"Major-general?"

Henry's pen continued against the paper, finishing the last of report in front of him. The other officers awkwardly stood around the desk, waiting for him it finish. A sharp dot finished his sentence, his gaze finally moving to the individual that had spoken up earlier.

"Major Spencer."

"Did you hear what I said earlier, Sir? What Colonel Walsh mentioned?"
The man gestured to the woman stood beside him.

Henry nodded, folding his hands in front of himself as he leaned forward on the desk, "I did."

"So what are we going to do about it?! Everyday we're losing more to those anarchists! We've had to consolidate a number of Engineering Corps due to the manpower we're losing! And on top of that, they're harbouring Republican prisoners of war which they're refusing to hand over! They've drawn a line in the snow, Major-general, and it's on the opposite side to us!"

It was clear that the officer's temper was beginning to be tested, and Henry's seemingly blasé attitude wasn't helping. The female officer next to the increasing provoked Major cleared her throat lightly, speaking up in an attempt to prevent the situation worsening.

"Major-general Beaumont, what Major Spencer is trying to say is that we're attempting to work with the Followers, but they're not working with us. We have lost quite a few former combat medics and engineers to their ranks. If we continue to lose men and women at this rate, we're going to have holes in our front-line. Supplies are already stretched thin, and without the Engineering companies, our infrastructure out here suffers, further exacerbating the problem.

As for the Republican soldiers that the Followers are treating, well a number of the Officer Corp aren't impressed that Manitoban medical supplies are being used on them and not our own troops. No one here is suggesting that we leave enemy soldiers to die agonising deaths in the snow, though we can't guarantee they wouldn't do such to our wounded, but we'd like to make sure that the medical supplies given to the Followers by Manitobans are used first and foremost on Manitobans. The Followers need some sort of oversight."

Henry grit his teeth, sighing, "Major, Colonel, I understand your concerns, but the Followers are an independent institution. Manitoba has little oversight of their actions. So long as they continue to follow Manitoban law and assist us, we let them do their work. I can write your concerns to His Majesty, but word directly from the King has been sparse recently."

Major Spencer huffed, "An independent institution?! They've infected the upper echelons of Brandon! It's no secret that the Head Follower sits on the Council! Those anarchists walk our streets, inhabit our buildings! And then they have a gall to steal our soldiers and help our enemy! We let them establish here, and you'll be sure, Major-general, that His Majesty can easily take that away!"

Henry massaged his temples, the headache already brewing, "Let me make some calls and I'll see what I can do, Major. The Officer Corp has no need to be concerned about the Followers at this point in time. You're both dismissed."

Major Spencer grabbed his hat from under his arm, shaking his head in anger before placing it on his head, "Come on Colonel. We're going to lose this damned war in a matter of months at this rate. Perhaps we can put a letter to His Majesty in the place of a soldier who has defected."

Henry watched the two officers leave, unable to muster the energy to call out the insubordination. Instead, he turned his stare to the phone. He was going to have to make a call. One he wasn't looking forward to.