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Mein Krieg (Youjo Senki/Tanya the Evil OC)

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Chapter 89: Dakians Inepta
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    • Chapter 89: Dakians Inepta    ​


    A few hours later, Havenstein's forces entered Arcidava, receiving a warm welcome by our soldiers and indifference from the local population. Although they were surprised to see a seemingly peaceful city, not under attack from the enemy, they did not lose too much time wondering why: immediately some divisions broke away from the bulk of the formation, heading for the strategic checkpoints around the city, while a large armored car familiar to us stopped shortly before us.

    "May the Devil take me if these are not the two youngest and most reckless mages in the Empire. Greetings to you, Major Degurechaff and König. I hope you didn't have too much trouble taking the town?" Havenstein said, saluting us.

    "Nothing too difficult." Tanya and I replied, returning the salute. "Some rebellious civilians and a preacher convinced he's the new Messiah. Do not worry: we've taken note of their names and dispersed their assembly. We'd like to pass the information on to the Military Police, if possible."

    "That's it?" he asked, dumb folded. "What about the Dakians? They didn't try to attack the city?"

    "We were concerned they would try," I replied. "We had also prepared improvised fortifications to defend ourselves in case they attacked us before you arrived, but in the end, they were no use. They didn't even show up."

    This was a lie: in fact, it was possible that the Dakians were already in view of the city. Some men of the battalion had in fact reported strange reflections, coming from the southeast, and that judging by their descriptions could be the reflection produced by the Sun reflected on the lenses of military binoculars. However, a rapid reconnaissance team had found nothing, except a few torn branches and traces in the mud, which proved that someone had actually been watching us.

    "Strange," Havenstein said, scratching his chin thoughtfully. "From the reports my scouts had passed on to me, I thought it likely they would at least make an attempt to occupy the city. I had no idea the Dakians were so fearful."

    "I don't think it's about fear or lack of guts, even if they have certainly contributed" sad Tanya to my left. "The Dakians probably expected to attack an empty, defenseless city with a population that would support them. The flower of security in a garden of risk. Perhaps our presence here, and the fact that they knew we could keep them busy until you arrived, convinced them to relent."

    "Yes, quite probable," Havenstein said, before smiling. "It was a pleasant surprise though: this will give us time to catch our breath and regroup before we move on to the counterattack."

    "Indeed!" I replied, a mischievous smirk on my face. "In addition, we will be able to gather information on enemy air forces, their size, and their likely plans. Where are the Military Intelligence soldiers attached to you?"

    "They're looking for an ideal place to install their listening post. Once set up, they can start giving us information about the enemy." Havenstein explained. "In the meantime, I have a few questions for you…"

    "For us?" Tanya asked, a little skeptical. "What kind?"

    "Relax, Major Degurechaff: these are a few simple questions about the training your recruits have undergone. There are some strange rumors circulating, and doubts that deserve to be dispelled..."

    "Sirs, sirs!" suddenly, an unknown soldier appeared, looking at us frantically. A quick glance made me realize that he was wearing the uniform of the Imperial Intelligence Service, whose job it was to be aware of what the enemy was doing and to report it to us.

    "What happened?" Tanya said, looking at him. "The Dakians are attacking us?"

    Immediately, my mind stopped for a surprise. Did we underestimate the Dakians? Were they about to attack us en masse, or had the attack already begun? Either way, we were in trouble.

    "N-not yet, sir!" the soldier said, straightening himself. "But we are receiving some communications that require your immediate presence. I believe it is very important…"

    "Sir?" I said, turning toward Havenstein and looking at him with a worried look. "Can we…"

    "Of course you can. Go and take care of whatever is it. Make sure to tell us if these damn Dakians are going to attack us, however! Meanwhile, I am going to check out and help fortify our positions."

    Tanya and I nodded, and quickly followed the soldiers, preparing ourselves for whatever it could be happening right then…


    The soldiers of the intelligent military had settled in an imposing old building, which must have once been the residence of a prince, a duke or a man rich enough to afford such a sumptuous residence. In the space in front of it, the army had already positioned some anti-aircraft batteries to defend the building and its precious contents from possible enemy air raids, and numerous soldiers patrolled the adjacent streets and stood guard around the building's entrances. The building itself had been redecorated and now hoisted numerous red flags with the two-headed dragon on top, the symbol of the empire.

    "I hope this is serious." I said to Tanya as we kept following the soldiers inside the building, slaloming among the other soldiers and people inside "It would be rather humiliating if it turns out that it's a small matter in the end."

    "If in the end, it turns out to be a small matter, we can still report it to the Strategic Headquarter and request their immediate dismissal. After all, we were quite busy already!"

    "I can assure you, sir" the soldier, who apparently had heard us, replied, "That is a very important situation. We are getting reports all of the same types, and we are quite confused because they are saying all the same things!"

    "And… what are they saying?"

    "You'll see soon, sir. We have arrived."

    We went in. We found ourselves in a large room, with numerous tables and communication machinery, and numerous men sitting in front of the machines. On the right, next to a large window, a large strategic map showed the situation along the border between the Empire and Dakia.

    "Sirs!" another man, slightly older than the one who had brought us here, came in front of us. "I'm glad that Kurt has found you. With the current situation, you need to be told immediately."

    "Enough with the chitchat." Tanya almost yelled. "Who are you, and what news do you have that's so important that you urgently need to summon us?"

    "Sirs! First Lieutenant Heiner Heck of the Intelligence Division of the Imperial Army. We asked you to come here so we could share some very important news…"

    "What kind of news?"

    The First Lieutenant did not say anything, instead of passing us a freshly printed document instead.

    "Emergency," I said, reading the paper. "A corps-sized Dakian military unit has invaded our borders. Strategic HQ is ordering an immediate counteroffensive."

    "Yes, sir." Heck replied. "From what info we were able to gather, the enemy infantry comprises approximately 600,000 men, in four army groups. However, judging by the observations of our explorers, the enemy forces seem at least momentarily lacking in armored or mechanized forces."

    "I see," Tanya said, taking the paper from my hands and. "What is the aerial situation? How strong is Dakia's air force?"

    "This is why we have decided to summon you, Sirs." One of the men said. "We currently have no information on the enemy air strength."

    "What? Is there a problem with communications?" Tanya asked.

    "Everything is working fine, sir." the man from before replied. "Information from our reconnaissance planes indicates that the skies of Dakia are clear, and no fighters have come forward to intercept them. There is absolutely no word of an air superiority battle. In addition, we are intercepting enemy communications. Unencrypted communications."

    "Unencrypted?" Tanya said in a state of almost surprise. "Those must be fake, a trap in order to lure us. And I absolutely refuse to believe the enemy has no armored or aerial forces."

    "We thought so too." Heck said. "But all the communications we have picked up so far in the area are the same type, so we hypothesize them to be accurate…"

    "Let me get this straight:" I said, sighing. "Dakia, the country that is actually trying to invade us, is doing so with no armored forces, no air forces, and not even encrypting their communications?"

    "So it seems, sir." Heck replied, looking at me. "Of course, we are staying alert to see if this could still be an act of deception, but so far, we haven't even found any clues that seem to suggest otherwise. On the contrary, the facts appear to be as they seem..."

    "They are not encrypting communications, and they have no air or armored forces?" Tanya said, looking at the map "I did not expect the Dakian Army to be so inept…"

    "Me neither," I replied. "So… what do we do now?"

    An evil grin formed on Tanya's face. "Get the battalion together. We need to give our troops a good speech…"


    "Attention!" someone shouted, and almost immediately, all the soldiers before us stood at attention. Tragen was on the right, and had a proud, albeit slightly uncomfortable attitude. I could understand that, on the other hand: a long transfer trip was very tiring for everyone.

    "Our Commanders, Major Orzak Frederick König, and Major Nardak Tanya Degurechaff will now speak!"

    "Everyone" Tanya debuted. "This is time for war. No, something very similar to war. Today is a very important day for both Major König and I. Today, in fact, is the day of our common birthday. Perhaps, the Dukedom of Dakia already knows this, since they are sending us a gift. A wonderful surprise present. A whole load of targets for a live-fire training exercise. You can choose to shoot them or to destroy them with your spells. With guaranteed air supremacy, this is a manhunt, if anything! This is like kicking boy scouts about! However, before I grant word to our commander, Major Frederick König, try to remember this: this time, the enemy will return fire. Probably…"

    Tanya made a gesture towards me and took a few steps back. I immediately moved forward to where she was a few moments before.

    "Very well. As major Degurechaff has already explained to you, this will not be a true battle, it will be a battle in the name only. As you have already heard, the enemy has neither magical nor traditional air forces. This means that you can concentrate on attacking the enemy's ground forces without worrying about possible attacks from behind. In addition, the enemy does not seem to have armored forces, at least for the moment. This simplifies our task because it means that we will be able to attack simple soldiers on foot, armed only with their rifles, and with little chance of defending themselves against our explosive or drilling spells. However, this does not mean that the enemy is defenseless: it will be armed, and very numerous. They do not have our firepower, true, but perhaps they will not need it to cause us serious problems. For this reason, I want to make sure that each of you remembers the rules of engagement: do not land unless you absolutely have to, stay close to your comrades, make extensive use of the enemy's mistakes, and try not to expose your weaknesses. But above all, I want none of you to feel pity for the enemy today because you will not receive any in return. Any questions?"

    No one spoke.

    "Very well. You have one hour to prepare for your first battle against a flesh and blood enemy. Until then, dismissed!"

    The men were dispersed, almost all of them following their own officer. Only a small group remained.

    "Tragen," I said, walking up to him. "What is it?"

    "Is this real, sir? The enemy really has no air forces?"

    "Looks like it."

    "And they have no armored forces to put against ours?"

    "Ditto."

    Tragen put his hand in his hair, scratching his head with thoughtfulness. "Damn, I wasn't expecting them to make it this easy."

    "Don't tell me you're feeling sorry for them." I joked.

    "Is not that sir. It is just… I was hoping for a real battle, a real confrontation with an enemy that could engage my mind and body."

    "So, you are quite disappointed that our upcoming battle will be easier than we expected us to be?"

    "No, Sir. I just wanted to be sure about that because some of my recruits." he glanced back, and gave a very nasty sergeant look to the men behind him. "I'm still not in the best condition to fight. I was hoping a violent confrontation might be a good final exam."

    "I am sure our impending battle will be a worthy final exam for our recruits." I smiled. "However, try to keep them alive. It would be a bad signal for headquarters if we lost a few soldiers in our first battle."

    "Will do, sir!" he saluted, walking away and starting to bark orders to the soldiers.

    "Still making friends with the underlings, Frederick?" Tanya's voice echoed from behind me. "When are you going to learn that you can't be the boss and a friend at the same time?"

    "Hey! It worked on the Rhine Front!"

     
  • Threadmarks
    • Chapter 90: Fodder for the Guns
  • Threadmarks
    • Chapter 90: Fodder for the Guns​


    "Anything in sight?" I asked nervously for the third, maybe fourth time.

    "No, sir!" the mage responded from behind. "No signs of Dakians military activity."

    "How is that possible? According to intel, we should be on top of one of their advance forces by now."

    "Frederick, pipe down!" Tanya said, looking beneath us like a hawk looking for prey to snatch up and rip apart. "It's been about ten minutes since our battalion left Arcidava, and since the city disappeared from our sight, you've done nothing but ask a random soldier every ten seconds if they'd sighted the Dakians. If you don't trust them, why don't you use your binoculars and search on your own instead of harassing them?"

    "Major Nardak Degurechaff," I said, trying to keep up my commanding officer personality. "I'm just trying to make sure our soldiers are on constant alert. It is my duty as a commanding officer."

    "Sure, whatever..." she scoffed. "Keep saying that: maybe, you'll end up believing your own lies."

    I mumbled, but I did not answer. I did not want to give Tanya any more clues about my anxiousness, especially so close to an imminent battle.

    "Sir?" a friendlier voice came up in my earpiece. "What happened? Dakians forces sighted?"

    "Not yet, Tragen," I replied, careful that Tanya was too much focused on looking for preys to notice me. "Major Degurachaff and I are just discussing the matter. Anyway, don't worry, in a short while, I'll bet-"

    "Contact!" one of the mages at the front, whom I had myself questioned just a couple of minutes before, called out. "I see at least three infantry divisions. Looks like is the Dakians' vanguard unit!"

    Immediately, I grabbed my binocs and looked away, in the direction where the wizard was looking. After a few seconds to adjust my vision, I began to recognize the figures of soldiers on the march.

    How can they be so reckless? was my first thought as soon as I realized what they were doing. They have no artillery, neither for support nor for anti-aircraft or anti-tank purposes; no support vehicles; no visible encampment supplies; they don't have anything but their rifles and their uniforms. They look more like a horde than an invading army.

    "Sir, are you seeing this?" someone asked me.

    "Of course I do. They are in the open, with no safety against a possible air attack of us. It looks like almost they are asking to be attacked."

    "Very well, then. Let's give them-"

    "Wait!" I stopped him. "I have a possible idea. Squad leaders!"

    "Yes sir!" five voices responded simultaneously.

    "Listen very carefully: we are facing several infantry divisions, composed of men dumb enough to charge all the way to Berun with just their rifles on foot. Our priority is not to destroy them, but to disorganize and paralyze them, so Havenstein's armored forces can arrive and proceed to annihilate them. We must be sure, however, that they do not disperse: we cannot risk them going to reinforce any resistance movements against the Empire, just as we can't risk them reporting their defeat and alerting their commanders. For this reason, we will execute an encirclement."

    "An… encirclement pincer maneuver, sir?"

    "First, we need to encircle the enemy. First Lieutenant Neumann?"

    "Yes sir?"

    "Bring your wizards to the right flank of the enemy forces. According to the map, there is a small river, too small to be notable, but deep enough to make it impossible to cross safely. When the enemy, once routed, inevitably tries to flee in your direction, you must hit them with piercing and explosive spells. Above all, try to prevent them from crossing the river," I said with an evil smile. "even at the price of serious losses".

    "Yes, sir!"

    "First Lieutenant Wilibald Koenig?"

    "Yes sir?"

    "Bring your wizards to the left-wing of the enemy forces. From there the enemy would play easy to retreat through the fields. Your job is to make them give up that feat immediately. Use bombardment, armor-piercing and jamming spells, and push the enemy in the direction of Tragen and Neumann."

    "Very well, sir."

    "Tragen!" I called to the most loyal and dependable soldier I could name. "You and your men take the enemy lines. There is a forest beneath you. When we attack, use heavy bombardment spells, but not on the enemy. Target the forest."

    "The... forest, sir?"

    "Yeah. Like all forests, it is made of trees, that are made of wood, and therefore flammable. When the enemy tries to retreat to your position, set it on fire. They will then find themselves faced with a fiery hell, and will not dare to cross it."

    "Oh, right. I understand. Yes sir!"

    "Very well. First lieutenant Weiss?"

    "Yes sir?"

    "Your team will have the most important task: you will lead the attack. You will hit the enemy head-on with explosives and heavy bombardment spells. Your task is to destroy their morale, and push them into a panicked retreat, towards the traps I have already illustrated."

    "Understood, sir!"

    "And now, the first Company…"

    "What about us, Frederick?" Tanya mocked me. "I mean, sir?"

    "You will support the second company, and push the enemy into the traps of the fifth and the fourth. But your goal is simply to kill, maim, paralyze and psychologically annihilate as many enemy soldiers as possible to induce panic."

    Tanya looked at me. "Just that?"

    "Of course not," I replied calmly. "You'll have the honor of targeting and killing as most enemy officers and high officers as possible."

    "Sir?" Viktoriya said, raising her hand "Do we need to be careful with the enemy?"

    "Not as much. However, I strongly suggest you have no piety for any one of them because you are not going to receive anything of that in return. Is that clear?"

    "Yes sir"

    "And what about you, Frederick?" Tanya asked, suddenly suspicious "What are you going to do during all the battle? Stay low and watch?"

    "No, I am going with you, First Squad" I replied, "After all; it is my duty to watch over my most experienced soldiers…"




    "The enemy is approaching, sir," Viktoriya said, looking through her binoculars. "I don't think they're aware of our presence yet."

    "Roger. Squad leaders? Are you in position?"

    "Yes sir!"

    "Ready for action!"

    "Let's squash these bastards!"

    "Good." I smiled. "First lieutenant Weiss: commence the attack!"

    "Yes sir!" he saluted, before starting to fly toward the upcoming horde of enemy soldiers, along with the mages under his direct command.

    "Tanya, can your mages support Weiss' company if that becomes necessary?"

    "Of course!" she said smugly. "There is nothing that mere infantry can do against us!"

    "Good to hear. Now, let's see how the Second Company manages on its own…"

    Immediately, I grabbed my binoculars and raised it to my eyes, so I could enjoy the spectacle of the massacre of the Dakians soldiers without missing the beginning. A few seconds to adjust the vision, then I was able to focus on the advancing enemy soldiers.

    Apparently, they weren't just behaving like a disorganized horde, they really were: I saw soldiers shouting loudly, the officers (a few, all on horseback like paladins of ancient medieval sagas) cheering them on by pointing their swords forward, a great lack of discipline and rodeo. They did not even advance in line: even the soldiers of the Entente, when Tanya and I first met them, were more trained and disciplined than these.

    A few seconds, then the first shots fired by Weiss's squad reached their targets: I saw Dakians hurled here and there by the explosions, and the immense horde stop while they realized they were under attack. Nevertheless, they didn't have much time to realize it, because Weiss's men immediately set off with a new burst of explosive spells.

    "Tanya, order your squad to cover Weiss's squad right now. High-level exploding spells… fire!"

    A few seconds later, new explosions abridged large chunks in the Dakian ranks. The most fortunate among them were the ones who were hit directly, and as such, were killed almost instantly before they could even realize they were dead. Some… were not so lucky.

    I could see them in my binoculars: soldiers with one arm or leg missing, who desperately called for help; men cut in half by the explosions, or gutted, who held their now-bleeding stomachs in pain; blood, pain, unimaginable suffering.

    "Again. Fire!"

    New explosions hit the Dakians horde, killing more soldiers in a few instances of one-sided fighting. But that wasn't the best part. Panic germs are very powerful and very influential. If a person panics, especially if in the midst of other terrified people, under stress or desperately looking for a way to survive, it spreads and takes root at a speed that not even a cold can hope to reach.

    First, it was just a few soldiers, then someone close to them who wanted to imitate them, finally, the entire horde of Dakians soldiers turned back and ran as fast as they could towards the forest, looking for a possible refuge from our attack.

    Fools.

    "Tragen: enemy soldiers incoming. Ready to light them up?"

    "Ready and eager, sir! Can I give the order?"

    "Not yet. Wait… wait…"

    Some of the Dakian soldiers were now reaching the forest, and hiding among its trees.

    "Now!"

    A red blaze rose over the forest, struck by the incendiary spells fired by Tragen and mages under his command. Like a felled phoenix, the fire burned down the greenery, setting aflame the animals that inhabited it and the Dakians who had sought refuge under the foliage in vain.

    I could almost feel the heat through the binoculars.

    "Dakians, roasted and braised, house specialty!" Tragen's happy voice echoed in my earpiece.

    "Well done, Tragen. Now, bring your soldiers to Neumann's company and support them in the suppression of any who tries to escape. Remember, give them no quarter!"

    "We absolutely won't sir!" Tragen almost roared.

    "Tanya, what is the situation on your end?" I asked, changing people to contact.

    "So far so good." She replied. "We have almost nothing to do. The Dakians are very weak: they cannot mount a real resistance against us"

    "Very well: anyone wounded or forced to land?"

    "Not yet, Frederick. And if they do not want to die by my hand, by the end of this battle there still will be none!"

    "    Remember that we are soldiers of the Empire, Tanya!" I verbally reprimanded her. "We can't be too harsh with our own soldiers. Have you forgotten the Rhine already?"

    "I haven't forgotten, you…"

    She stopped suddenly, making me realize she had seen something. Something, that she did not like. At all.

    "Tanya? What's happening?"

    "What's that? What are they doing?" she said, without probably realizing I was still listening.

    "Tanya; what's happening?"

    "Frederick..." she finally responded. "The Dakians are gathering in some places. I don't get it: all they are doing is making themselves more vulnerable to bombardment."

    Immediately, I grabbed my binoculars again and looked away, trying to locate what Tanya was talking about. It wasn't long before I located a large group of Dakians soldiers, gathered together, and with their weapons aimed at the sky.

    "Tanya, I've located the Dakians. From here it looks like they are lining up to fire a volley."

    "You're kidding!" she exclaimed. "What year do they think this is?"

    "This explains a lot: their officers still have to rely on the tactics and strategies of the cavalry era."

    "But who are they going to attack?"

    "It looks like… Weiss' squad!" I exclaimed as I recognized the situation. "Looks like he is falling back with his mages in order to avoid the enemy's volley!"

    "What? He is breaking attack formation?" she almost screamed in the earphone. "This cannot be!"

    "But it is." I groaned. "The enemy infantry is getting into Anti-Air formation. So, as doctrines dictate, Weiss is trying to fall back so to put himself and his men outside of the enemy's weapon range…"

    "Doctrine? That idiot can't even act without a manual? Does he really think bullets can hit a mage in flight? If any mage would get shot down by this, I would kill him before the enemy does!"

    "Looks like our comrades need some reinforcement. How far are you and your squad from my position, Tanya?"

    "We are at thirty meters from your position. You want us to reach you?"

    "No. We need to attack the Dakians right now, so Weiss and his squad can stop falling back and resume their attack. We are going to fly right over them. Your mages have grenades?"

    "Enough to turn a tank battalion into dust!"

    "Alright! I will attack first, to disperse their formation and try to make them focus on me. When they do, you launch. Understood?"

    "Yes understood. Tanya out!"

    I took my hand off the earphone and immediately fought toward the enemy's AA formation. I knew I was spotted as soon as I slowed to take aim because some bullets of isolated shots hit my shield.

    "You-you bastard!" one of the Dakians officers shouted looking at me. "This is not fair. Come down and fight like a man!"

    "I am a child, not a man," I grunted taking aim with my rifle and pressing the trigger. A moment later, several explosive rounds fell on the formation, opening wide gaps and dispersing members.

    "But today, you and your soldiers…"

    That's when Tanya and the soldiers in her squad arrived. At great speed, they flew past the enemy soldiers, dropping bombs and grenades. Within seconds, enemy lines were decimated.

    "… are fodder for our guns!" I smiled, looking down at the massacre of the Dakian Vanguard.
     
  • Threadmarks
    • That was an epic quote, but i think it would have been better if it was "But today, you and your soldiers…" "Are Dead"
     
    RandomDwarf said:
    Okay....I speak for everyone what the fuck we're those guys thinking....

    This...this is just depressing really.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    Even worse? trunk didn't have to change anything about what the Dakians did in canon.

    Yes, the Dakians marching into the Empire with three divisions (canon had their numbers be close to 80k, slightly more than 3x25k men that's considered three standard infantry divisions today) and no support is completely canon.
     
    Chapter 91: No Visa
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    • Chapter 91: No Visa​



    The massacre lasted for almost an hour. For an hour, Dakia soldiers desperately tried to organize a defense, find a safe haven, or even just save themselves, while above them the mages of our battalion continued to attack them mercilessly. Some, seeing us speeding over them, instinctively pointed their rifles at us, and tried to shoot. Useless... Even if a mage wasn't fast enough to avoid the bullets, our shields were more than enough to protect us from the common bullets of the Dakians rifles. Almost all the soldiers who tried to shoot at us had no other result than to draw our attention to them... and our response fire.

    Others tried to save themselves by throwing themselves to the ground and trying to remain motionless, perhaps in the hope of blending in with the corpses of their murdered comrades. Again, useless: our magical vision allowed us to recognize the dead from the still living. Besides, we were not short of bullets to "play it safe."

    Still others, perhaps the smartest or the most emotionally impressionable, were able to see the reality of the situation: they were under attack from a formation of enemy mages, elite soldiers who knew how to fight in a way unknown to them; they had no means to oppose us, and without group cohesion and officers to lead them, they could not react effectively. Sure, they could continue to fight, but to what end? Even if they continued, they knew they had no hope: surrounded on all sides, with no way out and forced to watch their comrades die like flies, one after the other, it was too much for them. Therefore, they made the only smart move they could make.

    They dropped their rifles on the ground, raised their hands to the sky, and surrendered, hoping to be spared.

    Poor fools. I do not know who deserves my pity more: they, because the death that we did not give them, was given to them by their companions still armed, who, seeing them surrender, cried treason, or the poor devils who shot at them, and only realized after they had shot them that they had no option but the same.

    Probably none of them.

    Only when, an hour into our attack, some mages reported to have sighted an armored scouting corps coming from Arcidava, the clash ceased and the massacre became a common cleaning operation.

    We did not land, we just descended enough so that the Dakians could see our faces and hear the sound of our voices, but ready to ascend if something went wrong. The grass gave off a strange smell of mud and blood mixed together, very similar to the petrichor, and the air was a constant silence, interrupted only by the mumbling and the sounds of the pain of the wounded and dying.

    We immediately set to work: we gathered the soldiers still alive and able to walk in a small corner of the big clearing and put Tragen and his mages to guard them. We located the wounded (there were many less than expected) and divided them into two categories: those whose wounds were quite light, who would have survived the long march to the prison camps more easily, and the others, those who were too badly injured and would die within a few hours at most. The latter would be taken care of by the diggers.

    "What a waste," Viktoriya said, looking at the great number of bodies dispersed all around us. "I still cannot believe we were the ones to do this…"

    "Yes, we were," Tanya replied, cold as ever. "Would prefer to be the one in need of a grave?"

    "No, sir! It's just that…"

    A sound of tracks caught our attention, and all three of us turned around, seeing a giant tank coming towards us. On the turret, painted on both sides, was the imperial two-headed dragon.

    "Surrender! Surrender immediately and nothing will happen to you!" shouted a voice from inside the turret. "We are the vanguard of the 3rd​ Regiment of the 4th​ Imperial Armored Corps. Surrender immediately and you will be treated fairly as prisoners of war."

    "Sorry to disappoint you, but that won't be necessary," I said levitating slightly in their direction. "Major Frederick König, commander of the 203rd​ Mage Battalion of the Imperial Army. You've arrived just in time to help us with the cleanup."

    At those words, the hatch of the turret opened, and a soldier with a handlebar mustache came out of it, who looked at us for a few seconds before saluting us. "Sorry sir, we did not recognize you. Corporal Franz Keyserling, at your service. We must take over your prisoners and report new orders from command."

    "New orders? Of what kind?"

    "I believe it would be better if you hear of your own," he said, passing me some kind of communicator that was apparently related to the tank communications system.

    I looked at him and took the microphone near to my ear. "Hello?"

    "Hello?" Someone on the other end repeated. "This is Imperial Intelligence Command at Arcidava. Who is it?"

    "Major Frederick König, 203rd​ Mage Battalion. Corporal Keyserling told me that there are new orders for our unit."

    "Yes sir. Here are your new operational orders: our reconnaissance planes have reported a possible enemy headquarters, located a few kilometers inside our border. Strategic Headquarters wants to send a rapid response unit to occupy it and acquire as much intel as possible, but our nearest armored forces already have their operational orders, and they won't get there in time."

    "Understood. How much time we have to reach the location?"

    "The sooner the better, major. As for the prisoner, do not worry: we are having a Motorized Military Police unit coming to your current position: they will make the effort to round them up and take them to the prison camp."

    "Very well. First Lieutenent König, out!"

    "Sir?" Viktoriya looked at me. "What's happening?"

    I looked around. Gradually, other tanks and motorized vehicles of the Imperial Army were arriving in the opening, and some crews were starting to round up the Dakians prisoners and group them into small groups. The Dakians did not put up any resistance: after what we had done to them, they no longer had the strength.

    "Corporal Keyserling!" I looked at him. "You and your men can deal with the Dakians prisoners until the Military Police arrives. Looks like we have our new order to deal with!"

    "No problem, sir!" The tank officer replied. "It will be a pleasure dealing with these hillbillies…"

    I nodded, before turning around to face the mages of my units.

    "Frederick!" Tanya suddenly said, walking towards me with eyes full of questions. "What did they tell you? What are our new orders?"

    "It looks like we are headed to the Dakia-Empire frontier, for some border duty…"




    Once the prisoners were handed over to the soldiers of the armored division, we headed towards the border in search of the phantom enemy headquarters. All the time on the trip, I could hear the soldiers behind us talking excitedly. They had good reason: all the time before the clash with the Dakians, they had feared that the enemy might be more fearsome than reality seemed to suggest and that the clash with them would be hard and bloody. Instead, it proved to be simpler and more bearable than the same training Tanya and I had put them through.

    This, of course, had generated new confidence and optimism.

    "Looks like the soldiers are very enthusiastic about their action of today," I said to Tanya as we flew side by side. "And very happy too..."

    "They are too happy for their own good." she retorted. "Maybe we should give them some training duty when we return to the base."

    "What? And why would we do that?" I asked, dumbfounded.

    "You said it: they are too happy! A soldier whois happy with himself is too confident, and as such in danger of making mistakes. WE need to remind them that we are at war, and in war, there is no place for happiness and self-confidence in excess."

    "Is that the real reason, Tanya?" I asked, looking at her. "Or is it just part of your grand plan to eliminate all trace of happiness from the world?"

    "I do not want to eliminate happiness; I just want to filter it."

    "You know what? You should stop being so negative and start enjoying life. You know, trying to smile wouldn't hurt you..."

    "Contact!" one of our wizards on the forefront said, looking into his binocular. "It looks like an enemy headquarter. And this time, it does not looks like a decoy!"

    "Why do you think about this?" I asked, flying ahead and grabbing my own binocular.

    "I see many anti-air cannons placed all around it, sir," he responded. "From what I am able to see, I see ground artillery places in strategic positions…"

    I looked off on my own. Yes, this time it looked like the real deal, and not a simple decoy. The previous one was very terrible: just a couple of tents and a Dakian flag, with no artillery or men to even maintain the illusion.

    "Sir!" the mage responsible for the communications said. "I am picking up several transmissions coming from it. It looks like they are all in Dakian, and they are not encrypted."

    "Why I am not surprised..." Tanya moaned, "They are broadcasting communication in clear, without even dropping the output?"

    "Affirmative, sir!"

    "I am actually starting to think that we have mowed down tourists, not an invading army!" she exclaimed.

    "A tourist needs a Visa to enter a foreign country" I replied. "Maybe we should ask them if they have theirs..."

    We landed. As we were on the ground, the Dakians rushed out of their tents. Most were obviously ordinary soldiers, but there were also many officers.

    "Y-you bastards!" one of them, an officer in a Tyrolean-like hat and with many medals hanging on his chest, screaming at us.

    "Greetings and welcome in the Empire!" Tanya gleamed towards him. "What is the purpose of your visit? Do you have a Visa?"

    The officer looked at us with eyes that almost went out of his orbit. For some reason, that convinced me to take Tanya's joke.

    "Before crossing the border," I said, trying to do my best office-accountant voice and mannerism. "you need to answer some questions. What is the reason for you wanting to enter the Empire? Do you have parents living there? Is this a simple social visit or are you planning to emigrate? Alternatively, are you merchant? Would you like to take your products with you? You will have to pay the duty on the circulation stamp, and of course, we have to check your wares for contraband..."

    The Dakian officer kept looking at us for a couple more seconds. Then, he suddenly reached for his holster, took of a gun, and tried to shoot at us.

    "S-shut up, you monster!"

    His bullets bounced off my shield without weakening it.

    "Huh?"

    "So you wish to trade bullets?" I mimicked as I was filling an official form. "The relative fee is five marks for each kilo of bullets. In addition, I have to add five hundred marks for attempting to use them on an officer of the Empire. You are now required to show your Visa for further questions…"

    "Shut up! Shut up!" he kept screaming and shooting with no results until his gun was empty.

    "No Visas?" Tanya mocked him. "Would you like to enter our beautiful country as a prisoner of war, then?"

    "K-kill the all! Open fire!" the officer shouted once more, talking to his soldiers and underlings.

    A few seconds, then a hailstorm of Dakians bullets spill over our shields.

    "Sir, this is a waste of time, right?" Viktoriya asked, looking around her and at the Dakians soldiers who were still trying, with no success, to breach our shields with non-boosted rifles and common bullets.

    "I believe so. Major, your impressions?"

    "I believe we have three options ahead of us," Tanya replied. "We can stay here and wait until they bring something powerful enough to breach our shields, or more realistically until they waste all their ammunition. Or… we can avoid losing any more time discussing with these idiots and just kill all of them, so we can use the rest of the time at our disposition in a more productive way."

    I smirked. "To all units: kill them all. Leave only the CO alive!"

    "Yes sir!" the mages behind us, roared, raising their rifles in turn.

    A few minutes, and it was all over. No imperial mage was wounded. On the other hand, the commanding Dakian was alone, standing among his now lifeless soldiers.

    "You bastards!" he exclaimed as we broke the formation and Tanya walked towards him. "You won't get away with…"

    "Oh, quiet already!" she yelled, kicking him with her own booth right into his stomach. "If you wanna talk, you'll have plenty of time once we escort you to our Intelligence men. Tragen!"

    "Yes sir?" he asked, walking toward her with an unsure look.

    "Take the prisoner, tie him up, and gag him. Make sure he doesn't kill himself to avoid interrogation!"

    "Yes sir!" he shouted, before looking for two other mages of his squad. "You two, with me!"

    "Very well, sir!"

    "Now, we need to take everything we can the men from Intelligence. Soldiers, inspect the enemy headquarters and take everything you find useful. Especially the documents: The enemy's war plans will help us greatly!"

    "Yes sir!"




    "Take everything but the bodies!" Tanya shouted, looking at over the room where our mages were busy scavenging everything they could find useful for the imperial war effort. "Presents for Strategic Headquarters. You, put a booby trap on that corpse!"

    "Yes sir!"

    "Tanya?" I asked her. "What is the situation?"

    "Very good!" she smirked. "Apparently, the Dakians are so inept they didn't even bother to put their most precious documents and equipment under lock and key: we've got everything from their war plans to their strategic objectives, including key positions for their offensive."

    "Affirmative. I already contacted the 120th​ mechanized recon: they're about 15 kilometers from our position. They will send a platoon to pick up everything, and take it to Arcidava."

    "Excellent. And… what about the enemy situation?"

    "According to the reports, the Dakians still have one large army of 150.000 and they are trying to use it to support their Third Army, who are currently being attacked and destroyed by the 45th​, 46th​ Armored, and 73rd​ Mechanized Divisions. According to their own Intel, they still hope to end the day with a foothold on the Empire's territory."

    "Idiots," she smirked. "Does Strategic Headquarters have new orders for us?"

    "Not yet. However, I got in contact with an officer who said that our unit has permission to harass the enemy's logistics and supplies, in order to help the incoming 7th​ Air Fleet, who is set to arrive shortly. As soon as they have refueled and rearmed, they will launch a full-scale attack on the remaining Dakian forces…"

    "Excellent..." she replied thoughtfully.

    "Maybe we should come and join them," I replied. "It's a guaranteed victory, from what I have been able to see…."

    "No. Let our allies deal with the remaining enemy forces. We have a better objective on our hands."

    "What do you mean?"

    "You said that we have the permission to disturb the enemy logistics and supplies, right? The Dakians are still expecting to fight with the illusion that they are not going to be attacked on their home soil. I believe this is the chance to prove them wrong."

    "Oh, so you want to cross the frontier and attack some supply depots of the Dakians?"

    "No, I want to hit something more precious to them, both for their war effort… and for their belief in victory…"

    "What are you talking about?"

    "The enemy's capital, Frederick." she smiled hungrily. "It's the best chance we have to destroy the enemy's factories and their morale with a single strike. Our battalion does not have to rely on roads or rail like most of the units do, and this means that we can reach it with the enemy none the wiser."

    I pondered it. Yes, Tanya was right: the enemy capital was one of the few industrialized regions of Dakia, and as such, the best chance for us to locate and destroy the factories aiding the Dakian war effort. Once the news that an enemy unit had managed to reach and destroy something useful in their own capital diffused among their troops and population… the Dakian government would find itself losing popular support.

    "Are you sure this would not go against orders?" I asked. "We've only been ordered to assist the other troops, not to attack the enemy's cities."

    "We are not going against orders," Tanya said. "We are just interpreting them in our own way. And I do not believe they are going to protest once we singlehandedly destroy the Dakians' heavy industry. So, the real question is… are you with me?"

    She offered me her right hand. I looked at her.

    "For the Empire?" she asked.

    I smiled, grasping her hand and shaking it.

    "For the Empire."

    And for Death.
     
    Last edited:
  • Threadmarks
    • Chapter 92: From The Mouths of Children
  • Threadmarks

    • Chapter 92: From The Mouths of Children​



    "So, this is it?" I looked down. "Os: The Capital of Dakia."

    Below us was a large and populous city, whose inhabitants were completely unaware that they were at war, or at least they were unaware of the danger ahead of them. I could see lit up streetlights and windows on all the houses streaming out light from the inside.

    It's as if they were begging to be bombed.

    "Affirmative, sir." First Lieutenant Neumann said. "I can recognize several important churches and key buildings."

    "Acknowledged. Tanya, still no response from their anti-air forces?"

    "Absolutely nothing." she replied. "From what I can see, the locals don't even know we're here, much less preparing an interception. This alone proves that they have no aerial or anti-aircraft units: if they did, they would have already detected and attacked us."

    Unbelievable. I repeated in my mind for the zillionth time. We're right on top of their capital, in the very center of their territory and we haven't even been sighted. Could the Dakians be so incompetent?

    "I see. Any worthy targets so far?"

    "So far we have identified three main bridges and two buildings that could be both luxury residences and headquarters of important ministries. The lights are on, so they either work late or they are private residences."

    "Keep looking then. We need to find high value targets. Something very big and important, something like a…"

    "Target sighted!" Viktoriya said, looking down in her own binoculars. "Looks like an arms factory, possibly Republican-backed, by the looks of it. Ten o'clock, low, distance one mile."

    Immediately, I spied in the same direction with my own binoculars. At first glance, Viktoriya was right: a large, straight building, with two chimneys in the middle from which blackish smoke came out, and from whose windows lights shone, indicating that someone must be inside working at that precise moment.

    I groaned. If it really was an arms factory, destroying it would be an important bonus goal for our battalion, and an excellent piece of news to feed to our propaganda and the masses of the Empire. However, if there were people working inside, we could not attack it directly: international law required us to issue a warning so that they could get out and save themselves, in the same way as passengers on a ship stopped by a submarine.

    Nevertheless, if we informed the Dakians of our intention to bomb their factory they could, under the pretext of a slow evacuation, either save some of the weapons that were being produced at the time, or they could even try to to attack us. With what, I did not know, since apparently Dakia was too backwards to have an air force, and too superstitious to have mages, but they certainly would use anything available to resist.

    I looked down at the factory again, by increasing the zoom with my binoculars so I could recognize even the smallest figures. Now I could clearly see some immobile figures, probably soldiers guarding the building, while other moving figures were probably the workers moving the finished weapons and ammunition from the factory to the nearby warehouse. I could also see several anti-aircraft guns, all located together in a clearing in front of the factory, abandoned to themselves for the time being, but which would be stormed and used against us as soon as we communicated our attack.

    I dropped a growl. Attacking without warning was a crime condemned by the Genieva Convention, and could have cost me a degradation. However, if we reported the attack, we would have risked much more.

    "I see it now." Tanya said smugly. "It's definitely an arms factory. All but guaranteed to be filled with flammables and explosives."

    "But I can't see their air defense." Viktoriya said. "Where are they?"

    "Right next to the fabric, in the nearby clearing. They are not quite visible as no one is busy with maintaining them right now, but if we attack, they will surely try and use it…"

    "That is their anti-air forces?" Tanya almost laughed. "Oh man, they look more like badly maintained artillery, not any real flak guns."

    "For sure. Still, if one of those hits us, we could take casualties." I replied.

    "Only if they hit us. And if they manage to break our shields…" Tanya smirked, still looking at the almost helpless factory like a hawk. "But they won't be able to. They are still using last century's paradigm. They seem to be stuck in the past."

    "Then this is our chance!" Viktoriya said, looking at Tanya and I. "Let's attack the factory and cripple their production."

    "Second Lieutenant," Tanya replied, with a stern gaze on her face. "we are not the kind of barbarians who would ignore international laws. In adherence to the laws the ethicist people made to safeguard the wellbeing of all the people, we must destroy nothing but the enemy factory and its contents, and warn them to evacuate."

    "But, Major!" Weiss protested. "We'll lose the chance for a surprise attack!"

    "First lieutenant Weiss," Tanya gave him another stern look too. "I saw this earlier, but you tend to play by the book a little too much. I saw how you almost retreated when the Dakians used an obsolete tactic against you and your squad, forcing myself to personally intervene."

    "I-I am sorry sir!"

    "He is not all wrong though." I said, making everyone focus on me. "If we make contact with the Dakians and inform them that we intend to attack their factory, I don't think they will just run away. They will try to defend themselves by any means at their disposal. It is true that they do not have much of a chance, but even a mouse, once cornered, remains dangerous."

    "Major Orzak Frederick König," Tanya said looking directly at me. "can you please come here? I have something I would like to speak about, preferably in private…"

    "Fine." I said, floating until I was right next to Tanya. "What is it?"

    "It's that you are always a brainless idiot!" she almost shouted at low tone of voice in my ear. "What do you want to do, ignore international laws and attack an enemy factory without even warning them to evacuate? There will be wounded and dead!"

    "Since when did that bother you, Tanya?" I replied, holding a smirk. "Maybe you are starting to develop a soul and morality?"

    "Of course not, you doll head. But if word gets out that we have attacked a building full of civilians without warning them of our imminent attack, we'll be screwed: the Republic will denounce it and use it as evidence to testify that the Imperials are a barbaric people who do not respect international laws and do not hesitate to spill the blood of civilians. If the news spreads, it could cost the Empire many friendships and many supporters, for the benefit of our enemies. Do you want to be the one to explain this to the General?"

    I gulped. Tanya was right, once more. A mismanagement of the operation could have turned what could have been our greatest success so far into a pyric victory, for us and for the empire.

    Still…

    "So, you want to warn them? That is the worst way I can possibly think to try to screw up our attack. As soon as we tell them they are going to be attacked, they'll react."

    "Only if they have reasons to think that the alarm is real…" she smirked.

    "What do you mean?" I asked, not getting what she wanted to say.

    "I mean… let me handle this, follow me and go along with what I am going to do…"

    I looked for a few second, and then I nodded. In the silence of my heart, however, I could not help but hope that Tanya knew what she was doing.

    "Very well..." she said, before looking away from me and in direction of Viktoriya. "Second Lieutenant, please give me the microphone. Me and Major Frederick want to give the warning ourselves."

    Huh? my mind sputtered, while Viktoriya passed the techno-magic gadget to Tanya. What is she planning? Does she hope that our fame is so great that they will not try to react?

    "Here is it, sir."

    "Good. Now, on the international channel, just like the law says." she said, pushing on a few buttons to enable the communications.

    This is it. I groaned mentally. Once the enemy knows that we are here, they are going to….

    "Instructor!" Tanya suddenly yelled, in a very child-like voice, that I have no heard since the last propaganda movie she and I were forced to act for the Propaganda office. "We swear that we will conduct a fair war in accordance with international law!"

    I looked around. Many mages in our battalion watched Tanya, mouths agape, almost not believing that such a brutal officer could be capable of such a childlike voice. Tragen also had his mouth wide open and big eyes for surprise.

    What is she doing? Why is she talking like a child? Does she want the enemy to believe we are-



    ...



    Oh.     I smirked as I realized her plan.

    "And now, I want to give the word to our esteem commanding officer!" Tanya said, again in her childish loli voice, before passing me the microphone. I took a deep breath… and spoke in turn.

    "Attention, Dakians!" I said, mustering up all the childishness and high pitch I could. "We are mages of the Imperial Army, and we want to tell you that you factory is going to blow up soon! We warn you now, so you can escape with you lives, but only if you start running now! I repeat: the Imperial Army is going to launch an attack on your factory, escape now!"

    I stopped talking, and started to listen at what was happening right under us. For a second, I worried that Tanya's gambit had failed and, although both she and I practically spoke like children even half our age, the Dakians had recognized the genuine treat and reacted accordingly.

    However, nothing happened.

    "Seco-" I stopped, as I realized I was still talking in my child voice. "Second Lieutenant, are the Dakians reacting to our warning?"

    "No sign of emerging enemy activity, sir." she smiled. "This is wonderful: from what I am able to see, they seem to think that this is just some children's prank!"

    I looked at Tanya, and she replied with a smirk, or mabe an evil grin of satisfaction. I almost did not believe it worked.

    "Majors… I mean, Sirs, I did not knew you had theater experience."

    Huh? I thought with a slight irritation.

    "That was… the most convincing child voice I have ever heard. And I have two little brothers and a younger sister!" Tragen said, almost laughing.

    "Major, were you an actress?"

    "Major, where did you learn to speak like this?"

    "Sir, when-"

    "Enough!" I yelled, and suddenly everyone stopped talking. "Now, everyone: we have fulfilled our duty under international law and the human rights accords. Now, time to get to work!"

    It took only a few seconds, and immediately the mages took up their rifles, setting themselves in a firing position.

    "All units. Prepare Ultra-Long-Range explosive and artillery spells!" Tanya yelled, getting ready in turn. "Target is the Carbelius Weapons Factory. Company, match your fire to mine and Major Frederick's!"

    I knew what I had to do. As I took aim with my rifle, I began to mechanically repeat with my mouth the words that I hated so much, but to which I owed my power.

    "Before the mountains were made, or the Earth and the World were formed; from eternity and to eternity thou art God. Turn not man away to be brought low, for thou hast said: Be converted, O ye Sons of Men."

    I started to feel the energy growing inside me. I carefully checked my aim.

    "For a thousand years in thy sight are as yesterday, which is past. And as a watch in the night, Things that are counted nothing, shall their years be."

    The energy kept growing.

    "In the morning Man shall grow up like grass, in the morning he shall flourish and pass away, in the evening he shall fall, grow dry, and in thy wrath we have fainted away: and are troubled in thy indignation."

    A small golden light appeared on my chest, growing bigger and bigger for every second it passed. I knew, without need of a glass, that my eyes were turning golden too.

    "Thou hast set our iniquities before thy eyes: our life in the light of thy countenance. For all our days are spent; and in thy wrath we have fainted away. Our years shall be considered as a moment."

    My rifle began to shine in turn.

    "The days of our years in them are threescore and ten years. But if in the strong they be fourscore years, and what is more of them is labour and sorrow. For mildness is come upon us, and we shall be corrected. Who knoweth the power of thy anger, and for thy fear."

    I took careful aim toward one of the largest building of the factory.

    "Can thy wrath be numbered? So make thy right hand known, and men learned in heart, in wisdom. "

    I narrowed my eyes.

    "Return, O Lord, how long, and be entreated in favour of thy servants. We are filled in the morning with thy mercy: and we have rejoiced, and are delighted all our days. We have rejoiced for the days in which thou hast humbled us: for the years in which we have seen evils. "

    The energy inside me had now reached its peak. I was ready to bring, again, death and destruction on earth.

    "Look upon thy servants and upon their works, and direct their children. And let the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us, and direct thou the works of our hands over us; yea, the work of our hands do thou direct. "

    "Open fire!" Tanya yelled, with a growl of anger and hatred.

    I pulled the trigger. In an instant, about sixty magical projectiles poured into the factory. On contact, the bullets exploded, reducing the site to ruins and rubble, and setting off a gigantic fire.

    I lowered the rifle and took out the binoculars to try and enjoy the show. I could almost feel the heat of the flames through the lenses of the binoculars.

    "Twenty-one directs on the factory and munitions depots." Viktoriya reported, looking in turn at the giant destruction we had just caused. "The rest are near misses…"

    "Good work, men! Now, let's-" I started to say, before a new, sudden explosion cut me off.

    "What was that?" Tragen asked.

    "A secondary detonation..." Tanya explained, as it was the most natural thing in the world. "Apparently, their ammunitions depots were indeed full of weapons and ammunition they were planning to use. Too bad…"

    "Wow!" I said, gazing all over the fire of the factory, who was quickly spreading over the near buildings. "That was… epic!" I raised my fist to the sky, like a kid who had just scored max level on his favorite videogame

    "Tamaya!" Tanya yelled, making me turn to face her and smile. So, she did knew something fun-related!

    "Tama… what?" someone asked.

    "Just an expression of joy, soldier: do not worry about it" Tanya was quickly to answer. "Looks like we owe Dakia big time: not only did they help us finish with a live-fire training exercise, but they even treated us with a post-exercise fireworks show!"

    I smiled. There was something creepy in the fire below us, considering that it was now consuming buildings full of helpless civilians. Still, they were very satisfying to watch.

    "To all units," Tanya immediately began to speak up again. "we have achieved our objective. Now let's head back before…"

    "No" I said, still looking on my binoculars. "To all units: prepare for a new shot. New strategic enemy objective identified. Get ready to destroy it!"

    "Frederick?" Tanya said, flying toward me and hissing. "What are you talking about? We can't stay: the Dakians are on high alert!"

    "True," I replied. "but they will still need some time before they can organize themselves and determine if the attack was actually by the enemy. We have more than enough time for another target…"

    "And what objective are you talking about?" she came closer, looking at me with interrogative eyes.

    In response, I raised my arm and pointed it in the direction of our next target. "There."

    "There is it? But, what…. Frederick, are you serious?" she looked at me with surprised eyes.

    "I am. Destroying a critical factory is going to damage the Dakians war effort quite a bit. However, killing their sovereign…" I gleamed looking at the great building that could not be other than the residence of the Grand Duke of Dakia. "Is going to break them..."
     
  • Threadmarks
    • Chapter 93: The Rebellious (Dakian) Princess
  • Threadmarks

    • Chapter 93: The Rebellious (Dakian) Princess​



    A military life, by definition, is one of hardship and toil, where there is little room for luxuries. For this reason officers, like ordinary soldiers, were discouraged from investing their well-deserved wages in quality liquor or potentially valuable front-line items of prime utility, and were driven rather to buy victory vouchers and military letters of credit to help their nation win the war. I went down the same path, even if I did not know how much money Tanya had pushed me to invest in war bonds, just to "show my patriotic spirit".

    However, an officer still had the right to keep himself informed about the developments of the war and the military successes of his fatherland. And what better way to keep yourself constantly updated than a morning newspaper?

    I put the half-empty cup of hot chocolate that I was drinking on the table, then I took my hand back to the newspaper that I was reading, looking carefully at the articles in it, eyes scanning for interesting news or articles that talked about me, Tanya and our battalion.

    When I read a newspaper, I usually read it in contrast to a normal person, and I read it starting from the last pages. This had a very simple reason: such pages, just because they were the last ones, were the ones that were less likely to be read, and as such, the omniscient eye of propaganda was less dedicated to employ its men and resources to fill them with lies and data alterations. This meant that they were the most truthful pages of the newspaper.

    Therefore, I began to read the newspaper carefully, starting with low-level sports news. Almost all of them were devoid of anything related to the war, and for this reason, almost all (probably) true. Hardly the enemy spies could be interested in the results of a soccer match between two small city teams, or in the placings of an archery competition.

    Then came the advertising: a large page, divided into many small sections, each one dedicated to promote that particular product. It was advertising in a much more archaic and backward form than the ones I was used to, less effective, but also less intrusive and annoying. In this world, where television did not yet exist, and where radio still maintained the role of the main means of communication and familiar information, it would be a long time before words like "spam" could take on the meaning I was used to give it.

    Shortly afterwards came a few pages, officially still advertising, but which I knew well was intended for Imperial propaganda and the promotion of the policies of the Empire. Today's image was a lithograph depicting a family of happy farmers living in an apparent unbridled luxury without limits. Above it, words full of emphasis stood out: "Families of the Empire: Claim what is yours! A farm... For free! Guaranteed income for the first five years"

    I smiled, while my brain reconnected occult propaganda to the Imperial policy from which it derived: Almost every day the newspapers, as well as the radios and posters in the streets flaunted new appeals, slogans and images in order to find settlers willing to leave the large cities of the empire and move to the newly acquired territories, to encourage the population and development of these regions and their integration into the Empire. An intelligent idea, but one that often clashed with the harsh reality of those who did not want to be assimilated: Many settlers, after having imagined a life of luxury and fertility, had to deal with an existence conditioned by the poverty of the soil, the massacre and the squalor of the town-colonies, where attacks by secessionist groups were the order of the day. Only last week, a Russian-Polish bomber had dropped a bomb on an officer of the Imperial Army and his new bride. Both had survived, but the shock of the attack had led the Strategic Headquarters to put the town under martial law for over a week.

    I continued. Now I was on a page of the newspaper, announcing the births, marriages and funerals of the people who lived in the area: Ebbe, Ernst and Ingrid: a son for the Emperor; Mendel, Hans, 71 years old, a true patriot who will be much regretted. And lonely hearts:

    Fifty-year-old doctor, veteran soldier, intent on settling in the countryside, wants a male lineage through marriage to a healthy young virgin, thrifty, few pretensions, willing to work hard. She must have wide hips, use shoes without heels and not wear earrings.

    Sixty year old widower is looking for a new partner willing to give him children so that the male line of an old family will not be extinguished.

    I smiled again. To look for love on the pages of the newspaper you had to have a lot of optimism, or a great confidence that someone could take an interest in you without even knowing you. It was so painful that it was sometimes funny.

    I continued. Now I was on the page of the shows: Anika Behr, the most famous opera singer of the Empire, would play the Valkyrie Brunhilde in the new adaptation of Klaus Hillebrand's Asgard, performed at the main theater in Berun. A piece by an influential imperial music critic who mercilessly attacked a new type of music that was spreading from the Americas: according to the critic, such music "was more worthy of a tribe of savages than of our civil consortium". Torsten von Schildenfeld will conduct a special performance of the Was ist des Deutschen Vaterland, the national anthem of the Imperial National Party, at the Grand Conservatory of Großmarkt in honor of the anniversary of the founding of the Empire.

    The editorial of the newspaper talked about some student demonstrations against the war in Heidelberg, promoted by an association that the newspaper called with the name of Black Rose (Schwarze Rose) and that pontificated the end of the war and peace between the European nations. The title of the editorial was quite eloquent: The traitors must be crushed by force! This meant that the editor of the newspaper was openly patriotic, or had received pressure to be so.

    The previous two pages were dedicated to the obituary of an old Imperial government politician: A Life spent in the service of the Empire. This man had no family, judging by what I could read, and had dedicated his whole life to work and the Empire. As a reward, the Empire now published his obituary in a national newspaper. Mentally, I wondered what kind of tribute the Empire would dedicate to Tanya and I in case we died: would this be our reward? Would we even receive an obituary?

    Ah, here I am... I thought when I turned the page again to dedicate myself to the news of the war.

    The first section that I understood before my eyes was a small report of the situation in the war with the Entente, which was the apparently least important front if the newspaper put it last. According to the information on the page, the Imperial Army in the Norden was getting stronger and stronger, and each new offensive weakened more and more the shaky defense front of the Entente. According to the same newspaper, the end of operations against the Entente could be expected by the end of next year.

    I smiled, but it was sour, full of mockery rather than joy. I knew the lies when I read them: it was true that the army of the Entente was not very good (although, since the day Tanya and I had observed their pitiful attempt of Invasion, it had greatly improved and strengthened) but the propaganda could not have been further from reality when he said that this front would close with ease. The climate in the Norden was cold and harsh, and this weighed on both the condition of the soldiers and the supply situation: it was virtually impossible for the Imperial Army to accumulate enough supplies and resources to meet the requirements of a large-scale offensive for more than three weeks.

    I sighed. The soldiers of the Entente were accustomed to the harsh climate, and knew how to block entire divisions with a tenth of the manpower of the enemy's. The Entente could be defeated, but a massive effort or a more intelligent strategy would be required.

    I turned the page, and found myself in the section dedicated to the war on the Rhine front. Here the situation was much more dramatic and documented than the war in the North: an entire page was dedicated to host the names of the dead, missing, mutilated and prisoners suffered by the army in the last days. An impressive number, which would affect anyone who had seen a similar list for the first time. According to the information available, the Republic had launched at least six offensives in the last few months, three of them on the entire front, in order to break the Empire's defensive line and conquer the industrial regions around the Rhine. None of these offensives, the newspaper announced in a triumphant tone, had been successful: only two had led the Republic to gain ground, but they were such small portions of land or they could not in any way maintain those positions, that they were forced to abandon them.

    I smiled again, this time truthfully, when I read a short ad at the top of the newspaper: First Lieutenant Hana Lindemann had received the Iron Cross for her valor and courage demonstrated in a recent battle against the magical forces of the Republic. As far as our lives had separated by now, it was nice to know that our old comrades were doing well.

    The newspaper was almost finished. Only the front pages remained for me to see. The pages which, without a doubt, would speak of the war with Dakia... and of our victory. Who knows how much praise they would heap-

    "Too busy reading to realize what is happening all around you?" a voice echoed in my ears.

    I almost jumped out of my chair for the surprise, turning around and finding myself face to face with a girl with an angelic face and blond hair, but a devil's soul.

    "Tanya!" I said, shocked to see her of all sudden. "What happened?"

    "Nothing you should worry about, you dumb sailor..." she said angrily. "Seriously, you were distracted and inattentive. If an enemy air force attacked us, you would not even notice it!"

    "There are several anti-air and rapid-response defenses to deal with sudden attacks that our radar cannot pick up incoming. And judging from how the Dakians behaved in the previous days, I would not be too much on alert: they had a worse showing than a gang of wooden puppets."

    "This is no reason to lower your guard..." she reprimand me. "The duty of an officer…"

    "Tanya, must I remind you that I am yur superior officer, and not the other way around?" I mocked her. "I am the commanding officer of the unit, not you!"

    "I am your Nardak, Frederick!" she glared at me. "You are the superior officer only on paper."

    "Yes, but I have the authority to defer you to the nearest Military Police unit. Do you want me to do it?"

    "No." she spoke with a tone full of poison.

    "Very well. How are the troops behaving?" I asked, hoping to distract her from the argument by making her focus on something else.

    "The morale of our mages is very high. Unfortunately, I fear that this may lead them to underestimate future dangers. I ask permission to conduct a new training session as soon as possible."

    "Granted, unless we have something more urgent happening." I replied, trying to focus once again on my newspaper. "Want to see what the papers says about our latest operation last night?"

    "Are you talking about the enemy factory we bombarded?"

    "And the Royal palace we reduced to rubble." I smiled smugly.

    "If you are interested to know the result, I can tell you right now: the Grand Duke of Dakia is dead. And with him, most of his family."

    "Really?" I said, turning to face the cover of the newspaper and looking for confirmations of Tanya's words. Yep, the Grand Duke was dead, and so were the three princes who were with him at the time. A fourth prince was still alive, Dakians claimed, but he was in very serious condition.

    "Yes. We bombed a palace where the Royal family of Dakia was supposed to be living all the time. Were you not expecting to kill some of them?"

    "Of course I was!" I smiled again. "However, I was not expecting almost all the royal family of Dakia to still be inside. I was expecting at least a couple for princes were outside, as designated survivors…"

    "Apparently, the Dakians never considered the possibility of a magical unit of the Imperial Army to be able to reach their capitol. As such, they never considered the possibility of having someone always ready to replace their Duke, should he die."

    "And now… what will happen to Dakian government?" I asked. "Is the Dakian government planning to surrender already?"

    "No." she replied. "The Dakian armies are on rout and the imperial army is advancing rapidly occupying the western part of the country. Despite this, the Dakian government has refused any imperial attempt to negotiate a separate peace, trusting Marilena Stolojan."

    "And who is this girl?" I almost laughed. "Some kind of self-proclaimed freedom-fighter priestess who says that she will lead Dakia to victory, like Joan of Arc?"

    "Nope!" Tanya spoke back to me. "She is the only princess of Dakia."

    I stopped. "Princess? Is there a princess in all this?"

    "Yes. She hadn't been living on Os for a while now, and she did not get killed off with the rest of her family. Apparently, the Great Duke sent her to a school in the Allied kingdom, and she returned just yesterday."

    "The day after our successful attack?!" I groaned. Was she just lucky enough to not be there when we unleashed a storm of fire over the Duke's palace? Or maybe, was there a more rational reason for this?

    "Yes. Based on what I was able to find out from our intelligence people, she arrived just in time to see her father die. And now, she wants to avenge him..."

    "Oh yeah?" I almost laughed. "And how does she plan to do it? Does she hope that her anger will be enough to stop our Panzers? Or maybe, she is hoping for her God to help her?"

    "She is actually asking for help, from someone more influential. The Federation's government."

    I stopped cold, realizing what Tanya had just said. The Federation had considerable forces on its southern border, and they were modernized troops. They were not as well trained as ours, and their leadership was worse because their officers were promoted mainly by political faith than by skill, but they outnumbered us. Enough to create serious problems if the Federation decided to intervene in favor of Dakia.

    "D-did they…"

    "No, at least not yet." Tanya was quickly to answer to calm me down. "Their High Commissioner actually spoke in sympathy for Dakia, but he also said that the Federation has no intention to go to war with the Empire just to help them avoid being conquered. Our leadership are fearing for something else…"

    "What is it?"

    "I do not know yet, but they have decided to hold a meeting in one hour from now." she now said, as she was the most natural thing in the world. "I advise you to shine your uniform well so as not to look bad."

    "Hey, I am not the one with the uniform of two sizes too small?"

    "What did you say?!" she yelled.
     
  • Threadmarks
    • You know all he needs to do now is find an aspiring artist have the school fail him and use him as a puppet in the government. Maybe a abledorf himler?
     
    Chapter 94: The Dragon and the Princess
  • Threadmarks

    • Chapter 94: The Dragon and the Princess​



    "According to the information provided to us by air recon," the intelligence officer stopped for a moment to look at us before he continued, "The Dakian remnants - the parts of their armed forces still intact - are gradually retreating from their southern borders and major cities to take refuge in the regions along the border with the Federation. Some recent but unconfirmed sources state that Dakian ambassadors are negotiating with the Federation for passage of their military forces into federal territory in exchange for the transfer of some Dakian border territories."

    "Sir!" one of the officers to my left raised his hand to ask a question. "Is the Federation about to enter the war against us, alongside Dakia?"

    "No." the Intelligence officer shook his head. "At least, not at present. According to reports from some of our best spies in Federal territory, fhe Federation's army is currently engaged in a massive reorganization and modernization process. We know that many officers of the Federal Army, following the purge of their commanders in chief last year, have been imprisoned, killed or have fled assuming false identities in other nations. Almost all the officers chosen to replace them are men chosen for their political faith or seniority, and not for their expertise. So they know that, in case of war between the Federation and the Empire, we would have the early advantage. And according to our sources, they know that we know this."

    Evidently. I smiled smugly. The Empire knows how to have an Intelligence service worthy of the name.

    "However," he continued. "if the agreement between Princess Marilena and the government of the Federation were to succeed, they would annex, without a blow, three border regions of Dakia, where the Dakians plan to redistribute their scarce surviving military forces. At that point, the Federation could reintegrate the Dakian soldiers into its army, reinforcing its southern front and..."

    "Forgive my intrusion, sir..." Tanya suddenly spoke. "But if the government of the Federation welcomes what remains of the Dakian government and most of its remaining armed forces, isn't it possible that they are planning to create a puppet government-in-exile?"

    "This is precisely what the Strategic Headquarters fears, and this is why you are gathered here today." the officer said, gazing all over us. "The Federation wants to welcome what remains of the army and administrative government of Dakia in order to act as protectors of the Slavic people, gaining prestige and popular support. If then the opportunity arises, hosting a Dakian government in exile will be an excellent casus belli for the Federation to attack the Empire in an attempt to free Dakia. Our only hope to prevent this is to prevent the Dakian government from taking refuge in federal territory."

    I nodded, realizing what the officer was implying.

    "The Imperial Air Force will hit the enemy positions in the Vos-olsiv sector, to destroy the bridges that the enemy army wants to use to retreat, and hold it until the arrival of our motorized troops. Groups of paratroopers will have to take control of the road that connects Splativ to Nikolewka, in the middle of Soviet territory, to divide the Dakians from any federal reinforcements. Finally, our mage forces will have a very important task…"

    I strained my ear so as not to lose a single word of what the officer was about to say. Finally, we would know what mission was waiting for us.

    "Your task will be to ambush the train carrying Princess Marilena and what is left of the Dakian government, and prevent them from reaching the Federation."

    I stopped, realizing what our task was. Ambush a princess and kill her, alongside with every person who was with her? That sounded like a job for our battalion!

    "Major Orzak Frederick König and Major Nardak Tanya Degurechaff, do you have questions about the mission?" the officer glared at us

    "Not at this moment, sir." I said, quietly. "However, I hope to be able to read the details of the operation that we will have to complete."

    "You will receive them once you reach the area which Strategic Headquarters has designated for the ambush. Until then, you are not allowed to share any information on the mission, even with your subordinates. Is that clear?"

    "Sir, yes sir!" I nodded.

    "Very well. Meet with your unit and order them to prepare for the mission. You will take flight an hour from now. Good luck, and may God be at your side!"

    I grumbled subheading. "Yes, may God be with us…"




    "Sir?" Tragen asked, looking at me "Can I ask a question?"

    "What is it, Tragen?" I asked, still looking at the still empty railroad.

    "It's been about an hour that we've been lurking here in the trees, waiting for orders. The men are starting to get restless and nervous, so I wanted to ask you, if possible, if you can finally tell us what our orders are."

    I sighed and checked my watch. To tell the truth, at least an hour and a half had passed since we had reached the ambush position, to which we obviously had to add the two hours that it had taken us to reach the position near the village of Slubi'viv. And the train, on which the dakian princess and what remained of her government had to reach the Federation, had not yet arrived. Was it late perhaps? Or else, had they found out about our ambush and decided to change the route?

    In any case, it was very likely that security was no longer a priority. I could afford to explain the situation to Tragen and the rest of the soldiers without risking a court martial.

    "Well, Tragen, the reason is…"

    "Frederick!" Tanya yelled. "I mean, Major Orzak! We have order to not reveal sensitive information before due time."

    "I believe the due time has come, Major Nardak Degurechaff!" I replied, without even raising my voice. "And besides, our mages deserve to know who they are going to assassinate…"

    "Assassinate?" Viktoriya replied, quite shocked. "Strategic Headquarters want us to kill someone?"

    "Kill or capture," Tanya replied. "it does not matter: what matter is that she never reaches the Federation's territory, and likewise no one of her subordinate"

    "She?" Tragen raised his eyebrow.

    "The princess of Dakia Marilena Stolojan." I replied, looking around me as many wizards gasped when they heard the name "Apparently, she realized that the Dakian Military forces, or better, what is left of them, have no chance to resist againt the military forces of the Empire. Therefore, she, alongside with whoever of the Dakian government is still alive, has decided to escape to Federation territory and is trying to create a government-in-exile. We cannot allow this to happen, so Strategic Headquarters has ordered to us to reach this position and wait for the arrival of the enemy's…"

    "Train!" First Lieutenant Wilibald Koenig said, pointing toward something. "Enemy armored train, incoming!"

    Immediately, I grabbed my binoculars and looked. There they were, formerly a passenger train, now reinforced with some improvised armor and with several soldiers for protection.

    Even now that their nation is being occupied and conquered, they are not able to stop being so inept? I thought with amusement. This armored train has no chance against its Republican and Imperial counterparts on the Rhine front.

    Still, the train was our objective. This meant that we had to destroy it.

    "All companies, ready to fire!" I ordered quickly. "Fourth and Fifth Company, hit the rails in front of the throne, to immobilize it; Third Company, your objective is the train wagons; Second Company, hit the train on the wheels and tracks below, try to derail it. First Company, you hit the locomotive. I recommend that you be ready for a second artillery discharge if the train does not stop!"

    "Yes sir!" everybody yelled, getting ready to fire.

    The train, meanwhile, was getting closer, Now, with the help of my binocular, I could clearly see that the train had the Dakian flag painted on his flag, and many people on its wagon or sitting on their roof.

    "First company, ready!"

    "Third Company, ready!"

    "Fourth Company, ready!"

    "Fifth company, ready!"

    "Second company ready. Sir, all companies are ready to fire!"

    "Very well!" I raised my hand. "Just wait… wait…"

    The train was now showing us its full flank.

    "Now!" I lowered my arm."Fire! Fire! Destroy that train!"

    A few seconds, the time to pull their triggers, then several artillery discharges poured into the train and the railway that was passing through. The train, hit in full on the side and suddenly without its support base, went off the tracks and crashed on the left.

    "Target hit, sir!" Viktoriya reported. "Twenty-five direct hits. Looks like we caught them unaware!"

    "Very well!" I grimaced. "Now, let's encircle the area and descend for an inspection: we need to make sure that no one survived!"

    "Yes sir!" the mages roared, flying toward the now destroyed train.

    As we approached, I saw that the ground around the train was strewn with the still bleeding corpses of the Dakian soldiers on board. Was this the fate of what was left of the Dakian government and its last princess? To die in a train crash, a few kilometers from salvation? I could not help but smile at such irony.

    "Look like nobody survived, sir." Viktoriya said. "Nobody is moving."

    "Just because they are not moving, it does not mean that they are definitely dead!" Tanya reprimanded her. "To all units, ready your secondary weapons: Put an explosive bullet in the skull of each corpse!"

    "Yes sir!" some of the mages replied, taking out their Lugers and preparing for the cleanup. Some soldiers, however, were slower than others were, indicating possible hesitation.

    "Is there something wrong?" Tanya yelled once more, focusing on the mages who had been slower than others had.

    "Nothing, sir" they were quick to say. "It's just that… they are already dead. It seems like a waste to use bullets on already-dead enemy soldiers…"

    "We do not know for sure if they are dead, soldier." I responded before Tanya could. "Maybe they are just in a semi-dead coma, or maybe they are pretending in the hope of escaping their fate. Either way, the Empire does not lack bullets."

    "Sir, we…we understand, sir."

    "Good." Tanya said, glaring at them "Now, less talking and more shooting!"

    The soldiers nodded, and so the clean-up operation began. The mages would take the bodies of the dead Dakians and fill their brains with one or two lead candies. After that, they collected the corpses in a large pile and set them on fire.

    "A funeral fitting of a King." I smirked. "Not like they deserve it, of course."

    "Check inside the train." Tanya ordered. "Look for the bodies of the Dakian politicians and the princess. It's them I want!"

    "Sir!" Tragen said, approaching Tanya. "If I may asking, why don't we simply light up the train? I mean, this will hide every proof of our presence and take care of the dead bodies, at the same time."

    "That's…" Tanya charged toward him, before stopping for a few seconds to think about it. "… actually… it is a good idea."

    "Well, sir, I just…"

    "It's a good think that I came up with this idea. Troops, light the train up!"

    As Tanya flew away, I approached Tragen with a I-am-your-friend attitude.

    "Sorry about that." I said to him. "Apparently your idea was very good, so Tanya decided to claim credit for herself."

    "But, sir." he turned to face me "That's not right."

    "Indeed, it isn't. Tanya is like this. Next time you have a good idea, tell me privately, so I can make sure your good name is the one credited for it." And so I can claim the cooperation bonus.

    "I will sir." he nodded, quietly. "It's just that…"

    "Alarm!" one of our soldiers shouted, grabbing the attention of everybody and making us turn to see what was happening.

    A girl, almost a woman, with fiery red hair and ragged clothes, was running at great speed on the other side of the train, heading towards a nearby spot of trees. Judging by the situation, she must not have been here by chance.

    "She was hidden inside one of the wagons!" Tanya yelled. "Shoot her!"

    "No!" I counter-ordered her. "Take her alive! I want her alive!"

    Immediately, I flew upward for at least five, six meters, before launching myself over the girl. She was a good runner, but I was flying, and she knew it.

    "Miss, please…"

    "Damn you Imperial filth!" she took off a gun and shot at me, her bullets bouncing all over my shield. "Gahh!"

    She tried to punch me, but I was a trained Imperial soldier. I lowered myself to avoid her punch, and then launched myself toward her, knocking her down and making her fall on her back.

    "Block her!" I said, and almost immediately two mages of our battalion grabbed her by her arms, stopping her from moving.

    "Now, you are clearly in disadvantage, so I would not suggest about trying to escape again. Why you do not tell us who you are?"

    "I am Princess Marilena Stolojan of Dakia!" she shouted. "And you'll get nothing from me, you imperial pig! Nothing!"

    "Oh, so you are the famous rebel princess of Dakia..." I grinned. "Allow me introduce myself to you: I am Major Frederick König-"

    "T-the Imperial Dragon!" she almost spitted out.

    "Dragon? Is that what your people call me? I guess that is not a bad name after all. Oh, also please meet my lifelong friend and comrade Major Degurechaff..." I pointed at the incoming Tanya.

    "The Devil of the Rhine!" this time she looked more scared. "I warn you, that I am a Dakian princess: as such, you should respect me as such!"

    "I'll treat you with the respect that you want only I feel like it. And this means that either you cooperate with us, and then I will be more inclined to treat you with kindness, or you refuse and I will be totally indisposed towards you." Tanya glared at the red-haired princess, in a death glare contest.

    "You cannot kill me!" the princess spoke up, as to try to make us remember something. "I am a member of Dakia's royal family. I am protected by international laws…"

    "But we will not kill you!" I spoke back, as to give her some fake reassurance. "We will simply bring you as a prisoner of war. Our Intelligence Division will make you talk. Unless of course the Emperor has other plans for you…"

    "You Imperial Devils!" She shouted once more. "This war is your fault!"

    "Our fault?" I was seriously shocked. "You were the one who attacked us!"

    "Just because you kept oppressing Dakian minorities in territories of the Empire that should legally belong to Dakia!" she was getting angrier. "We declared war because we wanted to free them!"

    "Free them?" Tanya said. "You were actually expecting to win with a backwards army against the most mechanized and efficient Army in all of Europe?"

    "We were the one blessed by God! God came to us and told us that it was our destiny to wage war against you and win! This was not supposed to happen!"

    I stopped, reflecting on what she had said. Did that mean that Being X was behind the sudden and unexplainable attack from Dakia? Was it behind all of this?

    "It has happened, nevertheless." Tragen said, looking at her with a glare like he would have enjoyed to interrogate her personally. "So, unless you have an army coming to your help right now, I believe your destiny from now on will be a rotten cell…"

    "Oh..." she smiled. "But I have an army at my disposal. Look behind you!"

    I glanced back, before turning full due to the surprise. Even Tanya and many of our soldiers did the same.

    A group of mages was descending from the sky.

    There were at least fifty of them, but they probably had other soldiers hidden behind the clouds, or in position around us, in case we turned out to be hostile to them. They were not dressed in the classic green of the Imperial Army Division; instead, they wore the light green of the People's Liberation Army of the Federation.

    Then, even before I could even conceive a possible strategy to get out of the fight alive, something incredible happened.

    Two of their number distanced themselves and landed near us. Now that they were close, I could not help but notice they were a young woman with long black hairs, quite similar to Viktoriya, and a smaller child, with short pink hair, blue eyes, a red start decoration on her uniform, and a body and glare very similar to Tanya's.

    A face she had never seen before, but I did.

    "What…" Tanya started to speak.

    "Major Degurechaff, I presume?" the pink-haired girl said, looking at her. "I am Chernakova Anfisa Aleksandryvna, Super-Commissioner of the People of the Federation and Major of the Federal Magic Aviation. You and I... have to talk."
     
  • Threadmarks
    • I mean it's a war and the princess is there captive so unless they plan on starting a war with the empire as well there's not much they can do.
     
    Trunko said:
    "Major Degurechaff, I presume?" the pink-haired girl said, looking at her. "I am Chernakova Anfisa Aleksandryvna, Super-Commissioner of the People of the Federation and Major of the Federal Magic Aviation. You and I... have to talk."
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...

    "No we don't, number 1, you are in a war zone. Number 2, you are invading teretory occupied by the Empire. Number 3, you aren't a real Federation soldier. Who would give their officers a title like 'Super' afterall, it sounds like something from a five year old. No, Chernakova, you are a pretender employed by the princess here. You and your men are now prisoners as mercenaries under employment of the princess here."

    Yeah, trying to be cute, can easily back fire on you.
     
    The land the are in got handed over to the federation already through negotiations meaning that the imperial army stopped an envoy of another nation within federation territory. Maybe, that's what happened?
     
    Ummm those feddies do realize they don't have a passport right? And thus CANNOT interfere with a military operation.

    Therefore they are mercenaries or illegal combatants and thus prime targets.
     
    Trunko said:
    "Major Degurechaff, I presume?" the pink-haired girl said, looking at her. "I am Chernakova Anfisa Aleksandryvna, Super-Commissioner of the People of the Federation and Major of the Federal Magic Aviation. You and I... have to talk."
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...

    Tanya's respond (should spice it up a bit):

    rodon said:
    "No we don't, number 1, you are in a war zone. Number 2, you are invading teretory occupied by the Empire. Number 3, you aren't a real Federation soldier. Who would give their officers a title like 'Super' afterall, it sounds like something from a five year old. No, Chernakova, you are a pretender employed by the princess here. You and your men are now prisoners as mercenaries under employment of the princess here."
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...

    Frederick's respond

    "As my esteem colleague Major Nardak Tanya Degurechaff has said, there is no such thing as a word "Super" in your title. However, I'm ready to overlook it as a lost in translation between our and your language. However, we need to see your proof of identification, the ones proving you are a soldier of the Federation, and the ones that give you the passage right into Imperial territory. If you fail the first, you are just a bunch of mercs, if you fail the second, you are invading our land, if you fail both, then we will just proceed to eliminate a bunch of terrorists and then proceed to escort the cutsey little princess to our superior."
     
    Chapter 95: The Degurechaff- Aleksandryvna Agreement
  • Threadmarks

    • Chapter 95: The Degurechaff- Aleksandryvna Agreement​



    "I can assure you, Major Degurechaff, that we are not here to fight you. In fact, we would like to have a discussion with you…"

    "Fat chance!" Tanya scoffed. "First off: this is Dakian territory, you Federal wizards have absolutely no business being here. We do, because we are Imperial soldiers, and we have just occupied this territory in the name of the Empire and are in a state of war with the Granduchy of Dakia. Second: this is an active war zone, and we have orders to shoot anyone who is not an ally. Third, you cannot interfere with a military operation as a neutral nation; therefore…"

    "Tanya." I said, raising my hand. "I say we let these people explain what they want."

    "But, Frederick…" she started to protest.

    "I also believe you are right, and these people, unless they explain themselves, have no reason to be here. Therefore, unless they manage to prove that they have a good reason to be here, you can still shoot them later."

    Tanya glared at me for a couple of seconds. "Very well. I hope these people have a damn good reason for having trespassed the Dakian border."

    "Oh, but we have a good reason, more than one in fact. This is no longer Dakian Territory. It belongs to the Federation now." Chernakova smiled in a way that make her resemble Tanya more and more. "Thanks to the agreement between our General Secretary Josef Dzhugashvili and the… Dakian Princess Marilena Stolojan." she pointed at our still incapacitated prisoner. "Dakia has agreed to cede some of its eastern provinces to our glorious Federation in exchange for the Federation's recognition of Marilena Stolojan as rightful ruler of Dakia and a lend-lease agreement between our two nations. The agreement was signed by our respective representatives yesterday at midnight, and became effective about half an hour ago. We are only the first unit to occupy this new part of our homeland, but other units are already on their way. In conclusion, we are not the tresspassers, but you!"

    "What?" Tanya asked. "This is diplomatic horseshit!"

    "But it is the truth, Major Degurechaff..." she smiled evilly once more. "Of course, you were not aware of this agreement, because it has been officially announced by our government about... " she checked her watch. "fifteen minutes ago. Therefore, when you occupied this position, this was still Dakian territory. That said, we are willing to let you leave… but you have to hand to us the Dakian Princess."

    "Not happening. Marilena Stolojan is now a prisoner of the Imperial Army, and we have no obligation to hand her over to you. Especially not for some under-the-counter agreement of which neither we nor the Empire were informed."

    Chernakova walked forward, coming nearer to us. Seeing her approaching, Tanya instinctively put her hand on the holster of her gun.

    "I suppose you are… Major Frederick König is that right?" the Federation girl said, looking at me like a lion in front of his favorite meal "The image in your file made you look taller."

    "I could say the same about you, shorty." I replied.

    "I am a Federation Super-commissar, brat. And just to tell you, I am not one centimeter shorter than you."

    "It is not the actual size that counts, but how you handle yourself." I looked at her with a hateful glare. "And I, compared to any federal mage, feel like a giant. Especially if they need a long title as super-commissar to feel great."

    "It is a title granted by our General Secretary only to officers who have distinguished themselves in the fight against the enemies of the revolution, saboteurs and spies. And it is a deserved title, unlike that of Orzak."

    For a couple of second, we stood still, committed to fight against each other in a silent, brutal and bloody death-glare battle. Then, her face lighted up, and she smiled.

    "Ahaa!" she laughed. "I like you, Imperial Brat. You are a more interesting nemesis I could have even hoped for. And you are not alone..." she looked at Tanya.

    "I will not change what I said." I replied coldly. "The Dakian Princess, now in our custody, will not be handled to you, because you have absolutely no right to. Unless of course you want to start a war over her."

    "I suggest listening to what Major Orzak Frederick is saying." Tanya said, glaring all over the Federal mages. "Because we have an old saying in the Empire: if you want to start a war, let it start here. And you don't have the guts to fight us!"

    As soon as they heard Tanya's words, some federal wizards (obviously the most nervous ones) took up their weapons and pointed them at us. In response, ours also pointed their rifles at them.

    "My soldiers are bigger than yours." Tanya mocked Chernakova. "And in case this is not enough, I am more evil than you."

    Chernakova looked at her, then at our soldiers, then again to me. She looked annoyed, and it was not difficult to understand the reason why.

    "Lower your weapons, soldiers." she finally said.

    "But, sir…" the Federal dark-haired girl who was apparently her assistant said.

    "I said lower your weapons!" she suddenly yelled, making the Federal soldiers lower the weapons out of fear.

    "Very well" Chernakova said, now returning to face us "You can keep your Dakian princess. After all, it was not very useful for our cause."

    "What?!" princess Marilena said, quite shocked by the sudden evolution of the events. "This is not what we have agreed on. You were supposed to take me and escort me to Moskva!"

    "You are not worth it." Chernakova mocked the former princess "And frankly, I prefer it this way: I have no intention of helping a stupid princess to keep her filthy throne."

    "This is not fair!" she yelled. "I gave you some of the most vital regions of our kingdom so you could help us against the Imperials!"

    "No, you gave us this territory so we could give you some weapons to help fight the Imperial forces. However, with the apparent surrender of Dakia being mere days away, why should we bother to keep up with it? Especially, considering that we already control and possess the territory you agreed to give to us…"

    "This is not what we agreed, you populist bitch! I…" but Tragen was quickly to shut her mouth with a bandage around the mouth.

    "Oh, shut up, you spoiled brat!" Tragen yelled.

    "Then, it is settled." Chernakova said, taking some steps away from us. "You ambushed the princess' convoy and her entourage. You killed what was left of the Dakian government and captured the princess. We saw that the attack was in progress, but we did not do intervene in time. We arrived too late to prevent you from taking the princess. All we could do was to report to our commander in chief. Now, I suggest you take off, before we decide that we were wrong and we had arrived in time."

    "As if we enjoyed your company..." I murmured. "Battalion, get ready to fly. We had a princess to bring back to her new dungeon, and some reports to make to our officers as well…"

    "Yes, sir!"

    "One second. Major König, can you wait a couple of minutes, I have some things I would like to discuss with you…."

    "With me?" I turned around, frustrated. "And what is it?"

    "Just some soldier-to-soldier talk that I would like to have before departing…"

    "Frederick, don't do it!" Tanya murmured. "This must be a trap. We cannot trust her!"

    "You are right." I replied softly, so Chernakova could not hear us. "Activate an audio and visual enhancement spell, and stay alert. If I give you the signal, intervene."

    "Got it." she smirked, before taking off and leaving myself alone with Chernakova.

    "We are alone, now." I lied, looking at the federal wizards still behind her. "What do you want?"

    "I want to inform you, in a totally not-official way, that for this time the Empire can spare itself from the Federation's fury, but do not delude yourself: soon, our flag will fly over the Imperial Palace."

    "Maybe. On the other hand, more realistically, it will be the Imperial Flag flying all over Moskva, reduced to rubble."

    "I said not delude yourself, you capitalist pig: the aim of the Revolution is to bring the Federation's domain all over the Earth!"

    "What a novelty: take over the world and reshape it in accord to your vision. I am sure there are some people at Strategic Headquarters who wish for the same exact thing. You know what; maybe that's where you are wrong: our governments are much more similar than we believe."

    "Our economic system is an egalitarian masterpiece: yours is a place where only the military are in charge of everything."

    "Please, spare me the federal propaganda: You talk a lot about social equality, but then the poor have to queue for food rations, while the big shots eat lobster and caviar every night!"

    "In the Federation, everybody is equal. Of course, some people are more equal than others…" she smirked.

    I turned around

    "Hey, where are you going now?"

    "I have no time to talk about our governments and the supposed benefits of Communist rule. Therefore, unless you have something really important to say, I will return to my troops."

    "Very well: are you and Major Degurechaff engaged?"

    I stopped.

    "Entschuldigung, aber was?!"

    "I asked you if you and Major Degurechaff are in a relationship of sort."

    "We aren't. And why would a Federal soldier be interested in that?"

    "Because, believe it or not, there is an active bet at the Federation's High Command on how long it will take for you to get together…."

    However, I was no longer there.



    "So?" Tanya asked.

    "So… what?"

    "What did the little Federal wizard tell you?"

    "Were you not listening to our conversation?" I asked. "I believed you were actually taking notes on everything she was saying to me."

    "That was my plan, but some wizards came to ask for orders and I lost some good chunks." she glared evilly behind us. "Therefore, I hope you will fill me with everything I have lost so far."

    "There is nothing so far I can tell." I replied coldly. "She just wanted to give me the old saying that for now we are saved, but in the End the Federation will defeat the Empire, crush any resistance, and we should leave and join them as soon as possible if we do not want to be destroyed. Just Federal propaganda with bullshit flavor."

    "And… she did not say anything else?"

    "No," I lied again. "why are you asking?"

    "I will be direct right now: did she try to seduce you?"

    My heart almost stopped at Tanya's question. Had I heard wrong?

    "Tanya, come again?"

    "I asked if that little witch tried to seduce you." she replied with nonchalance.

    "Absolutely not. Why are you asking?"

    "Because that's how the enemy officers try to gain access to reserved info." she replied, looking away as to locate our basecamp. "They try to use their own attractiveness to seduce officers of neutral countries, and then they slowly turn them into informants. This way, they manage to use people's sentiments as way to reprogram them and blackmail them, if necessary…"

    I stopped, realizing what she had just said. Was she really….

    "Tanya! Are you accusing me of…?"

    "No..." she replied. "However, it pays to be prepared for any circumstance. Also, if I can incriminate you for treason, I can be promoted as the only commander of the unit…"

    "It's beautiful to know that, no matter what will happen, you will always be a back-stabbing witch with no redeeming features!"

    "And you are mine, Frederick" she said. "You are my number one mook and dragon, the one who carries out my orders. You are still here just because you are always with me, and I help you with my intelligence because I need your muscles. Do not forget it, never! Am I being clear, you dumbass?"

    "I am also your superior officer, Tanya." I replied. "You know that I can make our soldiers arrest you for what you had just said? Disrespect towards a superior officer, that is!"

    "You can, that's right, but you will not do it. You don't have the guts to do it. Because you need me, whether you want it or not!"

    For a moment I was tempted to tell her what I had been able to do without her. Finally, I decided not to: the brief satisfaction I would get from revealing my secrets to her would not be worth Tanya's inevitable retaliation when she realized that I had deceived her. Therefore, I bent my head down and said:

    "Yes. But just because I need you and your plan, it does not mean you can treat me as a pushover!"

    "But is very satisfying and fun…"

    "I'm sorry, sir?" Viktoriya came closer to us.

    "Yes, Second Lieutenant. What is going on?"

    "I am picking a communication from the base. I believe it would be a good idea if you hear it too."

    Immediately, I grabbed my communicator and started to listen at it.

    "…engage…We repeat… do not engage any Federal Units crossing the Dakian frontier. Retreat in order, but keep an eye on the advancing Federal Forces. We cannot risk a diplomatic incident with the Federation. We repeat…"

    "What is the meaning of this?" Tanya asked, hoping that someone would explain this to her.

    "It means that what Chernakova said was true." I groaned. "Apparently, although the Federation is no more willing to grant the now-defunct Dakian government the help it promised, they still are taking advantage of the situation to take control of the small territories that Dakia promised to them. It is not too different from a pack of vultures coming to steal part of a prey after the lion has killed it…."

    "Damn Federal soldiers!" Viktoriya saidf "They truly are godless!"

    "That's the first time I hear you using such strong words, Second Lieutenant," Tanya said, looking at herf "Does the presence of Federal troops string some nerves of yours?"

    "N-no, sir… it's just that…"

    "Tell me, Second Lieutenant… are you or part of your family refugees from the Federation?"

    Viktoriya looked at me with shocked eyes. Tanya looked at me, and Tragen looked at Viktoriya.

    "S-sir…" Viktoriya said, gesticulating for a couple of seconds before suddenly stopping. "H-how did you manage to find it out?"

    "It was not difficult." I said smiling. "Viktoriya is a more Russy surname than Imperial."

    "Second Lieutenant, this means that…?" Tanya started to ask before I stopped.

    "No time to discuss here." I reminded everyone. "We need to get down the the base, and make a report on what happened. Also, we still have a dungeon waiting for its princess…"
     
  • Threadmarks
    • Chapter 96: A Former Aristocrat
  • Threadmarks
    • Chapter 96: A Former Aristocrat​



    As soon as we landed at the base we split up for our respective functions: Tragen and some muscular soldiers took the unfortunate and not-cute Princess Marilena to the MPs, who would be in charge of guarding her and keeping her safe until Strategic HQ sent a group of selected and trusted personnel to lead her to a place of their choice, where she would be interrogated; the rest of the soldiers, as well as many low-ranked officers, went to their barracks to rest, write letters home, or even just to eat their meals; the high-rank officers, like Tanya and myself, still had to write their mission reports. In triplicate, of course.

    "…and therefore, as a consequence of the arrival of..." I was writing, until I noticed that I had, pushed, once again one bottom too much and now consequences was written with two q.

    "Dammit!" I roared, tearing up the page I was writing and throwing it in the wastebasket. My inability to pay attention to what I was writing made me consume too much report paper.

    Worse, someone who I had not noticed was near, and had witnessed everything.

    "Looks like you are still writing your report too aggressively, Frederick." the voice of a certain blonde reached my ears. "If you continue at this rate, the Empire will have to cut down new forests to recoup the loss of paper that you cause by trying to write reports."

    "Sometimes, a battle against the enemy is still preferable to writing the report over it." I raised my glare and looked at her. "At least, you do not need to do the battle in triplicate. Shouldn't you also write your report?"

    "I already did." she looked happy. "I finished it a quarter ago and immediately submitted it to our superior officer of reference."

    I gave a rabid growl at her words. She had already finished writing her report, and I was still in the process of writing the first copy? How did she do it?

    "So why are you here?" I asked myself. "There are so many things I would do if I wasn't stuck here doing this, like going for a hot meal, inspecting the troops, buying myself something from the cellarer or even just taking a therapeutic walk. Why are you here then?"

    "Mostly?" she said with a repressed laugh. "I enjoy looking at you while you strive to do some things I have already finished. It is like being in school, and you have the permission to not do the test while all your companions are not so lucky."

    "Do you remember that I am still your superior officer?" I asked her. "I could order you to write the report in my place, if you are so good at writing them."

    "Oh, you could order me to do so. However, military reports are very personal things. If you ask me to write yours, I will invariably write it like I wrote mine. Then, once Strategic HQ compared them, they would realize they are too similar. And once they find out that you have actually forced me to do something you were supposed to do… I would not bet too much on your career. Still, this could be what I need to get full command of the Battalion, so if you really want…"

    "Pipe down." I raised my hand and put it in front of her, like to stop her. "No way am I letting my career go down the drain after all I have endured with you to build it from nothing."

    "You could still retake your place as the most gullible future bachelor and heir of Berun." she joked. "By the way, how are things going there? Does Mathias give you report on our little fortune?"

    "That's my fortune, you miserable gold digger, and you should not be so positive that I am willing to share it with you."

    "Hey, just because I have blonde hair does not mean I am a trophy wife you can kick out once you are tired of me!"

    "Thank goodness for that. Trophy wives have far more pleasant personalities..." I murmured. "And better curves…"

    "But I have a brain, so I can help you deal with the management of your patrimony. And I am your childhood friend. And if you try to discharge me, I can blow your brains out. Therefore, I would like to know how things are going in Berun. I am serious here."

    I looked at her, while the last letters that Mathias had written to me came back to my mind. "From what I can remember, things are going… discreetly well. Mathias wrote to me that, so far, my dear relatives have not reappeared, and this is a good sign that, maybe, they have given up. Of course, I could still be wrong, so I am not about to lower my guard. The income is good, and as we have agreed, I gave orders to Mathias to reinvest all of it into the industries. This way, the Empire will receive an additional bonus of high-quality equipment, and will give us some chance that our names will be noticed at the Imperial court…"

    "Excellent." Tanya nodded, like some queen approving the words of one of her lowly subordinates. "At least, you still have the half-brain necessary to understand what I say to you, and follow my directives. I am sure that, once this war will end, I will enjoy managing your estates…"

    "Only if you marry me." I joked. "And I can confidently tell you that-"

    "Excuse me, sir?" a voice came from outside the tent.

    "Who is?" I asked, looking at the shadow.

    "It is me, Second Lieutenant Serebryakov, sir. I am sorry to disturb you, but I wanted to talk with you about some things you appear to… know, about myself and my family."

    I nodded. "Come inside."

    As soon as Viktoriya walked in, she realized I was not alone. It took her just a moment to register that Tanya was here as well. And another second to let the fear set in.

    "Major Degurechaff!" she saluted her. "I am sorry sir, I did not knew you were occupied. I will leave you alone immediately so you can…"

    "No need to worry, Second Lieutenant" I smiled at her. "You were not interrupting anything. In fact, Major Degurechaff was on her way out to check on the rest of the Battalion. Is that right, Major Nardak?"

    Tanya glared at me before giving me an obviously fake smile. "Of course, Major Orzak. I'll go away, if that is what you want…" she then walked out of my tent, visibly struggling to hide her own anger.

    "Very well, Second Lieutenant." I said, turning my attention to Viktoriya. "Now that we are alone, you may speak freely."

    "Well, sir, the fact is-"

    "No need to call me sir in private, Viktoriya." smiled to her again. "You can call me Frederick if you want. No need to keep up with the ranks, we can talk as people if there is no need to be all formally."

    "But, sir, tha's-"

    "Please, call me Frederick. That's an order."

    She stared for a few moments. "Well s-Frederick, I wanted to ask you about how you knew about myself and my family, given the fact that you apparently could tell that we are from the Federation, when it was still called the Russian Empire…"

    "Oh well." I gleamed. "So far, I have only guessed that that you and your family are political refugees from the Federation. The reason why you decided to leave are not difficult to guess either. Opposition to or persecution from the Federation's purges forced you to flee and would have done worse if you did not. This probably means that you and your family were loyalists, maybe nobles? Were you a Baroness, or a Countess?"

    "I am-I mean, I was… A Prince's daughter," she said sheepishly.

    I jerked up.

    "A Prince's daughter?!" That was the highest rank anyone outside the Royal Family could attain. "May I ask who your father was?"

    "Th-the first Prince of Tsaritsin, the city that the Federation's current secretary has renamed after himself." she turned her head down with some tears staining her cheeks. "We were not as influential like some people believed, but we were wealthy and happy. We owned a lot of land, and some factories. I remember that, when I was a little girl, I often took small rides in gigs through our properties and-" she stopped, and I realized she was already on the verge of a complete breakdown. No mystery why, either.

    "From what I have been able to discern, the Prince killed himself when the revolutionaries tried to-"

    "No, he didn't!" she almost yelled, before stopping as she realized she had raised her voice at a superior. "I mean, I am sorry sir, but I can assure he never planned to kill himself just to avoid to fight for his land. That was not suicide. It was murder, sir."

    "Murder?" I asked, now listening intently to Viktoriya's revelation. "Are you telling me someone killed your father, possibly rebels?"

    "Yes. I can even tell you who it was, sir: his name was Bolshov, and he was our butler. One of the people my father trusted the most and this is why he never realized he could betray us, until he did. He killed my father so he could hand over our estate to the Rebels, hoping to secure a high position in the new regime." her words were full of sadness and anger.

    "I see. So, according to your testimony, he was killed by your butler and then the Federals covered up his death as suicide? Why?"

    "Because if everyone knew he was killed before he could try to mount any kind of defense, they would have made him a martyr. Instead, by making people believe he killed himself out of fear, and that he did not consider his family, they were able to paint him as a coward, someone who cannot even find the courage to help his family when all is lost. Ant thus, they were able to legally seize whatever we still owned…"

    For a minute, we stood completely in silent, Viktoriya trying to deal with her own painful memories, and me looking at her, trying to fish for more useful information in her words.

    "I can only imagine that after the Feds took control of your estate and your land, life was difficult."

    "Try terrible, sir. My mother tried to appeal to the new Federal government, but they exiled her to Siberia, to die in some rotten prison. My elder brother tried to fight, and he joined a group of Anti-federal soldiers under Admiral Kolya Yanovich, but he was captured and killed in a battle against the Feds. My aunt died when we were forced to leave Tsaritsin, because she could not endure our nation's cold winter. And my little brother…" she shed more tears. "was captured by some pro-Federation partisans here in the Empire and- And I never got even the chance to bury him…"

    "I'm sorry for your loss." I said, gaining her attention again. "Still, I am quite unsure: why did you decide to share your story? Do you want to warn me about the wicked nature of the Feds? Because I'm already well aware of that."

    "No, sir, it's not that!" she said as she tried to straighten herself up, and fight her own sadness. "It's just… I wanted to report sir, that I have absolutely no sympathy for the Federal government, and never would I forget what they did to my family!"

    "And, why you want me to know this?"

    "Because, when you will be forced to report this situation to the Military Police, you will know everything in detail so they will have no reason to suspect about me being a Federal sympathizer, or something like that."

    "What are you talking about?"

    "Sir, can I be allowed to ask you a free question?"

    "Hum, sure?"

    "Were you not going to report me to the Military Police as a possible security breach?"

    "No, I wasn't." I told her. "As a matter of fact, I reassure you: the Empire does not judge someone from where they came from, or what their country of origin is. The Empire is a meritocracy, where only the best can emerge, and where officers are promoted for their value, not for their political beliefs. If you fear that the Military Police may think you are a spy, alone and solely because of where you come from, allow me reassure you: not only do I have no intention of reporting, but I will fight with all my might to ensure that if rumors like this spread, you will be kept safe. Remember that you are now a mage of one of the most elite units of the Empire and as such, people are more likely to look at you with envy and jealousy. Do not let their words destroy what you fought so hard to earn!"

    "Sir, I-"

    "Remember: who is a desert, does not want something to flower within you. Understood, Second Lieutenant?"

    "Sir, I- I got you, sir" she saluted.

    "Splendid. Now, I have one thing I need to ask you, but is not what you think it is…"

    "And… what is it, sir?"

    "I want you to do a favor for Tragen…" I smiled.
     
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  • Threadmarks
    • "Excuse me, sirs?" a voice came from outside the tent.

    ...

    "Major Degurechaff!" she saluted her. "I am sorry sir, I did not knew you were occupied. I will leave you alone immediately so you can…"
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    Why did Visha use a plural if she thought Frederick was alone?

    It's a pity she came a bit too late to hear him "propose" to Tanya...
     
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