7AM November 8th, 1587 - Dijon, Holy Roman Empire In the early rumors, the Beans were described as monsters that roamed the streets at night, attacking civilians in the dark. Understandably, many of us did not believe them; they seemed nothing more than old wives’ tales. Despite this, a small cult formed around the rumors, whose relevance ended up being much more important than originally anticipated.

Sauer, as it turned out, did have a plan.

The plan formed in the back of his mind before they entered the walls of Dijon, developed as they spoke about the Beans’ weaknesses, and blossomed when Rob mentioned the cannons.

It was so simple.

But first, he would need to speak with Captain Bösch.

Sauer turned to Gladisch and said “Follow me.” Naturally, she followed without question. They made their way towards Saint Gotthard’s Chapel, where Captain Bösch had called from, the bell announcing the arrival of enemy reinforcements still ringing.

As they walked, they passed a group of French civilians. The men were comforting the women and children, who were crying out with fear, accentuated by the periodic blasts through the empty streets. Sauer pitied them; it was unlikely they would make it out alive.

They arrived at the chapel and entered, finding Captain Bösch leading a discussion with other people of importance. Wagner stood across from Bösch, his chin shaking. To Sauer’s surprise, Adaline Reist, the fourth doctor stationed in Dijon who he assumed had fled in the commotion that morning, was standing against one wall, a blonde French man standing next to her.

Wagner replied to Bösch. “W-W-We m-m-must d-d-defend th-th-the g-g-gates! W-W-We h-h-have n-n-no ch-ch-chance f-f-fighting th-th-those c-c-creatures. It w-w-would b-b-be b-b-best f-f-for us t-t-to w-w-wait until fr-fr-friendly r-r-reinforcements a-a-arrive f-f-from S-S-Stuttgart! The g-g-gates are the w-w-weakest p-p-part of our d-d-defences, s-s-so all we h-h-have t-t-to d-d-do is d-d-defend them u-u-until h-h-help c-c-comes.”

Captain Bösch replied. “I understand your sentiment, Bernard, but I disagree. We do not have enough soldiers to divide among the four gates. If the monsters breach a gate, our forces would be spread too thin.”

A soldier next to Dietrich spoke up. “Can we even count on reinforcements coming? Stuttgart is a week away on horseback. With our supplies out in the countryside, it’s unlikely we’ll last that long.”

Bösch paused, then replied. “General Krüger gave the order to—”

Dietrich interrupted. “Krüger, Krüger, Krüger. Take responsibility for your actions for once, captain! It’s Krüger’s fault our supplies are abandoned in the countryside, anyways, so forgive me if my faith in him is not as strong as yours.”

The soldier next to Dietrich looked confused. “Why would Krüger give that order… When did he give that order?” He turned to Bösch. “When were you planning on telling us this?”

“This is not the time to be—”

Dietrich interrupted him. “This is exactly the time—”

“THIS IS NOT THE TIME, LIEUTENANT.” Bösch’s voice seemed louder in the empty nave of the chapel. “This is not the time to be condemning our general, or me for that matter. It would not be wise to expect reinforcements. General Krüger gave the order to expect an attack to every company between here and Reims. Even if they were willing and able to send reinforcements, they would focus on populated areas rather than us. Either we escape this town, or we hold it until we can escape.”

There was a tense silence. Dietrich glared at Bösch, who ignored him.

Sauer cleared his throat loudly. He clasped his hands in front of him, took a deep breath, and said “I think I know how we can get out, captain.”

The others glanced at each other. “Let’s hear it, then,” Bösch said.

“It is risky, and really only just a theory…”

“Thomas, I assure you, a risky theory is more than we have right now.”

Dietrich continued to glare at Bösch, but before he could say anything, Sauer continued. “Alright… let me start from the beginning… First, I will refer to the creatures caging us in Dijon as Beans. I will not waste time explaining the name now. Second, the Beans are weak to gunfire, and especially weak to cannonfire. They are also relatively slow; a light jog easily outpaces them. Third, the Beans seem to be intelligent, though I am unsure how they sense what is going on around them nor how they communicate with each other.”

Sauer looked around his audience. Bösch stroked his mustache thoughtfully, Wagner continued to shake, and Reist and the man next to her watched. “If these theories are correct, and they are merely theories, then my plan should allow for minimal casualties during our escape. However, if they are wrong…” There was another tense silence. “Before I continue, are there any questions?”

Reist stepped forward. “How have you determined that these… Beans are intelligent?”

Sauer was taken aback. He was not sure which shocked him the most; that in the year he had known Reist he was unsure that he had heard her talk, or the uncomfortable softness of her voice considering the situation. “Based on the accounts of myself, Gladisch, and three soldiers, we have concluded that the Beans planned the attack on Dijon, having developed a strategy before their assault. The time of their attack, the strategic use of shadows and lowlight conditions to disorient our forces, and their coordinated movements during their initial assault are, I believe, not a coincidence. Captain Bösch also mentioned that other areas are most likely dealing with Bean attacks right now, which further credits the theory that this assault was planned.”

“H-H-How d-d-do y-y-you th-th-think th-th-they p-p-perceive?” Wagner asked.

“Our current theory is that the Beans can hear. Though we are unsure if they can see or not, it would be best to assume that they can and plan accordingly. We do not know how they were able to move between the shadows without sight, however.”

“Why should we go with your plan?” Dietrich asked. “What makes your plan better than waiting the monsters out? You’re talking about theories and plans, but you don’t have any idea if they’ll even help us. Why should we trust you?”

Sauer paused.

“You have no reason to,” Gladisch said. “Besides the fact that his life is on the line as well.”

“Thank you. I would not be suggesting this if I did not believe it would work. If the plan fails, I will die right alongside you.”