Content Warning/Disclaimer
This story touches on some very serious topics, such as physical abuse and suggestions of sexual abuse. Please read at your own discretion. Needless to say, I as the writer condone NONE of this. All characters and events are fictional.
If you don't know much about the Youjo Senki light novels and haven't heard of the fictional character Lavrentiy Beria (Loliya), you might find it interesting to check out his wikia page. Who he is will be explained in-fanfic as well, though.
[Minor light novel spoilers ahead!]
She got no warning that he was coming for her.
They were all huddled around the drafting table in the Strategic HQ. Rerugen had his hands on his face. Zettour was leaned over the table, his teeth clenched. Rudersdorf had sat back in a chair and begun to pray.
Lieutenant Colonel Degurechaff was thinking back on how the war had been lost.
"I knew this would happen..." she mumbled, raking her hands through her hair. "None of you listened to me! I knew how to use that victory two years ago, but we lost it…"
"It's too late for 'what-if's..." Rerugen said, his voice gruff. "But I'm sorry I never believed you."
Just then, there was a bout of screaming - followed by a hellfire of bullet rounds from the hallway.
Everyone looked up and stared at each other. No one, however, knew what was going on.
Tanya's eyes widened. "Wait, Serebryakov was going to get more coffee, I have to-"
She dashed for the door, but Rerugen grabbed her by the waist and picked her up.
Zettour and Rudersdorf set to work barricading the door.
"Degurechaff! There's nothing we can do," Rerugen sighed. "Serebryakov is most certainly already gone - agh!" He dropped her, suddenly doubling over as he grabbed his skull. The others looked over to see Tanya's eyes glowing electric blue. She broke for the door, computation jewel illuminating a bright red as her palms began to generate yellow light.
"I'll blow through that damn door to save her if I have to!"
Rerugen forced himself to his senses and grabbed hold of Tanya's arms, despite his splitting headache. "Stop fucking around! You'll get us all killed!"
"We've already surrendered... What could be happening...?" Zettour said quietly.
"They have to want something from us." Rudersdorf carefully peeked out the window blinds. "...Russy uniforms! The hell...?" He paused. "Great God...Lavrentiy Beria himself is standing right at the foot of the steps, ordering them in."
Rerugen's headache suddenly ceased as this grabbed Tanya's attention.
"The Brigadier General of the Russy Forces?!" She shook herself free from Rerugen's grip. "They came to ransack us? This is against international law, surely-"
The telephone in the back began to ring.
Zettour slowly walked over, collected his composure, and answered it. "Brigadier General Zettour speaking."
Everyone stood as still, silent statues while Zettour listened.
"I know that!" he spoke, "They've compromised the HQ! What do they want?!"
More silence.
"...No. Well, that - we're not going to negotiate. We cannot hand over - no. No. The Empire doesn't give away prisoners of-" He was cut off again. Eventually, it seemed as if the other line had hung up, so he just pulled the phone away from his face, stared at it for a moment, then set it down.
"Sir..." Rerugen put a hand on Tanya's shoulder. "Does he want...?"
Zettour nodded.
Rudersdorf still seemed frozen.
Tanya was the only one who wasn't in the know about this. "What does he want?! What are you all not telling me?"
"We never informed you of this, because we didn't want you to charge into battle afraid, during raids of Moscow and the Russy border." Zettour spoke his words very slowly. "Lavrentiy Beria has a very precarious reputation..."
"Precarious is one way to put it," Rerugen spat. He had a look of pure disgust on his face. "We cannot hand over Degurechaff."
Tanya's eyes narrowed as she turned to him. "What is his reputation...?"
"He..."
"Lavrentiy Beria is a known pedophile," Rudersdorf cut in. "His high military position tends to earn him a seat above the law, however. He's never been convicted for his crimes."
Tanya scoffed. "Oh. So he wants me? That's it, is it?!"
Zettour nodded his head. "You, for the entire city of Berun to live."
The room went silent again.
"This has to be against international-" Rerugen started.
"It's not." Zettour shook his head. "This is no different than taking prisoners of war on a regular basis."
"But we've already surrendered!" Tanya pounded her fist against an end table. "I'll just aim my gun out the window and kill the bastard."
"And let the entire city be destroyed by the Russy forces?" Zettour shook his head. "As much as I would like to choose it, that's not an actual option for us. The Allied Powers have already begun dismantling our military. We're a broken land, a half-fallen empire. And we haven't even signed a treaty yet."
The disturbance in the hallway seemed to have ceased. The whole building was eerily quiet, all of a sudden. Perhaps everyone else had been shot down.
But then, a massive pound at the door caused everyone in the room to jump.
"There's nowhere to go," Rudersdorf sighed.
Zettour shook his head. "No."
Rerugen grabbed Tanya by the wrist and led her to the desk in the back of the room, near the fireplace. "Get underneath. Don't come out."
Tanya glared at him. "And not stand tall against the enemy? You want me to hide and quiver in fear of being caught?!"
"Do you want to be captured by Beria?!"
She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. "It doesn't sound like he means to kill me, per say. I'd rather be taken and put through whatever hell, than have all of the citizens of Berun be killed in my cowardice." Tanya slowly opened her eyes again. She thought of Viktoriya - of the possibility that she was still alive. She wouldn't let her, or the battalion, die because of this.
Rerugen gave Tanya a long stare, then nodded his head. "Well then… the Empire will thank you for your valiance." He gave her a military salute.
Tanya gave him a quick one back, just as the door came flying off its hinges, sending furniture gliding several feet back across the hardwood floor.
A dozen soldiers came barging through the ruins of the doorway. They held their guns up toward everyone in the room, who could do nothing but raise their hands in surrender. Except Tanya, who crossed her arms and walked in front of Rerugen.
A man walked into the room slowly. He wore a long overcoat, a peaked cap, and round black glasses. There wasn't much hair on his head, and he didn't stand very tall. Still, the look on his face as he panned the room was one of enough malice and dark intention to send shivers down even Tanya's spine. The look he gave when he spotted her was something else entirely.
His eyes narrowed, lips pressing into an uneven sneer. "Oh, my beautiful Tanya von Degurechaff. I finally get to speak with you in person."
She said nothing to him. Just stood her body up straight and spread her feet slightly to give the most confident stance she could.
Rerugen stepped out from behind her, but she put out a hand so that he wouldn't pass. He knew why she was doing this. Beria wasn't likely to hurt her, but he probably didn't have anything against hurting someone else.
"How have you been?" He put out his arms, taking a few steps toward her. Zettour, Rudersdorf, and Rerugen all stiffened. But they knew there was nothing they could - or should - do. "I know it must be hard to see your country fall, but don't worry. I'll take you to a place where everything will be just fine."
She took a step back. "I don't advise you come any closer, Lavrentiy Beria."
"Ah, but here's the thing." He stuck his index finger in the air, as if coming up with some divinely magnificent idea. "I have the advantage over you today. As if the threat of your city's demise isn't enough, I have something else that might interest you."
Tanya's eyebrows furrowed at that.
Beria snapped his fingers, and two soldiers brought something in. Or rather, someone.
A body writhed and squirmed in between them. They each dragged her by one arm, her hands bound behind her back. It was Viktoriya.
Tanya's eyes widened. "Serebryakov..."
"I'll make this a quick and easy decision." Beria reached under his coat and pulled out a pistol. He cocked it and set the end of the barrel right to Viktoriya's head. She gasped, but said nothing. Just watched Tanya silently as her eyes began to gloss over with fear. "Really, you don't have any choice. It's not like you can escape now, but amuse me for a moment. Let's say you're to ignore all logic and warning signs, and decide to make a run for it." He clicked his tongue. "Well, you're going to be captured anyway, and your punishment for disobeying will start with a bullet through this woman's head."
Tanya stood in stunned silence.
"I know this woman - Viktoriya Ivanovna Serebryakov - is your adjutant. Your right hand woman." He smirked. "Your best friend, even. Don't underestimate the intelligence of the Russy Federation."
Tanya hesitated for only a moment, before bowing her head and giving a deep sigh. "Lower the gun, Beria. Lower all of these guns. I'll go with you. But first, I want to be clear about something. I won't put up a fight, as long as you let everyone else go. Understand?"
"Beggars can't be choosers, my sweet."
"I may go with you," she looked up slowly. At least he was actually lowering his pistol. "But if you harm a single hair on the head of Serebryakov, anyone in this room, or any of the people of this city, I will give you hell."
"Heh heh..." He smirked. "That's the lovely Tanya. Feisty as ever." Beria dropped the gun to his side and held his free hand out toward her. "Take my hand, and I'll release your adjutant."
Tanya gritted her teeth.
"Degurechaff..." Rerugen sighed. "You don't have to-"
"Of course I do." She took a step toward Beria.
"What are you going to do if you take her...?" Viktoriya asked quietly.
Beria chuckled, but didn't answer her. "Come, my sweet girl."
Tanya grimaced at him, but took another step. And another. And another. She forced her legs to move underneath her. It felt like a plank walk to her impending doom. Her mind filled with all the grotesque things he may have ever thought about her. It made her want to vomit. This man was repulsive. She never wanted to be even remotely near him, much less touch his hand.
For Viktoriya.
Tanya took one final step, reached up her hand, and set it in his.
He gave a smirk and curled his fingers around hers. "Perfect. Now then. Kill the rest."
All of the men raised their guns a second time.
"NO!" Tanya elbowed Beria in the gut and grabbed his pistol. Suddenly, she was pointing it at him, and the room came back to a stalemate.
Beria chuckled. "Oh, Tanya... this was a bad decision. You'll be punished for this."
"You told me you would let them go."
"I never told you anything." He waved a finger at her, somehow still completely calm. "I just said I would release your adjutant. I didn't say I wouldn't kill her afterwards."
"What do you want from me, Beria? What are you trying to achieve here?"
"I want to take you back to the Russy Federation with me," he smiled. "And to make you my wife."
She nearly gagged. "You think I'll be such a loving wife if you've killed those that I care for?"
Beria shrugged. "...Well, my apologies then. Perhaps I've made a mistake. But I'm sure I could make you love me, no matter what I've done beforehand."
"I don't think you should be so cocky..." she smirked. "When I'm the one with the gun. In fact, I don't think I'll give you a chance for redemption. Why don't you and your men just back out that door and go?"
"We can stand like this all day, my dear Tanya, but I'm not going to leave. I suppose we'll be at a stalemate forever, unless you'd like to just end this silliness and come with me."
She stood in silence for another moment. Admittedly, there was nothing left she could do.
They really would stand like this forever. It would be a matter of who had the stronger arms - who could hold a gun up the longest. She knew the limits of her physical body. Could sense the limitlessness of this man's insanity.
"I...will lower my gun. Okay. But Serebryakov and these men..." Tanya motioned to the colonels and the general. "...they are my family. If you kill them, I will resist you until the day I die. Besides... you really think the Entente Alliance will appreciate the fact that the Russy Federation invaded the Empire, even after its surrender, just to capture one more prisoner of war? Do you think it will look good in the history books that you went into a defenseless country, destroyed its HQ, and shot up its strategists? Not to mention the threat you've made about killing the people of Berun...how do you really expect to get away with all of it?"
Beria hesitated for a moment, then sighed. "Alright. I knew you were smart, but my my..." he turned to his men. "We'll spare this room."
"Just take me, and go back to whatever hellhole you came from," Tanya said. "Okay?"
He nodded. "Yes, yes. Okay. We have a deal."
Tanya looked to General Zettour for some confirmation that she could put down her gun. He gave a nod.
She finally lowered her weapon.
Beria slowly reached out his hand and wrapped it around the top of the gun. She released it from her grip, and he pulled it back. "Good girl..." He took her by the hand again. "Come now."
"I'll walk when I see all of the men and women of Berun spared."
"You're not in power anymore." Beria's grip tightened like a vise, and she winced in pain as he dragged her out of the room.
"Tanya..." Viktoriya had said it.
She looked over her shoulder.
"We'll find you," she said quietly. "I promise."
"Godspeed," Rerugen mumbled from the far side of the room. He gave another salute. The other officials each gave one as well.
With that, Tanya was practically paraded out of Berun. Beria didn't let go of her hand the whole time, and soldiers walked on every side of them to prevent her escape. She felt like an animal in a cage.
Children whispered. Adults watched in horror. The Empire's last hope - the Rusted Silver, the Devil of the Rhine herself - was being taken away as a prisoner of war. Led by the hand of this evil, evil man. She wondered if some people in the crowd were assuming the worst uses that she could fulfill as a prisoner, just like she was.