Post by Archduchy of Borealis on Sept 20, 2022 2:33:45 GMT
Volkov marched into the interim Palace in full dress regalia, medals, cords, custom saber from his time in the Rodinian White Army and a pistol commissioned for him by Marcus I himself, accompanied by a standard bearer at his side, and a small group of aides.
He presented himself before the Archduke, exchanging the expected pleasantries with the Crown.
"Your Highness, I was informed you have sought council with the commander of the Borealan Army. So, here I stand, at your service."
"Yes, we have much to discuss. What do you need to ensure neither Maximberg or the Hauhkuno can march on our cities?"
"Sir, we need an entirely new arsenal. Some backline units are still using single-shot rifles, the artillery is too light to serve us, and the coastal batteries do not have the range to oppose the and we're in no position to defend ourselves against the machineguns and poison gases of the Great Powers. We must prepare for a complete and utter refit, by 1915 at the latest. We cannot afford to slip even further behind them in both population and technology. Our battles will forever be on the backfoot, such is our plight as a colony. But we must maintain an edge in some regard, lest we condemn ourselves to conquest by those powers you wish to defend against."
"I agree, General. I would first like to-"
"Those who live by the sword get shot by those who stayed with the times, for once I agree with Volkov."
A man in a crumpled and brown uniform walked in, his face smeared with black boot polish and muck. He carried a revolver, out of a holster but secured by his belt, and a deerskin rifle slip in his left hand. He left print of mud was left behind him with every step. Despite all this, he had a sly grin on his face. "Marcus, I would suppose you get a better guard, or at least get some house staffer to check which open windows a man can fit himself through."
"General Clark, you will refer to me by my title." The Archduke glared at him with distain. "You have already placed yourself on thin ice with my court."
"And? My name is shit in the Cape, but I stand as a golden example in the Frontiers. Regardless, what would you first like to do, sir?"
"Rifles, we need a new rifle."
Volkov called for his aides "Sir we have several examples of rifles from throughout the world, both domestic and foreign makes. Some of the foreign models, I would suggest making a contract for a national license, should you approve of them."
Clark reached into his slip and drew out a battered rifle, removing the magazine and racking the bolt back. "Why don't we make this easier? The Model 8 Sporting Rifle, chambered in .35 Blackriver. Adequate for Elk and Bear, and from what my men have learned, Bolsheviks. It's only five shots, but you can eliminate the time spent cycling the bolt, the rifle does that all on it's own. I have already pursued a viable design to manufacture ten or fifteen round magazines. It's domestic, it has proven it's worth in the field, and it can increase any rifleman's rate of fire at least three times over. There is much the same with a pistol I have taken a liking to from Blackriver, but it hasn't seen action quite like the rifle."
Volkov scoffed at the rifle "And it will be impractical for any sustained engagements. Riflemen do not have the training for that, they will just dump all five cartridges into the enemy's cover. Not to mention .35 Blackriver does not have the distance to properly engage enemy forces. No, I would propose a more commonplace, standardized, rifle. The .30-05 Rockwell cartridge can properly engage enemy forces at distance, and provide a threat in steady hands. It has already seen implementation in a bolt action rifle, and like Clark's pick, it is a domestic production."
The Archduke took both rifles and began to fiddle with the controls and actions, before placing them on the table. "I would like to review other options, but these two shall be sent to trials. I want them to be, what is the local term, "put through their paces" by both the Light Infantry and the Scouts."
He turned to the large windows in his office, peering at the skyline of Cape Providence. "I am aware this is merely the beginning, I have heard Mr. Clark's interest in aviation and motorcycles to maneuver, and yours, Volkov, in artillery and training. May we come to a consensus, and soon. The elected councils and committees should be presented with a single, comprehensive plan for the rebuilding process. Let us hope the admiralty can arrive with their own list of wishes and desires in a short time."
He presented himself before the Archduke, exchanging the expected pleasantries with the Crown.
"Your Highness, I was informed you have sought council with the commander of the Borealan Army. So, here I stand, at your service."
"Yes, we have much to discuss. What do you need to ensure neither Maximberg or the Hauhkuno can march on our cities?"
"Sir, we need an entirely new arsenal. Some backline units are still using single-shot rifles, the artillery is too light to serve us, and the coastal batteries do not have the range to oppose the and we're in no position to defend ourselves against the machineguns and poison gases of the Great Powers. We must prepare for a complete and utter refit, by 1915 at the latest. We cannot afford to slip even further behind them in both population and technology. Our battles will forever be on the backfoot, such is our plight as a colony. But we must maintain an edge in some regard, lest we condemn ourselves to conquest by those powers you wish to defend against."
"I agree, General. I would first like to-"
"Those who live by the sword get shot by those who stayed with the times, for once I agree with Volkov."
A man in a crumpled and brown uniform walked in, his face smeared with black boot polish and muck. He carried a revolver, out of a holster but secured by his belt, and a deerskin rifle slip in his left hand. He left print of mud was left behind him with every step. Despite all this, he had a sly grin on his face. "Marcus, I would suppose you get a better guard, or at least get some house staffer to check which open windows a man can fit himself through."
"General Clark, you will refer to me by my title." The Archduke glared at him with distain. "You have already placed yourself on thin ice with my court."
"And? My name is shit in the Cape, but I stand as a golden example in the Frontiers. Regardless, what would you first like to do, sir?"
"Rifles, we need a new rifle."
Volkov called for his aides "Sir we have several examples of rifles from throughout the world, both domestic and foreign makes. Some of the foreign models, I would suggest making a contract for a national license, should you approve of them."
Clark reached into his slip and drew out a battered rifle, removing the magazine and racking the bolt back. "Why don't we make this easier? The Model 8 Sporting Rifle, chambered in .35 Blackriver. Adequate for Elk and Bear, and from what my men have learned, Bolsheviks. It's only five shots, but you can eliminate the time spent cycling the bolt, the rifle does that all on it's own. I have already pursued a viable design to manufacture ten or fifteen round magazines. It's domestic, it has proven it's worth in the field, and it can increase any rifleman's rate of fire at least three times over. There is much the same with a pistol I have taken a liking to from Blackriver, but it hasn't seen action quite like the rifle."
Volkov scoffed at the rifle "And it will be impractical for any sustained engagements. Riflemen do not have the training for that, they will just dump all five cartridges into the enemy's cover. Not to mention .35 Blackriver does not have the distance to properly engage enemy forces. No, I would propose a more commonplace, standardized, rifle. The .30-05 Rockwell cartridge can properly engage enemy forces at distance, and provide a threat in steady hands. It has already seen implementation in a bolt action rifle, and like Clark's pick, it is a domestic production."
The Archduke took both rifles and began to fiddle with the controls and actions, before placing them on the table. "I would like to review other options, but these two shall be sent to trials. I want them to be, what is the local term, "put through their paces" by both the Light Infantry and the Scouts."
He turned to the large windows in his office, peering at the skyline of Cape Providence. "I am aware this is merely the beginning, I have heard Mr. Clark's interest in aviation and motorcycles to maneuver, and yours, Volkov, in artillery and training. May we come to a consensus, and soon. The elected councils and committees should be presented with a single, comprehensive plan for the rebuilding process. Let us hope the admiralty can arrive with their own list of wishes and desires in a short time."