Chapter 11 Operation Red Carpet: Stage 2 Interrogation

40 years after the Great War

Londinium

Although it is the Allied kingdom that is famous for its espionage and intelligence gathering, the Empire had its own formidable covert operations organisation. The Abwehr oversaw all Imperial intelligence agencies and went to great lengths to gather information on friends and foes alike. Additionally, it is thought they were responsible for censoring information regarding the true identities of the Empire's Aces, during the early years of the war. This goes some way to explaining the difficulties finding information on the Devil and the Saint. – Andrew WTN special correspondent

March 24th Unified Year 1925

203rd Temporary Command Centre 15:30 hours

Tanya marched angrily down the corridors of the command centre, with the little colonel desperately trying to keep up whilst dressing himself at the same time. He had insisted on tagging along as soon as her adjutant had informed them that this 'spy' had been caught by his two captains outside Tanya's quarters. She did not have the patience to wait for him to dress himself, however, so now he was tripping over his untied laces, and attempting to button his shirt one-handed, as he followed behind her. He would probably have had an easier time if he wasn't grasping his sword in his other hand, but of course, he wouldn't go anywhere without it.

"Lieutenant! Where have they put the intruder?" she asked her subordinate tersely, this spy situation concerned her. Enemy agents infiltrating to find military secrets was expected, it was why they deployed guards, had military police and kept numerous things strictly need to know. What bothered her is he'd been captured breaking into her room. She kept no files in there, they were safely in her office under guard, and she had little in the way of personal valuables. The only thing worth anything in that room was the box.

She glanced back at her little follower, trying to find some sign of duplicity in his expression. He was supposed to be the only one that knew about the box and its contents. Her eyes narrowed in suspicion, surely he wouldn't try something so obvious to get it back, he'd pulled off far more complicated and subtle acts successfully, this seemed beneath him. Besides, it was his troops that found the spy, so his involvement seemed unlikely. Still, it didn't mean it wasn't part of some more convoluted scheme.

"He's been locked in one of the old storage rooms, Sophia and Hausmann wanted to question him straight away" reported Visha as she carried a bundle of the colonel's clothes for him.

"They should have waited till we got there" the little colonel murmured with a touch of annoyance, echoing her own thoughts. He had a look of concern on his face and his eyes seemed distant and lost in thought. She considered his expression, if his servants were acting on their own initiative then perhaps this wasn't part of one of his plots. This led to the worrying possibility that someone else knew about the box, that could spell disaster for both of them.

"Have the MPs been called?" Tanya called back as the lieutenant passed the prince his jacket and officers cap.

"Yes Ma'am, 1st Lieutenant Wiess had them called as soon as he found out, he said he'd meet us there," her adjutant replied. Good thought Tanya, she knew she could count on her deputy to get things done efficiently. Still, they needed to find out the spy's objective before they arrived, if he did know about the box, and it was revealed to the MP's, it would raise too many awkward questions.

Tanya noticed the decor change as they crossed into the part of the house usually used by the servants of such a large estate. It was plain and utilitarian, in stark contrast to the affluent decoration of the upstairs. They entered a large room, containing a few simple tables and chairs, it appeared to have been a rest room for the staff when this was a stately home. It had been more or less abandoned when the battalion moved in, as the troops had commandeered billets in the more luxurious rooms upstairs where they could.

There was a door at the far end, outside it were the three Letzenbourg troopers arguing with Lieutenant Wiess and his platoon. All of them stopped as soon as they noticed the group enter, turning to salute and bow respectively to their superiors.

"Major" Tanya's deputy began, "we have the intruder locked up in here, but we're having a disagreement about jurisdiction" he reported gesturing the tense-looking Letzenbourg platoon.

"This is the Prince's home, it's his security at risk, besides it's a Letzenbourg officer in there," Christina stated matter-of-factly, "we should question him." Wiess turned to argue but the little colonel cut in.

"Who?" he asked, eyes narrowing.

"Our good friend Corporal Clemes, my prince" the maid replied. Tanya grimaced, the name meant nothing to her, and she didn't like being out of the loop.

"Him again!" The colonel hissed hatefully shaking slightly before his habitual mask returned to his face. "Christina! I have given this house to the 203rd for as long as they need it, it is an imperial installation, the Major and her troops will question him," he ordered. The maid looked stunned and seemed ready to argue, but the prince merely smiled at her and she stayed silent. Tanya shot him a quick enquiring look, this seemed strange, why is he giving up control so easily? She thought, it wasn't like him to give up without a fight.

"I apologise for the conduct of my countryman Major," the boy said bowing deeply, "I understand the need to question him, I hope you don't have to get too rough on him. Should punishment be necessary, I will see to it personally that it is implemented." He continued, voice apologetic and sorrowful. All his earlier unease had disappeared, he now seemed unconcerned, almost flippant, even Tanya was struggling to see if this was one of his performances.

Unable to read his face she focussed on his words. Spies technically had to be tried and then would be executed, however in wartime, the definition of a trial was stretched somewhat, and command would accept the ranking officer's decision without question. The enemy would object of course but all nations knew what awaited their agents if they were discovered. Is that what you want? She thought, he obviously wasn't exactly keen on this Corporal Clemes.

If Wilhelm wanted to kill the soldier however, he would be disappointed. She had no intention of causing an international incident by ordering the execution of an allied soldier, let the MP's deal with that. After she questioned him of course.

"Please take Sophia as a witness for your Interrogation" he continued, "that way no one can blame you for being unfair to an ally." Tanya glared at him again, seeing the hint of a smile in his eyes, and she wondered if he'd somehow read her mind.

"You can fill me in later," he said giving an exaggerated yawn, before declaring he was going to rest up and summoning Cristina and Hausmann to follow. Tanya was now more confused and suspicious than ever, she had expected he would demand to sit in on the interrogation but now he seemed completely disinterested, content to leave his subordinate to go in his stead. Unless he was trying to distance himself from the incident, she couldn't see what motives he could have. She wouldn't lower her guard however, he'd already implied that Captain Zerbist was almost as capable with deception as he was. It might cause problems if she didn't take the captain in with her now however, she would take her own deputy in as well, just to be sure.

"Captain Zerbist, what did the intruder have on him when he was captured?" Asked Tanya, it was always advantageous to be fully prepared when going into a meeting. Although many wouldn't think of an interrogation as a meeting, Tanya had long since found that her past life experiences in the business world transferred surprisingly well into that of the military.

Sophia led Tanya and Wiess to a table in the corner of the room, aside from the usual paraphernalia used by soldiers, there was a small satchel. Within it were several unmarked bottles of clear liquid and several syringes and needles, she closed it back up, attached it to her belt and turned back towards the door.

"Ok, let's see him" Tanya ordered gesturing for her deputy and the captain to follow.

As they entered the room, she saw a man in a Letzenbourg uniform was strapped to a chair with a light swaying slightly above him. He was bruised and had a black eye, obviously, they had been rough with him as they bought him in. She looked closer at the prisoner and was surprised to notice she recognised him, despite the bruises and swelling. It was the corporal that had tried to forcefully take the colonel at the rail depot.

Tanya stood directly in front of the man, as Wiess positioned himself behind him, leaning heavily on the man's shoulders. Meanwhile, the Letzenbourg woman leaned against the wall in the corner, fixing the prisoner with a cheerful smile.

"Major Degurechaff, can I introduce Corporal Clemes of the Regent of Letzenbourg's personal guard," the young woman said, smile never faltering. Tanya turned and stared into the eyes of the nervous corporal.

"There are only 4 Letzenbourg personnel allowed in this facility," she began impassively, wondering if calling the stately home a facility was a bit much. "You are not one of them, corporal, what are you doing here?"

"This house is the property of the Duchy of Letzenbourg, I have the right to be here" he stammered obviously not believing the truth of his own words. Wiess leaned harder against the man's shoulders and he winced slightly, Tanya began pacing in front of him.

"Your prince allowed this estate to be requisitioned by His Imperial Majesty's armed forces under Western Command, it is now essentially a part of the Empire," Tanya stated, letting the words sit in the air for a moment. "Breaking into here without clearance is a criminal act against the Empire itself." She stopped staring directly into the corporal's eyes once more.

"It suggests you're a spy corporal, as a soldier, I assume you know what happens to spies?" she finished watching the expression of fear build on the man's face due to the implied threat.

"Major, please! I'm not a spy" he spluttered, "The Regent ordered me to check on the prince, that's all" he finished glancing over at the still smiling captain. Tanya carefully and deliberately took out her pistol before smashing the butt against the man's head, before carefully placing it back in its holster, while he yelped in pain. This world had yet to enforce any strict rules about the interrogation of prisoners, Tanya knew she could get a lot rougher with him if she needed to before any questions would be asked.

"I simply can't accept that answer," she said calmly, "you see it doesn't align with the current facts. If you were checking on the colonel, why were you breaking into my room?"

A cut had appeared on his head from her blow, and blood began slowly seeping from the wound. He looked up at her with tearful confusion.

"No..No, that's the prince's suite, he always used to stay there" the corporal sputtered fearfully and confused.

I wish you'd just be cooperative thought Tanya, I don't particularly want to do this, it's a waste of both of our time. She reached for her pistol once again, only to be stopped by a polite cough in the corner.

"I don't believe he's lying Major" Captain Zerbist said still smiling and Tanya raised an eyebrow at her questioningly. "The prince usually would stay in those rooms, but he thought it better to give them over to you for the duration of your stay, the corporal couldn't have known this."

Tanya processed this information, if this was true the box was not his target, perhaps there was some truth to him 'checking on the prince.' Still, they had been lucky, if he had somehow discovered and accessed the container it could have been disastrous.

So, if his target was the colonel, the question was why? The brat had hinted that he thought his brother wanted to kill him, but she hadn't really taken it especially seriously. After all, the little colonel didn't exactly seem the pillar of mental stability, however, it did explain why he wasn't sleeping, he was paranoid. For good reason it seemed, pointing a gun at people entering your room suddenly seemed perfectly reasonable if they are sneaking around with syringes. Still, it seemed like the young Letzenbourger had expected something like this and had put her in the firing line. She had been staying where any would-be assassins would expect him to be, she would be having words with him later.

"Yes, I was just here to check on him" blabbed the corporal "the regent is worried, we haven't heard from him since he was deployed."

Tanya started at the soldier in silence for a few more moments, before giving an exaggerated sigh.

"Of course, he didn't check-in, he's on a secret deployment as an observer with the 203rd, are you suggesting he should be keeping the Regent informed of Central commands troop movements?" she asked innocently. Seeing him squirm a little confirmed to her that there was more, so she pushed a little more.

"In fact, Corporal, you and the Regent should not know he's here at all, how did you find out?" Tanya recalled the brat boasting that he'd allowed the General to commandeer several estates that the Grand Dutchy owned across not only Letzenbourg but Belgiun and other areas of the Rhine.

"It was an educated guess" the soldier replied quietly avoiding eye contact and looking past her towards the door. By now a sheen of sweat covered his face and he was shifting in the chair uncomfortably, you're a terrible liar she thought.

"I see I've made a mistake corporal Clemes" she began, and the man looked slightly more hopeful. "I thought beating you myself would be enough to persuade you to tell the truth, perhaps Lieutenant Wiess would be better suited."

The relief drained from the man's face as she nodded to Wiess and he crossed in front of the prisoner before punching him hard in the stomach, knocking the wind out of him. "Now let's try this again," Tanya added as he tried to catch his breath.

"A…A supply officer in western command, I don't know his name, we persuaded him to give the location for the Duke's invitations," he explained desperately. "Please I really was just here to check on the prince!" he uttered in a pleading voice.

Tanya Sighed, she would have to ask the general to overhaul his security procedures, what a travesty, no doubt this would cause a mountain of extra work for her.

She reached for the Satchel on her belt and slowly produced the needles in front of the man. His eyes widened as she drew some of the liquid into one of the syringes, and Wiess began looking a little worried, and the smile had now disappeared from the female captain's face.

"I can't help but wonder why anyone would need this to check on somebody," she said inquisitively, holding the needle in front of his face.

"I….it's medicine, the prince has the same sickness as the Grand Duke, it runs in the family, we kept it secret, he's not right in the head, you must have noticed" the man babbled desperately. By now Sophia's smile had become a hateful scowl, even Wiess was bristling at the implied insult to their comrade.

"The boy is more unstable than anyone else, he's dangerous," he continued pleading. "He's insane, he…." He was cut off by another strong punch to the gut from Wiess, the lieutenant turned and bowed apologetically to Tanya.

"Apologies Major, I can't allow an insult to my commander or my comrades to go unpunished, Prince Wilhelm has proven himself a worthy friend to both you and the battalion." Said Wiess, Tanya was both pleased at his loyalty and slightly concerned at how quickly the little colonel had gained the respect of her troops. She accepted his apology and returned her gaze to their prisoner.

As much as she wanted to agree with the man's assessment of the 'prince's' insanity, his reasoning for it was fundamentally flawed. If the illness ran in the family, the little colonel couldn't possibly have it, she knew he wasn't really related to them. She had heard the illness the Grand Duke degenerated his mental faculties, he wouldn't be able to deal with the various magical formulas required to be a flight mage if his mind was failing. Besides, it took a lot of brainpower to keep up with all his lies and mind games, let alone orchestrate them.

"If this is just medicine," she said slowly looking him in the eye with an evil grin, "You won't mind me testing it on you." She slowly began moving the syringe closer to the prisoner, his eyes widened with fear and he began leaning away. Wiess grabbed him and she edged ever closer to his neck, she thought he might call her bluff for a moment but as soon as the needle touched the skin he cried out.

"Please stop! I don't know what it'll do, I don't know what's in it" he implored, and Tanya grinned in victory.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door, she placed the syringe back in its bag and called out.

"Sir, the MP's are here to take away the Intruder" a soldier called through the door. It seemed they were out of time, still, she'd learned enough. The box was safe, but Wilhelm's paranoia was well-founded, fear was a powerful motivator, she could use that against him if he tried anything.

Xxxx

203rd Temporary Command Centre Commander's Office 17:30 hours

Why exactly did they have to spend so long interviewing me? I'm not the spy thought Tanya with annoyance as she entered the small anteroom adjoining her office. She briefly wondered if the lengthy debriefing and questioning was why the brat had elected to skip the interrogation, but dismissed it, he could probably weasel out of that sort of meeting if he wanted anyway. Lieutenant Serebryakov rose from her desk in the corner to salute and Tanya just waved her to carry on.

"Some coffee please lieutenant" she requested rubbing her temples, she could feel a headache coming on.

"There's already some waiting inside Major" her subordinate began, she was about to continue but Tanya cut her off with a quick thank you and entered her office. She was beginning to feel tired and wanted nothing more than to finish her work, have a bath and sleep before her next deployment. She would also like to arrange new quarters after the incident, but that would probably mean seeing the little colonel, and she wasn't particularly in the mood for that right now.

As she entered her room nostrils were filled with the familiar smell of her favourite form of caffeine, and her eyes fell on the gratifying steaming pot on the small coffee table, by the sofa's she used for more informal meetings. Unfortunately, the pleasant scene was utterly ruined by the presence of a sword and a box sitting by the pot and a small but familiar figure reclining on one of the couches.

Wilhelm had either not noticed her enter or had not bothered to acknowledge her. He seemed engrossed in reading the latest copy of The Londinium Times, that had a large headline proclaiming, 'unrest building in Imperial occupied territories.' She didn't bother asking how or why he was here, he no doubt could enter any of these rooms any time he wanted, and he obviously wanted to hear about the interrogation.

She crossed the room and poured herself some coffee and took a sip, ignoring the colonel as she sat. It may have been childish, but she wasn't going to volunteer any information without him asking for it, he'd done nothing but cause her trouble today.

It seemed though, that the captured corporal wasn't the only person that had been breaking into her room, however, she recognised the box on the table as the one that was supposed to be hidden in her suite. Wilhelm put down his paper and poured himself a cup too before looking up at Tanya expectantly.

"I moved the box in case the MP's felt like searching your rooms" he explained following her stare. "I'd appreciate it if you hid it a little better in future, I'd rather not have my life destroyed because one of your subordinates gets over-enthusiastic with the cleaning" he finished broodily.

She supposed she couldn't be too upset about him moving the box, after all, he had the most to lose if it were discovered. However, breaking into her room was unforgivable, she would find some way to punish him for it. She took the key from the chain on her neck and carefully opened the box and checked its contents, everything was still there, she breathed a sigh of relief.

"The amount of trust you have in me is truly inspirational" he sulked sarcastically.

"Ignoring all the other reasons I shouldn't trust you, you put me in a room you expected at be attacked in and then broke into it to steal from me," she said dryly, "you're hardly doing much to gain my trust."

He sighed, looking tired. "I didn't break into anywhere, I knew you'd be upset so I arranged for you to change rooms, Visha found the box as she was moving your things" he began explaining, "and I expect to be attacked wherever I am, why do you think I can't sleep" he finished bitterly. This was the first time he'd spoken so openly about his fears, and he appeared sincere. It seemed she had been mistaken, perhaps his paranoia was contagious.

"What did our friend have to say for himself?" the colonel said eventually, he obviously wasn't expecting an apology, which suited Tanya fine as she didn't intend on giving him one. "was he going to drag me back or just finish me off here and now?"

The boy had become sullen and withdrawn, he had somehow appeared to shrink. He seemed fearful like he had in the rail car, without all his plots and acts he was nothing but a scared little boy she realised.

Tanya produced one of the bottles that she had, 'neglected' to hand over to the MP's and placed it on the table. He picked it up studying it, and she, in turn, studied his expression. The look in his eyes told her that he recognised it, but he registered no shock, just a faint look of sadness and disgust.

"I suppose he said it was medicine," he said quietly placing the bottle down and staring up at the ceiling. "I'm sick in the head, just like dear old daddy" he continued bitterness seeping back into his voice. He paused for a moment. "I suppose…." he began before returning to silence, "never mind, you wouldn't believe me anyway." He snapped his head back down and he glared at her angrily, "I'm almost surprised you didn't just hand me over to him there and then, after all, I'm just a crazy war maniac to you."

Tanya felt a strange sense of calm, despite his attitude, it seemed for the first time the boy was being entirely honest with her, and the uneasiness that she usually felt around him disappeared. She felt a smile tug on her lips, it felt like they were finally on a level playing field, and on a level playing field, she would always win.

"Your right, I do think you're insane, I just happen to know it's a different kind, after all, who knows what runs in your family," she said trying to keep the smugness from her voice. She saw him wince but was a little disappointed he didn't bite back, she had actually come to enjoy their verbal sparring. Instead, he just stared at his feet looking despondent.

"That is the same medicine they give the Grand Duke," he began explaining in a quiet voice, "I'm told that Prince Wilhelm Viktor von Hozollern was given that drug almost from birth. Its side effects make you incredibly weak and sickly." He had now begun breathing hard and his eyes had glazed over, his hand began quivering and he hid it behind his back. "It makes you dizzy and doubt your memories, I took it until I was 5, I was fine afterwards." He took a few deep breaths and looked up at her.

"There's also republican and communist sympathizers, both have tried in the past" he continued looking at his sword with worry. "And I can't go to the Imperial court… not yet."

What are you not telling me Wilhelm? She thought.

"I promise, I will do everything I can, to get you anything you want Degurechaff, just keep me safe a few more months" he begged. His eyes were wide, and although she knew her reading on his truthfulness wasn't perfect, he seemed he was still being sincere.

"What will happen in a few months?" she asked, she want willing to commit to anything more without more information.

He looked hurt, almost disappointed, he finished his coffee with a grimace and stood up, before wandering towards his perch by the window.

"I can't tell you," he stated sadly. Tanya stood and started marching towards the door.

"Please wait," the boy pleaded but she carried on towards the door "Friedrich Canaris, that's why I can't tell you" he called as she reached handle of her office door. She stopped and turned, fixing him with a glare that would make medusa jealous.

Vice Admiral Friedrich Canaris was part of the Imperial Supreme high command, but most importantly he was head of the Abwehr, the branch of the Emperor's court that oversaw all foreign, domestic and military intelligence. It was said that if a soldier sneezed in Dacia the admiral would know about it before the soldier received a tissue. She supposed she shouldn't have been surprised that the brat associated with people like him, he'd spent time in the imperial court after all. It also explained how he had managed to pull so many strings so quickly.

"All I can say he has plans, and I can't share what I know with you," the little colonel said with a pained look. She sighed, if what he was saying was true, then the brat couldn't share information without revealing top-secret information. If he were branded a traitor, it would be just as bad if not worse than if she revealed his secret. She narrowed her gaze at him, what have you got me mixed up in Wilhelm?

"He'll be at the Duke's party next week, in truth getting you to meet him was how I was going to advance you anyway" he explained.

"You're still going? After all that today?" Tanya asked incredulously, the regent had sent someone to drug him, and now he was going to casually visit as though nothing had happened.

"No, we are" he stated flatly, "They'll be too many Imperial personnel around for my brother to try anything and I'll have White Silver keeping me safe" he finished growing more cheerful.

"I don't recall agreeing to that" Tanya said through gritted teeth. She felt like she was losing control of the situation again, I should just throw him out and be done with it! She thought. The little colonel looked disappointed again and sighed before calling out.

"Visha, I think the Major would like to see the telegram now" he shouted towards the door.

Shortly after Tanya's loyal adjutant appeared and passed her two pieces of paper before quietly exiting again. It seemed to be the encrypted and decrypted versions of the same message, she read it with a deep feeling of foreboding.

+TO: MAJ VON DEGURECHAFF FROM: VADM CANARIS 24th MARCH 1925+

+MAJOR DEGURECHAFF, WE APPRECIATE THE HELP YOU HAVE PROVIDED PRINCE WILHELM THUS FAR, AND THE GOOD WORK KEEPING HIM OUT OF HARMS WAY.

WE REQUEST YOU CONTINUE TO ASSIST IN HIS ENDEAVOURS.

FOR THE GLORY OF THE EMPEROR AND THE VATERLAND+

Tanya sat down in her chair in dismay, she was trapped. When a member of the high command 'requests' something, it was just an order phrased politely. She was well and truly stuck with the brat for the foreseeable future. She glared at the little colonel expecting to see a smug look of victory but was surprised to see an apologetic smile instead.

"You can call and verify it if you want," he said quietly, "I wish you'd have just agreed, I'd prefer you to be a willing ally."

"I should be getting overtime for this" Tanya said eventually sighing heavily.

"I'll make it up to you," said the colonel returning to his usual self. "Well I better get some rest, my commander said I can't be deployed until I get a good night sleep" he grinned innocently. "You should rest too Major, I've still got to teach you to dance."

Authors Note

These chapters are getting longer, so let me know if you think I should break them up more. I wanted to cram so much more stuff in here and more POV's but I kinda had to stick with Tanya just to get the story through (because I'm too stubborn to put the prince any earlier than I originally planned).

I probably could have stretched these out a bit more but its mostly set up and I'm hoping to get to Arene in 2-3 more chapters tops. Although one might be a bit filler ish, there's a bit that's in the Manga that sits in the month between and I don't really want it to seem like nothing happened for a month. Besides, there is a war on.

Well, I hope you enjoyed the chapter and as always, thank you for reading.

Xanen