Model Steinmetz

Model Steinmetz was a Grand Army Sub-General, a hero of the Great War and the Hivan War. A proud, rough-and-tumble infantryman, Model was reknowned above all else for his tenacity in defense. Peace life did no agree with him, and he turned increasingly to drink;

Early Life and Service

Model's exact birthdate and birthplace are unknown, but he is believed to be born around 15 WB, somewhere in the Dragon Dimension. The son of a prostitute and an unknown soldier, Model spent much of his early life on the move.

When he was old enough, he joined a mercenary band. The Great War was beginning, and every nation in the Web needed brave young men. Model bounced around a lot during the war, seeing action in the service of almost major combatant in almost every theater. He almost always served in the infantry, lacking the patience to learn more specialized and technical branches. The war being what it was, Model was on the side of plenty of losing battles as well as victorious ones. He did, however, gain quite a reputation for his grit and energy.

Great War GA Service

Model ended up working for the Grand Army shortly after it was formed, in 24 WR. Despite his extensive experience and reputation, he requested a rank no higher then Hauptmann; preferring to stay as close to the Frontsoldaten as possible. Celiose quickly promoted him, and Model served a stint in the GA's training command. Model's experience with a variety of the Web's cultures and militaries were important in helping to integrate the multinational army, however, he longed for a return to the field.

Model was dispatched to serve in Army Group Hyrule, under Torstensson Lenart, who made him a Colonel and eventually recommended him for Sub-General. At the siege of Trianable, Model spent a lot of time in the trenches, believing that he needed to share the hardships of his men. He loved his Frontsoldaten, and they loved him. His section of the line repulsed several attacks from Burzmale Julian. It was during this time Model started to almost always where a Grenadier's helmet. In his eyes, he was still an infantryman.

After Hyrule, Model was given command of an entire army. This would become the famous Sixth Army, the "Suicide Kings", named as such for their ability to confront impossible odds. Model's main role in the Transbaron campaign was to defend the key logistical center of Tripport. Burzmale committed huge forces to taking the city, well aware that severing the critical supply line was the only way to evict the Grand Army from the continent. Against all odds, against all attacks, Model held the line, earning his first Hero of the Grand Army.

Hivan War

Model Steinmetz is probably the most celebrated GA hero of the Hivan war. Although other commanders were given key roles in important theaters, Model's battle at Zenan bridge was probably the most dramatic.

The Hivan colonizer landed near the Guardian city of New Dorino. The Hivans were an enemy completely unlike the Dark Wrath. People weren't sure exactly what to do to fight against the giant space ants. Most people believed that Sixth Army and the GDF should deploy north of Zenan and destroy the bridge to slow the Hivans down. Model refused. He deployed with the bridge at his back, all but cutting off his own retreat. Without any option of escape, Model believed his men would fight to the death before giving up any inch of ground. This bold gambit, and commitment to not losing a single inch of soil, deeply impressed the Guardians.

Wave after wave of giant insects pounded Sixth Army's dug-in position. Giant insectoid mecha, the "Big Ones", threatened to break the line. Luftwaffe Tacfortress bombers, flying all the way from Trianable, were the GA's only reliable weapon against these behemoths. Pounding the Hivans with thousands of bombs, the offensive was blunted. However, the turnaround time on the bombers was quite long, and the Hivans were able to renew their offensive.

One of Model's officers demanded a retreat. "The men need rest." "My dear Colonel," Model said, "In the Great War, our men took their rest on the front line. And that is the way things are going to be here." Then, Model fired the colonel.

Model's energy and tenacity were once again key in holding the line, though his intimate knowledge of infantry tactics and field defenses no doubt also played a key role. Model was the highest-ranking GA officer of the war to personally engage the Hivans in close combat, a fact commemorated in Model Square in Dorino (though Model used a flamethrower rather than a sword.)

Model was nicknamed the "Guardian Angel", and the King put him in for his second Hero of the Grand Army.

Disgrace and Resignation

After the Hivan War, Model was made Inspector General of Grenadiers as a "second hat" to his leadership of Sixth Army. Model was responsible for the training and equipment of the GA Grenadiers; in effect, he was the GA's "chief infantryman". He struggled during the budget cuts, as the Grenadiers were not as flashy and sexy as some other branches, but no one doubted that they were still very important. Model was a driving force behind the adoption of Gyroc weapons, and maintained incredibly stringent of training; force to accept fewer regiments, he wanted to make sure they were VERY well trained. Model also commanded the "defending force" in the Duelist Exercise.

Nonetheless, Model never adjusted well to peacetime. Although many of "the Old Breed" wrestled with a life without war, Model perhaps took it hardest. In off-duty hours he took to drinking and whoring. He would careen through the streets of Albrook with a Sub-General's starburst flying, confident that neither the APD nor GAPP would stop a GA flag officer. He was prone to violent, depressive outbursts. At Rimmel Coward's retirement party, he shouted, "Fuck mecha. And fuck the spacefleet. All wars are infantry wars, and always have been." This kind of behavior kept him from being mentioned as a possible replacement for Generalissimo even as Celiose sought to retire.

Eventually, he kept he put a young couple into the hospital with his reckless driving. This caused Celiose to demand his resignation. Model seethed at his former commander, raging out how the GA had become filled with "ticket punchers" who used their GA service only to "build their resume". Although saddened at the Army's current state, it was all he had. An unsympathetic Celiose demanded his resignation; Model, faced with that or a dishonorable discharge, acquiesced.