Sparks on the Horizon
April 1925
Frontline Rear
Rhine Front, Empire
This… wasn’t exactly what Second Lieutenant Grantz had in mind when he’d learned he’d be serving under the White Silver on the Rhine Front. Nor did it quite live up to the fervor he’d worked himself into in an attempt to replicate the attitude of the 203rd’s elite mages.
It was all so unexpected, and the 203rd’s Vice Commander really wasn’t make it any easier.
“Alright, take a break now. If you’re running low on mana, make sure to let me know.”
“Pardon me, First Lieutenant Weiss!”
“Hm? What is it, Training Platoon 4 Leader, Second Lieutenant Grantz?”
“Um, sir, aren’t we prohibited from digging trenches with mage blades? The latest training manual mentions how easy it would be for the enemy to detect us and attack.”
“Look around, Second Lieutenant. We’re not near any enemy positions. There’s no way they could detect us back here.” Weiss crossed his arms. “Though, if I’m being honest, I’m not quite sure why we’re digging trenches near the rear lines.”
“Understood sir!”
“As a friendly piece of advice from your senior, I’d advise you to not take the manual so seriously. I used to be like that as well and… well, you’ll understand soon enough. If you survive that long.”
Not at all what Grantz had been expecting. He and his fellow recruits were basically being used as augmented grunts. As in, they did dirty work like digging trenches, marching ceaselessly, and carrying supplies all day. Only it was even worse than usual, since their ability to use mana meant they were expected to work harder and do far more than any non-mage grunt.
It was far from the glorious battlefield he’d been expecting. Naïvely expecting, he’d come to realize. That being said, he was still eagerly awaiting his chance to prove himself, beyond digging and doing busywork. He came here to fight for his Fatherland, yet he hadn’t gotten the chance to even make proper use of his rifle.
We’ll get our chance. They’ll have to give us a real chance at some point. Grantz thought to himself a few days later, as he marched alongside the other members of Training Platoon 4.
“I can’t believe we’re stuck on another march.” One of Grantz’s companions, Corporal Gest complained.
“Don’t complain.” Another graduate of the Officers’ Program and Grantz’s second in Training Platoon 4, Second Lieutenant Ana Zweiber replied. “It’s the order from the White Silver herself, since she thinks we’re still inexperienced.”
“Yeah, but if we could fly, we’d be done already.” The last member of the platoon, Corporal Werstor impatiently grumbled.
Grantz sighed. “Not using mana is part of our training.”
“But we’re mages. Why are we training to not use our mana?” Werstor shot back.
“Well, I’m sure it’s for an important reason… or something.”
As the group reached the top of what felt like the thousandth hill today, the sight of the White Silver’s adjutant waiting for them sent a sigh of relief through them all.
“Training Platoon 4, you’re the first group to arrive. Congratulations.” She marked something down on her clipboard, before looking up. Her brow furrowed. “…What are you doing?”
“Well, it’s just that…” Zweiber spoke up from a few meters away. In fact, the entire platoon seemed to be keeping their distance. “We’ve been marching for two days now, and we, well, we smell.”
“We don’t want to disgust you, ma’am!” Grantz added with a hearty salute, still making sure to maintain distance.
“Oh please.” The adjutant rolled her eyes in obvious amusement. “This is the Army. Don’t worry about trivial things like that. Besides, I’ve been through much worse. Your struggles are adorable by comparison.”
Harsh… but definitely true. Apparently, she’s been the White Silver’s wingman ever since the Rhine Front first broke out back in ’23. Grantz thought, wiping sweat from his forehead. Second Lieutenant Viktoriya Serebryakov. Even though we’re the same rank… we’re worlds apart. I’m so far behind I can’t even see her in the distance. Is this the true difference between average and elite?
Grantz clenched his fists at his sides, closing the physical distance between himself and Viktoriya. If she said they shouldn’t worry about trivial matters, then he wouldn’t.
I need to catch up. I need to be better. In terms of skill, experience, strategy, and magical power, the 203rd is so easily above us all that it’s not even funny. Then, there’s Second Lieutenant Serebryakov and the other members of the White Silver’s inner circle, who are all clearly in a higher league of their own. And then the White Silver herself. Well, what more to say? She’s…
Grantz stopped near their senior, vaguely noting the footsteps of his fellow platoon members as they followed his example.
…the Strongest.
-=-=-=-
Later that Day
Private Lounge, Imperial Army Rear Garrison Facility
Rhine Front, Empire
Tanya sat back on the couch with a sigh, casually resting her arms behind her head.
“How are the recruits doing?”
“Well enough” Viktoriya replied, standing attentively by the couch’s armrest. “They’re not in broken spirits yet. We can still push them more.”
“So, does that mean we can do the operation tonight as planned?” Weiss asked, coming up to lean against the back of the couch.
“Honestly, I was hoping they would get lost during their march.” Neumann joked from his spot next to Weiss. “We’d have a much easier time that way.”
“None of them seem to have proper survival training either.” Koenig added over Neumann’s shoulder. “Should we really be taking them, Major?”
“Teaching the recruits is the main goal of this operation. I want them to experience the harsh realities of the battlefield without the usual culling that would result from a group of fresh-faced recruits going to their first battle.” Tanya turned and put an arm over the back of the couch, giving Weiss, Neumann, and Koenig am exasperated look. “Without them it’d just be another operation, and at this point we’re better off doing raids on enemy artillery. I want this to be realistic, but also a learning experience. Make sure to take it seriously.”
“R-right.”
“So, we really are bringing the recruits on the nighttime infiltration?” Viktoriya asked.
“Yes. It’s the ideal beginner operation for them.”
“Major, I understand your point, but,” Weiss started hesitantly. “The recruits will be more than just a hindrance.”
“I made up my mind already, though I see your point. Listen. We must train the recruits and turn them into proper soldiers. If we don’t, then at some point they’ll die or get others killed, and the Empire will have gained nothing. This is our most viable option that doesn’t involve throwing them into the ocean and praying they learn how to swim. At least this way, they have a fighting chance to not immediately drown.”
“Major…” Viktoriya put a hand on her superior’s shoulder.
Tanya sighed. “I’ll be taking First Company on the main attack to give the recruits a proper example to look towards. I’ve caught more than one of the recruits staring at me with this weird awestruck look on their face, and while it’s embarrassing, I can also use it to my advantage in this scenario. Second, Third, and Fourth Companies will be the ones doing the babysitting tonight. I’d rather keep the main attack and capture to just the veterans. Beyond that, don’t hold their hands, but do make sure to watch over them.”
“So, you want to avoid sending the greenhorns into combat as much as possible?” Weiss asked.
“To an extent. Some combat will be unavoidable, and in fact I encourage at least some fighting by the recruits. They need to learn sooner rather than later.” She shrugged. “Just allow First Company to take the brunt. I’d rather not take any casualties on this one; after all, they’re just greenhorns. Signing their death sentence is not something I’d like to do today.”
“They can learn the proper etiquette of the battlefield from our example.” Viktoriya nodded, “You can count on your trusty wingman as always, Major!”
“I don’t know, Serebryakov. Warrant Officer Teyanen seems to be competing for your spot at the Major’s side as of late.” Neumann teased.
“I’ll have to die for him to take my spot.”
“Oi, don’t joke about dying so flippantly.” Tanya said, only to be ignored.
“I’m not sure. Have you read The Art of War? Because I know both the Major and Teyanen have.” Weiss pointed out, not bothering to hide an amused grin.
“Didn’t he borrow the Major’s copy?” Koenig asked with a similar smirk.
Viktoriya turned Tanya so quickly the others flinched, fearing she would get whiplash.
“Major! Let me borrow it too!”
“Teyanen still has it.” She responded drily.
“Damn.”
“Ignoring that.” And Tanya would be ignoring it. “While combat is an issue, so is speed. None of the recruits have the Type 97, so we’ll have to keep a closer eye on them during exfiltration as well.”
“Can we get enough for the recruits?” Koenig asked.
“Graves, possibly. Type 97’s, definitely not. And they can’t handle that model anyway. Not without the appropriate training.”
“So, there’s even more tension than we thought.” Neumann laughed. “What else is new?”
“If we watch them properly, then only the last few minutes are dangerous.” Viktoriya cut in. “We just need to do our best to instruct them.”
“Even with good instruction, they’ll be in danger.” Tanya stood from the couch, turning to face her adjutant. “I’m sure you remember just how often we saw recruits screw up and get turned into fertilizer.”
“We can handle them if necessary.”
“At the very least, they’ll all make it to exfil. Don’t worry so much, Major.” Weiss said confidently.
“Very well.” Tanya swiped her hand through the air. “Pass down the plan to the rest of the 203rd. I’ll leave the decision on which Training Platoons will accompany us to you all. Choose whomever your heart desires for our first picnic!”
-=-
Now, Grantz was in a bit of a conundrum here. To an extent, he agreed with the conversation currently going on. On the other hand…
“It’s kind of nice, our Head Commander being such a cutie. And she’s near our age too-”
“Watch what you say about her!” Grantz cut in, finally having heard enough “Ignorance must be bliss for you conscripts, but in the Officers’ Program you can’t go one day without hearing stories about her. The White Silver is a living legend!”
“Really?” Werstor said, leaning back slightly.
“It was intimidating hearing about it, but seeing the reality is even scarier.” Second Lieutenant Zweiber said with a shudder, “Our instructors always talked about her magical ability, or how quick she was to pick things up. Apparently, whenever she failed or messed up a spell or maneuver, the very next day she’d come back and do it better than anyone else. And this was all before she earned the Silver Wings Assault Medal! ‘Living Legend’ is barely scratching the surface.”
“B-but, she doesn’t look like it at all.” Corporal Gest stammered. “She’s as young as we are! And she’s so short.”
“Don’t let her hear you say that if you value your life! When I saw her on that stage for the first time, I could feel it. Her aura…” Grantz shook his head, “It was like staring into the abyss. Even if she’s near us in age, she’s so far ahead that that even her fellow elites struggle to keep up.”
The White Silver may look like a peer by appearance alone, but anyone who’s in the know can tell you the truth.
She’s so accomplished that the best strategy when facing her is “run away”. The second-best strategy is to throw as many mages as you can at her, and hope God is on your side. Honestly, the distance between us is so wide she might as well be on the Moon. Her inner circle is the closest thing the Empire has to match, and even they can’t close the gap. You’d have to be crazy to even try…
“Listen up. The White Silver, our Head Commander is to be respected and followed without question! If there’s anyone we should learn from, it’s her. Strive to emulate her as best you can!”
…of course, I’ve never thought of myself as the sanest individual. After all, I specifically wanted to be here on the Rhine Front, to fight alongside the White Silver and her elite battalion. Even if no one else wants to try and catch her, I think I will. I want to be strong, so my Fatherland never has to worry about its safety. Who could be better to chase, to emulate, to try and exceed, other than the Strongest?
“Attention! Attention!” As if summoned by their conversation, the White Silver’s voice came through their computation orbs. Clearly making use of a wide-range radio spell, she went on “All Training Units are to assemble in the 203rd Aerial Mage Battalion’s briefing room in 3 minutes! Repeat, all Training Units should be assembled in the 203rd’s briefing room in 3 minutes!”
“You heard her! Everyone, run like your lives depend on it! Move as fast as the White Silver would!”
-=-
“A bit disappointing.” Tanya could visibly see the flinch that radiated through the room at her words. “Only 3 platoons arrived before the 3 minutes were up.”
Tanya made her way down from the wooden stage up front, walking in between her well organized, fully prepared 203rd to stand before the recruits huddled somewhat amateurishly in the back on the room. Weiss and Viktoriya followed behind on her back-left, Koenig and Neumann on her back-right.
“Hmph. The 4th, 7th, and 8th platoons were the only ones to arrive on time.”
She saw one recruit – Grantz maybe? – let out a relieved sigh. Then, he seemed to shake himself internally, turning to stare at her as she strolled past. Rather than the blatantly awestruck, terrified, or both expressions on some of his peers, his face was more muted. Confident, even.
“Major, it seems like the platoons that were on time are all led by someone from the same Cadet School Officers’ Program as you.” Weiss commented.
“Is that so? Maybe I should be proud then.”
“It must be because of the rumors about you.” Viktoriya said, completely serious.
“Maybe they’re all terrified of you, Major.” Neumann chuckled.
“Or they’re desperate to see the White Silver in action.” Koenig added.
“I take it back.” Tanya rolled her eyes. “Second Lieutenant Grantz!”
“Y-yes Commander?” He noticeably stiffened at her call. However, unlike many of his fellow recruits, he met her gaze head on.
Good. That was good.
“What do you think? Am I terrifying, or did you all get here so quickly out of a sense of wonder at your fellow alumnus? Be honest, if you would.”
“If I had to say Commander, then I believe the answer is yes to both! Commander!”
Bold. I like it. You don’t have to say “Commander” so much, though. Tanya ignored her subordinates trying and largely failing to hold back their chuckles, and turned to face the recruits as a whole.
So, some of the greenhorns did have merit to them. Perhaps this exercise would actually work as intended. They might even surprise her tonight, though she’d have to wait for her Company Commanders’ after-action report to know for certain.
“Now, all the recruits that were late will be heading back to the trenches. I hope you haven’t grown tired of digging. And if you have, perhaps you should have thought about that before showing up late when your Commander ordered your attendance. Learn the importance of promptness with your bodies, as it seems your ears won’t do the job.”
Tanya gestured dismissively with her hand. Koenig and Neumann moved, quickly ushering all the late recruits from the room. Meanwhile, Weiss and Viktoriya gathered Training Platoons 4, 7, and 8 closer together. All four subordinates soon joined Tanya again as she waited silently in front of the recruits.
“And now,” Tanya smiled, attempting to reassure them. Needless to say, exactly none of the recruits felt reassured. “For the Training Platoons that were on time, I have a reward in store. I know that many of you have been oh so desperate to prove yourself. Tonight, you will finally have your chance.”
The mood of the recruits seemed to rise at that. Excitement over their first battlefield experience, perhaps? Well, it wouldn’t be fair to give them false expectations.
“Tonight, recruits, you will join your seniors on an nighttime operation in the trenches of the Francois Republic.” Her voice was serious and flat, allowing for no bargaining or misunderstanding. “We’ve already planned the operation thoroughly. All you must do is follow closely behind us. To summarize, we are sneaking into the Francois Republic’s nearby sap trenches, which are rife with enemy infantry, artillery, snipers, and machine guns. Furthermore, we’ll be abducting enemy soldiers. Since these are high alert areas, there’ll be no mana usage whatsoever until our exfiltration.”
And just like that, the mood dropped off significantly. More than one greenhorn shivered or swallowed nervously.
“What? You don’t want to alert the enemy beforehand, do you?” Tanya’s smile had completely disappeared by now, replaced by a hardened, blank look. “Once the signal is given, we’ll fly out at top speed. Remember that the mission isn’t over until we’re back at HQ. Now, I’m not too worried about you all, since I know you are punctual fellows with a good sense of time. But there’s one other thing you should know beforehand.”
-=-
“One last thing. I know I told you to protect the recruits. But remember that this is a real operation with real danger; I won't have the 203rd taking any unnecessary casualties. If the choice is between one of you or one of the recruits... I want you to prioritize yourself. Don’t worry about flak or consequences. As your superior, this is my call to make. Worry about your own survival before anyone else’s. Dismissed."
-=-
“If you’re too slow, we will leave you behind. Yes, anyone who is desperate for a swift double promotion is free to stay behind. I’m not so cruel as to get in the way of your success in life.”
Act flippant, pretend you aren’t concerned whether they live or die, and they be even more concerned about survival. If they believe they won’t have any assistance, they should work twice as hard and focus twice as much on the reality of the battlefield than they otherwise might.
“Oftentimes on the battlefield, you must choose between saving others or saving yourself. If you find yourself in danger tonight, recruits, then you better be prepared to save yourself.”
And if they don’t, then all they would be in the future is a liability anyway. I don’t want anyone to die, so I must be tough on them. But the truth is they will die anyway if they aren’t properly prepared. So, I am forced to make a tough decision, and prepare the greenhorns rapidly and by force via the real thing. Let’s hope I made the right decision.
-=-
There is nothing glorious abut the battlefield. Grantz thought, as he leapt forward and bashed in the skull of a Republican soldier. His comrades in Training Platoon 4 followed behind, though their presence didn’t even register at the moment. But I must repeat the actions of our Commander, the White Silver! This is for the sake of the Empire’s future! I must keep improving!
His mouth was salty, the taste of the sweat dripping down his face. The shovel in his hands rattled as he swung, cutting through the head of another enemy. He swung again, heaving with all his might. The wooden handle splintered, as the shovel blade smashed the skull of a third.
Dropping the useless piece of equipment, he yanked off his own helmet. The fourth and final enemy soldier cowered back, raising his rifle in some weak facsimile of defense. Grantz surged forward, knocking the gun to the side before shoving him to the ground. He dropped to his knees, his helmet coming down once, twice, three times, until it was stained dark with the blood of his enemy.
His chest heaved as he kneeled by his fallen foe. This… this was war. Bloody, deadly, disgusting. It made recruits into soldiers and soldiers into killers.
It’s for the Empire. It’s for my Fatherland. I can’t let up now. I have to-
A hand was pressed lightly against his shoulder.
“Not bad, Second Lieutenant.”
Grantz jumped. “C-commander!”
“But you went a little too hard. We can’t bring them back for interrogation if they’re dead.” The White Silver stepped back. “However, that was a good start. Second Lieutenant Grantz is your name, correct?”
“Yes- yes Commander. Thank you, Commander.”
“You only need to say ‘Commander’ once, Second Lieutenant. Just a piece of friendly advice.” The Commander turned glanced backwards. “Well, it looks like its time. I was only over here to give Weiss orders, but you should also know that your seniors will be carrying the captives. Which means the recruits will provide cover. Are you able to?”
“Of course… of course we will! We will act quickly and without hesitation!”
The Commander looked at him for another moment, as if measuring him up.
“…Good. That’s a good look on your face. Perhaps you will be worth something after all. Regroup with Second Company and follow their lead. Go prove yourself, Second Lieutenant Grantz!”
“Yes Commander!”
Grantz rushed to comply as the White Silver left to rejoin First Company.
“Platoon 4! Let’s make haste to First Lieutenant Weiss!”
The other three platoon members probably made some sort of acknowledgement, but for the life of him Grantz couldn’t hear it. His blood was pounding in his ears. A rush of adrenaline roared within him, sparked by the words of his Commander.
It was all he could think about.
Prove yourself.
Even as First Lieutenant Weis went over their exit strategy, Grantz could only listen with half an ear.
“Mana blackout ends in 30 seconds. Once that time is up, we fly from here like bats out of Hell.”
I will prove myself.
“Sync your watches in 3, 2, 1, now.”
I will follow the lead of my seniors. Grantz thought as he absentmindedly synced his watch.
“7… 8… 9…”
The battlefield is far from glorious. It’s a disgusting pit of bloody mud and despair. I can still feel my shovel rattling in my hands, the feeling of another man’s skull caving beneath my helmet.
“19… 20… 21…”
But the White Silver, my Commander’s words brough me back to reality. I’ve survived. I have to keep going! Do as commanded, emulate your seniors, prove yourself to them, Vooren Grantz!
“28… 29... 30!!!”
Grantz took off without hesitation. Alarms and shouts went off in their wake.
Almost immediately, they were beset by enemy fire.
They can respond this fast?! Grantz grit his teeth. Shields and flight spells are at max! Shit, my orb can hardly keep up!
“Huh?” A familiar form caught his attention. “Is that… the Commander?”
She was so much higher than them. It was astonishing.
“The Commander is ascending! Follow- gah!” A hand on his shoulder brought him back to reality yet again.
“Hold on there.”
“First Lieutenant Weiss!”
Unfortunately, Corporals Gest and Werstor didn’t see this interaction. Grantz lamented this fact for a long time past this night.
“I should have noticed”, he would think to himself, only realizing later on that there was no fault to be found. In truth, it was bad luck. A series of unfortunate circumstances lining up at an inopportune time.
The past several days of mind-numbing training, trench digging, marching, and even more training contributed to this. Both were restless, all too eager to prove themselves to their peers. Perhaps they even wished to mimic their Commander and rise above all the rest. Perhaps they were simply displaying their youth, all impatience and eagerness to stand out making itself known at the worst time possible.
The reason doesn’t really matter. In the end, the two eager recruits had already surged ahead before they could be ordered otherwise.
-=-
“I’ll head to a higher spot and draw the enemy’s fire! Adjutant, take command of First Company!”
“Yes Major!”
Tanya spared a glance below as she separated from First Company and began her ascent.
Not 10 seconds later, bad news came in over a battalion-wide radio spell.
“Two recruits have been swallowed!” It was Weiss making the call. “Training Platoon Leaders, keep control of your peers!”
Fuck! Tanya shook her head. No, don’t think about it. I’ll deal with that later. For now, this is a good opportunity. I can’t let it slip away. Breathe in…
Tanya closed her eyes, breathing in as deep as her lungs would allow. She could feel it all around her. The ebb and flow of mana and magic. The spells of her enemies. The magic of her subordinates.
Breathe out. Concentrate. Breath in…
And the mana inside her. An ocean roaring inside and across her body.
Tanya exhaled slowly, wholly unperturbed by the chaos around her.
Breathe out. Ignore everything else. Breathe in…
The sounds of the battlefield were distant now, as though she had been submerged.
Then, something clicked.
There!
Magical energy crackled across her form. Tanya’s eyes snapped open, revealing their heterochromatic nature to the night sky.
She spun 180 degrees, a line of energy almost electrical in nature tracing the movement of her lone golden eye.
Sound rushed back in. Bullets, spells, and artillery whizzed by at high speeds, as she maintained her flight backwards. Now, she had a perfect view of their enemy’s firing positions. And even the ones she couldn’t see, she wasn’t worried about.
Tanya held up a hand, a ball of compressed magical energy forming above it.
Tch!
The massive store of mana she’d filled the Type 95 with ages ago threatened to surge. She forced it back, making certain to use her own internal mana as to not be overwhelmed.
“Some vengeance is in order, I think!”
FWOOOM
Numerous thin optical spells lanced out, pouring down on the battlefield and wreaking havoc across the landscape. It was an umbrella of magical energy. And like an umbrella, it would cover her subordinates from their enemy’s rain of fire.
It lasted for several more seconds, before Tanya let the overpowered spell fizzle out. By then, there were no more enemy units firing on them.
And any that had survived were far too scared to attack again.
-=-
The Next Day
Imperial Army Regional HQ
Rhine Front, Empire
“You did good, Major. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Dismissed.”
“Yes Colonel.” Tanya saluted and left the room.
Viktoriya was waiting for her outside.
“Major.”
“Ah, thanks for waiting. Let’s go.”
“Ah, m-major…” Viktoriya could tell it was weighing on her. There was an uncharacteristic slump to her superior’s soldiers, and her words were oddly muted.
“What’s wrong Viktoriya?” Tanya turned, forcing a smile in her adjutant’s direction. “Let’s go.”
“Wherever you wish!” Viktoriya exclaimed. “As long as you need me, I’ll be here Major!”
“Don’t worry so much.” Tanya could read between the lines. “It was my call. I accepted what might happen early on… But thank you for your concern. Everything’s fine.”
The Major kept moving forward after that.
Viktoriya watched her go for a moment, before hurrying to catch up.
Neither were ready for what awaited them back at base.
-=-
Later
Imperial Army Rear Garrison Facility
Rhine Front, Empire
“Good to see you Weiss. How are the recruits?” Tanya got straight to the point as soon as she stepped out from the car.
“Two from Training Platoon 4 are confirmed KIA. No other casualties.” Weiss intoned. “They seem a bit shaken up.”
“That’s understandable. The death of their comrades is a cruel reality they must be able to move past. Even if you don’t want to get used to it, that’s what it means to be a soldier. I suppose the 203rd is lucky in that regard, since we’ve-”
Tanya cut herself off. There was this… look on Weiss’s face. An odd combination of sorrow and disquiet mixed with some other emotion she couldn’t quite recognize.
“One other thing, Major. About a casualty in the 203rd.”
“What…?” It was like the earth had dropped out beneath her feet.
“There was a casualty from the 203rd. It was-”
-=-
“Hrg! Ugh!!” Teyanen writhed in pain, clutching his stomach desperately as his fellow members of the 203rd watched on in horror.
The door slammed open.
“Where is he!” Tanya burst through the door, Viktoriya and Weiss on her heels. Looking around and quickly spotting him on the floor, she rushed over.
“How long has he been like this?”
“Since we arrived, Major.” Koenig answered, moving back slightly so Tanya could kneel by Teyanen’s left side.
“M-major! Hurk!” Teyanen coughed harshly. “I’m… sorry…”
“Shut the hell up! Don’t speak; save your strength Teyanen!” Tanya leaned forward on her knees, pressing her hand against his chest and forehead. “You can hear me, right?”
“Yes… I can hear you.” Sweat stained her glove, as she pulled her hand away from his forehead.
“How did this happen?!”
Neumann got down on one knee on Teyanen’s other side. “We’re not sure. As you can see, he’s covered in a cold sweat.”
“It can’t be a spell, right?” Koenig said, uncertain, “There’s no way Republican mages could have disrupted his passive barrier. The Type 97 is too strong for that.”
“Then, gas…?” Neumann offered. “We can nullify harmful gases and atmospheric changes, but maybe there’s an interference spell that alters that effect?”
“Even worse, there might be a gas that we can’t filter in the first place.” Tanya said, her nerves clearly shot to hell. If the situation were any less dire, her subordinates might have pointed out that this was the first time they’d ever seen her in such a panicked state. “If it’s something we don’t know about in the first place, there’s no way for us to neutralize it!”
“Major…” A weak groan.
“Teyanen’s speaking!” Neumann stated unnecessarily.
“I’m here Teyanen! What is it?”
“I wanted to follow you… forever. I promised you…” Teyanen coughed again, the sound grating. “Well, I guess this is a lesson… for both of us.”
“Don’t be stupid! Look at me! Look at me right now!!”
“Seems like… this is it. I want to move forward but… Major, your face… is blurry.”
"No! Teyanen, you can't say goodbye! You promised, didn’t you?!” Tanya’s own throat was raw. Teyanen’s face was blurry to her as well, though this was due to her own tears. “Survive! That’s an order, Teyanen!! I didn't order you to die!!"
"Well, that's,” Teyanen paused, his breathing coming in ragged spurts, “rather selfish of you. After all, I'm dying. Still, I really wish I could… follow that order, Major."
“Teyanen! Teyanen!!” Before Tanya could yell at him once more, Weiss moved forward and wrapped his arms around her waist, hoisting her up and back.
“Major, please! You must-”
"Let go of me Weiss!” Tanya struggled against his arms. “That's my mage!! I raised him!! Teyanen!!!"
“Major, Teyanen’s passed out.” Neumann interrupted, standing. “We can only wait for the doctor now.”
After a few more second, Tanya ceased her struggling. Weiss let go then, though he kept one arm wrapped around her shoulders, this time to reassure rather than restrain. Viktoriya moved to their left side, wrapping her own arm around Tanya’s waist.
Tanya was unresponsive to both. Her expression was shadowed, her gaze locked onto Teyanen below.
All they could do now was wait.
-=-
“It’s food poisoning.”
“WHAT!!!” The 203rd exclaimed in unison.
“Food poisoning…?” Tanya managed to utter.
“He probably ate a rotten potato the other day, and it only just caught up with him. Other units have reported similar incidents.” The doctor smiled. “He’ll live, don’t you worry.”
“Well, that’s a relief.” Weiss said, glancing nervously at his still utterly silent Commander.
“Still, this is the worst case I’ve seen by far.” The doctor continued. “He’ll definitely need to recover elsewhere. Since this happened close to a combat operation, he can be sent back home under the guise of ‘wounded in action’.”
“At least he’ll recover.” Viktoriya commented, eyes closed in relief. “That’s great to hear, right Major?”
Viktoriya open her eyes, then blinked. Belatedly, she and Weiss realized their superior was no longer within their arms.
“Huh?”
WHAM
The door slammed shut. Footsteps could be heard outside the hallway moving away at a rapid pace.
“Major?!”
“Serebryakov, we’ll take care of things here!” Weiss burst into action as well. He pushed against Viktoriya’s shoulder, pointing emphatically at the door. “Go support the Major!”
“R-right!”
Viktoriya rushed from the room as well, taking off in the direction she thought she heard Tanya disappear in.
I’m coming Major, don’t you worry! You don’t need to shoulder this alone!
She only hoped she could find her superior before she did something reckless. No doubt whatever poor MP or Army officer in charge of the 203rd’s latest supply drop off would thank her for it.
That is, if she made it in time.