Terra Ferra

General Garrot sat on his horse surveying the terrain. Before him two small fortified towns stood blocking his advance to Koln. That was all well and good but they had stood there for many years and posed no surprise with their old small guns. No it was the activity between the forts which concerned him. Kellerites! As his 1st Brigade began to form up for the attack he awaited news.

Presently his young aid appeared with a small escort of cavalry from his reconnaissance. “Well?” the general asked impatiently. The young man fumbled with the pages of a notebook. “ There is about a regiment of Kellerites sir with some riflemen in green uniform and cavalry in support.” He turned in the saddle and indicated the left most fort and continued. “There are some riflemen holding that position but the main effort seems to be in the central with more riflemen in the woods further to the right.”

Garrot thought for a moment digesting the news. “Very well. Please inform that Nordsboccan to take his troops both the infantry and what he calls cavalry and assault the wood that should keep the Kellerites and him occupied. A please inform Colonel Smith to take his men and the rest of the 1st and take that left most position. Once that has happened the 2nd will advance on the Kellerite centre.” The General eased his backside in the saddle, there it was done the events would now play out.

Initially it all went well as the Nordsboccans advanced in column towards the Kellerite left and the ranks of Britannic Infantry advanced towards the first town on the Kellerite right. Both attacks succeeded and the Kellerite infantry which had occupied the centre of there line in front of the final fort withdrew to he support of their last line of defence. “Now” thought Garrot, turning to the commander of the 2nd Brigade who had watched the battle so far “ Now Maitland now's your time! Take that fort in the centre and we will have whipped these dammed interfering Kellerites.”

The 2nd Brigade advanced through the 1st. This time whoever they met not a relativity weak skirmish line but the formed ranks of an infantry regiment. Troops melted before the rapid fire of the Kellerite needle gun. However to the right and left Kellerite troops were driven of stripping the fort of its supports but by mid afternoon it was obvious that the attack had failed. Too few Britannic troops could be mustered to mount a successful assault on the town.

Garrot surveyed the shambles in front of the central Kelleite position and knew he had lost the Needle gun armed conscripts had defeated his elite trained regulars. It was time to fall back and reorganize, perhaps even abandon this attempt to intervene in this particular Germanic affair.