Lone Courier 6
Devilish Fool
- Location
- United States of Quests
i imagine because forcing the body to produce the amount of chemicals to overpower reason like that is likely to cause him to become incredibly ill or die.
Mein Krieg (Youjo Senki/Tanya the Evil OC)
- Thread starter Trunko
- Start date
-
- Tags
- youjo senki
Trunko
Dissatisfied writer
- Location
- Milan, Italy
Trunko
Dissatisfied writer
- Location
- Milan, Italy
That's not the real question. The real question is 'WHO tried to make a run with all that gold?'
Chapter 219 – Hollow Payback
Trunko
Dissatisfied writer
- Location
- Milan, Italy
Chapter 219 – Hollow Payback
"So... this is Viktoriya's former home?" Tragen said, looking at the estate in front of us, a couple of Tanya's wizards signaling us as we landed. "It's... overwhelming."
The large house in front of us had two floors, plus a third in the middle part, just above the marble staircase. In the center was a large stained-glass window over which stood a clock with the hours written in Cyrillic. Another building, slightly lower (two stories) to its left, had part of its roof damaged and one of the windows had been torn away; in the hundredth of the 'courtyard,' five medium-range anti-aircraft guns lay abandoned, the corpses of the soldiers attached to it lying abandoned on the ground. The first casualties of Tanya and her soldiers, considering how none of them had raised the alarm.
In essence, the building was not too different from how it must have once been, before the Revolution, when Viktoriya was a child and lived here with her family. The walls had been repainted and many rooms had been converted, but except for the Federation flag posted above the clock and the guardhouses set up at the entrance, nothing had been added or excessively altered since then.
"Everyone is equal, but some are more equal than others." I huffed with a note of disapproval, as other figures made their way toward us.
"Frederick!" Said Tanya accompanied by two of her mages. "I see you have arrived, still alive and in one piece. How is the situation?"
"The city is isolated, even if the Federation sends reinforcements immediately it will take them at least a month to deploy their troops. In the meantime, Tragen and his men have secured the factories to the north: it seems the Federates were trying to undermine them and blow them up, with their workers inside."
"The mines?" Tanya raised an eyebrow, looking at Tragen. He was my subordinate, not hers, so he did not have to obey her orders. However, Tanya was still a higher-ranking officer, and Tragen owed her due hierarchical respect.
"We have already deactivated them, I left some men to carry away the explosive material." He quickly replied. "However, there are things we need to make you aware of, Commander Degurechaff. You see, Commander Konig and I have discovered that-"
"The federates were preparing to transport all the gold and valuable materials out of the city?" She said with a mischievous smile, taking us both by surprise. "I already know everything, Serebyakov has already informed me, and a quick investigation allowed me to find out the truth."
"What truth?"
"The order to transport the gold away had not been authorized by the Federation Army." She said as if to answer me. "It seems that command of the troops in the city had been given to the civilian commander of the city, who had decided to settle on this estate as his personal property. Not only that, according to the information we have gathered, this individual stocked up on food and medicine, taking them from the supply warehouses intended for the population, and completely ignored the city's defense, deciding to use weapons and equipment in his endowment to fortify his own fortress."
"This explains the total absence of anti-aircraft guns or other defenses in the rest of the city!" Tragen said, stunned. "Have they abandoned the city and its inhabitants, preferring to devote themselves only to their own survival?"
"Roughly, yes. In all likelihood, they expected the empire to send infantry or armored units, and thus to have plenty of time to organize the relocation. They would have fled by plane, taking with them everything they had looted from the city with impunity, leaving the population at our mercy, and would have blamed the Empire for their plunder."
"Looks like we arrived just in time to spoil their plans, in that case." I said, following Tanya to the entrance of the estate. "Did you catch their leader?"
"Yes, that coward tried to hide as soon as he realized we were here. My men caught him inside a large, half-empty wine jar."
"Wait, didn't you execute him?"
"Why would I have?" She replied as she looked at me. "To be honest... I have more than good reason to believe that this privilege belongs to another."
It was then that new sounds coming from behind me, and the expression in Tragen's eyes, informed me that Viktoiya has arrived.
"Serebryakov!" Tanya said with a genuinely happy smile, as she rejoined us. "Welcome home! How's to once again be in the house that had been the home of your family for so many years?"
"It's... a strange sensation, sir!" Viktoriya replied, as she kept looking around with a confused expression. "It has been a long time since I last saw these walls, and now that I am here once again... Could this be the same house that I saw so many times in my dreams? The place I knew as my home, before I was cruelly ripped from it?"
"Believe me, the Federats already did a lot of things on the inside." she replied. "Do you want to come? If that's too much, you can wait outside and... "
"No!" Viktoriya yelled, Tragen moving to her side as he tried his best to comfort her. "This is something I ought to do. I know I probably won't be happy to see what these criminals have done with mt family's belongings, but... I need to know. I must know."
"Sr, if I am allowed," Tragen saluted. "I request permission to accompany Serebryakov to her side, and assist her."
"Granted." I replied, exchanging a glance with Tanya. "Let's move inside, shall we?"
"Indeed, let's move."
"How could have they done this?!" Viktoria yelled for the -nth time, her eyes laying on the devastation left by almost twenty years of Federat's control over her family's house. I said nothing, watching as Tragen gritted his teeth, his hands moving almost as he was trying to strangle someone invisible, my head simply moving from side to side.
As soon as we entered the house, we discovered that nothing inside had been spared, much to the grief and anger of Viktoriya, who kept pointing out the spots where this or that piece of furniture or object was once located.
"How could they? My family's furniture, torn to pieces and used to fuel the fire in the fireplace? And where is the bookcase that was my mother's most beloved treasure?"
"It seems that even the books your mother adored were not spared." Tanya said in an apologetic tone. "We found some scattered around the house, used to repair rickety tables or abandoned in absurd places. The rest, it seems, were burned shortly after the Revolution."
"They burned them?!" Viktoriya ranted with copious tears falling from her eyes as Tragen grew more and more scowling and angry. "These bastards... "
"And that's not all!" One of the wizards from the 203 Battalion who was inspecting the large house said, reporting. "The former library seems to have been converted back to a room where Federation officers had... fun with some local women."
"Damn barbarians!" Tragen growled in a fierce tone. "Is there anything they haven't ruined with their touch?"
"No, but in return, I have a surprise that I think you might enjoy. Bring it here!"
So ordered Tanya, and one of the mages under her command responded with a salute before hurrying off down the corridor. Five minutes later, I found out why.
A man in his fifties, dressed in a high-ranking civilian uniform of the Federation and with a large sack closed over his head to hide his face, was tied to a chair in the mansion's large hall, a table full of maps and documents in Cyrillic on one side, boxes full of rifles or equipment scattered here and there. The room was completely bare except for a few small decorations that, by luck or disinterest, had remained untouched in the long years that the Federation had controlled the house, the town, and the territory.
"Is that him?"
"Yes, the current civilian leader of the Federation." Said Tanya responding to me. "It was he who gave the order to concentrate military resources to defend this house and the hill on which it stands, rather than trying to fortify the city, and from him came the order to transfer all the 'people's funds' via the airport planes and to undermine the factories to prevent the Empire from making use of their facilities."
"Did you capture him alive?
"This cursed fellow was already planning his own escape, but he was so confident that we caught him with his pants down."
"No, I mean... I expected you to kill him as soon as you got the chance."
"Oh, the temptation to do so was strong, but that's someone else's pleasure." So he said, and two magicians proceeded to remove the sack over the man's head revealing a plump, mustached face.
A face that, judging by his reaction, Viktoriya knew very well.
"Wait! Please, wait!" The chained man pathetically pleaded, not even attempting to hide how much scared he was. "Please! Can you not forgive me? I am not a mook of the Federation, I can tell you so many things for the Empire! I can serve you, keep the people in this town in line, just like..."
"...you did for the Federation?" I sniped in, looking at him with eyes full of distain "I am not sure if you're a man or simply a worm."
"Please, please, spare my life! I am not an enemy of the Empire! Actually, I always hoped you would come in top!"
"I don't think so." Tanya cruelly replied. "From what we've managed to learn so far, you were planning to run away and kill so many people in this town, and you had every intention to lay the blame on the Empire while you would run to the border with planes filled with gold."
"No, that's not true! I was press-ganged, yes, the general of the Federation's army threatened me! I had no other choice! I was just following orders!"
By the Emperor, does he realize this pathetic attempt is not earning him any points? I rolled my eyes in disgust.
"YOU DISGUST ME, YOU DIRTY TRAITOR!" A voice shouted at once, and I saw Viktoriya push forward and then punch him on the face, a couple of teeth falling into the ground. "You betray my family, the people who took you out of the streets, you allowed the rebels to drive out away from our home and our town, you ruin the happy memories I had left of our ancestral house, you exploit the people we cared for, steal all their riches, and planning to destroy them with their homes to blame the Empire while you'd live in luxury? Dad should have left you to rot in the dirt house where he found you!"
At these words, the man gasped, his eyes widening as somehow, his brain began to connect, and he recognized her as well.
"It... it can't be... Young Miss?"
"Yes, that's me," Viktoriya hissed, hitting him again and again. "the little girl who always cheered you while you were working in the garden!" SLAP! "The little girl that considered you her friend, the gentle young man who she liked to visit every day." SLAP! "The girl who was horrified, when he saw how you opened the gates and allow those criminals to march in our own house!" SLAP! "The ones who cried when she saw the man who considered her best friend betray her family for his own advantage." SLAP! "The girl who was forced to leave her homeland, to rebuild her life in another nation with her family from the scratch, to leave her childhood behind so she could grow fast to support her family." SLAP! "You have any ideas how many years I've waited to see you again? To be finally able to pay back what you did?!"
"You... you are a mage? How is that possible?"
"The day I found out about my magical powers it was the day I realized I could be much more than the failed heiress of an household who had been deprived of all their riches. When I joined the Empire's Magical Corps, the Empire gave me a new purpose, a new pride, new comrades and brothers in arms. And then, I meet the commander, and she gave me inspiration and a future I could barely dream before!"
Tanya coughed, some words like 'by accident' escaping her mouth, unheard by anyone but me.
"And now, the Empire gave me the chance to fulfill my longest dream, to rebuild what you and your stinky mooks have destroyed, to cleanse our motherland of you criminals and restore the power that you sough to destroy! This house will once again belong to my family, and the Serebryakov will once again rule and lead this land. And you... " Viktoriya moved forward and grabbed one of his eyelids, pulling it so the man began to whimper even more in pain. "You will pay for your crimes!"
"No, young Miss, you misunderstand! I never wanted to betray your father, they were blackmailing me! I had debts, and they said-"
"Regardless of what reason you may had to hurt the same people who gave you food and shelter, that doesn't change how much you were willing to sacrifice this whole city for your own ego." I said, an evil smile blossoming on my lips. "Tragen?"
"Yes sir?"
"Make. Him. Suffer!"
"With pleasure, Commander." the usual aloof big-fun soldier who had followed since the days on the Rhine, Viktoriya's boyfriend and one of the most expert officer in the Empire's magical corps said. "With extreme pleasure!"
"Wait, you're a soldier, I have money! Ten thousand rubles if you kill these men and let me free! No, fifty thousand!"
"Your money means nothing!"
"One hundred thou-"
Before the man could try another attempt to bribe Tragen, my subordinate punched him in the face, leaving some visible on his cheek on his left eyes, before he started his 'operation'.
As Tragen proceeded, following Viktoriya's orders, I couldn't help but feel a shiver on my back. To kill someone in battle was a quick thing, led by survival's necessity, but to kill someone unharmed, restrained, as slowly as you could to make sure he felt everything?
I had gone a long way as a soldier, and by now I have come to reject such things... but I knew Viktoriya needed catharsis, on the man she single-handedly saw as the reason of the fall of her family. Yet, it was never simple to see someone die in such a manner, and surely, it wasn't easy to see that happen on him. Both Tragen and Viktoriya took their time, before giving him the coup de grace.
Only at the end, when the almost-unrecognizable body of the man laid on the floor, spilling blood, Viktoriya's rage subsided, and instead, she began weeping.
"I kept hating him for so long... I could never forget how he betrayed us, after all the good dad di to help him. How many times I saw his face in my nightmares, I though I thought once I had faced him, I would feel happy, but... all I feel is hollow."
"Because vengeance is empty, Serebryakov." I simply said, trying to come up with something that could sound kind without actually mean anything. "Or maybe, that's because in the years that have passed ever since leaving this home, you've grown up a lot. You faced so many challenges, and followed us in many adventures, so now that you've managed to reach your revenge, you found it to be much less satisfactory than you would believe."
"I... guess that's true... " Tanya mumbled. "Anyway, the mansion has been occupied, and this means the city is officially under control. Frederick, how much until we have clear radio contact with Berun?"
"My men are already working on it! The real issue is the people still living in the city: we don't know how much faithful they are to the Federation, but-"
"I'll do it."
"What?/What?/Huh?"
"My family has a long story with the people and families living in this town." Viktoriya continued, raising on her feet. "And even if so much time has passed, there may be still people who remember the name Serebryakov. Let me speak with them and see if I can find some kind of agreement. I don't know how much big are our chances, but I am willing to try."
"That's... actually a good idea, sir!" Tragen nodded. "Earlier, during the early patrols, I managed to get some glimpses of the relationship between the people living in the city and the Federation military. I can there is much unrest, and if we can play that well-"
"There is no need to explain that, I understood." Tanya responded, walking around as she thought about the suggestion. Was she trying to come up with reasons to veto the whole thing, for problems that need to be addressed, or just for some way to claim credit for the whole thing?
It can't be the latter. I thought with a mental smirk. After all, she could simply take credit just because the idea is from Viktoriya, her subordinate.
Trunko
Dissatisfied writer
- Location
- Milan, Italy
If there was, what would you hope there may be inside?
Trunko
Dissatisfied writer
- Location
- Milan, Italy
How about something like Jessamine's secret closet in Dishonored?
Chapter 220 – All the Duke's People
Trunko
Dissatisfied writer
- Location
- Milan, Italy
Chapter 220 – All the Duke's People
"Fear... shock... anger... you can basically see those emotions on their faces." I said, standing right next to Tanya, as we watched the large crowd of people who had been gathering in front of the main gate behind which laid the road connecting the old Serebryakov's mansion to the town. Once, at least from what I was able to deduce, armed guards and a roadblock were there to stop people from trespassing, but now, with the last remaining Federation' soldiers captured or on the run, the population had started to gather in there, as they had realized by now that something has changed.
No more Federation patrols marching through the street. No more People's Commissars visiting their private habitations, threatening to take away their husband and children on trumped-up accusations. No more propaganda being shouted through the speaker, to invite the population to deprive themselves of whatever food they had left 'for the Victory'.
That morning, the people had woken to find their city had been strangely silent, and no sign of the Federation's soldiers on sight. Confusion ruled over their minds, until a couple of them had the idea to move toward the former estate, where the local Party Leader and Civilian representatives lived, to find if he was still there.
And then, they found out. They saw Imperial Mages patrolling the sky all around the mansion, they saw the Imperial Banner and the Flag of the Russy Liberation Forces being raised on the main gate, and they realized what happened.
During the night, their city had changed hands.
"I suggest we anticipate our plan and start now." I recommended, seeing how the crowd had kept growing in the last half hour. "The last thing we need is to having to deal with a riot."
"That's acceptable." Tanya replied with a shrug. "Viktoriya, are you ready?"
"I-I am, commander Degurechaff!" The star of today's main act sighed, trying to calm her heartbeat by taking slow breaths. "It has been a long time since I last have been here, but I'll do it. I don't care what the Federation's propaganda may have said about me, these are the people my father cared for when he ruled. And I will do the same, as far as they will allow me to help!"
"Very well. Commander König, want to do the honors?"
"Fine. Let's get over with it... "
I focused my mind as let myself be propelled forward, some people shouting in Cyrillic and pointing at me as I kept lowering my body until my boots came in contact with the ground. Tragen was there, and he had six mages at his disposal: more than enough people and firepower to turn this crowd into a scattered uncoordinated mob of running people, should it become necessary.
Of course, this was something aimed to be kept as a 'last resort': unwarranted violence rarely helped you to gain the trust of the people who saw themselves being invaded.
"Greetings, people of Volgaria!" I spoke in my hard-learned Cyrillic, a couple of men standing in the front row and many women gasping and taking a step back, as they saw a pint-sized kid with black hair and dressed in the uniform of the Imperial Army, refer to them in their own language. "I am Frederick König, Mage of the Empire and commander of the 205th Mage Battalion. This night, my men and I captured your city and the soldiers of the Federation in it, but while I can see the suspect and fear on your faces, I am here to assure you that we are not here as invaders, but rather, as liberators from-"
"The Empire lie!" Someone shouted, causing a ripple effect.
"The fascist pigs have no place here!"
"We've heard those words already!"
"You don't trust me, and I understand that!" I shouted, realizing it was going just as I had foreseen. "You've been through a lot, and you've learned so far that sweets words from the new boss makes no difference in the end, and that whatever regime may come next won't be different. For this reason, you can't trust my words. But... what about the words of someone else?"
I moved aside, as I knew that she was coming forward, The eyes widening in some of the oldest residents were proof enough to know that Viktoriya was now in front of them.
"It can't be... Lady Serebryakov?"
"The Young Little Miss of the Estate... it is her?"
"Mom, who is that girl?"
"She's... someone we knew. A long time ago."
"Greeting, my friend." Viktoriya took over, speaking though her birth language, who she hadn't used often in the years ever since she and her family had been forced to leave her home. "My name is Viktoriya Serebryakov, and many of you still remember about me. My father... was once the duke ruling over this land, before ethe time of the Revolution. Before we were forced to leave."
Strangely, no one among the crowd dared to contest her, and instead, everyone seemed captivated by her words. I guess the memory of the Serebryakov among the people was strong enough they could still recognize the member of such family?
"I know what you were forced to endure in these years. You were forced to live under a tyrannical regime that, while promising to 'redistribute the land and turn this nation into a worker's paradise for the lower classes', in fact hoarded all the food to lavish themselves, forcing you and your kids to live off their scraps; a regime that used terror against you, their secret police kidnapping people in the middle of the night, never to be seen ever again. A regime so cruel, that it didn't hesitate to try and turn your own children against you and convince them that report anything they heard that may be seen as 'crime', no matter the context. A regime that take our most beautiful cities, and reduced them to ruins, bad managed and dirty, forcing you to live like worms in the name 'of the Revolution'."
She stopped for a second and looked down, some tears falling from her eyes. "My own heart bled when I saw what had happened to you in these years while my family and I had been forced to rebuild our won lives from scratch. After we were forced to leave what we considered our own home, because of people calling us parasites. Many of us couldn't adapt, and ended up dying alone and unloved, far away from their loved motherland, while other had to live through humiliation and toil, just to be able to keep going every day. Like me." her eyes filled with anger, as she remembered her life before discovering her magic and joining the Empire Mage Corps. "The magic... it gave me an opportunity to survive, but many others weren't so lucky."
"As many of you know, the Empire and the Federation are currently at war. The Federation's leaders have lied to us once again, and said that the Empire was the aggressor, but the truth is another. The Federation, not content with ruling over what was once one of the greatest lands of human's history, now want to spread his corrupt ideology all over the world, once again masquerading their greed with the claim they wanted to 'liberate' the rest of the workers in Europe, and the world's later on. They believe the Empire was weak, a regime corrupt that would crash down as soon as their army marched through the border. But they thought wrong."
"I am here today, because after so many years we spent suffering, or lord God once again smile upon us. The last member of our Imperial Family, our newest Czarina, is host and friend of the Emperor, and under her command an army made of men who like me dreamed to free their homeland had been marching back, assisted by the Imperial Army. The war won't be easy, nor won't be fast, as our enemy is an evil one, and won't hesitate to fight to the death to keep what it holds rather than surrender and spare us even more grief. Yet, we won't stop fighting until all our land will be once again free, the people of Russy no more subjugated by the cruel rule of their 'liberators'."
"I am here today, to uphold the vote my father before me followed through all his life, to serve and protect the people of this town, to give them the leadership they needed, to give them guidance in times of abundance and crisis, to full commit his life to the 'Noblesse Oblige' that every true lord hold toward his subject. WE have both suffered thanks to them, but with God's wisdom to guide us, and hope in our heart, time will help us heal these scars."
For a brief moment, no one said nothing, and I seriously feared that her speech had gone wrong, and we would do it the hard way.
The, someone in the back of the row began to sing, a song we ourselves knew so well. The old anthem of the Russy Empire. Little by little, one by one, everyone joined in the singing.
It was done. both Tanya and I realized at the same time, as we gave each other a glance of comradery. Our gambit to win the people's hearts and minds, by having Viktoriya talk to them, use her family bound to connect with their roots, had paid off. There would be many, of course, that wouldn't trust the Empire, but as long as they stood on the sidelines and let us hold the city without giving assistance to the Federats, we would be able to keep this fortress as much as we could, or rather, as long as our food and medical supplies would last.
The city of Volgaria, one the three most populated cities in the whole Federation, one of their industrial and production centers that the very own General Secretary of the Federation was going to rename with his own name, had now became a thorn on the side of the Federation's war effort. A fortress deep inside the Federations' territory, controlling all the area around it for miles and miles.
We divided already... I thought with a smug expression. And now... we conquer.
"-allied forces of the Imperial Army and the Russy Liberation Army successfully closed the biggest pocket of resistance in all history, capturing almost two million of Federation Soldiers and dissolving the last threats the Federation could aim at Imperial Territory, with the united forces of both armies marching into Myskvyn, capital of the FFR Republic of Byelnrussy, warmly welcomed by the local population eager to prove their support to the new Czarina. Correspondents of foreign newspaper, especially of journals of the Allied Kingdom, reports an record level of people of the recently liberated territories eagerly offering to enlist on the ever-expanding Russy Liberation Army, to free their homeland once and for all from the plague of Communist tyranny. Meanwhile new Imperial landings all over the coast, supported by the Mage Units of the Imperial Navy, have managed to establish strong beachheads around the former capital of Russy, where the Federats garrison still refuses any offer to surrender, and forcing the Imperials to lay down a possibly long siege-"
"-in a speech addressed to the people still living in territories controlled by the Federation's government, the Czarina of the Russy Empire and the Imperial Duma in Exile both expressed their congratulations to the newly established Russy Mage Corp, formed of mages who were imprisoned by the Federation's government until they managed to escape in the recent evasion, directly supported and trained by mages of the Empire. According to sources close to the Federation's government, the Federation currently lacks any meaningful mage forces to oppose, since the only mages faithful to them were annihilated on the Imperial Raid on Moskva by the combined forces of the 203rd and 205th Mage battalions-"
"Sir, that's us!" Tragen said eagerly.
"Looking and living large, Tragen!" I replied with a smirk, earning a scolding glance of response from Tanya.
"Testosteroned clowns... "
"The good news is, the radio works perfectly, sir!" One of the mages who had been busy setting it on the top of the old Serebryakov estate replied, cleaning his hands with a piece of cloth. "If we're able to clearly receive news reports from the Empire, we wouldn't have any issue to received encrypted orders from Strategic Headquarters."
"That's reassuring, at least, until the Federation will start to attempt disturbing our signals." Tanya rolled her eyes. "Did we already receive new orders from Berun?"
"A while ago. They were encrypted of course, so our communication specialist are busy translating them."
"I'm going to check then! I want to know the orders are before everyone else."
"Yes sir!"
"Wait, where's Serebryakov?" I asked, looking around. I was expecting for the soon-to-be new Dukess to be around here and coordinate the efforts to remove any trace of Federation control from her home.
"She... volunteered to stay in the city a bit longer." Tragen admitted, chuckling nervously. "She said she had a lot of reconnecting to do, and Commander Degurechaff agreed to it, so I let her have her own space."
"Indeed, I did." Tanya replied, somewhat sounding smugly as it was her subordinate the most important person on our side at this moment, and not Tragen. "It's important to let our subordinates act on their own will, as long as they can follow the guidelines."
What an hypocritical jerk. I thought back in anger, struggling to hide my emotions from her, weren't you the ones who lamented about having a too-good subordinate when we were busy establishing the 203rd and Viktoriya and Tragen's messing up ended up ruining our chance to use personal shortage to slow down work on purpose?
But, I was careful not to say anything: beside, Tragen's connection with Viktoriya was going to be stronger than anything that may be between her and Tanya.
"So, while commander Degurechaff gets our new orders, how is the situation so far?" I asked, as soon as Tanya was out of sight, looking at Tragen and the other mage officers gathered in the room with me. "We do have supplies to feed ourselves for at least a couple of weeks, but those won't be enough to feed all the people in this city!"
"I inspected all the warehouses in the city, we gathered all food we found and even added stashes we found hidden in the mansion by its... previous occupier." Tragen said with disgust, thinking back to the man who got to rule this town for many years in exchanging for betraying Viktoriya's family. "There is enough food to keep everyone feed for at least ten more days, and we could bring it to two weeks or more if we establish rationing. That's not enough, however, so I ask the permission to search for other food sources. I heard that there are farmers in the region who were not too sympathetic on the Federation, rumors said they may have tried to hide food to avoid persecutions by the Federation."
"Well, we have stashes of gold that they were trying to ship out of the city, maybe we could try to banter it for more rations and other stuff? Things we could use to secure our position?"
"I had the same idea sir, but we don't know how much time that would take. And the threat of the Federation still heavily weight on the mins of everyone. For this reason-"
"THEY WHAT?!" Tanya's voice echoed from the other room, as Tragen and I almost jumped in surprise. Quickly, we dropped the chat we were having and rushed to find her, fearing for the worst.
Apparently, Being X had decided to screw up. Again.
"The Federation is sending a whole army against us?" I repeated baffled, once Tanya had given us the rundown.
"Looks like it is. It was an army they were already assembling south of Moskva, first to support their advance in our territory, then to relieve pressure on the other armies. It appears to have been built quite fast using coscripts and criminals recruited from their own gulags, who they have promised freedom in exchange for service. It appear as soon as it came news Volgaria had fallen, they ordered the army to make a 90° turn and converge on our position. Looks like they have been scraping the bottom of whatever military equipment and arms they had right available to armed those men, so they're poorly trained and bad equipped, but they easily oversize us in numbers.
"How much number advantage they have, sir?"
"Two hundred thousand men, at least."
"Two hundred thousand?" Both Tragen and I gasped. Yup, this would be an overwhelming numerical advantage if we had been regular, magic-less people. But still...
"Then, what are our orders from Strategic Headquarters? How do they want us to protect the city?"
"They don't." Tanya coldly replied. "The plan was to occupy the city and use it as a bait to draw as much of the enemy's forces as we could, thus stopping them from reinforcing the main front and indirectly helping our comrades of the main army. But apparently, the Strategic Headquarter thinks we already achieved enough, so our orders are to evacuate the position and redeploy westward, to rejoin our troops."
"We can't do that!" Tragen contested. "The people in this town would be done!"
"I know, but luckily the 'order' words are open enough to interpretation that leaves us a chance."
"What does that mean?" I asked, unsure of the answer.
Tanya looked back at me and Tragen, her eyes filled with anger and resolve. "Commander König, are you and your men willing to assist the 203rd Magic battalion in defeating and routing a whole Federation's Army?"
For a few seconds, I said nothing, as the eyes of everyone focused on me. Then, my mouth started to twitch by itself, turning into a smile, and I began to laugh.
It was crazy. It was absurd. It was highly dangerous, with good chances of dying with barley any hope for success.
And I loved it.
Last edited:
Trunko
Dissatisfied writer
- Location
- Milan, Italy
I think it would be more fitting AFTER killing Being X for good...
- Location
- canada
The Empire apparently doesn't allow patronymics/matronymics, so that's probably her legal name. However, she's speaking in Russian, to a Russian audience, while trying to appear as Russian as possible, so shouldn't she be using "Serebryakova"?
Chapter 221 – Schneekrieg
Trunko
Dissatisfied writer
- Location
- Milan, Italy
Chapter 221 – Schneekrieg
"Gentlemen, it has been 24 hours since we took control of the city of Volgaria." Said Tanya looking around. "You already know the situation, now I would like to hear your reports."
"Thanks to the... contribution of Officer Serebryakov," said Matheus Johan Weiss. "we have managed to gain a fair amount of popular approval, and thanks to it, we have been able to locate many of the Federate spies left in the city. We have already taken steps to arrest all those we were able to capture, and we are tightening the search scope on the remaining ones."
"What about the... Militia?" Tanya asked with genuine interest. "Have you had a chance to make an impression on them yet?"
"Commander Degurechaff, the locals are well motivated and willing, but that is not enough to make them good soldiers. I seriously doubt that we can bring them up to a decent level of training, even if we had months. They are good for maintaining order and keeping popular support high, but nothing more."
"Well, we certainly couldn't refuse their help," I said at that point. "and we had plenty of Federation's leftovers to arm them with."
"That's the point, sir. Sometimes, I think they would be better armed if we simply gave them sticks and stones."
"I'll take that as an accusation toward the quality of Federation's weapons." Tanya grumbled. "The airport?"
"We have already selected the planes that, in the opinion of our competent men, are in the best condition to reach the territory under Imperial control, and now we are making a list of the... non-essential personnel we can afford to evacuate. Although I do not understand the reason for this operation."
"Neither old people nor children nor the sick are able to help us actively, and yet even they, more than others, need food and medical care. By transferring them to Empire-controlled territories by airlift we will not only enable them to receive medical care and aid in a higher quality than we can afford to offer at present time, but will enable us to reduce the daily expense of food and medicine that we may need in the coming battle. In addition, the population will have no complaints in knowing that their loved ones will be relocated to areas far from the conflict, decent hospitals and without risk of starvation. And when they return, they will bring food and other necessities with which to improve our situation."
"But sir, what about the Federates? How do we know they won't try to attack the planes?
"Federation military opening fire on unarmed civilian aircraft, repainted with the Red Cross, full of old people and children, civilians of the same Federation? You wish they were that stupid: such an act would destroy any vestige of international support the Federation can still boast in any other nation in the world, generate new support for the new Czarina and her government-in-exile, and effectively sanction the moral victory of the Empire and its allies. I doubt that the Federation could be so stupid as to serve us, on a silver platter, victory in this conflict."
"In any case, I think it is appropriate to have at least one escort mage deployed on each large aircraft. At the very least, to ensure the return of the aircraft and what we need."
"I already have a list of possible volunteers; I will personally select them later."
"Now, I think we can set apart the whole 'manage the city' issue until later, we have more dire things to discuss." Tanya looked down at the map, depicting the large city of Volgaria and its surrounding. "Frederick, did you manage to find info about the Federation Army approaching us?"
"I won't lie, it wasn't easy." I replied, thinking back to all the bribes I had to pay just to get someone to reveal me some decent information. "Luckily, from what my men and myself had been able to gather, I think we have a good estimate of the forces of our enemies. The Federation's Army currently moving toward us numbers at least two hundred and eighty thousand men, and they keep boosting their numbers by press-ganging all local men of the regions they pass through. They hold at least ten thousand transport vehicles, most of them used to carry supplies or high-ranking officers, five hundred tanks and one thousand artillery guns. As you can clearly see, it's an army that was supposed to be sent westward, against our forces. Of course, they're barely equipped to less than 50% of their full efficiency, most of their guns are outdated and all the tanks they have are light versions, whose armor can only withstand gunfire and gatling guns, and yet-"
"And yet, quantity is a quality of its own." Tanya grumbled, taking notes as she started to assemble the situation on the map. "How fast are they proceeding?"
"That's the best news so far: they're awfully slow. Be it because almost 90% of their fighting forces are conscripts marching by food, or because the logistic situation is a mess, or because of the damages we did." I smirked, thinking back to the bridges my men and I had blown up as we took over the city. "The result, however, is the same: we have quite some time before they'll approach the city, and even more before they can even attempt to assault it. Time that we can afford to invest, both to strengthen our position and set up our plans. The issue is, time favor them as well."
"What does that even mean?" One mage of Tanya, who I didn't recognize asked, as I shrugged.
"Looks like the enemy's planning to send even more reinforcements, to assure the recapture of the city. Looks like they've set up new training camps beyond the Urals, and they're overworking them to turn helpless farmers into disciplined soldiers to feed their war effort. They're too far way to arrive on foot, however, so looks like they're setting up a small fleet of fluvial transports to bring them here.
"This is not good." Tanya hissed. "We are already outnumbered, if the enemy receives any more reinforcements, it'll become one-sided."
"Huh, excuse me, sirs?" Tragen, who had been waiting silently behind me all this time, raised his hand. "If I may say... while I do believe the statistic are correct, I think the trust you have in our units being able to repel and annihilate the attacking army are sound. True, the enemy has the advantage of numbers, but there are ways around that."
"Oh yeah?" I asked, quite surprised that Tragen may had some useful ideas. "Then let's hear it. What would you suggest?"
"Well, sir, to maximize our chances and remove as many advantages of the enemy as we can, I think we'd require to launch three simultaneous strikes. The first one will be aimed at several harbor facilities located all over the river's length: this will thwart the arrival of their river transports and stop the reconnection between both Federation forces, forcing their fleet to either go back and deploy too far away from the city to support their allies, or to move further south and try a separate assault on Volgaria. This last possibility would give us and the local forces who have aligned themselves with us a good chance to sink those transports and kill their soldiers without need of a direct confrontation."
"That's... quite an interesting idea," Tanya mused about it. "Let's hear the others."
"The second one, is to use our superior firepower and battle agility to spread chaos and terror among our enemy's ranks. As we've got to know, the Federation's army is currently suffering of a disproportionate ratio of officers compared to their troops, that means their ability to keep their own troops disciplined and in line is stretched thin. The use of units deployed with piercing skills and long-range riles would allow us to kill as many officers as possible and deal severe blows to the enemy's capability to coordinate their own units and slow down their own reaction speed. And finally," he said, looking frontward with eyes filled with pride and determination. "the last one would take advantage of the chaos preventively created to push their whole army to a rout."
"A rout?" Several other mages gasped at once. They all knew when a unit became routed, but... to do it to a whole army?
"As Commander König already said, most of the enemy's soldiers are conscripts, with barely any training and no will nor determination to fight, whose discipline is kept on line only by the threat of their own officers and Commissars. After killing as many of them to spread chaos among their ranks, I think a well-coordinated strike on the enemy's remaining leadership and their own best unit will force them to flee. If this happens-"
"Their army will self-disintegrate and break down in a mass of runaway scared men with no chance for them to regroup and pose new threat to use." Tanya smiled evilly. "An easy prey for us or anyone close enough to join the battle!"
My subordinate. I smiled proudly as I looked at Tragen. Many of us already respected him for his big muscles and his kind heart, but... to have brains as well? I felt like I had just hit jackpot.
"If we're talking to hit their crack troops, or whatever they call the best," Wilibald Koenig, one of Tanya's subordinate, commented. "our best shots are to aim at their armored troops and their artillery. Even if the plan should fail, remove their tanks and field guns would make impossible for them to storm the city, forcing them into a long, difficult siege while we would be able to keep our air superiority."
"Not sure if it's a good idea to waste time, however." Rhiner Neumann interjected. "According to our meteo guys, there are hints that the Russy's winter will arrive earlier. If an ice blizzard hits Volgaria, we wouldn't be able to receive supplies by air or even fly to fight our enemies."
"Since when a bit of snow is supposed to stop you?!" Tanya replied, the wizards who had been with us ever since the beginning of the 203rd Battalion taking one step back. "You faced much worse on the days of the training camp! Did you perhaps mellow down?"
"N-no, absolutely sir!" Tragen quickly intervened, looking at me as he was hoping for some psychological support. "What we mean is... we trained in the Empire's winter, but from all known sources, the Russy's winter is much worse!"
"Yeah, Officer Serebryakov even told us the winter had been used by the Russy's people many times during wars," Neumann spoke up again, taking out some notes. "Even Napoleone, when he tried to invade the country, was repelled after the Russy's people destroyed all available resources with an scorched earth campaign. How can we be sure the Federation won't try the same against the Empire?"
"This is why our collaboration with the Russy Liberation Army is so important." I shrugged. "We need the Russy people to choose us rather than the Federation, and the new Czarina will be our bridge to build trust and secure our rears, while at the same time make sure our troops won't be forced to face what already proved to be the undoing of so many armies."
Ironically, we heard a door slam, and a female figure walked in. That is, Viktoriya Serebryakov, Tanya's main subordinate officer and most trusted comrade, Tragen's girlfriend in the army and the upcoming Duchess once the city of Volgaria would be returned under its hold masters.
"Commander Degurechaff!" She said, saluting each one of us. "Commander König, Officer Tragen-"
"Looks like you had some nice reunion with your old serfs." Tanya said, only for Viktoriya to speak back irritated:
"They are not serfs! They are people I know, or rather that I used to know, alongside all their family members who have grown up in the long years we've been away. WE never saw them as servants bound to serve us, but as people we ought to help and give them the leadership they needed."
"So, anyone reacting to their new duchess?" I teased, Viktoriya blushing for a brief second.
"Commander! That's still too far away in time, and still unclear! Anyway, I came to report than many of them are grateful for our decision to stay and are willing to help against the upcoming attack."
"You knew about the Federation's forces approaching?!" Tanya asked, bewildered. "Who told you?"
"No one, it was mostly logic," she smirked back. "After all, I doubt the Federation would stand kind and watch while one of their mayor cities had been taken over."
"So, you know they're sending a whole army against us?"
"AN ARMY?!" She gasped, Tanya and I rolling eyes together. Yup, looks like she didn't foresee everything.
"I guess it's time for some information sharing, shall we?"
(... )
"-quite a dangerous initiative! You had your orders!"
"The orders didn't say we had to leave, they said we had to coordinate with other Imperial Forces and their allies in order to destroy the Federation army and secure our invasion's force flank." I retorted, making sure to use logic in my words on the Strategic Headquarter's low-rank officers by radio. "Moreover, while far away from our lines, Volgaria is a formidable asset. Being able to hold it would not only allow us to reconvert its industrial production as soon as we have the chance, but it represents a significant threat in the very heart of the Federation's territory."
"The Empire can't afford to sacrifice its own strategy just to hopelessly try to protect a city that far, and you don't have the numbers. I'll repeat: you have the evacuate the position and destroy everything you can't bring with you, before redeploying under the Fourth Air Fleet-"
"Give me that!"
"General? Sorry general but these unruly officers-"
"I said leave!" Spoke a familiar voice, one I could recognize even distorted through the radio waves. "Commander König?"
"Deputy Chief of Operations von Rudersdorf!" I instinctively saluted.
"Here at Strategic Headquarters we were quite surprised when we heard you were going to disobey our orders and refuse to evacuate Volgaria." The General spoke, his voice firm, almost as he was trying to judge my words. Probably because he was. "I am sure you have a nice explanation to justify this obvious lack of respect toward your superior officers."
"General, I can assure you that both Commander Degurechaff and myself have excellent reasons to explain our course of actions. As I was saying to that man before you-"
"I heard that part already, yes, but I would like to hear more of those supposed advantages you were talking about?"
"Very well, I guess I can nominate how the population is quite in our favor thanks to their ties to the Serebryakov family, and how as long the city stays under our control, it acts as a bait for any enemy reinforcement that could be otherwise sent to reinforce their own units west, slowing down our advance-"
"You're suggesting that Volgaria may become the mmost elaborate bait in all of military history?" The General chucked. Quite an ambitious plan If I can say."
"Every enemy soldier who will be redeployed into trying to take over the city will be one enemy soldier less that you'll have to face on the advance toward Moskva." I emphasized. "And this is just one of the many advantages Degurechaff and I have for as long as we will be able to hold it."
"The issue is, Commander, that your little stunt gained the attention of... someone quite high-up."
"High-up?!" I gasped, suddenly alarmed. "If this is about our actions-"
"It's not someone from HQ, nor the Army," he replied, my mind spinning as I struggled to assimilate them. "someone higher."
"Some representative of the Imperial Government?"
"Higher."
"The Imperial family?"
"No, but... close by." The General nodded, taking a sight before continuing. "I'm informing you officially that the Czarina herself showed interest in your exploits, in the last meeting held with the Emperor."
"T-the Czarina?!" I gasped, as the image of 'Beth' came back to my mind. Just how many powerful loli-sized girls was I going to cross my path with on this life?
"Apparently, the 'liberation' of Volgaria had caused quite enthusiasm for her cause, and yesterday, she told the Emperor that she expect the Empire to give you all possible support to make sure the city remains free. And while the Empire cannot send his army to assist you... Strategic Headquarters is ready to give everything he can spare to support you."
"S-sir!"
"From now on, the position you currently hold is officially renominated 'Fortress Volga'. Your new orders are as follows: draw as much of the enemy forces as you can, and destroy them. Be wary, however. There are many eyes on the city: to kill the Federation's soldiers is not enough anymore, it must be a spectacle!"
"Yes sir!" I grinned in malice, as I started to feel once again the black power of General War seeping into me...
- Location
- canada
Oh boy, it seems there's going to be quite the show coming up.
As for dealing with such a large but slow army, the first thing that comes to mind is targeting their supplies and logistics so they can be slowed down even further. Although that depends on whether or not they even have such convenient targets to exploit, since such critical assets would usually be the most well protected parts of an army, not to mention they would be enjoying the strategic advantages of fighting on their home ground and thus be surrounded by plenty of other alternative sources of supplies all around them from nearby villages and towns.
Then again, if the peasants that were conscripted from those same nearby villages and towns were ordered to take too much from them after losing enough supplies, then the people that makes up the army might just rebel and rout anyways.
As for dealing with such a large but slow army, the first thing that comes to mind is targeting their supplies and logistics so they can be slowed down even further. Although that depends on whether or not they even have such convenient targets to exploit, since such critical assets would usually be the most well protected parts of an army, not to mention they would be enjoying the strategic advantages of fighting on their home ground and thus be surrounded by plenty of other alternative sources of supplies all around them from nearby villages and towns.
Then again, if the peasants that were conscripted from those same nearby villages and towns were ordered to take too much from them after losing enough supplies, then the people that makes up the army might just rebel and rout anyways.
Trunko
Dissatisfied writer
- Location
- Milan, Italy
Remember that many of them may be 'incentivized' to jump ship and join the Czarina's side...
Anyastasya Nikolayna Sneguročka Zakharovna & Alexei Serebryakov – The Queen and the Crusader
Trunko
Dissatisfied writer
- Location
- Milan, Italy
Anyastasya Nikolayna Sneguročka Zakharovna & Alexei Serebryakov – The Queen and the Crusader
The next phase of the conflict had opened with numerous successes by the Imperial Army, which, after liberating the last territories of the Empire occupied by Federation troops, was now slowly advancing eastward. They were not alone, however: to the south, the Dakia Army (rebuilt and improved under the leadership of their new ruler), having repulsed an initial Federation counterattack, had crossed the border on the river at several points, and was now engaging an entire Federation army; to the north, in the Suomi region, a rebellion had arisen supported by the Empire and the new government of the former Entente, aiming to reunite the region with the Scandinavian nation. These were joined by military contingents from the Kingdom of Ildoa, the Collective of Hispania, and the Turkman Principalities, all nations that for one reason or another had an interest in harming the Federation or making themselves look good in the eyes of the Empire.
But none among them had the weight and determination of the Russy Liberation Army, made up of men who had sworn their lives to the destruction of the Federation and to rebuild everything it had destroyed, lead by officers of great experience and fame, and now under the leadership of the last surviving member of their Imperial Family.
And it was here, at Hurdava, one of the Imperial Army's strongholds on the borders of the Federation, that the New Provisional Government and the Liberation Army Headquarters had been based, and where an interesting meeting was now going to take place.
"Presenting her Imperial Highness," one of the servants in uniform said, with prideful expression in his face. "the last surviving daughter of the House of Nikolayna, Anyastasya Nikolayna Sneguročka Zakharovna, Czarina of the Russy Empire."
Anya walked in the room, the guards who had been surrounding her spreading out to cover every corner of the room, as he glanced forward, to the young man standing in the middle, waiting for her.
"You Imperial Highness Prince Christian Adolphus," Anya spoke, as the supposed heir to the Imperial Throne walked toward her. "It is nice to... see you again." Oh, come on, you're basically here once every two days! Don't you have something better to do?
"You Imperial Highness Czarina Anyastasya," the prince replied with a kind tone. "it's an honor to meet you again on this day. I assure you the Empire will soon crush every resistance left of the Federation's Army, and once we recapture the capital, we'll allow you to have your coronation ceremony."
Allow me? You speak like it's something you're giving me out of generosity, not out of right! "Of course, but before making plans for the aftermath, we have to finish our current battle. Primum Vincere."
"Indeed, your highness. I... brought some interesting news from the front that I'm sure you'll appreciate. First, our Northern Army keeps advancing eastward, and as of yesterday morning, they've arrived on sight of the city of Rugas. The ever-strengthening activity of the partisans of the Liberation Army behind communist lines has proved to be invaluable for our war effort, and your own army has proven itself in battle on many occasions."
"The people of Russy sought to achieve their freedom, and as long as the Empire is willing to help us, we will help the Empire." That means that if you try to undermine us, we won't think twice about giving you the burn notice.
"Still, the main reason I am here is to talk about something my father had been quite interested in. It has reached our ears that Your Highness had been quite enthusiastic when news arrived that the city of Volgaria had fallen."
"Volgaria was one of our main populated and industrial centers," Anya replied. "and the family that ruled it before the Revolution was one of our strongest and most loyal supporters. The fact that one of the mages involved in its liberation was a member of that family is just the icing on the cake, as sometimes people say."
"Your Highness!" The young mage gasped, as he kneeled in front of her. Anya scoffed, rolling her eyes: she would never get used to people kneeing in front of her. "I am honored you asked me to be here-today-"
"Enough!" She replied. "I know your name, you're Alexei Serebryakov, former mage of the Federation's elite mage battalion, now one of the best of the Russy Liberation Army. I've seen the reports; it looks like congratulating you for every success won't be enough."
"Y-your Majesty!" The mage replied, feeling even more honored than before. "I have sworn my life to free our beloved land from the claws of those criminals!"
"Yes, this is something you're doing for your people, right Serebryakov?" He looks up, and she smiled at him. "I know your family ties, and I also know the reason why you decided to switch sides to the Empire was after you ended up meeting a mage of the 203rd Mage Battalion that turned out to be a long-lost relative of yours, Viktoriya Serebryakov, the next into like for the title of Duchess of Volgaria."
"Viktoriya... she helped me when even I thought I had no way out. She and her commander, that Degurechaff girl, and their friend, Frederick König, they gave me a chance to retake my destiny for myself, to get back at the same bastards who forced me to serve them after driving much our family away and forcing the rest of us into starvation. And I would do anything to help her!"
"This is the exact reason why I called you today. I don't know if you're already aware of it, but... the Empire sent their best mage units, the 203rd and the 205th Mage Battalions, on a special mission to take control of Volgaria. According to the reports available, they managed to successfully free the whole city without bloodshed, yet the Federation is amassing an army to try and reconquer it."
"They are?!" Alexei gasped, "This means that... Viktoriya-"
"Your long-lost cousin is currently standing in the very city that your family used to rule and control, probably living in your old estate. AS soon as the nes of the incoming army reached us, Strategic Headquarters ordered them to pull back and evacuate the city."
"What? My- Your Highness, this cannot be done! The Federats are beasts: if we allow them to return to a city they were forced to abandon, they'll make the population pay for their humiliation with blood!"
"My thoughts exactly." Anay smiled. "And for this reason, I summoned you here today-"
"Plus, you would have to admit, a small garrison of our best soldiers holding the line against the onslaught of an entire army, diverting so much of our enemy's focus from the frontlines, would make such an epic tale to be retold for generations in the future."
"This is true." The Prince replied. "So, can you confirm that this is true? The Russy Liberation Army is planning their own operation to provide assistance to Volgaria?"
"From a certain point of view, yes." The young Czarina admitted. "The Admiral has already gathered enough troops to use in the planned offensive. They will push east-northeast to cut off any retreat route for the attacking Federation Army. To cover our advance and repel any attempt to slow us down, a group of our best Battle Mages will provide air cover and close air support for our troops. We will reach the Volga and cut off any connection between Moskva and the southern regions, allowing us a chance to pacify the border areas and neutralize all the remaining Federation garrisons with no risk for other armies to endanger our population."
"I am sure you're aware that our top officers all suggested you rethink this consideration. The Federation, while having suffered quite tremendous blows, is still fighting and they can summon new armies at a faster rate than the Empire. Moreover, right because their situation is getting more desperate, you shouldn't underestimate their actions: even a mouse, when cornered by a cat, will try to bite it to try to escape."
"We are aware of the risks, but we can't stay idle and watch your best mages being abandoned by their own while we can do something."
"Who says they've been abandoned?" The prince replied, generating surprise in the young Russy monarch. "True, Strategic Headquarters didn't see the importance of holding such a city, but I am quite sure they're going to change their views in the upcoming days."
"The Emperor knows about this?"
"Indeed, and while he was initially baffled both our leading officers decided to disregard their initial orders, he was also amused by the idea of making a stronghold out of Volgaria."
"Does he know that a mage of the 203rd Battalion is a Serebryakov? A member of the family that used to rule over such land before the Revolution?"
"He does, Strategic HQ apparently had a file on every mage who ever fought in both mage units. I promise you this is a situation we will sort out if you would require-"
"There is no need, at least, not for now." Anya retorted. She had many reasons to ask the Empire to 'allow' the many former Russy citizens and nobles to return to their motherland, but right now, with the war still ongoing, she had no reason to pressure the issue. "Still, if the Imperial Family is aware of the importance of Serebryakov, I guess this add new reason to the decision of both units to refuse to withdraw."
"I did read the file." the Prince commented, a smirk blossoming on his lips. "She's quite a model officer, don't you agree? Professional, competent, devoted to her commander and her nation, fast thinking and even cute. I'd have to admit, if the circumstances had been different, I may have feel tempted to try and woo her."
"Unless Her Highness plans to screw up her own marriage talks personally overseen by her beloved mother the Empress, plus to cause a diplomatic incident with my government," the young Czarina teased. "I suggest you to drop the idea. If that was a joke, it's not funny, and if it wasn't, you should be ashamed."
"You're right." The Prince agreed. "Still, if your Army is preparing itself to face the Federation's goons for the first time, the Empire can't refuse to assist you in any way. We can't move our ground troops, but surely our airplanes and other mage units can provide more than enough air support."
"I appreciate that, I'll talk with the Admiral later on and I'll agree on a new date to coordinate our efforts. Still, there is one thing I would like to make it clear: this is a victory we must earn by ourselves, to give a message to the people of Russy and the other nations in the world. The Empire can help, but you can't interfere!"
"Volgaria's position on the bank of the Volga river makes it ideal for the Federation to move troops on the river, still, if Commanders Degurechaff and König are smart enough to realize this, they'll probably have a plan already to neutralize any chance for the enemy to get reinforcements. We also heard that the 205th Mage Battalion mages managed to seize the city's airport with no resistance, and now plan to use the planes still working to evacuate as much of the non-fighting civilian population as they can."
"They're using the planes to evacuate the civilians?" Alexei asked, still surprised by the news.
"They're not doing it out of sheer generosity, mage." The Admiral scoffed, the many years of endless fight having left a bitter aftertaste in his voice. "They're sending the planes to Imperial-controlled territory to load supplies and other materials they will need to strengthen their position and to build up strategic reserves. The civilians are being set out only to reduce the need of mouth to feed, and to not have the planes depart empty."
"Still much more than any of us would have ever done." The young Czarina mused for a second. "This gives us a golden chance to bring help of our own."
"Your Majesty?"
"König and Degurechaff are sending us people who are in dire need of help, and their planes will depart to bring back supplies and other material. Admiral, how about you take advantage of this to move our own men and resources into the city?"
"I wouldn't advise it. While the Federation Air Force is no more, the upcoming changes of weather and the imminent winter make such long-distance transport flights quite dangerous. Plus, even if we gathered all the available places we could, we wouldn't be able to transport enough troops to make a difference."
"I am not talking about moving all our soldiers inside the city," Anya replied, a thoughtful expression forming on her face. "Instead, how about simply sending them a few chosen men who could help make a more significant difference?"
"Are you talking perhaps about us, your majesty?" Alexei raised an eyebrow. "I mean- of course the mages of the Russy Liberation Army are yours to command! Just point us in the direction, and we will push through!"
"Admirable, heroic, and completely foolish, but no. This is not what I had on mind." Anya retorted. "According to what information we've available, Degurechaff and Konig used the alliance between the Empire and us, yet those people lack proper training, and above everything else, a leader worthy of its name. A small group of mages will be sent, but with them, I plan to send some officers and a commander, one who can help us remake Volgaria's people into an army capable of defeating the Federates in a frontal attack."
"An officer to lead them?" The Admiral wondered for a few seconds. "But who would be brave or mad enough to-" he stopped, looking back at Anya, her lips twitching into an evil smirk. "M-my Czarina, you can't mean... "
"That man may be crazy, on this you're not wrong." Anya replied, "But he's also the most courageous and efficient officer currently serving under our command."
"I see the logic in your words, yet, as a member of the Imperial family, I can't help but feel worried about such decision. What if the decision ends up backfiring?"
"Every prize has its risk associated, and the people of Russy have always known, there is no victory without sacrifice. The situation had many occasions to go wrong, I acknowledge that, but I have good reason to believe in the success of our cause. Furthermore... we'll have the best mages of the Empire ready to support us, once again."
"Indeed. Both Degurechaff and König have proven themselvesexperienced and versatile officers ever since their first actions on Norden. Both Strategic Headquarters and the Imperial Court have been quite interested in their careers for a very long time."
"Is this perhaps related to the rumors of a bet among the leadership of the Empire that the Admiral told me about?"
"W-what?" The prince blushes, as Anya realized her words had hit the mark. "How-how did you-"
"Oh, please, that's quite an open secret for everyone but them!" She rolled her eyes. "The Admiral even told me he was able to bet over a thousand mark."
"A thousand marks?! I bet over five thousand!"
Oh, the Emperor allowed you to throw away so much money at once? Anya was genuinely surprised. The allowance of royal families sure is crazy. That said, I can make my own allowance now!
"You know, talking about them made my desire to go and meet them in person grow. Yet, I have no reason to hasten my decision-making skill: once Volgaria will be safe from the hands of those communist bastards and the Federation will be on the brink of collapse, I'll go in that city myself to affirm my right to reign and govern as Czarina, to pay tribute to the Serebryakov family and ask them if I may host the ceremony at their estate."
"The ceremony?" The prince gasped again, even number than before. The smile of the Czarina grew, as unnoticed by the Imperial boy, the dark shadow of an ancient force began to grow, surrounding the young lost heir of Russy, its dark power filling her ears and nostrils.
"Yes; I plan to hold my crowning ceremony in Volgaria, to be officially crowned Czarina of Russy." And once the crown will be officially on my head, our agreement will be in full effect, will it?
Absolutely, my dear child. The cold voice of General War spoke to her once again. You shall be Czarina, and you will rule in my name...
Last edited:
- Location
- canada
very city
I wonder if General War intends to interfere further for this battle.
Trunko
Dissatisfied writer
- Location
- Milan, Italy
Loria – Delirium
Trunko
Dissatisfied writer
- Location
- Milan, Italy
Loria – Delirium
"Vitesbenk has fallen!"
"What is the situation on the Morova front?"
"We have lost contact with the 12th Army!"
"Incoming report from Chuckrily: the Imperials have attacked the fortress. High losses, they desperately need reinforcements."
"Order the 332nd Division to provide support!"
"Sir, the 332nd Division is already collapsed and in retreat!"
"I cannot make contact with Colonel Vushyn's command!"
"Keep trying and calling until they respond! If the 32nd Army Corps is unable to intervene, we risk losing the entire region of Sìuchyn!"
"What about the 13th People's Grenadier Regiment?"
Loria, commander of the NKVD and recently promoted to the rank of Under-Secretary of the Party, gnashed his teeth as he observed the chaos around him. Until recently, such disorder would have been not only difficult to think about but also to imagine: efficiency and discipline were the order of the day within the walls of the building, and anyone unable to maintain that standard would quickly lose the favor of their leaders, resulting in transfer to Syldberia and execution in most cases. But now?
Now chaos reigned supreme as the war situation deteriorated further and further. What had begun as a glorious pre-emptive offensive aimed at spreading the Revolution to the Empire and giving its oppressed peoples the freedom and commonality of the Federation had turned into a disaster, with much of the attacking military forces being surrounded and destroyed, while the Empire had gone on the counterattack, pushing the Federates back across the border and invading sacred Federation soil in turn. The nation's pride, as well as all its international prestige, had been shattered after the attack on their own capital, Imperial magic units bombing and destroying all major political and industrial buildings and annihilating, in a very violent battle, the Federation's elite magic unit. Even Chernakova, his ward and favorite, had been killed in the clash: although her body had not been found, the search that Loria himself had promoted had produced no results.
Not only that, a group of International volunteers had taken part in the battle, whose intervention had caused a new crisis with the Allied Kingdom and the Unified States. The already tenuous foreign relations were now damaged beyond repair the possibility of obtaining foreign aid; and the Imperials had not only devastated the capital at their leisure, but in an act of obvious offense to all that the Federation had built and represented, they had hoisted the old flag of the Russy Empire over the rubble and sung the anthem of the Counterrevolution.
Loria held back a grimace as his hand instinctively moved to touch the bandage where his right eye was no longer. A shard of rubble had hit him in the crash. He survived but was now reduced to a bloody cyclops.
König and Degurechaff. He thought with ill-concealed anger combined with longing. When he saw them singing, he fell in love with them at first sight, and one of the first decisions he took as he watched their performance was that, no matter how much time and resources it would require, he would capture them, break them and turn them into his newest and prettiest toys like he did many times already. After news hit him that the one magical girl he had personal oversight of in the last year had disappeared... he thought he could make space for her replacements.
But then, the military situation of the Federation had begun to collapse, day after day, week after week, every time news reached them it was something bad that messed up their strategies again and again. The population was in turmoil, a sizable chunk of prolet had let themselves to be swayed by the promises of their old masters and had began to support the Admiral's bandit army, their reactionary enemies having allied themselves with the Empire. Somehow, a surviving descendant of the Czar's bloodline had been discovered, and while the Federation didn't lose time to call her a fraud and an obvious attempt to trick the people, the Empire and all of their puppet had quickly recognized her, and so did all the people who still fought for the old regime. Usually, Loria wouldn't mind cracking as much heads as possible to restore order and crush those insurrection inside the Federation, yet their enemies had grown stronger, organized, and many agents of the NKDV had been killed or wounded, seriously weakening Loria's office and their ability to maintain control.
And now that Volgaria had been occupied, the news of desertions among the Federation soldiers and pro-White sentiment among the population had been grown sensibly.
"Under-Secretary Loria!" A voice called out, the NKDV chief turning around to see yet another low-level bureaucrat running toward him, a large stack of paper in his hands, pale in face. "We have a report coming from the Ekatrynburg region for you: they require your urgent attention."
"Show me." he grabbed the paper the younger man was hinting too and began to read it, before his eyes widened in shock.
"All of them?"
"Afraid so, the... Secretary already knows, he says he needs to talk with you."
Loria almost jerked back. He knew what usually meant when someone was called in the Secretary's office.
"I understand," he retorted. "I best go immediately."
As soon as he entered, Loria was surprised for a second as he noticed the complete disarray the office was. Paper pieces were everywhere, the furniture was all moved, and a great map of the European territories of the Federation up to the Uryals Mountains was on the desk, annotations indicating the current frontlines and the forces deployed against each other. In short, it was a large map depicting how much failing the Federation's military strategy currently was.
"Boss?"
"Loria." Josef Dzhugashvili, General Secretary of the Federation spoke, watching out from the window to Moskva. Everywhere were once magnificent building stood up, now only laid ruins and rubbles where a few groups of Federation 'volunteer workers' were busy trying to rebuild. It was one of the cornerstones of the speech the General Secretary had given off after the attack: whatever the Empire will try to destroy, we can rebuild. This is why the working crews were still endlessly trying to rebuild as much as they could, no matter how those precious resources could have been invested otherwise nor if the promise to rebuild those building was feasible at all. Just a couple of days earlier, a few engineers had dared to say that they would require ten time the manpower and resources available, and even with that, it would take up to twenty years to accomplish everything the General Secretary had promised it would be done in one year. AS by direct order of Loria himself, all these 'unpatriotic individuals' had been arrested and 'sent to a political correction facility' (aka, they were executed and now Loria's office had a couple of years to come up with an explanation of why they wouldn't reappear ever again.)
"Loria, you've been one of my trusted men for a long, long time," the General Secretary said as he turned back, appearing having aged of twenty years in the last month. "I want to ask you a question, and I want you to be honest about it: how are our chances to stabilize the frontlines?"
"Well, sir... I have no doubt that in a few days at most, we'll be able to block all the remaining offensive of the Empire and we'll be able to start taking back what's ours."
"Oh yeah? And what about the Admiral and his men?"
"Those reactionaries will have the same end all those brutish pigs got when the Revolution first rose up, comrade General Secretary! Just like their fake royal brat!"
"You really think so, huh? I thought you were a practical man, and not a fanatic." The General Secretary looked once again out of the window, a pervasive sense of dread pervading his body. "Do you know how much time I have spent watching over this city? Then one day a few Imperial mages came to destroy everything we had built, like it was nothing, and we couldn't do anything to stop them."
"Sir, just because those mages-"
"I heard you tried to have many mages that we had sent in prison freed, offering them the chance to earn back their freedom and lives if they choose to fight for us. Quite a shame most of them already managed to escape in that breakout."
"Sir, this is the counterrevolutionary's doing! We knew that the Admiral had managed to sway former elements of the Russy's pig aristocracy to serve under him, and some strata of the population actively supports them. We need to suppress these bastards and-"
"Loria, that's enough." Josef sighed once again. "I received some news from the Kingdom of Ildoa earlier today. Their ambassador sent me... this." He pointed out to a golden-paper letter opened on the desk. "Please, read it."
Loria didn't understand at first, as he moved to the desk and grabbed the letter and began to read it. Then, he realized.
"A peace conference?" He almost spit the word 'peace'. "After the blatant support they gave to the Empire?!"
"I was surprised myself, actually, but it seems that the Ildoa government is sincere in their intentions. Their ambassadors have already made contact not only with us and the Empire but also with the governments of the Allied Kingdom and the Unified States, suggesting a meeting between our representatives to be held in neutral territory to 'settle the war question' and 'hoping for a negotiated end to the conflict.
"Comrade Secretary, we must reject such an offer and continue with the war effort!" Said Loria angrily, almost tearing up the letter in his hand. "We cannot trust these bourgeois bastards. The only interests they aim at are their own!"
"This I know perfectly well, and with the Empire's army currently occupying our territories and after the many defeats we have suffered, the price of peace we could achieve will surely be very high. We may be forced to surrender numerous border territories and pay huge compensation, at best."
"All the more reason to refuse!"
"The problem, Comrade Undersecretary, is not 'what', but 'how'. If the Federation openly refuses the peace offer, the Empire and its allies will have an easy time using our refusal to paint the Federation as the aggressor in the conflict. As difficult as our diplomatic situation with the Allied Kingdom and the Unified States is after the Moskva events, their hostile neutrality is still preferable to open conflict."
"Do you really think they could ally with our enemies?"
"The Allied kingdom has long been the guardian of the Admiral and his clique of psycho-criminals, and his royal family has recently shown sympathy toward their... Czarina." The Party Secretary said angrily, recalling the reaction he had had when he realized that a member of the House of Nikolayna had survived. "And the Unified States, though far from employing their army in the Old World, have a preponderant industrial base power, and could fill the arsenals of our enemy. They probably know this in Ildoa, which is why they proposed the peace conference: either we accept peace, and we will be humbled before the whole world, or we reject and destroy whatever vestige of sympathy we have left in the other nations."
"A classic trap of those capitalist dogs." Loria summed up in disgust. "What if we... try a middle ground? We accept the peace conference, but give orders to our representatives to drag out the negotiations and make them fail?"
"That's a good idea, but not one that will prove beneficial." The Secretary replied. "According to the details of the letter, all the nations that accept the conference agree to establish a cease-fire for the duration of negotiations, and if we agree, we will be forced to let the soldiers of the Empire and the Admiral," he gritted his teeth one more time, "occupy the soil of the Federation and try to deceive the proles with their propaganda. Moreover, even during the ceasefire, the Empire could take advantage of it to rest its soldiers, improve their supply routes and train new units. We have the numbers, that's our advantage, but ... what if they could get around it?"
Loria grimaced: wherever he saw the issue, there was no way out.
"Loria," The Party Secretary said. "I'm going to ask you again, and this time I want the absolute truth: Do you believe we have any hope of defending our nation and repelling our enemies?"
"Absolutely, Comrade Leader." Loria said without any hesitation, "It will not be a quick victory, nor will it be without sacrifice, but I am sure we can achieve it."
"If you had the chance to decide, what would you propose?"
For a moment Loria paused, bewildered by the question. Was the leader asking him for suggestions for wartime conduct? This was an unexpected opportunity to increase his own prestige even more before his eyes.
"Comrade Secr- Josef, in my opinion... we should increase our restrictive measures against the traitors and petty criminals lurking in our ranks. Those who are guilty of questioning the justice of our cause should be tried for their counterrevolutionary activities, their families deported, and their property redistributed. To oppose the White terror of the Empire and our reactionary enemies, we must unleash a worse terror, the Red terror, to push the population to a key choice: either with us or against us. We must recruit any good man from every village and town under our control and turn them into soldiers to defend our land. We must-"
"A human wall, is that what you are suggesting then?" The chief asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Numbers have always been our strongest advantage, Comrade Leader. The Empire may boost a much more evolved military tech than ours, but in the end, many bloodhounds can catch even the faster of the hares or the trickiest of the foxes. And for us, to lose two million soldiers just to kill half of Imperial enemies can be considered a victory!"
"And what about... those mages?" The Secretary asked. "You were here with me when those people attacked us. Do you really think numbers could help us against them?"
"I did say it wouldn't be a path devoid of sacrifices, comrade leader," Loria was quick to point out. "Yet, it would give us time to reinforce our own military industry and move all the implants to the east, in order to put them out of reach of the Imperials and their fascist allies. And to find new mages among the population, build anti-mage weapons and such."
"In short, you're suggesting that the best strategy the Federation has so far is to sacrifice blood to obtain time?"
"It's not the best strategy, comrade leader, but is the strategy that would give us a chance to reverse the outcomes of the war once again, to defeat these iperialist aggressors and bring all the people of Europe under our Revolution. We only have bad options; we have to choose the best one."
"Isn't there a less bad choice?"
"This is the only option we have if we don't want to see our Revolution defeated and our old oppressors reinstated!" Loria was careful to use traditional rhetoric in his speech, as the leader nodded. How could he be reprimanded, for having used the words used by the very first leaders of the Revolution?"
It was then someone knocked on the office's door, Loria turning around with anger. Who dare disturb the esteemed Comrade Leader, Secretary of the Federation and current harbinger of the Revolution?
"Who is it?"
"Comrade Leader, Comrade Undersecretary." A young male voice, too young to have seen the Glorious Days of the Revolution, murmured behind the closed door. "I am sorry to bother, but... we need your intervention, right now. New updates have arrived from the war front: it looks like the Army of the Admiral…" he gulped for a second, almost expecting the men of the NKDV to come and arrest him the moment he nominated the leader of their enemy army. "has launched a full assault on our position and they've managed to break through our lines. Our commanding officer reports that many soldiers who we conscripted abandoned their posts, and even joined our enemy's ranks!"
"They dare?!" Loria roared in anger turning toward the General Secretary. "Comrade Leader-"
"I understand." the highest-ranking member of the Party said. "You go first Loria. I won't need much time."
Loria, while a bit confused by the choice of words that the Comrade Leader had used, nodded as he walked outside of the door, the situation in the office not having improved at all in the few minutes he had been there with the boss. In fact, the expressions on everyone's face now looked even more frantic and desperate. And the-
The noise stopped, everyone shut down, their heads turning at the same time as they heard a gunshot coming from the General Secretary's office. Loria was the closest, and thus, he was the first to enter the office, his eyes widening in horror as he saw what had happened.
The new General Secretary of the Russy Federation simply stood, as the shock quickly spread to everyone.
How could this day get any worse?
- Location
- USA
It still boggles the mind that communism isn't as demonized just as much as fascism is today. This story is a fiction that only scratches how deep the rot went in a country where all were compelled by fear to believe in lies publicly and even in the home lest your own family turn you in as a counter revolutionary. A true hell on earth.
If you have a strong stomach start looking up first hand accounts of the time. It's glossed over in most school and colleges in the west because most either cannot fathom the barbarism that went on or they shy away from it.
If you have a strong stomach start looking up first hand accounts of the time. It's glossed over in most school and colleges in the west because most either cannot fathom the barbarism that went on or they shy away from it.
Trunko
Dissatisfied writer
- Location
- Milan, Italy
Believe me, I know. There is still a monument of a 'kid hero' whose heroic feat was to denounce his own father because he sold grain to people who, during the 'collectivization of farms', were literary dying of hunger.
Pavlik Morozov - Wikipedia
Chapter 222 – Wintergewitter
Trunko
Dissatisfied writer
- Location
- Milan, Italy
Chapter 222 – Wintergewitter
"Come on, come on!" Shouted Tragen at the top of his lungs as he ran his hand over his forehead, naked from the waist up. Winter was approaching, and the air was already chilly even in the afternoon when the Sun was higher and more energetic in the sky, yet neither Tragen nor any of the men who were like him intent on building the barricade seemed to notice. The hard work and sweat were enough to warm their hearts and bodies. Some of the locals (all volunteers) were also at work, and they had been able to see, with their own eyes, the 'physical' potential of the mages of the Empire.
"Oberstleutnant König!" One of the soldiers said recognizing me, Tragen and the others interrupting their work and standing at attention.
"At ease, soldiers." I replied looking carefully at the work done so far. "Tragen, report."
"We have completed another fifty meters of barricade, sir."
"And the bad news?"
"We are running out of suitable material." He replied, pointing to the pile of materials they had used to build the barricades. "Wood is plentiful, but it certainly won't hold up if the enemy cannonballs it. We need more stones and scrap metal."
"All right, let me think about it." I replied, trying to come up with an idea of where to get what we needed. "You! What's your name?"
"M-Maik Vogelstein, Oberstleutnant!" A wizened-faced mage with blond hair answered.
"Vogelstein, go to the factories and get all the debris and scraps of work. It doesn't matter how but bring them here. If you need help, ask the locals. And send a message to Commander Degurechaff."
"What should I say sir?"
"That we need machine guns and light cannons to reinforce our defense lines. If we don't have them, we need to put them on the list of things to be flown in. Go!"
The mage took off by air, while Tragen and his subordinates devoted themselves to reinforcing the barricade. To reinforce our position to reduce whatever advantage the enemy might use against us, we were having several trenches dug and barricades set up in the most exposed flank of the city (the northern side) so that even if the enemy managed to break through, we could fall back neatly to the next line of defense.
"Frederick." a familiar voice rang out in my communicator. "How is the situation?"
"Barricades and trenches are progressing, albeit slowly." I replied. "How is the situation at the airport?"
"The last plane loaded with civilians left half an hour ago." She replied. "The next shipment of supplies should arrive this evening: more food and medical supplies to replenish the stockpile, and eight cases of ammunition."
"We need more small arms to fortify our positions. How are we doing on machine guns?"
"I have sent a team under Sub-Lieutenant Ditrich to inspect the Federal Army stores, unfortunately what little the Communists have left are old models, obsolete and in many cases damaged. What little we found at the estate is not enough."
"In that case we must stop bringing in food and medicine and start transporting armaments on those planes. We have other options for stockpiling food, after all."
"Speaking of which, how did it go with Elsie?" Tanya's voice suddenly became teasing. "I heard you had her and the others carry out some quite 'important' duties."
"It's not much of an important duty, rather I gave them and their squad something to keep them occupied and useful while also keeping them out of danger." I snorted. "Short version, I reassigned the Sixth Squad to occupy a small hill north-northwest of the city, with orders to turn it into an advanced watchpoint to warn us of any incoming forces in the area, with orders to withdraw immediately should any credible threat be sighted. I am sure all those handywork will be enough to have her make 'good use' of her energies without risk of further riling up the locals."
"I guess those ramblings of hers got you sick too." Tanya nodded, and I imagined her rolling her eyes. "Still, I reiterate we should check up on her more frequently: after the last meeting with Being X's chosen one over Moskva, I don't want for the next one to pop right amid our ranks."
"Elsie would never try to hurt any of us! Same with Jacob and Reiner: I remember you they grew up together with us at the orphanage, and they've come to idolize us for our military exploits!"
"That's the reason why I didn't take the matter on my own hands already! Anyway." Tanya decides to change topic, realizing it wouldn't benefit her to keep pushing the issue, "what about the rest of the units in your battalion?"
"The First, Second and Fourth Squad are deployed all over the town, either reinforcing our defenses or assisting the locals with our plans to strengthen the position." I replied, trying to remember everything I ordered in the last few hours already. "The Third Squad are on a recon mission to the South, while I told the Fifth Squad to mine the river to the North to stop any additional river vessels to approach the city. We didn't have many mine to use, but I made sure their area will be covered by our batteries."
"To neutralize our guns, they'll have to remove the mines." Tanya summarized with an evil voice, as I realized she was grinning. "And they can't do that without first neutralizing the guns-"
"Oberstleutnants König and Degurechaff." Viktoriya's voice came through the communicator, interrupting our little chat. "Incoming communication coming from the airfield: they report a small fleet of heavy planes approaching us from the west, directed toward us."
"Other airplanes?!" I asked, suddenly worried. I knew that new supplies and reinforcements wouldn't arrive until much later, so what was this about?"
"Did they tried to identify themselves?"
"Indeed, commander Degurechaff." Viktoriya's voice sounded excited, even is shocked as we were. "They said there were members of the Russy Liberation Army, and that they've coming to help us in the incoming battle against the Federation. The planes are carrying a few chosen soldiers and military equipment, plus a good chunk of officers of the Army!"
As we assimilated the information, the fear that had plagued my mind up to a few seconds ago dissipated, and countless opportunities instead rose in its place. If the Russy Liberation Army had decided to come and assist us in the upcoming battle to protect the city, we had a better chance to hold the line and protect our positions without need to deploy our mages on ground combat (which they weren't clearly trained for) nor to leave the city defenses to the militia we were making up off the civilians. Still, if somehow those civilians could have new commanding officer and proper training...
"Understood, tell them they've have permission to land and offer them all assistance available to unload their cargo. We'll arrive as soon as possible!"
"Understood! Serebryakov, out!"
"So, the new Army of the Czarina had come to assist us, huh?" Tanya said as soon as she was sure Viktoriya had left our communication channel. "I guess we have to make sure our newest allies receive a warm welcome."
"Tanya." I grumbled, as I realized what her real intentions were. "Do you perhaps plan to take advantage that the long-lost heir of the former leading family who ruled over this city is now serving as your subordinate to gain advantages for yourself?"
"Why, that's quite an excellent idea, you dork!"
"Don't you dare, you fake blonde doll!"
"You stinky, useless backstabber!" I hissed with a voice full of poison as I stood side by side with Tanya, as we watched the large transport planes land on the ground, moving for a hundred or more meters before stopping. "I can't believe you're all ready to suck up on them!"
"Shut up, you idiot sailor toy!" Sahe hissed back. "As you wouldn't try to do the same to me if you had the advantage!"
"I should've reported you and let you wither in a psychiatric madhouse ever since you tried to stab that poor recruit with a bayonet!"
"No, it's me that I should've left you in the orphanage when those military doctors first came to check on us!"
"One of these days, I am going to have you get a dishonorable discharge and shot at dawn!"
"That's if I don't kill you with my bare hands, you moron-"
The quarrel stopped, and we straightened our uniforms, as we saw the officers of the Russy Liberation Army walk out of the first plane, saluted by our troops and the few militiamen who were assisting them, a few making sure the plane's load was properly handled while the rest ignored them and moved forward, toward us.
Among them, there was one that caught my attention, and by how the others were acting compared to him, I realized it was their 'leader'. He was a tall, austere man, his face covered with a beard and mustache, dressed in an old Cossack uniform with numerous medals affixed to his chest. His eyes revealed the mentality of a man inclined to action and struggle, who would not back down from a challenge that lay before him, and indeed would fight to the end.
The face of a man I had already known, thanks to the Empire's archives -- and my own little research.
"Baron von Ungern-Sternberg." I spoke first, addressing the man whose exploits had gathered him the name of 'the Bloody Baron'. "Welcome to Volgaria. My name is Oberstleutnant Frederick König, commander of the 205th Magic Battalion of the Empire.
"And I am Oberstleutnant Tanya Degurechaff, commander of the 203rd Magic battalion, Tanya quickly parroted, doing her best to try and outshine me. "I wish to greet you as well on this upcoming frontline of the war."
"Bloody spits, you two really are kids." The baron said as his eyes laid on us. "You mean all those propaganda stunts were actually real? You two really are two kids in uniform?"
Don't punch him, don't punch him, don't punch him. Think of the advantages you will have if you gain his support. "I can absolutely guarantee that we're more than experienced to assist you and your men, Baron. Since the Empire had proven itself an ally and friend of the Russy Liberation Army and your newest sovereign, we look forward to fight side by side against our common enemy. Herr... " I said, pretending not to remember who he was. It was a foolproof trick to gambit anyone into revealing their identity, either out of pride or a misguided attempt to be kind.
And like it did several times already, it would work like a charm once again.
"General-poruchik Ungern von Sternberg." the man spoke, unaware we already knew that. "Baron of Tallynny. Her majesty our newest Czarina and her... helpers." he made a grimaced, a clear hint for both of us that he didn't like the men currently in charge of the Russy Liberation Army. "sent me here to help organize the masses of this city into soldiers. I heard you were attempting to make a militia out of the peasants still living in this town, but I doubt your effort would get any result."
"The people of this town hate the Federation and its thugs, just like you and your own soldiers do." Tanya was quick to counter-point. "Sure they may lack the training of professional soldiers, but their hate for the Federation for all the horrors they had to endure and their determination to fight for their own future make up for it. I am sure that under your leadership, they can become an army capable of taking you all the way to Moskva."
"These serfs?" The Baron almost laughed, irking me again as some of my own soldiers stopped, grimacing as they heard that. "Only a fool would believe that those who never had servants on their own would be able to make lasting decisions in the future of the Great Russy Empire!"
I looked aside, and it was then that I noticed that Tanya was smiling evilly. Yet, she wasn't smiling because she actually agreed with what the Baron had said; rather, she looked like she had a gun in her hands, and she was ready to use it.
"Oh? Is that the opinion of our esteemed new sovereign, or just yours, Baron?" An angry female voice suddenly spoke, as Viktoriya made her appearance, her timing arrival made me realize this was no coincidence at all. Rather, Tanya did arranged for this to happen.
"W-who is this woman?" The Baron gasped, clearly irritated. "This is a conversation between high officers, not-"
"Oh, sorry, let me introduce my trusted subordinate, Viktoriya Serebryakov." Tanya said with a smug voice, and the Baron's eyes widened all of a sudden, like an employee from my former life who had been caught by the boss talking bad behind his back. "Not only she is my most trusted subordinate and one of the most powerful mages of my unit, she is also a local. Her family used to live in this very region before the Revolution forced them out."
"S-Serebryakov?" The Baron stuttered, a few other officers and soldiers who had come with him now showing expressions of dread. "The newest Duchess?"
"I am not the Duchess, not yet at least." Viktoriya called out, glaring at the man with all the security than the social difference between a Duke household and a Baron could give. "While weakened after suffering so many blows out of the Empire' might and our actions, the Federation is still standing and every day new recruits are forced to leave their home and families in order to serve in their Army. New fodder for their guns, to throw at us in hope to defeat us, forcing our people to pay sacrifices just so they could stay on their own small thrones. The people of Volgaria... my family never treated them like servants, but rather, like family. We gave them the leadership they needed in order to live well and prosper, we acted as their protectors, we strived every day to be the models they needed to push through and grow as person, and in exchange, they gave us our trust, their unlimited faith, and they never resented us. Tell me, Baron, how many people of your own domain moved to protect you when the Revolution occurred?"
That was a sore point, as the Baron began to sputter, unable to reply in tone. I knew, from what researches I had done beforehand, that Tallynny had been one of the first outbreaks of the popular contestations that would later blow up in the Revolution. The hate the Baron had for the revolutionaries was thus widely reciprocated.
"Oh, I would gladly explain to you how moronic the management of your former feud was done, but as the Czarina and the Emperor clearly stated more and more time, we are allies in this war, against a common threat. Also, while I may serve the Empire as a combat mage, I still retain the ties my family had with Volgaria and its people, as well our ruling family. We are here to set this city in order to resist the upcoming attack of the Federation, not to waste our valuable time on useless quarrels. For this reason, you're welcome in the city of Volgaria, fortress of the Serebryakov Household. I hope you'll end up enjoy your time in here and you will learn many valuable lessons."
For a few seconds more, the Baron said nothing. Then, a large amused smile blossomed on his lips.
"I am quite impressed, I wasn't expecting to meet a fellow noble of Russy, let alone the next heir to prestigious family like yours, second only to the Czar himself!" The Baron laughed so lively that I couldn't know if it was all fake, or if somehow it was genuine. "I guess this is an interesting way to see it. I am ready to see what your plans to turn this city into a stronghold are... "
My right eye twitched as I saw Tanya starting to chat happily with the Baron, as Viktoriya's intervention had somehow helped to sway him and by extension, all of his subordinates) to her side, my mouth feeling bitter. This was a considerable setback, and while it wasn't a defeat by itself, it was clear that the advantage was now on Tanya's side, and she wouldn't hesitate to use it fully.
Once, I wouldn't care about such squabbles, but now, I had changed.
I was no more the idealist, innocent child who had watched with an heartbroken expression as his own best friend left behind with a 'so long, good luck' expression when we arrived on the Rhine.
I was no more the cunning, yet well-intentioned officer who acted as nice commander in order to fully get his subordinate trust and support.
I was no more the young man whose last act of aimless kindness had led him to end up under a train, and being subjected to the same harsh 'punishment' by the hand of an arrogant elemental being with a God complex.
I knew that the stakes were if I were to lose against Tanya.
And it was for this reason that I had every intention not to lose, but instead, to crush her.
To show her what it meant to be on the wrong end of the stick.
For this I had so much planned and worked behind her back.
For this I had made an agreement with General War.
I won't have your soul fade into nothingness. I thought as I glared at her. But I'll make sure to bring you eternal torment to you as you do with me...
"Shut up, you idiot sailor toy!" Sahe hissed back. "As you wouldn't try to do the same to me if you had the advantage!"
"I should've reported you and let you wither in a psychiatric madhouse ever since you tried to stab that poor recruit with a bayonet!"
"No, it's me that I should've left you in the orphanage when those military doctors first came to check on us!"
"One of these days, I am going to have you get a dishonorable discharge and shot at dawn!"
"That's if I don't kill you with my bare hands, you moron-"
The quarrel stopped, and we straightened our uniforms, as we saw the officers of the Russy Liberation Army walk out of the first plane, saluted by our troops and the few militiamen who were assisting them, a few making sure the plane's load was properly handled while the rest ignored them and moved forward, toward us.
Among them, there was one that caught my attention, and by how the others were acting compared to him, I realized it was their 'leader'. He was a tall, austere man, his face covered with a beard and mustache, dressed in an old Cossack uniform with numerous medals affixed to his chest. His eyes revealed the mentality of a man inclined to action and struggle, who would not back down from a challenge that lay before him, and indeed would fight to the end.
The face of a man I had already known, thanks to the Empire's archives -- and my own little research.
"Baron von Ungern-Sternberg." I spoke first, addressing the man whose exploits had gathered him the name of 'the Bloody Baron'. "Welcome to Volgaria. My name is Oberstleutnant Frederick König, commander of the 205th Magic Battalion of the Empire.
"And I am Oberstleutnant Tanya Degurechaff, commander of the 203rd Magic battalion, Tanya quickly parroted, doing her best to try and outshine me. "I wish to greet you as well on this upcoming frontline of the war."
"Bloody spits, you two really are kids." The baron said as his eyes laid on us. "You mean all those propaganda stunts were actually real? You two really are two kids in uniform?"
Don't punch him, don't punch him, don't punch him. Think of the advantages you will have if you gain his support. "I can absolutely guarantee that we're more than experienced to assist you and your men, Baron. Since the Empire had proven itself an ally and friend of the Russy Liberation Army and your newest sovereign, we look forward to fight side by side against our common enemy. Herr... " I said, pretending not to remember who he was. It was a foolproof trick to gambit anyone into revealing their identity, either out of pride or a misguided attempt to be kind.
And like it did several times already, it would work like a charm once again.
"General-poruchik Ungern von Sternberg." the man spoke, unaware we already knew that. "Baron of Tallynny. Her majesty our newest Czarina and her... helpers." he made a grimaced, a clear hint for both of us that he didn't like the men currently in charge of the Russy Liberation Army. "sent me here to help organize the masses of this city into soldiers. I heard you were attempting to make a militia out of the peasants still living in this town, but I doubt your effort would get any result."
"The people of this town hate the Federation and its thugs, just like you and your own soldiers do." Tanya was quick to counter-point. "Sure they may lack the training of professional soldiers, but their hate for the Federation for all the horrors they had to endure and their determination to fight for their own future make up for it. I am sure that under your leadership, they can become an army capable of taking you all the way to Moskva."
"These serfs?" The Baron almost laughed, irking me again as some of my own soldiers stopped, grimacing as they heard that. "Only a fool would believe that those who never had servants on their own would be able to make lasting decisions in the future of the Great Russy Empire!"
I looked aside, and it was then that I noticed that Tanya was smiling evilly. Yet, she wasn't smiling because she actually agreed with what the Baron had said; rather, she looked like she had a gun in her hands, and she was ready to use it.
"Oh? Is that the opinion of our esteemed new sovereign, or just yours, Baron?" An angry female voice suddenly spoke, as Viktoriya made her appearance, her timing arrival made me realize this was no coincidence at all. Rather, Tanya did arranged for this to happen.
"W-who is this woman?" The Baron gasped, clearly irritated. "This is a conversation between high officers, not-"
"Oh, sorry, let me introduce my trusted subordinate, Viktoriya Serebryakov." Tanya said with a smug voice, and the Baron's eyes widened all of a sudden, like an employee from my former life who had been caught by the boss talking bad behind his back. "Not only she is my most trusted subordinate and one of the most powerful mages of my unit, she is also a local. Her family used to live in this very region before the Revolution forced them out."
"S-Serebryakov?" The Baron stuttered, a few other officers and soldiers who had come with him now showing expressions of dread. "The newest Duchess?"
"I am not the Duchess, not yet at least." Viktoriya called out, glaring at the man with all the security than the social difference between a Duke household and a Baron could give. "While weakened after suffering so many blows out of the Empire' might and our actions, the Federation is still standing and every day new recruits are forced to leave their home and families in order to serve in their Army. New fodder for their guns, to throw at us in hope to defeat us, forcing our people to pay sacrifices just so they could stay on their own small thrones. The people of Volgaria... my family never treated them like servants, but rather, like family. We gave them the leadership they needed in order to live well and prosper, we acted as their protectors, we strived every day to be the models they needed to push through and grow as person, and in exchange, they gave us our trust, their unlimited faith, and they never resented us. Tell me, Baron, how many people of your own domain moved to protect you when the Revolution occurred?"
That was a sore point, as the Baron began to sputter, unable to reply in tone. I knew, from what researches I had done beforehand, that Tallynny had been one of the first outbreaks of the popular contestations that would later blow up in the Revolution. The hate the Baron had for the revolutionaries was thus widely reciprocated.
"Oh, I would gladly explain to you how moronic the management of your former feud was done, but as the Czarina and the Emperor clearly stated more and more time, we are allies in this war, against a common threat. Also, while I may serve the Empire as a combat mage, I still retain the ties my family had with Volgaria and its people, as well our ruling family. We are here to set this city in order to resist the upcoming attack of the Federation, not to waste our valuable time on useless quarrels. For this reason, you're welcome in the city of Volgaria, fortress of the Serebryakov Household. I hope you'll end up enjoy your time in here and you will learn many valuable lessons."
For a few seconds more, the Baron said nothing. Then, a large amused smile blossomed on his lips.
"I am quite impressed, I wasn't expecting to meet a fellow noble of Russy, let alone the next heir to prestigious family like yours, second only to the Czar himself!" The Baron laughed so lively that I couldn't know if it was all fake, or if somehow it was genuine. "I guess this is an interesting way to see it. I am ready to see what your plans to turn this city into a stronghold are... "
My right eye twitched as I saw Tanya starting to chat happily with the Baron, as Viktoriya's intervention had somehow helped to sway him and by extension, all of his subordinates) to her side, my mouth feeling bitter. This was a considerable setback, and while it wasn't a defeat by itself, it was clear that the advantage was now on Tanya's side, and she wouldn't hesitate to use it fully.
Once, I wouldn't care about such squabbles, but now, I had changed.
I was no more the idealist, innocent child who had watched with an heartbroken expression as his own best friend left behind with a 'so long, good luck' expression when we arrived on the Rhine.
I was no more the cunning, yet well-intentioned officer who acted as nice commander in order to fully get his subordinate trust and support.
I was no more the young man whose last act of aimless kindness had led him to end up under a train, and being subjected to the same harsh 'punishment' by the hand of an arrogant elemental being with a God complex.
I knew that the stakes were if I were to lose against Tanya.
And it was for this reason that I had every intention not to lose, but instead, to crush her.
To show her what it meant to be on the wrong end of the stick.
For this I had so much planned and worked behind her back.
For this I had made an agreement with General War.
I won't have your soul fade into nothingness. I thought as I glared at her. But I'll make sure to bring you eternal torment to you as you do with me...
Last edited: