by Carlo Zen
That had to be the best answer available to Romel.
Since he knew that, de Lugo had no need to send his individual units out to get destroyed. On the contrary. He would lure the enemy out of their nest, overwhelm them with a large force, and crush them.
"Yes, the report is that they've sortied."
And the notification he was waiting for had already come in. The Commonwealth Intelligence had volunteered to do recon, and they had a handle on the situation in Turus.
"The Imperial Army has left Turus." They received the report in almost real time. At that point, the Imperial Army was doing just what the Free Republican Army wanted it to.
They think they're going to surprise us and attack while we're advancing all split up. It's a truly by-the-book method of coping with this situation. We've cornered them so badly, they have no other options left.
All we have to do now is destroy them.
"Ahh, now there will have been a point to fighting these dopes."
In order to lure them out, the Republicans had intentionally leaked their strategic objectives all over the place. They even performed highway maintenance to throw their enemy off track. Well actually, de Lugo had the field engineers devoted to building a minefield, so the infantry were the ones "working" on the highway, but still.
At any rate, their deception was paying off.
The Empire has crawled out of its nest. All we have to do now is hit them while they're blithely on their way to carry out their "sneak attack." For a short distance, the supply lines will manage even if we concentrate our forces. Even if the imperial forces notice us concentrating and retreat, I don't mind one bit.
At that point, the Republicans could carry out their decentralized advance unobstructed.
"All right, gentlemen. Let's get ready."
Finally.
It was how they all felt.
Finally, we can strike back at the Empire. They were elated.
The imperial forces intended to take them by surprise, so they prioritized speed over enemy spotting as they approached. The plan was to draw them into a minefield and hit them with a fierce attack.
The imperial forces may be elite, but we'll catch them in a cross fire from our light, quick units and thoroughly obliterate them with our heavy units. That was how everyone felt as they formed up.
Now the day to achieve those results had come. In terms of numbers, the Republicans were sure they had the upper hand.
And when they fought them head-on, they wouldn't necessarily be inferior then, either. Sure, their opponents were seasoned old-timers, but in this instance, numbers meant everything. Technically, they were both major powers. If one side overwhelmed the other with numbers, the winner would be decided.
"We strike back!"
"""Yes, sir!"""
And so, Republican morale was high. They were about to launch into their long-awaited counterattack. We're gonna scare the living daylights out of the Empire!
OCTOBER 6, UNIFIED YEAR 1925, TURUS NAVAL BASE OUTSKIRTS
"Good grief. At this rate, I'm not going to even have any tea for teatime."
After somehow managing to escape the blazing Turus Naval Base, trading with the nomadic tribes had been going brilliantly.
He thought he was getting along with them pretty well. The intelligence exchange was actually worthwhile, too. It was with the nomads' help that he had been able to observe Turus Naval Base and get a handle on the Imperial Army's movements.
But John did have one irresolvable complaint about his work right now: an absence of tea, which was a life-or-death matter for a civilized gentleman. The nomads enjoyed their own infusions, but it wasn't the tea John loved. And when he tried, with no expectations, to request some from the home country, they heartlessly told him to procure it on the ground. Humans are weak creatures and hope even when they know things won't turn out, so the indifferent response upset him.
Thus the man recalled his home country's cold response and lamented dramatically. Well, there was the fact that John was in the desert and clad in the local costume, too.
He led a caravan, mingling with the nomads, clumping along atop a camel. He fit right in, and at a glance, you wouldn't even notice him.
He was lucky he had managed to take on some officers who were familiar with the desert to some degree. Well, that was a silver lining, anyway. They would be able to keep doing business with some of the tribes, which would allow them to keep their intelligence net up.
His message had reached the Republican side fine, so John could finally take a break.
"...Whatever else happens, it seems like the reconnaissance will work out."
Things were so calm he found time to complain. One could say his situation wasn't too shabby.
"Dear guest, you will keep our terms, yes?"
"Of course, you have my word. I've got more confidential funds than I know what to do with."
But a gentleman through and through, John lamented, Even though I'm sorely lacking tea, they say to rejoice that I have money? He wasn't so lacking in elegance or John Bull spirit that he could be happy about that.
Sometimes he sadly wondered if the twits in Whitehall were too tainted by the ideas of the city. It really made him want to cry. Would that bunch in Whitehall honestly tell me to drink money instead of tea? He really wanted them to send him some or do something, at least.
He was of a mind to demand more attention to the welfare of agents working abroad. They don't understand the suffering people go through one whit. Those pseudo-gentlemen who knew nothing about actual working conditions were such a pain.
But that was precisely why he needed to focus on the job before him, so he brought his attention back to the present.
"So that's the situation. I'd like it if we could keep a good relationship."
John had plenty of opinions, but he was an outstanding agent. He was maintaining observation and communication nets using the nomadic tribes. At the same time, he was providing weapons to some of them to support guerrilla activity. He had also contracted to receive any imperial prisoners they took and made an agreement for Commonwealth prisoners as well.
At any rate, John had built the network necessary to confront the Empire. It went without saying that it was an extraordinary amount of work.
John feigned calm atop the one-humped camel. He had made it through countless tricky situations. Once he even got caught up in a nomad conflict and roused his old bones to take up a rifle.
John was a fine fox hunter, but he had had enough of the camel-mounted cavalry attackers---so much so that if he had a chance, he wanted to bring a submachine gun, or actually the new model of the imperial-made assault rifles would be good.
"The supplies we get from you help us, too."
This was one of the tribes' chiefs. About their dealings, he was positive. He welcomed the opportunity to acquire live ammunition to unify the tribes in the area. After all, since heavy arms, explosives, and the like were mainly acquired from abroad, securing a stable way to get them before the other tribes was a big deal.
But unlike John, they hadn't sworn alliance to any nation.
"But if you want to see what we can do, shouldn't you be sending in soldiers, too?"
...Which meant they often offered terms that people like John could never swallow.
The relationship between the nomad tribes and the Commonwealth had to be kept secret. If word got out that he was embedded in a tribe, he wouldn't be able to infiltrate places as part of their caravans like he did now.
More than anything, clandestine activities had to be kept clandestine. For example, he absolutely couldn't leave any record that he was working with the tribes behind the scenes in ways that could lead to an anti-Republic war in the Republican colonies.
John's hardship would continue, so he made a wish. Please let the Free Republican Army do their job properly.
OCTOBER 12, UNIFIED YEAR 1925, IMPERIAL ARMY CAMP
"General von Romel, I'd like to make a sugge
stion."
Even when the veil of night is about to fall, breaks are an unattainable luxury for members of the Imperial Army General Staff. The air fleet has turned in their final reconnaissance reports for the day, but the work of analyzing them with insufficient lighting and equipment awaits the staffers on the ground.
Still, just as everyone is thinking it will be a quiet night, Major von Degurechaff shows up, and the first thing out of her mouth is that she has a suggestion to make. Naturally, it's especially surprising that a field officer would come to offer opinions at this time of day.
What could it be? they wonder.
That said, almost no one finds it suspicious. Degurechaff's tone is not tense at all but utterly businesslike. And it's not so uncommon for someone to suggest something to the commander.
Well, the time of day is somewhat odd...but it fits with the Imperial Army tradition of taking action.
So there are no reproachful glares saying, How rude. But it is strange enough that almost everyone looks over in spite of themselves, out of curiosity. What in the world is this field officer worried about?
To Tanya, though, that right there is what she wants to bring up. The indecisive gazes of the officers and their hesitation is exactly what makes her anxious. In this situation, under these circumstances, the faces of the staffers don't seem worried at all.
She has to say something.
"What is it?"
Well, it's wonderful to have a boss who will at least listen to you. A boss who increases incentives for his subordinates creates the best military environment. It's so much easier to work with someone like this.
Tanya's mood lightens as she senses that they will be able to get along and respect each other's interests. That's why she feels that they should step in to cover for each other, if necessary.
"I'd like permission to scout ahead of the main forces."
Naturally, it's a plan that serves both of their interests, although it conceals her true intentions. Tanya doesn't want to do anything dangerous. Hence her desire to move cautiously.
The military would be in trouble if there was a miscalculation, right? And if that happened, the mages, by their nature, are the branch that would be worked extra hard doing recon-in-force and pursuit battles, essentially extinguishing the fire when it broke out.
Tanya is not the type to spare efforts now if she can reduce risk in the future.
"That could reveal our sneak-attack plan. What's your intent?"
"I believe our knowledge of enemy movements is insufficient."
Naturally, her outward expression of these sentiments is fully armed with logic. Armies are rational to a point. Oftentimes, they don't make sense, but they can't ignore reason completely. (That's only natural. Arguing some theory that bends physical laws won't help them defeat their enemies.)
"We've sent out reconnaissance units, though."
"We're currently dependent on the air force units in Turus." Tanya understands their current dilemma, how difficult it is to perform recon while advancing, so she drives her point home before he can tell her that's why they're relying on the air force. "And we knew this, but air force units are limited by their navigation apparatus capabilities; it's difficult for them to perform night reconnaissance."
True, at a glance, it makes sense to send the air force to scout ahead of the advancing ground army. Certainly, it would be nearly impossible for the average foot soldier to scout ahead in a desert with no landmarks.
On that point, a reconnaissance aircraft, endowed with a navigation machine, does have the advantage. But at night, aircraft run into a lot of problems. Aerial photography capabilities are extremely limited at night, and it's not uncommon to simply not be able to get any.
Of course, she knows that General von Romel and the staffers are doing their very best.
The army is focusing on advancing quickly and efficiently in order to strike the enemy forces before they can concentrate. Due to time limitations, they haven't done anywhere near enough recon. The imperial military isn't stupid enough to not worry about that, which is why aircraft were arranged, and they are handling the situation with cooperative efforts between the air and the ground. That's an important, respectable achievement, and Tanya acknowledges that.
Still, no matter how great their efforts, there are too many technical limitations for aircraft to do reconnaissance of the ground at night. And the chance for accidents would be too great if they sent them up anyway. They can't ignore the risk that the enemy could get a clue about their movements from a crashed plane.
"And even without that, our intel is incomplete."
Disregarding those issues, Tanya is forced to point out, per her obligations as an officer, that the trickier problem is their limited field of vision.
Air units have conducted reconnaissance of the vicinity. But the problems with that are fuel and territory under enemy air forces. No matter how faithfully, no matter how earnestly they carry out their missions, there are still limitations, right? It has to be said.
And the air force reports they've gone to such lengths to get only one side of the situation. As a staffer, too, she has to point out that if they rely on the air too much, they run the risk of biased data or outright misunderstandings.
"Given these concerns, I firmly believe we should take precautions."
In short, even if it's only her outward-facing argument, those issues can't be ignored so easily. And her suggestion is in the commander's interest as well. Tanya is proud she can offer a win-win proposal.
"...All right. Permission granted."
"You have my gratitude. I'll take my battalion out immediately."
She thanks him and exits the tent. She promptly calls up her battalion. Since First Lieutenant Weiss was on standby for rapid response, he answers in one ring.
Splendid. Satisfied with his performance, she alerts him they will be sortieing. After additionally ordering careful preparations, she races across the sand back to her own tent.
Long-range night reconnaissance. And in a desert, to boot. They need to double-check their navigation instruments. They have to be ready for the possibility of a sandstorm cutting off communications. They make all the preparations a unit operating solo can in the unique climate and environment of a desert.
Upon reaching her tent, Tanya takes a look at the navigation chart with the help of her adjutant, Second Lieutenant Serebryakov, and consults with Weiss to plan where they should search for the enemy. Considering the possibility of unforeseen encounters with recon forces, they split into companies. A total of four companies will fan out to form a line, and after searching, they will return to a designated meeting point. An orthodox method, but given the situation, it should be useful.
In order to resist the Republican forces during their decentralized advance, locating them is essential.
If she locates the enemy ahead of time under the pretext of officer reconnaissance, she decreases their risk of an encounter battle. She's definitely not opposed to doing work behind the scenes to minimize danger in advance. It pleases her to do a reliable, thorough job.
More than anything---she stifles a laugh, thinking back at how hard they got worked on the Rhine front---I'm just glad it's not recon-in-force.
Recon-in-force meant they had to go forward while getting shot at, whereas regular reconnaissance means all they have to do is bring back intelligence. Even if they have to be prepared to get shot at, it's a lot more relaxing to fly when that isn't the assumption.
Of course, she hasn't forgotten that they're on a battlefield where all risks apply. In a recon mission, there's always the danger that the enemy will pursue, and she understands that. But right now, they haven't received any reports of enemy contact in the entire area.
In that case, this should be a pretty enjoyable flight, and there's also the option of discovering and striking small command posts.
Being safe is unconditionally wonderful. And getting results while safe is even more wonderful. The ot
her important point is that in the opposite situation---that is, if risks suddenly escalate past a tolerable level---all the battalion needs to do is turn around and break away.
Thus, that night, Tanya ascends into the sky in a relatively relaxed state of mind.
Of course, even a desert gets terribly cold in the dark, but it's quiet and calm, so the journey is a leisurely night flight. As someone with experience on the Rhine lines and in the north, and given the lack of nighttime scrambles and large-scale enemy units coming to attack, she finds the job a simple matter of flying through the tranquil sky.
That said, while at first she is glad for a smooth flight, as time goes on and they get farther out, a sense of unease gradually begins to grate on her.
It's too quiet.
"...We could come into contact with an enemy patrol or commando units anytime now. Keep an extra sharp watch on the ground."
"Yes, ma'am."
"All units, keep your guard up against the sky and the ground alike. We're already close to the projected enemy location. Look out for patrols or commandos. Pay special attention to the dunes. Don't miss any light sources."
It's entirely possible that the enemy is alert to the possibility of a search.
Conducting a decentralized advance in secret is a logical move. That means we have to be extra thorough.
But we fly and fly and meet no enemy. No matter how far we go, we don't even spot any other life-forms besides us, much less the enemy.
"Fairy 01 to Fairy Battalion members."
Normally, an empty battlefield is a welcome state of affairs. There aren't very many people who want to cause trouble for themselves. So normally, we should be happy the enemy is nowhere to be found.
Still, there are a number, albeit a small number, of significant exceptions. For example, it's no good if there is nothing in a space or territory where there is supposed to be something. That's not nothing here, but something missing.
"Commanders, report in."
"Company Two, no contact. We haven't spotted anything."
"Company Three, nothing besides us out here."