The Saga of Tanya the Evil, Vol. 7: Ut Sementem Feceris, ita Metes

by Carlo Zen

  Is this a special kind of talent, the way Serebryakov casually melts the battalion’s tension away with her willingness to deliver? What a valuable individual she’s grown into.

  “…I do wish we could get our numbers back up.”

  People who can read the atmosphere are so precious. She knows how to lower her voice when discretion is called for.

  “We’ll have to train up the fresh troops.”

  “…If there are any worthy ones, that is.”

  “That might be asking a lot. We can’t expect much out of replenishments lately…”

  Tactically speaking, recruits are a burden. Battle-ready rookies are as rare as any other fantastical creature.

  But Tanya finds something funny in her adjutant’s words, and grins. “Lieutenant Serebryakov, you’ve really been through the wringer, huh?”

  “Huh? Um…?”

  “You and I were once replenishments, you know! Keep those helmet straps tight. I don’t want to have to request a new adjutant!”

  I was partnered with her on the Rhine front when she was still a corporal. We were paired simply because there wasn’t enough fighting power and we both happened to be replenishments.

  Tanya nods in response to her adjutant’s apologetically bobbing head and takes a quick look at the battalion ready to sortie.

  Gear, check; personnel, check; atmosphere, check. All that’s left is to do the work we know so well.

  I can’t say it’ll be easy. But we’ll be fine if we do a solid job.

  We’ll head out, set our course for enemy territory, and fly due east. Knowing how and when to move whole corps and divisions is practically the Imperial Army’s specialty.

  The values aerial mage battalions are lauded for: mobility, firepower, and shock value.

  Tanya cracks a grin at the front row of imperial soldiers loosely in attack formation as if to say, That’s about enough bluster out of you.

  Problems are there to be solved.

  “Okay, troops, let’s do this. It’ll mostly be a ruse, but…let’s make it look like an encircle-and-annihilate operation. The enemy will see a battalion swinging around to assault them from behind. Let them taste the fear of being surrounded.”

  Since the Imperial Army is outnumbered, if all it does is diligent base defense, the troops will be ground down under that numerical disparity. Our only choice is to take the initiative to upset the enemy and give them a good reason to retreat.

  More specifically, we’ll have aerial mages popping up all over the place to harass and confuse them. It’s a poor man’s tactic, but it’s not uncommon for it to give even a Goliath problems in a guerrilla battle.

  Accepting your own weaknesses and focusing on needling those of your enemy is an admirable tactic—even if you’re compelled to use it by an unfortunate strategic environment.

  “This goes without saying, but our actual objective is the defense of the front line. We want to threaten the enemy’s communications lines in a way that leads to their withdrawal. Do not under any circumstances disrupt the lines out of bloodlust, thinking you’ll annihilate the enemy’s field army.”

  “So this is a classic feint, then?”

  “Exactly, Major Weiss.” Tanya briefly affirms and then shrugs with good grace. “This is no normal power disparity, after all,” she murmurs before continuing soberly. “We can’t actually encircle and annihilate them. There’s a limit to how outnumbered we can be. Before we even get a chance to surround them, we’d be blasted apart.”

  In order to perform an encirclement, you need a good number of troops. Consequently, war is all about numbers. Pulling off the sort of splendid victory that happened at Rossbach4—against an enemy double your numbers—is actually quite difficult.

  “It’s rather sad for a battalion that once sent three divisions scattering like Boy Scouts.”

  Weiss’s lament is correct. It’s bad news for us that the enemy is getting stronger.

  “Heh. That’s big talk for an officer who once turned tail and ran from some guns firing at the sky.”

  “Touché. Sadly, my issue lately is getting in trouble for not running away.”

  That’s how it went in Dacia. Unfortunately, unlike the Dacian Army, the Federation is in possession of a respectable instrument of violence.

  And to go a step further, the Federation Army is becoming more professional.

  I have noticed them transforming from an organization overemphasizing their ideology to a military apparatus that prioritizes results, which is troubling. I suppose we can’t hope for the miraculous loss ratio like that practically legendary battle at Hoyerswerda.5

  “In other words, it is what it is.”

  “…Still, this should be an encounter battle. I doubt the enemy would have a ton of anti-air guns ready.”

  “That’s a good point, Lieutenant Grantz. Shall we test it by seeing if you get shot in the gut again?”

  The vice commander childishly jabs with a dicey remark directed at the junior officer. He must be teasing, but Tanya steps in.

  “That’s enough, Major Weiss. Don’t pick on your subordinates.”

  “I only learned from my superior, ma’am.”

  “Then let us agree to regret my moral lapses. All right, Officers, time for work.”

  ABOUT TWO HOURS AFTER SORTIEING, ON THE EDGE OF THE IMPERIAL ARMY, SALAMANDER KAMPFGRUPPE

  After beginning their advance and mopping up some enemy units, Tanya has just finished a scuffle. Since the mission is simply to probe the enemy flank, no major clash with their main forces is expected.

  There could be comparably few encounters.

  “We’ve advanced to the designated point. According to Captain Meybert, his troops can still provide artillery support.”

  “Got it.” Tanya nods in response to her adjutant’s report. “Report to CP. And let’s wait for Captain Ahrens. Keep a sharp watch on our surroundings. Preferably in a skirmishing line…”

  “HQ! HQ! Requesting immediate backup!” “The right flank is collapsing!” “No supporting artillery yet?!” “Where are the air support mages?”

  “Huh? There’s some kind of confusion with our troops. Check it out.”

  “That’s strange. I don’t see anything… One moment.” She must realize it when faint flashes go off in the distance. “Colonel, over there.”

  “Aaah, shit. So the right flank is getting pummeled?”

  Even if the unit set to circle around to the enemy’s rear is in place, if the foundation—the main troops—is being suppressed, the operation can’t proceed. We did our part, so what the hell?

  Performing any more labor under the circumstances isn’t worth it. Still, grabbing some popcorn wouldn’t be very professional. It’s clear that doing nothing would result in dismissal, reshuffling, or demotion.

  An officer is an officer precisely because they make decisions based on the big picture. An officer is a manager who thinks for themselves. Responsibility grows in proportion to authority. Being responsible is my duty.

  Unlike jobs that are only nominally seen as managerial, an actual managerial job requires independent thinking. Otherwise, how can you ever expect to play a critical role in the future? If you only do as you’re told, the best you can hope for is a bit part.

  But then… Tanya winces.

  There are too many people who can’t even do what they’re told, so it’s true that always following orders is mistaken as the highest virtue in the lower ranks.

  Still, the only job available to someone who abandons thought is something that anyone can do. Adding value requires creativity. The right to that discretion isn’t given to just anyone, though. Having the privilege is proof that people expect results from you.

  In that case…

  If I can accomplish things here, I should.

  The little bit of extra work involved to seize one of the enemy’s new equipment or gather intel is within the scope of my salary. If I can expect a bonus on top of that, then it’s actually a pretty
fair deal.

  Hmph. Tanya recalculates in her head and makes up her mind.

  “I’m leaving this to Captain Ahrens. Tell him to continue supporting the main force’s flank.”

  Her adjutant, Lieutenant Serebryakov, looks at her in a way that asks, Are you leaving?

  Tanya nods with solemn determination and says, “The main force’s right flank is taking a pounding from the enemy’s new weapons. The balance between the hammer and the anvil is unstable. Busybodies may be detestable, but I can’t just stand on the sideline and watch our troops suffer.”

  “You’re right, ma’am.”

  “Good. Put me through to Command and round up the unit.”

  Her adjutant acknowledges the instructions, and Tanya feels confident leaving things up to her. Now then, it’s time to use the long-range communications kit to earn a favor for later.

  “HQ, this is Salamander 01. Priority response, please.”

  “Salamander 01, has the enemy received reinforcements on your part of the line, too?”

  Even if I’m making the suggestion to someone under duress, things should go more smoothly if I lighten up the atmosphere a bit first. When the response comes back tense, Tanya opts for a more affable answer.

  “Negative. We’ve advanced to the designated line. We’re currently capable of dispatching an aerial mage battalion to support your right wing. The majority are Named who survived through the Rhine, from the commander on down. Just say the word.”

  “HQ, roger. You’re not having any issues holding the line?”

  “If the rest of our troops are racing over, then certainly not. Besides, holding this line means nothing if the right wing of the army collapses.”

  “…One moment, please.”

  HQ doesn’t hesitate on this point. Considering the time it took to ask the question, the commander pretty much got on the line immediately.

  “Colonel, you can go over there?”

  “Yes, General, if need be.”

  “Need does be.”

  This matter-of-fact way of speaking isn’t bad. The more appropriate and quick an officer’s decisions, the more reliable they are on a fluid battlefield.

  “So?”

  “There are lots of rookies on the right side. We thought we gave them a zone that would be easier to handle, but the enemy’s got a new model out there. If you have the troops to spare and can afford to send them out, please do.”

  “Understood.”

  “Thanks.”

  With that one word, HQ hangs up. Impatient much? In other words, that’s good. Being late is a problem, but being early is never bad.

  And it agrees with Tanya’s temperament.

  When she flicks her eyes over, the response comes at once.

  “The aerial mages are all present, ma’am!”

  “Thanks, Lieutenant Serebryakov. More than anything, I appreciate your efficiency. Although I suppose we owe it just as much to the fact that they weren’t broken out into a skirmish line yet.”

  “No doubt about that, ma’am. Is this business as usual?”

  Tanya’s adjutant knows the drill, and Tanya nods at her.

  “Kampfgruppe, a message from your commander. The aerial mage battalion is going to support the right wing of the main troops and intercept the enemy’s latest weapon. Other units should continue holding their forward positions until further orders.”

  Leaving the rest with an “I’m counting on you,” Tanya gathers her babies and heads out.

  Once they take off, the battalion is neither overexcited nor excessively relaxed. They’re a fighting force tensed like a well-trained muscle.

  How incredibly sad that we can’t take pride in this as the Imperial Army standard.

  “…Seems like things are still in chaos?” Tanya murmurs to herself in the sky. She’s used to friendly signals being tangled when on a rescue mission, but the static is still quite bad.

  The closer she gets, the worse she feels.

  “Group leader to all Kampfgruppe hands. The enemy has new orbs. I regret to inform you that they walk the walk.”

  “The defensive shell’s too thick! Explosion formulas aren’t penetrating!” “Concentrate your fire! Focus opticals on a single point!” “It’s no good! The shield’s too hard!”

  Lieutenant Colonel Tanya von Degurechaff races across the sky as those signals shriek in her ear. With her blond hair trailing behind her, she grasps her computation orb with her fair, slender fingers.

  She must look like a Valkyrie. Or perhaps she flies with enough grace to be termed an angel.

  That said, on the inside, she’s a perfect self-preservationist. But it’s not as if that prevents her from doing her job. She boasts a proper understanding of their circumstances.

  She’ll do what she can and draw as much attention to it as possible. That’s the clear and simple truth. But it’s not as if someone like that doesn’t have feelings about the situation.

  A sort of complaint slips out.

  “…So these new models are giving us trouble?”

  “New models? I’m disturbed by the Federation Army’s lack of reason. They could have just used gear they’re used to like us.”

  Grantz acknowledges. Tanya had only intended to talk to herself, but he responded in good faith. Well, communicating with subordinates is also a superior officer’s job.

  “There’s no doubt about it, Lieutenant. This is going to be a pain.”

  “But I’d say that’s precisely why we’re the ones heading out.”

  Grantz was probably being serious when he said that, but Tanya can’t quite suppress a smile. “Well, look at you! Quite the officer now. Ah, I remember the days on the Rhine when you were but a trembling little lamb.”

  “They say to strike while the iron’s hot and the shells have warmed me up, so…”

  He’s even learned to wag his tongue. Tanya’s impressed. Before, he would have clammed up, the young thing. He’s really come a long way.

  “So you think you can take the heat? Did you hear that, Major Weiss?”

  “Nah, it’s too soon. His turn of phrase was witty, I’ll give him that, but it was also a bit too on the nose.”

  “You’re not wrong. Okay, let’s take the chatter down a notch. I realize I’m the one who started it, but it’s probably not very nice to be bantering away up here while our fellow troops are in a grueling fight.”

  ““Understood.””

  “Of course, it’s good to have some breathing room before a battle.”

  “Hmph,” she snorts. Then she tunes in to the communications of nearby imperial troops beginning to ping back and forth.

  “Group leader to all units! Report in—report in with your status!”

  “Don’t leave your position! Stay in formation!” “Wait, who’s commanding the Third Company?! Wasn’t it 01?!” “Requesting urgent backup!” “Use the correct protocols! What airspace are you requesting support for?”

  “We need artillery support! Is there no artillery support?! Sector B-23! Hurry and suppress them!” “Observer mages, send the coordinates—now!”

  Things really do seem to be chaotic. Tanya wants to sigh.

  “The communications we’re picking up from our fellow troops are a mess.”

  Serebryakov nods at Tanya’s murmur with a solemn expression. “On the other hand, the Federation Army seems to be in good order. Though we’re only catching fragmentary glimpses, I’m getting the impression our side is overwhelmed.”

  “The Reich’s troops, overwhelmed by the enemy? Hmph.” Tanya scoffs.

  An army that surpasses its quantitative inferiority with qualitative superiority and organizational might is frightened of the enemy?

  That’s no way to fight a war.

  I have no intention of blindly believing mind over matter, but the issue of morale should not be neglected.

  First off, even the magic word worthwhile can produce workers who won’t hesitate to endure terrible conditions.

  You mus
tn’t underestimate the power of words.

  “01 to 02, seems like we’re going to get more of a welcome than we thought.”

  “02, roger. Just as you say, 01.”

  “Colonel, Captain Meybert is saying they don’t have enough forces to defend the position.”

  “…He has a point, but wait.”

  Tanya meditates for a moment. Should I split even just Lieutenant Grantz off and send him back? Both of the captains she left behind are competent and trustworthy to an extent.

  Meybert is an artilleryman. Whereas Ahrens is a tankman. They balance each other nicely. In particular, Ahrens is a capable armored unit commander who will surely undertake a mobile defensive battle.

  Of course, even a unit of tanks can’t rage on its own indefinitely. And with only replenishment mages to both defend the position and perform artillery observations, which need to be accurate, I worry. Plus, getting artillery support and having Meybert take his turn is great and all, but as long as shells are a finite resource, we can never be free from having to conserve them.

  But it’s not as if things are falling apart right now.

  “Non. He’ll have to make do with what he has. This won’t take long.”

  There won’t be any dividing of the forces on her watch.

  Rather than wavering, Tanya settles on rushing the enemy with her troops concentrated to put a swift end to things.

  “Let’s hurry, then, ma’am.”

  “Let’s. We can’t keep those guys waiting.”

  With that, Tanya faces front and grits her teeth. One look at her appearance and her blue eyes filled with courage speaks fathoms of her fearless bravery; her white teeth grinding together seem to be channeling the pain of her fellow soldiers.

  But internally, she’s sorely regretting her decision.

  In a nutshell, Tanya is feeling wary after hearing the news that the enemy’s new models perform better than expected. She had only moments ago been scheming, since the new orbs are out and about, to clash a bit and seize one if possible as part of other intel-gathering activities.

  Most of the time, new models are experimental. Even so, seizing one from the Federation would be quite an achievement. Those were her superficial calculations. It’s not a happy thing to see these models getting results on the battlefield already.