The Finest Hour Read online

The operation's itinerary was itemized in rigid detail, eventually settling into a plan to at least deal a blow to the enemy chain of command and temporarily take their communications down. Immediately following the raid on enemy headquarters, the strike force would head north where a friendly submarine or ship would retrieve them.

  The General Staff debate ended with all participants more or less in agreement. The V-1 unit was given notice, and X-Day arrived on May 25.

  "You can still see the shocking results today." (from the Commonwealth Army's War History Compilation Division's History of the Rhine Front Volume 3)

  MAY 25, UNIFIED YEAR 1925, IMPERIAL ARMY SECRET V-1 LAUNCH BASE

  Major Tanya von Degurechaff stands resolutely on the runway at the airfield, watching the sun rise over the horizon with a gaze so unwholesome it could send even dead fish scattering as she utters a stunned Guten Morgen in her head.

  The orders she received have instructed her to lead a select company in a direct attack on enemy headquarters to cut off the head of their army. In other words, decapitating their forces with a surgical strike.

  As if the outrageous order itself isn't depressing enough, the method she needs to use is even worse.

  Penetrating the enemy's defense by conventional means can't be done. Apparently, the brass understands that much. So for one reason or another, they've decided their only option is to adopt a radical approach, and what they came up with is a guided missile. The problem is that the guidance system is done on board and by hand.

  To put it plainly, they're telling her to become a human rocket and charge in. If Tanya didn't have a reputation to worry about, she would be cradling her head right about now and shouting, How did this happen?!

  Logically, Tanya understands that the operation she's about to carry out is not just a reckless gamble. There's no doubt that a reasonable chance of success exists. Once the plan was laid out in detail, the strategic practicality became clear.

  The law of progress demands revolutionary advances fostered through vigilant skepticism of common sense as a potential for bias and consistent challenges to the paradigm. Given that, Tanya understands that from a military perspective, her moodiness could be considered irrational.

  But from another rational viewpoint, waging war in the first place is a tremendous waste. Of course, there's no denying that the virtually meaningless exhaustion of every resource should be kept to a minimum. In a conflict, cutting costs wherever possible is necessary, logical.

  All the data indicates that preservation measures must be taken. The numbers also suggest that it's necessary to secure an alternative source of supply to make up for inevitable losses. Unless the Empire seizes the Republic's assets in the terms for peace or something, Tanya's nation will collapse under the weight of its ever-increasing war expenditures. It's plain to see that the brass intends to wring reparations from the Republic.

  In a debate, it's reasonable to employ statistical data to back up common sense or outwit it. Tanya can't deny that on moral or emotional grounds.

  Of course, statistics lie. But they're the best kind of lies.

  Statistically, no one expects someone with a savings account and life insurance to be a suicide bomber. If anything, a banker would actually like to maintain a long relationship with such a customer. Which is precisely why a practical, cunning terrorist could potentially duck surveillance by opening a savings account and purchasing life insurance.

  In other words, anything can be good depending on how you use it.

  Given all this, Tanya is fully aware how foolish it is to moodily declare, That's impossible or It can't be done. She is more than willing to undergo a healthy dose of introspection about her personal conclusions before disagreeing with others.

  Nevertheless, she finds herself repeating the same unsolvable question to herself as she gazes with the eyes of a dead fish at the gigantic object in front of her: How did this happen?

  What mad scientist had the ability to convince the army to approve of such an insane idea?

  "A company will be launched via human-guided missiles, code name V-1." You'd have to be possessed to rationalize a plan like this to the point where Zettour and Rudersdorf would approve... It must have been him. Most Imperial Army engineers are constantly off in their own worlds, but Schugel is something else entirely.

  Go to hell, Schugel, you piece of shit! Tanya feels like screaming when she recalls the man.

  I should have killed him during those activation tests with a stray formula or a computation orb "accident." Even if he is a psychologically contaminated, pitiful puppet of Being X---or rather, because of that---someone should have killed him sooner, back when he still retained some human dignity.

  The reason why I---or rather, why Tanya---gets carried away by her emotions and won't rest until she's shot Schugel to death any number of times in her mind is simple.

  She's the commander of a battalion on the verge of falling apart due to the numerous casualties sustained in the course of rearguard duty, but the moment the unit finally made it back to a friendly base in the rear, they received a new operation along with newly developed equipment for it. She was so excited to see what kind of hospitality would be offered to them upon their return, but instead, events went in the exact opposite direction that she was hoping for, and worst of all, now they're being sent to a dangerous battlefield inside a sketchy weapon.

  Major Tanya von Degurechaff knows herself well enough to realize she isn't the type to enjoy blasting off in a giant rocket.

  Frankly, she's sick and tired of dangerous missions. And that's only natural, after being forced to carry out operation after ludicrous operation to help offset the risks simply because the plans are "theoretically possible."

  As Heinrich's principles state, any accident that is liable to happen, will. There's no telling when one of these dangerous missions will end in a horrific mishap, and I don't want to keep going till I find out. No, I wouldn't mind being praised for my outstanding achievements and upgrading from my Silver Wings Assault Badge to a Silver Wings Assault Badge with Oak Leaves. Actually, I have been recommended for the Platinum Cross with Golden Swords, although informally, so at the very least, I can't deny that the risks are properly recognized.

  Therein lies Tanya's agonizing internal conflict. A person of the modern world cannot forsake their duties without cause when they are held in such high esteem and receive medals for their contributions.

  To do so would be a betrayal of contract and trust---the very things that make me who I am. Betraying your own dignity is essentially a form of suicide.

  In a situation where an emergency evacuation is out of the question, Tanya's only practical choice is to loyally follow orders.

  "I have to do it. If I have to do it, then I have to succeed." Standing on the runway glaring in the direction of the Republic, Tanya repeats those words like it's her duty.

  She is so wrapped up in her own world that she doesn't notice someone has walked up next to her until they start speaking.

  Unaware of the intense stare coming from nearby, she repeats herself, mustering her will and fighting spirit. "I have to do it. I just have to do it. I can't mess up this mission."

  I'm going to live and hammer the righteousness of the market economy into that piece of trash Being X. Then I'll laugh as I shatter every last idol I can get my hands on. No matter what happens, I can't die before that.

  "...Major von Degurechaff, sorry to interrupt you, but do you have a moment?"

  Her conditioned reflexes clear all other thoughts from Tanya's head when she notices the voice.

  "Ah, excuse me. Of course, Colonel von Lergen. What is it?"

  Suddenly realizing she hasn't greeted him properly, Tanya takes a step back and extends her hand to the brim of her cap in a picture-perfect salute. As she thinks about ways to smooth over the situation, the gears of her brain go into overdrive, trying to remember if she has let something slip that she shouldn't have.

  She only murmured
two things on the runway. It's probably too much to ask for any eavesdroppers to think Tanya's feeling very motivated, but there shouldn't be much problem with talking to herself about needing to carry out her mission.

  But that only means her muttering won't be taken badly on its own... It dawns on her in the next instant that, depending on the context, what she said could have grave consequences.

  "No, you---ahh, er, rather, for you..."

  "Huh?"

  At the moment, Lieutenant Colonel von Lergen seems a bit bizarrely lost for words. This seems like the worst-case scenario. No matter how tightly the man clings to optimism, he's no fool.

  One wrong move here and a report could be sent to the General Staff Office claiming her ability to carry out the operation is in doubt, revealing her motivation is lacking even if it doesn't go as far as to say she's disobeying orders. Lergen is undoubtedly someone who could submit such a report.

  What will happen if Colonel von Lergen reports that he's skeptical about my will to fight?

  All the discretion and freedom Tanya currently enjoys is granted on General von Zettour's say-so. If it comes to light that someone feels lukewarm---never mind outright critical---about a plan he and General von Rudersdorf put so much effort into, who knows what might happen.

  "It's just rare to see you seeming so reluctant." Choosing his words with a bit of a wince on his face, he trains his gaze on Tanya and continues grumbling. "It's you we're talking about, so there must be some reason for your hesitation."

  A vampire who's just been stabbed through the heart with a stake would probably feel like this.

  "Ahh, I see... No, I was just wondering something."

  "Wondering something?"

  Tanya steels herself as she prepares to conduct damage control in hopes of minimizing the fallout. This is an obstacle that must be overcome no matter what. Furthermore, to cover up her lack of fighting spirit, she promptly decides to state how unfortunate it is that she can't lead an even bigger offensive.

  Having come to both conclusions in the blink of an eye, Tanya von Degurechaff unhesitatingly furrows her brow to express regret. "Isn't it strange? All this gear and prep work...so much effort to maintain secrecy. The army is putting an astonishing amount of work into every area of this operation. That's why I wonder..." Appealing to Lergen for an answer with a glance, she asks, "Are we really carrying out this elaborately planned sneak attack for the sole purpose of causing confusion at the enemy headquarters?"

  Rails have been laid on the runway to launch the supplemental acceleration devices. And resting on top of those tracks are the constructs themselves, hooked up to a mind-numbing number of boosters while workers fill the fuel tanks with an unbelievable amount of highly volatile liquid propellant.

  Considering how much impact all this activity has on secrecy, Tanya can't be the only one who sensed a firm intention to go through with the operation by the time the rails were laid out and the rockets began fueling.

  Which is precisely why she points a finger and asserts that it seems like a disproportionate amount of effort, even for hitting the enemy headquarters.

  "I don't believe it's a mistake to assume that striking at the enemy headquarters will require a great deal of advance preparation."

  Colonel von Lergen's gruff response is what she expected. Tanya doesn't object to the necessity of extensive preparations.

  "You're correct, Colonel. But it almost feels as though...it should at least serve as the opening salvo of a greater battle."

  Tanya suggests that they could pursue wider objectives while implying serious doubts regarding the cost-effectiveness of the current plan. Of course, she understands the technical reasons why it's difficult to cancel a launch once the rockets are filled with their highly volatile fuel. Nevertheless, she makes her point in earnest.

  "Hmm, so you mean the plan as it is now won't accomplish much?"

  "More that we're missing out on a chance to do something bigger. I'm not saying that attacking enemy headquarters will have no effect, but..."

  Tanya casually evades the trap Colonel von Lergen set for her. Skepticism on this point could be seen as an attempt to shirk her duties by calling the effectiveness into question.

  Yes, he must be testing her to see if she's using a plausible excuse to cover up the fact that she lacks the will to fight.

  In response, Tanya boldly plays the unabashed patriot, highlighting that it would be a waste of an opportunity. She suggests that the mission should be paired with some other endeavor.

  This strike is fundamentally different from hunting down a one-shot lighter carrying a certain admiral on an innocent inspection tour. As long as the target is immobile, we should be choosing the most advantageous timing.

  "From my perspective, sir, it's like doing all this careful prep just to shoot off a couple fireworks. The cost performance is rather..."

  But having said that much, Tanya gets a strange feeling and trails off. Yes, this is very weird.

  "Major?"

  Momentarily pushing Colonel von Lergen's questioning look out of her thoughts, she ruminates on the word that flitted across her mind and confirms the strange feeling.

  The cost-effectiveness is suspiciously bad. Would they really invest so much to achieve this single objective?

  Is this the sort of operation General von Zettour would propose with his coolheaded thoughts on attrition warfare? On top of that, the participation of General von Rudersdorf is also odd. This is an unorthodox operation that relies on cunning, so why is the bigwig maneuver warfare specialist from the General Staff involved?

  "Ah, but...causing chaos at enemy headquarters...leading to a larger battle? No, they'd be put out of commission..."

  That instant, multiple questions in Tanya's mind connect and lead her to the answer. Destroying the enemy headquarters would throw them into chaos. At that point, even a modern army devolves into little more than a mob. That is the General Staff's true objective. If General von Rudersdorf capitalizes on the confusion to make a move...he'll be able to break from the current trench warfare back into maneuver warfare.

  A modern army, even when nestled in trenches, only exists thanks to its brain, the headquarters. If you look at how weakened the Red Army was after that idiot Stalin's purge, you can see there's no room for debate about what happens to an army that has lost its command structure.

  And one more thing.

  I don't know what it's like for a leader like that jerk Stalin, who seemed to think soldiers grew on trees, but in a normal nation under regular circumstances, probably the only country that could continue fighting after losing its regular army on the front is the American empire.

  "...So it's all to encircle and annihilate them. In other words, we're trying to lure the Republican Army in."

  Dare to allow the enemy to take a strategic location, then force a battle. It's the same art of war Bonaparte performed like a con man at Austerlitz. The Low Lands certainly are a key location. They're basically the Pratzen Heights.

  It's impossible to ignore something so tempting dangling right before your eyes.

  ...Was the entire reorganization of the defensive lines done with the intention of baiting the enemy?

  If that's the case...then this will be a mobile battle, but not just a mere breakthrough. It's a revolving door!

  I've been wondering why they abandoned only the critical Low Land position and didn't continue reorganizing the rest of the line. Now it all makes sense.

  "So...we're the switch for the revolving door?"

  Those words trigger something.

  "Major! Where did you hear that?!"

  His face changes color as he snaps at Tanya. The fierceness in his eyes makes her smile in satisfaction as she thinks, Aha, I see.

  "Oh, I just thought of it myself, but...from your reaction, I take it my hypothesis isn't far off?"

  "...You really didn't hear it from General von Zettour?"

  "No, but I've had an odd feeling this whole tim
e, almost like a small bone was stuck in my throat."

  Tanya knew something was off the moment she heard that the large-scale reorganization of the front was related to the situation with imperial supply lines, but then her unit was ordered to serve as the rear guard. It's not her fault she didn't have time to think more about it back then.

  When the retreat went all according to plan, she felt incredibly relieved, so it took a little while to realize what was really happening.

  After puzzling over the retreat for a few days, the Republican Army quickly proceeded to advance. Tanya heard from reconnaissance that the Republicans were marching along in high spirits, ready to destroy the Empire, but they were moving so slow that she was certain there would be plenty of time to reorganize the lines.

  Assembling everything she knew about the situation, she was sure that she was missing something, though she couldn't articulate why it felt so strange.

  Before, she wondered if it was really necessary to fall back so far just to reorganize. But now everything is clear. It was all preparation to swing the revolving door around.

  In that case, I see why the mission has been kept so thoroughly classified and why a million arrangements have been made just for this one sortie. It's like we're the fireworks at the revolving door announcement ceremony.

  "...All right, Major von Degurechaff. You must understand how much the General Staff is counting on this operation."

  "Yes, sir, Colonel. I am fully aware."

  We're serving as the vanguard of the General Staff's grand mobile operation that'll lay the groundwork for a massive encirclement. Of course, if we fail, the army will pretend nothing is wrong and reorganize the defensive lines accordingly. But seeing how far imperial lines have been pulled back, it's clear the higher-ups were extremely aware of how high the risks were when they decided to make this move. I can tell we have to succeed, no matter the cost.

  "There is no greater honor for my battalion than to carry the hopes of the entire armed forces on our shoulders. Please leave everything to the 203rd Aerial Mage Battalion's select company. We will fulfill the General Staff's fervent wish with our martial prowess." Tanya makes her declaration while standing perfectly at attention with her head held high, the impeccable posture a product of her training. "I swear we will annihilate them. As for the General Staff, I humbly ask that they wait for our good news."