TFA1 5.6 - Prospective Desert

  North Gate, Fort Cambia

  17:10, 6 Jul 2025

  This afternoon Colonel Meyer received a report that a number of cavalry entered Tarai Guard border post. However, he ignored it because the opening attack would be launched by artillery elements, and bigger concentration would make their job easier.

  One thing he did not expect was that not long afterward, Northern Coalition’s leaders personally came to Fort Cambia and asked a meeting with Lt. Colonel Slane or Viscount Rattel.

  'Are they employing Trojan Horse?'

  Asked Colonel Meyer inwardly, but his wonder evaporated after he saw that his guest consisted of only three luxury carriages, each carrying a middle-aged man in glamorous clothes, an old butler, a woman, a young man, and several children. Meanwhile, a small number of cavalrymen and coachmen stood not far behind them.

  Colonel Meyer was a former Ranger Airborne from Georgia who had a tough, outspoken character, and didn't know how to speak formally. Therefore, without introducing himself he opened a conversation.

  "State your identities and the reason of your visit?"

  One of the middle-aged men immediately took a step forward, and then in a tone that was neither humble nor arrogant he said, "I am Count Weizz from Tarai Region, together with Viscount Olrig from Liqua Region, and Viscount Yelk from Darpha Region, we want to propose peace talks with Amethyst Merchant and Tuscan Region.

  As a sign of goodwill, in addition to our trusted butler, we also bring the most important family members including our successors."

  Without further thinking Colonel Meyer realized that he had to take his guest to Castle Magwurt.

  "TF Amethyst can provide transportation to Castle Magwurt, but you are not allowed to bring armed guards."

  Count Weizz nodded before saying, "We won’t bring armed guards, but we hope the escort is adequate.”

  “Understood,” Colonel Meyer calmly said. “As for your carriages and horses, please ask your guards to bring them back."

  “As you wish,” Count Weizz firmly replied.

  ---

  Main Hangar, Fort Cambia.

  To support TF Castor, ACG provided several aerial assets that could be flown immediately at all time, and the choice to bring Northern Coalition leaders and their families fell on 2 units Chinooks, 2 units Venom armed with Mk 19 Automatic Grenade Launchers, and 1 unit Kiowa Warrior. Venom was chosen so that in case one of the Chinooks had to make emergency landing, the VIP could be evacuated immediately.

  And when they finally arrived in main helipad, the Northern Coalition Leaders and their family instantly stared at the five flying carriages before them with dropped jaw.

  'Finally, I can get a close look at Amethyst Merchant's flying carriages."

  Count Weizz muttered as he followed a small briefing from a Lieutenant who in charge of the airlift mission. Then, Chinooks crew politely helped the very nervous passengers to sit as comfortable as possible and fastened their seat belts.

  Before long, a convoy of helicopters carrying Northern Coalition leaders and their family take-off and sped up toward Magwurt City. And as soon as Viscount Olrig turned his gaze towards the window, cold sweat instantly drenched his back. He then nervously turned his gaze to Count Weizz who sat next to him.

  "How do they see in the dark?"

  Previously, Count Weizz was too immersed in his awe after seeing Amethyst Merchant's flying carriages, so he completely forgot that he would fly under the night sky.

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  That's why, after hearing Viscount Olrig's question, Count Weizz's face instantly became as pale as a corpse.

  "How am I supposed to know?"

  Count Weizz replied in a low voice, while in his heart, for the first time in his life he sincerely prayed to the gods who lived in heaven asking for a safe journey.

  ---

  Main Interrogation Room, Amethyst Merchant HQ, Castle Magwurt.

  18:20, 6 Jul 2025

  Once the notification from Colonel Meyer arrived, preparations to welcome Northern Coalition leaders were immediately being carried out. Mier had the task to take care of their family and brought them to Maple Palace.

  Meanwhile, Lt. Colonel Slane, Viscount Rattel, General Khartoum, and officers from IDG would hold a talk with Northern Coalition leaders. An interrogation room was immediately prepared. But of course, it was not the type of interrogation room that equipped with torture instruments.

  As soon as Vex entered observation room, he immediately walked over to Major Maxwell who calmly stood behind the glass wall.

  "Am I late?"

  Major Maxwell shook his head. "No, they just have their dinner and we are waiting for you before starting the interrogation."

  "Thank you." Vex nodded in relief, and then said, “Let’s start it then.”

  ---

  From the earphones attached to his left ear, Lt. Colonel Slane heard Major Maxwell say. [LTC, you can start.]

  While maintaining the casual atmosphere Lt. Colonel Slane then asked, "Ser Count and Ser Viscounts, can we start to confirm a few things?"

  Count Weizz nodded slightly. "We can."

  Initially, Northern Coalition leaders were disappointed when they heard that their family was being sent to a hotel. It was quite natural because in Amstell Continent, nobles never stay in public inn unless they were in an incognito circumstance.

  Nobles would usually rent mansions or villas when they travel to other regions, or choose to camp in the wild if there were no facilities that matched their status. Therefore, with their status as diplomatic guests, Northern Coalition leaders spontaneously felt insulted when they heard that the lodging for their families was a hotel. Fortunately, Viscount Rattel and Mier who realized the situation immediately calm them down.

  Viscount Rattel and Mier assured Northern Coalition leaders that Maple Palace was specifically being designed for nobles. Also, the hotel had never received guests, and to honor them, Maple Palace would not receive other guests during their stay.

  After recalling that their current position did not allow them to bid for a bargain, Northern Coalition leaders in the end canceled their request that a mansion in Castle Magwurt must be reserved exclusively for their family.

  In addition, after Northern Coalition leaders enjoyed the steak and wine for their dinner, and received assurance from Viscount Rattel that their family would have a much better dinner because the chef at Maple Palace was three levels better than the chef at Castle Magwurt, their mood instantly became brighter.

  And so, as he looked at Northern Coalition leaders' friendly expression, Lt. Colonel Slane asked the first question. "Are you the ones who planning the attack in Berril Plains?"

  "We have absolutely no idea about the attack, let alone planning it." After clearing his throat, Count Weizz continued in a drop-dead serious tone. “Before Ser Slane asks further questions, let me state our intention of coming here."

  "Please."

  "We will cooperate wholeheartedly to search the kidnapped Amethyst Merchant’s personnel. In addition, every military officer and noble in our Region is ready to be summoned here for interrogation."

  Lt. Colonel Slane nodded slightly before asking, "What rewards do you expect for the full cooperation you are proposing?"

  Viscount Olrig slightly cleared his throat and said, "If Tuscan Region and Amethyst Merchant truly intended to annex our territory, we hope that a deadly means such as an airstrike is unnecessary, and bloodshed can be avoided."

  Lt. Colonel Slane pondered for a moment before asking, "Are Ser Count and Viscount ready to lose your position as leader of your Region?”

  Viscount Yelk calmly replied, "We prefer to lose our position peacefully, rather than lose it with the life of our people. Of course, if we have to lose our position then we hope Amethyst Merchants will provide protection, as we have enemies that will show their fangs once we lose our power."

  Count Weizz immediately added, "Let's make an honest calculation. The Northern Coalition's total population reaches 1.4 million, while Tuscan Region's total population is no more than 100 thousand. So, the key to make sure the annexation run smoothly is to eliminate eight out of ten residents in the three targeted Regions.

  If we insist on fighting back even though we are aware that in the end we will lose our position as well as the population that we must protect, then when we arrive in afterlife we ??will not be able to be held accountable for our actions in front of our ancestors."

  Lt. Colonel Slane tapped his finger on the table before speaking casually, "We have no objection to your proposal. You also don't have to worry about the annexation if we manage to get the kidnapped personnel back and alive."

  “““...?”””

  Then, Lt. Colonel Slane's gaze turned icy as he continued, "However, if we fail to recover the kidnapped personnel, we will turn Northern Coalition territory into a desert with all its residents."

  Gulp!

  The Northern Coalition leaders swallowed hard simultaneously, while Lt. Colonel Slane's gaze returned to being casual and calm.

  *****