Ardalts withdrawal from the continent is complete for all material resources. In the final tally we anticipate 92% of material troops have been successfully evacuated, with an additional 2% en route. Additionally, 81% of inconsequential personnel have been successfully returned to Ardalt.
Those remaining are largely trainees, low-value officers and Institute behavioral teams; those teams represent an additional half-percent of ensouled troops and will execute a tactical withdrawal imdiately ahead of ndiko attacks on current Ardan positions.
Our strategic situation is largely good at present; ndian and Saf are both disinclined to engage in transoceanic operations at this ti, and the behavioral teams embedded within returning units are operating at a high level of control. We anticipate full preparations for the Assemblys deadline in Waning will be complete before the start of the month.
- Institute Circular #3545, 33 Gleaning 693.
Antolin was sitting in his private office when they arrived. It was a change from his normal position amid his officers on the bridge, walking between duty stations and keeping himself abreast of the situation. The temperature seed to drop when they entered, the light dimming when the door swung shut behind them.
He looked up at each of them in turn. Thank you for coming, he said. I thought we should speak.
Michael sat; beside him, Sobriquet did the sa. Concerning Leire? she asked. Im not sure what more there is to say.
There is always more to say. Antolin steepled his fingers, leaning heavily on his desk. We are a nation of laws, or we should be. Status and position are immaterial where justice is concerned. So I am- He paused, looking to the side; Michael felt a miniature tempest from across the desk. I wanted to apologize personally, in my capacity as grand marshal of ndian. What was done to you should not have happened.
Why are you apologizing? Michael asked. We both know you were blaless in this.
Antolin sighed. Because it is the only apology I can secure for you, he said. No doubt Lekubarri ensured he had plausible deniability, and Leire will issue neither denials nor apologies. He t Michaels eyes. So please accept mine in their stead, unsatisfying though it may be.
We- Sobriquet began, but Michael stood.
I will not accept any apology from you, he said. Id ask instead that you stop making excuses on her behalf.
Soone must acknowledge the fault, Antolin replied. And if no one else will, it falls to .
Michael rested his arms on the chair; it creaked worryingly as he leaned forward. All my childhood, my manservant Ricard was in charge of my care, he said. He saw to my clothing and personal affairs, coordinated my studies, all on my fathers behalf. And when my father belittled or wounded , he would try his best to make it right.
He stepped around the chair and sat down, leaning forward onto Antolins desk. He would say how much better my father was doing, compared to before. How he was only in the grip of anger, and that he still cared for in his own way. I dont think I ever really believed it, but I let myself nod along at the ti because it was more pleasant than acknowledging that my father only cared about my impact on him and his vaunted legacy. No more than that.
A mont passed before Michael leaned back in the chair. So please dont speak for her, he said. Her actions are clear enough.
Antolin gave him a searching look, the turmoil within him lapsing back into inscrutable eddies beneath the mask of his soul. After so ti, he nodded and leaned back in his own chair.
Hala izan bedi. And what do you wish to do going forward?
Michael paused, then looked at Sobriquet. This doesnt change any of what we need to do, he said. Well be at Is before long. The remainder of the Ardans are there, and the Safid beyond them. Well help wherever were needed.
There was no masking the quick pulse of relief that Antolin felt, nor did the grand marshal appear to try; he smiled and shook his head. Then lets be at it, he said, standing from his desk. Co and see our avenue of approach.
He led them out to the central table in the bridge, a map of Is prominent upon it. The Ardan forces were clearly visible to the east, and the Safid in the west.
Each side has two major concentrations, Antolin said, pointing to a cluster of large markers outside the city. Their forces within the city itself, and their support camp so distance away. We will co upon the Ardan reserves first.
He tapped a finger upon the table. The remaining Ardans are not likely to put up much of a fight. Our advance scouts believe that theyve extracted most of their ensouled from a makeshift port on the coast, leaving only unsouled conscripts and the obruors to control them. Our strategy is much the sa as before - sweep in, break the obruors as necessary and rout the rest. Ill be counting on you two to guide them towards a swift surrender.
Michael nodded. Basically the sa as Leik, he said.
Correct, Antolin confird. But once weve dealt with the Ardan remnants, were on a strict schedule. The remaining Ardan forces within Is will crumble absent outside support, leaving the Safid free to advance. Id like to avoid leaving him in total control of the city; we plan to push forward rapidly and take as much territory as we can before the Ardans collapse entirely.
Sounds risky, Sobriquet said, frowning. Is is a huge city, theres no way youll be able to secure any portion of it quickly.
Antolin waved an officer over; the man deposited another stack of maps on the table. The grand marshal selected one and stretched it out to show a street-level map of Is. Youve hit the crux of the issue, he said. The Safid have had control of the city for decades now, we have to expect that theyll have laid plans against this precise eventuality - ambushes, traps, et cetera. Perception souls only get us so far. The better choice for identifying threats are auspices and bonifices; were embedding them everywhere we can, but we have a shortage of such souls.
He looked between the two of them, his expression sobering. I will be personally guiding one of the advance elents. Id like to request that each of you do the sa, calling out threats and hazards as they arise.
Sobriquet leaned forward to peer at the map. I can do that for more than one unit, most likely. Let stay at your command center, I can monitor most of the city from there.
Antolin rubbed at his chin, nodding his silent assent; Michael found himself privately relieved that Sobriquet would be back from the front.
We can decide the particulars later, Antolin said. Ardans first. Our advance elents will be at their camp within the next few hours.
You said their ensouled had left. Michael tapped the location of the camp on one of the maps. I presu that Friedrich and Sofia have gone as well?
Thats our operating assumption, Antolin agreed, but considering the potential danger of Sever being in the camp well be keeping the airship well back until were sure. I cant imagine the Ardans would gamble further with those souls; thanks to you, theyre short on high-skew ensouled of any variety.
Michael peered at the map for a mont more, then looked back at Antolin. All right, he said. Then I guess its past ti I was back on the ground.
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