Tinkerson made it to the western part of the city. He first climbed up high so he could see the entirety of the wall, and what it looked out to. The view from the wall showed the land was flat. It should be a killing ground if it wasn't for two things. One, not far from the wall was a bloody big forest. The second thing was it was full of scrubland in front of that. In short, it held plenty of cover for invading forces. Fortunately they would not be facing men who would probably take tactical advantage of this. However, the animals would be able to take some advantage of this. While there was some cleared space around the wall, it wasn't enough in Tinkerson opinion. He then looked upon the wall. The wall itself was solid. He could well believe that it had handled monster waves before and still stood. However the defensive implacement along the wall did not look what you would call the best.
On the ground, near the middle of the wall was a gate. Surrounding the gate was what looked to be the main encampment for the wall defences. Tinkerson decided this was a good place to go and have a wander and talk with people. So he headed down and towards the encampment. When he got to the guards he showed the warrant he had been given. It stated that Tinkerson had been given power over supplies for the west wall and was to discuss such with the west wall's commander. The guards looked this over and pointed him toward the gatehouse. He then headed to there and requested to see the commander. He was asked to wait as the the commander was busy handling something at that moment. Tinkerson nodded and asked if he could speak to some of the soldiers that were around the gatehouse while he was waiting. The lieutenant hesitated and then said yes, so long he stayed within sight of the gatehouse. Tinkerson assured him he would. He then moved to a group of soldiers that were lounging by the gatehouse. While most conscripts were dressed in mismatched armor and equipment and some of them missing that, this lot were fully turned out and much more alert then everyone else there. He asked them if he could speak to them.
"Got any food?" Tinkerson took off his pack then brought out a couple of loaves and some meats and handed them over. "Oh wow, some actual meat. For that sunshine, you can talk with us til we got to move on. What you wanna talk about?
"I noticed that you are a lot more put together then most of the people here." Some of the people there laughed. "Are you posted here or just passing through?"
"Well, we are posted here. We are actually meant to help with the defences and train up the conscripts but well, as there always is at the beginning of these things, some officers are having to decide on a plan of action first so we to sit on our backsides til something get sorted." Some sarcastic muttering came from the back. This was bad. Trained troops like this were worth their weight in diamonds at the beginning of a state of emergency like this. They needed to be used or at least functioning usefully. They knew their business. All they needed was to be let loose. So he moved on to the next part. Explaining who he was and what he was to do, The leader of the squad showed some animation.
"So you mean when we damage shit, we can bring it to you and you can get it repaired while I get some kip?"
"Sod that sarge, he said he be able to feed us! I can't remember the last time during a monster wave someone promised me that! Mind you, if you don't deliver, it not gonna go well for you." Said one of the troops. Tinkerson nodded to this and said he would have some soup even if nothing else, but he hoped to do better. "Hey, soup on the regular will do if nothing else, you do that and you will have made some friends here." Rumbles of agreement accompanied that. Turning back to what appeared to be the leader of the squad, the sargeant, Tinkerson began to speak.
"I'm not sure where I be situated at the moment, but the idea is to be close enough to here that you can come to get what you need rather then going to the centre of the city, but far enough it should be out of danger. Have a think on supplies you and your squad need, both short term and long term for this monster wave and I see what I can do. I come find you after my meeting with the officer in charge. I think I see the Lieutenant coming to find me." The squad looked toward the person coming towards them. A soft voice spoke from the back.
"Oh fuck he looks so new that he still got that squeak. Please don't be the new squad commander." The lieutenant reached them and nodded to Tinkerson. "The commander willing to speak to you now." Then he turned to the squad. "Please wait while I escort this man to the commander. Apparently I have been place in charge of this squad."
"Very good sir." Said the sargeant. As the lieutenant walked away and Tinkerson followed him, he heard a thump followed by an aggrieved ow. He then heard a voice say "That what you get for cursing us Rosser. You just had to say what you said."
Tinkerson was brought to an office within the gatehouse. He stood aside to let what appeared to be some miltary officials leave the office. The lieutenant guestured for him to enter inside and went ot leave. Tinkerson then spoke. "Can I offer some advice Lieutenant if it alright?" The lieutenant nodded subconciously.
"Please do. I am new to this and am not sure what to do. I have had some training on how to lead men, but in truth, the men I am to lead are far more experienced then I am." Tinkerson nodded kindly and spoke.
"As a lieutenant, your task is to make the decisions that the squad need to do it job. My advice would be this. Listen to what your sargeant tells you, make your decision, then tell the sargeant what you have decided and have him carry it out at his discretion. However this does not mean you need to do what he advises. Only you can decide. I just advise you to listen to what he has to say before you decide." The lieutenant nodded at this. "Good luck and I will probably see you soon." So saying, Tinkerson strolled into the office. There sat an absolute bear of a man. He was obviously a career miltary man. However, to be the age he was, and to be the rank he was, it said one of two things. He had either fought his way up from the ranks. Or he was out of favour for promotion. Tinkerson needed to find out which, and if it was the second why. If it was because he was useless at the political side of thing, then so long Tinkerson could convince him to leave that to him, he might be able to work with that. If it was because the man was stupid, then Tinkerson was in for a rough ride. Tinkerson stood straight in front of his desk,
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"Well, you might not be miltary but looks like you got some discipline and idea of respect of command." Said the man tiredly. "Which is more then can be said for the meeting of jackals I just chaired." Tinkerson was fairly confident from that statement, that some elements of being not good at the political side of things was definitely playing a role here. "Now may I ask what the hell you are doing in my tent and why I have to meet you? You aren't angling for a position of some sort here?" Tinkerson handed over his orders, and explained what he was there for. Some colour came back into the major's cheeks. "You might be one of the few rays of hope I have left at the moment, if you can achieve some of what you say. One of the others I had was the veteran squad I had. It was dampened by the fact I had to put a wet behind the ears kid in charge of it, but I heard what you said and hopefully he listens. He was the best of what I could pick from, but without having been in the middle of it, who knows how he will react? Anyway, Have you any questions? or advice, I am not too proud a man and you look like you have some brains." Tinkerson winced internally. If this was how he was, no wonder he was not looked upon with favour. Still, he looked like he knew combat. a skill that Tinkerson lacked. If he could get the major prepared and equipped, he bet his life that the major would take care of the rest. In fact, to a certain extent, he was betting that.
"I do have a couple of questions that involves my role, but first, can I ask questions involving yours and your area of operations?" The major nodded. "I noticed that there is forest and scrubland in front of the wall. While I acknowledge there not much you can do about that, have you thought to clear the scrubland?" The major nodded.
"In fact, that is number one on my list of things to do. However, in order to do so, I need the officers under me to supply me with details of supplies and numbers of men under their command. I have a sheet detailing me the number I should have, what equipment I might need, what equipment they may have. But my officers are more intent on scoring points off of each other, to be the hero of the west wall, heaping glory for having won the defense of the wall. The fact that we need to do this first, is not something I think that has crossed their mind." Said the major dryly. This was bad. No wonder he looked so despondent when I came in. I then equired as to who exactly the officers were.
"Sons of the scions of the city, every one of them. Oh third born and after to be sure. That why they are thirsty to make a name for themselves. They had weapons training and once the veterans have given basic training, they should be able to continue it. Having been born to the station that they were, they should be able to lead men of course." To which the major grinned sardonically. "However, they seem to be a bit unclear on the concept of working together with peers of their own rank." The major slumped. "The lieutenant is the only one who has undergone proper miltary training which is why I put him in charge of the squad. I be too afraid of that squad killing one of the others and claiming that acidents happen. Because it wouldn't fly after the third or fourth such incident." I could take care of supplies and what not. The major here could take care of the proper needs for combat and leading. The squad would be able to act as the backbone of the wall and give the training that was needed to start things off. The officers were going to be my biggest challenge.
"I believe I have a grasp of that part of your problem sir. I can deal with the supply situation with what has been vested in me by city hall. I just need to get an idea of what needed first. May I ask what the normal course of action concerning the wounded?" The major straightened up and looked happier at the fact that it seemed part of his problem was in fact, no longer his problem. He frowned at my question and told me
"Technically there should be a area situated a bit back like yours for this. It normally sorted by the city healers. However, I have not heard anything about this." This was bad. The living conditions, despite being within the city was not good around here. It was crowded as well and I had read books on what disease could cause within an army. This needed to be sorted and quickly. Well, I had to go back to the centre. perhaps I could pay the healers a visit. I suggested this to him and he looked even happier.
"You know, you seem to be solving or taking on quite a few problems for me. It only fair that I give you help in being able to take care of problems that you may be able to solve for me." So saying he wrote something out and then chucked a pin at me. Rank pin of captain. "Here, this along with the letter should give you some authority. It states that you report only to me and that people should listen to you as if you were speaking with my voice. Don't let me down. I'm placing some trust in you." Nodding, I ask him if he has a list of supplies that he knows he will need at minimum. He hands me a list. I promise to see what I can do about that plus the other problems. He nodded and added. "If you get nothing else soon, please source food. You be amazed at what troops can do when being adequately fed." I noded and left the room. Once outside I spotted the squad and the lieutenant. The majority of the squad was standing to the side while the sargeant was speaking privately to the lieutanent. I wandered over the squad.
"Hey look, he a captain now. Blimey. They let anyone be an officer don't they? Wonder if I can try my luck." The sound of flesh hitting flesh sounded out and some hissing to which the only words I could understand was Rosser and shut up. The sargeant and the lieutenant rejoined us.
"Good news lads. It appears the lieutenant has miltary training and is willing to 'listen' when needed. In return, if he asks us to do something, we do it in proper miltary fashion. Saving questions and remarks for after the job. That includes you Rosser.
"Why am I getting picked on?!" The sargenant ignored the voice from in the middle of the ranks and noded to me. I then spoke up.
"So I spoken to the major, and have gotten some errands to do. I am also to source supplies including food I am sure you be pleased to hear." The squad cheered. "Now I am sure you had a chance to...... look around as it were, and have an idea of what you need. If you could give me the list and also a list of what you think you will need to help you in your training, it would be appreciated." Like magic two lists appeared from within the squad. The training list requests was conventional. The squad supply requests, not so much. Still I nodded and said I see what I could do. So saying, I headed off to the centre of the city.