Chapter 9 Ongoing Operations: Hidden Messages

40 years after the Great War

Londinium

Part of the reason records of these figures is so rare is because of the increasingly advanced codes being used by both sides in the Great War. Although many of the messages remain, often the information on their decryption has been lost. This makes us appreciate all the more the hard work put into the breaking of these codes, such as that done in Blockley Park, with project Ultra – Andrew WTN special correspondent.

March 24th Unified Year 1925

203rd Temporary Command Centre, Major Degurechaff's Office 13:00 hours

Visha smiled as she entered Major Degurechaff's office, bearing a tray of coffee and sweets she'd been able to acquire from the mansion's kitchen. He's here again she thought seeing prince Wilhelm perched on the windowsill, gazing out the window. When not dealing with whatever it is princes do all day or deployed with her and the commander, he had taken to spending as much time around the major as possible, at least when she allowed it. Since the major always refused his offers to help with her work, he would either help Visha with her own tasks or sit by the window until they were finished.

He also followed the major to her prayers in the small chapel on the grounds and Visha had also noticed regular invitations to get the commander to eat with him, then, of course, there was the secret letter. All these things had convinced her that her theory that the prince had a crush on the major was true.

Her commander thanked her as she poured her a cup, and she called to the boy reclining by the window.

"Prince Wilhelm sir, would you like a cup? I bought tea too, Christina said you preferred it."

The prince rose and wandered over, gazing at the major's steaming mug, he paused for a moment then asked for a coffee, while the commander murmured something about tea drinkers. As she poured the second cup, she offered milk and sugar, again the prince looked over to the major's brew before shaking his head, and he thanked her as he returned to his perch with his beverage.

She noticed him grimace as he took a sip of the bitter liquid and she covered the grin creeping on her face. Cute, he's trying to imitate her she thought, adding this to her ever-growing list of evidence of her theory.

The question was how the major thought about him, she was difficult to read at the best of times. At first, she'd been afraid of Major Degurechaff, she remembered wondering if she was a vampire. Over time however, she had come to realise that she was passionately pious and patriotic, and cared very deeply about the soldiers under her command. Visha loved her commander for that, she was tough, but deep down every soldier in the battalion knew the major would see them through when they needed her. Perhaps because of this, she seemed almost distant, a woman apart from the rest of them, Visha had known her longest but still struggled to understand her at times. She must feel lonely Visha thought sadly.

As far as she could tell the prince frustrated the Major, she knew however this did not necessarily mean she did not like him. There were hundreds of stories about people seeming to hate the one they secretly like. Besides the major had seemed frustrated with almost everyone in the battalion at one point or another, there was a joke amongst some of the soldiers that if she was mad at you, she cared, if she didn't you were dead. There was more than a little truth in that.

The major did, however, seem a little over-familiar with the prince at times. Usually the major was a stickler for the rules, so would address people correctly by their rank without fail, however she seemed to address the prince with a little less formality than she did everyone else, especially when they thought she was out of earshot. Still, nothing concrete though, she thought.

"It's nice out today," the prince said absently as he stared out the window, he had seemed off the last few days for some reason. He'd always been friendly and familiar around her and the other soldiers, he'd even sat and listened to her stories about her family escaping from the Russy federation with solemn interest, whilst praising how brave her family was for it. Apparently, he was a relative of the deceased Czar, so it must have been uncomfortable thinking about the communist uprising in the east. Today however it seemed like his mind was somewhere else, he wasn't quite his usual cheerful self.

The major ignored his statement, so social responsibility forced Visha to answer him in her stead.

"Yeah, there's not a cloud in the sky…. Er prince, sir" she answered barely catching her social faux pas. The prince turned his head and smiled at her warmly.

"Come now Visha, we're friend's now, call me Will, I don't mind" he returned, "or at least I hope we're friends," he finished dolefully.

Of course we're friends, she wanted to call over, she had built up a genuine affection for the little prince over the past few weeks. The prince had been personally helping her, and many other officers with various duties when the commander inevitably got fed up with him being around. Everyone had expected him to be a hindrance, but everyone had warmed to him instead, he seemed to find some way to help everyone in his own way. She could feel the major's icy stare though, she didn't seem to like the young prince being too familiar with her.

"I'm sorry Prince Wilhelm sir, I think that might be improper" she managed feeling the major's glare on her back, she suddenly felt like she had been put in the middle of something.

"Ok, maybe just call me colonel then, after all, I'm just a soldier here" the prince replied, shooting her a reassuring smile before turning back to the window.

"I learned to fly out here on a day like this," he said wistfully after a while. "It seemed so safe out here back then." He paused lost in thought for a moment.

"I suppose you both must have learned at the military academy, probably all business there," he finished looking over towards Visha and the major.

She couldn't speak for the major, but Visha had really enjoyed flight training in the cadet corps. Since she was a conscript less had been expected from her and her classmates in D battalion. So, they had more time to get used to things, and since everyone was in the same boat, everyone had pulled together to help out, so it had been a lot of fun. She didn't have the chance to share however as the commander shot them a look that said she wanted quiet.

"Sorry Major, I didn't mean to distract you" the little colonel smiled back, and the room fell silent once again.

"Maybe I'll go flying later, you could join me if you'd like, major?" The prince asked suddenly. Visha's eyes opened in surprise, was the prince trying to ask the commander out? Spending time flying together did sound romantic. She turned to her commander expectantly.

"We're not due for deployment for another 15 hours" the major replied levelly not looking up from her papers, earning a little chuckle from the boy.

"No, I mean for pleasure, not out to the front"' he replied with a roguish grin. You'll grow into quite the charmer with a smile like that, Visha thought to herself.

"It would be a waste of time and military resources" the major stated flatly cutting him down. "We can talk here if you need anything."

Ouch, sorry little prince, looks like she isn't interested after all Visha thought, feeling a slight stab of disappointment on his behalf. He was quiet for a moment and wore an unreadable look on his face.

"Then maybe you can come with me Visha, I can show you some of the countryside" he said smiling. He must be hiding his disappointment she thought.

"Lieutenant Serebryakov has her own duties to deal with, she has no time for you," the major said evenly and again the room descended into silence. Visha began to feel awkward as she felt the building annoyance begin to radiate from the commander.

"I suppose I'll just go alone then," he said with a disappointed sigh.

The major had stopped her work and was now studying him intently with a particularly scary look. Oh dear, I think you've upset her thought Visha, she knew from experience fishing for sympathy or trying to make the major feel guilty were complete dead ends, it'd only make her mad.

"You won't be going anywhere, colonel" the major began sternly, and Visha hoped her superior remembered that she was talking to a VIP. "You are in no condition to be in the air as it is, you're clearly exhausted."

Confused Visha regarded the prince more carefully, it was true, he did look tired. Dark circles enveloped his eyes, and the green orbs themselves seemed somehow duller. His shoulders drooped slightly, and he looked a little dishevelled. Now she looked at him closely, she could see it was obvious he was fatigued, she wondered how she'd not noticed before. At least it explained why he had seemed off. So, the major only won't go flying with him because she's worried about his health? She wondered maybe there is something there.

Abruptly all the fatigue seemed to disappear from the prince as he smiled broadly cocking his head slightly. "I'm honoured your so worried about me lady Degurechaff, but I'm fine I assure you," he said sweetly. It was strange, she could almost believe he really was entirely fine.

"Colonel, may I remind you that you are only an observer, if I don't believe you are fit, you will not be deployed" the major stated fixing him with a glare.

"Your concern is admirable major, I've just had a little trouble sleeping recently, I'm perfectly healthy, just ask Christina," he said confidently. Suddenly there was a knock at the door, and the prince's maid Christina entered with a stack of files and the prince's weariness returned as visibly shrank into the windowsill.

"I apologise for the interruption major, these files have just arrived from western co…." she stopped, and a frown crossed her face as she saw the little prince. "Prince Wilhelm, it was my understanding you were going to spend this afternoon resting."

Visha saw a glint enter her commander's eyes and a familiar predatory grin creep across her face. It seemed the prince had chosen the worst possible time to bluff and the commander wouldn't let this opportunity pass her by. Looks like you've been busted little prince she thought hiding a smile.

"I am resting, I'm just doing it here" he replied defensively looking sheepish.

"Miss Zerbist, do you believe Colonel von Hozollern, to be healthy for deployment?" The major asked innocently. To his credit, the prince didn't so much as flinch, despite being rumbled. The maid regarded the commander with a questioning look.

"Prince Wilhelm, when did you last sleep?" Christina asked curtly turning back to the prince. The prince was looking very uncomfortable now, as he shifted on is perch.

"I've had a few hours here and there, I'm fine Christina" he insisted but neither the maid or the major believed him, and both continued to pin him with a glare. He shuffled uncomfortably on his perch once again.

"I think I slept a bit 2 maybe 3 days ago," he said dismissively avoiding eye contact. Visha was stunned, they'd been deployed at least twice since then, he must be utterly exhausted. What could possibly have stopped him from sleeping? Unless she thought, turning to her superior, is his crush so bad he's losing sleep over it?

"I have no patience for soldiers who won't look after themselves, you If you don't rest you won't be deployed" the commander growled, as the prince seemed to shrink even further.

Looks like they're ganging up on you, she thought smiling as the maid stared at the major for a moment before nodding, I'm glad he has so many people that care for him though.

"I apologise for this oversight on my part major, I will see to it his highness is properly rested so as not to disrupt your deployment schedule," Christina said bowing, as the prince looked at her as if he'd been betrayed.

He looked like he might argue for a moment but must have sensed defeat, he was clearly too tired for a two-front war. As he left the safety of his perch, he grabbed his sword and padded over to Chistina. He bid them good night and she smiled back at him, as her commander continued to scowl. She heard the major murmur to something herself before she gave her the task of copying out all the new reports. Visha stifled a yawn, I wish I could go get some sleep too.

Xxxxx

March 24th Unified Year 1925

203rd Temporary Command Centre 14:30 hours

Captain Sophia Zerbist strode confidently down the halls towards the small private radio room behind the prince's chamber. Her young master had been keeping her quite busy these past few weeks.

Officially she was a liaison officer between imperial and Letzenbourg forces, although she certainly did liaise with imperial personnel, most of what she found out was only reported to the prince. Some might call her a spy, she just liked to think she was redeploying information to pay a debt to the young royal.

5 years ago, she and her sister were maids for the Grand Duke's household. The Duke had already fallen ill at this point, so the Regent's personal staff reigned supreme in the downstairs world of the servants. It was due to this she began having problems with the Regent's butler, the man was a pig and seemed to think that as he was de facto head of the servants he could demand anything he wanted from the female staff.

Her sister had been transferred to part of the youngest prince's personal staff, in the new shake-up instituted by pressure from the empire's ambassador. Sophia hadn't been so lucky, so had been stuck with the man's near-constant abuse. Gradually it had gotten worse and worse and as he was effectively in charge, she had no one to complain to. Eventually, it had boiled to breaking point.

It was late at night, so the laundry room had been empty, she had been cleaning the washtubs and mangles, a dull but necessary job that everyone hated. The Regent's butler stumbled in reeking of the Rhineland's finest vintages, swearing and berating her, calling her a whore. There was no point in fighting, so she tried to run. He caught her and threw her to the floor and his hands started to wander, she tried to fight back but he was too strong. Oh god no! she remembered thinking as his hands wandered to places they shouldn't.

"What are you doing?" a small voice said suddenly at the doorway, and the butler arose quickly in a panic.

"My Prince, what are you doing here? You shouldn't be down here, this is for servants" he spluttered angrily. The prince ignored him however and trotted over to her instead and peered at her with a look of concern.

"Are you Christina's sister?" he asked, "You look like her, I think I got lost can you help me find my way back to my room?" He said with an angelic smile. She took the opportunity her little saviour had gifted her and rose, taking his hand. The butler tried to object, but the little prince shot him an angry look.

"I don't want to go with you I want to go with Sophia" he spat venomously leaving the butler slack-jawed, and they quickly left before he could say anything else.

Now she was safe, she felt ashamed, she had been saved from the predatory advances by a five-year-old little boy, it was humiliating, and she fought the tears forming in her eyes.

"Are you ok? Did he hurt you?" he asked with genuine concern, and all she could do is bring herself to nod. He stopped abruptly and pulled on her hand, urging her to kneel to be closer to his height.

"You have no reason to be ashamed, I promise you we'll find a way to get back at him," he said pulling her into a reassuring hug.

She'd had little contact with the prince until now, but now she could see why so many said he seemed to be very mature for his age, he seemed to have an adult mindset at times. His body, however, was very much that of a child, and it seemed his tiny legs were getting tired. He looked at her embarrassed and she felt her spirits lift.

"I'm sorry to ask, it's just, I really did get lost and my legs are tired" he began stumbling over his words. Before he could continue, she lifted him, he thanked her quietly and they carried on towards his rooms.

"I wish I could just fire him for you, but I'm too young for people to listen to me seriously, besides he's my brother's favourite pet," he said bitterly, and she felt her heart sink once again.

"So, I suppose we're just going to have to find a way to punish him ourselves," he said with a mischievous look on his face. She remembered smiling at how cute it was that the young boy was trying to help her.

She had expected him to suggest some boyish pranks, but what they actually did was diabolical. The prince had a tantrum until his handlers let him add Sophia as one of his servants, soon after he would begin sneaking away from his lessons, much to her sister's chagrin. They managed to steal the butler's journal and spare key and the prince added a few incriminating passages here and there, before safely returning it to the man's desk. Next, they snuck into the regent's office while he was in a meeting and changed a few records to divert funds into the butler's new bank account in the Waldstätte confederacy, that the little genius had managed to arrange with a forged letter. Then it was just the matter of an anonymous tip-off to the authorities.

An investigation soon found the butler had been embezzling money from the royal family, worse still there was essentially a written confession outlining the entire scheme in his journal. Despite his protests of innocence, he was arrested and imprisoned, there were calls for him to be tried for treason and executed, but the regent had the sentence reduced to life imprisonment. She had been amazed all this had come from the mind of a 5-year-old, even if he was a genius. The prince had freed her and helped her get her revenge.

Better still, he'd taught her to think differently, despite her lack of strength she could now defend herself, especially since she could count on the prince to back her up. She would no longer be a victim, she just wished it was the same for her prince.

Less than a year later, on his 6th birthday, a communist sympathiser broke into his rooms at night. She hadn't been there, but her sister Christina had been the first to find the scene. Nobody knew quite what had happened, but when Christina entered the room, she found the prince dazed and, on his knees, covered in blood and shivering in fear. He was clutching a battered old cavalry sword that had been an ornament on the wall. Across from him was a man slumped on the floor dead with a deep wound in his stomach.

This was how the prince found he had magic potential, even without a computation orb or knowledge of how to use one, a talented mage can instinctively use basic formulae to increase their strength and toughness when threatened.

The experience changed the prince, she would say he became paranoid, but can you really be paranoid if you know someone is really trying to kill you? He began putting on a front in front of people, only she and her sister seemed to ever see his true self. He ceased to trust anyone and searched for hidden motives in everything and everyone, and he always, always kept the sword with him.

She snapped herself out of her memories as she entered the private radio room, it was a sort of open secret, only the prince's staff knew of it, but they weren't keeping it from anyone as such, just neglecting to mention it. She had to send a coded message to an acquaintance in imperial intelligence, she needed to send part of an encoded file she had found in the box the prince had her dig up.

In truth it all seemed a bit strange, he had told her to find the box, use the spare key to open it and copy the coded intelligence file within before putting it all back, the letter inside was not to be touched. It reminded her of what they did to the butler, although this time she was forbidden from decoding the message and reading it. It seemed that ban hadn't extended to major Degurachaff however.

That was another strange thing, he'd taken her into her confidence very quickly, almost impossibly so considering his trust issues. She suspected he was planning something, not for the first time she wished he was more like he was before the attack 4 years ago. More and more often he kept his plans to himself. Never mind, she had complete trust in him, she owed him that much, she would just pray for it to all work out.

She finished sending the message and carefully destroyed the copy as she had been instructed. As she turned to leave something outside the window caught her eye. A military staff car bearing the Letzenbourg flag had pulled up in front of the house and 1st lieutenant Wiess was talking to the driver as he passed him a pair of letters. She had a sinking feeling, she would investigate and then see Christina, she suspected things would get interesting, very soon.

Authors note

Thank you for reading

I think this is the longest I've gone without an update, sorry about that it's been a busy week.

The first half of this chapter was quite difficult to write in the end. I thought writing from Visha's POV wouldn't be too difficult but seeing as she doesn't see through the Prince, as Tanya does and she often misinterprets Tanya too. However, it felt like both were out of character. I'm not sure how well I've done on that front.

Second half from Sophia's POV I like though, it was nice to give you some of her and the prince's past as she and Christina are the only other ones that know about the Prince's act. He will get his own POV, but I've decided exactly when that'll be and it isn't yet. So sorry for the wait. I'll try to put in a bit more about his past before we get there though.

Hope you enjoyed, I've already started the next one so hopefully shouldn't be too long to ait for the next one.

Xanen