Chapter 218
Having seized the mansion and delivered his warning to Count Khaledra, Daniel used the Allied Nations' radio operator to issue a broadcast to the scattered defensive forces still engaged in skirmishes throughout the city.
He informed them that Count Khaledra had abandoned them and fled. If they valued their lives, they were to surrender immediately.
He added—almost as an afterthought—that if they continued to resist, he would hunt down every last one of them and execute them without exception.
It wasn’t just a radio transmission. Daniel reinforced the message through the city’s public broadcast station, now under Imperial control.
Once the Fenbark defense troops realized their comms had been hijacked, they began to surrender one by one, waving white flags and laying down arms. The city's occupation proceeded smoothly.
Daniel rounded up all captured personnel and had them confined in a nearby church designated as a temporary POW camp, then turned his attention to establishing a command post and securing communications.
The next day.
After establishing a secure line with Central Command, Daniel submitted his report and immediately shifted into a defensive posture.
Troops that had entered the city for the initial offensive were repositioned, and a reserve unit was formed.
Though Fenbark was now under Imperial control, two enemy regiments were still stationed beyond the bridge. Preparing for a potential counteroffensive was essential.
Daniel gave orders to deploy anti-tank weapons and artillery around the city’s perimeter and approach roads. He positioned armored units along expected enemy routes of advance.
Then, after instructing intelligence officer Phelp to schedule a formal visit to City Hall, Daniel left the city outskirts with Lucy at his side.