Forged in Fire (Destiny's Crucible Book 4)

by Olan Thorensen

  Narthani Headquarters, Preddi City

  Akuyun met with Gullar and his staff every day in the sixdays following the fleet’s arrival. Most of the time, he was more of an observer, as the Twenty-Ninth Corps dealt with establishing encampments, billeting officers, slowly working to get the men back in condition after the months’ long voyage, and myriad details with the infantry, the cavalry, the artillery, and the logistics of a 68,000-man corps.

  Gullar had mainly listened as his staff questioned Akuyun and his people about the Moreland City battle, what they knew of the clans’ history, the terrain, and assessments of the clans’ numbers, tactics, and weapons. It was all very professional, and even when they questioned Akuyun’s own decisions, it conveyed a tone of information gathering and not criticism. Which was why he felt surprised and grateful by the way Gullar opened this day’s meeting as soon as all the men had seated themselves around the rectangular table, Gullar at one end, Akuyun at the other.

  “All right, I think we have a clear enough picture of the situation to look ahead. Kamil, summarize how you see our options.”

  General Kamil Avan, Gullar’s second-in-command, sat to the marshal’s right. “Our mission’s objective is the same as General Akuyun’s, bringing the entire island of Caedellium into the empire. The key difference is that now the High Command has increased the priority and committed enough men to ensure achieving the objective, instead of making the effort low priority with minimal resources, as previously assigned. The fact that the island has not already been subjugated is unfortunate, and although we might have made other decisions than General Akuyun and his senior officers in a few places, all of these fall within the normal parameters for any military decisions. We find no general fault with General Akuyun or his staff.”

  Akuyun didn’t feel offended by their open discussion of him. He expected such evaluations at the higher levels of the Narthani military, where general officers spoke more freely among themselves than they would with ranks below or officials above. The highest levels of Narthani leadership accepted this form of internal critique and informally ignored it, in exchange for the generals’ loyalty to the empire. The long-standing custom of openness also tempered mistakes from above.

  “Although the original decision to send so few troops might be understandable from a status-of-resources perspective, a mere doubling would have almost ensured success. The opportunity to take advantage of the clans’ disorder and lack of fighting experience is now gone, which is why the High Command determined that we needed an entire corps to accomplish the objective.

  “Other original mistakes were sending obsolete mixed musket and pike units, instead of those converted to all muskets, the lack of sufficient cavalry, and the settling of so many Narthani civilians on the island before we had achieved complete security. All three of those placed severe restrictions on General Akuyun’s options. Most of these factors resulted from the greatest problem with the initial plan: the shortcomings in intelligence. Instead of disorganized clans that we didn’t expect to cooperate quickly enough to resist absorption and that had no experience in large-scale military operations, the clans organized faster and to a totally unexpected degree. They showed tactical sense more like that of a mainland realm’s army, and they went from having no artillery to developing the casting and deployment of cannon impressively fast. While I grant that Caedellium is far from Narthon and intelligence must have been hard to come by, there’s still no excuse for basing the original mission on such poor information.

  “However, the most serious failure from higher up was to send so many Narthani settlers here so early. We assume there was some logic to it, but we’re unaware of why you would put a hundred thousand nonmilitary personnel into an ongoing conquest when given no better than even chances of success. Naturally, it may simply be our own lack of understanding of why such decisions were made.”

  The last words were the commonly pro forma method to avoid outright calling High Command decisions stupid.

  “Which leads us to where we are and what’s next,” said Avan. “After reviewing all information, we have recommendations that General Balkto will elaborate.”

  Avan looked to the man sitting on Gullar’s left. The short, bald man with eyeglasses was Gullar’s operations officer, what Yozef would call his G-1. Balkto rose and went to a Caedellium map on the wall. He picked up a wooden pointer and tapped the tip on the center of Preddi Province before turning back to the table.

  “We will retrace the route of Brigadier Zulfa’s invasion, but this time with 52,000 Narthani divided among units totaling eight thousand cavalry, 38,000 infantry, and six thousand support troops. This force would move straight on Moreland City and then on to Orosz City and finally finish cutting the island in half by reaching the coast of Adris Province, where naval resupply will be waiting. The loss of Eywell Province means there will be times when the corps is farther from a supply base than the tentative plan developed on the voyage called for, but we don’t consider that an unacceptable situation.

  “Another eight thousand infantry under General Istranik, with naval support, will attack coastal provinces and prevent the clans from concentrating all their men on the campaign to cut the island in half. Those eight thousand would also be available as a reserve for the main force. The remaining eight thousand men will remain in Preddi City and includes support personnel and several regiments to assist General Akuyun in maintaining the security of Narthani civilians in Preddi Province and forestall Caedelli temptations to raid into the Province.

  “Since the islanders made a stand at Moreland City before, we expect them to do the same this time. If not there, then Orosz City. Future details and actions will be dictated from initial outcomes. The hope is that a few crushing defeats and major cities burned will lead individual clans to sue for terms.”

  During the following discussion, Akuyun voiced caution about making assumptions about the Caedelli, and it was the only time he had the impression Gullar’s staff peremptorily dismissed his views.

  “It’s unfortunate we no longer control the two adjacent provinces,” said Gullar. “They would have given us more projection into the heart of the island. However, this presents more of a logistic complication than a tactical one, because it only places our base of operations fifty to eighty miles farther from the island’s geographic center. The aim remains as it was for General Akuyun—to either defeat in battle or get every clan on the island to surrender. Based on what we know, it’s obvious any surrender will only come after we’ve defeated them badly enough in battles and destroyed enough of their cities, towns, villages, crops, and herds to force them to accept the inevitable. That’s our best-case scenario. Worst is that they never surrender, and we have to dig them out of every hole in the ground and kill most of them. We agree with General Akuyun that it’s far better to bring as many as possible alive into the empire and with as much of the island’s infrastructure intact as possible, but we need to face the possibility that won’t happen. The only positive about that worst-case scenario is that once the clans’ ability to mount serious military opposition is finished, the High Command will likely have our corps move on to other missions and bring in a recently incorporated people to help repopulate the island and root out the last resistance.

  “Our focus will be to destroy the clans’ ability to fight. How we do this is the question. After considering options, we are recommending to Marshal Gullar that we follow the same basic strategy as tried by General Akuyun—march toward major cities and force them to either fight or have the cities destroyed.

  “The exact campaign direction will be determined later as we finish getting our men back in shape after the voyage. In the meantime, we need to push back at the clans’ patrols along the Preddi border and see if we can regain some of the lost ground. At the same time, it will give us a chance to test the condition of the cavalry units matching up with unfamiliar horses, get intelligence on the status of Caedelli weapons, and give us some indication of ho
w they will react. If the opportunity seems right, we might attempt to retake the Eywellese town of Morthmin about thirty miles north-northwest of Preddi. That would give us more of a forward base to operate from, and we’d be in a better position to explore more options for our major moves. Ideally, we would go as far as Hanslow, but that’s close enough to the edges of our previously controlled territory that it might provoke a major clan response before we’re ready.”

  Akuyun Villa, Preddi City

  “The meetings have gone well,” Okan Akuyun said to his wife. “Gullar’s staff is very professional. While I wouldn’t rate all of them at the very top level, they all focus on their responsibilities and the overall mission.”

  Rabia took another sip of Melosian tea and set down her cup. “You had concern over their attitude toward you.”

  “I haven’t seen a problem. Not all of them agree with some of the decisions we made, but the impression I get is that they accept our actions as the men on the scene and not as criticism. It was interesting today when General Balkto summarized their intent when they move against the clans. They will follow the same basic strategy we already tried—marching into the middle of Caedellium and burning every town and city until the clans are forced to fight and be destroyed or surrender when they realize the futility of further resistance. Even though we didn’t succeed, I take it as a good sign that Gullar and his people came to the same plan.”

  “Did they indicate when they’ll start?” asked Rabia.

  “No fixed date but about a month and a half from now. They’re still organizing and recovering from the voyage. However, by sending an existing corps, it shortens the time. When we came, the units were new and had never been together before, so it took many months to get the men and units into minimally acceptable status. In the meantime, he’ll increase pressure on the islanders and might try to retake Morthmin as a base farther forward. Losing Eywell sacrificed an important salient into the island’s interior. They’ll also mount more aggressive patrols, leading up to battalion-sized scouting, to check the clans’ responses.”

  “It all sounds like everything is moving forward well,” said Rabia. “Why do I sense you’re not pleased with something?”

  “You know me too well, dear. What Gullar did not bring with him was any additional civilian administrators.”

  Rabia’s shoulders slumped, and resignation flashed over her face. “Does that mean what I think it does?”

  “I’m afraid so. Gullar confirmed to me in private that he had no knowledge of what the High Command intends for his command after it finishes with the Caedelli, but he doesn’t expect to be involved in administering the island.”

  “Which leaves it up to you and your people, Okan, and we won’t be going home anytime soon.”

  Akuyun laid a hand on her shoulder. “I’m sorry. I know you miss your family, and Bilfor’s and Morzak’s children are growing up without us seeing them.” The Akuyuns’ two older sons were army officers and had growing families, including three children born after the Akuyuns left Narthon.

  “I don’t suppose you have any idea how much longer we might be here, Okan?” asked Rabia.

  Akuyun shook his head. “Too much depends on how Gullar’s campaign goes. I’ve tried to caution him and his staff that the islanders are liable to prove more stubborn than they think, but that’s the one topic I don’t believe they’ve listened to. The person who does agree with me is Sadek, and he’s now working more with Gullar than me in his assessor role. Sadek tells me he expressed similar reservations as my own, and he’s shown me a copy of a recommendation he intends to send to the High Command. In it, he lays out a series of options, depending on how Gullar’s campaign comes out. One possible scenario is that even when they are crushed in battle, the clans refuse to surrender, and scattered resistance continues from supporters and islanders hiding in the mountains. In that case, Sadek suggests the most efficient way to proceed is to depopulate the entire island by whatever means necessary and bring in a completely new population.”

  “Great Narth!” exclaimed Rabia. “I pray it doesn’t come to that.”

  “The same with me. The Caedelli are joining the empire. I’ve come to believe they would be a valuable addition. I’d hate to see that wasted. Whatever happens, it looks like we’re going to be here for several more years.”

  Chapter 41: Recon in Force

  Orosz City

  “They’re steadily increasing the pressure on us,” said Welman Stent to the full War Council. “It started about three sixdays after the new Narthani arrived. Both regiments in Eywell have pulled back their encampments to Morthmin, and I’ll order the one regiment in Selfcell to withdraw to Stent Province as soon as the last of the Selfcellese in northern Selfcell have left.”

  “What’s the size of the Narthani intrusions?” asked Yozef.

  “Until last sixday, no more than fifty at a time. However, twice now our people have encountered over a hundred Narthani, perhaps as many as two hundred, accompanied by a few artillery pieces. It all smells like they’re building up for something much bigger.”

  “As it does to me,” said Farkesh. “The itch in my back tells me it’s time to start Phase Two and get more people heading to the redoubts and units gathering.” Only Phase Three would be left: all noncombatants to the redoubts and all fighting men to major mustering points.

  “They could keep this up indefinitely,” said Orosz. “The longer we wait, the more prepared we can be. I’d hate for us to waste sixdays, even months.”

  Culich sighed. “Everything we do has to assess the consequences. So far, our forward regiments only had to discourage Narthani patrols. What if we authorized them to go after the next large patrol of one or two hundred? Maybe chasing them back or even inflicting enough casualties will set back whatever timetable they’re on.”

  “Another thing to consider,” Yozef added, “is that as larger groups cross the border, it’s only a matter of time before much of our men’s attention is on the larger groups. Then they’ll miss small patrols, even individuals slipping through our cordon attempting to stop the Narthani from knowing what’s happening in the rest of the island. It wouldn’t surprise me if that’s already happened.”

  After a half-hour of discussion, Tomis Orosz called for a vote. “I think we know as much as we’re going to about the current situation and our options. Unless someone objects, I suggest we vote on whether to call for Phase Two or wait for more news of Narthani action.”

  Stent nodded. Farkesh said, “I’ve nothing more to add,” and Culich said, “Vote.”

  “All right then,” said Orosz, “those in favor of—”

  “Before we vote, Tomis,” interrupted Farkesh, “I have a suggestion. I know how the conclave agreed on the council organization, we four voting and Yozef advising and voting only on two-two ties, but let’s be honest. Yozef is at least as important as any of us in our planning, so why don’t we agree he’s a voting member on all issues?”

  Stent gave Yozef a questioning look. Culich appeared impassive. Orosz nodded and said, “I think I agree with Feren. Events may start to move fast, so I don’t see a need to consult with the other hetmen. We can agree among ourselves and bring it up with the others at some appropriate future occasion.”

  “Culich, what do you think?” asked Stent.

  The Keelan hetman shrugged. “Obviously, I have a connection with Yozef, so it’s best I don’t decide. I’ll agree with whatever the three of you want.”

  Stent looked at Yozef.

  Yozef had been listening and thought it a reasonable suggestion, which itself was a revelation to him. A few months ago, he would have looked for ways to deflect responsibility, often futilely. Now he seemed more than willing to accept the ultimate responsibility of joining the council in making life-or-death decisions for all the Caedelli.

  “Uh . . . Welman . . . if it’s the will of the council members, then I accept.”

  Stent nodded. “It’s done, then. Let’s all five o
f us vote. Tomis, you’re serving as our leader in meetings. You call it.”

  With that lack of drama and discussion, the Caedellium War Council became five members—four hereditary clan hetmen on the Island of Caedellium, planet Anyar, and one member from La Mesa, California, planet Earth, hereditary leader of no one.

  “Two options, then,” said Orosz. “Wait or invoke Phase Two, although I suppose I need to include a third option where some of you might not have a strong feeling either way and will abide by the decision of the rest. So, those in favor of invoking Phase Two, raise a hand.”

  Three hands raised: Stent, Farkesh, and Keelan. Culich cast a surprised look at Yozef.

  Orosz continued. “Those in favor of waiting for Phase Two, raise a hand.” No hands raised, meaning Yozef and Orosz had no firm opinion.

  “I have to say I’m surprised, Yozef,” said Culich. “Do you really not have a strong opinion about starting Phase Two, or were you hesitant to cast a vote your first time?”

  “Culich, it’s one of those situations where the issues and parameters are too complex and the information too limited to make purely rational decisions. In such cases, my people came to understand that sometimes a group can often come to the best option, even more than individuals who you might think better qualified than a group decision. We call this ‘collective wisdom.’ The basis of it is that an individual, no matter how intelligent or experienced, can always make mistakes. If decisions are made by groups, sometimes mistakes can be canceled out. It obviously doesn’t always work, but when there’s an element of doubt as to the best course of action, it’s often best to go with a collective decision, which is what we’re doing today. If three of us believe Phase Two is justified and two don’t know, I’m willing to go with the majority decision.”