Sovereign

"With the Mandate of Nation's approval of "Operation Anchor", the Orlish Navy and the International Coalition began operations in the Empire of Hebei to evacuate trapped civilians in her coastal cities. The now so-called Provisional Republic of Hebei, or the junta, has permitted these evacuations by sea. It is however unsure if the Loyalist rebels of Princess Xue would approve this operation, as the Battle of Ginzhu rages on."

- ROCN News

---

May 12, 2024

Near Ginzhu, the Empire of Hebei

Operation Anchor - Strike Force 7 (2nd Fleet)

"Navigation? Status Report!"

"Engines are going at 2 ⁄ 3 power. We are now moving at 25 knots to Ginzhu."

Albert nodded at his Navigation Officer's report. It had been days since he and his strike force had been on the high seas. While Admiral Halberd handled Heindhöff and OCH at Orland, he and the ONS Rebenslof's strike force set out for Ginzhu under Minister Adelaide's orders.

Queen Amelie and Minister Adelaide had just signed the MN Resolution 3222 in the Confederation of Pez.

Orland, being the largest naval power of Pollos, had a natural obligation in these kinds of crises. Being the main upholder of the directives of the Mandate of Nations as the main superpower of the world, they thus moved in quickly to the Empire when the resolution was signed.

A resolution to aid and evacuate millions of civilians.

Their strike force consisted of the ONS Rebenslof, their flagship. Escorted by the guided missile destroyers ONS Seafire, ONS Blackgem, and the ONS Rumwall, followed by the guided-missile cruiser ONS Rolentz also attached to the strike force, they sped forward in haste.

But they were merely a protection force. On the radar screens, he could see nearly two dozen of the Equestrian-class transport ships, famous for ferrying the millions of tons of supplies, manpower, and equipment from the continent of Opellia, where Orland was located, to the continent of Vaeyox, when the Great War raged.

Now, they would have to protect this convoy as it ferried millions of civilians for the next few days.

"Have we made contact with the loyalists?"

Beside him, his long-time friend, and XO, Captain James Vogel replied with a disappointed tone.

"Yes, but unfortunately, she wants to meet you first?"

"She what?"

"Princess Xue demands the presence of the highest ranking MN representative before she would accept." He jokingly shook his head. "Women, that's just how they are."

"So, considering that I'm the highest-ranking officer of this expedition, I'd have to meet her first?"

"Right, sir."

Time stood still as Albert's mind cursed everyone and everything around him.

"Come on, I'm just a Commodore here. She would probably be insulted. Why didn't they send a darned Admiral at least with me?"

James cracked a tiny smile. He was used to Albert acting like this.

"Come on now, you're a war hero for heaven's sake. And technically the Prince of the Kingdom. You're too modest."

"War hero this, Prince this. All that is just ridiculous." Slowly, he slumped down his chair and watched as his men and officers worked on the bridge.

"All I did was evacuate soldiers and send supplies."

"Under your command, the ONS Rebenslof sunk two Larissan carriers."

"By sheer luck. Also, we were almost sunk too."

"Regardless, such achievements are still achievements." James stood up from his seat and patted his shoulders. "Loosen up a bit. She's just a Princess."

He chuckled as he walked away toward the forward section of the bridge, talking with the other officers on the bridge.

This left Albert alone to ponder his thoughts. He hated these types of operations. Evacuations. It reminded him of Liebnich. Of his brother.

To fail in these types of operations was the worst. People relied upon and hoped for his ship to reach them and ferry them to safety. People that were at risk of death.

To fail, meant that he sentenced them to death.

"Albert!" James called out. "We now have a meeting place with the Princess."

"They gave us her location?"

"Not exactly." He frowned. "They will just pick you up at that location before dragging you to the Princess."

That didn't sound ideal to him.

...

The rapid, chopping sounds of the rotors.

Accompanied by a rapid, militaristic melody of drums. Then, the guitar strings. An upbeat intro to a piece of melodies that perfectly matched the sound of any military vehicle that moved. Or men that marched.

And Albert bobbed his head to it, ever so slightly. He enjoyed it, and it even appealed to his internal state of being, its message resonating in him.

"Keep your frown in that old backpack, and smile, smile, smile…"

It was a song popular in the Orlish Armed Forces ever since the Great War started. Always blasted on the radios and airwaves. On the speakers and phones. And even by men that merely sang it in combat.

It was a part of a family of dozens of modern music that young men listened to, as they fought and died in battle. Even now, the pilot of the helicopter played it. The eight marines with Albert also seemed to enjoy it, as they too bobbed their heads and sang along.

"Do light that cigar, and smile boys, smile while you march…"

Someone tapped his shoulder. Albert turned around to meet the eyes of Lieutenant Emile. An old veteran marine in his 30s, Emile looked rugged and experienced, similar in practice. Thus, Albert had always relied on him on these missions.

With a concerned look, he whispered to him.

"You good, sir?"

"Yeah, I am." He steeled his expression, as below them, the distant sounds of gunfire and artillery sounded. In the far distance even, he could see the metropolis that they had passed, burning as smoke rose from its cityscape.

Their MUH-155 Harpy, the helicopter that carried them, broadcasted Orlish IFF tags, which marked them as a neutral party in the Hebei airspace. It was a dangerous endeavor, as they could see missiles and aircraft streak high above them, as both sides fought a brutal struggle in the skies above the Heavenly Kingdom.

"Worried about the meeting?"

"I doubt the Princess would do anything to me. She wouldn't want to invite the wrath of Orland." He glanced at a distant detonation for a moment, before he continued. "I'm more worried about the implications of this to Orland."

There was a bit of silence beside him, as Emile nodded.

"Yeah, sir. Many of the men are worried that the same could happen to Orland. I bet your sister, Queen Amelie is also distressed by it too. What does she think about it?"

"We don't really talk much. But I do know she is doing everything to prevent that."

A skeptical reply came, but it was to be expected.

"I sure hope she does. Lots of the boys are placing their faith in Her Majesty to bring change."

"I'm sure of that."

Soon, the helicopter slowly descended on the flat lawn of a remote estate. It seemed to be owned by a wealthy noblewoman, displayed clearly by the elaborately designed old-school double-eaved buildings that were at the center of the walled estate. They were only mainly used by country nobles in the East.

Albert ducked a bit while he and his men left the helicopter in haste, as the wind produced by its still slowing down rotors blew around them.

What awaited them was a bunch of women, all of them uniformed in the Hebei Army uniform but with a red armband. One of them didn't have a helmet, and she was wearing what appeared to be a fancier, more customized variant. She was also not holding a rifle.

Her gaze pierced through him, almost as if she was sharply glaring down at him, while her raven black hair flew with the wind.

"Are you the Commodore?"

He nodded at her as he glanced at her red eyes.

"Yes, I'm Commodore Albert Ludendorf of Strike Force 7, and the CO of the ONS Rebenslof. I am currently the highest ranking officer present today for Operation Anchor." He turned to his men, who stopped behind him. "This is Lieutenant Emile Fuch. They will be my guards on this trip."

She nodded quickly.

"I'm Marquise Feng Lin." She looked down at him. "Do behave on the trip…men."

She said the last part almost as a hostile hiss, and he saw contempt in her eyes as she looked at them. Unfaltering, he replied neutrally.

"We will, milady."

"Good. Now follow me. The Princess is waiting."

Albert and Emile's squad followed them outside of the lawn, toward the path in the center of the estate. In the middle was a rock dragon statue that seemed to intimidate anyone who walked toward the front entrance of the building.

But the men felt nothing about it. They continued walking toward the left side, away from the main building, toward the gate. Outside, they found themselves on a paved road near a small village nearby.

Four vehicles awaited them, and Albert quickly followed the Marquise to the lead vehicle. She looked at him strangely.

"What?"

"Are we taking a ride with you?"

"Obviously. And you, you're coming with me. Send your men to the vehicles at the back."

With a gesture, he gave the orders to them, and they all swiftly entered the other vehicles alongside the Hebei rebel soldiers. He took a seat beside her, and she gestured to her driver, another soldier, to drive forward.

She looked at him and crossed her arms.

"So what exactly does Orland want?"

He replied neutrally. He didn't want to antagonize her, but she wasn't Orland's friend.

"I assure you, all we would like to do is to evacuate civilians and provide humanitarian assistance."

"Meddlers are hard to trust, Mr. Ludendorf." She frowned as she looked forward. Hebei's countryside passed through them rapidly, as the roads seemed to be clear, aside from a few parked military convoys on the side of the road.

"But meddlers are sometimes needed to save human lives."

"...I swear if Orland ever uses this to meddle with Hebei and help the Junta." Her eyes almost glowed when she suddenly stared him straight in the eye. "I'll make you pay."

But steely Albert didn't flinch. Nor did his unchanging expression even dare to twitch. He merely nodded in affirmation.

"I'll keep that in mind."

...

The Princess appeared kinder than the Marquise, Albert thought. The convoy stopped in a wartorn town. The signs of earlier battle were quite apparent. Broken roads, buildings, and houses turned to rubble, soldiers - women soldiers on the streets, destroyed tanks and APCs, it was all there.

They stopped in the center of the town, where a slightly damaged town hall stood. There were still sandbags and barbed wire around, but the rebel flag (or more accurately, the flag of the Empire) - the red rose on a yellow background, flew atop the town hall.

There, she stood at the entrance as their convoy stopped, her shining, silver hair swaying by the breeze. She was young, much like Amelie. While her expression was somber, she looked up at him with hope as he approached her.

The Marquise bowed at her.

"Your Highness, this is Sir Albert. He is the representative that they have sent us."

Albert wanted to frown. She didn't mention his rank. Nonetheless, there must be a good reason for it, so he merely bowed to the Princess too.

"Indeed, I am currently the main officer in charge of Operation Anchor. It is an honor to meet you, Your Highness."

"Raise your head, Sir Albert. I believe that now is not the time for formalities." She looked behind her. "Now please, someone clear the meeting room!"

Soon, both Albert and the Marquise followed her through the halls. There were many injured civilians and soldiers around, alongside the soldiers that guarded them and the medics or mages that tended the injured.

"This war has been devastating for us, Sir Albert." The Princess began.

"Indeed, that's why the international community sent us here."

"That is good, and I'm not one for denying such aid to my people."

Albert realized that perhaps she could agree easily. They followed her up the staircase, and before they reached the room, she turned to him.

"Your Highness?"

"Sir Albert, why would you men do this?"

"Do what?"

Her smile faltered, and she seemed bitter. She looked down for a while and muttered something to herself.

"I wonder if it's our fault…"

Albert wondered what she meant by that. Before he could speak, however, she turned back toward the room.

"Now, now. We have no time to waste." She opened the door herself and showed them the meeting room. The glass windows were broken, yet the room seemed to be previously tidied as best as someone could.

He followed her closely behind, as the Marquise closed the door. He tried to clear his mind as he sat in front of her, but before he could say anything…

"Yes, I permit the operation. But please, I have a favor to ask. Both to you and your sister."

What?