by Carlo Zen
“The minute you sally forth, you’ll already have gone as far as you can go.”
Pressing lightly on his right temple, Schreise glared at the Logistics staff.
They had guaranteed the supplies would cover a short offensive. The problem was that the guarantee was for availability, and that was it. Nobody had presented him with a foolproof plan for actually delivering those supplies to the units that would be advancing at the edge of the front lines.
“We can cover a short offensive without issue. We’ve secured almost all the provisions we need for the front.”
Catching his glance, the Logistics officers mentioned they had enough standard ammunition for two battles and rations for three weeks. They had baseline levels of aviation and general-purpose fuel. Their numbers showed the army group could fight for three weeks. Three weeks. Now that the northern front had been reorganized and the units were preparing for an offensive, if they launched a big push, they could wrap it up within that time. The enemy’s reserve forces had already run dry, so if they could just take care of the rest on the front with a large offensive…
But Degurechaff replied without even furrowing her brow at their reports. “I’m against it. The enemy is putting up stiff resistance. I really don’t think we’ll be able to break through in such a short time.” She flatly rejected the idea, as if she thought it was simply unreasonable. “Once the troops get more than twenty kilometers from the light-rail, we’ll be forced to maintain the supply lines with sheer manpower. A steady winter advance is practically out of the question.” She heaved a pointed sigh.
A few of the officers winced, but Schreise stood his ground even under her scathing critique.
He was sure that mopping up enemy remnants would take a week at most. Even in the worst case, he didn’t think the enemy could hold out against a major offensive for three weeks. The one worrisome element, the enemy mage commandos, had been mostly neutralized. Ironically, the one who had played a major part in taking them out was the one stubbornly disagreeing with him, Major von Degurechaff.
Even the logistics situation could be ameliorated if field engineers performed road maintenance and laid down more light-rail. Frankly, the staunch objection from the Central officers was just a pain in the neck at this point. If he could find a way to get rid of them, he would keep holding out.
“You have a point, but the enemy is too worn down to put up a fight. You’re the one who achieved a victory despite being outnumbered two to one. Do you really think you need to be so scared of the Entente Alliance?”
After all, in terms of mage casualties, too, the enemy army had long exceeded their limits. Even if the other powers were intervening to some extent, when a newly formed imperial mage battalion could drive off a whole Entente Alliance regiment, it said something about the state of their opponent’s affairs.
The enemy’s major line of defense only mounted sporadic attacks. Capturing the entirety of the Entente Alliance was only a matter of time. A few intelligence staffers tried to coax Tanya.
“We’re winning on the strength and quality of our troops. We should make our move now instead of burning through our limited supplies doing nothing.”
The intelligence they’d gathered from enemy prisoners indicated that their opponents were hard up for not only weapons and ammunition but even food. Intelligence had already decided that the enemy army had lost the ability to fight as a cohesive whole.
Rather than camp out across the way, the Northern Army Group wanted to decisively end the conflict before the winter set in, but because of one stubborn major, the debate had been dragged out. What an enormous waste of time.
Schreise couldn’t be the only one thinking that he would have thrown her out immediately if she weren’t a representative of the Central Army’s view.
“Really? Personally, I can only recall two battalions worn out by our fellow soldiers’ efforts and an unsupported group about the size of an augmented company.”
Intelligence’s coaxing only earned them a reply that ruined their schemes.
If she hadn’t achieved anything, then they could kick her out for clearly being a brat who knew nothing of the battlefield. Beneath Schreise’s dignified exterior, he was gnashing his teeth. Her achievements were extraordinary.
This was always how it went. The Central Army Group was constantly pushing the regional army groups around with orders that weren’t appropriate to their actual circumstances. But Rudersdorf, Schreise’s junior at war college, had been whispering in his ear how futile it was to refuse to cooperate with Central. The delicate issue was that Schreise’s superior officer—commander of the Northern Army Group, Colonel General von Wragell—was very angry.
Though he was getting on in years, the veteran who had long been defending the north was furious that the Entente Alliance was trying to trample his home, his fatherland, but he flung curses at the General Staff in equal measure for their repeated errors. So whenever Schreise thought of his boss, who wanted so much to crush this threat with his own hands, he felt depressed.
“That doesn’t change the fact that you overcame an enemy that outnumbered you. You slaughtered a group double your size.”
“The only confirmed kills were less than the company’s worth. It was less defeating them and more just barely driving them off.”
The magic staffers frowned as Degurechaff indirectly emphasized that her battalion had driven the enemy off. After that, the Northern Army Group had pursued and achieved as good as nothing. They were to the point of counting anyone they injured even slightly as a confirmed kill, whereas the Central Army was underreporting.
They’d been granted a concession. He knew they were on the receiving end of some kind consideration for their reputation. They were listed as having downed a battalion, but the score mostly belonged to the Central Army troops. Only a few people were aware of the behind-the-scenes dealings.
That’s why, as most of those present looked perplexed, Schreise shot the mage staffers a look. You owe them, so shut her up!
A staff officer’s job is to come up with a concrete plan to actualize the higher-ranking officers’ intentions. So he tried to persuade Degurechaff again. Please just understand your superiors’ wishes and relax your stance! “You can say that, but in our battle together, the truth is that you achieved the most with your fierce fighting.” Hadn’t her dedicated struggle changed the tides of the war? “You say it was only a company, but that company was the core of the enemy’s only mage commando unit. That’s the same as taking out the supporting pillar of the whole regiment!” Hadn’t she admirably defeated them? “Major von Degurechaff, I welcome your prudence, but I think you and your battalion would be able to guard the supply lines.” If anyone could do it, surely the 203rd Aerial Mage Battalion could!
He obliquely implied that the contributions of her and her battalion were very highly regarded. Even if I’m ignoring your cautionary arguments, I’m not failing to appreciate the 203rd Aerial Mage Battalion. A high-ranking field officer wearing the staff braid was, strangely enough, flattering someone who was still only a major, though wearing the staff badge.
Work with me here, please.
He stared at Major von Degurechaff with the same silent wish as everyone else, careful not to let her suspect how much pressure he was trying to put on her. She asked permission to speak, as if nothing was out of the ordinary, and stood casually.
“I don’t even know what to say in response to such undeserved praise.”
Does she get it?
Yes, it was just as everyone was sighing in relief and the tense atmosphere began to relax that…
“But as far as I can tell, Entente Alliance Army command units are a mixture of infantry and mages, so I don’t think downing a single company will hinder their activities very much.”
“…What do you mean, Major von Degurechaff?”
“Sir, it’s true that in local skirmishes my battalion has emerged victorious. But that group was the same one our tro
ops fought hard to exhaust and isolate. We drove off an enemy weakened by consecutive battles, so I hardly think you can say my battalion took the brunt of their attack.”
Can’t you even drive off a weakened enemy? she seemed to say with a hint of nastiness. Probably not on purpose.
“…You’re very humble, aren’t you?” one of the staff officers murmured, curling the corners of his mouth into a smile that was more of a sneer.
Normally, they would scold her. That’s what everyone was thinking, but they all hesitated. Scold her for what? Disturbing the harmony of the officer group? But all she had done was share her opinion on a military situation. Silencing her would go against the staff officer traditions that the Empire, the Reich, was so proud of.
The one who broke the silence in that awkward atmosphere was the very person who had created the tense mood. “No, Colonel. I’m just answering based on the facts.” Major von Degurechaff glared at the high-ranking staffers. Well, it was proper etiquette to look a superior in the eye when addressing them.
But when a mage who had been steeping in gunsmoke and blood on the battlefield until just recently began staring you down, that was a different story.
A few rash magic officers—no doubt unconsciously—reached for their computation orbs.
“That’s about enough of that.” Any more is too much, Schreise decided and interrupted. Piercing his subordinate with his gaze, he continued as a mediator between the two. “We understand Major von Degurechaff’s opinion now. And her fears are worth listening to, in part, but our pressing topic right now is bringing the war to a swift end.”
They’d already let her yap this much. They understood the Central Army’s position so well it made them sick. Honestly, it bothered him more than anything in the world, but he could understand where she was coming from. For a mere major to protest so stubbornly in a room full of superior officers, she must have been under some strict orders. Schreise had never seen a major with such a big head without making light of him.
So the little messenger needs to pipe down. He gave her a resolute stare.
“It is my duty to firmly object. The goal of lessening the load for each regional army group could backfire and result in a larger burden.”
But surprisingly, it had no effect on her. Without hesitating even a little, she—a mere battalion commander—matter-of-factly gave her opinion to the staff and even had the audacity to disagree with them.
Even with the sacred, inviolable General Staff’s power behind her, she was nearing an inexcusable challenge to authority.
A head could be allowed to swell only so far. There’s a limit to what can be tolerated, even for recipients of the Silver Wings Assault Badge! Though he wanted to scream at her and chew her out, he suppressed his fury and said, “Our intention is to lessen the load on the troops. Major, please refrain from rash remarks.”
The major, though still rather new, was readily crossing a line of which all graduates from the war college should have been aware. She was protesting too much. If they weren’t in a war zone, it would most certainly not be allowed to stand.
This sort of behavior could only escape rebuke on a battlefield. It was practically an outrage, wasn’t it? Indignant, the officers turned their anger on her with violent glares.
But even under such silent censure, Degurechaff made a bold move. She lifted the coffee cup she had been served for the staff meeting, eyed the milk and sugar on the table, and murmured, “…In the west, our troops are drinking dirty water, starving and suffering in the mud. The north is so blessed…”
To the officers watching her, hanging on her every word, the smile on her lips was both offensive and profoundly meaningful. At the same time, she scanned the room with an expression that seemed to ask what exactly they were all trying to say from their seats in this comfortable office. Her face did the talking.
“Naturally, I don’t think that affects how much you care about the troops…”
That comment was the last straw for Schreise.
The Central Army was always making unreasonable demands on the regional army groups. He couldn’t take any more of this interference.
Without realizing it, he had kicked his chair away and stood up. He wouldn’t listen to any more of her mouthing off.
“…Major! If you’re going to talk like that, then go back to the west! We don’t need any cowards in the north.”
“Is that the will of the Northern Army Group?”
“That’s enough!”
He realized he was shouting at an officer. He was seized by the urge to kick her out. Most of the others in the momentarily silent room held their tongues, but they felt the same way.
Then, with a despicable calm, Degurechaff snapped off a splendid salute.
“Then if you’ll excuse me.”
With that, she straightened up smoothly and bowed. They could hardly believe it, but she approached the door with fluid motions and exited the room. No one tried to stop her.
NORDEN HQ, MAJOR GENERAL VON RUDERSDORF’S OFFICE
It was after Major von Degurechaff had politely thrown down her gauntlet and left the meeting with no way to vent her rage. Hearing that she had asked to see him with utmost urgency, Major General von Rudersdorf nodded. Just as I thought. She never disappointed, so he was fond of her.
That’s what she had to do.
“I know what you’re going to say.”
That’s why he implicitly stated they would get right to the point. Do away with the empty formalities and spit it out.
“Sir, frankly, considering the situation we’re in, an offensive is reckless! Why don’t you stop it?”
“Major, I want you to tell me what you really think.”
She raises these indirect objections.
Yes, it was amusing to watch her maintain composure and deliver her opinion with all the correct etiquette despite the anger seething in her eyes. But he didn’t want to hear tactful, formulaic thoughts.
“Respectfully, sir, I’m a staff officer. I don’t believe I’m in a position to say any more.”
“I see. You’re very easy to understand. Speak freely.”
“Thank you, sir.”
He’d urged her to speak her mind, but he accepted her polite yet also sharp response.
Aha, so her criticism is so intense that it would be inexcusable for a staff officer to give it voice? That’s an interesting way to get your point across.
Though she didn’t say exactly what was on her mind, she’d conveyed her thoughts with a single indirect remark.
“So this is why Zettour thinks so highly of you, Major. Splendid. Now let’s get down to business.”
Zettour would be thrilled. I see. Work goes smoothly with a mage who has strategy on her radar and is also an outstanding battalion commander.
“What would you think about this offensive if you considered it as a distraction, Major?”
“It’d be an almost perfectly timed supporting attack… Ah, but do you mean as a decoy, assuming another main attack?”
She’s got a decent head on her shoulders. She’s quick, and more importantly, she has the smarts to put what I’m trying to say together with what she already knows. She’s one of the rare talents who has the steady composure of a staff officer plus the courage of a commander.
“Evaluate the effects it will have on the various fronts.”
“At the very least, the Republic and its supporting countries will keep an eye on the exchange in Norden, but being able to distract them from offensive preparations doesn’t give us a very large benefit… So then, is there a real operation in Norden? No, the supply lines couldn’t possibly…”
The way she lost herself in thought, as if she had forgotten her rage of a moment ago, displayed the calm sensibility that was a quality greatly desired in staff officers. Not many people could think on command under the cool eyes of a third party. And that’s why those few exceptional individuals were always welcome in the Imperial Army.
“And if it goes well, we might even be able to tie up the enemy reinforcements.”
“With all due respect, sir…I don’t see how launching an offensive with the objective of tying up enemy reinforcements would help other fronts. I don’t think the forces involved on this front would send out enough reinforcements to affect the Rhine front…which means the offensive should be a feint with some strategic goal in Norden.”
When he told her to work out the meaning of the Northern Group Army’s offensive, to which they were opposed, she arrived calmly at the idea of a feint in Norden. Impressive, Rudersdorf thought and inwardly raised his opinion of her.
“Hmm, continue.”
“To be blunt, are you thinking of occupying territory behind enemy lines? I was ordered to prepare for an airborne assault…so we’d need some sort of diversion and then we’d… In the rear? Is it the rear?”
But a conversation is a two-way street. At the same time Rudersdorf is reading between the lines, so is Tanya. She’s thinking that she’s seen and heard something like this before, and she finally manages to salvage the memory from the deepest corners of her mind.
“What is it, Major?”
Letting Rudersdorf’s question slip by at the outer edges of her consciousness, Tanya assembles the fragments of the memory she’s seized.
Tying up enemy forces on the front lines. A feint. An assault on the rear. Remember. I know I’ve heard something like this somewhere before. And it was the kind of news I really like to hear…
Where? Where did I hear it? No, I could have heard it or read it. But I know I’ve encountered it before.
“Behind, back… Supply lines? Yes, their supply. Cutting it off?” As the pieces come together, she mumbles without realizing it. She shuts out even the way Rudersdorf’s face stiffens in shock as she speaks and focuses her thoughts.
The back, yes, something from behind? It was— Right, a thoroughly delightful kick from the rear.
Suddenly, a word appears in her mind.