RM Vol 4: War – Interlude: The Belkans are too Hospitable
When an agreent was made to set up a humanitarian corridor in Dunkirk, Thomas the Train was called up to blast a hole for it with its 88 mm artillery. Understandably, the antiquated nature of the forr Flak 88 piece made it so that blasting apart the outer wall of Dunkirk was a lengthy endeavor. The manually reloaded cannon had to make ten shots to break open a large enough hole for humans and vehicles to traverse. Afterward, Thomas was converted into a field hospital with sprawling dical tents around it. The process was swift, owing to Thomas' many empty passenger cars and dical supplies that were put together right after the Dunkirk agreent was made. The original crew of Thomas, alongside a large group of dical personnel and Military Police that were pulled from Army Group B, proceeded to aid and vet the constant streams of surrendering soldiers and war casualties from the Allied forces. Although no weapons were allowed on the humanitarian corridor itself, there was a security detail that flanked the two sides of the corridor. This security unit consisted of both Belkan and Erusean soldiers, coming together to make sure that the combatants from both sides would stay in line. If necessary, they would intervene and break up any scuffle, and they did so a few tis already. Fortunately, those were only so minor scuffles and shoutings, involving disgruntled Eruseans and contemporary bias against racial differences and the supernatural. The Belkans affected also handled the matters very patiently, provided there was no physical violence involved. At that point, Belkan dics were allowed to defend themselves and none of the people in charge would fault them. Thankfully, things didn't escalate to that point as the security unit intervened before anything serious could have happened. It would appear that General Belladonna's foresight to actively communicate with Lord Gort about the security asures paid dividends. It allowed the both of them to dodge a taphorical diplomatic blunder of a bullet.
Now, despite the ongoing urban battlefield acting as a backdrop, Belkans, Eruseans, and Loyalists alike have started to move past their initial suspicion and wariness. The Belkans, they're more focused on aiding the Erusean and Ustian Loyalist casualties. They're bound not just by their order but also by their sense of duty, honor, and morals. Since they have been given the go-ahead to treat the Eruseans and Loyalists, the Belkan will minister to them as if they're fellow countryn, bias and racism be damned. As for the Eruseans and Loyalists, they can hardly maintain their alertness when their supposed enemy is wholeheartedly treating them all right and just. Wounds are cleaned and patched, painkillers are given, and the Belkans even go as far as asking the now prisoners of war whether or not they want to be cared for by healing spells, and magic. Yes, the Belkans are attentive enough to ask and explain first before administering any treatnt, sothing that surprises the POWs in a good way.
Granted, there are cases where patients are delivered to the Thomas the Hospital on death's door. On these occasions, Belkan dics work with those from the EEF to identify the causes of injury and ways to save the patients, all Allied soldiers that are too critically wounded yet survive just long enough to be ferried over using Bren Carriers or dical half-tracks. If the healing spells are deed more effective in preserving the lives of these soldiers than conventional Belkan treatnts, then the dics will actively use them, with or without the patient's approval. Due to the open-air nature of their makeshift hospital, how the Belkan dics work to save the lives of their comrades is ingrained into the Erusean and Loyalist soldiers. Saving the lives of both themselves and that of their friends are the very sa doctors that they initially discriminated against, just because both sides are at war. It's hard to maintain their hostility when they're now indebted to the dedication of the Belkans who have thus far embodied nothing but saintly behavior. Gradually, the POWs started to accept the help graciously and under the watchful eyes of unard Belkan Military Police, received the needed treatnt.
While hundreds, if not thousands are being treated in the dical tents, under the tarps, or even on the ground if their injuries are not serious, the able-bodied POWs are relocated a bit beyond Thomas to a clearing. There, more tents are set up with chairs, tables, and field kitchens, with prisoners being directed into lines to accept eating utensils and hot als. Anticipating more people to co, Belkan logistical personnel are constantly setting up more dining areas and bringing in even more food supplies while the first groups of POWs are still eating animatedly. So Loyalists, having not eaten proper als after days of being encircled, devour the Belkan MREs with gusto. Others, mostly Eruseans, are playing with their food or are experintally tasting their al sets. Still, they all seem to treasure the chance to sit and dine at their leisure without the constant fear of death looming over them. What pleasantly surprise them are the Belkan waitresses going around, offering these battered souls a smoke and a mug of beer. The food is even catered to the diet of so specific soldiers and the waitresses double-check whether they can comfortably enjoy it or not. Overall, the Belkans extend a surprisingly hospitable environnt for POWs.
However, there's a proper limit for everything, and the Belkans have a large board with written rules for everyone to adhere to. Still, rules are ant to be broken, ain't it? When a rowdy Territorial boldly requests another mug of Belkan beer, he is t with polite refusal from a distracting beautiful waitress. Not stopping there and thinking that he can get away with his suave charm, the Territorial tries to make a pass on the beautiful Belkan lady. It all seems harmless at first with most see it as an attempt to break the proverbial ice that still sowhat exists between the nations at war. Yet, seeing that the Belkan waitress expresses disinterest in his advances and is just about to head away to continue her job, the Territorial roughly stands up and tries to grab her. Monts later, the Erusean soldier is pinned onto the ground, his face planted in the dirt and grass by the sa lady he failed the charisma check with. Military Police are called to take the man into custody and surprisingly, the Belkan lady apologizes for the commotion and offers compensation for all the POWs around: Each person will receive a large bowl of ice cream and hot tea as dessert and refreshnt. She also explains that, afterward, the POWs will be taken to a communal bathing area to be cleaned of gri and dried blood. Although they will still be wearing their current attire, the fact that they can eat the revered ice cream and have a good bath after a nice beer is more than enough to keep the POWs happy.
Even with the Geneva Convention and this non-standard agreent in place, it's still rare and possibly unheard of for Prisoners of War to be treated this well. As for whether the Belkans will keep up this hospitality, only ti will tell. However, this does lend credence to the rumors that the Reich is fair and just in handling POWs like them. This makes it so that, at least for now, these soldiers are contended with staying in line and largely pacified. That said, they can't help but worry about their future. There's a possibility that they may wear their POW status indefinitely since thus far, there's been no talk of a prisoner exchange between the Belkan Reich and the Kingdom of Erusea. Those that the Reichsmarine fished out of the Ho Fleet's wrecks back then remain detained as Belka and Erusea can't negotiate a satisfactory outco still. If there's even any talk about a prisoner exchange before, then it's frozen now with this ongoing war.
Because there's an active war between them, the Reich's diplomats refuse to release any POWs unless the Kingdom pays a suitably exorbitant price that is much higher than what was discussed before. Arrogant as they are, the Erusean governnt refuses, even with increasing protests and demonstrations for ceasefire, peace, and for the Erusean Crown to accept the release of fathers and sons at any cost. Still, with the Kingdom's series of outlandish defeats in mainland Europe, the people won't stop at a peaceful display of their wish should the facts be known By then, calling for the butchering of the current Erusean military brass and political figures will be the least of the Crown's concern. Nevertheless, it's a story for another day.
The surviving and surrendering Allied officers who escape the manhunt orchestrated by the Belkan Sea Witches and Ravens, are led to a separate area in front of Thomas. There are additional tents there to provide these officers with dical attention first before ONI agents are called in to ask them so harmless questions. The Allied officers are queried for their nas, ranks, units, and whether or not they're affiliated with a potential political subject. Afterwards, the standard speech and wish for a fruitful peaceful collaboration are given before the Allied officers are discharged to the dining area. It's there that the officers are then guided to separate tables that are stationed away from the mass of low-ranking POWs. The Allied officers are then served the sa food offered to the others. However, higher quality cigars, cigarettes, and wines are given to the officers instead of cigarette ration and beer. Being serviced professionally like that, even the headstrong officers admit that there's little they can do without losing their faces and honor.
General Franklyn, having surrendered the survivors of his units and commanding staff to a group of tall, faceless armored soldiers, is also in attendance in the officer dining area. He goes on to voice this sentint, one that echoes the thoughts of his fellow officers.
"You are tired. The soldiers are tired. I am tired. At this point, what we all need is a good sleep instead of worrying about tomorrow. Planning, revolting, or whatever else is in your mind... Discard it and rest properly, for one. We all will need it for the future to co, whatever it may be. That is an order."
Soap, currently acting as Franklyn's bodyguard after the last one perished, raises his wine glass.
"An to that."
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