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Message: <blockquote data-quote="The Shaman" data-source="post: 3012119" data-attributes="member: 26473">“Your Arabic is about as good as Asmussen’s French,” Syrovy quips to Normand.The quizzical look on Syrovy’s face suggests he can’t decide if Raffaele is serious or joking. “It seems we have a patriot among us,” he says at last. “Heaven preserve us from the true believers.”Raffaele’s remark about service projects in Portemonte elicits a derisive chuckle from Syrovy and a growl from Ortu, “Leave that to the blacks!” The latter earns a sharp rebuke from Sgt. Katsourianis: “Stuff that merde, légionnaire!”“Tell that to Babaye when he gets back, Silvio,” Nedjar adds angrily.“Babaye’s a legionnaire, not a marsouin,” responds Ortu, nonplussed. Nedjar just shakes his head in annoyance.“We will provide assistance to the local population and authorities when we can, doing whatever that entails,” Capt. Martini says coolly, then focuses his attention on Raffaele. “What you’re describing is an important tactic in counterinsurgency, Barzini, perhaps the most important tactic. The intelligence that someone like Lt. Ferrand or the local sector troops can gather requires building a relationship with the community and earning their trust over time. We rarely have that luxury, unfortunately. Our mission is to engage the insurgents in the field and give the civil and military authorities the space to see to the needs of the populace.”“And how well is that working, sir?” asks Vidal. Kat looks up in surprise at the directness of the radioman’s question.Capitaine Martini thinks for a moment before answering. “The Army continues to call up more reservists and extend the terms of enlistment for the conscripts, légionnaire. Attacks on Muslims and pieds-noirs are increasing in the towns and cities. With the French protectorate over Morocco and Tunisia ending, the FLN now has a safe haven on both the eastern and western borders of Algeria. And Nassar is training and supplying the ALN in Egypt.” He smiles slightly. “Clearly there are some challenges to overcome.”“We are a small part of a large conflict,” the veteran officer continues, addressing the groupe once again, “and to do our part we must follow our orders and perform our mission diligently and effectively. And right now, our mission is over that ridge. Sergent?”“On your feet,” Kat orders, and the paras dutifully pull themselves together. Normand sees an opportunity to catch the captain’s ear. Le Capitaine listens to the grenadier, and replies, “No one should fault you for wanting to protect the boy from the mob, but you must consider your orders and your mission before you act. Could you have done the same thing without provoking the citizens?” With a pat on the shoulder, Capt. Martini turns away, leaving Normand to ponder the question as the legionnaires prepare to resume their march.</blockquote>

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