Falk strode into the briefing room with Helmuth trailing, the room’s sterile emptiness a faint echo of the IBC’s façade of importance. General Siegs and Admiral Karlmann were already waiting, documents spread across the table like some crude exhibition. The two of them – a veteran General and a Naval chief – seemed to think themselves essential, holding court with their papers as if they held the keys to the Empire’s future. Falk took a seat, folding his hands with a faint air of impatience. This was a mere formality, after all; these men would soon realize the futility of opposing Marix.
Helmuth stole his initiative, laying out the facts of the meeting with unnerving neutrality. “Gentlemen, we’re here to discuss the alleged obfuscation practices carried out by Chancellor Marix’s office,” he announced, his tone as precise and unimaginative as ever. “Specifically, the suppression of battlefield losses and the broader accusation that Marix has orchestrated a coup against the Emperor.”
Falk crossed his arms, waiting for the inevitable endorsement of Marix’s methods. Surely, Siegs would fall in line like the rest, trotting out the usual platitudes about wartime necessities. But Siegs wasted no time. “Over the past year, Marix’s office has been altering military reports. Casualties erased, defeats rewritten as stalemates – even… ‘victories.’ I’ve sent up details, facts, and they come back to me gutted, stripped of truth.”
Falk’s eyebrows shot up, the revelation momentarily throwing him off balance. Alterations? Well, alterations weren’t unusual in times of war. A little varnish on the facts to keep morale intact – hadn’t they all seen it before? But Siegs wasn’t talking about a little varnish; he was describing something closer to camouflage, the sort that could make a man step into enemy fire without even knowing it.
Falk couldn’t accept this. “Perhaps they were deemed unnecessary; the reports… erm, optimized? Wartime demands a certain efficiency, after all. Not every detail requires public consumption.”
Surprisingly, Siegs didn’t relent. “Public consumption?” he scoffed. “For a man so inclined to war, you certainly know little of it. Forget about ‘public consumption’ for a moment. What do you think happens to our plans when we’ve little to build upon? When our own reports are altered before they reach us, it becomes impossible to manage operations effectively. Marix has shown a clear disregard for transparency.”
Falk found himself groping for the usual words, the familiar defense suddenly feeling hollow. “You’re suggesting transparency, but unchecked exposure has consequences. We have to consider morale, General. We cannot waste our time worrying about some – some symposium on ethics! This is war.”
“You?” Siegs leaned forward, a dismissive smirk on his face, “educating me, one of the Three Great Generals, on war?” He leaned back with a smile. Whether it was borne of extreme annoyance or genuine absurdity was almost impossible to tell. “Please, Senior Investigator. I would hardly lecture you on how to conduct your investigations, lacking as you are. I am simply telling you the facts: Marix and his office have manipulated critical war documents.”
The intensity in Siegs’ eyes invoked the slightest twinge of discomfort within Falk. He glanced at Helmuth, who seemed content to let Siegs continue.
“I’ll lay it out plainly. Marix is engineering the information. He’s removing officers loyal to the Emperor, assigning them to distant posts without consulting command. I’ve seen men who were staunch defenders of the Emperor suddenly disappear from key positions. Isolated, shuffled away like pawns.”
Falk leaned forward, forcing himself to keep his expression neutral. “Reassignments are routine. Perhaps there were strategic reasons behind them. You’re reading too much into this.”
Admiral Karlmann cleared his throat, stepping in with his own account. “I’ve witnessed the same with the Navy. Our battle reports don’t reflect what we’re actually seeing. Ships lost, men gone – but the reports that leave my hands end up talking only of victories. It’s as if the real story doesn’t exist.”
Falk felt his irritation rising. “The real story is one of victories, Admiral. Those are the ones that matter. The people need victories. The Chancellor is ensuring that they see what counts.”
Karlmann leaned back, arms crossed, his gaze never wavering. “And when I questioned it, I was told to fall in line. ‘Unnecessary details,’ they called it. But those details are our reality. Marix has turned us into actors in a narrative he’s crafted. The war is already lost; what remains is simply an illusion propped up by the Chancellor’s insolence.”
Falk straightened, forcing the unease to the back of his mind. “Illusions? You seem awfully quick to assume malice where there’s simply management. The Empire has enough to worry about without your concerns over who reports what.”
Siegs grunted, clearly annoyed. “We have documents to back it up. I brought them with me. They’re all here.” He gestured to the stack of papers on the table. Falk’s heart pounded as Helmuth moved to collect the documents.
“You’re mistaken,” Falk insisted, but his voice lacked conviction. “The Chancellor has done what he must – what he needed to, what was necessary – to keep us stable.”
Siegs gave him a long, hard look. “Then let these documents speak for themselves. I’d like to see how you justify this when it’s all laid out in front of you.”
Falk took a steadying breath, nodding to Helmuth. “Very well. We’ll review the documents.”
Helmuth laid the documents in front of him. Falk rested his hands on the table, poised to crush any insinuation Siegs might throw his way. The two leaders leaned in like they were holding court, as if their testimonies could possibly sway someone like him. Falk wasn’t here to be convinced; he was here to tie up loose ends, to let these men have their say so they could all move on.
He picked up the first report – a battle in distant Cartalpas that had supposedly ended in a triumph, with troops returning to accolades. Falk had heard about it, seen the footage himself. Pristine vessels, men standing tall. But the report Karlmann handed over painted a messier picture: casualties, severe damage, and the surrender of an entire conquest fleet. Falk’s mouth tightened. He scanned the page quickly, noting the redactions, the omissions that now seemed so conspicuous.
“It’s not unusual to streamline things for public release,” Falk said, adopting a tone of forced patience. “Morale depends on unity, not on cluttering reports with every last casualty figure.”
Karlmann interjected, pointing out a line that Falk had glanced over. “You call this clutter? Look here. Casualty numbers removed entirely. Streamlined? Ha! If that were true, we’d still be fighting on the coasts of the Holy Mirishial Empire. They were scrubbed down to the bone.”
Falk shot him a glare, unwilling to concede the point. “You’re exaggerating. The big picture’s intact. The Empire needs victories, not drawn-out analyses. People want to see results, not nitpick every skirmish. That’s the whole point of Marix’s strategy.”
But Karlmann wasn’t done. He slid another document forward, this one from a different engagement that Falk also recalled hearing about – Junnaral. Again, the official version had been a victory, but the reality here was a far cry from that. The numbers were harsh, the language blunt. No amount of spin could hide that this wasn’t the clean-cut success they’d been sold. If the document held truth, then the operation there was instead a crushing defeat.
Falk scowled, unable to shake the… the doubt simmering in his chest. “You’d think the Empire’s about to fall apart, the way you’re carrying on. These reports are adjusted to keep focus, nothing more. This level of detail isn’t meant for the public.”
“Apologize for my bluntness, Mister Richter, but might you be daft? This is a losing war, spun to reflect victory and progress.”
There was little Falk could say. He stammered, but could get nothing out.
The next document Karlmann slapped onto the table solidified his speechlessness. Over twenty fleet carriers were confirmed sunk. Hundreds of thousands lost. Such destruction, enough to cripply the entire Navy, yet these losses had been wiped clean from any official record. He could almost hear Karlmann’s barely contained fury as the man watched him read.
“Are you beginning to understand, Senior Investigator?” Karlmann’s voice was hard, his tone laced with contempt. “Have you ever wondered why there’s no new footage from the Mirishial coastline? Hell, from the Conshal Ocean? Twenty fleet carriers, over a hundred battleships, and nearly half a million men gone. We’ve lost it. But Marix says nothing. He simply sends out another glorious broadcast, pretending we’re still invincible.”
Falk could feel the room closing in on him, Karlmann’s words echoing in his mind. Losing control of the Conshal Ocean. His fingers tightened on the edge of the table, the reality of Karlmann’s accusations finally penetrating the shield he’d so carefully constructed around Marix’s decisions.
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“What… what exactly are you suggesting, Mister Karlmann?” His voice was quiet, but his tone still clung to a thread of authority. He wanted to reassert control, to challenge Karlmann’s implication, but for the first time, he wasn’t sure he had the ground to stand on. “What… What are you saying, Mister Karlmann? This isn’t just a blow to morale?”
Karlmann’s lip curled, a sneer pulling at the corner of his mouth that made Falk’s blood boil. “Morale? We’re struggling to survive, Senior Investigator. We’ve lost command over the Conshal Ocean. The enemy is no doubt preparing to approach our waters, and Marix is pretending we still control the tides. You think that’s strategic? No. It’s delusional. He’s lost us half our fleet carriers – hundreds of thousands of men – and here you are, talking about morale. You think morale is worth that kind of silence? That kind of lie?”
Before Falk could answer, Siegs placed a new report in front of him. “And it’s not just the Navy,” Siegs said. “Our ground forces are getting slaughtered, too. Take a look at the action at Malmund Pass.”
Falk glanced down at the report on Malmund Pass [1]. The losses were overwhelming: over 85% casualties, armored units obliterated, artillery reduced to wreckage. He read through Major General Konnar’s report, the description of American firepower, the hopelessness of their men against them. The final remarks stung the most – Konnar’s request for withdrawal, his almost pleading tone as he outlined the need to retreat to more defensible positions. Konnar had seen the writing on the wall, and it was a story of failure, one Marix had erased with a stroke of his pen.
Siegs spoke up again, his voice hard but with a note of something almost like pity. “Marix has been playing you, Senior Investigator. Playing all of us. And you’ve been so wrapped up in your own certainty that you didn’t even notice.”
“Then… why…?”
Karlmann paused, then reached into his case and handed Falk two sheets of paper. “Here. First one’s the ceasefire proposal we put together – me, Siegs, Himman. We spelled it out. Everything – the losses, the realities we’re up against. We needed to stop the bleeding.”
Falk scanned the first letter [2], his stomach tightening as he read. The proposal was brutally honest, a final attempt to salvage something.
Karlmann pushed the second sheet [3] toward him. “That’s Marix’s reply. Read it.”
Falk’s eyes moved over the page, feeling the words hit him like a punch. Marix had dismissed the idea outright, called it treasonous. Marix’s true nature laid bare: demanding more from men who’d already given everything.
He stared at the documents, feeling like he was watching his own world burn down in front of him. Everything he’d built – every truth he thought he knew – all of it, just gone. Even his whole career was a lie. The promotion to Senior Investigator? Had it been due to his skill? His competence? Or had it been because of his loyalty to the Chancellor?
Falk’s eyes darted back to Helmuth, but he found no lifeline there, only the same calm acceptance, as if Helmuth had been waiting for this all along. “You’ve spent this entire time defending Marix, but you know the truth now. Will you be content with staying a nepotism hire, or will you finally see to your true duty?”
There was only one thing to salvage the fact that his life was a lie: redemption. The words were a bitter echo in his mind as he forced himself to speak. “Let’s… get the record from the Department of War and prepare for the trial.”
– –
APPENDIX
[Document 1]
Gra Valkan Imperial Armed ForcesCOMBAT REPORT: ACTION AT MALMUND PASSDate: February 18, 1641
Reporting Officer: Major General Franzin Konnar, Malmund Command
Classification: Imperial Command Eyes Only
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1. Situation SummaryObjective:To secure Malmund Pass and establish a critical pathway for advancing Gra Valkan forces into territories beyond the Malmund region.
Forces Involved:
* 13th Armored Regiment
* 7th Mechanized Infantry Brigade
* 4th Artillery Support Battalion
Outcome:On February 17, Gra Valkan forces commenced an assault on entrenched American positions at Malmund Pass. The engagement quickly revealed that the enemy possessed superior firepower and range capabilities, resulting in immediate and severe losses. Despite the valor displayed by our troops, we were unable to secure the pass, and the advance was halted under heavy fire.
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1. Casualties and LossesPersonnel: Estimated 85% KIA/MIA
Armored Vehicles: Over 150 heavy and light armored units destroyed
Mechanized Units: Majority rendered inoperative or captured
Artillery: Largely ineffective due to rapid armored losses, preventing proper deployment
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1. Battle ObservationsAmerican forces demonstrated advanced technological capabilities far exceeding those anticipated. Surviving personnel report the presence of heavy armored units engaging at ranges beyond 4,000 meters, coupled with rotary-wing aircraft providing both surveillance and precision support. These technologies effectively nullified our armored advantage and exploited the confined terrain of Malmund Pass.
Enemy tactics capitalized on their reach and firepower, creating a choke point that trapped our units and prevented maneuverability. Initial reconnaissance failed to detect these preparations, resulting in a complete rout of forward forces and the loss of operational cohesion within the region.
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1. Commander’s Remarks and RecommendationsThe engagement at Malmund Pass has made it clear that our current capabilities are insufficient against the enemy’s advanced technology. Despite our soldiers' bravery, it is apparent that new tactics must be adopted if we are to achieve our objectives. To this end, I recommend an immediate withdrawal from Malmund Pass to more defensible positions within the Malmund Mountains. By fortifying these natural barriers, we can create a stronghold from which to launch strategic ambushes. Such tactics, exploiting the terrain, will allow us to engage the enemy on our terms, mitigating their advantages in range and firepower.
Furthermore, I request that heavy bombers be deployed to disrupt enemy supply lines and prevent the consolidation of their forces. Should these measures prove ineffective, I urge Command to consider a full retreat to preserve our remaining strength. Such a course of action, while not ideal, would enable us to regroup and prepare for a future engagement under more favorable conditions.
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Hail Gra Valkas!
For the Empire,
Major General Franzin Konnar
– –
[Document 2]
Gra Valkas Empire - Department of WarOFFICE OF THE GENERAL STAFFMemorandum for Internal Distribution OnlyClassification: Top Secret
Subject: Recommendation for Ceasefire Negotiations
Date: January 25, 1641
To: Chancellor Marix
From: General Vander Siegs, General of the Army; Admiral Arnalt Karlmann, Chief of Naval Operations; Air Marshal Ganther Himman, Commander of Air Forces
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Esteemed Chancellor,
The undersigned military leadership of the Gra Valkan Empire hereby submit our formal recommendation to pursue immediate ceasefire negotiations with the United States and its allies. The current situation shows significant losses across our naval and air forces, with minimal corresponding enemy casualties. Continuation of hostilities will lead to untenable outcomes without strategic gains. We advise that offensive operations be ceased and that diplomatic channels be opened.
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Compliance and Security Protocol:This communication is classified as Top Secret. Any unauthorized distribution or disclosure of this content will be prosecuted as a breach of national security under the State Integrity Act.
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Hail Gra Valkas!
For the Empire,
General Vander Siegs
Admiral Arnalt Karlmann
Air Marshal Ganther Himman
– –
[Document 3]
Gra Valkan Empire - Office of the ChancellorREJECTION OF CEASEFIRE PROPOSALDate: January 26, 1641
To: General Vander Siegs, General of the Army; Admiral Arnalt Karlmann, Chief of Naval Operations; Air Marshal Ganther Himman, Commander of Air Forces
Classification: Top Secret
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Subject: Response to Ceasefire Recommendation
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Gentlemen,
I have received your recommendation for a ceasefire. Let me be clear: such defeatist thinking is unacceptable and borders on treason.
The mere suggestion of capitulation to our enemies is an insult to every Gra Valkan who has shed blood for our cause. Our Empire does not bow to temporary setbacks.
Your duty is to lead our forces to victory, not to cower at the first sign of adversity. I expected better from the Empire's highest-ranking military officials. If you lack the resolve to see this war through to our inevitable triumph, perhaps it is time to reconsider your positions.
I hereby order the immediate intensification of our war efforts. Develop countermeasures. Increase production. Strengthen our defenses. Do whatever is necessary, but do not ever again suggest surrender.
The next communication I expect from you is a comprehensive plan for turning the tide of this war. Anything less will be considered a dereliction of duty.
Remember, gentlemen: Gra Valkas does not know defeat. We fight until victory, no matter the cost.
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Compliance and Security Protocol:This communication is classified as Top Secret. Any unauthorized distribution or disclosure of this content will be prosecuted as a breach of national security under the State Integrity Act.
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Hail Gra Valkas!
For the Empire,
Chancellor Marix