A/N 20/12/2019: Updated the chapter with some grammar fixes and a few adjustments, I'm slowly adding more words to every chapter XD

Chapter 6 Operation Deliverance: After Action Report Part III: Deal with the Devil

40 years after the Great War

Londinium

Imperial princess Hermine, second wife of the Grand Duke of Letzenbourg, unfortunately, died in childbirth while her husband was away. For some time, the young Prince Wilhelm suffered many health problems. By the age of four however he began displaying signs of genius, by five he had outgrown many of his tutors but around the age of six, his teachers reported an abrupt change in personality. Modern scholars suspect he suffered a brain injury at some point, but no evidence has been found to support this. - Andrew WTN Special correspondent

March 3rd Unified Year 1925

Rhine Front

"You said it was by an ally" she finished, eyes narrowing in suspicion once again.

"And I said I didn't expect it, but that's not quite true," he said with a smug smile. "I ordered it"

Tanya's eyes widened in disbelief as she stared back at him astounded, he'd had himself shot? And he seemed proud of it! "Why?" she asked unable to comprehend such an insane act.

"To set up this meeting for starters" he began, grinning widely. "Who else would they send to rescue the Emperor's beloved nephew but the Empire's finest? Major Tanya Von Degurechaff and her illustrious 203rd! General Zettour's fixers" he finished arrogantly. That much was true, her unit was designed to be an adaptable, multi-purpose and quick to deploy. They were uniquely suited to unusual kinds of mission such as this, but still, this was beyond the pale.

"You should have just sent an invitation," she scolded snidely.

The prince fixed her with doleful expression, contriving to look like a sad puppy.

"Believe me Major, being shot wasn't my first choice," he stated nursing his injured side. "I ran out of time, you hadn't arrived in the Rhine yet and I'd ran out of excuses."

He explained that when he founded the Letzenbourg mages he had gotten them attached to western command rather than under the meagre army of the duchy. It had not only freed him from his brothers competing influence but indirectly grown his own by building his reputation as a noble and merciful warrior, he apparently was considered something of a war hero. Although Imperial generals were nervous about having a royal hanging around the battlefield, he and his assault wing had been too useful as a mobile counterattacking force to turn down. Unfortunately, as the lines had gradually been pulled back further and further, Letzenbourg city was almost within shelling range and the current regent had requested to General Von Hans that the Letzenbourg mages be bought back. With the Imperial victory in the north and impending reinforcements from the Great army, he'd eventually agreed.

"My dearest brother intends me to sit out the war at home" he growled facetiously, with obvious venom around the mention of his brother. "That's assuming I'd survive to the end of it," he added darkly.

Tanya raised an eyebrow questioningly, few would think themselves more likely to die at home than on the battlefield. She gestured him to continue, hoping he would start to make some sort of sense and he paused for a moment as if composing his next thoughts.

"Let's just say, I'll likely develop a sudden illness," he stated eventually with a dry tone that suggested illness was the last thing he was expecting.

Tanya considered this information, the prince obviously thought his brother wanted to get rid of him. Surely this didn't happen anymore? Is Letzenbourg still in the middle ages? She thought to herself. She remembered the strange situation earlier with the Letzenbourg corporal that his brother, this 'regent' had sent. The prince had been uneasy and the soldier suspicious, he had seemed ready to force the prince to return with him before the appearance of the prince's own governess. It was possible the prince was in danger she supposed, but equally, it just could be paranoia. Either way, it went some way to explaining the prince's odd behaviour and personality, thinking people were going to kill you probably had a profound effect on a young brain she reasoned.

Although she could sympathise with not wanting to meet a premature end, she couldn't quite see the logic in avoiding it by heading to a warzone, and ultimately, she didn't see why she should care. This was an overgrown spat between the two brothers as far as she was concerned, it sounded wiser to stay out of it.

"So, you had yourself shot down, assuming not only that I would, but I could, come and rescue you from behind enemy lines?" she asked condescendingly. A brief spasm of annoyance entered the prince's eyes before it disappeared behind a self-assured grin once again.

"I arranged to make everything as easy as possible for you" he cooed, while she listened keeping her expression indifferent. "Didn't you think it convenient that in this mess of a war front you had highly detailed and accurate intelligence, access to a local mage unit that knew the terrain, and a battle plan ready to be adapted?" He continued as she stared back at him keeping her expression impassive.

"You received your orders the day I got shot down! Where was the time for all that? I even pulled some strings with intelligence to spread misinformation to the enemy! I knew you would do it because I'd planned it all out for you!" he sat smiling proudly.

Keeping her expression cool she considered his claims. The orders had come from western command as she and the battalion were en-route from Norden, as part of the next batch of reinforcements. It was true their instructions had arrived unusually fast, that was the only reason she considered the rescue mission to have a chance at success. It was also true that they contained a battle plan that 'someone' believed could be adapted to the situation, and it had been very useful. The intel was less than a day old and included near perfect assessments of enemy positions and although she'd had reservations about the Letzenbourg mages they had performed their tasks well. She had assumed it a rare stroke of good fortune, only marred by the prince's cavalier attitude to combat.

However, the Rhine front was an organisational mess, the slow withdrawal of the front lines had impacted morale across the command structure, soldiers of all ranks were making more and more mistakes, and the imperial war machine had slowed to a crawl. They shouldn't have been able to react so fast, had the prince really planned all this?

She couldn't think of any other way the prince could know so much about his own rescue mission, one of his flunkies could have told him but they had only been separated a few minutes at the platform, there simply wasn't the time for him to digest all this detail. He knew too much. It seemed he'd been telling the truth about the extent of his influence over the background of the imperial mechanism. She had to admit, it was impressive, not only in its audacity but because he'd pulled it off all in secret. The plan had gone off without a hitch…. almost.

"What about the Republican assault? I doubt you planned that" she questioned.

The smug look on his face vanished and he scowled, clearly, he didn't like her pointing out the flaw in his meticulously planned scheme.

"Surely you know Von Moltke's maxim 'No plan survives first contact with the enemy?' I'm not omnipotent and even I struggle to get the enemy to do what I want" he replied sulkily.

It seemed the enemy's decision to not inform him of their plans seemed to have upset the little prince, putting a dampener on his grand show of power for Tanya. He may be an intelligent schemer, but it was clear that he still acted like a child.

"Driving off an assault will make us look better anyway, I'm sure your due another medal," he finished cheering a little, while his arrogant smile returned to his face.

Tanya allowed herself a smile, the art of negotiation was an interesting thing Tanya mused. As a student of the Chicago school of economics in her past incarnation, she knew that all too well. Information was everything, you had to share enough for the negotiation to succeed without sharing so much as to damage your selling price. Most importantly you cannot under any circumstances show fear. The prince had made a mistake.

Tanya hid her smile inward, taking even more care to keep the expression from her face. The prince had obviously intended this grand plan in part to impress her with the power he could wield behind the scenes. What he had failed to realise however, was even with the power to set up this grand plan he couldn't stop himself from being sent back home. He had proved he needed her more than she needed him. The power had now shifted into her grasp, but before she continued, she needed to know one more thing. It's time to turn the screws.

"Why the front lines? Why not take refuge in the imperial court?" she pressed.

A strange and grim expression emerged on his face and very slowly he picked up his sword from his lap and leant carefully against the wall of the cabin. Tanya felt perplexed and slightly unnerved as he continued staring at the weapon with undisguised loathing. Thus far he had always seemed desperate to be near it and had often stared at it as though it would do something of its own volition, but she had always assumed that he loved the inanimate object, not hated it.

"I…I have no other path," he said quietly, echoing her own words from earlier. She searched the words for any signs of mockery or insincerity and to her mild surprise, she only heard a mixture of regret, sadness and fear instead. "At least not yet."

He'd now handed her all the cards, and she now faced a choice. She didn't trust him, he was reckless, didn't follow her orders and she had no guarantee he might not turn on her.

His influence could be very useful however, but she would have to spend it wisely, if he immediately found her a post off in the rear, questions of her competence might be asked. If she could control him and his influence however, she could get herself a post and have him ready to use if she ever needed an out. Whatever his full reason for being at the front, he had revealed his weakness, now she would exploit it and see what she could truly get out of this deal.

"This is all very interesting, but I don't really see why I should accept your deal," she began toying with her coffee cup. She was gratified to see a hint of concern cross the prince's face, it meant her suspicions had been correct he did need her. "I already have the respect of General's von Zettour and von Rudersdorf in central command, and thus far your 'influence' seems to be over-exaggerated."

She knew that her statement wasn't quite true, he'd demonstrated an impressive show of power with his little stunt. Had he performed the same in a more official capacity, Zettour, as a fan of more 'innovative' plans, would have probably put him in a planning job. That wasn't what the prince wanted, however, and she would squeeze him hard to get her way.

The colour began to run from the prince's face, Tanya suspected he'd been certain that his plan would succeed, and now it was in danger of failing he was panicking. For him the stakes were high and suddenly all his deceptive prowess had become useless. She, however, was calm and in control.

"The empire may style itself as a meritocracy, but we all know it's still the rich and powerful that get the best positions," he countered defensively, irritation reaching his voice. "Zettour and Rudersdorf know you're a great frontline commander so they'll keep you here, it's no coincidence that the rich and elite get the safer positions."

It was true the Empire was very good at building people up that it thought was 'useful', but the rich and powerful somehow always manage to be more 'useful' despite their abilities. This wasn't a fault with meritocracy however, this was just the corruption that eventually found its way into any system and the Empire was better than most. Besides the Empire had been built from the ashes of a coalition of feudal powers, it was hardly surprising that some of the outdated ideas had yet to be abolished, one of them was sitting across from her after all. It wasn't unlike the other world, you could survive and prosper if you were useful, but you would prosper much easier if you were powerful. Although apparently power had its pitfalls too, if the little colonel was to be believed. The prince was no exception, but at least he seemed to realise it.

"Oh? But I'm a 'Von' too? Why am I on the front lines?" She asked with faux ignorance.

"You know why! You got a noble title through the college! You're respected, but no one thinks your truly a noble, Zettour will use you at the front for every dangerous mission he can find because if you died, it's expected!" he said exasperated. "Besides your too good at what you do! There's no reason for them to move you, you need my help to advance," he burst, a blurt of desperation entering his voice.

Tanya felt a surge of triumph, she had left him reeling and his mask had slipped. The gist of his point was sound, she had come to realise the same thing recently. She, rather, unfortunately, had become too good in her job role. Her superiors felt they could safely trust her with any assignment and trust her to succeed, unfortunately, they didn't trust anyone else to do it. She'd aimed for promotion by making herself indispensable, in the process, she had become so indispensable they could not currently advance her away from a combat role. The rest was true too, often hard work would only get you so far, you had to step on people to advance. Tanya could almost feel her boot stepping on the prince.

"I need to know you can deliver results! I saved your skin, not your plan!" she pushed, with growing confidence. It wasn't entirely true she knew but this was negotiation and she was playing hardball.

"But I wouldn't want moving overnight, I won't have people say that you made me, and no one should question that I got there by anything but my own achievements" she declared, metaphorically gouging her heel into the prince. She fixed her glare at him. He looked worried, his ability to manipulate and deceive seemed to have fled him completely. Now that they were one on one, he was no match for her. It was almost like she was the empire itself, when supported by other powers he was a threat, now he was alone she could exterminate him with ease.

The prince had now gone green and Tanya wondered if she should summon his 'nanny' to come burp him. She caught herself though, victory was not assured yet, the prince had shown an uncanny ability to turn situations around, she needed to be careful. The prince began to calm and looked thoughtful for a moment.

"That could be done, your skills are evident, so I just need to..." he began.

"Results within a week" she interrupted. She knew the demand was unreasonable, but that's how you haggle, as a negotiator no doubt he'd counter, and they'd find a middle ground.

She couldn't help but enjoy seeing the genuine looks on the prince's face as switched between confusion and horror, while his eyes flickered, desperately seeking a solution to her demand. She now knew she had defeated him. How does it feel now you're on the receiving end? She thought darkly remembering the prince's frustrating manipulations.

"I…It wouldn't get you off the front line, but it would help your standing and let some important people outside the general staff know who you are" he began slowly, voice shaking slightly, he really is rattled she thought.

He went on to explain that both the General staff and General Von Hans were concerned about the drop in organisation and morale. Even with the influx of troops being redeployed from the north the Rhine front was beginning to crumble because of it. The brass wanted an extra 'unofficial' advisor to help the beleaguered general. Their reports would be submitted, not only to central command and the general staff but the Supreme high command, the council that included the civilian cabinet ministers and oversaw the entire Imperial military.

"If we work fast, I should be able to sponsor you for the position, but I'm going to have to do something… unpleasant," he said slowly with a frown, and Tanya couldn't help but wonder what a boy that had hours earlier sliced up a group of soldiers could find unpleasant. "And you'd have to have some proposals ready for General von Hans."

She nodded, she already had some ideas anyway.

"Central command favours Colonel von Rerugen's pick, Lt Colonel Wolfram von Heinz," he continued as his eyes grew distant as he seemed to get more and more lost in thought. "There are also six other candidates that could be picked unless they were 'Persuaded otherwise" He swallowed nervously.

"I'd prefer more time to undermine them, but I should be able to do it in a week, I just hope too many questions don't get asked."

Inwardly Tanya was elated, access to the Supreme high command was a career officers wet dream and he seemed to think he could arrange for it, within a week no less. Surprisingly he'd also not argued the timescale, he really was desperate, she wondered how much he was really capable of. Where has the manipulating little bastard from the Rhine gone? She thought. Still, she needed more, she needed a guarantee that he'd behave himself and wouldn't turn on her.

The train had begun to slow, and the sporadic dwellings and farms of the countryside had given way to the townscape and light industry that was so close to the western command centre. The prince looked at her through anxious emerald orbs, expecting an answer.

"I'm afraid I can't accept your offer," she stated as casually as turning down an offer of a drink. She felt another surge of triumph as the prince managed to turn a shade paler, a feat Tanya hadn't thought possible.

"You simply can't be trusted," she continued waving a hand at him dismissively. "You're reckless, you don't follow orders and I have no guarantee you won't turn on me" she finished nonchalantly.

"I never disobeyed your orders…" he began but Tanya cut him off.

"I instructed you to stay by my side, I may have ordered your unit to assault but I never said you were to charge in!" she snapped at him viciously. He began to argue but she silenced him once again, "My orders are not open to interpretation" she growled.

The prince slumped back into his seat utterly dejected, it was like all the life had been drained from him. She had expected him to threaten to use his influence to punish her in some way, but it seemed even he wasn't that stupid. Tanya had beaten him completely. She rose to leave.

"Please wait" the prince whispered grasping her wrist, he looked up at her in desperation. "You don't trust me I know, but I can and will follow orders… please." Tanya snorted derisively and began pulling away.

"What if I could give you some collateral, something you could use against me?" He pleaded desperately and Tanya raised an eyebrow before gesturing for him to continue.

His eyes shifted nervously, he glanced back at his sword leant against the wall of the cabin and then back at Tanya. Perhaps he was having second thoughts. Suddenly he pulled her close and whispered quietly in her ear.

Tanya's eyes widened in disbelief with what he had revealed, then she stared at him for a moment scanning for any sign of duplicity, if this was true it was a game-changer.

"No one else alive knows about this, the Grand Duke, Central Command, not even the Emperor knows," The prince said quietly, his voice filled with fear and sadness. "I've hidden the only proof, a report and a letter. Everything else has been destroyed, I'll give them to you."

Wilhelm released her and was now staring at the floor, shaking slightly. Somehow, he looked smaller, as though the revelation had shrivelled him up. Tanya didn't believe he was lying, even a rumour like this could be damaging, with proof he would be utterly destroyed, there was no reason for him to fake this. He was so desperate for Tanya to agree to his deal, he had placed his life completely in her power.

"Do you have the proof here?" she inquired, and he quickly shook his head before removing a chain from around his neck with a small key attached and passed it to her.

"It's buried in a lockbox in the country, I should have destroyed it but…" he trailed off as the train began to break. She let him stew a moment more.

"If you fail to get me that position in a week, the deal is off," she said sternly, the prince looked up at her, his expression brightening slightly "and I expect your proof by then too," she continued taking a little too much enjoyment from seeing him fall back into depression.

"However, you will follow all my orders, you will not undermine me in any way, and you will prove yourself useful" she finished. The prince nodded with a mixture of relief and resignation on his face. Soon the train came to a stop and a knock came at the cabin door and the governess maid entered, informing them of their arrival.

"I'll see you at Headquarters colonel."

Xxxx

Western Command some hours later

Tanya snapped herself out of her reverie, she had long finished her report and her new 'pet colonel' was just finishing his own account while embellishing her feats of tactical and strategic acumen. His deceptive and manipulative powers seemed to have made a miraculous recovery and he was using them as enthusiastically as ever.

"I see well done, I'll see that you get a commendation major" General von Hans declared before turning to the boy by her side.

"Prince Wilhelm, I hope this incident shows you why we are so keen to have you away from the front, please consider taking one of our offers at the rear," the General pleaded.

"I'm Truly sorry general, I know you're worried about me, and I know that my mistake has caused an awful lot of trouble, but I couldn't in good conscience do that," the prince began sadly in his innocent child persona.

"My uncle is so sad he can't fight," he continued as his eyes began to tear up. Tanya was becoming accustomed to how little Wilhelm manipulated people, name dropping the emperor and their relationship was a nice touch and the tears were better still. It's a shame this world doesn't have the Oscars she thought to herself.

"He was so proud when I told him I'd fight in his stead, how could I ever face him again if I left?" he finished.

"A war isn't won on the front alone, there are many ways to fight," the general countered with a voice of concern. Tanya noted the look on his face and could see he was already being swayed. Not for the first time she was relieved she seemed to be immune to the boy's manipulative powers, although she would never tell him that.

"There are far better people for that" the colonel argued, voice full of sadness "I'm not good at strategy like lady Degurechaff, besides I want to save those poor people in the trenches, maybe the Republicans will listen to me if I keep asking them to surrender," he asked earnestly.

She marvelled at his lies, they came so easily and were believable, and although Tanya knew that this earnestness was all fake, the General, of course, didn't. He was known as a soft-hearted man and this particular barrage was hitting every heartstring with pinpoint accuracy. The general sighed heavily.

"Your highness, I have children around our age, sending you to fight feels like I'm sending in my own!" the general begged eyes flicking to Tanya too. Forget him, send me to the rear if you want a child away from the battlefield! The inner Tanya screamed at him while the outer retained her professional demeanour.

"If my being here stops your beautiful daughter from ever having to serve general, I'd gladly join my comrades in the trenches, sir" the colonel stated defiantly, and Tanya saw the general sag in defeat.

"Very well, you and your battalion are to report back to Letzenbourg command, maybe Prince Ludwig will have a better chance of persuading you" he ordered sadly and Tanya couldn't help feel some sympathy for the man, he'd probably been pressured to persuade the little manipulator away from the front lines and the boy's stubborn nature had stopped him time and again. I can sympathise with that she thought.

"Actually General, I have a request, I've talked it over with Major Degurachaff and I think I have so much I could learn from her" he started eyes sparkling. "I'd like to transfer to her battalion as an observer, I was already writing a report about specialisation for command, this is a great opportunity, I've drafted a letter for central command but I'd like your permission first'" he continued enthusiastically. "If you'll have me of course," he finished turning to her with puppy dog eyes.

The general looked away thoughtfully and the second eyes were off him the little colonel's eyes turned to her with loathing. As the general turned back, the boy returned to his innocent and earnest state.

"What are your thoughts on this major?" The general asked.

"I've agreed on a trial basis General" she stated succinctly, she wasn't going to hinder the prince's efforts but equally she saw no reason to help too much. The General looked thoughtful for a few moments before seeming to come to a decision.

"Yes," the general said slowly. "I approve, you and a small staff should join the 203rd for now" he finished, looking much happier and relieved. "Is there anything else?"

"Yes sir, the 203rd has yet to be designated a command centre," Tanya reported trying not to let the annoyance show in her voice. She hadn't realised organisation was this bad in the Rhine, her unit was still pretty much homeless.

"I can only apologise Major Degurechaff, things aren't going well here at the moment" the general sighed sagging in his chair and rubbing his temples, he obviously had a lot on his plate at the moment.

"Perhaps I can help" the little colonel interjected smiling sweetly. "My family has a summerhouse in Kayl, its where I learned mage flight. There's plenty of space, all the equipment you would need is there, and it's in the middle of the line! Besides, it's the least I can do after they saved me, I can take you there myself Major."

Royal summer homes, aka room enough for hundreds, yet still empty for half a year. Tanya was pleased, her new underling's status was already proving useful, at least she'd have a bed to sleep in tonight.

The general gratefully agreed and dismissed them, as they left the General mouthed 'look after him' to her and she almost burst out laughing. As they traversed the corridors of the chateau the colonel made a point of greeting any soldier they crossed while making an effort to ignore her as much as possible. When they were finally alone, she asked a question. Knowing he wouldn't answer when other people were around.

"Why all the acts Wilhelm?" she asked, relishing seeing him wince. He stopped in his tracks and was quiet for a moment.

"You wrote a paper about human resources, right?" He asked hypothetically "you're right, humans are there to use, I just prefer they don't know that's what's I'm doing. Unlike you" he finished glaring at her with disdain.

"Where's your smile Wilhelm?" she taunted.

"I traded it away" he spat venomously, "when I made a deal with the devil."

Authors note

So according to MS word I'm a wee bit over my 2.5-3.5 target on this one. If its too long, I'm sorry but I felt it needed it.

For starters thank you for reading, I can never say that enough. Knowing that you are reading really pushes me to continue.

Second, there are people in this community that, with their criticisms have helped me progress immensely. I'm not mentioning names because I haven't had your permission, but I will happily divert people to your own stories if you tell me to.

A special thank you to the person that made me realise Tanya didn't have a good reason to 'team-up' with the prince. On that note however I'm sorry as much as I'd like to reveal the leverage, it makes more sense to reveal it with the evidence on hand. So tune in to the next episode.

I really enjoyed putting Tanya back in control in this chapter and putting Wilhelm on the back foot. It was suggested to me that Tanya should rough him up and hopefully, I've successfully done that (verbally anyway). That being said I still might have Tanya beat the crap out of him later.

As always feedback is appreciated

Xanen