Tyranny of Steel

In the days that followed their attack on the Mthunzi tribe, the German Jaegers and Jagdkommandos were busy scouting out the territory. They rode horses through the South African plains, looking for resources to seize and targets to attack. 

While the special operations units were out scouting the region, the individual German soldiers, and the members of the Imperial Guard conducted their daily operations, whether that was sentry duty, or construction, they all worked together to build a proper settlement on the shores of Southern Africa. 

Honoria and her crew acted as support. Whether it was washing clothes, preparing meals, or loading ammunition into stripper clips, and machine gun belts, they continued to conduct their duties, albeit with a bit of an attitude.

Elfrun was in the middle of making a meal alongside Honoria and Malissa with the rations they were given. She could not help but comment on the state of things, and her disappointment in this expedition. 

"I can't believe we're being treated like a bunch of housewives by these damned soldiers. Where does the Kaiser get off, making us do laundry and prepare food? We are explorers, and privateers, not maids!"

Honoria frowned when she heard this before flicking the young woman on the forehead. She was displeased with the girl's words, even if she herself was disappointed by their assignments. She reminded the girl where her loyalties lied with a stern voice. 

"The Kaiser's orders are absolute. Remember, we are bound in service to the Crown. If he wants us to do menial tasks as the colony is set up, then that is what we will do! Don't forget that we owe everything we have to Berengar!"

Elfrun pouted when she heard such a harsh rebuking, but she did not say another word. She knew that without the support of the German crown, then they would have no ships, no weapons, no training, or the freedom to explore as they saw fit. All of their wealth was a result of being licensed by the Kaiser.

It was at this moment that a gunshot resounded throughout the camp, interrupting the girls' conversation. A sniper posted in the tower was armed with a newly manufactured G25 Rifle, which had a four power scope mounted to it. As a member of the Imperial Guard, he, like the Jaegers and Jagdkommandos, was first to receive the best equipment. The man called out in laughter as he successfully nailed an African Scout with a brutal headshot.

"Got one!"

After saying this, he racked the bolt of his rifle, ejecting the spent case out of the guard tower before aiming down his scope once more, checking for more targets. He appeared to be happy with his job as a sentry. After all, as the Imperial Guard expanded its ranks into a larger paramilitary organization, they had become more commonly deployed to dangerous theaters of war. 

The man was dressed in an arid uniform based on those used by the German Afrika Korps of Berengar's past life. While the Jaegers and Jagdkommandos wore complex camouflaged pattern smocks and helmets. The average german soldier and imperial guardsman were wearing pith helmets, field caps, blouses with rolled-up sleeves, and a pair of shorts. Along with long boots and canvas load bearing equipment. 

Berengar wore a similar uniform as the sniper as he boldly walked through the encampment flanked by a few of his engineers. They were in the process of laying the foundation for the star fortress that would act as the primary defensive structure of the colony. He was quick to point out the flaws in the plan they had initially established as he chastised them for their lack of ingenuity.

"Your fatal flaw in this design is a lack of protection from the ocean. Who is to say that the colony does not come under bombardment by a hostile fleet? We need anti ship batteries spread across the coastline fortifications! We have the means to import such weapons from the Fatherland, so don't tell me it is not a possibility!"

The lead engineer held his head low. With the state of the world's naval power, he honestly did not believe that such advanced artillery on the coastline was necessary. He wanted to argue that against wooden vessels small scale artillery like the 7.5cm FK 25 that was recently introduced would be more than enough to destroy it.

However, Berengar was insistent that the coastal fortifications have firepower capable of taking out their ironclads, or perhaps even the newer Linde-class Battleships that had not even been produced yet. For what reason the Kaiser had such desires, the engineer did not know, but he was not going to deny an order from the monarch. 

Berengar was slightly paranoid after learning he might not be the only reincarnator in this world. Though it was unlikely, as he had learned, the cost to reincarnate an individual from another world was great to the deity who caused it. He knew it was possible that someone else had entered this world and could create a threat to his Empire and its colonies. Thus, he ensured that coastal defenses could take out battleships if necessary. 

Obviously, he did not educate his engineers on his fear of this potential reality, and instead was simply insistent that the Colonies be defended against any possible threat, including a rogue German fleet. However unlikely such a threat may be. Thus, the Engineers were forced to redesign the coastal defenses from scratch to accommodate the larger and more powerful coastal batteries. 

After lecturing these Engineers, Berengar returned to the base camp, where Honoria was serving food to the soldiers. The men of the German Army were happy that such beautiful women were feeding them. However, the women themselves wore forced smiles as they served the meals. Clearly, they were not pleased by being ordered to perform such common tasks. 

Berengar stood in line, like every other man, but when the soldiers noticed the Kaiser was among their ranks, they parted ways for him voluntarily. No matter how hungry a man was, they would never allow the Kaiser to wait in line for food like themselves. Thus, Berengar was rapidly thrust to the front of the ranks, where he held out his tray so that Honoria could give him some food. 

"Well Honoria, my love, it seems that you are enjoying yourself."

Honoria sighed at the man's sarcastic remark before plopping the food onto his tray. She could only respond with a forced smile as she heard these words. 

"Of course, I will always enjoy whatever task my Kaiser demands of me!"

Berengar smirked when he saw the woman force herself to be respectful before giving her his honest opinion.

"Cut the crap and get your fine ass to my lunch table. I'm sure another one of your girls can cover your shift for you."

Honoria bit her lip in guilt as she gazed over at the other girls who were glaring daggers at her. They could not believe she was about to leave them to continue these household chores while she enjoyed a meal with her husband. However, ultimately the Kaiser's orders were absolute, and she quickly obeyed. Serving herself up a plate before following her man to the table he sat at.

Much like Berengar and his soldiers, Honoria and her privateers were dressed in the same arid pattern uniform. Albeit they did not wear the insignia of the Army of Imperial Guard, but rather their own special logo. Berengar sat across from Honoria and dined on the food she had prepared, complimenting her for her efforts as he did so.

"You have done well Honoria, I know it doesn't seem like it, but the jobs you girls are doing are great for morale. The men love having a pretty face perform their chores for them. We are far away from home, and in an alien land, surrounded by hostile savages. So you girls should take pride in your work."

Honoria sighed when she heard this. She knew the tasks they were doing had a purpose to fulfill, but she still felt like a housewife when she did them. A fate she had gone through great lengths to escape. Berengar could tell she was disappointed with this expedition and decided to cheer her up with some good news.

"I hope that trench gun of yours is well maintained, because I'm going to be setting out soon on a quest. I want you to be part of it."

The word quest immediately intrigued Honoria, and she quickly inquired about the details.

"A quest? We have only just arrived, and you're already setting out. What for?"

Berengar smirked as he said this before taking a drink from his canteen. After doing so, he proudly declared his intentions.

"Since I was a small child, there was one species I wished to take as a pet. Unfortunately, the laws and restrictions back home were not exactly kind to the idea. Thus, I was never able to achieve this dream. However, I have been reborn in a world where I can make my own rules. Now that I am here in Africa, I intend to take a leopard cub as my pet, and bring it back to the fatherland where I can personally tame it as it grows."

Honoria's jaw dropped when she heard this. She could not believe the man was talking about kidnapping a big cat cub and taking it back to the fatherland to raise as his own. That was a seriously stupid and dangerous idea. But, if anyone could achieve it, it would be Berengar.

The idea of traversing deep behind enemy lines to snatch a little kitten away from its mother filled her with excitement. It was certainly better than anything she had planned around the encampment. With this in mind, she nodded her head emphatically before agreeing to her husband's request.

"Say no more, I'm in! Just tell me when we are heading out?"

Berengar smiled when he heard this before speaking of his plans further. 

"The day after tomorrow, we will set out with a company of soldiers. Two machine guns, two mortars, and a bunch of rifles. As well as a few supply wagons to maintain them. It should be enough to annihilate any savage war band we come across."

Honoria nodded her head in agreement, but also pleaded for a condition of her own.

"Just promise me I can take some of my girls with me. They're dying for some action!"

Berengar thought about it for a moment before lifting two fingers.

"I will permit you to bring two squads. The rest have to stay behind."

Honoria was pleased with this, and kissed her man on the lips before whispering in his ears.

"Thanks daddy!"

After saying this, she ran off. Having finished her meal, she intended to give her crew the good news. Berengar could only watch her fine ass bounce as it hurried away from him. He gazed off into the horizon with a smile on his face. Finally, after two lives, he would be able to claim his prize.