Tanya vs. the Empire
Disclaimer: Gate: Thus the JSDF Fought There and Saga of Tanya the Evil belong to their respective owners. Rated M for likely violent elements and extreme bouts of profanity within the story.
Chapter 4: Fateful Encounters Part 1
High above the skies south of Alnus Hill, a squad of mages of the Empire soared, on patrol and ever vigilant for potential threats within the area they surveyed. Lieutenant Weiss led this particular squad and his mind was half focused on the task at hand. He mulled over the fact that he was left in charge of the mage component, here in the Empire's foothold, by her superior, Tanya Degurechaff. For him, it would have been more to his liking to have accompanied the Major on her special mission. He silently shook the thought though. If anything, his assigned duty is equally if not more important. Without mage support, the Empire forces might lose the distinctive edge they have had over their anarchic foes here in this new world.
"Lieutenant! We've spotted a division size enemy force on the south road. It will eventually reach Alnus Hill." It was Glanz, calling in through Weiss' comm.
"Anything else you can tell me about it?"
"Well, their uniforms and banners are completely different. They must from one of the vassal states, that we've been heari- Wait! I see a small group breaking off from the main force. It appears to be carrying a large white flag!"
"A parley? Glanz, maintain your observation of them. Do not engage unless you think your squad is any danger. Understood?"
"Yeah. I mean yes, sir!"
"I'll be heading there to join you as soon as possible. To the rest of the units, maintain your designated patrol coverage areas and await for further orders!"
One of the horsemen spotted the fliers.
"Milord!"
"Hm. I see them."
"What should we do?"
"Nothing! Unless you want us to end up like those poor Empire sods? Besides, I'm sure they know what it means by bearing this thing."
The man leading the small squad of riders was referring to the large white cloth held aloft by one the horsemen. Obviously, it signify that they had no intention of initiating hostilities with the people they came here to meet. Not yet, and hopefully never. He was distinctive and an imposing figure, bearded and with a red eye-patch covering his left eye. Years of battle experience and governance have shown their wear on his weathered face, but at the same time retains a strong resolve that it bears. A resolve that speaks of facing any kind of adversity thrown at him.
"Milord! They're coming in ahead of us!"
"Do not do anything rash, unless I order you! Understood!"
The soldiers accompanying him loudly cried in affirmative as they continued their gallop along on their warhorses.
Glanz looked worriedly at the development below. While it has been a while since he had been given command duties, he is still sees himself as a novice and have a long ways to go in ordering men into what is required of them. He is glad that he has a senior officer at this time, and can be consulted upon if he's not sure of his judgment.
"Glad you're here Lieutenant!" Weiss had just hovered in. "You maybe right. They may seem to wish to parley." Glanz continued.
"Looks like it. But we have to be cautious." Weiss replied. The small group of horsemen are aware of them but they have yet to stop in their tracks. If left alone, they would eventually reach the outskirts of their base.
"Radio Alnus Control. Inform them of the situation. Will await for further orders." Their radioman nodded and began relaying the report to base. "All available units, cover me! I'm going in to see what this is really all about."
"Lieutenant!" Glanz cried as Weiss went on a decent.
"You're in command now, Glanz. If anything bad happens, I leave everything to you."
"Lieutenant!" repeated the young officer anxiously as his superior flies down toward the small riding party.
"One of them is coming this way!"
The eye-patched man looked and noticed the descending flier. This must be the moment, he thought. Upon his orders, the party slowed down their mounts until they came to a stop, waiting for the flying man to reach them.
Weiss eventually stopped in midair, several paces off the ground, hovering. He stayed a good thirty feet from the group before him, a lot of space still for him to have the advantage if things turn south. As he eyed them cautiously, he routinely activated his spell of translation, in order to get through with them without any misunderstanding.
"I am First Lieutenant Weiss of the Empire's 203rd Air Mage Battalion!" he began. "State your business here!"
"Why you..." One of the riders spoke vehemently. "How dare you speak that way to..."
"That will be enough!" The man with the eye-patch interrupted him.
"But, sire!" His liege gave him a stern look and he immediately became silent.
He did the same to rest of his party, quietly reminding them of who they were serving. After being satisfied, he turns his attention to Weiss.
"Please forgive my subordinates." he said with softened features. "I'm Duran. King of Elbe. I've come here to talk."
"Talk? About what?" Weiss was almost dumbfounded, but he already suspected of why they're here.
"I would like to talk to your leaders, about a truce."
There were surprised looks and audible gasps and murmurs upon Duran's entourage. The King of Elbe continued, not minding.
"We like to know more about you before we could commit a proper response."
"Oh?" Weiss uttered snidely, appropriately grinning. "What's there to know? Surely you know the disparity between our forces? Besides," his expression then turns scornful. "It was you who attacked us first. We're only here to pay you back in kind, and to make sure you never become a threat to us."
Duran's men were seething with contempt at this point but held their emotions at bay as best as they could, respecting their liege's wishes. But if they had their way, they would run down this insolent fool without a second thought. The ruler of Elbe however quietly took in this outsider's words, absorbing and mulling them over. He then eventually replied back.
"I cannot blame you. I could imagine what the Empire did your people and homeland. And while I say "we" did not take part in it, we are its vassals. Answerable to their call when needed. But that has not yet come to pass. For now we come here as a concerned nation, worried of the affairs happening here so close to our borders. If our scouts speak the truth of your force's strength, then there isn't any point of facing you with the likelihood of a disastrous defeat at your hands. That is why we've come here to talk."
Weiss could not believe what he was hearing. But then again these lines of talk are usually reserved for the higher ups and the politicians. He is just a regular soldier who follows orders from his superiors and he hopes the radioman has gotten hold of them on what to do.
"Lieutenant Weiss! HQ has ordered you to inform them to wait for a representative to meet them there. And, under no circumstances are you to initiate an incident. Over?"
"Understood! Tell them we'll do our best. Until then." Weiss finished while never leaving his eyes off the supposed diplomatic force before him. "Well...Your...Majesty." he mockingly struggled with the words, "Looks like you'll get your wish, shortly."
Colonel Rerugen personally came out to meet with the party from Elbe. After their initial, if somewhat awkward exchange, both parties decided to set up a formal meeting on the spot. It took some to time to set up but when it was done the formal talks could finally get underway.
A tent, provided by the Empire, beyond the Gate, was erected to provide shelter and relative comfort for the parties involved. Seated at the opposing sides of a long table, both groups eyed and mulled doubtfully at each other, wondering if these proceedings were worth it, judging from the circumstances they were in. Colonel Rerugen finally started things off.
"I am Colonel Erich von Rerugen, representing the Empire."
"So it's true. They are also called the Empire." voiced one from Duran's side.
This was followed by murmured exchanges among those of Elbe, causing them to be anxious and confused. Duran signaled them to be silent.
"Sir Rerugen, Before I formally introduce myself, may I suggest you refer to your camp other than the 'Empire'. If it's okay? In order to avoid further confusion among my subordinates."
Rerugen became thoughtful, fixing his glasses as he did.
"What about this? From now on, refer to us as the Fatherland."
"The Fatherland..." Duran hummed while thoughtfully stroking his beard. To him it sounded strongly appropriate somehow. An appealing alternative to the Empire. "Very well then...I am Duran, Ruler of Elbe, and one of the vassals of the Empire's southern frontiers."
The other individuals present introduced themselves. After which, talks of a truce were discussed.
"Why would a vassal state of the Empire want to have a truce with us? Won't they consider that treasonous?" asked one representative from the Fatherland's side.
Duran responded sagely.
"You're quite right. In fact, I've greatly pondered long, of the consequences of this decision of mine before finally having to come to meet you. But we are aware it was your force that was responsible of sending the Empire back here from beyond the Gate with their tails between their legs. Your being here only signifies you plan to finish what you've started. Am I right?"
Rerugen and company were thoughtful over this, and before anyone could respond, Duran continued.
"If that is the case, we wouldn't want to be in the forefront of having to face you and get beaten, or worse, when the time comes."
"Have you no pride, as a ruler of a nation?" asked another from the Colonel's party.
"My dear man, let me ask you this. How many nations have you conquered with your might? Where was the pride of those you defeated. Same thing with those who decide to do tribute instead face ruin and shame. Elbe was a great kingdom, perhaps the greatest of all. That is before we finally faced the Empire. But we came to realize that we were no match against them and eventually capitulated into their control."
Rerugen abruptly interjected, sensing where this talk was heading.
"King Duran, are you implying of defecting to our side?"
The king of Elbe took on a bemused look.
"Well...That is a very interesting thought."
But seeing that the representatives of the Fatherland where waiting for clear-cut response, the king of Elbe turned serious and gave them a reply which he hopes would be to their liking.
"Let me cut to the chase then. As King of Elbe, I'm offering the surrender my country and its people to your, Fatherland."
His compatriots were astounded by this sudden revelation. Again, he motioned them into silence, in order to continue what he intended to say.
"On the condition that you allows us to ally with you. And that any terms and conditions you impose on us for our surrender, be not too much of a burden to us."
Rerugen, like his cohorts, was speechless beyond belief.
"I'm sorry. This is just too much. Seriously?" He gave Duran a sharp look.
"Very serious." The king replied with a dead set expression.
Still somewhat shocked, Rerugen took off his glasses with a shaking hand.
"I'm going to have to consult with the General Staff. Maybe even the Kaiser..."
"Make it quick then, Colonel. We have gone out our way in taking this risk. It's only matter of time before the Empire gets a wind of this."
"How can we trust you?" asked one from the side of the Fatherland.
"How about this. I remain with you as your "guest", if you know what I mean."
"No, my Liege! That's totally outrageous." protested a retainer of the Elbe ruler.
"I'm doing all of this for the future of Elbe. I'm asking you to have faith in me. Join me, in making this giant leap of faith, my countrymen."
"My Liege..." lamented one on the Elbe side. The rest of the retinue seem to share the same sentiment, though they were willing to following whatever was required of them by their liege.
"Are you sure of this Colonel?" asked his aide, Bauer.
"We have to start somewhere. If we want this thing to work."
For Rerugen if things go accordingly, the Fatherland would have one less enemy to worry about in this world. At the same time, they would gain an ally that would be of great help. Not only bolstering their strength but also providing further information on this world, that would be vital in ensuring their victory over the Empire. Of course this requires approval from the higher-ups back on the other side of the Gate, but he greatly hopes they would see the wisdom of this opportunity.
Thoughts on Major Tanya suddenly creep in on his mind, making Rerugen wonder on how goes the mission she and her 203rd Battalion were assigned to by him.
"So this another world, huh?" chimed Neumann, admiring the rich scenery below them.
"Yes, it's hard to believe. If I didn't know any better, I'd say we were just flying over some countryside in Europe." answered Koenig, his usual serious mien softened as he shared his chubby companion's appreciation over the pristine lands they were flying over.
"Yeah, and it looks untouched by any conflict. It would be nice a place to settle and retire. Build a farm, raise a family..."
"That's a lovely idea, Nuemann!" piped Visha, romanticizing on the idea.
All this talk had Tanya peeved.
"Need I remind you all, that we're on a mission. We're not here for sightseeing. Also, better keep your wits about. We may be flying high above in relative safety, but you'll never know when someone or something might still make a jump on us. Whether it be some flying monster or anti-air artillery. We're practically still in enemy territory you know. So the next thing I'd like to hear from the lot of you, would be something contributory to the mission."
Her feelings dampened by the Major, Visha had to respond.
"You don't have to be too strict with them, Major. They have been battled-trained and have been through many engagements to know when to take it easy and be on the ready."
"You really think so, Visha?" said Tanya, a bit baffled by her aide's response but quickly reasoned. "I'm just making sure they get a chance to stay alive today. And tomorrow, and the days after that, is what I'm doing"
Visha brightened.
"You really do like everyone in 203rd. Just like a dotting mother."
"Huh?" Tanya looked in annoyance at Visha. "Don't say such nonsense. You make it sound so creepy. I just don't want to lose any valuable assets under me. It would be detrimental to the mission."
"Whatever you say, Major." Visha said with a knowing smug.
"What was it that the Major just said? Keeping our wits about, speaking only with regards to the mission?"
"Let it go Neumann. You know that the Major means well. Besides, those two, they're like sisters ever since." reassured Koenig.
"Gee, I don't know. It's hard for me imagine them that way." mused Neumann.
"This is Fairy Thirteen to Fairy One, come in! Over!"
Upon hearing the radio message, Tanya immediately went about in responding to it.
"This is Fairy One! Report Fairy Thirteen!" she replied.
"Fairy One, I've sighted a situation...My God! ...the sized of that thing."
"Focus, Fairy Thirteen! Give me a concise report!"
"Major, I see a flying dragon...but the size...even from this distance. I estimate it to be the size of a battleship!"
Tanya's eyes slightly went wide. She had no doubt such a thing could exist. This is a fantasy world come to life after all. Heck, the world she was reborn to - and of course the existence of Being X – defied all logical sense, but that's beside the point.
"Fairy Thirteen, has the dragon spotted you?"
"No, Major. The dragon is presently attacking a large caravan of people. It's slaughtering them as if they were ants!"
So the dragon is busy. Good. This will give us the opportunity to avoid an unnecessary encounter. A battleship-sized dragon? I'm not sure we could win from such a thing.
"Fairy Thirteen, return to the main group. Make sure your exit goes unnoticed, over?"
"Roger Fairy One, Fairy Thirteen now commencing return flight!"
"How did this happen?"
Kato, the local wizard of Koda village, bemoaned as the wagon he was on was being chased by the dreaded Flame Dragon, a nightmare monster from legend. Had it been a regular wagon, the monster would overtaken them already and ended them, but thanks to him, their wagon was enchanted with a flight spell. While it did not actually let the vehicle fly high into the sky, it allowed it enough lift to hover over the ground. In addition, it gave the wagon the speed that almost rivaled their draconic pursuer.
"We needed to get the Flame Dragon's attention away from the villagers! That's why it's following us!" Stated the matter of fact the blue-haired girl who was driving/piloting the semi-flying vehicle.
"As expected of my disciple! Truly you have an altruistic heart, Leilei!"
"No! It's not enough! Many have already died! And I think...we're next!"
"Oh no! But I still have a lot to live for!" He bemoaned while holding on not to get tossed off.
"Knowing you Master, I think I know why." She was thinking something belittling of her master while focusing on her driving.
"Hey..."
Both noticed Rory waving at them at a distance.
"Look! It's her holiness! I think she's trying to say something to us!" stated Kato while holding onto to his hat.
The girl, Leilei tried making out what the girl with the over-sized halberd was trying to covey to them, and eventually understood.
"Got it. She wants us to lead the Flame Dragon to her."
"What?"
"Hang on, Master!" She made a sudden wheeling turn with the wagon, normally impossible without magic and made a dash towards the waiting holy maiden.
Boy, what rotten luck. For the Flame Dragon to actually appear and attack the villagers during their exodus. Well, it's bound to happen eventually, but I never expected it this soon, not after all that rampage it did with Tuka's village. But, all that is now moot. The thing is here and killing left and right and I have to stop it somehow.
Rory readied herself, halberd firmly gripped. She wanted to give it one good hit before things get dicey. Perhaps, decapitate the thing. Possible, but it might be a stretch, even for her.
No time to think. It's do or die!
The dragon was almost upon the flying wagon when something seems to distract it. It began shaking its head, then on the last second lifted up straight into the air at high speed, disengaging from its quarry. Rory was of course puzzled as well as Lelei and her master, their plan in getting back at the Flame Dragon, as futile as it might have been, had been all for nothing. Or was it? The huge creature eventually came to stop and hovered, and seem to recover from what it was to Rory seemed to be trying to shake off some annoyance, unseen and unknown to her. It finally settled down and flew away from their spot, flying east, away from the caravan.
"Woohoo! We're saved! Way to go your Holiness!" cried Kato, as their wagon stopped beside Rory.
"No. I didn't do anything. The flame dragon just left on its own."
"But why would it do that?" Lelei wondered while looking at the dragon flying further and further away.
Rory came to one possible conclusion.
"Something else has caught its attention."
"I see Fairy Thirteen...Major! Something huge is tailing him!"
Upon hearing that from Visha, Tanya grew gravely afraid all of the sudden, knowing what that meant. Sure enough her fear was warranted when she herself saw what one of her men was leading back at them.
"Fairy Thirteen, you've got something on your tail! Speed up and lead it away from us! Will send out for assist, just hang on!"
"Major! It's too fast, its gaining on me! Help me Major! Help me!"
"Damn! Visha, you with me! Neumann, Koenig take half of the flight. We're going to flank the thing and get its attention off of Thirteen! Now, move!"
As Tanya ordered, the half of the 203rd further divided into two groups and sped towards to the rescue of one of their own, but they maybe too late as the huge dragon, in spite of its size, was almost upon him.
"Aaaaah! Save me! Save me, Maj-"
Thirteen's screams turned to wet gurgling sounds followed by the audible tearing of flesh and crunching of bones over the radio. One the mages shouted Thirteen's real name in despair.
"Berka!"
To those observing the scene, his silhouette appears to get swept away by the huge barreling dragon form. Without missing a beat, the flying reptile then begins to make a sudden turn and heads straight towards Tanya's group.
"Team follow me!" Tanya led her group away from the fast approaching dragon. "Put some effort into your orbs, men!" referring to the magical device each mage had which allowed them flight among other things. "Fly faster like you never have before, like your life depended upon it!" Each tried their best in meeting Tanya's expectations, in order to stay alive. "And whatever you do, don't try being a hero and confronting that thing, unless I say so!" Unfortunately, at that moment, one of her men goes against her wishes. It was the one who called out to Fairy Thirteen, who happens to be a close friend of his. In his anguish for the loss, he drops out of formation and turns to face the dragon while maintaining flight backwards. He brings out a dragon fist to bear and takes aim.
"This is for Berka, you bastard!"
He manages to send off the warhead towards the dragon but it easily dodges it by spinning on its traversal, causing the missile to pass harmlessly by. When the creature normalized its axis, it rammed its fully extended wing hard on the lone aerial mage, tearing his body in half and sending the parts hurting towards the ground.
"We've lost, Kowalski!" stated Visha, to her horror over the spectacle she witnessed.
"That idiot! This is why I hate people who think and act with their emotions! They always mess things up!"
"Major, it's almost upon us!"
Tanya made a cursing sound, looked back and saw that they had a few seconds left before the dragon reaches them.
"Everyone, scatter!" she ordered.
Tanya's group broke formation, dispersing in different directions, with each praying that they would not end up a victim to the rampaging beast that intended to end their lives. To their immediate relief, the dragon appeared to pass them all by, with the exception of their Major. The thing seems dead set in pursuing her!
"It's going after the Major!" One of them said.
"Now's our chance!"
"Shoot! Shoot! Shoot!"
Tanya's men tried to shoot at it with their weapons but the darn thing's speed outran most rounds aimed at it, while some of their weapons just lacked the range to reach. And even with the few hits they were able to land, none seem to do any significant effect or damage to its hard scaly hide.
"Major, it's going after you!" Visha shouted with concern.
"What the-" Tanya was vexed. Why of all the people among her group was she getting singled out. "Neumann, Koenig! Where the hell is your group!" She was beginning to panic.
"On our way!" responded Neumann in the radio.
"Just hang in there, Major!" added Koenig.
There flight was still half a minute away from her. And even with her team regrouping and making an offensive chase, the dragon would still reach her first.
Well, no matter, she thought. At least now she could go all out with the thing without worrying of endangering any of her men. She will try keeping it busy in order for her group to join her in the fight the soonest.
Tanya grinned, liking how she thinks. First off in her plan, bringing out a stick grenade. Give it a couple seconds of cooking after the safety pin has been pulled, and then flings it towards the pursuing dragon behind her. She made sure that her protective barrier was up against the shock of the blast and any stray shrapnel coming after that. The timing was perfect, the grenade exploded, and generated smoke, right in the dragon's face. Taking the opportunity, Tanya went high for a quick half loop over the dragon and shot it with several explosive spell enhanced rounds from her rifle.
"Take that! You scummy thing you!" Her evil glee turned to abject terror as the thing rose up from the smoke and dashed towards her, snarling, her attacks having not slowed it down. Tanya darted off, heading in the direction of her men with the dragon following her close by.
"Damn it! Is there no way to kill that thing?"
What's the matter, Tanya? Are your ideals not strong enough in dealing with this problem?
Recognizing the voice, Tanya turns towards the source.
"Being X!" She sneered, staring back at the dragon.