Imperium Aeternum

The war training had ended after a year and a half. The soldiers were ready to enter the royal war, just waiting for the orders of their superiors.

The tasks and field studies transformed them into lethal weapons for battle under the motto of "Semper fidelis, semper paratus, Imperium Aeternum" (Always faithful, always ready, the empire will be eternal).

The spring thaw was three months away so they had to eliminate the enemy before it reacted, as viable roads and paths would be washed away by heavy rains limiting their movements.

The ground troops trained in reconnaissance and resistance tactics under the cold snow to adapt and camouflage themselves, guided by mercenaries and gangsters who obtained military ranks, while the naval corps gained experience at sea together with the former pirate captains, now turned admirals. and commodore.

Each would receive recognition and a title at the end of the war to consolidate his power in the political and social circles of the empire along with the imperial accolade that could only be given to those who had excelled in the affront.

With that in mind, the Spartan practices added to the constant mental poisoning on the part of their superiors, engraving in the imprint of the recruits that they should not let anyone insult the nation that reached out to them and freed them from hunger, disease and the tyranny of the slavers and kings of yesteryear.

Sodifrim would become the first example for the other countries that still considered them inferior. To do this, they quietly investigated them and deployed their army before Sodifrim officially began its war exercises next year.

They planned to attack a nonexistent Loren in a matter of three years at the latest, with the help of four allied countries, but they did not count on the empire introducing spies and ending theirs in the process within a month of starting the warmongering campaign.

They stationed their troops at the five borders to isolate the country from receiving supplies and prevent them from communicating with the outside world, establishing checkpoints and reinforcing road reconnaissance.

The icebreakers waited out to sea and sent patrols to the shores of the frozen Hellfish River to support the troops.

Sodifrim's army was outside the capital, guarding its three main camps that had more than 7,500 conscripts each and that, unlike the army of the empire, the vast majority sought to desert.

Within hours of entering the fray, the commanders of each army met with Bartolomeus to put the finishing touches on advanced strategies and called in the common soldiers, Pontiacs.

Both brothers introduced themselves and the meeting was held behind closed doors to rearrange the times between each action.

-For the siege of the camps, we have at least 2,100 men, sir. The rest will be kept in reserve to give them a screen. Although they have 3 times as many soldiers, they will not be able to react to a surprise attack- Brigadier Picolli read the reports

-We located the entire forest and as for the borders, we will wait for the signal- General Tiziano D'amico, Don Tony's son, crossed out the country's exits with crosses

-Lt. Rosso and soldier Pontiac, take the motorized company to the bridges and wait for the assault groups to finish off the enemy camps to enter the capital- Bartolomeus handed over the envelopes with specifications

-The commanders will take these direct orders to the rest to promote the initiative of decision among the troops, with that we avoid confusing and erroneous situations. Questions? - Sunday moved the pieces on the map

-None-

-In that case, remember our objective; capture enemy soldiers, disarm them and exterminate whoever opposes.-

-So it will be done.- with their fists on his breasts they waved to leave

**

Each commander and group leader gave the information to his men and with that last detail, Bartolomeus appeared to give them the order accompanied by words of encouragement.

The marines and the other soldiers on the ground were listening to their emperor over the radios.

-Have your spirits ready to face those who ignore and insult us. We are the hope of our families, the hope of our nation. I am confident that we will succeed together. May your gods accompany and protect you! -

Semper fidelis semper paratus, Imperium Aeternum!

The massive scream generated terror to those who heard it coming from children and young people willing to do anything for their country. The brains behind this only smirked at the staunch nationalism they got after the brainwashing.

**

Two hours passed and each one took his place. They would attack at dawn, stalking them under the cloak of darkness.

The enemy camp remained lax in the face of threats and its soldiers slept or partied.

The camouflaged Imperial soldiers blended in with the snow and wooded elements. They entered from the rear and silently slipped into the barracks where the vast majority rested while the rest surrounded the partygoers.

Each squad leader accompanied by their best men, set out to find the leaders of each camp to take hostage and use them. Making signs with their hands, they gave the status report to move quickly.

Sunday accompanied Tiziano and two corporals as an escort and when they located the rest area of ​​the Lieutenant and the sergeant in charge, they got into the cabin that was better equipped than the rest.

The lights went on for both enemies and they realized that the pair was surrounded by the best food and they had accumulated wealth at the expense of abusing the people they had to care for and train.

They woke up to the cold barrels of the rifles pointed at their foreheads and froze to find themselves surrounded by only four characters dressed in white uniforms and helmets never seen before.

-What ... what do you think you're doing? Who are you?!-

-Move or die. Choose your destination- Corporal Flanders moved the cannon to show you the door

-Don't even think they'll get away with it. We have an army that will kill them if ...-

* Plist plist *

The sound of silenced gunshots pierced the sergeant's arms

-Ahhh! My arms, damn! -Sunday had shot him when he raised his voice against them

-Out or you´ll be the next. NOW! - the four of them pointed at them forcing them to leave

Multiple shots and screams were rampant. Something terrible happened and they didn't want to be a part of it. The soldiers ran and fell to the ground begging for mercy when they saw those who refused to obey the order to stop or attacked to kill die.

They were regrouped without knowing what to expect and ambushed in the middle of the night without knowing the identity of the perpetrators.

The sergeant and the lieutenant were placed in the middle of the crowd to receive what they deserved.

It seemed a joke that only two useless and pitiful people managed an army of 7,500 men but for Sodifrim that was not of importance since they put quantity before quality and capacity.

-Why? Who are they? What do they want?-

The same questions multiplied and fell silent as the man who seemed of the highest rank approached. The man took off his helmet and introduced himself.

-I am the Brigadier General, Tiziano D'amico. Our goal is to take back the lands of the empire of Polaris that the kingdom of Sodifrim dared to take from us. Today will be the last day they will receive the offer from the empire. Choose wisely; join or die-

The empire of Polaris was something they had heard based on rumors and believed that it was a mere tale of lunatic people who claimed that such a nation was a paradise on earth. The king of Sodifrim dismissed the existence of it after receiving information from his alleged spies on the side of the former Loren and spread the news of that piece of heaven as a mere tale.

A story that was denied in front of them. The lieutenant trembled when he saw the clean deployment of the imperial troops and taking advantage of the distraction he ran without stopping. His soldiers watched as his superior cowardly fled, abandoning them to his fate.

He didn't get past the gates when he exploded into a thousand pieces while stepping on a landmine. Swallowing, the sergeant begged for his life but suddenly 15 soldiers surrounded him and pointed them at him.

-Your punishment has already been decided. Fire!.-

Hundreds of bullets hit him to be shot to death. The execution was a clear example of how they should act from now on before the empire. Live or die ... that was the question.