Mercenaries (Lukas)

[Tyr]

Earth
Several miles north of the Eorzean Frontier
October 27th, 2880
18:28

On a cliffside hovering over a lush forest below it, three strangers from another realm were waiting. While two of them were the height of humans who had not yet finished growing, the third of them and the apparent leader was not even a meter tall. Not that anyone would mistake her for a human child, the body structure of a Lalafell was completely at odds for that. On the other hand the other two could have passed off as humans if not for the horns sprouting from their heads.

Dedesa Desa misliked being away from the front. There was a chance that the situation in the Eastern Shroud could change at any moment, and the diminutive commander did not like the thought of not being present should it change.

Truthfully, there was not much chance of that happening. The situation had been in a deadlock on that front for a long time, and even if the Garleans were to attempt a push Nupe-A Pesi was there. Neither the Elder Seedseer nor the Elementals she served would suffer their incursion to their woods, and while Dedesa did not much care for her ever smiling and polite colleague there nonetheless was trust there. Nor was she wholly comfortable with the Elementals and the influence and power they held. Power and influence that were impossible to forget, for her own guards as Padjal were living proof of those.

At least the sting of leaving the front was lessened by her purpose in here. If all went well and if they were all that they were claimed to be, tonight she would obtain the key to breaking the stalemate at the front. For if the stalemate remained eventually it would spell doom for the Eorzeans.

She snorted as she thought of the missive that had been sent her way several days ago by the Durendaire Commander, as well as the debriefing on the sender that she bad been given. A royal to one of the major powers this side of the Tower as well as the leader of a major mercenary company without withdrawing from his position as the former. That was a political quagmire she was glad she had no need of navigating, she had enough distractions from her own position as it was.

Dedesa Desa folded her arms while her Padjal guards still patiently waited few steps behind her with clasped arms. They should be here soon.

 

[Lukas]

"Is that a child?"

"Think so. They must be out of their minds.."

"With guards like that, she's probably the kid of someone important. Guess nepotism's everywhere.."

Whispers on the wind would reach Dedesa and her guards as the Jaegers approached. It seemed some of them were having trouble believing their eyes - or keeping their thoughts to themselves. Four men had approached, Ernst himself flanked by two guards and one man who seemed more of a secretary than a soldier. Clad in the same armour, but with a clipboard and pen rather than any sort of weapon or holster.

"If you're enamoured with her guards, try following their example. Silent and Professional."

Ernst took a moment to glare the guards into submission before addressing the Lalafell, forcing a polite smile and nodding down at the woman. His first reaction was not too different, but unlike those below him he had enough tact to keep such thoughts to himself. And to consider the implications: They had something up their sleeve to garner respect beyond that initial negative reaction.

Well, that or everyone in Eorzea was tiny.

"You'll have to excuse them. Denizens of Eorzea aren't exactly a common sight in Erebonia."

There was a weight to his voice. A gruff edge that showed even through the attempt at politeness. Diplomacy was somewhat alien to Ernst outside of combat negotiations, but some part of him still remembered the old lessons. Political niceties, what to do and what to avoid.

"My name is Ernst Des Ronnough - no titles or honorifics. May I enquire to your name and role within Eorzea?"

 

[Tyr]

One of Dedesa's guards took a step forward, likely to rebuke the mercenaries, but a simple raised hand from Dedesa made him stop in his tracks. "It would be a sorry sight for someone in my position to be petty and smallminded enough to take offense to their oblivious observations, no matter how incredible their incapability to notice the obvious differences between a Lalafell and a human child. But perhaps a reminder to your men is in order, an old adage that they have no doubt told themselves as consolation: It is not the size that matters." Dedesa grinned tauntingly at Ernst's men before turning her attention to the man himself, giving him a curt nod as a greeting.

"Dedesa Desa. I've several titles not relevant to the meeting and one that is, for I am the overall commander of Eorzea's military." Then her voice took a dry tone, though it retained the clear and calm way she had spoken so far. "No titles are necessary. They are useful within the military and society, but you are not part of either where they hold any merit. They would be naught but waste of breath and our time both, I am aware enough of my position and role."

Though the words were not aimed at him, the guard who had taken the step forward earlier nonetheless looked chastised and almost contrite, taking the gentle, indirect reprimand for what it was.

"Well, you're the one who wanted and orchestrated this meeting. Speak your piece Ernst Des Ronnough." Her calm eyes had an evaluating look to them as Dedesa invited the mercenary to speak his piece.

 

[Lukas]

A ripple of tension passed through the Jaegers, more frustration than anger. They're not stupid enough to retaliate but Dedesa's remark clearly struck a nerve. Ernst seemed more amused than anything - nodding back and glancing over his shoulder while half-heartedly hiding a smirk. If they couldn't handle a little mockery they didn't deserve to be Jaegers. In a way the distraction was welcome, giving him a moment to gather his thoughts before making his proposal.

"I want to deepen the bonds between Erebonia and Eorzea. To use my status as a..."

Ernst trailed off, staring straight ahead as he internally fumbled for the right word. Looking and acting polite was one thing, but negotiations were another entirely. There was some polite way to explain this without tipping his hand, but it continued to elude him as that awkward pauses extended from an instant to nearly a minute.

"Symbol. Nobody is going to forget seeing one of Erebonia's royals fighting for Eorzea. Or one of their oldest relics. I'm hoping my actions will give an impression that our nations are truly allied, enough to make that real. Or at least real enough to damage any plans our nobility may have made to annex it."

It might not have been the smartest or best thought out goals, but it was a start. An opening blow in his own personal war. Or the spark for one of the biggest international incidents in Erebonian history. Ernst was distinctly aware of the likely repercussions of his choice in employer, but it was more amusing than anything for him to care about. Give them something better to do than dream of expansion and adding another villa to their collection.

"All three of Askr's companies are currently between contracts, and Jaegers love a challenge. If you like my offer, I can have the entire corps on a war footing and at your disposal."

 

[Tyr]

Dedesa periodically tilted her head from one side to another as Ernst spoke, clearly listening to his offer. Silence reigned for a moment afterwards as she pondered on it. Or rather, pretended to do so, for truthfully there wasn't much to contemplate over. "You've spoken honestly and with open hands, so I'll do so as well, from one soldier with too many political ramifications to shoulder to another: Your plan is very unlikely to work." She shrugged exaggeratedly, leaning forward slightly and raising her hands to the same height as her head.

"'Tis quite simple. While it will have some effect, lasting peace between Eorzea and Erebonia it will not bring, for you forget one crucial thing. Though you might be a royal, as a mercenary you can be branded as disloyal." Dedesa laughed into the back of her hand, before the laughter came to a sudden halt as she grimaced and brought the hand down.

Blasted soulstone. "...Mine apologies. To get back on track, I accept your offer. It can only be a boon to Eorzea. We've no interest in taking land on Earth, though this will not bring any alliance with Erebonia with it, even making your nation think twice before attacking us will be enough. Worst case, I will only have hired a mercenary group that from what I've heard is a strong one with a trustworthy reputation."

Slowly, a bloodthirsty grin spread on her face. "And rest assured, you will not find the challenge I have in mind wanting in any way, of that you can be certain." She offered her tiny hand forward for a handshake. "So what do you say Ernst, shall we move to the details of payment and what mission I would contract you for?"

 

[Lukas]

As first impressions went.. being laughed at and offered a job wasn't exactly the worst. The mockery still hurt though. Ernst's frustration was still obvious despite its subdued nature. A flash of irritation, a few small twitches - followed up by a forced smile and a polite retort.

"I don't exactly have a rich vein of political theorists and diplomats to provide me counsel. Maybe I should borrow some of yours to help me refine it."

He stepped forward to shake the offered hand, gripping it tightly but making efforts not to shake the Lalafell herself. Too much.

"Onto business, then. What sort of target do you plan to throw Askr's Jaegers at? And more importantly for them, what are you going to pay?"

Dedesa's grin was oddly familiar - Much like those he'd seen on his colleagues in the past. It was reassuring and telling all at once. A sign of things to come. Whatever the diminuitive diplomat had in mind was going to be a bloodbath. Fine. The Testa-Rossa's strength was not truly in tune with his own just yet, and a fight on that scale would help him break the machine in. Ernst's own smile started to shift in response, becoming a touch more genuine at the thought.

"Whatever it is, we'll be able to handle it. And maybe it'll finally give the men an answer to those late-night debates about how well Magitek Armours stand up to a soldat."

 

[Tyr]

She could recognize the bruised ego easily. Even if the man before her was mature enough to let it slide and move past it, that did not mean that it would be prudent to leave the matter unsolved. For but a moment, Dedesa's eyes slid to the men behind Ernst. If nothing else, they would take offense to their leader being insulted to the point it would be a detriment.

And so as he accepted the handshake, Dedesa patted Ernst's hand comfortingly. "No offense was meant. 'Tis a good dream and goal to have, do not give up on sticking it to the bottom feeders before the final blow is struck." The grin flashed for but a brief moment before fading once more. "But we must face and acknowledge the flaws in our plans, however brusquely shoved into our faces, for them to work."

She took a few steps back, before giving Ernst a sharp look. A look that despite her having to crane her head upwards in order to look him into his eyes would still have given him a slight jolt that insisted he stand at attention. She hummed contemplatively. "I think you are selling yourself short, but nevertheless whilst I doubt how much use they can be to you I am willing to give you access to our experts after a successful completion of the contract. But I suspect you have much of the tools necessary for success."

She knocked on her head with a finger. "Think on who and what your foes are. What tools and pull they have at their disposal to act against you, and then think on how you can prepare for them, to counter or at least mitigate them if not outright stop the possibility of their use. You know them better than any expert of ours could."

Dedesa stayed silent for a while, letting her advice sink in to Ernst and to make it clear that that was the end of that particular topic.

"Now, back to business!" Even so, the words were sharp and said with slightly louder compared to how she had previously spoken. "Aside from the experts you requested, we are of course willing to pay your standard fare for the sort of work you'll be doing, we are also willing to pay a sum to any family or loved ones of your men who might fall while under our employment, but only should they have those." There was an unspoken... promise of sorts, inside Dedesa's eyes. A threat of what would happen should Askr lie about the topic for greater pay.

The diminutive general took a deep breath, her face staying deadly serious. "Finally, as long as none of you act against Eorzea or her people, we are willing to provide you and any of your men asylum should you need it."

With one hand behind her back, she reached into her coat to take out a teardrop shaped purple gem, with a flaming sphere etched into its surface. Though it was clearly old, the carved symbol had lost none of its clarity, and the entire gem radiated power. The Gem of Shatotto, granted to the most powerful Black Mage of Ul'dah, the crystallization of Dedesa Desa's role, status and responsibilities. A heavy burden, but one that also always brought with it clarity of purpose. It was something that she oft did when planning or executing a tactic or maneuver, holding it and looking at it much like she was doing at that moment.

"Tell me gentlemen..."​

"...What have you heard of Baelsar's Wall?"​

 

[Lukas]

"Most employers don't care about our dead. I'll pass it on, make sure they're aware - enough Jaegers send money home that it'll boost morale."

A little different from the previous contracts he'd witnessed, but... in a good way. Although the offer of Asylum was staying between them for now - stating it out loud made it sound like they were committing treason rather than just joining in another war for profit and glory. Not a thought he wanted to put into the Corps's consciousness.

Ernst's secretary had been quietly taking notes for most of the conversation, seemingly disinterested in the actual discussion but still noting it down for posterity. Dedesa's statement on death benefits was the first time he'd looked up since the start of the conversation... meeting the Lalafell's eyes for a second and then immediately glancing down again with a shiver.

Baelsar's wall... Ernst's own memory on the subject was spotty, and a quick glance towards his men made it clear they knew even less. Didn't particularly matter - research could be done before they deployed, and hopefully anything pertinent would be explained. Better to just be honest.

"It's a fortification that stands to this day, and borders the territories claimed by Garlemand. I think it's named after a notable Garlean general, but I don't know enough about their customs to guess if it's a family or an individual."

"I don't think it's ever been taken. Might be time to change that."

 

[Tyr]

Dedesa nodded her head, still gazing into the gem in her hands. "True enough, but hardly the full story. Bluntly put, it's a menace. It's an expertly built fortification built into a location that already is a natural fortress difficult and costly to take even without any manmade fortifications. Even worse, the fortifications are armed to their teeth and garrisoned with a competent, well trained veteran army. It is as close to an impervious fortress as one is likely to get... At least as far as Eorzean doctrine and forces are concerned."

Finally, Dedesa's gaze returned to Ernst. "Your contract, should you accept, is to break Baelsar's Wall. Breach it, punch a hole through it, open its gates with subterfuge and subtlety, whatever you can accomplish. You would not be going at it alone of course, you would have our support, and possibly the help of another. If whatever you cook up in order to breach Baelsar's Wall requires a diversion, we can provide one - though I will not send my men into a slaughter if your plan does not convince me."

She smiled humorlessly, almost bitterly. "This is why I offer bloodmoney to the families of the fallen. Most would consider it a suicide mission you'd be taking. But they are geared against our tools and weapons, they wouldn't be prepared for your mercenaries. But even so, its a hellishly dangerous fortification. I'm from the mud, the grime and the gore myself lad. You and your men might not be mine, but you're still soldiers, and I mislike so callously throwing away lives. Those who use mercenaries as sacrificial pawns earn nothing but mine contempt."

"You'll also be given a Padjali - same race as my bodyguards - guide for the duration of your stay in Twelveswood, the forest that borders the frontline. You and your men are to follow and obey everything that they say about how to conduct yourselves in the forest. It is for your own safety, the forest is ruled by elementals that are wont to react violently should the sanctity of the forest be sullied." There was a frown on Dedesa's face as she spoke of the Twelveswood and its elemental rulers, and her tone made it clear that she was not overly fond of them.

 

[Lukas]

"Contract accepted. I'll emphasise the importance of proper conduct to the rest of the corps... probably cut their pay if they cross whatever lines our guide sets."

Ernst's mind was stil calculating, the words said offhand as he contemplated the woman's information. He'd have to find out more details to be certain.. but a plan was taking form. Countermeasures for monsters were different to those for machines - it'd have to be enough. If it wasn't, they'd just have to muscle through the old fashioned way.

"If Second get close enough to the wall, I can tear a hole big enough to fit a decent force. From there it's just a matter of keeping the breach long enough to take the fortification..."

There was a dangerous amount of confidence in his voice. A secret weapon not yet discussed. A part of him relished the chance to finally have an excuse to truly unleash it, and the plan forming in his mind had that as a crucial key. He quickly readjusted to focus on Dedesa again, extending a hand downwards towards the Lalfell with a grim smile.

"Never mind. We can coordinate a true plan once I've seen the layout of the terrain and the wall itself. Until then, consider my men at your disposal for this operation. And if it goes better than you expect, many others afterwards."