May 1, 1640

Otaheit, Mu

Facility Gamma

General Seneville held the railing as he stood upon an elevated platform built into a mountainside, overlooking a massive testing grounds below. Researchers in white lab coats and soldiers in new camouflage uniforms scuttled about, setting up target dummies and readying experimental weaponry. Beside him, Prime Minister Sinclair waited patiently for the demonstration to begin.

“General,” Sinclair said, elegant mustache swaying about as he spoke.

“Sir?” Seneville responded.

Carrying nobility and power through his voice, Sinclair asked, “How much confidence do you have in these weapons? In their ability to repel the Gra Valkan aggressors?”

“Utmost confidence, sir,” Seneville replied, his tone reflecting the content of his answer. “The design of these cannons is derived from captured Gra Valkan weapons donated to us by the Leiforian Resistance. These weapons are able to use one hundred five millimeter shells, either domestically produced, captured from Gra Valkan supplies, or purchased from the Americans. We are also working on a seventy-five millimeter variant.”

“Hmph.” Sinclair crossed his arms, satisfied with what he heard. He still remained doubtful, however, waiting until he saw the equipment in action. “What sort of targets have you prepared?”

“According to the Americans, the Gra Valkans have tanks with varying magnitudes of armor. We have prepared sets of eighty, one hundred, and one twenty millimeter steel armor. The guns shall conduct a series of tests, first using our own domestically produced ammunition, then captured Gra Valkan ammunition, and finally American ammunition. Each test will be conducted several times, with the angle of the armor varying in each, to represent sloped armor on Gra Valkan tanks.”

Sinclair nodded, watching in worried anticipation as Seneville’s men moved the guns into position. “For the sake of our future, I hope these weapons truly are as potent as you believe them to be.”

Seneville experienced a brief moment of hesitation, hit hard by the weight of the Prime Minister’s words. “You… will not be disappointed, sir.”

The two men stood in silence as a researcher announced the commencement of the first trial, “Firing range is clear. Initiating Project Bulwark Trial Set One: begin test in ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one… Fire!” A burst of orange flame spouted from the experimental cannon’s muzzle, unleashing firepower of unprecedented magnitude – seen only on naval warships and coastal batteries until now. A spent casing flew from the new weapon, material glistening under the facility’s lighting as smoke slowly drifted to the ceiling. The target, a small slab of 80mm armor situated 50 meters from the cannon itself, was reduced to a shattered image of its prior self. Shards of smoking metal lay strewn about the position of the original slab, standing testament to the strength of the new cannon.

The test continued, with the cannon striking duplicate pieces oriented at different angles, all to satisfactory effect. In all cases, the armor was destroyed or damaged enough such that the shrapnel produced by the impact was sufficient in neutralizing any targets behind the armor. Testing then took a pause as researchers recorded the results and prepared for the next trials.

Seneville looked at Sinclair, hoping to catch his expression. He felt relief upon finding that Sinclair had an impressed look on his face, almost to the point of a light smile. “Now we know that these weapons will be effective against Gra Valkan light armor,” he commented.

Sinclair continued the conversation while the research team began preparations for the next trial, “I assume that was to be expected?”

“Yes, sir. The researchers initially estimated these cannons to be effective against even Gra Valkan heavy armor, especially with the use of American ammunition. These cannons are fairly overkill, hence research into smaller variants that can be more easily distributed for use against the more-abundant Gra Valkan light and medium-armored units.”

“Hmph,” Sinclair nodded in approval. “Out of curiosity, how do these new weapons compare to their Gra Valkan doppelgangers? And perhaps even the counterparts used by our Mirishial allies?”

Seneville answered to the best of his knowledge, “Sir, I’m not well-versed with the specifics of these guns, but they do compete on equal terms with the Gra Valkan guns. The only downside is that we have less of them, considering that we have had to play catch-up thus far. As for the Mirishials,” he scratched his head, “It’s a bit more difficult to discern, since their projectiles are largely immaterial. I can say for certain however that our ammunition is much more versatile than theirs, which are primarily – if not only – effective under the high-explosive designation. Our cannons can accommodate several different ammo types, from high-explosive to canister – meant for anti-personnel engagements – and armor-piercing. The Americans call those APFSDS, whatever that means.”

Sinclair felt a sense of pride, knowing that with just a year of development, his nation was already beginning to rival the Gra Valkans and Mirishials in terms of technology and weaponry. “Excellent,” he said as the announcer counted down to the next trial.

The soldiers below aimed their gun at the next target: a 100mm slab of steel. At the announcer’s order, another blast erupted. The results were similar, although this time the armor experienced less trauma at the exit wound. The shell was unable to penetrate this piece of armor as well as the previous piece, but the evident hole in the slab still signaled success and the ability to damage the crew and components within a tank.

The last test involving domestically produced Muan shells was not as successful as the first two trials. The 105mm HE shell managed to puncture the armor when oriented at a level angle, but failed to penetrate the steel when oriented greater than 15 degrees. This meant that most frontal strikes against heavily armored targets would be ineffective.

The Gra Valkan counterparts were, on average, more potent than the domestically produced Muan rounds. The Gra Valkan shells reported greater effectiveness particularly against heavier armor, managing to pierce through armor at a 25 degree angle. Although these shells boasted superior firepower, they were much more scarce. The few samples Mu had access to were thus reserved for reverse-engineering. Practically, these variants would only be viable on the field, in situations where Muan forces are able to capture supplies.

Finally, the research team tested the American shells. They were purchased for upwards of 50 percent more than Muan shells, but aced every single trial. Only the American weapons seemed to have any effect on the steel armor, with their armor piercing rounds exceeding expectations and cutting clean through, much to the surprise of Prime Minister Sinclair. On the other hand, the high-explosive was excellent for all targets, proving to be a well-rounded weapon that could potentially augment the Muan arsenal.

Seneville commented on the results, “It’s likely that whatever we throw at the heavier Gra Valkan Wilder tanks – aside from American shells – might just ricochet off or detonate to little effect.”

Sinclair understood what he had to do. “I see. Then, you recommend purchasing more of the American shells?”

“I do, sir. I’ve asked Minister Deville to procure an estimate of the composition of the Gra Valkas Empire’s armored vehicle fleet, and sent this estimate to a research team. They’ve written up a report that optimizes our costs, based on the ammunition types required for the one hundred five millimeter and prospective seventy-five millimeter guns.”

Sinclair’s stomach churned just thinking about the expenses, but this feeling was dwarfed by potential regret – regret to be had if he didn’t follow through with these purchases and consequently led Mu to its demise at the hands of the Gra Valkan war machine. He sighed, head hanging in resignation. “How much will it cost?”

“The report should have already been sent to you sir, but off the top of my head, I believe that the tentative estimate is about two hundred million dollars for one hundred thousand shells. The number we order is inversely correlated with the price. Buy more, and they’ll be cheaper.”

Although upset over the exorbitant pricing, he couldn’t help but laugh. “They truly are capitalists, aren’t they?”

Seneville responded with a simple quip, “War isn’t cheap, sir.”

“Very well, then,” Sinclair waved a hand in concession, “I’ll review the report and schedule a meeting with ourselves and Chief Audigs.”

Seneville nodded, relieved that his request was being considered.

Sinclair then prepared to leave, but a consideration crossed his mind. “General, how many vehicles do these Gra Valkans have, exactly?”

“Well over two hundred fifty thousand, sir. This includes light transports, heavy tanks, and everything in between.”

“Two hundred fifty thousand?” Sinclair reiterated with a confused tone. “Our domestic production, even when combined with purchases from the United States, barely matches that number!”

Seneville nodded solemnly. “It’s the best we can do with the time we’ve been given, sir. Ideally, the Gra Valkans don’t pressure us until next year. However, with the rate they conquered the Hinomawari Kingdom, it is expected that Sonal and Nigrat will fall within months.”

“Goodness…” Sinclair muttered, “How are we to defend ourselves then? I cannot contribute too much to our military budget without the approval of the legislature, and by the time they see Gra Valkan tanks at our borders and agree, it will be too late.”

“I have a solution,” Seneville sighed, “But it may not be received well by those still harboring prejudice against the Mirishials for our historical rivalries…”

Sinclair’s eyes widened in realization. “You want…” he felt a lump in his throat, but managed to speak out the words on both their minds, “... To invite the Mirishials to our sovereign territory?”

Seneville nodded subtly.

Sinclair protested the suggestion vigorously, “Why, that’s an even more audacious request than hundreds of millions for American weapons! How can you expect me to convince these pride-blinded egomaniacs to allow such a desperate measure?”

“It’s one or the other, Prime Minister. That, or we can try our luck and hope that we hold out against the Gra Valkans until reinforcements from the EDI arrive.”

Sinclair sighed, his burdens growing ever larger. “If we are to mount a defense, how long do you think we may last?”

“It depends on many factors. The earliest the Gra Valkans will launch an invasion…” Seneville hesitated, his voice trailing off.

“How soon, General?”

Voice tinged with weariness, Seneville responded, “Well, it could be as early as August.”

Existential dread now fell upon them as they acknowledged that the sovereign nation of Mu – the premier superpower of the Second Civilization – now faced destruction. Sinclair brooded on Seneville’s answer, his mind haunted by a flurry of events yet to come; events that could be avoided. With no helpful words to offer, he merely continued the question, “What defenses could we erect in such a short timeframe?”

Seneville answered solemnly, “Defenses of little consequence. There is a highly defensible chokepoint at the entrance to the Malmund Mountains. My forces can hold this position with our new weapons for as long as necessary, but this leaves our northern and southern flanks prone to invasion.”

“Begin erecting fortifications there, and set traps in the mountain range itself. The unusual formations can be collapsed to create untraversable obstacles, yes?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Good. That should stall the Gra Valkans for some time. Meanwhile, we can focus our defensive efforts on the Leiforian and Hinomawarian borders.”

“Sir,” Seneville said, seeing the implication of Sinclair’s strategy, “What about Alue?”

“We… will have to abandon it. I’m prepared to organize refugee transports, for this eventuality.”

Seneville nodded. As a general, he understood more than most that war isn’t without sacrifice. “Not having to defend Alue will free up a lot of my forces. Still…”

“One of the many costs of war, General. At the very least, by diverting more of your forces to the northern and southern flanks, we can buy more time for EDI reinforcements.”

“Yes. That leaves only the Gra Valkan Navy and Air Force to contend with. It hurts to admit this, but our fleets and air corps are no match for them.”

“This is a truth I know all too well, General,” Sinclair shook his head in dismay. “Matching the Gra Valkan on the high seas or high in the sky will be a challenge. I know the Americans have weapons that could help us in this regard; I’ll try to negotiate something with them.”

“And if they refuse?” Seneville asked.

“They won’t,” Sinclair said confidently, contrasting greatly with his defeated tone just moments ago. “They have too much at stake here on this continent, and they’ll have to face the Gra Valkans one day or another. It should be in their best interest to handle this burden while it still remains in relative infancy.”

“Good luck, sir.”

“And you as well, General.”