Red Cap Garrison.
The Colonel stood before a mirror as he tidied up his dress uniform. If he was going to offer their services to the National Guard then he needed to look his best. The other Red Cap officers were doing the same in their own quarters. Those that had finished were getting some of the more well-mannered troops looking presentable.
He groaned as he tried to rake his brain as to what to with the trogs. While the General had given him a way to excuse their presence that wasn't was worrying him. It was their temperament. Despite some progress, if it could be called that, they were still prone to being distracted and causing havoc and chaos!
He was hoping the blinder helmets that he had requested from the Estate would arrive soon. The less distractible the trogs were the better they would seem, the Colonel thought as he fussed with a button on his vest. He finally fixed the offending button when a knock came from his door and entered one of his officers.
The fellow Red Cap saluted and stood at attention.
"We are ready to move out Colonel."
"Good. Have the men get into formation and we will leave momentarily." He ordered as he made a couple adjustments to his dress uniform.
The Red Cap nodded and saluted before departing again. The Colonel fussed with some minute things a moment longer before deciding he couldn't put it off anymore and took a breath before departing his quarters as well.
He descended the stairs to the ground floor of the store-turned-military quarters. The store was one of the ones that had gone out of business before they showed up and claimed it as their HQ. Since then the place had seen a face-lift. The worn floor boards and flaky wallpaper had been replaced with something more fitting for a military garrison. Hardwood had replaced the walls and floors and the old store counter had been replaced with a table that held a map of town that was being continuously updated as the newcomers expanded the borders as did the General himself expand his own territory to the south of the Estate. The place needed a proper renovation at some time in the future, especially since during the initial training sessions they had with the trogs they had done so within the garrison itself. Something that, after some wholly unnecessary destruction of property, was moved to the fairly open, and more suitable, area behind the store where they drilled while away from the manor.
It still wasn't the finery that they had back at the manor, but it was better than squatting in a run-down store covered in dust and cobwebs, he thought as his boots clicked pleasantly against the wood. He left through the front doors and peered at the assembled forces before him.
Sixty men stood at attention in six rows abreast. The Red Caps stood out in front of each row ready to lead. The goblin soldiers stood behind them ready to follow. Seven trogs stood at the rear blindfolded and covered in scraps thrown together from their old uniforms. They would be guided by their Red Cap handlers for this endeavor. He would prefer to leave them until the blinders arrived from the Estate, but this wasn't a task best left alone for long. So they would have to make do for now, he thought as he took his position at the head of the column of men. He missed his horse, but even the sounds it gave off were too distracting for the trogs and they had spooked the beast away during one of their childlike rampages. Though the horse wasn't exactly comfortable around them before the trogs. It seemed most of the local animals disliked the presence of goblins.
Not that the Colonel could blame them. The goblins were unsightly, ill-mannered, and aggressive. Still, he liked that horse and would miss it. Though he suspected that it was much happier back wherever it had come from, far away from the disagreeable greenskins.
"Company! March!" The Colonel called out and began to march down the road, his lines of men marching in tow. Though he winced when he could hear several feet out of sync. Either they would need a drummer to help keep keep pace, or they would need to be instilled with better discipline, the Colonel thought as cars quickly pulled to the side of the road to allow them to pass unimpeded.
People, newcomers and locals both, also quickly made way for the Colonel and his troops. He passed them all without so much as a glance. They were not his focus today. Even out the corner of his eye he could see little squads of the ferals slinking back into the shadows of alleys as they passed. As much as he might wish to cleanse them all from the town, they were still goblins. Which meant that they were harder to get rid of than rats. It didn't matter how many houses and apartment blocks they've had to clear in the area, they always managed to turn back up somehow. He suspected that they lurked in the sewage tunnels below the town. But he hasn't had the time, or inclination, to chase after them into the dark and fetid sewers. It would almost certainly spell disaster for his men. So he kept the town itself clear when they could and left the squalid sewers for the ferals.
As they marched, he noted the looks from the National Guard soldiers that had begun to patrol the town. They didn't loom afraid or even concerned at their arrival. They seemed more amused and pointed and laughed at them! They cheered and clapped like they were putting on a show. Which the Colonel supposed that they were in a sense, even if it left a bitter taste in his mouth. Still, it was a sobering reminder that their duty was at an end. As much as the locals and newcomers had come to fear, and even to a degree respect them for keeping the town safe from ferals and criminals, it was obvious to him that the National Guard would have little issue putting him and his soldiers in their place if conflict ever arose between them.
Even looking at the APCs and other heavily armed and armored personnel carriers was enough to know that their only advantage in a conflict against the National Guard was through numbers, and even then he wasn't sure that'd last long. Which was why even though some of his fellow officers grumbled, he kept his head high and his gaze determined. This wasn't a permanent thing, he thought. What he's read and heard about them it was only a matter of time before they end up departing. In the mean time, they can get some experience and even build a rapport with those within the FAR more modernized National Guard. Perhaps they could even see about getting a few of their modern equipment for themselves?
Don't get ahead of yourself, the Colonel thought. First they needed to imbed themselves within the structure of the National Guard. Then they can hopefully prove themselves to them and earn some respect among them. Then he can see of getting some modern equipment.
As they neared City Hall, he could see more and more of the National Guard soldiers had gathered around and were watching them. They cheered and clapped like the rest did. A stark contrast to the fear that the newcomers and even some of the locals had. The Colonel saw out the corner of his eye the motel where some men dressed in green plate stared down at them beside some men that wore black suits that did the same.
Some of the locals and newcomers retreated to their homes or shelters as best they could. Probably fearing conflict, he thought. A not unreasonable one. He hoped they could avoid conflict. Especially as his prospects against them took a long walk off a short cliff as he noted the helicopters flying overhead. The newcomers scattered fearfully at the flying machines. He doubt that many of them had access to the knowledge that they did at the manor. Of course he knew what helicopters were, they were in plenty of the warfare books that the General had in his library.
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
But it was one thing to see them as pictures and read about them and another to hear and see it flying above you! He unconsciously reached for his saber, he was sure the rest of his troops did the same even as the trogs began to get restless and he was worried that the sounds of the flying machines would spook them and cause them to flee.
But they passed overhead without pause or care. His men let out a sigh of relief and even managed to calm the trogs down enough. He needed a drink, the Colonel thought as they pressed on towards City Hall, where he was told by some of his troops that the Major General was based for the time being.
The government building seemed to loom menacingly before them. Like walking towards a gallows. Depending on how his meeting with the Major General turned out it just might be one, the Colonel thought grimly. He also noted that the National Guard units here were more serious and on edge than the ones in town. They still smirked upon seeing the Colonel and his troops but they kept their rifles at the ready and he even noted the barrels of the mounted guns being swung towards them upon their arrival.
Yeah, any grain of hope that the Vert Armee could go against the National Guard and win was taken out back and shot, twice for good measure. If he hade any hope of the Red Caps and his men making their mark other than a footnote in history, this meeting NEEDED to go well for them!
The column of men stopped upon the grass that surrounded the government building. The Lieutenant broke ranks and took a couple steps towards the Colonel.
"What are your orders sir?"
"Bring three of the more well-mannered of the troops and a trog and follow me inside. The rest are to remain in formation. Do not engage unless provoked." He commanded.
The Lieutenant nodded and picked out three goblin soldiers near the front of the ranks and called for the trog handlers to come forwards where they were then told what would happen and they returned to their ranks. With that the Colonel and the Lieutenant, with three men and a trog in tow, entered City Hall.
Major General MacHenry sat at a desk within a side room while Staff Sergeant Robertson and Medical Officer Baker gave their summery reports. The verdict of their arrival within the first few hours? Bad. The medical facilities were overrun and in dire need of pressure relief as well as supplies. The newcomers were being given shelter as best they could but local construction has been slow, if steady. He's also received reports of attacks from some strange gangly creatures that lurk in the dark alleys. These reports also point to more focused and purposeful attacks by similar creatures on the other side of town. The former attack anyone opportunistically while these latter creatures seem to keep attacks focused on what initial reports are saying are "criminals" if the signs strapped to their hanging corpses are true.
Because the situation wasn't already bad enough now they're going to have to deal with some local tough doling out extra-judicial killings, he thought with a sigh as he rubbed his face. Then there was the fact that he hasn't heard anything from those folk with the prominent beards about them using the trains which would make getting supplies in even harder. It was already a trek and a half to go back to Charleston by road and he could only get so much from the Black Hawks delivered at a time.
Pay for it, he thought bitterly. Like the West Virginian National Guard had piles of cash stacked around to buy access to needed infrastructure in a time of crises?! Not like he could call in many more favors either. It took damn near all of them just to get the greenlight to be able to assemble a force to come up here! What few he had he was saving for a particularly rainy day and he hoped he wouldn't have to burn them so early on.
He barely noticed when Robertson finished his report about the local area. Apparently the place had seen more growth other than what they first saw. The Duval Estate had seen some expansion south and the helicopters reported alot of activity in the area. Including artillery and gunfire. The area south-west of town has also seen some new arrivals, though the pilots reported it hard to see who was in the area from their elevation. Baker seemed interested in that portion of the report for some reason. Asking if they saw anything weird near the woods. But they said there wasn't anything they could see at first glance. Though they did report that a number of construction was being had over there. Perhaps he could send some of the COE boys over to help? If they free them up then maybe he could get a few extra hands to help out on the town proper.
Though he wouldn't have to if he could just move the newcomers elsewhere. But as much as his favors gave him, the statement that was repeated to him was the same. The newcomers are to remain within the area. None of them leave was the gospel truth of the matter as far as he was told. He was sure it had something to do with the spooks being involved.
Which made getting those trains even more of a priority! Once the snow comes it's going to be damn near impossible to get supplies out here! The roads will be blocked by snow and ice for days maybe even weeks until they could get it cleared if they weren't blocked off entirely from falling rocks or washed away with rain in some areas. Their birds will be grounded with the weather as well.
Then there was the matter of the locals, he thought as he peered out his window at the mountain the loomed over the town like the specter of death. He's kept his forces within the town limits but he knew it was only a matter of time before someone comes down baying for blood. Hoping nothing would happen was naïve. West Virginia was practically made because of blood feuds. Separating from Virginia during the Civil War. Then that mess with the Hatfield's & McCoy's not long after. Then Blair Mountain and the other strike breaks during the Coal Wars. Then that gruesome business between the Duval's, his predecessor, and the hillfolk. Bad blood is what West Virginia was ran on and it was only a matter of time before it soaks the soil once again.
But he wouldn't let history repeat so easily. His men were to watch the mountain and nothing more. Do not chase after anyone up the mountain, do not start trouble with anyone from the mountain, and especially do NOT set a single toe upon the mountain! His men would only retaliate if provoked and engaged, and even then they were to remain within the town limits.
As he was about to issue new orders for his men, the door was knocked upon and a private marched in. He saluted.
"Sir! Someone here to see you!"
"At ease, private. Who?" The Major General asked.
The private explained as he stood at attention.
"He only gave his rank, Sir. Called himself The Colonel but nothin' more, Sir."
"Did he come bearin' gifts of fried chicken?" Baker quipped with a snicker.
Major General MacHenry rolled his eyes and stood.
"Dismissed, private. Come along you two."
The Major General marched out of his office with Baker and Robertson close behind. They marched through the halls of the building towards the lobby where they could hear the poor clerk stuttering as he tried to speak to someone. As they left the hall they saw exactly who it was that was causing the poor boy to stutter so badly.
Standing at attention within the lobby were six people. All of them were dressed in some kind of Revolutionary War outfits. The two in front were about average size and had tannish skin and wore what looked to be officers clothes with sabers tied to their hips and some sort of pistol in their belts. The three behind them were markedly shorter and were bumpy green with squinty yellow eyes. The one at the back however was taller than everyone here. He was also big, green, and what appeared to be blindfolded.
"Who might you be?" The Major General asked as they approached the strange group.
The one that seemed to be the leader turned towards him and clicked his boots together and gave a crisp and practiced salute.
"I am the Colonel. I am here to offer assistance to you and your men."
"Oh? From who?"
"From Mortimer Duval."
Mortimer? What happened to Dion, the Major General thought as he tried to recall hearing about anything about a Duval dying recently. But nothing came to mind though.
"And what exactly are you?"
"We are his... private security." The Colonel said with a momentary pause.
"You sure? You look more like play actors." Baker quipped.
The Colonel and the other tanned man snarled at the remark and their hands reached for their sabers while the three behind grinned maliciously as they fingered knife hilts on their belts. But the Colonel took a deep breath and turned to look at his counterpart. With a nod he released his hand from the sabre, though they kept their hands close to them, the Major General noted.
"We may appear... outdated, but we've been the ones that have kept the peace for weeks now." The Colonel stated.
"Oh? So I suppose you're the ones responsible for the extra-judicial killings that line the road to the east?" Robertson asked.
"Yes." The Colonel stated with pride and no remorse.
"You do know that those are illegal right?" Baker said.
"If local law enforcement was better equipped than we wouldn't've had to." The Colonel retorted.
While the Major General would like to defend the Sheriff, the sad truth of it was that he didn't have the manpower or resources for such a large, and sudden, population boom. Not like he hasn't seen this before during war. But it was still a bitter pill to swallow. Especially as he's been constantly reminded by the G-Men that anyone but the locals weren't allowed to leave. Given their "unique" features he was sure that they weren't local. He was also sure that any attempt to arrest them for said killings would be a bloody undertaking. He was even more sure that trying to get them before a judge out of town would be akin to parting the Red Sea with the Suits watching them like hawks.
"Regardless. Such methods WONT be allowed from now on, understood? Criminals are to be detained and brought to us for temporary holding." The Major General declared.
"Of course, Major General." The Colonel replied with indifference.
"As for your offer? We will consider it." Major General MacHenry replied.
With that the Major General took his leave of the Colonel and other strange looking soldiers. He had more important things to worry about than some private security acting like it was the eighteen hundreds. Still, he would have some men keep an eye on them. Just to make sure that there wouldn't be anymore hangings while they were here. Hopefully they can work on getting local law enforcement a boost while his MPs helped keep the peace.