AW:DoR Chapter 21: Weeding

Ooh, a Lin map! And it looks like we're playing naval units today.

...You know, taking another look at this map, I notice something: This is going to be a Fog of War map, as it happens, but the properties that begin the map pre-owned by the yellow faction are already coloured in yellow.

So, what is it that Lin's got cooked up for us today?

...Well, it seems we've got to spend some time with these two loathsome creatures before we can get into that. Very well, let's hear it.

At the very least, Greyfield is upset with Caulder. Hopefully one of them kills the other and simplifies things for us.

Well, that answers a few questions there. It seems that Dr. Caulder is playing the role of the NRA's Dr. Morris. Although given what we know of the man, I highly doubt Caulder's lack of success is credited to the difficulty of the task.

Greyfield's interest in a cure is founded in a pragmatism so far removed from conventional morality that he has managed to eschew pragmatism to avoid it. While executing the infected is, indeed, a method of containing Creeping Derangea (the same way that weeding maintains a garden), it is the only upside to the tactic, with several downsides I don't feel bear mentioning. I'm assuming, if you have a functioning brain, you can come up with a list with more items on it than Greyfield has medals on your own.

AWDoR Chapter 20: Wings of Doom

Now then... it's time to get into what is often considered the worst mission in the game. Strap yourselves in, folks.

It's time for Waylon to show his stuff.

But before we get into the bad news, we actually get a freebie spot of good news!

AW: DoR Chapter 19: GLORY TO THE WORM

Our next mission introduces that last new property tile, but otherwise promises to be a pretty small and compact affair. Only six properties that give funding?

It's time for a bit of a filler chapter- while Greyfield's licking his wounds, we're going to find someone else to antagonise us.

Well, this is a surprise- the captured NRA guy who told us what was going on in Greyfield's army is just... freely volunteering more.

Now, OK, admittedly, telling us where Greyfield's deserters are going is a pretty easy trap opportunity- either the deserters can catch us or Greyfield himself can do it chasing them down. But since the NRA guy can't co-ordinate with Greyfield, it's just a chance.

And besides, if the stories he has heard are true, it's in his long-term interests to be taken there. Curing Creeping Derangea is good for all involved.

Dr. Morris being surprisingly quick on the draw on "this cure is a fraud". While yes, I can understand being skeptical, given how recently the disease has sprung about, you can't be the only still-living doctor around. I'd at least look first.

...On the other hand, Dr. Morris, at some point you've got to do an actual trial. If only to see what Creeping Derangea responds to.

Well, best to go take a look, if only to head off this avenue of mutiny later. If people are going to scream in Dr. Morris's ear for not curing their loved ones, let's not make it because he actively turned down a working cure.

AW: DoR Chapter 18: Seed of Dissent

When last we left our heroes, we had just discovered that Creeping Derangea had gotten far more dangerous.

A chapter title like that does not inspire confidence the news went over well.

Oh gods and here I thought the bioweapon was the worst news of the day.

AW:DoR Chapter 17: Mum Says It's MY Turn With The Guns

Today's map has only one HQ, a weird bit in the middle there, and it looks like our opponent is black, not yellow. Seems we're going to be taking a break from Greyfield.

The Creeper, meanwhile... is a bit of an odd title, come to think of it. There is very definitely exactly one thing that it is referring to... but it's not relevant to the story of the current chapter, and feels more like cliffhanger material. Kinda jumped the gun on that one.

...Still "Brenner's Wolves", huh? Given what Fire Emblem was doing at the time, I don't think we're too surprised to see this lot cribbing notes from the Greil Mercs.

Will is being debriefed. It may look like he's being let in on the important details, but note that, if he was really in charge, he'd actually have had a say in whether or not they were to move in that direction in the first place.

AWDoR Chapter 16: Will to Prevail

Our next mission promises to be... well, if nothing else, the sort of thing we need after a bombshell like that.

Here's hoping.

With Brenner down, the role of commander defaults to Lin. One assumes that this isn't a particularly significant change in operations.

With that said, morale is currently at minimum and the weakest links in our chain are already buckling under the pressure.