Trial by Steel and Fire
Evening, November 1924
Imperial Army Base 14
Capitol City Berun, Empire
“Attention battalion! A message from the Commander!” the Vice Commander of the 203rd Aerial Mage Battalion, First Lieutenant Weiss announced.
He and Second Lieutenant Viktoriya Serebryakov were standing atop the wooden platform at the head of the room. Facing them were the remaining members of the Imperial 203rd Aerial Mage Battalion, assembled and ordered by Company. Each group looked ever the picture of well-conditioned troops.
It wasn’t entirely perfect. A few were slightly out of step. More than one had a somewhat lopsided helmet or a set of bleary eyes. They were the strongest mages, technically, and to the untrained eye, they would appear the picture of elite.
But they hadn’t earned ‘elite’ status. Not yet. Just the same as the name of ‘battalion’ had not fit them until after their first conflict, so too did the term of ‘elites’ not yet apply. They had the training, the skills, and the equipment.
The upcoming campaign in Norden would remedy this. Experience would make them true elites, or they would die in the process.
Weiss stepped to the side of the platform opposite of Viktoriya as Major Tanya von Degurechaff stepped up.
“My battalion, perhaps you’ve heard already, but we have new orders from the General Staff. We’re heading to Norden.”
Tanya glanced around. Firm, calm expressions met her gaze. That was good. They were strong. Confident.
They needed to be stronger. They needed to keep that confidence from verging on arrogance.
They had trounced Dacia utterly. Such an easy win was bound to create unwanted and unhelpful expectations. Norden would fix that. It would show her battalion the true meaning of war.
A trial to truly test their merit. Then, they would be elite enough to survive anything.
“Just like in Dacia, the General Staff wants our aid in pushing back the Entente Alliance. For good, this time. Congratulations, we’ve become gun-toting, magic-wielding janitors.” Tanya gave the group a smile akin to one of her many her devilish expressions back during the 203rd’s harsh training.
They were suitably afraid. Doing anything other than their best would surely lead to more Hell, and that was exactly what Tanya wanted them to think.
“However, unlike Dacia, this will be no easy rout. As janitors, we get the toughest and dirtiest jobs.” Interspersed chuckles met her this time, a bit of nerves still holding most of her subordinates in place. “A trial by steel and fire awaits you. You will all face adversity unlike what you’ve seen so far. Be glad, my battalion. The real war you’ve been hoping for is longing desperately for your performance. You wouldn’t dare leave her wanting, would you?”
“No, Major Commander!” Came the echoed reply.
Tanya’s grin sharpened. “Good. Now, the General Staff has an announcement just for you. First Lieutenant Weiss.”
“Yes Ma’am.” Weiss and Tanya exchanged places.
“Battalion! Joyous news! Our unit is now the official Rapid-Response Unit answering directly to the General Staff. Rejoice. We are to be worked like horses racing up and down the frontlines.” Weiss’ serious expression shifted into a grin. “However, they appear to have prepared carrots as a reward. That being said, they aren’t free. Work your hardest to earn the incentives prepared by the General Staff.”
The Vice Commander nodded to himself.
“But worry not. We will have plenty of opportunities up North. Our assignment is under the Northern Army HQ’s command as the Central Dispatch Group. Furthermore, we will be putting into practice new experimental tactics devised by the General Staff themselves.”
Weiss crossed his arms and puffed out his chest. He was clearly taking pride in his announcement, which was exactly the kind of attitude Tanya liked to see.
“It’s time to show that we can have a picnic without trouble or issue. At exactly 1800 hours, one hour from now, we will launch on our long-distance flight to the Norden rallying point. The Company Commanders will stay and discuss the flight plan now. Second Lieutenant Serebryakov, First Lieutenant Koenig, and First Lieutenant Neumann, with me.”
Weiss, the captain of the Second Company, stepped off to the side of the platform as his fellow Company Commanders and the First Company’s backup Commander walked to meet him.
While the four chatted off to the side, Tanya stepped up front once more. The attention of the room shifted to her immediately.
“Now then, while the Company Commanders enjoy their discussion, I have a more… personal announcement for the battalion. It’s just something I’ve noticed, so take it as a friendly warning from your Head Commander.” Tanya held out a hand. “The situation in Norden has been a stalemate ever since the relocation of the Central Army to the Rhine Front. Even factoring in this relocation, by now our superior military prowess should have pushed the Entente out of Norden. The Entente Alliance is one of the weakest militarily among the Great Powers. It is my own opinion that this doesn’t add up.”
The Major clenched her hand into a fist. “The Entente Alliance is managing to compete with us, even if only barely. Therefore, some other power is likely at work here. The Entente Alliance is not our only enemy up north.”
“Commander?!” Weiss looked up and voiced his surprise. This was the first he was hearing of this.
“First Lieutenant Weiss, this is merely an informed speculation on my part.” Tanya glanced over. “However, I’d be extremely surprised if I was wrong. It’s common sense. How else could such a weak nation fight equally against our Fatherland.”
She turned back to the rest of the 203rd. “Some other nation, be it the Francois Republic, the Allied Kingdom, or someone else entirely, is sticking their nose where it doesn’t belong. Do you understand what that means? How about it? Isn’t it great? Our assignment in Norden will be a grand stage, peeped on by the world’s greatest powers. I’m sure you’ll all do your best, right?”
“Yes, Major Commander!!”
“Excellent. Very well, my battalion. The operation is a go. We will destroy anyone in our path. Glory to the Empire!”
“Glory to the Empire!!”
-=-=-=-
Morning, 1924
Norden Military District, Kraggana Supply Depot
Norden Peninsula, Empire
“Viper 02, this is Norden Control. What’s the situation up there? Over.”
Viper battalion’s second-in-command spared a quick look around. The Head Commander had been forced to retreat with two others due to injuries and exhaustion, they were under fire from numerous enemy mages, those same enemies had reinforcements on the way, and to top it off, several bombers were about to pass over their position.
“Norden Control, this is Viper 02. The situation is… well, you ever been fisted up to the elbow before?” The Vice Commander jolted to the side, barely avoiding losing his head to an enemy’s piercing spell. “We have bombers incoming, and our forces are depleted and outnumbered! Sniping is impossible with the enemy’s mages still attacking, over!”
“…Norden Control, roger. The Kraggana Depot is essential. Do not let it be bombed at any cost, over.”
“Viper 02 to Norden Control, if that’s the case, then-”
“What? Really?!” The radio operator interrupted what was sure to be a heartfelt, final monologue from the Viper Vice Commander.
“Norden Control?”
“Norden Control to Viper 02. Withdraw your battalion immediately. I repeat. Viper Battalion is to withdraw immediately, over.”
The Vice Commander blinked in shock. “For real? Is that really okay? Norden Control, what’s going on? Over.”
“Rejoice, Viper Battalion. An augmented mage battalion is on the way. It’s a Rapid-Response unit dispatched from Central. Call sign: ‘Pixie’. And the Head Commander is… shit, it’s the White Silver! Ah, sorry about that. Over.”
“The White Silver?!” The Viper mage exclaimed, idly dodging a potshot from the enemy. “Ahem… Even so, Norden Control, what about the bombers? Do we have interceptors ready? Over.”
Static met his question. A moment later, the answer came through.
“…Viper 02, Pixie Battalion has denied any offers of assistance, including interceptors. The White Silver told Control herself: ‘We don’t need help. Just sit back and watch’. Hurry and pull back, Viper. Norden Control, out.”
The line went silent.
“Tch.” The Vice Commander shook his head. “Just how powerful can they be? Are Central mages really so arrogant?” Putting a hand to his throat, he projected a battalion-wide communication spell. “Viper Battalion, withdraw to Kraggana Supply Depot! Reinforcements from Central will take our place. I won’t repeat myself. Move!”
-=-
“Now, my battalion, do you remember what I told you just a day ago?” Tanya broadcasted to the others as she floated back with First Company. The rest of the 203rd listened in while beginning to pursue their objectives.
Her plan was simple. The Second through Fourth Companies, led by Weiss, Koenig, and Neumann respectively, were to attack the enemy’s vanguard. Meanwhile, Tanya’s First Company, led by Viktoriya, would fly over top using their superior magical ability and probe the rearguard. After that, they’d pinch the enemy mages and destroy them from all sides.
“That it doesn’t count as stripping if no one is paying you?” Weiss quipped over the radio.
“Well, I did say that during our flight over, but no.” Tanya responded humorously. “I meant the part about doing your best and enduring the trial by steel and fire that awaits. I meant what I said then, and to this end, I prepared a challenge for you all. Just now, I turned down Air Force reinforcements from Norden Control. Today’s struggle is ours alone, my battalion. Victory rests on our shoulders alone! Isn’t that great?”
“Yes, Major Commander!” Came the call from the 203rd’s Company Commanders. Such hard workers they were. How lucky she was to have such a group of war maniacs under her command. How lucky for them to have such a caring and thoughtful Head Commander like herself.
“Additionally, I’ve attached a carrot for you all. Whichever Company performs the worst will front the bill for tonight’s celebration. I ordered several vintage wines famous around upper Norden, so do your best to not go bankrupt!”
“YES, MAJOR COMMANDER!!” The call was much louder this time as each Company took off faster than ever. Their Commanders’ wallets were on the line, after all.
“Major, shouldn’t we get going?” Her adjutant and flight partner interjected. “We don’t want to lose, right?”
“Hmm. I suppose so. You’ll have to try and win without me though.” Tanya looked up. Ah, there they were. Right on time. “I have a plane to catch. Several planes, actually. You see, I thought about it on the flight over, and figured that while I’m here I might as well become an Air Force Ace as well. Really round out my career, you know?”
Warrant Officer Teyanen floated up beside them. “Commander, you make good jokes.”
“I wasn’t joking.”
“But Major, you need to fly a plane to be an Ace in the Air Force.” Viktoriya responded.
“Really? Well, maybe I should go back and get one.”
The three shared a good-natured chuckle.
“Regardless, I’ll take care of the bombers.” The Major took off, calling back to them as she ascended. “But, uh, you all might want to get moving. With how the other Companies are fighting, they’ll soon leave us in the dust.”
They straightened up at that. Second Lieutenant Serebryakov swiftly took command.
“Right, I don’t want to go broke today! Let’s move, First Company!”
“Right!”
-=-
The White Silver huffed in the cold Norden air as she stared at the broken and falling remains of the enemy’s bomber group. The enemy’s slow, clunky planes stood absolutely no chance against the power and speed in mage form that was Major Tanya von Degurechaff.
Not a single bomber survived. She hadn’t even needed to use the Type 95. Her recently acquired Type 97 was more than enough.
Tanya flicked across radio channels for a moment. The 203rd was doing exceptionally well in its trial by steel and fire. In fact, they were utterly decimating the Entente’s forces. At least this time they had to work for it. Even the additional ‘volunteer mages’ of unknown nationalities weren’t making a major impact. The difference in skill and power between her mages and theirs was almost ridiculous.
And speaking of foreign powers…
Tanya shifted her gaze north. She could feel another mana signature off in the distance. A powerful, completely unhidden observation spell focused in her and her battalion’s general direction. They clearly wanted data on Imperial mages, and if they got ahold of today’s data, they might be able to create countermeasures.
Personally, Tanya was a fan of keeping the enemy in the dark.
“So, I was right about peepers from outside the Entente.” She activated a long-distance observation spell of her own. “Well, well, well. Looks like there are some perverts that need punishing. Destruction will do, I think.”
Sorry about this, Second Lieutenant Serebryakov. I’d say this is almost an emergency.
20 kilometers was too far to attack from by herself without possibly burning out her Type 97. She’d just gotten the thing. No reason to destroy it on one of its first outings.
Technically, this is necessary. We can’t have foreign enemies getting too much intel this early on.
Tanya readied her rifle and activated the Type 95.
“Peeping on a lady while she works is rude, don’t you know?” One of the most powerful optical spells in history glowed at the end of her rifle barrel. “Truly, if God wanted you to survive this day, he would not have allowed me to exist. Goodbye.”
She fired.
The mages below her, enemy and friendly alike, stopped to watch. Even with the incredible altitude difference, they all could feel the mana saturating the atmosphere around them.
Back at Norden Control and even all the way back at Northern Headquarters, mana sensors went haywire; Imperial radio techs, strategists, and officers all viewed the readings with awe.
This was the power of the Devil of the Rhine. Of the White Silver, Magic Major Tanya von Degurechaff.
In an instant, the enemy observation post was wiped off the map.
Tanya relaxed. With one hand, the Argent kept a tight hold of her rifle. The other went up to her nose. She wiped it roughly, noting just how much more blood there was than usual.
What a headache this turned out to be. Literally.
Ah fuck, that was definitely overkill. I don’t think my nose has ever been this bad before. And my arms are a bit sore from the mana saturation as well. The Second Lieutenant is going to give me shit for this. I just know it. Sometimes I wish she wasn’t so concerned for my wellbeing.
She sighed and began her descent to the mostly cleared battlefield below.
Well, not really. Whatever.
-=-=-=-
Art by Me (@tanjadedhex)