NOVEL FROG BRIEFING
The air in the outdoor auditorium was thick with anticipation as 1st Lt. Rader Tarfire stood before the gathered soldiers, his expression a mix of determination and anxiety. He cleared his throat, his voice steady but carrying the tension of the moment. "Alright, listen up, everyone," he began, glancing around the room. "Here’s the situation in the Elven Territory."
As he spoke, a projection flickered to life on the stone wall beside him, the light from the projector cutting through the dimness of the night. A map of the region appeared, showing the complex network of roads, rivers, and settlements. Corporal Shara Stoneclaw, standing near the projector, was shifting nervously, her hands slightly unsteady as she adjusted the focus.
Tarfire continued, his voice commanding attention. "Recent Austorian military movements have been unpredictable. After the defeat of the Elves, they’ve been moving in all directions. Mostly, they're massing forces near the river crossings and key strongholds. Given this, we know our mission will be extremely challenging."
A young private raised his hand, then asked, "Sir, what exactly is our mission?"
"Our mission is twofold," Tarfire replied. "First, we set up a Forward Arming and Refueling Point. Second, we provide any refugee or slave with humanitarian aid and limited protection." He pointed to a series of narrow lines on the map. "This map shows how we will get our supplies and equipment through undetected, using these hidden routes."
He paused for emphasis, but a small chuckle rippled through the room. Tarfire frowned, turning to see what had caught the soldiers' attention. The map on the wall was upside down.
"Uh, Stoneclaw," he said, unable to hide a small grin despite himself. "Flip it around."
Corporal Stoneclaw looked up, her face flushing red as she scrambled to correct the projection from the laptop. "Sorry, sir… got it," she stammered, her hands fumbling as she hurried to adjust the map. A few soldiers exchanged amused glances, and a low murmur of laughter spread briefly through the tent.
Tarfire allowed a brief smile to break through the tension, then refocused. "Alright, enough," he called out. "Back to business."
With the map now right-side up, Tarfire quickly regained the room’s attention. "As I was saying," he continued, his tone sharpening, "we'll be moving deep behind enemy lines for nearly the entirety of this mission. Our route takes us through narrow passages in the Skyrocks here." He used a long rod to point to a small line cutting through a massive mountain range and into the Western Elven plains. "There will be limited to no cover. If we're spotted by the Austorians, we will have to engage."
He gestured to the lines on the map again. "These roads are not on any Austorian charts. We discovered them only about two weeks ago. They're our best shot at moving unseen. But if we’re not at our designated points on time, everything falls apart. So we have to move fast and carefully."
He paused, letting the gravity of his words settle over the room. "This mission isn’t just about getting supplies through. This is a mission to stop the Austorians dead in their tracks."
The tent was silent, the weight of his words hanging in the air. He looked over the faces of his troops, seeing a mix of determination and nervousness. "We have authorization for lethal force. If we're seen by the Austorians… engage with everything we have," he added, his voice lower, more serious. "Remember what that means. We have to do this right, or we won't get the chance to come back."
A tense stillness filled the room. Private Kael Swiftail shifted his weight, glancing at the soldier beside him. "So, no pressure, huh?" he whispered, trying to lighten the mood.
Corporal Thessa Brightclaw, standing to his left, gave a small, tense smile. "Just another day in paradise," she replied quietly, her eyes still fixed on Tarfire.
Tarfire noticed the exchange and nodded subtly, appreciating the attempt to cut through the tension. "Remember," he said, raising his voice again, "we do this together. No one gets left behind. Any questions?"
Sergeant Basil Redloin raised his hand. "Sir, what’s the plan if we run into heavy resistance on these roads?"
Tarfire met his gaze, his expression serious. "If we encounter heavy resistance, we engage. We’re there for what's coming. Once we can, we disengage and use the terrain to mask our escape. Our best bet is to not be seen in the first place."
He looked around the room once more. "Prepare yourselves. We move out at sundown. Safety check in one hour, final briefing at 1900 hours, and we roll at 2000. Get some rest, get some chow, and be ready. Dismissed!"
The formation broke into a buzz of quiet conversations as soldiers started to disperse, but the tension lingered in the air like a thick fog. Tarfire watched them go, feeling the weight of command settle heavily on his shoulders. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, steeling himself for what was to come.