"On that note, Lieutenant Tospan and Lieutenant Grantz have submitted a joint training plan."
"Let see it."
"Here you go," Weiss says, handing over the paperwork. It seems acceptable at a glance. The opportunity cost and use of supplies are slightly painful, but our skills need to be honed as quickly as possible, so this can be forgiven.
When it cos to ammunition, frontline commanders are forever on tenterhooks. Drills that use large amounts of ammo will always seem a bit lavish. Also, having infantry conducting maneuvers in the snow is less than ideal. Just thinking about the fuel that will be required to dry everyone off invites new headaches.
Wait…is it my job to think about ergency provision of socks and gloves? I'm never sure. But frostbite can be a serious issue. I'll need to do sothing.
"It'll be a bit of a hassle for , personally, but overall, it's solid. Not a bad plan. Getting the necessary supplies is going to be tough, but I'll speak with the eastern army and the General Staff."
I know I'm asking for the impossible. To construct a base and amass resources while also catching up on training. Teaching the recruits eastern geography and combat drills. But…I am pleasantly surprised to see my officers handling things just about as well as I could've hoped for.
Subordinates make good use of their bosses, and bosses make good use of their subordinates. That is a part of work. Tospan was once a first lieutenant who just waited around for soone to tell him what to do, but now he has grown into a fine mber of staff with personal initiative. It's impossible to imagine the old Tospan casually requesting supplies from his boss.
It was almost certainly Grantz's suggestion, but still, Tospan deserves credit for agreeing to it so readily. Tanya can be proud of her training chops.
"I guess training the infantry is worth a shot." "Colonel?"
"With magical officers and staff officers alike, it's easy to focus on what stands out. But people… In the end, it's all about people. In my opinion, so long as you make sure that the regular people can do what needs to be done, then… Never mind, I'm just rambling."
I shrug and turn the conversation back to work matters.
"The sooner we can whip the infantry into fighting shape, the better. After all, the foundation of any army is its infantry. At the end of the day,
they're the ones who make victory possible."
"As aerial mage officers, it may be strange for us to say such a thing, but you may be right," Major Weiss says, amused. I nod in total agreent.
"In sports, gas are carried out by the elite of the elite. But this is war. Total war. Everyone has to be involved. In which case, it is the lowest rung that makes the quickest path."
"But with only infantry…"
"You an you can't rely on the infantry alone? If anything, the opposite is true."
"I understand the logic. But the actual problem right now is a shortage of armor. And as a result, we are trying to make up for it with mages. If we ask too much from the infantry, losses will skyrocket."
True. What Weiss is saying makes sense.
"I understand. After all, in mobile warfare, you need to be prepared for things to move at a speed where artillery simply can't keep up. Trying to force infantry to run at that pace would be useless… What a headache."
With a grumbling moan, I cross my arms.
"Let's appoint Captain ybert as acting commander in our absence.
Fortunately, he and Lieutenant Tospan work well together."
We probably don't have enough artillery. And for all practical purposes, our armor is gone. The only things we can rely on right now are our infantry and mages. The infantry and artillery will also have to be left at base until they're up to snuff. They can be used as tactical reserves at best. Victory may depend on how far these units can be shored up by sumr.
Co sumr. A sumr of war. All would likely depend on whether General Laudon assus command…but if things go as General Zettour expects, the situation shouldn't be too bad.
"Either way, until the next campaign begins, we need to focus entirely on preparing. Unproductive and unfair as that might seem."
"This is war, after all."
"Yes, exactly," I say with a shrug.
War is very different from sports. There is no concept of fairness in war. But that also ans there are other ways of winning in war. Even if you don't win outright, it can be enough to simply not lose.
But I shake my head. Even if victory and defeat is defined as a matter of magnitude and how you make use of the results, those involved in
prosecuting a war still prioritize eliminating problems on their own plates first and foremost.
"Ultimately…all our issues boil down to a shortage of ga pieces. That's probably what inspires these absurd demands that co from above."
"By above…do you an the General Staff?"
"Most likely. They're flying by the seat of their pants in the east.
General Zettour was right to send us in as quickly as possible."
Personally, I would rather not get caught up in it. But I can understand why the brass are so eager for a pawn they can actually use.
"Different positions provide different points of view, I suppose." "Colonel?"
"Think about it, Major. We're both being used as workhorses, correct? And yet you and I are both considering how to do the sa to First Lieutenant Tospan's infantry, as they are the most useful right now. Or racking our brains over how to best utilize Captain Ahrens's armor, despite the state they're in. In the end, we're all the sa."
It's not a matter of who is in the wrong. It is the necessities of business and breakdowns in the market that ultimately create environnts that support sweatshops. If the market was functioning properly, surely we could look forward to improved conditions, whether through new hires or transfers!
"Major Weiss… I am once again reminded of how much I hate war. It takes so much from all of us."
"I'm sorry, is our army really in that bad of a state…?" my subordinate asks, staring at . I nod firmly but also use the mont to drive ho a point.
"Major…shouldn't you know this already?" "I guess I haven't studied enough."
"No…despite what I just said, it's natural not to know. Maybe it's unfair of to criticize you."
Hmph. I ponder the point for a mont.
Major Weiss is a career soldier. The position of number two in the unit carries a heavy responsibility that demands a wide range of knowledge, but to be fair, the lack of economic knowledge could hardly be considered his fault.
"Never mind, it was…my mistake."
My second-in-command stares blankly when I quickly apologize for my indiscretion.
"I'm sorry, Major Weiss. I expected too much."
"What?! No, it's simply my own ignorance!" my second-in-command insists, but I wave my hand.
"There is no need to be embarrassed. My personal experiences have just been a little extraordinary. This kind of knowledge is sothing that takes ti to learn. Live long enough, and you'll likely begin to see where I'm coming from."
"Honestly…all the experiences in this unit tend to be on the extraordinary end."
Major Weiss looks a little perplexed. Usually, he's so serious. Maybe the pressure is getting to him.
But one should not go around giving advice based on vague speculation. I only just chastised the man inappropriately a second ago. For now, I decide to just nod in agreent.
"A long life is full of all sorts of extraordinary monts. The only reason I can sit here lecturing you so smugly like this is because I've experienced a bit more of it than you have yet."
"Oh, you…must an combat experience. Of course, I'm sorry."
Well. If that's what he wants to believe, that's fine. I wonder for a mont if I should clarify, but I quickly decide it's more important to give my subordinate an opportunity to save face.
Besides, my focus has already shifted to the next matter at hand. Better to examine the issues currently facing the army than to spend my ti throwing egg on people's faces.
"As you already know, Major Weiss, our unit is relatively fortunate.
Don't forget that standards here are very different than elsewhere." "Yes… Er, no. That is…"
The major's gaze flickers around in confusion. I think back on our conversation thus far. Aside from his alcoholism, my second-in-command is generally quite straitlaced. Have I really ntioned anything strange enough to rit such an awkward response…? After a mont of thought, I realize the problem.
Of course, what was I thinking? How could I let myself speak so freely?
"Listen to rambling. We're so blessed when it cos to people, and yet here I go complaining, wishing for more. And in front of one of my subordinates, of all things."
Evidently, even soone as amiable as Major Weiss can find himself at a loss for words when his superior commits a terrible blunder. As a tried and true company man, I should have known better. Especially with all my experience! Quickly realizing my mistake, I apologize again.
"I'm sorry. My words made you uncomfortable. Let's just forget I said anything, if you don't mind."
"No, I'm the one who should be apologizing. You were giving excellent advice. Thank you."
Another example of thoughtfulness on his part. Before I can thank him, however, my nose picks up on my adjutant's imminent return with the coffeepot in hand.
Yes, coffee, in all its authentic, llow aroma. You needn't be a war dog to pick up on that glorious scent, as unsuited as it is to our present surroundings.
"Thank you, Lieutenant Serebryakov. Perfect timing." "Shall we take a coffee break?"
"Yes…it's important to relax now and again."
The folding desk, which was made for field use, is an inconvenient height, but more than good enough to enjoy a cup of coffee in this crumbling country house.
Major Weiss smiled slightly inside as he stood before his magnificent boss, whose presence was as incredible as she was short. The lieutenant colonel, currently sipping elegantly on her coffee, was one of history's greatest military figures.
Even as one of her own subordinates, as a career soldier, Weiss held Lieutenant Colonel Degurechaff in high regard.
But sotis, he couldn't help but think… Most of the ti, it slipped Weiss' mind, but the lieutenant colonel's height was a reflection of her age. On the rare occasion that he was reminded of how old she was, he couldn't help but feel strange. On the one hand, she was unmistakably a figure of
greatness, but when you stared hard enough, she was, after all, quite tiny.
First Lieutenant Serebryakov was casually enjoying her coffee, chatting pleasantly with the lieutenant colonel. This pairing was also amusing in its own way. Sotis, they looked like a child and her big sister, playing soldier.
Weiss shook his head. It was best he keep such ridiculous thoughts to himself. To the grave, if need be. From the side, the pair may have looked as if they were just playing make believe, but the truth was they were both Nad. Veterans even among veterans.
On top of that, Weiss's superior officer was decorated with a full brace of dals, with a Silver Wings Assault Badge not least among them. Her brutality had been proven in combat. She was a mage who had survived battle and achieved results ti and again. Who would dare tease such a person over sothing as trivial as height?
"Only soone with a powerful death wish," Weiss muttered to himself.
No one with any sense of risk managent would ever dare. "As for the handover of duties…"
"You've just co back from recon, Colonel. Shall I stay in command for a little while longer?"
The lieutenant colonel flatly refused Weiss's thoughtful suggestion. "Thank you, Major. But I'd rather you get your appropriate rest, as
proscribed. You're aware, aren't you, that even as we recover from physical exhaustion, concentration continues to erode? Or are your powers of concentration such that rest is no longer required?"
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"No, ma'am."
"Thank you for your consideration. But regulations are preferable to unnecessary flexibility in such matters. And besides, bosses should always toil more than their subordinates. It is the duty of those in authority."
Despite agreeing, Weiss eyed First Lieutenant Serebryakov, looking for backup. The first lieutenant, however, simply remained silent, her face suggesting there was no point in arguing.
At a loss, Weiss left the command center behind, crossing his arms and staring up at the sky as he stepped outside.
"I guess the sensibilities of capable people are just a little different."
On top of having an exceptional sense of responsibility, for better or worse, his boss was the type to be excessively consistent and reasonable.
However, she was also eminently simple, seeming to think that what she could do, others could do as well. In that context, it was a little mortifying to hear the words I expected too much co from her lips.
"Expectation weighs heavy."
Whether General Zettour or Lieutenant Colonel Degurechaff, Weiss was forever surrounded by towering figures of excellence!
"I can try, but I'm not sure I'll ever catch up."
All he could do was sigh. It was hard to explain, but Weiss's boss was outside the scope of his understanding. As poor Lieutenant Grantz, who had twice been given the runaround by a certain general, once said, such people were just a different breed.
"I wonder…"
His boss often spoke about things outside his understanding, almost as if they were the most natural things in the world. Forget about General Zettour, whom Weiss rarely ca into contact with. Weiss was constantly struggling to understand Lieutenant Colonel Degurechaff's perspective, despite seeing her day in and day out. It was strange how different their perspectives sotis were.
"Not that thinking about it will do any good."
With a sigh, Weiss the field officer placed his thoughts on the shelf for now. There was nothing wrong with thinking, but there were few things more important than resting one's mind. It went without saying, but work that required thinking was tiring. As an officer with war zone experience, Weiss was familiar with how dangerous a tired mind can be. Fatigue could
result in mistakes that were usually unthinkable.
Which is why it was important to rest fully when one had the chance.
As simple as it sounded, however, making the effort to rest properly was difficult. For the 203rd Aerial Mage Battalion, resting was always part of the battle. Experience had drilled that fact into the very marrow of Weiss's bones.
Swallow the food he was given, lay his head down on what little bedding (better than nothing) that he was provided, and catch what little sleep he could. Veterans who continued to survive knew to eat when they could and sleep when they could. That was part of being a good soldier.
After all, battlefields were full of free ti, with nothing to do. If one didn't find a way to use that ti wisely, they might just go mad.
Nap accomplished, Weiss woke up sowhat groggily, passing the ti by chatting with so of the others in the unit in order to wake himself up, chasing the blues away by complaining about the lack of military mail, and thoroughly stretching his shoulders. Before long, it was ti for duty again. After nibbling on a bit of military chocolate—instead of additional canned rations—to get himself back into working order, and sipping on so of the strange coffee substitute they were issued, Weiss headed back
to his post.
"Good morning."
As Weiss poked his head inside the command center, his superior officer, looking slightly sleepy, beckoned him over.
"Oh, Major Weiss. You were lucky!" "What do you an, Colonel?"
"I an, you were lucky to get sleep. I was planning on taking a nap, too, after I took over, but the higher-ups had so bullshit for us," Lieutenant Colonel Degurechaff grumbled with a sigh, unable to even force a smile. "I guess I pulled the short end of the stick."
Weiss wasn't sure what she was talking about, but the lieutenant colonel wasn't usually one to complain. An internal switch flicked inside Weiss. His superior, anwhile, glared at him with a mask of intensity, much like a ferocious tiger…fitting for one whispered of as the Devil of the Rhine.
"Wait, orders? Directly from above?" Weiss asked, though the lieutenant
colonel hardly seed that impressed. "What are they?"
"Reconnaissance in force, from the General Staff. With General Laudon's approval, we've been ordered to try and suss out the state of Federation Army reconstruction."
As we grow drowsy, toward the end of a shift, humans apparently have a tendency to beco less friendly. It's just been about ti to switch out when a new hassle lands on Tanya's plate. Although I would prefer to bury my head in my hands, I continue to deal with the mountain of paperwork and orders. Which is when my second-in-command finally chooses to poke his head into the command center, looking just as fresh as a fiddle. I regret glaring at him… Perhaps it was a little childish of .
It's warranted, however. The sort of matter to warrant a complaint. "Strictly speaking, the order is for the 203rd Aerial Mage Battalion.
So of the enemy's movents seem suspicious in places, so they want us to hit them. Orders courtesy of General Zettour, it seems."
Tanya snorts through her nose before continuing:
"Well…at least they haven't forgotten that we're capable of hit-and-run tactics," she says, explicitly verbalizing the brass's clearly high opinion of them. Aerial mages are only convenient, of course, if they are skilled. For good and faithful middle managers, anwhile, properly sharing such evaluations is one of the minimum requirents of the job.
"A boss with a good mory…is a bother," Major Weiss replies amiably, but I shake my head.
"It's better than those amnesiacs over at Command. Although, we're still busting our butts, either way."
Even while ensuring that my subordinate understands that our skills are appreciated, I make sure that it is clear that we are on the sa page in regards to the fact that the work will be hard. The point-and-call thod. It is always worth being thorough, with these little extra steps.
"Now then, Major, let's get down to business."
I select a portion of docunts laid out on the desk and pass them over to Major Weiss.
"These are aerial recon photos from the Air Fleet. Surprisingly, there
seems to have been so movent among Federation troops."
I urge him to take a look at the photos as I continue explaining.
"It looks like the bear has failed to fully hibernate and has now crawled out of its hole in the form of a chanized unit."
After peering at the photographs and carefully reading the docunts, Major Weiss lifts his head. Pure doubt is written on his face.
"Despite the appearances…I'm guessing they're not just a chanized unit. After all, the fact that they're bothering to send orders our way… makes that seem unlikely." Major Weiss is wise to question.
chanized units are troubleso foes, but not so dangerous that it would rit General Staff putting the 203rd Aerial Mage Battalion the table when they specifically deployed us here as strategic reserves. Timing is everything when it cos to reserve forces. If we respond to every chanized unit that appears along the front, we could find ourselves in the grim position of being completely out of strategic forces when they are really needed.
Besides, the fact that they first coordinated with the Eastern Army's General Laudon shows that the order was too systematic to have been issued on a whim.
However. However…
"No, no, it's just as it seems, Major. A Federation chanized unit." "But why would the bigwigs want to send a bunch of unruly hounds like
us after a unit like that? Is there anything special about them?"
Excellent instinct. I welco my subordinate's question with a smile. "Apparently, they were giving off a strong mana signature."
Of course. Major Weiss's face grows tense, clearly understanding what that could an. A mana signature from a chanized unit. The implications are big. It is natural that General Staff would want to respond.
"A chanized unit. And giving off a mana signature… That does sll pretty fishy."
"Agreed, Major Weiss. A chanized unit with a mana signature sounds like our own MO when attempting a breakthrough. If there is a possibility the Federation is using magic in that way, we can't ignore it."
Just as Major Weiss said, sothing about them slls fishy. Mana signatures are sothing given off by mages. Usually, these are detected in the air. Because, after all, they are flying.
It goes without saying, but flying mages are faster than tanks. With speeds a whole digit, maybe even two, greater. However, while they make for versatile troops, mages are also easy to detect and thus present many problems when attempting a covert breakthrough. But while this issue is difficult for mages on their own, the conversation is different when paired with transport thods such as transport trucks or planes.
In fact, when working at a small scale, it is not strategically rare to utilize mages in this manner. Having mages walk or ride in a vehicle up until the mont they are ready to be used and thus leak a signal— approaching quietly in order to launch a surprise attack—is even included in textbooks.
But sothing like that at larger scale, with full units…
"If the Federation Army is planning sothing systematic and in secret, combining mage and chanized units, we can't overlook it. It obviously needs to be examined more closely."
In any case, all the conditions are there. The fact that the eastern front is so peaceful and quiet has only served to stir the Imperial Army's suspicions. The correct call for the higher-ups was obvious. We can't overlook this; it is ti for reconnaissance in force!
"On careful thought, the Federation could even co in spring," I say, voicing my worries aloud as an indescribable sense of loathing begins to bubble up within .
"You're not serious! An attack during the mud season?!" Major Weiss says in disbelief.
It is a sensible response. Even General Zettour believes the possibility to be low. But what if?
"It would explain why they keep drilling tank desant maneuvers in secret… An offensive may be much closer in fact than we presud." "Just our luck," I mutter, preparing to order Major Weiss to marshal the unit. Right then, however, I notice First Lieutenant Serebryakov rushing toward them. It looks like she has co from the communications room. She is clutching what appears to be a telegraphic ssage in her hand and imdiately begins to speak, foregoing formality.
"Colonel, a request from Eastern Command."
"Thank you," I say, glancing over the ssage while frowning at the terrible timing. "I hate to do the eastern army a bad turn, but seeing as
we've already got orders from above…"
My words, however, are soon replaced with an expression of surprise. "Why, what is this?!"
"Colonel?"
I share my reason for surprise with the confused Major Weiss. "According to Eastern Command, there is a suspicious chanized unit.
It seems General Laudon and General Zettour are of one mind. So nice of him to go out of the way to order us to follow the General Staff's order. This should go far in reducing bureaucratic friction."
I could almost cackle.
Through shared paradigms, the General Staff strives for a "shared tactical brain capable of common judgnts, whereby every person under identical conditions displays a certain degree of interoperability." Until that ti cos, however, it is delightful to see that they are keeping practical concerns in mind.
"All the higher-ups have endorsed the sa proposal. Good. Let's make quick work of this."
Now that the decision has been made, preparations go smoothly. As for troop commitnt, I imdiately decide to go with the full battalion, holding nothing back. I give Captain ybert, who is left in command in my absence, the usual spiel about staying concealed and counterattacking in case of an incident, but we are both used to it by now.
Command is handed over with a word.
All that's left to do is take off. Marshaling a whole battalion of aerial mages is an ordeal, but it is still much easier than trying to pull a rapid sortie after getting hit in our sleep.
Once everyone is ready, I give brief instructions before departure. Next, Major Weiss reports their objective, "a chanized unit leaking a mana signature," and notifies them of the general situation.
Next, one after the other, they form up in company formation in the sky.
Glancing down, I can see the base has been camouflaged splendidly. "First Lieutenant Tospan has gotten quite good at that."
Even from my vantage point, it looks to be no more than a simple village at first glance. One you might even describe as decrepit. No one would ever guess that a Kampfgruppe unit is nestled within. Given an aerial photograph, even the most hawkeyed, the most eagle-eyed of analysts
would struggle to notice it.
Knowing my base is down there doesn't help spot it any better, so it's unlikely the enemy would ever suspect. If you just insist the village isn't impoverished, but rather that the shabbiness is part of the disguise, the buildings suddenly seem a little brighter.
While I'm still staring down, my adjutant suddenly speaks. "Sothing to smile about, Lieutenant Colonel?"
"Indeed there is, Visha. Look down." "Is there sothing with our base…?"
"I was just impressed at how well it's been camouflaged."
"Oh, of course. I know it's our own camp, but from up here, it looks just like a normal village…"
"Right," I say with a laugh. "Any unit can camouflage a defensive position, but completely hiding an encampnt is a whole other matter."
"Of course," my adjutant says, nodding in agreent, but then sighs. "Although…if it's nightti when we get back, we could be in trouble."
"You don't have to worry about that," I say, laughing off my adjutant's concerns. Searching for such a well-camouflaged base at night would likely be a pain. But this ti, there is a clear landmark nearby. "If worse cos to worst, we can always set our sights on our neighbors over at Eastern Command. They'd probably even give us radio guidance, if we requested it."
"Oh, of course."
Upon pointing out the benefits of being next to Command, I have a sudden realization. Despite our thorough camouflage, being so close to Command is sure to attract enemy eyes and ears. They might still be spotted in the end.
"Camouflage, concealnt, and deception… It takes a village."
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