Story - A Cold Omen

Introduction

      Listaria, like all current Corinosian factions, was originally founded on Corinosia I. It has always been a peaceful nation that focuses on trading with the other factions. Over time, Listaria has amassed an enormous amount of wealth. Because of this, Listaria has just entered its first war in over two centuries. The Tyrus Empire expected them to be unprepared, primitive, and inexperienced. However, for centuries Listaria has observed the other nations, and developed defensive technology for use in the event of a conflict, and to protect their freighters from pirates, privateers, or other nations, all looking to secure Listaria’s wealth for their own purposes.

Series Introduction: [ The Corinosian Introduction ]

Star Date: 12.01.04, Location: Pythoria, Listarian Northern Citadel 

      How could they have gotten so close undetected? Why are they here, and in such great force? What will we do? These were the questions that Captain Terius of Listaria was asking himself as he sprinted through the halls and up the stairs of headquarters. This was the center of the northern citadel's command, where all orders were issued, and where the General resides. Terius charged into the General's office, a circular room with great columns of rare marble adorning the edges. Both the floor and the ceiling featured a mosaic of various war heroes from Listaria's past, forever remembered in this hollow room. 

  “General, imperial forces have been spotted approaching from the south!”, exclaimed Captain Terius. Terius was panting, and the General could tell there was a sense of urgency about him. 
    “Spread word to the Colonels, and ready your regiment for combat.”, replied General Garreth. 
      “Yes, right away sir.”

      The Captain hurried off and began contacting each Colonel stationed at the northern citadel. Each Colonel then contacted their majors, who contacted their captains, who contacted their lieutenants, who finally rallied the soldiers and brought them to the auditorium. The auditorium is frequently used for speeches or news announcements, and was located on the first floor of the headquarter's building. It made up most of the first floor, as it was absolutely enormous, with space for a dozen or more battalions. 

      Soldiers began pouring in by the hundred, and when everyone was in place, the national anthem of Listaria was played, while the General discussed how they would approach the imperial forces approaching their citadel with the colonels and majors. 
      The northern citadel has never fallen before, and General Garreth didn't plan to go down without a fierce fight. 

  “Alright men, the empire have assumed we are weak, they believe this will be a short battle and a quick victory for them. But, let’s show them who the Listarians are and what we, the guardians of Listaria, are capable of. Make them remember this day, the day Listaria fought and won against an imperial army!” 

      The soldiers began to cheer, and then quickly rushed towards the armories to prepare for combat. Naturally, many of them began contacting their homes back on the home world, Corinosia I. They knew what they signed up for when they became defenders of Listaria, and many of them would be saying their final goodbyes today. 

  “General, the 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd regiments are awaiting orders, and the 5^th battalion from the west has just arrived.”, noted Colonel Mustouff. 

    “Excellent news, however, we are vastly outnumbered in this battle. We will need to use the rugged terrain to our advantage. The enemy’s forces will be less mobile than ours, and we should have the advantage of the defense. The enemy must enter through a set of small passes, and knowing them, they will have heavy air support, and use every resource available to them.”, replied the General. 

      “Sir, how do you expect to combat an entire imperial invasion force with what little forces we have?”, questioned Mustouff. 

      Garreth began pacing back and forth. He turned and walked from his desk, and looked out the window. He appeared to be deep in thought. He began walking around his office, and disappeared behind one of the large columns. It felt like an eternity for Mustouff, who felt this situation was beyond urgent. When Garreth materialized from behind the column, he finally spoke.

  “We will set up ambushes along each of those small passes. Attack and retreat, attack and retreat. As for the air support they have, we will keep a constant barrage of our flak cannons on the air, while we position anti-air rocket troopers throughout the battlefield situated on the high ground. They will intercept enemy air vessels when requested by our field commanders.”, answered Garreth. 

    “Well, this plan seems to weaken the enemy forces before they hit us with all of their force, as well preventing them from transporting troops through the air… But what are we to do once they reach the citadel?”

      “We shall focus on their armored units, which will do the most damage to the citadel, while we gradually weaken their army via attrition. We have many highly trained snipers who will do the trick. If the imperial forces get through the first level of the citadel, we simple close it off. We keep the 5^th battalion waiting inside of the citadel; there they will be able to fight the enemy in a choke-point, where we have the advantage of numbers.”, replied Garreth. 

The Colonel began to notice there was still hope for Listaria. 

  “I guess this is why you’re a general then! This is a brilliant plan. Though, the battle's outcome will decide if it was brilliant enough.”, exclaimed the Colonel. 

To be continued...