Vilhelm leaves a small chuckle, smiling to himself as he analyzed each scenario. The Helgoland has faced many threats across the years. As much I would be compelled to aid the cruiser I was in for so long, the Fleet Commander's orders take priority. However, if the ship I would command at that time would be let's say...a Bismarck, or a Carrier...well. The Fleet Commander's orders stand for the ship I command, but fighters and bombers are not forced to obey that. If The Helgoland is attacked from multiple sides, small craft would be deployed while capital ship I command stands its ground.
For the second scenario...Kruger. You see. Whether they supply the Imperialists or not, brute force cannot be used. The Helgoland will stand back about one kilometer and a half as its escorts will deal with the transports. If that fails? The Cruiser will open fire with it's primaries, targetting the engines primarily to prevent unecessary casualties. We need the supplies to be into our custody, and not the Imperialists'. We also need to prevent unecessary loss of life, otherwise the Federal Republic would be nothing else but a terrorist formation on the news papers.
The third scenario has no real wrong answer, on the other hand. Want to know why? Because if the governmental buildings belong to the Imperialists, then the ground troops would be ordered to take advantage of the situation to plant incriminating evidence. If they were federalist buildings that somehow weren't shut down after this...civil war of yours. Here the old saying "Know your enemy" plays a big role in what path is being taken. Non-lethal takedown, or shoot to kill.
Your responses to scenario one and two are acceptable. However... scenario three...
You speak of this civil war as if it is not your problem. You are mistaken, if you are part of the MND this is your war to. It is....unfortunate that we must turn our weapons on our brothers and sisters of Rheinland, however we can not sit idly by and allow traitors to throw the basic rule of law out of the window. To that end however, planting "incriminating evidence" as you say would not be something you have the authority to order. Password locking his tablet, Emeric looked across at the Lieutenant seated across from him.
Emeric felt a small pang of guilt for what would have to happen next. It was clear that Vilhelm was emotionally compromised, and should never be allowed to command a vessel any more. While he didn't show it, his emotional attachment to his crew and ship could be seen as a liability, something that a foreign actor could exploit given the chance.
Standing up, Emeric moved towards the door. Please wait here, I will be back shortly. Emeric nodded in the direction of the mirror, and the door to the corridor opened up. stepping out, the door automatically latched and closed behind him, leaving the Lieutenant alone. walking down the corridor into the room adjacent to the interrogation room, Emeric started consulting some of the response analysis machines that where used to verify the validity of what the subject had said. While checking this data, the datapad on the table winked to life with a priority message.
Picking up the datapad, Emeric began to read the message after inputting his PIN code.
General Orders 827.12.04.01.11:
All Büro des Marinenachrichtendiensts not associated with UKORPS Interdiction Task Force "Steuerberater" are to cease offensive operations immediately,
and redeploy to the Thuringia Area of Operations. Coordinate with Weimar Sector Command for patrol routes and areas of responsibility.
General Orders 827.12.04.01.12:
All Logistics Vessels not supplying Buro forward operating stations directly assisting with defensive measures in Thuringia are hereby re-tasked as follows. In preparation for defense of Thuringia
Raubling Station in Munich has begun mass fabrication of Reinforced Station Panels. Logistics Corps Vessels are to transport as many of these panels as possible to prepare for the
coming fight.
Dispatch Order 827.12.04.01.13:
UKORPS Interdiction task force "Steuerberater" is hereby ordered to begin economic warfare operations in Frankfurt, Stuttgart, and New Berlin. All vessels
carrying Forward Operation Components are to be considered supplying hostile military elements and dealt with accordingly. Goods are to be destroyed when encountered, and ships
disabled if they refuse to comply.
Good Luck,
Flotillenadmiral Frank Dresdner
Büro des Marinenachrichtendiensts, Oberkommando
Message End
It didn't take long for Emeric to read the new Orders, and understand what it had meant. The Imperial Forces had begun mobilizing for an attack on Thuringia. Moving quickly, he ensured the message was received by the XO of U-223, which had been placed under Emerics' command. Next, he pulled up the status report on the RNC-Helgoland. Shipyard engineers had repaired most of the critical systems and hull integrity had been shored up as necessary. Next, Emeric pulled up the RNC-Helgoland crew roster. It appeared that most of the crew had been medically cleared, however unfortunately some of the crew had experienced severe PTSD and could not be medically cleared for duty.
Lastly, Emeric looked at the Base Personnel list. Schatten had a long list of experienced officers, but he wanted someone right for the job. Lieutenant Daluege was to impulsive, Lieutenant Spiegelmann was to lax. Swiping through the list, Emeric paused on one name in particular. Lieutenant Fiona Edberg. Thinking on the name for a second, he nodded to himself and updated her file slightly. She was now assigned to the RNC-Helgoland as the Executive Officer. Typing out a quick message, Emeric requested that Lieutenant Edberg report to the Interrogation Suite ASAP.
Satisfied, he walked back to the interrogation room and opened the door. Unlike before, the door was left open. Standing across from the Lieutenant, Emeric spoke in a neutral tone.
Lieutenant Vilhelm Von Hof. This debriefing is now complete. Do you have anything to add in closing?
Power does not corrupt. Fear corrupts... perhaps the fear of a loss of power.
Vilhelm stares for a moment at a piece of paper he pulled out of his pocket. It was nothing fancy but an old, dirty picture of the former - whole - Battlegroup before everything went downhill. "This Civil War wasn't mine to begin with, hence why my words. But now it is.
Good. Lieutenant, given recent events and ongoing manning requirements you have been reinstated on a provisionary basis.
As Emeric spoke, an armed Lieutenant walked into the room and took up a position next to the door. Standing at attention and staring straight ahead, she had a small box and a datapad in her left hand. Emeric noticed her entry and nodded in the Lieutenant's direction. Perfect timing Lieutenant. Emeric turned towards Lieutenant Edberg and motioned for both the datapad and the small box. Without hesitation she handed the items to Emeric and moved back to stand at attention.
Now, a few small administrative tasks that need to be handled. Vilhelm Von Hof, please stand. Lieutenant Von Hof got up out of his chair, and stood at attention. While you correctly followed procedure to become acting captain of the RNC-Helgoland regulations limit the permanent command of a Donau Class Heavy Cruiser to those who rank Commander and above. So on behalf of the MND and Buro we would like to promote you to the rank of Commander, with all the privileges and responsibilities that the rank affords. Congratulations Commander Von Hof. Emeric opened the small box and set it down on the table. Inside the box where a set of insignia for the rank of Commander. The Lieutenant briefly saluted, then returned to attention.
Unfortunately, some of those who returned with you on the RNC-Helgoland have not been cleared for shipboard duty, either due to PTSD or physical ailments. Those who can be put on limited duty will be given positions here on Schatten, and those who can not will be evacuated to Planet Weimar for further medical treatment. Additionally, The Buro has prepped a list of replacement candidates for crew members onboard RNC-Helgoland, for you and your XO to review. To that end however, the MND has chosen your new Executive Officer. Lieutenant, please step forward. The Lieutenant stepped forward, and turned to face Commander Von Hof.
Lieutenant Fiona Edberg here has been assigned as RNC-Helgoland's new Executive Officer. She has been picked from a handful of candidates by the Buro as a suitable candidate to serve as your XO based on her performance, qualifications and personality. She will also have a secondary role as the MND's eyes onboard the Helgoland. This is not meant to spy on you or your crew, but to assist you in reintegration into fleet operations with the new Federalist command structure.
Lastly, your orders. Emeric motioned to the datapad in his hand, placing it on the table. These are your orders, as well as status of all RNC-Helgoland components and crewing status. While you will receive formal patrol orders from Thuringia Sector Command, here is the short version. Imperial Military elements have begun staging for an attack onto the Thuringia and Munich sectors. There has been a significant buildup of Imperialist forces in Frankfurt and New Berlin, with intelligence reporting that more are on their way. All offensive operations have been cancelled as we prepare for this attack. Your orders are to finish preparations onboard the RNC-Helgoland, and deploy to the Thuringia area of Operations.
I do not need to explain how important the defense of Thuringia is Commander. Now I have my own orders to attend to, report to the RNC-Helgoland. Good Luck. Nodding at both Commander Von Hof and Lieutenant Edberg, Spezialagent Emeric Wehner turned and exited the room.
Power does not corrupt. Fear corrupts... perhaps the fear of a loss of power.