The war ended four years ago. The empire has seen a decline in order and prosperity. The disbandment of the many guard regiments had not gone down peacefully. Many of these regiments had become robber barons creating micro fiefs within the empire. Lords neglect their duty and fill their pockets. All the while the people starve and die. The emperor in a bid to restore order, to protect the people, to bring the nobles in line had created the department of domestic defense. Separate from the army, however, this department may request assets from the military to conduct their business. Among this is the SWRD. They number no more than a regiment of a thousand men and women. Led by former general Leon D’Augustine.

  SWRD has one simple mission assist the people of the imperium. Save them from those that wish to do them harm. In doing so they wish to strengthen the people’s trust within the emperor once more. The old general modeled the organization after an old chivalric order within the empire. However, he noted that he hopes that the organization not be purged like its predecessor.

  SWRD leads small platoons of thirty to twenty men and women led by a lieutenant to assess the state of villages or regions and assist in rebuilding the area. No matter the cost. These lieutenants are mostly idealist members of the upper echelons of imperial society. However, their bright ideas usually cause them to be shunned by the more conservative branches of the government. It was the general that had given them an outlet to spread their ideals.

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  1 A.W (after war)

  Spring, near the village of Kettler

  A small convoy of two cars and a truck kicked up plumes of dust on a long narrow road. A black-haired man whose eyes stayed on the road shouts over the noise of the engine. “Lieutenant, do you think it's a good idea to just lead an assessment to the Kettler area without informing the major?” A hyper blonde woman in an officer’s double-breasted coat looked towards the blue sky. “I’ll phone him when we enter the town. So, Corporal Vance keep driving. Put some speed into it. At this rate we’ll get to the town by dusk.” The corporal simply sighed and sped up.

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  The village of Kettler

  A lone figure enters the village. He stands at a staggering ten chains tall. His tattered cloak and knapsack billows in the warm spring air. He walks with tight precision to the only tavern in town. Entering the tavern a ring alerts the hosts to the guest. “Hello, Sir? Staying for the night? Eating or...” The owner craned his neck upwards. The figure gestured to the dining hall. Leading the way he sits at a table. The owner, a fat balding, jolly man brings forward a bowl of greens. “Afraid this is the most I got. I have some bread from this morning, but it's as hard as rocks now. If you want it just ask.” The owner watched as the tall stranger scarfed down the bowl in a matter of seconds. “Must be hungry, aye?” The stranger smiled at the owner. “Seconds, please” the stranger’s voice rumbled.

  The owner smiled. “Sure, give me a moment.” Before he could leave the stranger stopped him. “Need a helping hand in this part of the empire?” The owner shook his head. “Sadly, no stranger. Ever since the end of the war. A bunch of hoodlums had made the mines their hideout. This here village relied on the silver from the mine to provide income” the man looked at the stranger. “Don’t even think about it my friend. Don’t want you to die going over there and scaring them.”

  The stranger gave a wide smile. Which on his face seemed more like a grimace then anything. “wasn’t planning on it. The names Owen.” The owner nodded. “Nice to meet you Owen, let me get you another helping. If you want some water to fill your skin with. There is an open tap near the end of the wall.” Suddenly the door to the tavern swings open. Owen’s eyes narrow looking towards the door. Time slows as he thinks of options. Then it hit him. The war is over. He doesn’t have to look over his shoulder for dangers. However, with the cease fire. The empire had gotten even more dangerous.

  He gripped the bayonet that was hidden beneath his cloak. As he stood and made his way to the water tap. The voices grew louder as they entered the canteen. “Ma’am I don’t think it's a good idea to just enter the village without doing reconnaissance” a soft male voice said. “Corporal. I believe it is of pure benefit to speak with the locals directly instead of studying them through a field scope. What are we scientists? No Vance. We are employees of the people. We need to hear their grievances in person.”

  Owen looked over to see a beautiful woman in her twenties, dressed in an officer’s frock double breasted coat. The green accented with the dark grey. The badge on her shoulder was unfamiliar to him. He still wore the field grey of the guard regiments that were raised during the war, however, he covered it with the homespun brown cloth of a cloak.

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  Canteen

  Corporal Vance along with First Lieutenant walked into a rundown tavern. Vance had noted the lack of people when they entered the village. He counted less than thirty houses. So, by careful deduction there should be a hundred or so people, but the village was quiet. He argued with Audelia about the merits of entering unknown territory. When he spotted a towering figure at the end of the hall. The corporal while distracting the lieutenant with protocol positioned himself between the man and the lieutenant.

  However, the lieutenant wanting to speak with the locals brushed passed him and walked up towards the bar where a fat bald man stood with a bowl of greens. “Hello, proprietor, the name is First Lieutenant Audelia Sinclair, this is corporal Vance” the corporal raised a hand but continued to stare at the giant of a man. “We are part of SWRD and are here to inquire about the state of this village” she looked at a piece of paper. “Kettler.” The owner smiled and offered a seat. “I would love to chat, but I have a guest.”

  Audelia then turned to the tall stranger who now faced them. His silver eyes narrowed in suspicion. “Hello, sir. I am pretty sure you have heard my name” Vance noticed that Audelia touched the back of her neck. He noticed she did so only in a few situations. When it's going to rain, when it's cold, and when there might be trouble. He slowly reached to the pistol that hung within his coat. When the stranger began to speak. “SWRD. Never heard of them. The name’s Owen. Owen Albrecht.” Vance was put off by the stranger’s voice. It sounded strained. Like a growl from a wolf. He looked at Audelia who still carried a smile on her face.

  Audelia smile beamed like a ray of sunshine. “Well, not too surprising really. We are a new organization created last summer. Our mission is simple, Owen. Protect the people. Assist them in whatever we can.” Owen’s eyes widened in confusion. “Really now. I take it you are here to assist this village then?” Audelia nodded. “I am curious are you a member of this village or...” Owen cut her off. “Passing through. Wanted to work, but I was informed that the mines were closed.” Audelia nodded. “Alright. I know when it's not a good time to talk.” Vance shot her a smug look. “Corporal Vance, that is twenty Stelo from your next pay.” Vance wanted to protest, but he thought it better to not debase himself in front of strangers.

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  Owen began to walk to the counter where his bowl of food was. Opening his waterskin, he sucked on the water as he scarfed another bowl of greens. The owner smiled at Owen as if he was a proud father that convinced his kids to eat their broccoli. The owner turned to Audelia. “As you have heard from Owen, here. The mines are closed due to a band of hoodlums who have made it their base of operations. They aren’t even natives from here. They are soldiers from some regiment.”

  Owen stopped eating mid chew. He looked at the owner. “That’s new information. Why did they come here?” The owner frowned at the question. “The silver. This is a silver town.” Audelia stepped forward when a gunshot echoed through the quiet town. Owen gripped at his waist. However, it was Audelia who acted first. Running out the door. She saw a group of boys, probably no older than 17 dressed in tattered uniforms.

  The leader of said groups had a sewn-on chevron of a corporal adorn on his sleeve. Audelia drawing her pistol, which was a model 13 Winfred. The Model 13 Winfred was a semi-automatic pistol that used an internal box magazine that held ten rounds of 8mm Winfred. Fed through stripper clips of five. It was an integral side arm used by the military police and officer class. Audelia’s pistol had a simple A.S engraved on the side near the magazine.

  “My name is First Lieutenant Audelia Sinclair of SWRD’s third company. Cease all actions immediately and stand at attention.” The corporal who was thin by most comparisons but had the eyes of a veteran had his fingers twitching at the trigger guard of his rifle. Audelia looked at the rifle. A twenty-seven-inch barrel of blued steel. Set into oak wood. The rifle was something any soldier from the war would be familiar with. The Model 17 Ulrich. An 8.8mm X 34mm rimmed cartridge. Using ten round stripper clips to feed the internal box magazine. The rifle was a workhorse withing the empire. Having several other models made in different lengths, ammunition, and uses. Audelia had heard about a conversion to full auto.

  Audelia watched as the corporal stared at her. While Vance walked calmly out the inn. Followed by the owner, Owen, and several of the workers. Vance stared at the corporal “what the hell do you think you are doing corporal?” The corporal crooned his neck to stare at Vance but stopped at Owen. His eyes widening in surprise. Immediately breaking into attention, he turned his head to shout at the squad of twelve boys to stand at attention. In unison they clicked their heels and gripped the rifle in a vertical faction as a salute. Audelia stared at this strange occurrence without realizing why they did it.

  Audelia stepped forward with Vance. “Corporal form double rank, for inspection” Vance said as if he was the one in control of the situation. However, it was the boy corporal who stared a head, his head tilted a bit upwards, his Type 2 helmet set to the side. “Is the sergeant in command?” Vance stared with eyes of heated anger. His tight mustache bending a bit in the wind. Audelia looked towards Owen, who sighed ever so slightly. Stepping forward the wind filled the air. Owen’s cloaked moved to reveal the three chevrons of a sergeant. Surprised she continued to observe him. Owen reached into his cloak to remove a cap. A single badge adorns the thing. A silver horn of the infantry with a number designation of 127th.

  Owen took a breath before speaking. “Squad double rank, prepare for inspection.” The ragged squad stomped their heels and in quick succession formed two ranks with space enough for the men to be inspected. Owen then reached for his cloak removing the piece in a single move. Revealing the drab olive grey of an infantry soldier. His black boots scuffed by the dust of the roads. He walked towards the squad before stopping at attention a head of the squad. “Lieutenant Sinclair, second platoon, fifth company of the 127th regiment is ready for inspection.” He snapped his head looking directly into Audelia’s own green eyes.

  Audelia stared at the group of thirteen men. She was at awe at Owen, she knew he was military simply by looking at his size. However, this act had cemented the idea. It was the fact that Owen was a sergeant within a militia regiment. One that from what she heard was a decorated regiment on the frontline. She placed her pistol within her holster and placed her hands behind her back. Walking calmly towards Owen she stopped and inspected him. “Sergeant, your boots are dirty.” Owen simply apologized with a “sorry ma’am, won’t happen again.”

  Audelia beckoned him to accompany her has she inspected the squad. They were a mess really. Some of their boots were dirty, some were missing their helmets, one of the boys had a tear on their tunic pockets. All the while inquiring their names, rank, and service date. However, the thing that caught her eyes were the gleaming rifles. They were clean, oiled, shined, and treated. She thought it was odd for a squad that would be this ragged to keep their rifles in working order. However, it was Owen who stopped in front of the corporal. “Corporal Kobala, I am disappointed in the manner of dress of the squad. However, I am satisfied of the state of your rifles. Now salute the lieutenant.”

  The squad under the corporal’s direction saluted Audelia before returning to attention. Audelia in kind gave the order to stand at ease. The men relaxed ever so slightly. Audelia looked the corporal in his eyes. She stood half a foot taller causing the corporal to tilt his head up. “Corporal, give me a situation report on the mine.” The corporal looked at Owen and then at a furious Vance. “Ma’am, the remnants of the home army have broken into small detachments to defend key sectors.” Owen stepped forward, however, a hand from Audelia stopped him. “Who is in command corporal?” Kobala stared at the lieutenant for a moment. “Captain Ernst Kruger, ma’am.” Owen’s eyes opened with surprise.

  Audelia noticed this and continued. “Captain Kruger, as in the very same captain who led a coup last month? The criminal who sacked several villages on his way to the capital and fled against SWRD?” The corporal tried to avert his gaze, but Audelia stepped forward. Her green eyes peering into Kobala’s soul. “Corporal, are you assisting a criminal of the empire?” Kobala swallowed, his Adam apple bobbing in fear. Owen stepped forward once more pulling the lieutenant back. Vance stepped forward trying to stop him. However, the hulking giant was not fazed at all. “Lieutenant, these men were tasked with infiltrating Captain Kruger’s contingent. They were reporting to me.” The corporal glanced at Owen, a nervous smile creeping on his dried lips.

  Audelia stared daggers at Owen. “Is that so, sergeant. Then I expect a report, a status on this squad, and a map of the mines. All before dinner.” Owen nodded accepting the orders. He looked at Kobala like a parent scolding a misbehaving child. “I’ll speak with the corporal and the men.” Audelia and a seething Vance return to the inn leaving Owen, Kobala, and the squad in the square.

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  Kettler Square

  18:02

  “Hynrich, what the hell happened? I thought you were returning to the village with your boys.” Owen said looking towards Hynrich who had removed his helmet, his blonde hair falling in a messy heap. “I was sarge. However, we were stopped from leaving. The same captain took command of the company and as you may have heard. Led us towards the capital to overthrow the board of generals.” Owen stared at Hynrich in disbelief. “What about those villages, so help me. If you boys participated in those massacres...” Before he could finish it Hynrich had begun to sob. “No sarge, we, I, tried to stop it. However, I was placed under arrest. I was going to be shot. I wanted to flee. However...” Owen stopped him. Placing a hand on him. He paused looking towards the other men.

  “The war is over. Yet, here we are. Fighting another battle?” Hynrich stared at Owen. “Yes, sarge. Back to the front once again.” Owen stared towards the darkening horizon. “How long have you boys been here? How many of them are there? More importantly, how the hell am I supposed to get you boys out of here?” Hynrich turned staring at Owen. “If you lead us sarge. I could care less of that company of the damned. Heck, we all feel that way. We followed you in that last day. We sure as hell will keep following you.” Owen looked to the other boys who stared with tired but determined eyes.

  “You boys may have committed some atrocities, some actions that may never be undone. However, I cannot be your absolution. That lieutenant. She is your way out. Your light at the end of the tunnel. You get on her good side. I’ll tell you what. She’ll get you out. If you can somehow convince her that you are helpful. Maybe, just maybe you’ll get out of this.” Owen stood causing the rest to crowd around him like a fervent preacher. Some of the boys had tears in their eyes. Realizing what had to be done. Hynrich stood to Owen’s right side. A sniffle coming from the small corporal. “Anything, sarge. We’ll tell you anything. We’ll help your lieutenant.”

  “Alright, let's get down to business. Tell me everything.”