Genesis
One Week after the Battle of the Osfjord
Port Arnelus
Entente Alliance
The cold air cut deep this morning. But the sorrow and regret of losing everything he held dear cut far, far deeper.
Lieutenant Colonel Anson Sioux adjusted his cap with a sigh. He’d known it was over the moment the Imperial Navy entered the Osfjord. He’d seen his reinforcements turn into fertilizer at the hands of Imperial cannons and soldiers.
He saw firsthand the raw strength of just one aerial mage. A terrifyingly familiar aerial mage, who apparently did not know how to die when she should. That damn mage, and her augmented battalion which demolished the Osfjord’s defenses with ease.
Those bastards. If he ever saw them again…
Anson shook his head.
Well, it didn’t matter.
His Fatherland was finished either way. The Entente Alliance’s leading group, the Council of Ten, knew this just as well. They’d tried to put on a brave face for the public when the news broke, but the writing was on the wall for anyone with even half a brain. His next assignment only exemplified this.
One last ditch effort. A Council of Ten member, voted on by the group itself, would be “escorted” to Albish waters. There, an undercover submarine of the Allied Kingdom would take over. The hope was for the chosen Entente council member to establish a so-called “Government in Exile”.
“Escort” was a funny way of saying “escape”. It was running away, and everyone knew it. Anson Sioux knew it better than many. He’d be one of the mages escorting the Council member. He was also aiding in the escape of other Entente citizens.
His family.
Really, he was just paying for them to leave. They might not survive staying in the Alliance, and their cultural identity would certainly perish. At least in the Unified States, they could keep that small piece of themselves intact. He still felt like he was sending them away for good. It couldn’t be helped.
With so many of the Entente’s citizens fleeing the country, the spirit of their nation would live on. Their nation was its people. Even so, Entente Alliance would survive in name only. It was an unfortunate truth. History would never look fondly on the country that started this horrible, continent-wide war. But the love of his life, his wife would live. His beautiful, sweet, darling of a daughter would survive.
If he had his way, they would be safe in a far-off country, and this war would never darken their visage. He’d sooner die than let the ones he loved be swept up in the madness.
As Anson waved off the ship carrying his family, a lone tear traced his cheek.
“I’ve been a terrible father. I’m sorry.”
“No, you’re a good father.”
His daughter smiled, all youthful innocence and naïve love. He hoped she would always have that smile. She hugged him then, him leaning down to embrace her for what might be the last time. She was so big now… was she really already 16? She had grown in the blink of an eye, yet he couldn’t help but see continue the little girl he hadn’t been able to spend enough time with.
“But promise you’ll shave soon, okay?” She attempted to rest her chin on his shoulder. Anson leaned down more to accommodate. “You should look your best when we see each other again.”
Anson said nothing, only hugging her tighter.
“Dad?”
“…Yeah, I’ll do that. I’ll be clean-shaven when we next meet, I promise.”
He had promised. With all his might, he would try and survive. Just to see his family once more.
Damn it. I’m bound to protect my Fatherland in whatever form it takes. These noble duties I chose to uphold. O Fatherland of mine, I will see you through to the end. No matter how much it hurts me to do so.
Anson sighed.
Would he ever see them again? Perhaps. Even if it was in the next life, all that mattered now was saving his family and furthering the spirit of his Fatherland. Thanks to his sacrifice, his daughter would never know the horrors of war.
Mary…
“Lieutenant Colonel Sioux.”
Anson turned.
“Council member Cazor. Good to see you well, sir.”
“Likewise, Colonel. I’m afraid there’s no time for further pleasantries. Here,” The Councilor made to hand him a briefcase. “This rather dangerous item is yours. A gift from your daughter.”
Anson took it, immediately noticing the case’s weight.
“Dangerous?”
“Yes. It appears an Intelligence representative from the Allied Kingdom noticed your daughter’s tears earlier and was moved to action.” Cazor held up a hand. “Don’t open it here. Let’s find a quieter place.”
-=-
After relocating to a less populated area of the dock, Anson set the case down on the ground behind a column. He undid the buckles, opening the case without ceremony.
His eyes widened. “Council member, this is-”
“An Arnold-Smith manufactured submachine gun, fresh from the Waldstätte Confederacy. Sorry to say the A.S. on the side doesn’t stand for your initials.” The Council member said with little humor. “It’s an early production model meant for closer ranged aerial mage combat.”
Able to handle high amounts of mana. Quick reloading with even quicker firing. And to top it off, it boasted an accuracy and bullet spread from close to mid-range that was on par with some lower-end rifles.
Even that mage’s guard would be pierced.
“Such an interesting gift to receive from my daughter.” Anson commented, closing the case.
“Perhaps she wishes to aid you in the war effort?” Cazor proposed. “An earnest wish to see her father come back alive.”
“Perhaps.” The Lieutenant Colonel replied.
Mary. My darling daughter. Thank you for the gift. This weapon…
-=-=-=-
Three Days Later, December
Somewhere off the shore of Norden
International Waters
…will be a great help! Tanya thought to herself, as she gripped her newly acquired submachine gun.
This was looking to be yet another supremely productive mission carried out by the Imperial 203rd Aerial Mage Battalion. Even though she hadn’t wanted to be here in the first place, Tanya found it important to look on the bright side sometimes.
It had started, as these missions often did, with a message. A phone call, to be specific.
-=-Earlier-=-
It had been another boring, yet relaxing day at Imperial Army Base #7. Also known as the base that was housing most of the members of the 203rd Aerial Mage Battalion.
Some, like Second Lieutenant Serebryakov and First Lieutenant Weiss, were out and about. First Lieutenants Koenig and Neumann were currently locked in a rather spirited match of table tennis in the southwest corner of the base’s main foyer.
The foyer’s southern entrance, which lead to the courtyard Tanya had been practicing in this past week or so, was shut. As were the doors leading further into the base on the north wall. That was good. It meant they were unlikely to be interrupted. Or at the very least, they’d have some warning by way of an opening door.
Tanya herself was relaxing – napping – on one of the main foyer’s central couches. Warrant Officer Teyanen sat on a couch across from her, reading a more recent translation of Sunzi’s The Art of War. Actually it was Tanya’s copy of the book that Teyanen had been allowed to borrow; she’d received it as a belated birthday gift from General Zettour, interestingly enough.
The book had come with bookmarks in certain spots, and a surprisingly nice letter wishing her well. It was almost… grandfatherly. Something she wasn’t used to, having grown up without any family. In any case, she’d swiftly gone to work, and ended up reading the whole thing in no time flat.
She hadn’t spent the whole time reading, however. She’d spent much of it thinking as well. And what she thought, she wrote down. Her own handwriting lined the borders of several pages. Notes of her own ideas and philosophies alongside interpretations of passages.
Teyanen took care to read each note as he went. They were all important in some way, each note representing a small piece of the large pie that was his Commander’s mindset. He paid special attention to the sections with more marks than usual. Passages about how to win fast, win often, and win without fighting in the first place. Strategy, the importance of height in combat, pressing your advantage and continually moving forward, ever forward.
He read them all, and make sure he understood. It was the least he could do. After all, he’d seen the lengths Commander Degurechaff would go to protect her own soldiers. That combined optical spell back at the Osfjord had not been subtle in the slightest, and given the direction and speed, it was obvious where it was aimed. And Commander Degurechaff had redirected it. She had gotten noticeably injured because of it.
There wasn’t anymore that needed to be said. Teyanen had made his decision, as had the rest of First Company and likely the entire 203rd Aerial Mage Battalion. The White Silver was the one to follow, even into the depths of Hell. She need only ask.
But that could wait. For now, it was time to relax. To study and prepare for the next battle. Commander Degurechaff would be allowed to sleep, and Teyanen would watch over her.
It was a shame these things never lasted.
“Pardon me, is Major Degurechaff in?!” One of the base’s radio operators burst into the foyer from the centermost northern door.
Koenig and Neumann turned, their table tennis match temporarily forgotten. Well, not before Neumann spiked the ball, but that wasn’t important to anyone except Koenig, who had just lost.
Meanwhile, the Major Degurechaff in question startled from her relaxation – again, nap – and accidentally slipped sideways off the couch, landing face-first on the cold and unforgiving hardwood floor below. Teyanen quickly closed his book, after making sure to check the page number of course, and hurried around the coffee table to assist his Commander.
“I’m Major Degurechaff.” Tanya said once she was on her feet. She focused her attention on the radio operator, valiantly ignoring Teyanen as he brushed dust off her shoulders. “What’s the situation?”
She whispered a quiet “thanks” to Teyanen as he finished and stepped away.
“Major Degurechaff, there’s a call for you in the telephone room. I’m told it’s from General Rudersdorf of the General Staff, and that it’s a time-critical matter.”
Fuck.
“Which means there’s most likely another mission for my battalion coming up. We just sunk the Entente Alliance’s entire Osfjord defense. Is a break too much to ask for?” Tanya sighed, before spinning to face her two present Company Commanders. “Koenig! Contact Weiss and tell him to get back to base pronto. Neumann! Contact my adjutant and tell her the same. After that, make sure any other stragglers outside of base know to return ASAP.”
“Right away Commander.”
“Say no more Commander!”
Koenig and Neumann responded in turn. The two men saluted and whipped out their Type 97’s.
That taken care of, Tanya turned to her other subordinate currently within close reach.
“Teyanen, I want you to notify the other member of the 203rd that are still on base. As of this moment, the 203rd is on standby awaiting further orders. Understand?”
“Copy that Commander!” Teyanen saluted.
“Good. See to it.” Tanya made her way over to where the radio operator was awkwardly standing. There also seemed to be a bit of awe in his expression. Nothing she cared to acknowledge right now. “Lead the way.”
“Yes, ma’am!” The operator left the room with Tanya hot on his heels. As they made their way through base, Tanya complained heartily in the safety of her own mind.`
Really, it’s barely been 10 days. Just a few more days of break would have been nice. But no, I’m sure that goes against the typical Imperial ideal of “making efficient use of resources” or some such justification-based nonsense. It almost makes me wish I was a cadet again.
She suppressed a snort.
Ha, good one. No, I think I’d rather be where I am now than anywhere else. Imagine being the poor shmuck that has to track down the rest of the Entente’s Navy. I heard that was a bad deal all around. And it’s set to storm soon. My condolences to all you brave marine mages out over the ocean tracking down what amounts to the needle that was tossed in a haystack.
-=-
“Prepare yourselves appropriately. We depart in 60 minutes!”
“Yes Major Commander!”
I can’t believe I’m the poor shmuck that has to help track down the rest of the Entente’s Navy. What sort of cosmic joke is this? Tanya lamented her fate internally as her subordinates dispersed.
-=-
“Major, about the operation…”
“Ah, Weiss. Excellent timing. One moment.” The Major glanced around the room, seeming to spot what she was looking for almost immediately. “Koenig! Neumann! Over here!”
The two Company Commander hurried over, followed by Second Lieutenant Serebryakov and Warrant Officer Teyanen.
“Serebryakov, you’re here as well. Good. If you don’t mind adjutant- hm?”
The Major blinked, then squinted a bit at her adjutant’s face. Viktoriya’s face warmed at the seemingly random scrutiny.
A sort of “aha!” look crossed Commander’s Degurechaff’s face.
“Are you wearing makeup? You look a bit different.”
Viktoriya’s eyes widened. “Ah! I just- I was out with a classmate at the time, and I didn’t have time to clean it off when I got back!”
“So, it was a boyfriend then? Ah, to be young again.”
“Of course not! I would never!”
“Never what?”
Weiss refrained from rolling his eyes at the display.
Of course she would never do this for a boyfriend, she’s so clearly infatuated with you, Major. It’s almost a shame that brilliance in war matters doesn’t translate to brilliance in emotional matters. Weiss thought to himself, watching to two women go back and forth as though it were a table tennis match. Almost a shame, because this is absolutely hilarious.
The Second Lieutenant clearly missed the teasing note in her superior’s voice, as she didn’t even point out that the Major was actually younger than her.
Weiss glanced over the adjutant, noting the color in her cheeks.
She is all prettied up. And for someone that isn’t the Major? As if. I can understand wanting to look nice, even if it’s only for a friend, but I wonder. Maybe she ‘forgot’ to take the makeup off. And oh, how convenient that she walked directly over after the briefing, and did so in such a way that the Major had no choice but to notice. Very clever Serebryakov.
Tanya continued. “Well either way, its bad form to leave in the middle of a meeting, boyfriend or not.”
“It wasn’t my boyfriend, I promise! It was just my old roommate from the Cadet Corps. She understands anyway, since we’re both soldiers.”
“Easy Serebryakov. Even if they understand, they might be a bit annoyed at you.” Tanya pointed at Viktoriya with grin. “Here’s some advice from the War College. If you two ever get into an argument or fight, just say this. Proof doesn’t matter; the words will do by themselves. Just say: ‘I know about that’.”
Shivers ran down the men’s spines.
“Major, who taught you that at the War College?” Weiss managed to ask. Koenig, Neumann, and Teyanen meanwhile tried to recover from the deathly fear that particular phrase wrought.
“My classmate and good friend, Maximillian Johan von Ugar.” Tanya explained as though she hadn’t just dropped the equivalent of a linguistic bomb on everyone involved. “Well, technically it was his wife. She came to visit once with their daughter. Real cute kid they have. Also, I think she tried to convince Maximillian to adopt me, which was a bit awkward if I’m being honest. What’s worse is that actually wasn’t the first time someone-”
“Major.” The Second Lieutenant was stone-faced, her voice a cold monotone.
Tanya blinked. “Ah, yes Serebryakov?”
“I know about that.”
-=-
You could hear a pin drop. Tanya froze, as did the four men.
She knows? About what? My chocolate stash? My coffee stash? Wait, those are in the same spot. Does she know I’ve been secretly practicing with the Type 95?
Suddenly, the stony look of her adjutant melted into one of amusement.
“Just kidding!”
“…R-right.”
Tanya cleared her throat as the fear for her life created by her adjutant’s joke faded.
“Ahem. Anyway Serebryakov, could you prepare some coffee? I rather feel like I’ll need it. And Teyanen, make sure no one is slacking off on preparations. I want us in the air exactly when I specified and not a moment later.”
“Yes Major!” “Yes Commander!”
The two saluted and quickly left to perform their assigned tasks, though Viktoriya shot a questioning look at her superior as she went. Tanya didn’t notice.
“The rest of you, walk with me.” The Commander took off at a brisk pace, her men quickly falling into step beside (in Koenig and Neumann’s case) and behind (Weiss’ spot) her. “There’s a few things I’d like to explain about the upcoming operation, but before that I’d like to show you all something.”
“Oh? And what is this ‘something’ Major?” Weiss asked, leaning forward slightly.
“Sorry Vice Commander. No special treatment.” Tanya looked back with a wink. “Just wait and see. I wouldn’t want to spoil it for you all.”
The 203rd’s four Company Commanders made their way outside Army Base 7 and into the courtyard, then beyond it to the street that ran parallel to the base. Tanya paused a moment, looking down the street both ways, before seeming to make decision with an idle nod of her head.
Left the foursome went. And went. A little over a minute went by this way, with the others following closely as Tanya strolled casually down the street.
“Ah, here we are.” Tanya stopped. Her subordinates looked around. Other than the fact that the buildings were more civilian-based than military-based in this area, there was no indication as to why their Commander had brought them out here.
“Ah, Major, not to question you of course, but what are we doing here exactly?” Weiss asked, still looking around.
“You’ll see.” Tanya brushed him off without a glance.
“Err, Commander. Shouldn’t we get ready for the operation?” Koenig tried.
“We are getting ready.” She shot back, still not paying them any mind.
“Not to be rude Commander, but how?” Neumann quickly asked.
“It’s not rude to ask a genuine question- ah, here we go.” Tanya’s eyes seemed to lock onto to something.
That something became evident a mere second later.
“BANG! BOOM BOOM!! POW POW POW!!!”
“Eh?!” Tanya’s subordinates exclaimed. After all, it wasn’t every day a large group of young children pretended to shoot at you with brooms and finger guns.
“What are you three doing? Don’t just let them shoot you. Return fire.”
“R-right!” Weiss managed to respond. Koenig and Neumann were already sinking into “battle” position. “Everyone, fire!”
“Bang! Bang bang!” That was Neumann.
“Tat-tat-tat-tat! Reloading!” There was Koenig’s contribution.
“Bam! Schink! Bam! Schink! Bam!” And that was Weiss’ attempt at a single shot rifle.
“This happened to me all the time in Berun, back in my War College days.” Tanya explained as the “battle” intensified. “The children feel the tension of the adults around them, though they might not understand it. This is way for them to express themselves and their patriotism in a safe and frankly adorable manner.”
She watched for a few more seconds.
“They’re overrunning us. We should pull back.” She told her subordinates. For the kids’ sake, she raised her voice to say the same. “Retreat! Ah, they’ve gotten us! Fall back!”
Tanya turned around and started the trek back. The others fell in as well, with a few more retreating shots and Neumann clutching his arm while pretending to have gotten hit.
The cheering of the children behind them would warm even the coldest soul’s dead heart.
“Statistically, at least one of those children is magical. And if this magical child happens to be one of the older ones, before long they’ll be old enough for military conscription. Do you understand?” Tanya asked rhetorically, as they made their way back to base. “Adults must prioritize the younger generation. It’s our duty to make sure those children never have to hold real weapons. We’ll finish this war in our time. Got it?”
“Understood!” Her men called back.
No more children of the Empire needed to be forced into service. The foursome made it most of the way back to base in silence, each contemplating the past few minutes. Something occurred to Weiss then.
“Major, about the children.” Weiss broke the silence as the base came back into view. He lowered his voice, forcing the other two men to lean in. “Did they… remind you of something?”
Tanya was silent for a long moment.
“…Perhaps they did. I wouldn’t know; I haven’t been a child in a very long time.”
An unspoken understanding passed between them all.
“Gentlemen, war is a terrible, terrible thing. Any who can be spared its vicious nature should be. That is the mentality I wish for you all to have over the coming days, weeks, and months. Protect what needs to be protected. Remember that your survival means the survival of more children like them.” They reentered the courtyard now, as Tanya searched for the right words. “Above all else gentlemen, you must go forward. Whatever you do, move ever forward.”
She paused at the door, fixing Weiss, Koenig, and Neumann with a serious look.
“This is an order from your superior. Do whatever it takes to survive.”
-=-Present Time-=-
Thunder crashed in the clouds above as the storm continued its mild-mannered rampage.
Tanya pulled back into the safety of higher altitude, her battalion following as their unfortunate enemy’s mages fell dying or dead into the ocean below.
Gah! It’s really pouring now!
The Major wiped furiously at her goggles.
Not only did we have to look for a needle in a haystack, but we also actually found that needle. I would hate to have began this fight without the element of surprise. I suppose we can thank the Navy’s torpedoes for that. They provided the perfect distraction below, letting us swoop in from above. Or maybe I should curse them, for drawing our attention to the enemy in the first place.
It was just bad luck on the Entente’s part. And good luck on hers. Or, also bad luck, depending on your perspective.
“Pixie 01 to all Company Commanders!” Tanya quickly activated a short-range radio spell. “The enemy mages are inconsequential now! Choose an Entente vessel and attack it with everything you’ve got! Take advantage of their weakened state!”
“Pixie 02, copy that!”
“Pixie 03, understood Commander!”
“Pixie 04, already ahead of ya!”
It was nice that her men knew her well enough that she no longer had to say “over” after every single radio communication. A small bonus of having competent subordinates. Of course, with Control she still had to be by the book, but Tanya supposed it equaled out at that point.
The Major switched radio frequencies, this time targeting her own First Company.
“First Company, follow my lead! We’re targeting that destroyer!”
“Commander!” Teyanen yelled from Tanya’s right side, floating close to make himself heard over the storm. “You’ve been leading strong all evening and night! Allow me to lead the charge and lighten your load!”
Unseen by either of them was Viktoriya on Tanya’s left side, who was sulking unnoticeably. She’d been about to offer the same thing.
“How considerate of you!” Tanya yelled back. “But I’m afraid I must decline! The Commander leads the charge forward. Lighten my load by watch the back instead!”
She would cover the front. It was her job, after all. As long as they kept up the back end, there was no enemy that could stop them.
“Yes Commander!” He replied, falling back into line.
“Target the torpedo tubes and the turrets’ magazines. Blow ‘em to hell!”
Tanya took off, First Company matching pace behind her.
Looks like my new gun is getting an early test run.
“Fire!!!”
-=-
It was cold. It was so very cold. Pressure surrounded him, boxing him in.
The mission, at least, had been a success. The Councilman their fleet had been transporting had already been handed off to the cruiser Rythal. From there, it was a small jump before their Albish allies picked him up and carried him to safety.
This was a small consolation to the dying man.
I can’t breathe… Mary… please world, or God, or whoever. I pray… for a better future for my daughter. Protect Mary... I no longer can.
Water. That’s right, he was underwater. In the ocean. There was a pain in his abdomen; a bayonet emerged from his abdomen; the rifle of that damn mage still attached.
If only I could’ve… stopped that devil. Ha, White Silver? Rusted Silver… is much closer to the truth.
He was underwater. The rolling, storming ocean which leeched blood and warmth in equal amounts.
And yet…
-=-
“First Company, back to the skies!”
“Yes Commander!”
Damn! Did we miss? There should have been at least one secondary explosion. Tanya squinted. It was hard to make out through the darkness and rain, but… Wait, that’s not a destroyer. Is that a battlecruiser? Maybe? I’m not the most well-versed on Naval vessels, unfortunately. Either way, it’s definitely not a destroyer. No wonder it didn’t blow up; we hit the wrong spot!
Once again at a safe altitude, Tanya contacted the rest of her battalion.
“Pixie 01 to all Company Commanders. Status report!”
“Pixie 04 here. Minor to mid-level damage on a destroyer. Only some of the torpedoes exploded, unfortunately. I wanted a bigger ‘Boom’!”
“Pixie 02. Similar results on an unidentified ship. The Entente fleet is surprisingly sturdy.”
“Pixie 03 reporting major damage to an enemy battlecruiser. It’s on fire and missing several pieces, but it’s still floating.”
“Excellent work all. Pull back and rendezvous on my current position ASAP.”
-=-
And yet, why was his body practically ablaze with heat? Or was it heat?
It felt like… mana?
“Don’t die just yet, Anson Sioux.”
It was an otherworldly voice, coming from all around and within him simultaneously.
Huh? What was…
“This fate of yours is truly unjust, is it not?” The voice turned sympathetic, echoing in the water, in his ears, in his mind. “I heard your call. How unfair it is, that you must send everyone away, only to die alone just as you had feared.”
Is this… God?
“Because you prayed so earnestly, your prayer will be answered. Your daughter will be strong enough for the future that awaits her. This is level of miracle work is within my jurisdiction.”
Miracle... I’m glad.
Anson closed his eyes. He hadn’t even realized they’d been open. The man was so relieved at this notion, that the rather specific phrasing used by “God” went completely unnoticed.
-=-
Tanya, along with her Company Commanders and Second Lieutenant Serebryakov, floated together high out of range of the enemy fleet. The rest of the 203rd hovered behind them in formation.
“It’s time to withdraw.”
“Major, are you sure?” Viktoriya was the first to ask.
“I’m sure.”
“Aren’t we at advantage right now?” Koenig said, genuine curiosity in his tone.
“While we seem to have the advantage, our mission has already been completed.”
“Location and disruption of the enemy fleet.” Weiss said matter-of-factly, “We’ve done both of those already.”
“Correct.” Tanya nodded. “Furthermore, the enemy fleet would require much more effort to sink than I would like.”
“We have been out in the rain for several hours now. Exhaustion could become a real issue soon.” Neumann pointed out. “Looking out for us, yeah? I guess that’s just how you are, Commander.”
“You may look at it that way. Remember what I told you earlier. We’ve pushed forward enough; now we survive and leave the rest to the Imperial North Sea Fleet. I’m sure they could use the positive publicity.” Tanya glanced around. “By the way, how’s our casualty rate?”
Viktoriya took this one, having checked with the Company Commanders just minutes before.
“We have six mages with heavy wounds, and several others with noncrucial light wounds.”
Tanya was quiet for a minute. Around her, her subordinates grew increasingly nervous as the seconds ticked by.
“…We had both height advantage and the element of surprise against numerous marine mages and several unknown naval vessels, and we have six with serious wounds? Some might see that as near a defeat.”
The others couldn’t quite tell Tanya’s expression thanks to the rain, darkness, and the goggles that masked her eyes, but to them, she sounded disappointed. The smile she put on afterwards didn’t help matters any, as it felt as though she was putting on a brave face for their sake.
Her actual thought process went more like this: Well, I’d like it to be better, but it’s to be expected really. This was our first operation against naval vessels. The fact that no one died or is in critical condition is worth a smile at least.
The others, not knowing this, all vowed to work extra hard on the next operation to make it up to their Commander. No more “almost defeats” from here on out. Message received.
“Well, let’s head back.” Tanya activated a long-range radio spell. “Urban Control, this is Pixie 01 of the 203rd Aerial Mage Battalion. We successfully located and engaged the enemy fleet, causing intermediate damage to several enemy vessels and downing approximately 26 enemy mages. I’m sending you the coordinates now, over.”
“Pixie 01, this is Urban Control. Message and coordinates received. Are you able to continue monitoring the enemy fleet? Over.”
“Control, my battalion has sustained non-trivial damage and is at the tail end of a rather exhaustive long-range patrol mission. I’m requesting we be relieved from further tracking duties, over.”
“Pixie 01, please standby, over.” A little over a minute went by in silence as Control seemed to discuss her request.
“This is Urban Control. The request for relief from further tracking duties has been approved. The North Sea Fleet will take over from here. Sending you a safe route back to base now. Thank you for your hard work. Urban Control, out.”
“There we have it.” Tanya relaxed, letting out a breath she hadn’t known she’d been holding. She’d been awake since before 5 this morning and now it was pushing midnight. A good rest would be greatly appreciated. “Let’s move out.”
-=-
“But are you satisfied with that?”
What? Anson’s eyes opened back up. He was still in ocean… right? There was a golden glow around him.
“The Heretic, the one you call Rusted Silver, still lives. She carries the weapon gifted to you by your daughter. Her battalion still continues their devilish work. Are you willing to accept that?”
The voice was crooning now, calling to his familial loyalty. Were Anson more aware, he might have noticed the subtle net of manipulation being weaved around him.
Mary’s gift… Rusted Silver… I don’t want to accept it, but what choice do I have?
“Anson Sioux, there is always a choice.”
-=-
“Major, there’s a suspicious unidentified vessel operating with all lights off. First Lieutenant Koenig just called it in.”
“Really? And here I thought we’d have a relaxing flight back.” Tanya sighed. “Well, we can’t ignore it. Let’s interrogate them. Contact Koenig. What do we know?”
Viktoriya spoke into a radio spell for a few moments.
“Major, the ship is recorded as a factory ship. It’s registered with the Allied Kingdom, goes by the name Rythal.”
“A factory ship?” Tanya raised an eyebrow. She idly activated a visual observation spell and zoomed in on the aforementioned vessel. “That’s looks a hell of a lot like a cruiser to me. Send a transmission down. Tell them they’re being boarded for inspection.”
-=-
Wait, that glow… Anson looked down. It was coming from him! His own mana was shining from within, brighter than it ever had before.
“Having coffee or tea in the morning. Wearing the leather coat or the one with the fur-lined hood. Sending your family away, letting them stay in the Entente Alliance. Dying, living to fight another day…” The voice seemed almost amused at the whole thing. “These are but choices. And you haven’t decided on the last one, have you Anson Sioux?”
I can survive?
“Of course. You can feel it, can’t you? Your mana is overflowing. That’s my doing.”
I… want to survive.
“And you shall.”
-=-
“Aim 15 meters away from the hull! Make sure not to sink it! Fire!”
Why did everything go so lopsided today? First a cruiser, now a submarine? And they’re clearly doing something nefarious. Why couldn’t our route back just be empty?
Columns of water splashed high around the submarine. One spell hit the side of the vessel. Unfortunate, but she’d have plenty of time to berate her subordinates for it later.
The submarine slowly came to a stop, its attempt at submerging aborted.
Honestly, this whole day just feels off. Stumbling upon the Entente fleet in its escape, that oddly familiar mage, and now the Rythal and this submarine. Something seems to be stirring up now. With the Entente Alliance out of the picture, the war is supposed to be half over.
“First Lieutenant Weiss! Take Second Company and inspect that submarine!”
“Right!”
So why does this feel like the beginning?
-=-
I won’t die… not yet. I still have to protect Mary! I have to secure her future!
“This is far from your end, Anson Sioux.”
And I’ll start… by stopping those Devils!
“This is merely… your Genesis.”