Youjo Senki - Volume 13 - Chapter 5

[chapter] V Dawn

JANUARY 9, UNIFIED YEAR 1928, EASTER COMMAND RECEPTION

Dumbstruck.

Tanya stares at Colonel Lergen, the word written all over her face.

We are in the reception lounge at Eastern Command. The master of this room, General Laudon, is so busy with on-site inspections that he has yet to barely set foot in it…or so said Colonel Lergen. Things are apparently tough throughout the Empire.

The room itself, however, is thoroughly clean. It has also been completely insulated. On top of that, I’ve been served steaming hot tea and even a scone to go with it.

One could almost forget they’re in a war zone. However, there are places located much farther away from the battlefield. “And what are the people in those lofty perches thinking?” I ask, speaking to Colonel Lergen. Colonel Lergen has been sent as a messenger from the capital.

I repeat myself once more.

“I’m sorry, Her Highness the Princess wants to carry out an inspection? And for a whole month, if possible?”

“Correct. And in person. Her Highness Princess Alexandra wishes to grace us with her presence directly.”

“Not a visit with General Laudon? She wishes to be on the front line?”

A high-value political target on the front lines. Even if such a thing were strategically motivated, it would tactically be beyond perilous.

Not to mention. I mentally clutch at my head.

“On the front line now, Colonel Lergen? At a time like this?”

“Correct, Colonel. Rather than trouble the commander on the ground, the court wishes to observe what officers are seeing for themselves on the front line.”

The court! So it wasn’t even General Staff behind this!

“I am sure my devotion to the imperial household is as great as any, but as to whether such a thing is feasible, speaking as someone on the ground, coming from a place of true love for Their Majesties, one cannot help but feel concerns of safety…”

“Speak plainly.”

“It is too dangerous,” I say, encouraged by Colonel Lergen’s frank nod. “If Her Highness must come, it would be far better even for General Laudon to spare his valuable time in dealing with her.”

“Is it that bad? I mean, I imagined, but judging by the frown on your face, it is worse than I thought.”

I consider the question, choosing my words exactly so as to be sure there is no room for misunderstanding.

“Even the enemy partisans are fearsome. I only learned this after returning to the east, but our pacification force was half destroyed by a counterattack that included tanks.”

“Oh,” Colonel Lergen says, frowning and nodding. “You mean the mopping-up with a force composed of an infantry battalion and aerial mage company dispatched from division headquarters?”

“Yes,” I say. “And that was just mopping up one base.”

“Security in the rear has improved quite a bit, though, thanks to cooperation from the Council for Self-Government, which General Zettour has poured so much effort into…”

Rather the opposite, I think as I internally disagree with Colonel Lergen’s words.

The idea that the people under the Communist Party’s rule welcome Communism in their hearts and look up to the Communist Party as a trusted parent may just be an illusion, but the people are well aware that the terror of the party is very real indeed.

The dream of separating from the Federation are but conditional dreams, dependent on the commitment of the Imperial Army to protect them from the party becoming fully functional.

The Imperial Army is still holding out. But so long as impending victory is not guaranteed, regardless of whatever dreams of self-determination they might hold, the Council for Self-Government will likely continue to straddle the fence. “In other words,” I say, splashing cold water on Colonel Lergen’s hopes. “The Council for Self-Government and the Federation Army partisans are fighting a phony war. To put it another way, they are essentially at a standstill.”

“Spies, we had imagined. But if our organizations in the back lines are in conversation with the enemy…”

“No, Colonel Lergen,” I say, correcting his misunderstanding.

It is not that we have been betrayed at the organizational level. At the very least, the Council for Self-Government is unlikely as of yet to have reached such a drastic decision. They are as faithful as the situation allows. After all, compared with the Federation, the Empire is the preferable option. However, if the Empire sinks, they do not plan to sink with it. Simply, this difference in position is what has created the current situation.

“It is a love triangle.”

“A…love triangle?”

“The Council for Self-Government is only cheating because it needs to. Their real target is us, but if we leave them, they have no choice but to consider alternatives. It is the unfortunate but compelling reality in which they live. Listen, for the Empire, the peace and safety of communication lines is everything. If attacks from Federation partisans decrease, morale-wise, it would likely be seen as a sign that the situation is improving. The Council for Self-Government is walking a fine line. Are they really moving to subjugate? In the end, the answer to that depends on both ourselves and the Federation.”

Even while the Council for Self-Government has hopes for the Empire, they have to prepare for the worst and reserve the possibility of returning to the Federation. Meaning the current situation has left the Council for Self-Government’s faith in the Empire shaken.

“If the Council for Self-Government dallies with the enemy or, through shady standstills, curtails attacks, that is just a necessary expedient to their continued existence. At the same time, it also improves our own circumstances. However, it gives the Federation partisans, who are likely to be very powerful in the future, time to develop within our sphere of influence.”

“I think I see what you are saying, Colonel… This strange love triangle has developed because the Council for Self-Government is playing nice to both sides. Furthermore,” Colonel Lergen says, sounding fed up, “at some point, this triangle may collapse. And…”

“It will collapse. The Council for Self-Government has no reason to share in our fate.”

Their true nature is an organization opposed to the Federation. But the organization is hardly composed of only people willing to bet everything on that opposition. To that end, to keep them from giving up, the Empire must continue to stand firm and act tough, doing all it can to prolong collapse.

“Colonel Lergen, in our present situation, until things go well, we must act as if they are going well and behave as if what we desire is already here.”

The current state of the Empire is miserable. All we can strive for is to keep operating hand to mouth, pretending not to collapse until collapse actually happens. Which is why it is important not to draw unwelcome attention.

I may laugh at the long-term planning capacities of the Communists, but I’m painfully aware of what sort of opportunists they are. If we let them see blood, they won’t be able to keep themselves from pouncing.

“Putting power aside, the supposed improvements in the rear are nothing but a paper tiger. It’s true that the front is calm, however…”

An inspection of the east by Her Highness the Princess. Just thinking of the toxic effect such a thing could have makes my stomach ache. Colonel Lergen nods.

“Colonel, you need not say more. The higher-ups wished to change Her Highness’s mind as well.

“Unfortunately, however,” Colonel Lergen continues, his face looking pained, “This request came from the court, the first such request made to the military in some time. Systematically, it is extremely difficult to openly oppose such things. We tried to convince them not to, but…” Colonel Lergen shakes his head.

“It was no use.”

“Meaning?”

“It was decided that a visit would be permissible at the present time. Even though we ourselves consider it extremely risky.”

“Perhaps if the army was to make another attempt to advise her?”

“Colonel Alexandra is very diligent…the type to pore over each and every war report. She’s inferred from the documents that it will be safe until spring. As a result, even General Zettour’s exhortations were for naught.”

“Not even General Zettour could persuade her? Unbelievable,” I say, but Colonel Lergen’s response is emphatic.

“Make no mistake,” he says. Looking into the distance, he sighs. “When I heard it from Colonel Uger, I was amazed.”

Apparently, General Zettour visited the palace and met with both the emperor himself and Her Highness the Princess, speaking with unprecedented eloquence.

“This is my own humble speculation, but there seems to be a disturbance in the enemy’s movements. The eastern army believes that the Federation’s counterattack will come in spring at the earliest, but there is reason to doubt this. Speaking plainly in absolute secrecy, the hard truth is that the enemy’s offensive is most likely only a matter of time. Indeed, the reason for sending General Laudon was to prepare for such an immediate risk. The situation at present is extremely dangerous,” he said, all of it nonsense, using his position as a specialist to stress the danger.

But Her Highness the Princess had been reading all the reports and believed she knew best. “I thought the army’s judgment, as a whole, is that the earliest the enemy will come is in spring?” she apparently said.

“Honestly,” Colonel Lergen says, furrowing his brows in consternation.

“A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.” Lergen continues, speaking offhandedly. “I was thinking, however…if, say, a suitable report from the suitable department were to make its way to the capital at the most suitable time—well, I imagine that would be very suitable. All I need is a suitable person to write it from the front lines.”

I think I understand what he’s getting at. My face, however, clouds over. This is all about what suited General Staff. It hardly requires any powers of discretion to know what is expected of her.

“So you would like me to immediately create a false report.”

“A foreboding report that contains true details but causes a convenient misunderstanding would be acceptable as well,” Colonel Lergen says, tapping the desk with his fingertips as he explains what the higher-ups would like. “Specifically, a report that predicts an impending threat from the Federation Army should be ideal.”

I sigh for the umpteenth time.

“I’m sorry, but as we are assigned directly to the General Staff, our reports tend to be fairly literal.”

If we write something careless, some very serious-minded military men might take some careless ideas seriously and wind up causing unimaginable chaos.

“That could potentially lead to a report that causes mistaken military assessments. I could write a report accurately detailing the results of extended long-range strategic reconnaissance, perhaps, but I cannot promise more than that.”

I expect to be met with scorn. As a company man, I feel half resigned as I give my answer. Instead, however, I’m greeted with an unexpectedly positive reaction.

“That may not be a bad idea.”

“Huh?”

“Think of it this way… If your recon turns up nothing, it will give us some cause to relax.”

“What…?”

Colonel Lergen claps his hands together, absolutely delighted and completely ignoring Tanya, whose eyes have gone wide at this unexpected reaction.

“I will rush back to General Zettour and Colonel Lergen and inform them that reconnaissance is necessary. My love for the imperial household is just as great as your own, Colonel. And if safety can be ensured, then there is certainly nothing wrong with Her Highness learning more about the situation on the ground.”

As Colonel Lergen stares at her with unconcealed anticipation, there is only one answer that Tanya can return.

“I shall do everything in my power.”

Now that we have something to do, there is nothing to do but for us to do it.

Although a simple matter, Tanya sits on a wooden seat, likely used for farming purposes, in the barn they have dubbed with the grand name of Kampfgruppe Command Center and informs the other officers of Colonel Lergen’s orders as they all stare at a map spread out on a folding field table.

“Everyone, we have special orders from the General Staff. Eastern Command’s General Laudon has given approval once again as well. In other words, the important people are all on the same page. We’ve been ordered to carry out strategic reconnaissance.”

I don’t expect much consideration from the warmongers. In fact, she knows they are incapable of it. Thus, in this matter, they have no choice but to commit and take this reconnaissance absolutely serious.

“According to Colonel Lergen, we are to approach reconnaissance with a fresh perspective, unhampered by previous assumptions.”

The gathered officers nod as one. They are Salamander Kampfgruppe, after all. If General Staff wishes to investigate the eastern army’s assumptions, then as the on-site Kampfgruppe under direct General Staff command, Salamander are naturally the ones to do it.

The problem, however…

One of the officers raises a hand.

“Yes, Lieutenant Wüstemann?”

“Excuse me, Colonel, but when you say ‘perspective,’ does that include analysis? Or will we simply be eyes on this?”

“Good question,” I say with a laugh.

A recon squad’s job is to report on what it sees. In that sense, they are eyes. But whether to put analysis on top of that is a separate issue.

Generally, people have a tendency to add their own opinions to what they see. First Lieutenant Wüstemann’s diligence in checking to see if they have permission to do this leaves a favorable impression.

“Both. We are eyes, and we are ears, hounds tasked with reporting on something the higher-ups have caught whiff of. This is why we are under the General Staff’s direct command.”

I admonish myself internally. Veteran officers are so used to what they do that permission tends to become a grey area, but it is important to properly value the opinions of young, new recruits.

“First, let’s check our own side. We’ll start by patrolling with each company. A patrol flight to grasp the situation near the front. I want you to confirm friendly defenses.”

“I’m sorry, but didn’t you just say it was strategic recon? Aren’t we going to scout the Federation Army?”

“Come on,” First Lieutenant Grantz says, elbowing First Lieutenant Wüstemann in the side in response to this artless question.

“It’s fine, First Lieutenant Grantz. He needs to learn as well.”

“I’m sorry, Colonel, it’s just… That seems a little dense, doesn’t it?”

“What are you two talking about…?” First Lieutenant Wüstemann says, evidently confused. Major Weiss grimaces and lays a heavy hand on his shoulder.

“If you were in charge of defense, don’t you think it would put you on alert somewhat if you saw a sudden increase in enemy squads scouting your side?”

There are many benefits to reconnaissance, but if carried out in too straightforward of a manner, you can reveal what you are up to. As an extreme example, imagine what would have happened if, as part of preparations for the Normandy landings, the Allied forces had closely and repeatedly scoured only the area around Normandy? It would have likely put the Germans on alert, causing them to notice an unusual increase in enemy reconnaissance around Normandy and wonder why, leading to a pointless increase in casualties.

“At present, this reconnaissance mission is not a false flag meant to lure the enemy into mistakenly believing an attack is coming. We are here to scope out the situation, plain and simple.”

“Meaning we mustn’t allow the enemy to notice what we are doing.”

“Exactly, Visha. We must conceal our intentions and uncover theirs. The best recon is carried out without the enemy noticing it.”

Hence why satellites are best, I think privately, though I know such thoughts are pointless. Technological limitations are insurmountable, and it is important to always keep operational limitations in mind. If we had satellites, though, we could scout enemy intentions without even sending spy planes.

Of course, even with spy satellites, recon is still required. I understand that a long-range recon squad’s fate is to be forever worked to the bone. In the end, no matter what else happens, regardless of the age, armies are always eager to conceal their own intentions while uncovering the intentions of everyone else.

I put the brakes on this current tangent and get right to the point.

“Regardless of how Eastern Command has judged the situation, in regard to friendly forces or the enemy situation, I do not want us to reveal our own situation—that we are scouting the enemy—to the Federation. To put it another way,” I continue, “what is the state of the enemy’s recon activities? This can be detected to a degree even flying over our own lines. If enemy recon of our bases has increased, this could be very significant in and of itself. And if recon has fallen off, the reason for that will also need to be explored. Understood?”

In response, First Lieutenant Wüstemann nods his head rapidly. What more could be asked for?