A/N 08/12/2019: I've updated this one too, just a few adjustments and grammar checks although I did somehow add an extra 400 words somewhere.
Chapter 2 Operation Deliverance Stage 2: Extraction
40 years after the Great War
Londinium
As you all know, many records from the war were destroyed in the fighting or lost in the years since. The first recorded mention of the Saint of Letzenbourg was close after the fall of the Entente alliance in early 1925. It is thought that the figure was operating as a combat mage alongside the Devil of the Rhine. Unlike this devil, however, both sides speak of mercy and numerous efforts to allow his foes to surrender or flee. It has been suggested that the Saint himself was a prince of Letzenbourg and a relative of the Imperial family. We believe this unlikely however and as with the reports of the Imperial use of child soldiers, it was likely just propaganda. - Andrew WTN Special correspondent
March 3rd Unified Year 1925
Rhine Front Francois Republic Reims field hospital
"Sir, we have to evacuate you as soon as possible, are you injured?" Tanya questioned passing the sword to the boy, doing her best to keep her voice level and professional, despite the messy scene in front of her. It would do her no-good raging at the prince she realised, he was clearly unstable and would need to be handled carefully.
Will snatched the sword and instantly drew the blade from its scabbard and began regarding the blade intently, muttering something to himself. He was ignoring her! Tanya fumed, doing her best to keep her anger from her expression. She did, however, take some satisfaction in the occasional winces of pain that showed as he moved the blade. Clearly, he was at least a little injured, hopefully, that would mean he'd be more cooperative.
Rushed footsteps began echoing through the corridor behind her and Tanya turned and readied her weapon. Lieutenant Serebrykov and the Letzenbourg captain appeared in the doorway and she relaxed.
"Commander, the building is secured!" the lieutenant reported. Tanya had expected as much when she'd seen her adjutant, Visha was too experienced to leave there backs unguarded. "Is this him?"
"Hausmann!" the prince exclaimed, rushing to the captain before Tanya could reply, "you came to fetch me."
His sword had already been sheathed and the pistol stowed away somewhere. Gone was the evil look in the prince's face, replaced once again with childlike innocence as he greeted the captain. Tanya grimaced with confused frustration, he's supposed to be a colonel, why is he acting like a child excited to see a long lost relative?
Tanya was no stranger to the tactic of using her own childlike appearance to get her way, she'd done so on several occasions in the past with great success. She didn't like to use it unless she had to however, it undermined her authority and every time she was forced to use it, she was certain Being X was laughing at her. But why was the prince acting this way? It was obviously an act, she'd seen his true face while he'd been threatening the republican soldier, the boy was as much of a war maniac as his soldiers. So, whose benefit was this act for? Surely everyone else could see through it too.
The captain examined the prince with a deep look of concern and began cleaning the blood off the boy like a worried parent, before reaching for a first aid kit.
"Prince are you injured?" the captain questioned with obvious concern and the prince grasped his bandaged torso and frowned in exaggerated pain.
"I was shot and then I fell" he moaned, looking almost like he would burst into tears. He took a deep breath and then the look of innocence returned to his face once more and his eyes sparkled with implied determination.
"It hurts but I'll be ok, I'll be able to fly!" The boy finished.
"He seems quite brave, I don't think I could have handled being shot at that age. He kinda reminds me of you major" Serebrykov said smiling at her superior.
Tanya started back at the lieutenant aghast. She was sure Visha wouldn't have meant anything bad with the comment, but she couldn't help feeling slightly insulted. She didn't know if she should feel more furious or horrified. THE HELL! I'm nothing like this crazy idiot! How can she be falling for this crap!
"What kind of cretin gets shot down anyway?" she complained quietly to herself, accidentally saying her inner thoughts out loud in her frustration with the boy. She'd obviously been overheard though as Hausmann shot her a glare and she cursed herself for her mistaken outburst. Crap! She swore, she'd just called the prince a cretin to his face, no way that's a good career move, who knows what will happen if word that she's been insulting the emperor's nephew gets back to the higher-ups. Hausmann looked like he was going to chastise her but was cut off by the little prince.
"I'm sorry, you're right. It's my fault you're all here and in danger" the prince stated sadly, tears forming in his eyes.
Now he's crying? Thought Tanya as Hausmann glared at her with a look of disapproval, while Serabryakov shuffled on the spot awkwardly, giving her a look that told her that she thought she had gone too far. The bastard is making me look like the bad guy she realised scowling.
"I was reckless" he continued "I didn't shield enough, I….just didn't expect to be shot in the back while advancing. Especially not by an ally," he finished as his eyes flickered with an unreadable expression for a moment.
No doubt she was the only one that saw it or heard the subtle change in the tone of his voice. What did he mean shot in the back by an ally? A friendly fire incident? Or was he suggesting something else? It felt like both soldiers were still frowning at her like she'd kicked a puppy. What the hell did I do? It's not like I shot him down!
"Commander, enemy reinforcements incoming," Lieutenant Wiess reported over the radio reminding them that they were still in danger.
"We're wasting time, we need to get out of here," Tanya growled thankful for the interruption.
"Sir, Corporal Litz has brought some spare gear for you, what are your orders?" The captain asked the prince.
Tanya's blood went cold, the captain expected the prince to take command, he was a Colonel, after all, he would be within his rights to do so. Although they were technically separate armies, protocol meant that he could take control as the superior officer in the field. She didn't like that idea one bit, he was an unknown element and from what she'd seen of him so far, she could imagine him ordering some foolish and suicidal assault. She could, of course, disobey him and keep command, but she'd likely face punishment or even a court-martial later, either way, it would be disastrous for her career. She ground her teeth in frustration, there was no telling what idiocy this madman might do with her battalion.
The prince smiled at Tanya, all hint of his earlier anguish had gone, and his face had returned to that of a happy child once again. I knew he was faking it.
"Don't ask me, Major Degurechaff is in operational command" he smiled sweetly, a glint of mischief crossing his gaze, she couldn't help feeling like he was up to something. "She's my knight in shining armour today, it's not often the princess saves the prince" he chuckled cheerfully.
"Thank you, colonel," she replied struggling to keep her voice level. All the relief she felt was completely eclipsed by the barely contained rage at being called princess, he was clearly mocking her and there was nothing she could do about it. Now the bastard is making fun of me.
She ordered Hausmann to help get the prince suited up and she strode out into the corridor flanked by lieutenant Serebrykov. Soon after a Letzenbourg corporal loaded with flight gear and equipment came jogging past. After radioing a few orders to Weiss, she stopped and allowed herself a moment to reflect on the situation.
She had once remarked about Dr Schugel that there was a thin line between genius and madness. If that was so then this prince fell easily into the madness side, she'd seen no sign of his so-called genius. He was unhinged, clearly that's what happens when you send a child to the front lines she mused, missing the irony. She stared out the window at a darkening sky. Did you drop this brat on me being X? she thought. If that thing was responsible for this mess, he would be disappointed. All she had to do is get the brat back across the lines and he'd be out of her hair. A smile of defiance began creeping up her face. This is nothing being X, I'll be rid of him soon and there's nothing you can do to stop it.
First things first though, getting him across the lines, Weiss had reported enemy reinforcements inbound. They wouldn't be a problem if they got moving quick enough. In truth, she'd expected the enemy to react far quicker than this. What concerned her was that the republicans hadn't sent any mages after them yet, it wasn't like the republicans to be so sloppy, if they were, they would have been beaten years ago. Although she was thankful that they hadn't been attacked, she didn't like not knowing where the enemy's elites were, or when and where they'd counterattack.
She heard the faint hum of mage flight gear powering up as the little colonel hovered around the corner. His feet glided a few inches from the ground as he moved like an ice skater along the corridor. His movements were oddly graceful, but it seemed like a waste of magical energy to Tanya. If he was trying to impress her, he'd be disappointed, this was a war, not an ice dancing competition. The Letzenboug gear already had a lower range than their imperial counterparts why waste the power? He floated up towards Tanya and flashed a smile and saluted lazily.
"Bluebottle one reporting Lady Degurechaff" he grinned at her.
His call sign was named after an annoying buzzing insect, how fitting she thought unable to keep the smirk from her face, before regarding the boy with slight dismay. Although he was snuggly inside well fitted black and red flight suit, the only addition to his battle gear she could see was a couple of grenades attached to his belt. Aside from that he only had the sword and pistol she had seen him with earlier. The corporal she had observed earlier had a variety of weapons to pick from, so why hadn't the little colonel taken any? He could at least take a rifle! With what he has, he might as well charge the enemy with a club!
She took a deep breath and calmed herself, she'd just have to keep the brat close until they were safely back. Absently she wondered if she could get away with putting him on a leash.
"How are your injury's colonel?" she asked. Not that she really cared but now she'd had some time to calm herself she realised it couldn't hurt to pretend to show some interest. Hopefully, it would make him forget her earlier insult and she needed to keep up the charade that she actually cared about the Letzenbourg soldiers around her. Besides, it would be helpful to know just how much the boy would slow them down.
"It's sweet that you're so concerned about me Lady Degurechaff, I'll be fine though, we mages heal fast after all" he smiled again. Somehow the prince's smile was incredibly annoying, as far as Tanya was concerned, this mission couldn't end quickly enough.
It was true mages healed much faster than the average human, she'd had experience of it herself during the Norden incident that had earned her the silver wings. The prince, however, was beginning to annoy her again with his familiarity.
"I'd prefer it if you would address me by my rank, Sir" she stated fixing him with a glare.
It was silent for a moment as their gazes fixed on each other, the prince's eyes changed once again. The childlike friendliness and innocence disappeared, and a dark look appeared in the boy's eyes. His smile became sinister and cruel. Tanya wondered for a moment if she'd overstepped her bounds, no she decided he was the one being unprofessional. She held him with a fixing gaze, she would not be intimidated by this brat! Not even if he were the Emperor himself would she allow it!
Suddenly the prince began laughing and his sinister expression disappeared, she almost doubted if she'd seen it at all.
"Just as they said" he chuckled to himself. "I think I'm going to like you."
Tanya was dumbstruck as all hint of hostility evaporated from the boy, what was that about? She wondered, some sort of test, maybe? She couldn't help feeling uneasy, she couldn't get a proper read on what the boy was up to.
"We really should be going," he finished calling for Hausmann and his squad, before turning back to her with a smile.
"We await your orders, Major," he said sweetly, and they headed off towards the exit.
After some intense covering fire from Wiess's company, they took to the skies and Tanya left Neumann's company to guard their rear. She had ordered the Prince to stick with her squad and to her relief, he had complied without argument. Unfortunately, as he was using Letzenbourg gear she now had to fly lower so that they could stay together and Tanya felt all the more vulnerable to ground fire. Hopefully, the Republicans should be too busy focussing on the front lines to notice them flying over from behind.
She'd had the mages adopt a formation that should keep the prince, and more importantly her, fairly safe from incoming fire. Her company was flying as high as the prince's gear could manage, meanwhile the rest of the Letzenbourg mages were below them creating a useful barrier of human flesh to soak up any enemy fire from the ground. She didn't like the idea of using human capital for that purpose, but it was preferable to being shot herself, besides their weaponry was closer ranged anyway, they wouldn't be all that useful if they were much higher in the formation. The rest of the 203rd was above her keeping a watchful eye out for incoming danger and ready to provide covering fire when needed, keeping her and the prince safely sandwiched between the two groups.
She had been surprised by how cooperative the colonel prince had been since the strange confrontation in the hospital. After greeting and thanking his troops, while using the sweet innocent act that Tanya had already become weary of, he had merely ordered them to follow her orders like they were his own and floated off to join her squad. Hausmann had objected to being separated from his superior but had been overruled by the prince. He made a few observations and suggestions about the disposition of the forces, which even she had to admit, had been helpful. Otherwise, he'd spent the flight humming quietly to himself and occasionally drawing his sword to look at the blade again.
The sound of artillery grew louder as they approached the main lines. A mixture of blood and spent gunpowder filled the air and the ground below was strewn with foxholes. They were above one of the old defensive lines, one they'd had to pull back from earlier in the war. The republicans had been far fiercer than anyone had guessed and at the time the empire had a second front open against Legondian Entente Alliance leaving them struggling to hold their ground, let alone launch an effective counterattack. Since then the Empire had had little luck reclaiming its lost territory, but hopes were high now the Entente was out of the war.
"Still no sign of a counterattack," Lieutenant Serebrykov remarked looking around. "maybe we caught them napping."
"I admire your optimism Lieutenant, but I don't think our luck is that good," Tanya remarked cynically, in her experience it wasn't wise to get complacent, especially not with Being X around to put a spanner in the works.
"Anything that can go wrong will go wrong eh? I found that out last time I was up here," the prince giggled.
The idiot sounds like he enjoyed being shot down she complained inwardly. Wait that saying, she'd said that to Dr Schugel once and he'd reacted confused as though he'd never heard it. In fact, nobody in this world seemed to recognise it. So how does he know it? Her eyes narrowed as she turned to look at him again, scrutinizing any details with suspicion. Before she could discern anything new however the voice of her deputy far above cut in on the radio.
"Commander I think we found the enemy reinforcements you were worried about, they are attacking our front lines!" Wiess informed them with his usual professionalism.
So that was it she realised! Enemy reinforcements were slow to respond to them as they were too busy assaulting. She grabbed her binoculars and peered through revealing the carnage of the Rhine front. The Imperial lines were crumbling under a crippling barrage. The republicans were throwing a lot into this assault and she wasn't sure the front line could stand up to in. Above the defence line, she could make out several floating figures. These were the Republic mages, and without her battalion to deal with them, they'd run roughshod over the imperial soldiers. She ground her teeth in frustration and stowed her binoculars. It was then she noticed the young prince flying directly below her on his back smiling up at her.
"It could be difficult getting behind friendly lines if there aren't any friendlies left" he stated with his irritating grin. "you should take out the mages, while my troops and I blunt their ground attack."
"Our orders are to get you safely back, that's our priority," she replied gritting her teeth in frustration. He did make a good point, they could be decisive in turning the battle, especially since they'd be attacking from the rear.
"You are not to leave my side!" She concluded cutting off any room for argument. In any other circumstances, she would agree with him, but she couldn't risk anything happening to the prince. Her career could be irreparably damaged if it did and her dreams of a comfortable place in the rear echelons destroyed. No, she couldn't risk it.
"I'll take you across the lines and leave Wiess to…" She began but was cut off by the prince.
"So, we are agreed then, we need to stabilise the lines, or we won't know when we are past them, I'll address the troops."
Before Tanya could object, he summoned a voice amplification spell and began delivering a speech.
"Brave soldiers of the Empire and my dear friends from Letzenbourg!" he began gathering their attention. "Our Valiant Major von Degurechaff has decided we must blunt the enemy attack in order to safely get home!"
THE BASTARD! THE BASTARD! Tanya screamed internally. With one little phrase, he'd made it seem like it was her idea to attack. If she backed out now, she'd lose her authority and look like a coward! Cowards got the worst jobs on the front lines and zero chance at promotion! She took a breath and tried to find a way out of this situation. She wasn't too concerned about the attack, they had the element of surprise so they could easily turn the tide. Her concern was the prince had only a sword and a pistol, he was clearly going to charge straight in.
"Before I let her give you your orders," he continued melancholy filling his voice, "I must thank you all for coming to my rescue and I'm sorry you must risk yourselves for me. I regret you must kill to get me safely home, we must give the enemy a chance to surrender if we can."
"Once we get back, I promise you all the wine cellars of Letzenbourg will be open to you all!" he finished in a triumphant tone.
This garnered a cheer from the troops and Tanya now knew there was no turning back. She began giving her orders but was cut off by the little colonel once again. Damn it! If he doesn't shut it soon, I'm going to gag him!
"One more thing friends of Letzenbourg, I have good news! The good Major wants to join us for this fight to see how we do things, let's do our best ok?" he finished. Tanya glared at him, not bothering to disguise her fury but he returned it with a maniacal grin.
"You said I can't leave your side, so that means you must want to come with me to lead the ground assault, right?"
Authors Note - Thanks for the follows, fav's and for reading. I've done my best to stick to the lore as best I can but sometimes the Manga, Light novel and Anime don't agree with each other, so I've used a bit of creative license.
If anyone wants to give any feedback, I'd appreciate it.
Xanen