The Finest Hour

by Carlo Zen

  "Thanks. I hate to make you run back and forth, but I'd appreciate it if you'd tell him I'll have my unit up on deck right away. Also, do you think I could get a weather report and a sea chart?"

  It's time to wish a fond farewell to comfortably cruising the ocean, great food, and bottomless coffee. But what is there to be upset about? If we just finish this war, we can reclaim daily life in a flash.

  We're going to end the war. In that case, there's another benefit to one final push. Meaningful work means happiness.

  So Tanya merrily lines up her subordinates on the narrow deck of the submarine. Though a company's worth of personnel is a tight fit, it feels positively spacious compared to the sub's interior. Surely it's human nature to feel relieved.

  Upon giving the orders to perform a quick equipment check, Tanya notices Captain Treizel, who must have come out of his way to see them off, in the bridge lookout position.

  "You're off, then?" he says, descending with a hand extended.

  The two commanders shake hands as the etiquette goes, and Tanya expresses her gratitude.

  "Yes. Thanks for everything, Captain Treizel."

  "Thank you. It was an honor to assist such brave soldiers as yourselves. It's cliché to say, but I hope you stay safe out there."

  "Thank you! On behalf of my unit, I hope that you and your men will be victorious."

  With that, they salute each other. Tanya nods at her troops, and they take off.

  "Wave your caps! Caps!"

  Hearing Captain Treizel's order at their backs and receiving a modest yet heartfelt send-off from the crew, the company is on their way.

  Their destination is the good old Low Lands. The flight goes extremely smoothly, and they arrive at the designated airspace. Then Tanya calls Rhine Control as she is accustomed to doing.

  "This is Fairy 01 to Rhine Control. I say again, this is Fairy 01 to Rhine Control. Please respond."

  And the controller answers as usual. "Fairy 01, this is Rhine Control, call sign Hotel 09. You're loud and clear. Go ahead."

  "Hotel 09, this is Fairy 01. You're also clear. I can hear fine."

  "Hotel 09, roger. You guys have done a bang-up job. There's a whole army of people who want to treat you---I guarantee you'll be drinking for free for the rest of your lives."

  "Fairy 01, roger. The only problem is that I'm with Team Coffee."

  The fact that they can joke around like this means that Rhine Control must be feeling pretty relaxed; that's a good sign.

  Admiring this improvement in the situation makes Tanya sigh with a slight smile. Usually they would be controlling interceptions, giving instructions until their voices turn hoarse as they handle all kinds of issues; the state of the war must be truly favorable if they have the mental freedom to conduct such a sociable, human conversation.

  "Oh, that's no good. The officer planning your welcome back function is with Team Tea. I'll try talking to him later."

  "Fairy 01, roger. Thanks. So? What's our mission?"

  "The short version is it's search and intercept, but only to the extent that you're authorized to attack if you happen to see anybody on your way back. Everyone is waiting for you heroes to return. Get here safe!"

  Truthfully, Tanya nearly bursts out laughing at how considerate the controller is being. To think the day would come when these guys who are always asking us to do the impossible would be this nice! What kind of miracle is this? I guess favorable prospects really boost people's humanity.

  "Understood. But the troops on the ground are working hard. We can't be the only ones taking it easy. I think we'll go ahead and take some of the load off for them."

  "That's great. Conditions in the airspace consist of clear skies and little to no wind. Good visibility. Watch out for fire from the surface."

  As a human, I find the wherewithal to help one another truly beautiful. As Tanya, too, with her altruistic mentality, a natural desire to do something charitable wells up within me.

  "Fairy 01, roger. Any data on enemy mage units?"

  "The details are as previously stated. We do, however, also have an unconfirmed report of fighting with a Commonwealth unit. It may be erroneous, but if it's true, their doctrine may differ from the Republic's, so be careful." The controller adds a warning. For that moment only, his voice was serious.

  So Tanya asks right back, "The John Bulls are intervening?"

  "Hotel 09 to Fairy 01. Sorry, but as a mere controller, I couldn't quite say."

  Well, yeah, that makes sense, she mentally grumbles, simultaneously turning her attention to confirming the rules of engagement, which is higher priority. "Fairy 01, roger. Are we authorized to attack them?" Are we supposed to intercept or withdraw? You can't wage modern war very easily without knowing that much.

  "There is currently no third country with legal authorization to enter the battle's airspace. You can eliminate any nonfriendly mages as enemies."

  "Fairy 01, roger. Good to hear."

  All her worries were for nothing. If it's the enemy, shoot them down. If it's not the enemy, support them. To an aerial mage that rule is very simple and therefore easy to follow.

  And so, Tanya leads the select company from the 203rd Aerial Mage Battalion into the designated airspace over the Low Lands.

  Unfolding below them is a massive encirclement battle the likes of which strategists have been dreaming of ever since Cannae.6 It's a double encirclement on an unprecedented scale unlikely to ever be seen again, swallowing up not just a corps of the Republican Army but all its main forces.

  When the Imperial Army has trapped this many troops, brilliantly surrounding them, it made an indelible mark on history.

  After she thinks this, she recalls her life so far in the military with a start, and tears come to her eyes.

  Come to think of it, we soldiers, steeped in war, have a tendency to lose sight of common sense. Yes, I want to cherish the reason and wisdom of a citizen versed in the norms of the modern age. If peace would just return, then all this will be replaced.

  Imperial soldiers like me who had no choice but to volunteer are all combatants, but I should have remembered that we're citizens, first and foremost. Especially in this modern era, we must cultivate civil norms.

  So it's just a little longer. Just a little more patience.

  In just one more attack, we'll turn the Republican Army into fertilizer that was once human and be able to end this war.

  I will not let any Dunkirking happen. It's my duty, for peace and my own future.

  "This is a general message for the entire army. Execute Attack Plan 177. I say again, execute Attack Plan 177. All units, follow the prescribed procedures and initiate combat."

  "Fairy 01, the signal's good. Roger executing 177. We'll begin as of this moment! May the Empire be victorious!"

  Having received the order waiting in the airspace from HQ to launch the operation, Tanya assents in a voice hoarse with determination. This is the usual Rhine front. The battle is being fought as usual. And crisscrossing around us are the various "fires" born of humanity's wisdom.

  But today is just a little different. If you listen closely, you can hear the signs.

  "Gale 01, the signal's good. We're prepped for phase two and standing by to sortie."

  "Schwarz 01, normal signal here. Expect magic jamming. Roger executing 177. We're taking our prescribed actions now."

  The wireless is perfectly clear. Although the typical noise of any battlefield interferes, each unit's reports come in as clear as during an exercise, proof that the enemy is lacking either the headquarters facilities or electricity to attempt jamming. Most importantly, the organized intercepting party that should be in the air to meet them is basically coming after the fact.

  And to top it off, the Imperial Army has an enormous advantage in firepower, able to freely fire all types of shells, not the least of which is the 255 mm. The Republican Army doesn't even have enough 78 mm shells for infantry use. So much iron was invested in the firefight that
the maps will need to be redrawn, and now it has turned into a one-sided massacre carried out by the Imperial Army.

  And the Republican Army's response is...lacking in cohesion, you could say. The troops are in utter confusion, and with no unity, it's hard to even call what they're doing a military action. One unit is striking out with their small force to try to break the encirclement. Elsewhere, another unit has started digging a trench to prepare a defense, and yet another unit is looking to the sea for an escape route and advancing on the port facilities. They've thought of every possible solution, and since the structure of their army has disintegrated, they're trying them all at once.

  The chaos of the decapitated Republican Army is hard to watch---it's just so pitiful. Meanwhile, the actions of the structurally sound Imperial Army can be praised as a triumph of organization.

  First, the imperial troops have already cut off the Republican Army's supply lines to the main forces and have them under control, for the most part. No matter how much they brought with them, these units have been on the Rhine lines for some time now, so they surely need more.

  Estimating from what a foot soldier can carry, it has to be three days' worth max. And shells for the heavy artillery must all come from the rear. Not only are these guys currently lacking hot food, but they're running out of shells as well.

  Second, in order to prevent the localized inferiority unique to complete encirclement scenarios, they have a screen of aerial mages on a search and intercept mission.

  "...Well, things are going pretty smoothly."

  My initial order was to prepare mages for resistance as we cut through their supply lines. There was also a nonzero chance that the Republican Army forces would come together and try to break through the encirclement.

  But the General Staff's worries were misplaced. Just as the Imperial Army was ready for a counterattack, the Republican Army units were all following their individual commanders, doing different things.

  And that's how they lost the slim chance they had.

  Now is the time for Tanya to knock the weakened Republicans senseless and snag a promotion.

  Her troops may have been partying on the submarine the night before, but they're vets who performed to their full ability even over forty-eight straight hours of recon in enemy territory. It doesn't seem necessary to micromanage them.

  "Fairy to CP. There's no interception. I say again, there's no interception. We're headed for the designated sector."

  The enemy is practically done for if this is all the resistance they can muster. Normally, there'd be a hail of anti--air fire flying at us, but now they're only shooting a handful of shells. Even though visibility is good, the rate of fire is so sad it can't even be called "sporadic." Apparently, they're really that low on ammunition.

  It was so simple. I can't believe how easy it was to enter this airspace.

  It's an awfully meager welcome. I almost want to ask if this is the same Republican Army we were fighting not so long ago.

  There should be mages or fighter planes to intercept us, but there's nothing. Thanks to that, our anti-surface strikes are as successful as they are during exercises. It's a simple attack mission, just pummeling stationary targets with interference formulas from the sky.

  It's an easier mission than attending evening work functions.

  ...Well, back then I was a rank-and-file member, not a commander, so I guess in that sense it was less pressure.

  Anyhow, I'm not interested in lowering my effectiveness by clinging to the past, but since we do need to learn from it, looking back can be meaningful.

  "Viper 01 to CP. There's just a little bit of anti--air fire. Damage is negligible. No obstacle to movement."

  "CP to all units. Multiple mana signals detected in Sector Forty-Two. Watch out for long-range observation sniping formulas."

  As you might expect, war is easier if you use your head. Sometimes it's not only my unit that is blessed with luck but the entire Imperial Army is in a superior position.

  Communication lines to the Viper Battalion in the airspace next door are clear. Astoundingly, CP actually has a grasp of the broader district and is doing a brilliant job of finding enemies and analyzing data like they're supposed to. Thanks to that, if we're in trouble we can actually get help from our neighbors, and the artillery is providing appropriate supporting fire.

  These are such basic things. But when the basics actually get done, it makes war so much easier. Or maybe it's the reverse? Maybe whether or not you can get the basics done determines whether you win or lose.

  "Fairy 01 to the artillery---it's urgent. Target: Sector Forty-Two. Requesting anti-mage suppressive fire."

  A ton of work must go into making these basic things happen, which is why the willing response to Tanya's request makes her smile.

  Usually, supporting fire is provided only reluctantly, or denied completely with a bunch of excuses, but today the artillery is already installed since we lured the enemy over here. Plus, because of the way the sectors are divided, we're operating under ideal circumstances where you can get support the moment you request it. How reassuring it is to have the big guns.

  "Artillery, roger. Firing now, please observe impacts."

  "Frontline Control to all batteries, impact confirmed. Looks to be effective. No calibration necessary. I say again, no calibration necessary."

  Seriously, I'm in love with this level of mastery.

  "Fire for effect. I say again, fire for effect."

  The observed area is doused in saturation fire at a large caliber that mages have a hard time defending against.

  If the positions were heavily defended or they had a fortress, they might have been able to withstand it, but the burden was too big for the individually constructed defenses to bear.

  A saturation bombardment of shells from 120 to 255 mm. And it's disciplined fire by artillery with observers.

  "Sector Forty-Two confirmed silent!"

  If you hit them when they can't move, even mages will succumb to shells. And that's why even though I don't want to, I fight up in the sky. Compared to the surface, there's much less chance of getting shot.

  But today, I don't even have to lament such a passive choice because every last thing is going smoothly, and we can advance in safety.

  Thus, Tanya's cheeks relax ever further into her smile. Man, efficiency is wonderful. If we can unilaterally problem solve like this, war starts to feel like a passable extension of diplomacy.

  Granted, I fully agree that war is a waste of resources, so it goes without saying that we should get it over with quickly.

  Sheesh, if the Republic would just surrender already, they could get out of this without squandering the nation's human resources. What point is there in slowly depleting your workforce?

  It would be a real waste if they wiped themselves out without even considering economic rationality. Should I assume that our opponent can calculate their economic gains and losses and counsel them to surrender? Resisting an enemy you can't possibly beat---to the point of annihilation---is above and beyond a soldier's duty.

  The state is basically telling these cornered troops to die. Shouldn't there be some limit to the suppression of human rights? I'm sure states have their logic, but there's no reason individuals should have to sacrifice themselves to it.

  At this point, the state is expecting way more of individuals with rights than it should be able to. A soldier's duty is to fight. I have no objections to serving for national defense. But it shouldn't be anyone's duty to get obliterated.

  "All first echelons, begin your operations!"

  But this isn't the sort of situation where you can calmly think things through.

  The friendly wireless signal in my ear tells me the operation has entered its next phase.

  Apparently, we don't have much time to just fly around up here.

  We don't panic, but we do up the pace on our anti-surface attacks. All we're doing is busting up defensive firing positions with explosio
n formulas, but that will probably be more than enough to frustrate the last holdout of organized resistance.

  Looking down, I see the muddled Republican Army and the advancing Imperial Army maintaining discipline. It's already such a trampling that imperial rangers are getting into strike formations.

  Usually, charges into defensive positions come with heavy casualties. But when your side is superior, it's a different story. The sole cause for concern would be machine guns, but we mages already smashed them; it's truly a one-sided game now.

  Maybe the reason the Republican Army isn't surrendering is that the Republicans want to fight about terms, but do they understand the situation they're in? It doesn't seem very rational to trade a bit damage to the Empire for annihilation.

  So then are they that fanatically anti-Empire? Or are they simply war crazy beyond all hope for recovery?

  Or maybe they're poor little lambs who have no idea what's going on?

  If the latter, they can still be reasoned with, but if the former, that's the worst. I'm sure we have no interest in getting anywhere near maniacs like that.

  "Airspace warning! Confirmed sighting of multiple fighters scrambling!"

  "Not detecting any mana signals. All units, be alert for ambushes!"

  ...So apparently, they aren't going to completely fail to respond.

  Well, they can send fighters up now, but it's still too late. But odds are good that I'm safer in counter--air battle than fighting those potentially dangerous lunatics.

  I have the battalion cease anti-surface attacks. We get into combat box formation and contact control while ascending to combat altitude. Sounds like there are twenty fighter planes coming our way.

  The imperial aerial flotilla will be up momentarily to intercept, but we're supposed to keep the enemy busy in the meantime. That's fine. I'm sure it'll be nothing more than a play fight. After all, mages and fighter planes generally don't handle each other very well.

  Although mages are more flexible, they have a hard time when it comes to speed and altitude. Meanwhile, the planes excel at hit-and-run tactics but can't do as much damage. Apparently, they're a better deal cost-wise, though.