General Bodean was in the LSS Eldamil. He was planning out strategies for the war. He was disappointed in Parliament’s lack of commitment. Sending 1,200 soldiers, regardless of them being Mazken, some of the best of the best, it wasn’t enough. Reports from Mistmantle had told us that the communists were large in numbers. Bodean was sure Parliament expected that the communists would fall quickly to a well trained and armed military.

The Val Verdian fleet was made up of 2 amphibious assault ships, 1 battleship, 4 cruisers, 6 destroyers, 11 frigates, 4 corvettes, 10 fast coastal patrol ships, and 20 minesweepers. It wasn’t large, but it was sufficient. Plus, Parliament didn’t want to spend mass amounts of money on a war that could end quickly. Bodean was hoping on a quick easy victory, but after Rebaltion’s combat in the mountains, if these commies were similar, it would be interesting.

The Mazken were eager to fight, there hadn’t been any military operations since 1999. Most of the Mazken had sympathy for the Mistmantleans, for Val Verde has always had a problem with secessionist movements, but many of them thought that Mistmantle’s communist revolution was none of their concern. Still, it was their job to fight, and they were prepared to do it.

Everything was going as scheduled. The fleet had left in midday, and was making good progress. Only General Bodean, the High Chancellor, and Lord Sheogorath knew why Val Verde requested 25% of the war cost. It was because Val Verde’s nuclear warhead failed, and they needed money to continue the program. Mistmantle didn’t know it, and they perhaps never would, but if Val Verde succeeded in creating a nuclear bomb, Mistmantle would have been the reason. That was partly the reason for the war. Also, High Chancellor Benirus had told Bodean that Lord Sheogorath seems to be going Imperialistic, but Val Verde didn’t have the army to back that, so Bodean was unsure. Regardless, the fleet would arrive on Wednesday, if everything went well, hopefully there was still something to defend by the time they arrived.