Charles wasn't overly concerned with the "uniform issue." He knew it would eventually be resolved, as it didn't severely affect the capitalists' interests but could stir up strong social opposition. Why wouldn't they seize this opportunity to appease public opinion?
It was foreseeable that the uniform change would not only be approved but expedited since politicians needed to garner public support to keep their positions secure. anwhile, Charles remained focused on preparing for the possibility of a "gas warfare."
Tijani's command office was on the second floor of a four-story building. This new building had been constructed shortly after Tijani's arrival with the 105th Infantry Regint.
"A training base without a proper command center?" Tijani had said. "Unthinkable! Especially for my command center!"
As the 105th Infantry was still fighting in Gallipoli, the building was completed, offering brand-new facilities: a lounge, communications room, operations departnt, logistics departnt—each outfitted with telephones and radios. The regint's headquarters was now better equipped than Gallieni's city defense headquarters.
Inside, sunlight flooded through the clean windows, and a crackling fire in the fireplace added a cozy warmth to the room.
Tijani handed Charles a cup of instant coffee and took one for himself. Grimacing after a sip, he muttered, "I'm worried I'll never get used to the taste of coffee on the battlefield."
Instant coffee was a luxury, unbeknownst to Tijani, as many couldn't afford this processed version of the drink.
"We should make so preparations," Charles said.
"For the new uniforms?" Tijani asked, assuming Charles was talking about logistical arrangents.
"No, Tijani," Charles replied. "I'm talking about warfare. I believe we're about to encounter sothing new."
Tijani assud he was referring to Gallipoli. If the Allies secured a victory there, it would indeed change the situation, so he glanced toward the map on the wall. But Charles shook his head.
"No, I an gas warfare."
Tijani turned back to Charles, visibly perplexed.
Charles explained the chain of events leading to his suspicions and concluded, "Even if this is just a theory, if it becos reality, it could create a massive breach in our front lines—even total collapse."
Charles's primary fear wasn't simply a tactical breakdown. Historically, when Germany first deployed gas warfare, it inflicted heavy casualties on the Allies, creating a gap 10 kiloters wide and 7 kiloters deep in the front line. However, due to their commitnt on the Eastern and Western Fronts, the Germans had limited forces to exploit the opening, which was eventually plugged by French reinforcents.
But what if the 105th Infantry were among those caught in such an attack? What if Charles himself was among the casualties?
"I couldn't persuade them," Charles said, placing his cup back on the tray. "No one believes it's real. They even fear my warnings will damage morale."
"You're right," Tijani responded confidently. "If you believe it's coming, then it will co."
Charles was surprised; he had expected Tijani to ask for further evidence or at least so corroborating intelligence, but Tijani didn't hesitate.
Tijani's only question was, "How do we prepare? If the enemy releases gas, what can we do?"
Charles had readied a few argunts to persuade Tijani, like "better to be safe than sorry" and "being prepared is never a bad thing." But none of that was necessary now.
Shrugging, he put aside his prepared statents and instead reached into his briefcase, taking out a prototype gas mask to hand to Tijani. It was a simple design—a mask equipped with a filter canister to purify the air. There was no complex technology involved.
To avoid unnecessary complications, Charles used activated carbon in the filter, effective against all gases, thus ensuring he wouldn't have to answer questions about how he knew the gas would be chlorine.
"What's this?" Tijani asked, holding the mask up and examining it.
"A gas mask," Charles replied, fitting it over his own face and looking back at Tijani through the mask's eye windows.
Tijani, intrigued, tried it on himself. Removing it, he looked at Charles in astonishnt.
"You're telling that wearing this will protect us from the gas?"
"Another of your inventions?" he asked, looking impressed.
"Yes," Charles admitted. "If we can't convince the higher-ups to prepare, then we'll make sure the 105th Infantry Regint is equipped ourselves."
But Tijani was more interested in the tactical potential.
"Colonel!" Tijani interrupted Charles, eyes lighting up with an idea. "What if this really works, and the Germans assu we're dead?"
"They'd be in for a nasty surprise!"
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