Blenheim was a more impressive victory than Waterloo fight me.
Assaye was a more impressive tactical victory too. All Wellington really had to do was stall Napoleon, and even if they’d lost, there was the Russian and Austrian armies on the way. Assaye was Wellington at his best and was a genuinely brilliant battle of which the odds were truly stacked against him until he found the other river crossing
All this. I’d all-but forgotten about Assaye until I came across it as a battle honour for my local highland regiment. It does boggle the mind though, 9,500 troops and 17 cannons versus over 70,000 and 100+ cannons. It competes with Salamanca as Wellington’s greatest for me.
Going back to Blenheim though, to command an army of 52,000 men from about seven different nationalities in an attack over a river against an enemy that outnumbers you and is occupying three fortified towns - Marlborough smashed it.
“Apologies, General. I lost my temper for a second. Some particular Assemblymen and Senators have not taken kindly to having to work with a woman.”
“However, my original point still stands. I will do what I can to get an authorization, but for now, you are hereby granted the use of your current fleet.”
“I’d say your chances are rather high though. Fortunately for you, my party remains in the majority, though there will be a couple independent and third partisans we’d need to convince.”
“Of course; you have my sincerest gratitude.
While the investigation into the referendum is ongoing, I have to ask you to refrain from extending any official recognition to any rebel regimes; we are willing to undertake any means within our might to prevent this.
It would be very unfortunate if the course of events forced us to take such measures, though; both of us would prefer the amiable relations continue undisturbed. Please, let me know how the Fire Nation can help preserve the friendship our nations enjoy. We do not forget our friends.”
“Our analysts are compiling their reports and documentation on the referendum as we speak; I will forward them to you when they are complete. As it stands now, the commission’s report is almost two thousand pages and counting. In the meantime, you’ll allow me to use V Expeditionary Corps, if not all the United Forces, to ensure and preserve the civil order we currently enjoy.”
“If you’d like to use more than your assigned fleet, you will have to take that up with the Assembly. As you know, the president cannot order broad military action.”
“And I would appreciate it if you spoke in a manner more appropriate to the situation. You might be overseeing the situation here, but you are still a general of the United Republic, and I am still your commander-in-chief. I expect to be handled respectfully.”
“It would be very regrettable if there were to be a breach between our nations over this minor issue. I am Generalissimo and Marshal of the Fire Nation, Commander-in-Chief of Her Majesty’s forces, and heir to the throne. Together with the War Minister, commitment or withdrawal of troops from the United Forces is our prerogative. However, I think it would be better if we didn’t have to take these extreme measures, and instead cooperate to maintain order together.”
“General, if what you say is true, it is troubling, but I cannot justify retracting our support of a democratic process on hearsay. It’s political suicide for a democracy.”
“If you remove yourselves from the agreement, you will do it alone.”
“Our analysts are compiling their reports and documentation on the referendum as we speak; I will forward them to you when they are complete. As it stands now, the commission’s report is almost two thousand pages and counting. In the meantime, you’ll allow me to use V Expeditionary Corps, if not all the United Forces, to ensure and preserve the civil order we currently enjoy.”
"Hey General. What have you been up to these days?" *a sultry deep voice cooes from the shadows*
Dressing in plain clothes, fine though they were, was always fun; leaning incognito on a dark and greasy bar in the old Fire Nation quarter of the city, you never knew who you might run in to. He took a long puff of his cigar, smoke billowing from his mouth and nose.
the enemy approaches from the east and i begin to wonder whether i should evacuate, as i would advise a citizen to do, or follow my heart and stay in our city to the end. it has been a long war and my mind bows under the weight of the last four years. what do you advise? -your countess
What’s the use in falling to defend an empty city? What will my labors save if all that remains of this great metropolis is dead steel and concrete? We face the greatest danger since the onset of this terrible war; all may be lost, but must not.
I consult daily with my lieutenants; I take constant pains to ensure our courageous fighting men are well deployed and provided; I inspect positions and review intelligence, I reconnoiter the enemy from within a pistol shot. I know you hate this evil habit of mine, but it cannot be otherwise. You have seen the invincible resolution burning in our men’s eyes, even after infinite sacrifice.
Even now as we await the enemy’s approach, I prepare to draw the flashing sword of vengeance and repay every foot of ground, every drop of blood lost with interest. When the bloody business is finished, I will lay the laurels of victory at your feet.
I have seen what there is to see; I have done what there is to do.
