Chapter 17: Reassigned…for Science!
Military Garrison 1, Imperial Army Northern Teather, the Empire
20 June, Unified Year 1923
"Tanya?" I asked nervously, "Where do you think we will get reassigned?"
"I do not know," she said in her usual caustic tone "We are young heroes of the Empire, though. In all likelihood, they will send us to the Rhine front. New meat for the grinder."
My face contorted in an expression of pain as I tried to imagine how the Rhine would be like.
Six months had gone since the day we received our Silver Wings, and our once-serious wounds were now healed or in remission. We could walk and run again, same with levitation or flight. We still could not resume active service, but that was just a matter of days.
During this time, many things had happened: according to the information available through military bulletins and anecdotes from those returning from the front, the war would not be ending soon. On the Rhine, as well as in the North our positions and our respective enemies (the Republic and the Entente) were now stalled. Every day from one side to the other, there were assaults and counter-attacks that determined the conquest or loss of this or that position, but it seemed clear that these small actions of war would not determine victory.
In this situation, victory would have gone to the front that had the most resources available, the greatest number of soldiers and who would wear themselves out less than the other. The winner would be the nation that, at the end of this conflict, was still standing while the others would collapse.
In our old world, this was what had sealed the defeat of Germany. While the Allied forces could rely on the resources of an entire planet (mostly thanks to the major development of their colonial empires and fleets), Germany and its allies had to rely on the few resources available within their own borders, without the possibility of obtaining supplies from other neutral nations thanks to the enemy's naval blockade.
And now, the Empire's situation was practically the same: while the Republic and the Entente could supply themselves abundantly through maritime trade routes or their colonies overseas, the Empire was practically dependent from the resources that came from the Federation to the east and from the Kingdom of Ildoa and the Principality of Dacia to the south, through those few commercial routes that had not yet been blocked.
The main commercial routes, those that passed the ports of the Allied Kingdom (the local equivalent of the UK, a rich and powerful nation that now, however, preferred to live in isolation like a sleeping giant who refuses to fight) were closed at the time, due to the fact that the Empire, although having greater technological superiority, could not guarantee the safety of its convoys yet.
For this very reason, the Empire was highly interested in developing and strengthening the infrastructure of its territory, to guarantee the faster and more efficient collection and processing of resources. One thing that the Berun industrialists like Mr. Gegenbauer were quite taken with.
I grinded my teeth in rage at the thought of Mr. Gegenbauer and his fake promises.
After my little "meeting" with him, I was tempted to explode in happiness and tell Tanya everything that had happened. I was tempted to tell her how, by pure surprise, I had discovered that I was linked to one of the richest industrialists in Berun and that our fortune would soon turn for the better.
I was tempted to tell her everything, but I refrained from it.
I was so happy that when I returned to my hospital bed, I decided right then and there to make Tanya a surprise and reveal what had happened only when Mr. Gegenbauer had come back to get us.
For ten days, I waited calmly, waiting for the moment when the door would open. Waiting for Mr. Gegenbauer to enter, to welcome me and Tanya as an integral part of his family.
However, after a month of waiting I had surrender to reality: Mr. Gegenbauer would not return.
I did not know why. Maybe he had suddenly changed his mind or maybe he too, like his son in his time, had suffered a serious accident. But I knew: in the end, he would not come back.
Luckily, Tanya knew nothing: if she had known even for a fraction of a second that I had been on the verge of finding home and family for both of us, she would have teased me until the day of my death.
"Let's hope not." I said, trying to keep the tone of my voice low enough that no one could listen in on us.
Finally, after traveling the long corridor we arrived in front of the commander's office.
Mentally, I scrubbed my uniform in search of any untidy element that could put me in a bad light.
Boots? Polished. Pants and jacket? Absolutely devoid of stains or tears. Hat? Clean and tidy. Medal…
For a few seconds I paused to look at the medal I had earned with so much terror and sacrifice. Truly, it was beautiful and in a militarized society like the one I now lived in a merit decoration was better than a certificate of efficiency, but every time I looked at it I felt a strange sensation, like an imminent threat or near danger.
Maybe it was like that, but I would not have known until it was too late.
"Are you ready?" Tanya asked to me, moving her hand over the door to knock on it.
"I hope so." I responded, still in my thoughts.
"Second Lieutenants Tanya Degurechaff and Frederick König, here are your deployment orders." General von Klügmann said as he handed us the envelope, the contents of which would decide our fates.
"Thank you sir." I said taking it and starting to read it.
Please not on the front lines; please not on the front lines… I mentally thought as my eyes focused on the words in front of me.
…
What?
"T-the Tactical Instructor squad, back home?" I said, with an equal mix of shock and surprise.
I looked around. Tanya was staring at me with big eyes now, as even she could not understand what I had just said. General von Klügmann, on the other hand, judging by his expression, was not particularly impressed.
"Only someone who has accomplished as much as earning the Silver Wings could be assigned to an instruction unit at yours ages," said Klügmann with an emotionless face.
Inside, I was smirking. If we had been transferred to an instruction unit away from the front line, our plan could be said to be concluded. Far from the dangers and discomfort of the front, the first of which was the risk of being killed in battle. We could wait for the end of the war without worrying too much about what would happen.
Was it possible that Tanya's plan had worked?
"Sir" Tanya started on her response, "This is an honor, but…"
"Are you dissatisfied?" The General said looking at both of us, "If you have a problem with it, I can pass it on."
Tanya, you idiot! I mentally screamed, while trying to keep my composure.
"No!" she suddenly responded, "We are both grateful for this incredible honor. But this is a position in the rear. Some might say we aren't getting much done there."
The General let out another smoke-filled breath, putting a strain on my nostrils. "Do not worry about it, both of you. Even if you are both aces, deploying you to the front lines would be very bad for our image."
"That settles it, then!" I said, no more staying quiet. "Deployment orders received."
"Very well" the General speak once again "Then you both head to the General Supply Staff."
"Is this for technology testing, sir?" Tanya asked, her emotionless face hiding her obvious happiness.
"Yes. They want new mages to test a new type of computational jewel."
"Sir" I raised my hand "Can I ask more information about this new jewel?"
The General looked away for a second. "Unfortunately, all I have been told is that it is a prototype. You will receive new information as soon as you will speak with the scientist in charge of the project, Development Chief Engineer Adelheid von Schugel."
"I...I understand, sir! Thank you!"
"Just one little thing…"
Both Tanya and I stood still as the general said that.
"Second Lieutenant König, I have something I need to discuss with you. Second Lieutenant Degurechaff, you may leave."
"Yes sir!" she said as she saluted. Then, she walked out of the door and closed it behind her.
I was alone.
"Sir?" I asked with nervousness "What do you wanted to ask me?"
The general took another puff from his cigarette "I wanted to talk with you about Lieutenant Degurechaff"
Really?
"For what reason, sir?"
"First of all, I would like to inform you about some things related to Lieutenant Degurechaff, and then I would like to ask your opinions about it. Finally, I want to you to promise something to me."
My mind was now racing, thinking to all the possible things the General wanted to tell me about. What would it be? For sure, things that Tanya did not have to hear and know.
"Inform me, sir? About what?"
The General looked at me. For a moment, I had the impression that he felt empathy for me. But only for a moment.
"How long have you and Degurechaff known each other?"
"From…from all my life, sir! We grew up in the same orphanage, and we have been friends since we met" I lied.
Technically, I was not lying about Tanya and I having known each other since we were young. But to say that we were friends...
"Indeed" the General said more soundly "What do you think of her?"
"Excuse me?"
"What do you think of your fellow comrade Degurechaff?"
"I…I believe she is a good friend, and an amazing soldier, ready to do her duty at all times in this great war of ours, sir!"
Now I was confused. What was the general trying to make me understand?
"I happened to read, looking at some old reports from your time at the Academy, that apparently Degurechaff was the protagonist of a traumatic accident to the detriment of some recruits during a training exercise, am I right?
Uh-oh, I thought as I sudden realized what the General was talking about. I remembered that day too well ...
"Tanya, what the hell are you trying to do? Kill him?"
"Frederick, get out of the way. I have to discipline a disobedient recruit."
"Are you damn insane?"
"Sir, I can assure to you that what happened that day was…"
"Fear not, young soldier. I am not here to reopen that old case, or put you and Degurechaff into trouble. Instead, I want to talk about your relationships."
I was stunned.
Relationship? With who?
Ever since I had the (mis)fortune to be reborn in this world, my only thought had been the study and improvement of my social position alongside Tanya. I had no time for…
Oh, wait! I suddenly thought as I started to realize it.
The General smirked. I knew he was pondering exactly what I was.
"Sir, I can absolute guarantee to you that the relationship between me and Degurechaff is only professional!"
"Only professional?" the general almost laughed "I'm pretty sure you heart is going to kill your brain for uttering such a sentence…"
"Sir, I-"
"Enough! You do not need to hide your feelings from me. I understand, Degurechaff is an amazing soldier, a model for everyone who fights for the Empire, She is also incredibly cute and someone beautiful like her… deserves the best."
I was quite shocked about how the situation was turning.
"Still, she remembers me the daughter I never had, and every time I watch I cannot stop thinking that she deserves to be happy. So," he said turning a little menacing, "you better be a good boyfriend for her and a better husband when you two will marry. Do you understand, soldier?"
"Y-yes sir!"
The General's face returned benevolent "Then it's settled: you can go."
"Eh, sir? Can I ask you a little questions before I go?"
"Yes, what is it?"
"I was thinking… why did the Tactical Instructor squad want both of us for their experiments? I mean, it's not that I'm protesting their decision… I just find it a little… strange."
"Me too." the General said, "But apparently, you made an impression so good that Development Chief Engineer Adelheid von Schugel wanted to have both of you. He personally contacted Strategic Headquarters to have you both transferred to his department."
"I understand. Then, I shall go…"
"Remember my words, soldier: keep an eye on Degurechaff! Always!"