RM Vol 3: For a World without Boundary – Chapter 68: So what now?

RM Vol 3: For a World without Boundary – Chapter 68: So what now?

N/nêw n0vel chap/ers are published o/n n0v/e/(lb)i(n.)co/m

Escorted by Humvees, Thomas the Train crawls to a stop at the train station recommissioned by the 501st Airbornes. Lush in nature and with clear signs of disuse in years, Bolimowski would have been a nice location to explore if not for the sordid affair Thomas and its passengers had experienced prior. All around the stopped train are pockets of 501st Airbornes and their vehicles, taking up sentry positions to protect their mission-critical objective. When the doors on the wagons are opened, medics and soldiers from the 501st rush up to the train to help the many injured civilians. As the many casualties are being relocated to the nearby field hospital, Adam and Rokossovsky stand by the external railing of a wagon, overseeing the activities.

"You talk with Moscow yet, General?" Adam asked suddenly. Now that the adrenaline has subsided, Adam's exhaustion is evident in his voice.

Rokossovsky is much the same with his face having a haggard look. "I talked to General Secretary Stalin himself. Long story short, the man is incensed at the Polanians while praising us simultaneously. Already, troops are mobilized near the Polanian-Rusviet borders. I can just about smell another war over the horizon, Adam."

The grim way Rokossovsky said the last sentence had cast a spell of silence over the two of them. It's not until Adam and Rokossovsky see a kid being carried out on a stretcher that the Belkan Lieutenant sighs. "What a sad time we're living in..."

"A sad time indeed, Adam." Rokossovsky muttered before saying. "Still, it's shocking to see how fast the Reich has managed to deploy such a sizeable force deep in hostile territory. For your nation to deploy both your Air Force and Army in droves without the Polanians able to retaliate one bit is just unheard of. Just what has happened in Belka these last few years?"

Adam mulls over the question for a bit before saying. "I am not at liberty to say much, General. What I can say for sure is that Belka has been advancing much in many areas, including the Art of War. Since you are a part of the VIP delegation to review our military, I reckon that Berlin will be able to give you a more in-depth answer."

Rokossovsky nods understandingly. "I suspect as much." Taking a look at the field hospital that is now bustling with activities and noises, the General continued. "Can we unload all of the civilians here?"

Adam shakes his head. "The 501st can't handle all of the casualties unless they bring in heavier equipment. This is impossible to do when the airstrip that they landed on doesn't support much capacity for anything large. According to my math, the best the 501st can extract out ahead of is somewhat more than half of the civilians. The rest will have to be carried by us to Berlin."

"I reckon we will be carrying those with lighter injuries?" Rokossovsky asked.

"Yes, General. To prevent any complications along the way, the 501st is also restocking our supplies and munitions. On the return trip, a part of their medical and infantry units will be accompanying us. We can rest assured that we will be better prepared this time around."

"Not sure whether I have said it before in the heat of combat but..." Rokossovsky pats Adam's shoulder. "Belka is one reliable friend to have. I can't help but anticipate the hospitality of Belka when we finally get out of this shithole."

Adam chuckles. "If it's even possible, I would like to lead you on a tour of the ranch back home. If you want a cozy and down-to-Gaia place to visit, then nothing beats my home."

"I think I can weasel in a request to visit your homestead, son. Speaking of your home though, how was the call with your fiancee?" Rokossovsky queried with a smirk.

Adam slumps his shoulders. "She will never let me live this down, sir. I even thought that if I somehow got killed, she would resurrect me just so that she could tease me with a big grin. At least I came off with only a few bad bruises and a banged-up leg."

Hearing what Adam said, Rokossovsky laughs at his expense. The Belkan Lieutenant sighs before remembering something.

"Right, General, the letter you were supposed to help that dessert shop owner with, what happened to it even?"

Rokossovsky slowly loses his smile before shaking his head forlornly. "You remember that girl we saved from that Polanian Captain?"

Adam nods, answering. "Yes, sir. I think I saw a medic giving her a medical checkup earlier." Adam searches for a bit before pointing at a MEDEVAC Humvee with its back open. "There she is."

I sigh once more, seeing her chastised expression. "I need to have a word with Mobius and Einstein for this."

Yuki chuckles hesitantly. "Should I pray for them...?"

I eye her without changing my expression. "You're not off the hook just yet, Yuki."

Yuki slumps her shoulders. "Worth a shot."

I then help Yuki up, surprising her by holding her in a bridal carry. I relish the stunned embarrassment on Yuki's face. "W-Wait!? What are you doing!? We're still in public!"

I stop walking, deliberately looking around to see the guards and airbase personnel carrying on their tasks dutifully.

"I don't see anyone voicing a complaint, nor is this base a public setting. ONI installations are the very definition of private, in case you forgot." I said in a faux serious tone, making Yuki stop her struggle knowing that I wouldn't give up.

"You and your surprise attack..." Yuki uttered a final complaint with tinted cheeks before settling comfortably in my arms.

As we make our way to the motorcade, I report. "The train has reached the 501st QRF safely. They're now hunkering down for a night before resuming their trip to Berlin. The delay happened due to some casualties requiring immediate treatments before they could be shipped to safety. I have taken the liberty to set up a constant aerial patrol above their location."

Yuki nods in my embrace, saying. "At least the crew and civilians will be able to get some rest and a good meal. I presume that when morning comes, Thomas will be escorted by elements of the 501st?"

I reply. "It's as you have surmised, Yuki. Ground units of the 501st will ride alongside the train for added security. The delay has given the Polanians time to prepare, the improvement in firepower may be needed if they up their aggression."

"And our diplomats?"

"Both diplomats and their Rusviet counterparts have been released without further trouble." I answered.

"At this point, the Polanians know that they have messed up splendidly. They will try to justify everything but with how much evidence we stack against them, they will be facing tough choices. Either disband and elect a new government, or stay and fight a war on multiple fronts."

"Shall I make preparations to announce the news?" I asked dutifully.

"May as well get the ball rolling. Start by alerting the other superpowers of the matter." Yuki said before we started mounting up on the Humvee. "But not before we get a good night's rest. I want to see just how far this Revolutionary Command Council of theirs would take this matter."