Ch 5
Sun Tzu: "Thus in military campaigns I have heard of awkward speed but have never seen any skill in lengthy campaigns. No country has ever profited from protracted warfare. Those who do not thoroughly comprehend the dangers inherent in employing the army are incapable of truly knowing the potential advantages of military actions."
The Valkyria could always tell the truth from her vassals
-Imperial mythos
The blood bond will bind its participants closer than true blood does
-Fhirald legend
Italics means Maximilian's thoughts
POV: Selvaria
Location: bedchamber
Time: November 2 1935 early afternoon
As usual I come to consciousness slowly, and to compound things, this time I am especially comfortable. I cuddle closer to the warm pillow I am currently snuggled against, its dim struggles barely register in my temporarily added brain.
A muffed sound reaches my ears followed by a clear Selvaria you're holding too tightly. That voice, and a clear command I would follow to the ends of the earth and beyond. I immediately ease my grip and open my eyes.
The sight that greets my eyes was shocking, Maximilian was beside me and was the warm pillow that I was so eagerly squishing a moment ago. He was still bare chest, which caused my eyes to immediately focus on anything else lest I lose control of my lower body again.
The wall behind him was filled with daggers, which would logically lead to the conclusion that we were in Maximilian's bedroom. I reacted badly, for the second time today I forgot to control my Valkyria strength.
I pushed with enough force to send him rocketing into the display of daggers clear across the room. A mindless blink, then I rushed over to him with a cry of anguish, pawing over his body to check the damage. It was extensive, all the daggers were thankfully sheathed but the blunt trauma was evident across his back.
Maximilian's mouth moved, but nothing came out but a hacking cough and some blood. I was on the verge of panicking when his voice came again crystal clear Ragnaid in the bottom drawer in the cabinet to the right of the bed.
I rush over and throw open the drawer but stopped dead when I came into view of that hateful blue glow. My past memories of being constantly surrounded by and injected with the liquid came pouring out. A hacking cough brought me back to the present, the person who rescued me from that nightmare needs that blue glow.
Crushing my phobia with the same ruthless determination that won my generalship, I grab the hateful/life saving ragnaid and rush back to Maximilian's side. Fortunately ragnaid is simple to use, given that it is distributed to all frontline soldiers.
I simply twisted the cap and allowed the ragnite to mix with the chemical solution which then produces the healing paste, which I then proceeded to slather onto his wounds. A few nerve wracking moments later and his back looks much better, I breathe out a sigh of relief.
A minute or so later, Maximilian forces himself into a sitting position, his face barely portrays anything as usual, however I can hear his moans in my mind. I ponder my knowledge for a moment, I heard Maximilian's voice clearly and obtained information that I didn't know before, but I did so when he also couldn't speak.
Maximilian's voice, his real voice, brought me out of my ponderings "well that was interesting" hopefully the rest of our midday actives won't be so stressful. He continued his real voice starting something and his echo finishing it "I can't recall off hand whether I ever told you about where I placed my emergency ragnaid." And the fact you seem studiously avoid even mentioning the stuff makes this very suspicious.
But perhaps realizing the tone of his thoughts he said "not, that I am ungrateful that you did find the ragnaid." Thank you, my lady valkyria. Great, just great not only have my valkyria abilities prevented me from having a normal life, now it seems that they will surely drive me mad.
Desperate to delay the inevitable I ask the most plebian thing that came to mind "So how'd I end up in your bed with you?" it wouldn't be the first time, when I was younger I use to crawl into his bed all the time if only to assure myself that this wasn't some wonderful dream that I wake from. I thought I had got over that habit after going to the imperial academy.
Maximilian gave me an odd look before responding "First I laid you out on the bed, then I sat down on the floor besides you, you wouldn't let go of my right hand, and so I decided to update the white paper on Fhirald's modernization. After some time passed you yanked me into the bed and then awoke." I haven't been sent flying through the air like that since I was a child.
That did it, the Maximilian I know would never say something like that out loud. I relay the information to him, trying to keep my voice from breaking "Maximilian, I think I can read your thoughts" I waited for the condemnation, for him to back away in fear, to call for guards to take me forever away from him.
Any sane and rational person would protest the invasion of mental privacy, and he is a prince, he obviously has more secrets than normal people. Secrets so potent that it could affect the entire empire. Surely any moment now…
Maximilian tilled my chin upwards to look him square in the face, it would be an understatement to say that he was excited. He had a look of barely contained excitement, like his mind was brimming with possibilities and he couldn't wait to test them all out. The only other times I had seen him like this were when a new weapon system was being demonstrated to him successfully, the most recent being the ragna cannon.
His voice almost purred with eagerness "lets test it out" this is going to be fun. He continued "I am going to review my family history, see what details you can extract." What dirty secrets I am keeping. It takes a moment for my mind to get over the fact that he was eager to be a test subject, so starkly contrasting my own experiences as one. But after a while of sit there on the floor staring into each other eyes, enjoyable, I heard nothing but the buzzing of my own thoughts.
The silence was finally broken by Maximilian who asked now somewhat more subdued "see anything interesting?" though I doubt it. I cautiously shook my head, I tentatively asked "what makes you so sure I saw nothing?"
He replied "when going through my history I spent extra focus on things that I was sure would shock and horrify you, but I saw no response during those events." Not that anyone would ever forget the image of that proud and perfect Schneizel hunched over a toilet throwing up his guts.
At that I managed to look properly scandalized and blurted out "You saw Schneizel throwing up?!" Now Maximilian was getting excited again he said "yes one of his generals challenged him to a drinking contest." His one weakness, he always needed to live up to impossible expectations.
He paused for a moment and then spoke, his voice confident "so, it's not telepathy but somehow you can read the undercurrent to my sentences" fascinating. He continued "I am going to blatantly lie to you, then tell you a half truth, and then a whole truth, tell me what else I was thinking." Let's see how accurate this ability is.
I numbly nod, willing to go along with anything he wants, still somewhat shocked. He starts off with a self deprecating humorous tone "I am superior to Lelouch in every mental arena and have never once lost to him." I have lost to Lelouch in almost every game we have played together, the one time we had a draw was very pyrrhic.
I repeated his undercurrents back to him along with a question about why he seemed so pleased with my newfound knowledge/abilities. He responded very pleased with the situation "this allows you to always understand my operational intent and speeds up our OODA loop" it also allows me to privately communicate with you, very useful in certain situations.
His undercurrent voice held a seductive promise in it. Oh my… well as long as I am useful to him and he is happy…
He continued "if Jaeger and I fought 500 years ago, it would have involved me chasing him in full armor with him riding away, every so often turning around and firing arrows at me. The winner would be determined by whether he ran out of arrows before he killed me." Only true in one on one, in a real war, my eagerness for a decisive victory my army would chase his and be strung out in a line until his ambush units hit my exposed sides and routs me.
Again I repeat this longer undercurrent and seriously ask "I thought seeking a decisive victory was the correct approach to the imperial way of war, I recall reading about one of our enemies saying 'the charge of the empire can knock down the walls of Randgriz.' Isn't our modern armored doctrine based off the cavalry charge?"
Maximilian responded, pleased beyond my ability to understand "yes it is, and yes it does work, as long the opponent has equal or weaker combat power than you." Fortunately for the empire, there exists no threat with greater combat power otherwise the limits of our doctrine would soon be exposed. "This is why I had Jaeger brought into my triumvirate, to gain another viewpoint of war, specifically from someone used to thinking about fighting with the weaker force." Did you understand all that?
I pause wondering why I wouldn't follow that, until I realized that he didn't pause between his statements. If I hadn't been able to simultaneously read his undercurrent and listen to his words then I would have been lost. Through what bothered me was I couldn't figure out which shocked me more, the speed at which Maximilian can adapt a situation to his needs or the ease at which this mode of communication came to me.
It felt like the most natural thing in the world, and that really bothered me. My valkyria powers are what set me apart, tore me away from my family and shattered my world, they have never given me any true happiness. Wait that's not true, without them I would never have been brought into my lord's grace, and the pleasure it gives him, I shiver just thinking about that.
Somewhat settled I wait for the final statement, Maximilian obliges quickly enough but with a conspirators quiet something I rarely heard from him "and the big secret to my success, to Zabot's continued innovation and growth, the peace to my paranoia is darcsens…" and not like other imperial companies that only use them for slave labor, so what's your judgment valkyria?
I rushed to reassure him "I have always trusted your judgment" even as the implications sunk in and doubts began to form. Even someone of Maximilian's stature and power could easily be toppled by the public outcry if they found out. Even the emperor himself may not be able to contain the peoples hatred of the darcsens.
My concerns must have shown on face because Maximilian reassured me with "Do not worry yourself over this matter; I and the darcsens have kept this secret for 15 years now." They are only my second greatest secret after all.
My curiosity burned furiously, and I blurted out "What's your first?" He looked at me oddly for a moment and then simply said "you are, your status as a true valkyria of legends." The darcsens are flesh and blood, simple to some grim reality, the valkyria have been gone for 18 centuries, now returned at last.
I can't understand the way he talks about the valkyria, as if we are all mighty hero's who can just swoop in and save the day. It conflicts far too much with my own experiences as a valkyria. I decide to turn the conversation back to the darcsens, much more comfortable topic, I have always thought of them as companions in misery, being burdened with 2000 year old legends as much as I have.
Realization hits me I ask about the last reports I had seen from Gregor "Wait, so what's your position on the Darcsen concentration camps?" His answer was a blink and "a mistake" a disaster, I found out about those camps the same time you did, after his death. He continued "As a senior imperial commander, he was supposed to be watching me, consequently I am not allowed to watch him as closely as I would have preferred." He told me he was collaborating with the defecting Gallian nobles, I should have asked what exactly he was collaborating on.
Satisfied with that response I ask about other subjects "So why the Darcsens? Surely another group could have provided what you needed? The southerners would be more acceptable."
A short pause as if he was trying to figure out a proper way to put things even though my ability will allow me to understand him regardless of what he says. He spoke in a logical manner "At the time the south wasn't subdued yet, besides they have their own saviors. While the Darcsen situation in the empire has always varied from poor to horrific, their oppressed status and lack of options means that they will both rally around a benefactor and diligently protect him." I have yet to be betrayed by a darcsen employee of Zabot.
He continued it seemed as if he had been waiting a long time to explain this "Equally important their technical culture combined with poor status means that they have repeatedly produced superior products at lower prices. Thus allowing me to break into well established markets, and take on old monopolies." Though it does bother me sometimes how easy it is to do so.
He finished with "And lastly discrimination against Darcsens is the last major universal prejudice on Europa, it's defeat will herald the dawn of a new more constructive age." And most importantly I like being a messiah, the intoxication of saving people is far sweeter than primitive bloodlust.
Such a base reason! My outrage and disgust is however immediately mitigated by what I am being outraged about. If Maximilian enjoys helping people, who am I to deny him that? After all its not like I have repaid him for saving me from the Valkyria research project. I mentally cringe at that, recalling the times I cried out for a savior, not caring about who, how, or why, but just to be saved.
And that was when I still had hope, after a while I accepted my fate to be test subject forever bathed in that horrible/life saving blue light. Realization hits me like Alicia's lance, the darcsens and myself, we could have chosen to reject Maximilian's aid, to make our own way in an apathetic world, to die alone.
Instead we chose to accept the proffered hand, to live on. Through later we may regret accepting Maximilian's help at least we be alive, there is neither regret nor respite in death.
My spiritual realizations finished I stare at Maximilian who is now dressed in his usual fashion and holding a stack of papers, he states "Come on Selvaria, we've kept Jaeger waiting long enough." If you accept my path and judge me righteous then follow me.
I leaped to my feet and focused my resolve into my stare and my voice when I declared "You are the one I have chosen to follow to the ends of the world and beyond, I am more determined than ever to continue that course!" That brought a half smile to his face, an image so rare I could count the number of times I've seen it on one hand.
I fell into step behind him as I usually did, only to squeak in shock as he pushed my lower back until walking by his side. I threw a dirty look at him, and while his face remained composed and calm, I could swear I heard a chuckling echo in my head.
I made my first blunder when I asked "how do you- what's your secret?" I was about to blurt out about Maximilian's Darcsen usage when I remember that we were not alone in the hallways. Fortunately he managed to cover up my mistake and provide the information I was seeking.
He responded in a jovial tone as if discussing the weather instead of ruining secrets "hmm, while I prefer your hair straight as it is, you could use hair curlers." That combined with hair dye and colored contact lens is enough to fool anyone.
I tried to keep up with the story he was crafting so I asked "well how does hygiene affect it?" he answered surprisingly quick since he can't read my mind "Somewhat overrated, dirty hair does not help curling." A through washing after playing with motor oil and not living in filth does wonders for the so called darcsen stench.
That understanding rendered me silent for the rest of the trip. When we finally arrived in the basement strategic command center, Jaeger was there waiting for us poring over the latest enemy movement reports. When he looked up and saw us a wolfish grin formed on his face and he slyly asked "So I can take it that you two have been enjoying yourselves for the last 2 hours?"
I was out for 2 hours! Then I realized what Jaeger was implying and I felt my face becoming as red as a tomato. Maximilian interceded with "if you call paper work enjoyable" alas nothing truly enjoyable happened. He handed the white papers he had taken with him to Jaeger.
We shifted positions, Maximilian and I started going over the movement reports while Jaeger went to side to review the white paper. In the interests of saving time I asked "Jaeger did anything important happen?"
To which he responded once again with that predatory smirk "you mean besides the long awaited consummation of your not quite secret relationship?" my face was still red from his previous comments so I instead decided to chuck a division maker at him. Poor aerodynamics meant that the supersonic projectile missed, embedding itself into the wall behind him.
I asked again trying to control the situation "seriously what has happened?" To which he responded with a scowl and said "The Gallians are moving even slower than expected, at this rate it will take another 3 days for them to gather their entire force. As usual the militia units are placed in the front and the army units in the rear."
Maximilian followed up with "not to worry, I have a plan to provoke the higher authorities into ordering an attack, I ask for both your participation" this should be fun. Jaeger and I both respond in the affirmative.
A half an hour later, Jaeger finished the white paper with a small mirthful shake of his head and a grin but I also saw a hint of sadness. He said "As expected of Maximilian, this plan looks like it will definitely turn Fhirald into a modern industrialized country. It is far superior to anything the federation gave us, I especially like the focus on public works, as opposed to walled enclosures."
Maximilian must have caught the hint of unease as well since he replied "I detect a 'but' implied, recall we are blood brothers now, feel free to tell me anything." Don't tell me that all that work still hasn't earned your loyalty yet.
Jaeger looked up sharply and said "yes brothers… then brother, I worry about turning Fhirald into sedentary society, about losing the nomad heritage that was the core of our identity." Maximilian responded "is that all? Then the answer is simple, don't give up your nomadic lifestyle. I see no reason why students cannot ride and read at the same time, I have even heard that a Fhiraldian could sleep in the saddle."
I was so used to hearing Maximilian's undercurrent, that the lack through me off guard for an instance. I pondered the lack, until I realized that it was simply because there was no alternative meaning behind that statement, despite his tone, he thought the question was genuinely worth answering.
He continued with "While certain things can't be made mobile, hospitals and factories, perhaps you should consider them like the way posts of the old empire, through instead of instead of changing tired horses you'd stop to get a health checkup." Yeah admittedly not the best solution, but modernization always tends to trample tradition.
Jaeger simply walked up to Maximilian and gave him a bear hug, muttering phrases "You truly are worthy of being called a blood brother to Fhirald. The fact that you have considered this by yourself means that we can rely upon you to help us find a way into the future."
Due to the angle from my position I had a clear view of Maximilian's face and the grimace he was trying to hold in, he managed to get out in a reasonable tone of voice "Please respect my culture in that grown men do not hug." Must resist urge to stab, remember Jaeger is not trying to kill you.
After a long moment Jaeger final pulled back, with his trademark happy go lucky grin and a not quite sincere apologize for his offensive to imperial sensibilities behavior. Maximilian took another moment to compose himself and then we went back to the task of trying to figure out how long it would take for the Gallian assault to wear out so we could push outwards.
Jaeger was not silent for long, asking "By the way brother, what are you planning to do with all those artillery pieces behind the citadel, given that they are all towed it would be difficult to get them into battle later on."
I responded first to spare the new found camaraderie between the two of them "Jaeger please do not get into the habit of calling Maximilian your brother, lest it weaken his image among the conservative factions of the empire." To which Jaeger replied "I wouldn't dream of it, sister."
Right I am bonded to Maximilian now, so through him to Jeager, at least according to Fhirald traditions. I made an exasperated sound and looked over to Maximilian who shrugged, and had a pointed it can't be helped look. I waited for a response to the question, since at their position, the artillery pieces, assuming they were the standard 76mm guns, barely have the range to reach the outmost of our defensive positions.
Though after some more thought, that may be all that is required. Watch the enemy infantry get hopelessly entangled in our defenses, then call in an artillery strike on our own positions. Our armored PIEs will survive while the enemy gets shredded. It is a highly workable plan, if brutal and lacking in military finesse: simple attrition warfare.
Maximilian finally answered "They will remain where are now and engage in fire support for the defense and predictive fire when the Gallians do break. Those are the latest 122mm guns similar to the one on your tank Jaeger, with base bleed rounds their maximum range is about 26kms. They are not currently attached to any of your armored divisions so the placement marker is wrong, there are about a 1000 guns positioned behind this citadel. Current ammo count is enough for barrel replacement at 1500 rounds."
I can't say who was more shocked at those capabilities, me or Jaeger, though I did recover first possibly because I was more aware of standard imperial doctrine. I stated somewhat robotically as I was taught "Doctrine currently states that massed fire is a thing of the past, tanks and assault guns will provide on fire artillery support by traveling with the infantry. How did you get so a large number of advanced artillery units on such a short notice?"
Maximilian rather bluntly responded "I backed the wrong horse." Gregor picked the right one. I waited for him to continue "During the military reorganization, the lessons of EW1 from the western front were being analyzed. I was one of those who believed that static set piece battles would continue into the future, so I invested accordingly into artillery and fortifications." Though right now I won't say that I regret my choice.
Maximilian inclined his head towards Jaeger and continued "More experience in fighting on the southern front with much better tanks, gave rise to the current imperial doctrine that focuses primary on tanks." Then he faced me and stated "This is the doctrine that you were taught at the imperial military academy."
Then Jaeger had found his voice and asked "how is it that your guns can reach 26km when the latest federation pieces I was working with could only do 10kms?" I knew so I answered "Federation guns have a much lower muzzle velocity than imperial ones, since ours usually have to do double duty as anti tank guns."
I switched my gaze over to Maximilian who nodded his approval at my explanation. Emboldened by the praise I ask something that has been brothering me for some time "What are the status of our armored forces?"
Maximilian hesitated for a moment and replied "Severely depleted, we have a total of 200 tanks most of the light and medium variety. Replacements have not been forthcoming because the federation front has been deemed a higher priority." Damn Schneizel what does he need more tanks for; his army is already stalled by logistics requirements.
Schneizel's interference is just something we will have to work around, 200 tanks is a bit low to drive through an army more than 100,000 strong. Then I realized another problem "The gates on the citadel are large, but tanks can only go through them in single file, it will be difficult to do anything with them except reinforce in piecemeal. And if Alicia does pick up her lance, it will be a turkey shoot."
I remembered that not everyone is up to speed when Jaeger asked "Alicia isn't she the girl that destroyed the Batomys at the battle of Naggiar? Wasn't that a lucky shot?" Confused, we both turn to Maximilian who with complete calm said "That's what my official story is, and that's what the two of you will tell anyone who asks you." I can't report to the empire that I lost the Batomys on my own personal quest for the Valkof, and that Naggiar was lost because our Valkyria is weaker than the Gallian one.
Maximilian went over to his desk unlocked it and pulled out a roll of film and preceded to set up a projector "Jaeger what you are about to see is not to be mentioned with anyone outside this room, the only reason I am showing you this is because I trust you." And the fact that no one would believe you over me, and that the evidence will be destroyed before it is ever used against me.
The film was in black and white, but it had sound which was remarkably clear despite the fact that I was some distance away from it, possibly the recording device was hooked up to the tank radio. The film itself encapsulated the entirety of my failed gambit to force the Gallians to surrender to the greatest myth they possess. Watching the Fight against Alicia again from another perspective was interesting, but unfortunately it did not reveal some great weakness for me to exploit.
Jaeger is apparently a very critical judge as his response was "Very impressive special effects I can see why you don't want other people to know how quickly you will monopolize the movie industry."
Maximilian was silent for a moment before responding "I can understand your reluctance to admit the Valkyria are real and on the empire's side, kind of a perverse fulfillment of standard imperial propaganda. But what about crushed door knob and the division marker embedded in the wall behind you?"
Jaeger responded "magic tricks, you're a master showman, you could have replaced the doorknob with a crushed one in order to boost faith in Selvaria's abilities. The supersonic crack could be some hidden speaker you play whenever the situation matches."
Maximilian raised an eyebrow and replied "Well that was certainly well thought out" I should make you the head of my magic shows. he paused for a moment before saying "Fine then, test it out yourself, shoot at Selvaria and she will block your shot with her sword." That is alright with you?
I nod my acceptance, I had asked Maximilian to do this when I first discovered my powers. I close my eyes embracing my powers fully and consciously, my body should be sheathed by blue flames at this point. I open my eyes, which are ablaze with my power, in this form my eyesight far keener than normal, telescopic in range and microscopic in detail but this is not what I use to detect the shots.
Another awareness forms inside me, the closest technological equivalent would be radar. It is 360 degrees and with it I can sense where projectiles are coming from and how fast they are mobbing. Another perk it gives me is that I can sense the chemical energy storied in objects, people stand out against the background, but mines and explosives burn like a torch to this sense.
Jaeger fires once the bullet is aimed to the right of my head. Feeling somewhat showy after Jaeger doubted my abilities, I decide to do something new, but that I felt I could have done for a while. I catch the bullet between my index and my middle finger.
A chair scrapes as Maximilian jumps to his feet, but my eyes are focused solely on Jaeger who in disbelief empties the magazine at me, no doubt thinking I am some kind of inhuman monster. Funny I felt that way about myself for the longest time, Maximilian seems to be the only one who feels differently.
The shots are un aimed and scattered, but still within my abilities to catch all of them, piling up the bullets till all of the spaces between my fingers on my right hand are fill with lead. Jaeger falls back into his seat in disbelief and awe, I casually flick one of the bullets back at him so that it grazes his hair. My accuracy is much improved in this mode.
Maximilian breaks the silence "Jaeger, I hope that was enough first hand proof for you." Selvaria, damn that was impressive. Jaeger looks grim when he responses "Then this war is lost, our armies will disappear in Valkyrian light."
Maximilian actually gave a short harsh laugh at that "Jaeger I have spent the last two weeks thinking up countermeasures, but most importantly power must be used before it matters. If the Gallians could use their Valkyria whenever they wanted, they could have won right after Naggiar." They can't for the same reasons I can't, no position to deal with the political backlash of having an ancient goddess reappear on this world.
Jaeger bounced back then "In that case I have a good trick for winning this war within the week. Why not deploy the tanks now and hide them till the Gallians tire? Naggiar had huge ditches in which tanks could hide, just cover them with dirt afterwards."
My direct experience at Naggiar lead me to respond "digging those ditches requires either a lots of time and effort, or lots of explosives which are hard to disguise." Maximilian cut in sounding almost eager "not if you hide the blasting with an artillery barrage. I need to range find all those artillery pieces anyway, and there's the added bonus keeping the Gallians awake during the night barrage. I can start tonight, Jaeger will you lead the counter attack."
Jaeger was also clearly excited but cautioned "Will our troops be alright working during the night and fighting during the day?" I answered, standard imperial doctrine "Troops are rotated during sustained battles like this, I imagine in 8 hour blocks, it also really helps that we have such a large fortress to put those tired troops behind. While it means our defending troops will be even more outnumbered at the outset of the battle, I'll take 20,000 fresh and well rested troops against 100,000 exhausted and shell shocked men."
Maximilian stood and asked "are we in agreement then?" well done. At Jaeger and my nods he continued "So in summery the current plan is to start an artillery barrage tonight which will cover up the construction of tank ditches that Jaegers tanks will hide in. Once he Judges the Gallians will break with a surprise charge, his units will rush forward and cut off the Gallian retreat. Selvaria will simultaneously launch a break out with the infantry reserves and envelope the Gallian forces. Get some dinner and met back here at 9pm we have a meeting with Gallian royalty."
Jaeger grinned and asked "Gallian royalty eh? Should we dress any differently? Do you need me to act like a foreign barbarian that threatens Gallian's national integrity and racial purity, brother?" Maximilian just shook his head and said "Your standard dress is fine, partly civil and party wild, the domesticated monster. Don't say anything unless I prompt you though"
At this Jaeger pretended to be offended with one hand over his heart and with mock hurt said "You afraid I will spill imperial secrets of dominion?" To which Maximilian responded "No, I am afraid you'll say someone to influence a young princesses mind." Her mind is my to influence.
Before Jaeger could protest his innocence Maximilian countered "For example should I be paying you to service the service women of the imperial army?" At this Jaeger held up his hands in defeat but stated "Selvaria is still more popular than me, did you know her pictures sell for hundreds of dollars, fully clothed."
I suppose if I was a weaker woman the amount of blood that has flowed to my cheeks would have made me swoon. As it was, I merely felt the desperate need to dig myself a hold and hide, preferably with Jaegers corpse. Maximilian attempted to defended me with "I am aware and I have personally confiscated all the available photos and had them destroyed to preserve the image of the imperial army." All those photos are in my desk, I especially like the nyan cat ears registration photo.
It is fortunate that my blood stays there for a while, else I be forced to explain why I am burning up at Maximilian's seemly innocuous and entirely proper statement.
Authors Technical notes:
Sun-Tzu quote analysis in the context of this chapter: long wars happen because idiots blunder into them. Maximilian's artillery strategy may have worked but when it finishes, he'll have to restock all those barrels and rounds which will cost a lot. Since the Gallian military seems to rely on human waves with its endlessly expanding militia conscription tactics, check out the last couple of Elliot reports, means that even if he does kill them all, he'll be left with a country with a vastly depleted population.
The imperial doctrine here is mainly soviet. Originally they thought that fire support could be delivered by assault guns and aircraft, it didn't work out and they when back to their red god of war, massed artillery.
A soviet 122mm had 20km range. While base bleed rounds are fairly modern concept, the technology has been around for a while. Same principle as tracer rounds, a charge burns at the rear of the round not to push it like a rocket, but to smooth the airflow around it and reduce drag. Range is extended by 30% hence the 26km.
The federation artillery is based on the American 105mm with 10km range.
Selvaria's extra valkyria powers were added both to explain things and for story purposes. The phased radar in her head explains how she can detect a tank round and defect it. The whole undercurrent thing explains why the Valkyria were not murdered in their sleep during the two centuries that they ruled. Alicia will have all these powers.
Ragnaid I assumed was a regeneration aid and not just painkillers and disincentives. This is based on the Valkyria rapid healing abilities which I assume is tied to ragnite usage.
Maximilian suffers from a severe case of enlightened self interest. That aside his helping the Darcsens came from the last few cut scenes when he seemed perfectly fine with having a darcsen as a bride, I doubt canon Maximilian cares about anything except whether it helps him and seems perfectly capable of taking huge risks to ensure a payoff.
Questions for Reviewers:
Storyline? Good? Bad? Interesting?
Writing? Do you enjoy the SAT words I liberally sprinkle everywhere?
Notes? Do you guys care strongly one way or the other?
Tikigod784 brought up an interesting question: should Kallen be a Valkyria? Could be interesting for the come power triangle between Maximilian, Lelouch, and Schneizel.
So vote on that, and please leave me a review, a few short words of encouragement is enough.
If I get 5 for this chapter, I have it up by the end of next weekend. Otherwise…