Chapter 384: Taking Orders in Times of Crisis
"You scoundrel, you have the audacity to return alive!" Little Pretorius slapped Wiggins across the face as he escaped from East Africa.
Pretorius Jr., the President of the Transvaal Republic, was supposed to retire this year. However, the sudden East African invasion compelled him to stay in office. As the eldest son of Andres Pretorius, the leader of the Boers during the Great Migration, Pretorius Jr. held unrivaled prestige among his people and served as the governor of the Transvaal. Efforts to merge the Transvaal Republic with the Orange Free State had failed due to rough tactics and uneven spoils.
Wiggins sported a bright red slap mark on his face and endured the stinging pain, all the while keeping his composure before little Pretorius.
"Your Excellency, this is all a conspiracy by the East Africans. They never informed me that the letter I carried was a declaration of war; they handed it to me casually. It was a deliberate attempt to catch me off guard, enabling them to launch an attack on the Transvaal while I was delivering the letter. The East Africans have grand ambitions, and they meticulously planned all of this!" Wiggins explained.
Little Pretorius dismissed Wiggins' words with frustration. "It's futile to explain now. Your negligence has cost us precious reaction time. The East Africans are advancing rapidly from the banks of the Limpopo River towards Pretoria, and we are ill-prepared. Mobilizing our forces to confront such a massive threat won't be as simple as blaming an East African conspiracy!"
Despite wanting to exact revenge on Wiggins, little Pretorius refrained from doing so. After all, he had secretly supported the Ndebele rebellion, which had caused no harm to East Africa and even left a clue. Yet, East Africa's invasion of the Transvaal could be traced back to this incident. Therefore, East Africa bore the primary responsibility for the situation.
Just as Pretorius contemplated how to handle Wiggins, the President's office door swung open. "Your Excellency, we have just received a report! The latest news indicates that the East Africans have captured Petersburg and are now closing in on Pretoria, less than a hundred miles away!"
Little Pretorius was shocked by this development and asked, "When did Petersburg fall? When can we expect our main force, currently engaged with the Zulus in the east, to return and support Pretoria?"
"Your Excellency, Petersburg fell three days ago. Our messengers had to sacrifice two horses to bring back this urgent news. As for our troops, we have received no word from them. They may have been captured, as they were entangled with the Zulus and couldn't break free."
"Damn it!" Little Pretorius slammed his hand on the table in frustration. After regaining his composure, he addressed his senior government officials with a somber expression. "Is there anything we can do to stop the East Africans?"
The officials exchanged confused glances. One of them spoke up, "Your Excellency, respectfully, the Transvaal now stands defenseless before East Africa, particularly after the fall of Petersburg. There is no barrier between them and Pretoria. Our failure to anticipate East Africa's ambition is to blame. We should have stationed more troops on the south bank of the Limpopo River. Now, mobilizing a response is too late."
Another official chimed in, "Indeed, Your Excellency. Our militia in Petersburg, aside from the troops battling the Zulus, was our only defense. With them all captured, it's impossible to organize another defense from the Transvaal. East Africa will not give us the time to mobilize."
As the officials discussed the situation, none could offer a solution. Little Pretorius gritted his teeth, frustrated by the food and wine before him.
"Enough! If no one can devise a plan, follow my instructions. We cannot allow the Transvaal Republic to fall. It's the result of my father's and the Boers' hard work, our homeland. While I head to the Orange Free State to seek reinforcements, we must hold onto Pretoria and fight the East Africans to the last man!"
Though the Orange Free State was smaller than the Transvaal Republic, its population was larger, thanks to the Kimberley diamond mines and its proximity to the Transvaal. Cape Town had been the first stop for Boers heading north, making the Orange Free State a logical choice for aid.
With East African forces attacking on multiple fronts and the majority of the country lost, the Transvaal Republic faced two options: recall the troops fighting the Zulus or seek assistance from their brothers in the Orange Free State. The first option was nearly impossible. Pretorius Jr. had urged the Boer main force to return for reinforcements as soon as he learned of East Africa's attack. However, the distance between Pretoria and the Zulu Kingdom's front lines was vast, and it would take at least a week for news to reach them.
Even under ideal conditions, it would take at least ten days for the main force to return. If the Zulus interfered, the main force might be held back indefinitely. Thus, the Transvaal Republic, without its main force, found itself vulnerable to East African aggression.
"Your Excellency, there's no better course of action now. However, you must go to the Orange Free State for help. Your prestige can unite all the Boers to recapture our homeland," one official suggested.
Little Pretorius sighed and said, "Very well, it seems that only I can handle this situation. The government will accompany me south, continuing to oversee the fight against East African invaders. However, Pretoria, as our capital and military stronghold, must have someone remain behind to resist the East African invasion. Who among you will stay?"
It was a proposition that left all the Boer officials reluctant to speak up. Defending Pretoria was a daunting task. According to the news from Petersburg, East African forces displayed formidable strength.
Finally, a voice broke the silence, "Your Excellency, allow me to stay!" It was Wiggins.
"You?" Little Pretorius raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, President. I understand that defending Pretoria might seem impossible, but the East African invasion resulted from my mistake. I am willing to bear the consequences. Yet, the thought of being executed by one of our own pales in comparison to fighting East Africans in a fierce battle. I'm prepared to live or die with Pretoria. I implore you to grant me this opportunity," Wiggins declared.
Little Pretorius surveyed his officials, but none offered to stay behind. He nodded reluctantly, saying, "Very well, Wiggins, the task is yours. In truth, you don't need to defend Pretoria outright; instead, focus on inflicting heavy losses on the East Africans."
Wiggins shook his head and said firmly, "I have decided to stand or fall with Pretoria."
No one doubted Wiggins' capabilities. He had been assigned as a military advisor to the Ndebele people for a reason—his military expertise. Despite his advisory role, he had experience battling the Zulus. His tactical guidance had been instrumental, even though the Pele people had ultimately been defeated by East Africa. Wiggins was only an advisor, not the actual commander.
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