The standard bearer is the heart of the rhyfler company. Standing bravely amid the smoke and chaos of battle the fluttering banner held aloft is a beacon and rallying point for the rhyflers when things get messy. Losing the banner is a disaster that brings shame from one’s Ancestors. But capturing the enemy's flag? Pure glory.
Communication between command and soldiers is always difficult. Radios are weak, unreliable, and heavy. Telephone connections require constant splicing and are slower than the general advance. Runners and riders can be picked off by snipers. The Pykpyk squirrel is hard to shoot, can see in the dark, and can easily be trained to run home. As war trends towards the technically complex airships and sophisticated artillery, the humble Pykpyk squirrel is the preferred messenger animal of the army, carrying messages from the front lines to the GHQ.
