Deck of the Firmitas, Sea of Jade
“I say to you now, soldiers of Garlemald, men and women of Ala Mhigo - The Black Wolf was weak.â€
Ulf hadn’t planned on beginning his speech with a condemnation of both his men and a legendary general of Garlemald, but the alternative was worse. The Architectus had left notes on his intended briefing before setting off with the crew of the Immersabilis for its next shift, but those had read more like a training manual than an inspirational piece. There were discussions of maximum depths and ceruleum efficiency output and a large section labelled Projected Casualties. There were graphs.
Faced with over four hundred soldiers on the deck of the battleship, arrayed in full dress per Virgil’s instructions, Ulf had chosen to improvise, discarding the small set of notes and removing his helmet for the marines to better see him. He made for neither an imposing figure nor an impressive one, being of average height for a Highlander and possessing a face Thunderfell had described with all the affectionate cruelty of a sibling as being like a shorn couerl. But he preferred the ability to meet his soldiers’ gaze with his own, and have them know it, and it was a fine day with a light breeze.
If the men were shocked by the claim, they did not show it, standing at attention in dutiful obedience, expressions impassive. Perhaps they had heard something before while serving in provinces abroad. The “Eorzean Problem†had led to many a speech about the failings of Van Baelsar amongst those who dreamed of supplanting him. Ulf was sure his was far from their first.
“He didn’t begin this way,†he went on, pacing the small staging area of the deck that served as one of its flight platforms. “The Legatus freed us from the tyranny of Theodoric and Rhalgr.†He swept his hand across the assembled cohort. “Those of you old enough to remember his conquest, you know this well. Those like myself - we who have only the dim memories of early youth - we remember the losses at the hands of the king’s men, at the hands of the Fist. It was Van Baelsar who ended that, who freed us from old gods and kings, who shepherded us into the security of the Empire.
“We were his greatest victory in Eorzea.†Ulf pressed his fist against his chest, as if the loss were a source of pride. “But he learned nothing from it. Instead, he followed Van Darnus’ path, clashing fruitlessly against Eorzean ‘might’ until it cost him his life. And for what reason?
Because he followed the White Raven in more ways than one. Even after the failure of the VIIth Legion, he took up the same mantle, hunting for artifacts and weapons that could end the war in a supreme display of force. Dalamud, the Ultima Weapon, even - “
Ulf paused. What he said next may well have been troubling even where criticism of the Wolf was not. “Even the Emperor’s expedition into Abalathia’s Spine - all of it is a step down the wrong path. And for that, the Black Wolf sacrificed himself for nothing but failure.
“And why did this happen? Why do our greatest generals throw themselves at Eorzea like this, seeking for that one special weapon without end?†Ulf had begun to pace. Fearing he was losing his crowd, he turned and swept both hands to indicate them all. “Because they have forgotten you.â€
“Ala Mhigo was not freed by an all-powerful weapon, but to soldiers. It fell to sound strategy and better tactics, and the strength and will of the men in his army. It fell because the Black Wolf waited for the right moment, when our oppressors were turned against each other, before he struck.
“Were there better weapons? Aye, certainly. Reapers and airships, piloted by men, crafted by the hands of men. Not relics of ancient Allag, dangerous and unknown, but machines of our own making, from the lessons Allag gave us. I’d be fool, where I stand - “ He stamped his boot on the deck sharply enough for the Garlean steel to rattle. A few men chuckled. One snapped awake where she seemed to have nodded off.  “To say that better weapons than the enemy aren’t an advantage! The Immersabilis is proof of that.â€
“It’s not without its flaws,†Ulf raised his eyebrows in the direction of the submersible’s off-shift crew, to a number of more genuine chuckles. The technical problems and maintenance difficulties of the whale-ship were well known amongst the cohort. “But their ships sink beneath the waves all the same, lost to sea serpents or beastmen in the eyes of Eorzea. And even that would be little more than a toy without you marines, those of you brave enough to sink below the surface time and time again.
“That bravery, and that success, has not gone unnoticed, not by myself, nor by the Viceroy.†This was at least some good news that he could offer, something he had kept unedited from Virgil’s notes. “Not a one of you is anything less than duplicarius, so there will be no direct promotions - we all know what happens when there are too many Optio in a cohort.†His tone was confessional, just between he and the men, and there was a genuine effort to suppress laughter among the ranks. “But for those of you who have crewed the Immersabilis, I am privileged to inform you that your families have been granted the rank of Lower Citizen. When next you speak to your loved ones and your children, you will refer to them as Bas.â€
The reward wasn't quite what Ulf had hoped. In his reports, he had recommended a promotion to the Upper Citizenry given the danger of the work. But that didn't matter to the soldiers. The cohort broke into a shocked murmur, partly envious of the submersible crews, partly overjoyed at the prospect of circumventing the travails of Garlean citizenship. Ulf let this proceed, let them soak in it, before he called for calm with an outstretched hand. “And,†he began, repeating himself until their eyes were back upon him. “And, before men fight to sign up under the Architectus’ command, know that upon the successful deployment of the Firmitas, that rank will be granted to all of your families.â€
He had no hope of keeping them controlled at this point. All he could do was rise above their cheers. “Let us show Eorzea our true strength! Let us show Garlemald that it is the soldier who wins the war, not the weapon he wields! Let us take the first step to victory where not even the Black Wolf could succeed!â€
There was nothing more to say, and he turned sharply on his heel to step away from the flight platform. Behind him, he could hear the Centurions, having already been briefed, calling for calm and issuing orders. By the end of the day, the Firmitas would be at sea.
A staff officer held out Ulf’s helmet, and he frowned as he placed it over his head. It was an uncomfortable thing, built more for a Garlean frame than a Highlander’s, but it served well enough.
“I say to you now, soldiers of Garlemald, men and women of Ala Mhigo - The Black Wolf was weak.â€
Ulf hadn’t planned on beginning his speech with a condemnation of both his men and a legendary general of Garlemald, but the alternative was worse. The Architectus had left notes on his intended briefing before setting off with the crew of the Immersabilis for its next shift, but those had read more like a training manual than an inspirational piece. There were discussions of maximum depths and ceruleum efficiency output and a large section labelled Projected Casualties. There were graphs.
Faced with over four hundred soldiers on the deck of the battleship, arrayed in full dress per Virgil’s instructions, Ulf had chosen to improvise, discarding the small set of notes and removing his helmet for the marines to better see him. He made for neither an imposing figure nor an impressive one, being of average height for a Highlander and possessing a face Thunderfell had described with all the affectionate cruelty of a sibling as being like a shorn couerl. But he preferred the ability to meet his soldiers’ gaze with his own, and have them know it, and it was a fine day with a light breeze.
If the men were shocked by the claim, they did not show it, standing at attention in dutiful obedience, expressions impassive. Perhaps they had heard something before while serving in provinces abroad. The “Eorzean Problem†had led to many a speech about the failings of Van Baelsar amongst those who dreamed of supplanting him. Ulf was sure his was far from their first.
“He didn’t begin this way,†he went on, pacing the small staging area of the deck that served as one of its flight platforms. “The Legatus freed us from the tyranny of Theodoric and Rhalgr.†He swept his hand across the assembled cohort. “Those of you old enough to remember his conquest, you know this well. Those like myself - we who have only the dim memories of early youth - we remember the losses at the hands of the king’s men, at the hands of the Fist. It was Van Baelsar who ended that, who freed us from old gods and kings, who shepherded us into the security of the Empire.
“We were his greatest victory in Eorzea.†Ulf pressed his fist against his chest, as if the loss were a source of pride. “But he learned nothing from it. Instead, he followed Van Darnus’ path, clashing fruitlessly against Eorzean ‘might’ until it cost him his life. And for what reason?
Because he followed the White Raven in more ways than one. Even after the failure of the VIIth Legion, he took up the same mantle, hunting for artifacts and weapons that could end the war in a supreme display of force. Dalamud, the Ultima Weapon, even - “
Ulf paused. What he said next may well have been troubling even where criticism of the Wolf was not. “Even the Emperor’s expedition into Abalathia’s Spine - all of it is a step down the wrong path. And for that, the Black Wolf sacrificed himself for nothing but failure.
“And why did this happen? Why do our greatest generals throw themselves at Eorzea like this, seeking for that one special weapon without end?†Ulf had begun to pace. Fearing he was losing his crowd, he turned and swept both hands to indicate them all. “Because they have forgotten you.â€
“Ala Mhigo was not freed by an all-powerful weapon, but to soldiers. It fell to sound strategy and better tactics, and the strength and will of the men in his army. It fell because the Black Wolf waited for the right moment, when our oppressors were turned against each other, before he struck.
“Were there better weapons? Aye, certainly. Reapers and airships, piloted by men, crafted by the hands of men. Not relics of ancient Allag, dangerous and unknown, but machines of our own making, from the lessons Allag gave us. I’d be fool, where I stand - “ He stamped his boot on the deck sharply enough for the Garlean steel to rattle. A few men chuckled. One snapped awake where she seemed to have nodded off.  “To say that better weapons than the enemy aren’t an advantage! The Immersabilis is proof of that.â€
“It’s not without its flaws,†Ulf raised his eyebrows in the direction of the submersible’s off-shift crew, to a number of more genuine chuckles. The technical problems and maintenance difficulties of the whale-ship were well known amongst the cohort. “But their ships sink beneath the waves all the same, lost to sea serpents or beastmen in the eyes of Eorzea. And even that would be little more than a toy without you marines, those of you brave enough to sink below the surface time and time again.
“That bravery, and that success, has not gone unnoticed, not by myself, nor by the Viceroy.†This was at least some good news that he could offer, something he had kept unedited from Virgil’s notes. “Not a one of you is anything less than duplicarius, so there will be no direct promotions - we all know what happens when there are too many Optio in a cohort.†His tone was confessional, just between he and the men, and there was a genuine effort to suppress laughter among the ranks. “But for those of you who have crewed the Immersabilis, I am privileged to inform you that your families have been granted the rank of Lower Citizen. When next you speak to your loved ones and your children, you will refer to them as Bas.â€
The reward wasn't quite what Ulf had hoped. In his reports, he had recommended a promotion to the Upper Citizenry given the danger of the work. But that didn't matter to the soldiers. The cohort broke into a shocked murmur, partly envious of the submersible crews, partly overjoyed at the prospect of circumventing the travails of Garlean citizenship. Ulf let this proceed, let them soak in it, before he called for calm with an outstretched hand. “And,†he began, repeating himself until their eyes were back upon him. “And, before men fight to sign up under the Architectus’ command, know that upon the successful deployment of the Firmitas, that rank will be granted to all of your families.â€
He had no hope of keeping them controlled at this point. All he could do was rise above their cheers. “Let us show Eorzea our true strength! Let us show Garlemald that it is the soldier who wins the war, not the weapon he wields! Let us take the first step to victory where not even the Black Wolf could succeed!â€
There was nothing more to say, and he turned sharply on his heel to step away from the flight platform. Behind him, he could hear the Centurions, having already been briefed, calling for calm and issuing orders. By the end of the day, the Firmitas would be at sea.
A staff officer held out Ulf’s helmet, and he frowned as he placed it over his head. It was an uncomfortable thing, built more for a Garlean frame than a Highlander’s, but it served well enough.
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Current Fate-14 Storyline:Â Merchant, Marine
Current Fate-14 Storyline:Â Merchant, Marine