Colonel Pohlman encounters many problems while running his Indian Army. These problems are caused by three particular reasons, Indian political stimulations; interference by Indian rulers; and the composition of the army itself. These complications ultimately lead to the fall and defeat of the Indian army and Colonel Pohlman.

All wartime situations are first decided based on astrology within the upper ranks of the system. High officials make decisions based on the position of the stars and planets which reveals if the gods are in their favor or not. Pohlman tells Dodd while discussing the council to be held about future actions of war to be conducted that, "The war will be discussed, as will the position of the stars and the mood of the gods and the failure of the monsoon and, once the durbar is over, if indeed it ever ends, we shall commence our wandering once...