RM Vol 4: War – Chapter 51: Case Yellow (Day 13 – One Last Run)

    It doesn''t take long for the desperation to set in the hearts of the remaining Erusean Expeditionary Force. Despite the impressive pool of manpower the EEF brings, the Belkans still dismantle them at such an astounding pace that transcends contemporary understandings. It''s not even a day yet, but the combined Belkan Army and Marine forces have ousted or eliminated thousands of Eruseans and Loyalists alike. In Dunkirk''s wartorn urbanscape, the EEF is hemorrhaging valuable fighting power by the seconds, not minutes, not hours. Tired spirit, a clear-cut wartime agreement, and facing an enemy who has an absurd advantage over them... These factors combined have convinced a great many Erusean soldiers to surrender after the initial five hours of combat.

    Although they were bolstered by Lord Gort''s sentiment and the ingrained Erusean honor of serving the best they could for the Royal Crown, both the Erusean Regulars and Territorials alike thought they contributed enough to warrant a rest from warring for something not theirs to own. The EEF''s bleeding wound is exacerbated when frontline officers are being killed left, right, and center. Since Erusean doctrine puts a major emphasis on being subservient to their superiors, many units collapse instantly when their leaders perish in the line of duty. The farther these units are from their command centers, the quicker they give up and surrender to the Belkans. There exist only a few examples where foot soldiers bravely band together for a fight and retreat or a last stand. Yet, for all of their bravery and the needless sacrifices of many, many soldiers, the last bastion of the EEF in Dunkirk is being threatened, a mere push away from being toppled over like many before them.

    Lord Gort knows this, and so do his subordinates. This is why compared to other parts of the city, the EEF headquarters is substantially more fortified. Lord Gort''s command center is hidden deep beneath a mansion''s cellar, with tunnels and pathways hastily dug and connected to many garrisons and fighting positions around the headquarters building, which is itself a well-built manor. The half-submerged trench system and the repurposed basement of the EEF headquarters allow the building to act as a command and logistical hub for the remaining Erusean combatants. It''s from the headquarters that orders and munitions are dispatched through the trenches and tunnels to frontline positions somewhat securely and swiftly. From above, Lord Gort''s HQ looks like a squid spreading all its tentacles around, using them to feed and manipulate its subordinates. The close proximity the EEF headquarters has with the rest of its defenses also helps, of course, in making sure that everything runs much smoother with little delays in between orders and reinforcements.@@@@

    General Belladonna does not fancy being sent back to the academy, thank you very much.

    The kiddy gloves are coming off, and while it''s preferable to have the EEF surrender in its entirety, it''s not that hard of a requirement anymore. To enforce the curtain call on her enemy, General Belladonna throws in her get-out-of-jail ticket.

    She sends in the Ravens.