34 The Plan for the Future

Han Xin and Baron finished up their conversation with talks of the trade then returned back to the previous room to inform the others.

(BM) "Let's welcome our newest core member Han Xin." Baron said right after entering the room.

(BC) "Glad to have you here."

(YF) "Its excellent news to have you join us."

The five of them chatted for a bit before officially getting down to official faction type business.

(BM) "Setting goals for the future of our faction is a must. However, we all have different goals we want to achieve. Let's talk about the general direction our faction is headed to, then get more specific."

(HX) "Yes that's a good idea. Once I commit to something, it is not in my nature to do so haphazardly. First things first, we need to discuss the faction selection tournament."

(BM) "The four of us have actually discussed thisbefore you came here, but perhaps you could shed a bit more light on the matter."

(YF) "That's correct, we have decided to go with the air portion of the tournament."

(HX) "Oh? Why haven't you guys decided to go for the other two battlefields?"

(YF) "I must admit that I left some information out when I spoke to Baron earlier. The reason I prefer to go with the air portion this time around is because there are a few especially powerful opponents joining the land and sea battles this time."

(HX) "How powerful are we talking here? Are they better than me? I dont pay attention to these kinds of news since it doesn't affect me in any way"

(YF) "Among those participating the most likely to win the land portion are the Eternal Dragon faction with the newly founded Commie faction as the biggest dark horse. Then for the sea portion the likeliest to win is the Imperial Dragon faction. Likewise the biggest dark horse would be the Steel Junk faction."

(BM) "What about the air portion of the tournament?"

(YF) "....This is where things get tricky. Somehow the Vesper faction found out about the supposed alliance between our group and Madam Zheng's. They have formed a subsidiary faction and invited some of the best aviation strategists to participate. Specifically against us."

(BM) "This Vesper group sure is troublesome. Do you think they will be a problem Yue Fei?"

(YF) "Since this is a regulated simulation there are rules set in place so that's good for us. However, these 5 strategists that we are going to have to go against are all people who are revered in the aviation simulations. Aviation warfare is all they do, compared to us who haven't even practised much. I'd say we need quite a bit of work to be able to defeat them."

(HX) "Enough if this topic for now. What are we going to do after we form a faction?"

(BM) "Recruiting members to our faction should be our top priority. Since I'm not too familiar with the situation here can you elaborate for us Yue Fei?"

(YF) "Yes, I was just about to bring up this topic. The gist of it is that like us before meeting you, Baron, the majority of strategists dont align themselves with any faction. This is because the terms and conditions of each faction is fairly harsh, and the monthly pay is terrible. It just simply isn't worth it for many people. Not to mention the incredibly high bars most people set to act as preliminaries."

(BM) "Well, I believe that we should have as much faction members as possible. So why dont we lower the bar, lower the requirements and increase the benefits."

(YF) "Saying that is easy, but It's not that easy to actually do that. For most factions paying their members is the highest cost of operating. Unless you have deep pockets, then you are unlikely to be able to run a large faction for very long."

(BM) "The benefits I'm talking about will be the auction store that we will be starting within the faction."

(BC) "Then what about the pay? Will you keep it as is?"

(BM) "I haven't decided yet."

(HX) "Wait who will be the faction leader?"

(BM) "It should be either you or Yue Fei."

(XD) "Why not you?"

(BM) "A strategist that only came to planet 4 a couple of months ago leading the winning team to win the tournament draws way too much attention onto me. Instead I believe someone who already has been here for a couple hundred years here will be seen as normal. Plus you two have more weight in your words than I do when you speak. After all, the Chinese community sees both of you as more powerful than me so more people will listen to you."

(HX) "Interesting, what do you think Yue Fei?"

(YF) "I dont know, how about a joint leadership?"

(BM) "That's even better in my opinion. You should know though, I'll be handling most of the businesses of the faction."

(HX) "Suit yourself kiddo. Those things aren't exactly up my alley. Anything else that you have planned for Baron? You are the leader of us even if not in name."

(BM) "I'm thinking after we establish a stable base here at the Chinese community should we venture out into the outside world to participate in tournaments."

(BC) "Sounds good to me."

(XD) "Sure just dont sick me with any more geese please."

(YF) "I have no complaints."

(HX) "I'll follow you since you are a treasure trove of blueprints."

(BM) "Alright then its decided. Anyone have any idea as to what name we should have for our faction?"

(HX) "Modern Menace?"

(BC) "Ooh, ooh how about Fearless?"

(YF) "Righteousness?"

(XD) "I'm fine with whatever."

(BM) "How about...Under 1 Banner?

Everyone stayed silent thinking about what Baron had just suggested and sat there. After awhile, they decided to go with Baron's idea as it had the deepest meaning to all of them. That's how they concluded their first official meeting as a faction.

(BM) "How do you think we should prepare for the faction selection tournament?"

(BC) "That tournament is still decades away. I believe increasing our funds is the smartest way to go."

(YF) "While the tournament is decades away should we still not prepare? The others have started training long before us. We are already behind if you ask me."

(HX) "Both points are valid, however, preparation should come before trying to strike it rich. Besides, my funds are now this faction's funds. We should be able to continue on training for quite a while before we have to think about money again."

(XD) "I second Han Xin." Xu Da spoke calmly.

(BM) "I too believe that Han Xin and Yue Fei speaks the most reason. How should we go about training then? Have you guys ever tried air battles before?"

(BC) "No, never." Ban Chao said rather embarrassingly.

(XD) "A few times, but I just can't seem to grasp how air battles work." Xu Da admitted.

(HX) "I've tried a few, but I can only be considered average in the Chinese community." Han Xin shaked his head and sighed.

(YF) "I've actually done quite a bit of air battles. Though I'm no master in the Chinese community I'd say I'm at least above average."

(BM) "I can't say I'm too well versed in technical experience within the sky. But my knowledge and tactics should be advanced enough to give us a bit of an edge compared to the others. Just like with Yue Fei on land, I need to experiment with many air battles before I can confidently say where I rank compared to you guys Maybe even some exercises or drills involving planes and helicopters and the rest would reveal just where my level of competency in the air is at."

(HX) "I believe the best course of action we can take right now is to try our best to practice air battles. It's good that at least Baron and Yue Fei have an understanding of these kinds of battles. Then we can try to enter into a few air battle related tournaments to see how we compare to others."

(BM) "That's a great idea. Yue fei do you know of any air battles where we can practice the most. Just like the Battle of Thermopylae on land?"

(YF) "I think there are quite a few, but unfortunately none of the air battles can compare to the battle of Thermopylae on land in that regard."

(BM) "What about that air battle in 1918 where less than 100 German jets engaged over a combined force of over 2,000 Allied bombers and fighters?"