by Carlo Zen
“Can you tell me what’s going on?”
“I just got here, too. Let’s have the duty officer, Major Weiss, explain things.”
She tells Weiss to fill them in, and he nods his understanding before beginning to speak. “The advance armored unit made contact. They ran into enemy tanks backed by infantry, so our tanks have begun their retreat. We’re about to have First Lieutenant Tospan’s infantry unit go out to meet them.”
“Where did they make contact?”
“It’s this area on the grid. Specifically, I think around here.”
Weiss pointed to a location on the map—“Please take a look”—in response to Calandro’s question.
Tanya has climbed up on a chair to look at the map with them and the topography makes her want to click her tongue in frustration.
When she glances at Calandro, she sees that he seems to have a good understanding of the situation.
“…It’s awfully near that residential area, isn’t it, Colonel?”
“Yes, that’s a pain.”
Unfortunately, the map’s accuracy seems only up to par for civilian purposes and had probably been appropriated for military use, but it still got the job done of providing a basic picture.
That spot is indeed a residential area. No, technically, it’s probably more of a town or village… But in any case, the amount of cover there would make it very different from a field battle.
“It may be presumptuous of me, but may I ask a question? How does the Imperial Army generally handle situations like this?”
What a pointed inquiry. Tanya grins wanly at Calandro. For better or worse, armies love manuals. Operating in residential areas is a stiff military and legal challenge, so as a military observer, trying to learn from the seasoned Imperial Army is the correct attitude for the Ildoan colonel to take.
If there’s any issue with it, I suppose it’s that she has to tell him that no such handy thing exists in this world.
“As you know, residential areas are headache inducing. Embarrassingly…though the home country must be actively deciding standard operating procedures…they haven’t been yet established.”
“Is that true?”
“Yes,” affirms Tanya. “I keep thinking how much easier things would be if they were.” Tanya is lamenting this fact from the bottom of her heart. If there was a by-the-book way of doing things, she could simply follow that and avoid a lot of responsibility.
“All the officers must feel the same. If you had a standard policy, then you could avoid hairy issues by simply applying the rules set out by the higher-ups.”
Although when he says that to her so bluntly like that, she has to wince.
“The way you explain it is a bit extreme, but in general, you’re right. The practical issue now is that when a residential area is in our way, we’re forced to proceed at a snail’s pace.”
Due to the balancing act with the land-war convention, the Empire hasn’t seriously considered research on urban war; that’s only to be expected. Since the Federation isn’t party to any of the international treaties, they should have thought about it, given the possibility of an attack, but…since the Imperial Army is specialized in interior lines strategy, you could say a weakness has been exposed.
“So even veterans with plenty of experience aren’t sure what to do…?”
“I beg your pardon, Colonel, but it’s the opposite.”
“The opposite, you say?”
Contrary to Calandro’s puzzled look, her subordinates are nodding. They understand quite well what Tanya means.
There’s some difficulty in claiming it as a civilized opinion, but there are hardly any places less suited to war than a residential area. There are just too many obstacles to have any real fondness for it.
“Anyone who has had a bitter experience in a residential area feels the same.”
She glances around the room and there happen to even be people with experience being injured in a similar battle. Even the veteran lineup of the 203rd Aerial Mage Battalion’s officers is a good sample of the loathing.
“Am I wrong, Major Weiss?”
“This conversation is liable to make my old wound act up. I do wish you’d spare me,” her subordinate, who had been shot in the fight against the Republic, said with a wry grin.
Even a veteran like him is no exception to the rule that it’s virtually impossible to keep a lookout in all directions in a residential area.
Flying also requires keeping a 360-degree watch, but the only obstacles in the sky are clouds. Honestly, it’s far harder to search for enemies in places where people live. And in an urban environment, well, you can call it a concrete jungle. It would be so much easier if we could just go around it.
Faced with Tanya’s and the others’ sighs, Calandro seems to get the idea and winces. “Ha-ha-ha. Experience points, hmm?”
“Something like that.”
“Well, let me ask you more on that later. For right now, I’ll stay out of your way while you take command.”
“Thank you.” She extends her gratitude for his consideration and then speaks in a purposely normal tone. “So, Major Weiss?”
“Yes, I know. Are we heading out?”
His reply is immediate. This is what an outstanding vice commander should be like. “That’s right.” Tanya smiles in satisfaction.
She’s glad she can save time by omitting the explanation. Still, although it’s contradictory to say so, explaining things is her duty. It makes sense, since a superior must see that everyone is aware of their intentions to the extent possible.
Work among professionals who aren’t overly reliant on one another entails a sturdy foundation of concise, accurate communication and confirmations.
“Considering the less-than-stellar wireless performance we’re getting, let’s move HQ up. We can meet with Captain Ahrens and get a handle on the situation.”
“Understood!”
He responds immediately to the order. It’s so reassuring to feel like you’re able to trust someone enough to let them handle things. I suppose you can say having to do checks is extra work.
Ehhh, maybe it’s rude to call it extra work, Tanya reflects in her head as she speaks to the military observer beside her. “It’s as you’ve heard, Colonel. What would you like to do?”
“Hold on—are you trying to tell me to lie low because it’s dangerous?”
“I wouldn’t say that, but neither can I make light of the risks. Of course, I don’t want headquarters to be attacked, either…but this close to the front lines, literal encounter battles are to be expected.”
Stray fire or harassment from a hidden sniper…
Near the front lines, even if it’s a noncombat area or not technically considered part of the front, safety is never assured. Claiming an area is 100 percent safe is a scam. And Tanya is no scammer. She’s a civilized individual of integrity armed with modern reason and an awareness of norms.
“We’ve minimized said risks. But…” Tanya drives her point home. In addition to compliance, their public image has to be considered. Naturally, the most definitely important factor is the law.
All that said, neither can she discount how carefully everything has been checked and rechecked to make sure there are no ethical issues.
Whether for self-protection inside the organization or signaling in society, preventing problems related to the initial handling of these things is paramount.
“We cannot guarantee that the Federation will immediately recognize you as a military observer from the Royal Ildoan Army and hold back in their attacks.”
“…I understand your concern, but I’m not sure I approve of being treated like an overprotected child. I’d appreciate it if you’d let me watch.”
“Understood,” Tanya says with a reluctant nod. “Respectfully, we have nothing to hide from our ally. If you insist, then please observe to your heart’s content.”
“I realize I’m asking a lot, Colonel. Sorry.”
She�
��d like to say, Then maybe watch yourself. Given the strict orders she has from Colonel von Lergen and the General Staff, she’s so worried something might happen to him that the comment threatens to pop out of her throat.
But contrary to what’s inside, Tanya’s mouth forms a polite reply.
“No, it’s not so much at all.”
Perhaps it’s because she’s such a sociable animal of politics? Lieutenant Colonel Tanya von Degurechaff is fully capable of employing respectful flattery with an ingratiating smile.
“This is an honor of a role entrusted to me by the General Staff. I’ve been told to grant your every wish, so don’t hesitate. I’m at your service.”
“Then about that…”
“Mentioning the risks is just a part of my duty, so I hope you understand.”
“I respect your obligations, Colonel. With that in mind, I’d like to do this of my own accord.”
Calandro declares his volition before all the staff at HQ.
If he’s coming along despite Tanya’s serious reluctance and warnings, then all that’s left to do is arrange an escort. Now, no matter what happens, her duties have been perfectly fulfilled.
Even if he gets shot and killed, she’ll be able to make some excuse to the General Staff. Hopefully that doesn’t happen, but it’s important to anticipate the possibility.
If I must… Tanya maintains an outwardly courteous attitude and says to her adjutant in a slightly put-out way, “Be Colonel Calandro’s guide.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
Regardless of how Serebryakov is at entertaining, she makes a great shield as an escort. Tanya is happy to be able to trust her to protect him in the case that anything should go wrong.
And by assigning her to guide him, she can get him out of HQ for a moment—perfect.
“Oh, Colonel, one thing.”
“Yes, what is it?”
“If you don’t mind, after we move, I’d like to watch your meeting about how to handle the situation.”
For a moment, Tanya thinks in silence. Honestly, she wants to refuse. Whose idea of a good time includes holding a sales meeting in front of an executive from a client company?
But Tanya’s position prevents her from saying nein outright to the military observer. Whoever said Wretched is the lot of the government official is worth taking seriously.
“…If that’s what you wish, then of course. But—” Though she chooses her words carefully, she has to add, “I’m terribly sorry, but may I ask for your express consideration during the action?”
“What specifically? Of course I want to cooperate as much as I can.”
“Thank you.” Tanya bows and, with full realization that she’s being offensive, makes her request in detail. “During the operation, I want to make commanding my highest priority…so can we temporarily disregard your superior position—the fact that there’s a full colonel present?”
Basically, this is an impudent request for permission to make Calandro an ornament. But she simply has to get him to agree to it. Educating a superior while simultaneously fighting a war is more than Tanya can handle.
War is a problem you must always tackle with every last bit of your strength. Cutting corners could lead to problems that not only lower society’s estimation of you but directly affect your assets and very life.
“Of course. Consider me a bystander.”
“Thank you.” Suppressing her relief, Tanya bows deeply. It’s really so helpful that he understands. Of course, I still probably won’t be able to ignore him completely. This’ll be hard. Even if she thinks that, though, she can’t say it aloud.
It’ll be a struggle to perform as usual under the gaze of an important visitor. But it is what it is. When it comes to doing it, it must simply be done.
Thus, burdened with these slight worries, Tanya and the principal commanders of the Kampfgruppe begin moving to the front line. They may be experiencing a bit of poor weather, but there’s probably no one else on the road besides the Kampfgruppe’s vanguard. They’re blessed with relatively good ground conditions.
More than anything, she appreciates that the horses, vehicles, and people can travel without much issue. Tanya and the others meet up with Captain Ahrens’s armored troops without a hitch.
It’s going about as well as anyone would expect, I suppose… Troops rush about receiving supplies or delivering them, getting plastered in mud as they do so.
On the forward-most line, they have no choice but to prioritize function over form. Provisional HQ is constructed promptly, but it does only consist of a single tent.
Still, Tanya and the others are used to that by now. To Calandro, who looks around, fascinated, there must be something novel about it, but it’ll feel normal soon enough.
The place grandly called a “meeting room” is a basic, rough collection of folding chairs; a wireless kit; and maps. That said, even with the minimal equipment, their work can still be done.
“Gentlemen, it’s as you’ve heard. Let’s get a handle on the situation.” In this space appropriate for an operation briefing, if only superficially, Tanya kicks off the discussion. “Captain Ahrens, what’s your status?”
“After encountering the enemy armored unit, you mean? It was a mess.”
“Like usual, then?”
“Yes, ma’am.” The expert nodded with a wince. It’s doubtful you’d be able to give a quick explanation of the situation if you lack the skill to grasp it.
“Before long, enemy infantry started showing up. Since the enemy was entering a residential area, we decided that to avoid a battle in the streets, we should retreat temporarily.”
“Mm.” Tanya comprehends the situation and finds it irritating.
If there are enemy troops in a residential area, then this will involve the chore of pseudo-urban warfare where we conduct a sweep block by block.
The Kampfgruppe has the ability to do that, if nothing else. Sending in the golden duo of the mage battalion and infantry would make it possible to clear those areas. The issue is that that would take too long.
Since we aren’t in a position to creep up around the enemy base and attack, we have to pay close attention to time.
It happens while she’s thinking about what to do.
“…The Federation troops entered a residential area?” Calandro asks a question.
“Um, Colonel Calandro?” He may be a bystander, but apparently he’s inquisitive, too, Tanya thinks as she suppresses the urge to pull a sour face and replies politely. “Can I help you with something?”
“If they enter a residential area, that makes it a fight in the streets. Does that mean the Federation soldiers are fine with that?”
Replying to his question would slow down the functioning of HQ. Really, she’d like to scream, You’re in the way and kick him out, but violence won’t be tolerated in this instance.
This is exactly why I told Colonel von Lergen that accepting a full bird colonel as an observer would be difficult for a Kampfgruppe with a lieutenant colonel as its superior officer. But frustratingly, headache inducingly, even sighing would be a breach of etiquette in this situation.
I guess I have no choice. Tanya resigns herself and throws it at a subordinate. “Captain Ahrens, answer the colonel’s question.”
She shoots him a look that says, You know what I mean, and he’s well trained; he seems to have grasped her intentions.
Straightening up, a model officer, he begins explaining the situation in an expository tone.
“Yes, ma’am. A large-scale unit of enemy infantry has holed up in a residential area. As you pointed out, sir, they may be intending to resist from inside the buildings.”
“In a residential area? How did you confirm that?”
“After the armored troops clashed, it was mainly the infantry who checked out the situation. The mages who flew in as support have also been observing.”
“…I see. So the Imperial Army is using aerial mages for search missions.”
Apol
ogies to Calandro, who’s murmuring something or other, but Tanya can’t have this level of Q&A interrupting the flow of her meeting; we can’t fight a war like this.
“Colonel, may I continue?”
“Yes, sorry. Please do.”
“Thank you,” she responds politely, but internally she’s hurling protests by the dozens. An officer ranking above me! And from a country that—even superficially—is supposed to be our ally! How am I supposed to work like this?
I’m going to have to bill the General Staff for tons of entertainment costs.
“Troops, it’s as Captain Ahrens said. If the Federation soldiers are holed up in a residential area, orthodox methods will take too long.”
“Then please leave it up to the artillery.”
“Exactly. Now’s your time to shine.”
“There’s the issue of how much ammunition to conserve… Shall we go all out?”
Tanya nods at Captain Meybert that she’s fine with that. She’s really just delighted that her artillery maniac has learned to worry about how many shells are left.
“If it’s an encounter battle, wouldn’t this be a good time to use our mobile artillery?”
The reason we’ve been supplied with something so expensive as self-propelled guns is that the Imperial Army’s General Staff values mobility in the extreme. Our ammo concerns are unavoidable and frightening, but the obvious benefit is that problem areas can be leveled with artillery shells.
“We can use mages as forward observers. Guide the guns and eliminate the points of enemy resistance. Get support from Lieutenants Tospan and Grantz and their mage-infantry composite unit for suppression as necessary…”
“Hmm? Please wait a moment.”
“Yes, Colonel Calandro? What is it?”
The flow of things is once again interrupted. The mental cost of politely swallowing the comment Again? is no joke.
I definitely need to draw up that plus the opportunity cost and invoice the General Staff for the full amount. All of it! I’m not leaving out a single bitasen. If I don’t invoice for everything within my right to invoice for, including supplemental compensation for my subordinates who have to do everything with me, I’ll be a disgrace.