Lieutenant Colonel Erich von Rerugen tapped the tip of his pen on the paper beneath his hand, what to say, what to write, the question plagued him. The problem was two fold. The first, was the absence of one of his greatest weapons right when the ‘Free Republic’ was openly declaring itself unwilling to submit. The second, was the same problem, but more about where she was and what she was doing.

“I didn’t expect anyone would try to assassinate her so soon. If the Commonwealth moved that fast in everything they did, we might not be here now.” General Hans Von Zettour rubbed his chin from across the table. If he were honest, he could admit that Erich’s pen tapping was getting on his nerves, but he learned long ago that quibbling over trivialities was a pointless thing, and shunted it aside in favor of their common concern.

“I didn’t expect her to make such an… impression so quickly. Then again, given the assassination attempt being so brash and so… bungled, it’s not hard to see why she’s got every eye on her right now. But I was expecting a proposal of peace sooner, we still haven’t gotten one, have we, Sir?” Erich asked as he tried to think of something ‘anything’ to recommend under the circumstances. The Federation in the east had been spotted moving soldiers closer to the border, who knew when they might strike, having things settled as soon as possible was vital.

“No we haven’t, but then, it’s only been about a week. There’s no need to be nervous. She’s a true patriot, and she’s never let us down. Besides,” he paused and took a sip of his coffee, “the negotiations were very favorable.”

“How favorable, Sir?” Rerugen asked and stopped tapping his pen on the paper.

“The Commonwealth loves their monarchy, so they agreed they would not attempt to pry any secrets out of her for the next seven years, after which anything she knows will be irrelevant anyway. What’s more, they agreed on a separate peace with us in the event that the Federation invades. I don’t think they know how likely that really is, so the promise of ending one front on ceasefire terms if we are embroiled in another war is exceptionally valuable. And last but not least, we get peace negotiations.” General Zettour folded his hands together on the table, “I realize you have some concerns about the Major turning on us, and losing all her knowledge and skill, but by sending her and one of her number, we’ve effectively knocked out an entire country in one blow when the Federation inevitably invades, even if peace negotiations break down in the now.”

Erich gripped his pen tighter, ‘That is exceptionally well negotiated… I had no idea the Commonwealth was that attached to their institutions…’ He thought, but that did not allay all his concerns. “With respect, Sir, she’s still an asset, her ability to train and lead a unit on so many successes… we can’t just replicate that. Losing her second in the same way? Is that wise?”

“We still have Weiss, he’s been with her almost as long as Serebryakov, he can command the 203rd nearly as well as the Major. And remember this, if any nation hinges on one single soldier, then that nation is one bullet away from destruction. She is talented, but we can’t ever let our nation rest on her shoulders alone. She’ll do far more good for us there than she could ever do on a single battlefield.” General Zettour’s explanation did make a certain amount of sense… one soldier, however talented, or taking out another nation out of the fight with the threat of a two front war?

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That was an easy choice if ever there was one.

“I do understand, Sir, but so far nobody has been able to use her T95 computation jewel, and that’s a one of a kind weapon on the battlefield.” Erich closed his eyes and tried to imagine what was going on in the Commonwealth. The newspapers didn’t do the situation justice, but the first photos of the coronation definitely fit that insane battle maniac.

From the dramatic hand gesture creating her shield, to the dramatic pose with the firearm, but then again… “Sir, is there any chance that Albion will be divided over this?”

Zettour cocked his head.

“I mean sir,” Erich went on, “that the country will fall into civil war over who sits on the throne, the House of Lords might accept only someone from the right family line, even if she was born in Berun. But the House of Populii has many elements that aren’t likely to take kindly to foreigners. Is it possible that she might trigger a civil war? Like this one?” Erich pointed to the paper where Winston Churbull’s angry fist shook from behind a pulpit.

“Or this one, ‘Mulcahy says of Queen, ‘We’ve got more bullets’ in response to failed assassination attempt. It appears, Sir, that there are going to be a great many people after the Major. Not just the Free Irish who hoped for an end to the monarchy. The Free Republic will be after her too once she’s identified, or maybe earlier. An Empire soldier on the throne of the Commonwealth? Even the Russy might want to take her out as an enemy of the Revolution. One quick action and they may be ripe for a communist revolution. Or even if they’re not, who is to say the Russy won’t think they are? Not to mention the Legadonians. I don’t doubt the Entente Alliance won’t want to remove her, either for politics or for revenge. Are we sure that she can survive that? And even if she can, that things won’t spin out of control into some sort of civil war?” Erich asked, and for a moment General Zettour said nothing.

“Sir?” Erich asked.

This prompted his senior to speak up.

“I won’t tell you it can’t happen. The Major is only human, a bit of bad luck, a lucky shot by the wrong person, for all we know she may even just choke on a chicken bone from the awful Albion cuisine. However, that is as true here as it was there. Anything can go wrong for even the most talented soldier. And as for the rest of your question?” He tapped his pointer fingers together in a pyramid and said…

“Wouldn’t that be a shame, if Albion fell into civil war and tore itself apart over the monarchy? Why, if that were to happen, they wouldn’t be able to consider an invasion of our territory, let alone supply the Free Republic. And of course, if we lent some aid to one side and got a friendly government out of it anyway? And if they didn’t fall into civil war, I’m sure the Commonwealth would make a useful ally in a war of revenge against whoever attacked their precious monarchy. I’m sure the Emperor wouldn’t mind any of that in the least.” General Zettour was not one to smile.

But when he did, it was always chilling.

When Erich saw it, he couldn’t help but think of Major Degurechaff, and realized, ‘That’s right. If she’s a young wolf, he’s an old one, and they have the Commonwealth caught between them.’

And with that thought providing a mix of horror and comfort alike, he set himself to work, now sure of how to write up his report on expectations out of the Free Republic.