Confidentiality was paramount. Considering the weight of the matter, it took precedence above all else. For necessity’s sake, certain unpleasant measures might have been needed—and while General Zettour was secretly pleased that such steps were not, in fact, required, he grimaced at himself for so readily considering the option.
If he could stoop so low as to kill a friend, what else would he do? When had he lost all restraint?
Secretly, General Zettour was somewhat amused by how his thoughts had become simplified in the service of his goals. Or perhaps it was just that his lack of compunction over questions of good and evil had finally allowed him enough breathing room to feel humor. In any case, the important thing was that General Zettour was, fortunately, in a state of mind to receive his adjutant general’s report with calmness—a stroke of luck for all concerned.
“Adjutant General Colonel Uger returning. I am entering the room.”
“Thank you for your hard work, Captain. Were you able to halt the telegram?”
“Yes, I made it in time.”
General Zettour glanced briefly at the items held out by Colonel Uger before tearing them up with his own hands and stuffing them into his ashtray. His face, as he casually withdrew a match and set the documents aflame, looked the very picture of a good-natured old man finding satisfaction in the smallest of things. Without further ado, he drew a rolled cigarette from his inside breast pocket, placed it between his lips with a grin, and began puffing away in an extremely mischievous fashion. He immediately began speaking once more.
“Good. This is very good. You did well, Colonel Uger,” said General Zettour, spinning about and speaking with his back to his underling. “I’m sorry, but may I ask you for one more thing?”
“O-of course. Name it.”
General Zettour’s tone was gentle while Colonel Uger’s face remained strict, as befit a career military man. Incidentally, First Lieutenant Grantz was only watching from the side. From his perspective, the general now was a perfect living example of how truly terrifying good manners can be.
“I’m sorry to run you back and forth like this, but I would like you to arrange for a new urgent telegram to be sent to Eastern Army Command. It should read, ‘Promptly carry out previous orders from Eastern Chief Inspector.’ That is all.”
“General? Are you sure?”
“What are you confused about, Captain? The existing order came from me, after all. Do you understand what I am saying?” said General Zettour pedantically, as if his words should have been obvious. “The esteemed General Laudon had been handling things in the East, but sadly fortune was not with us, and General Laudon has gone missing. It was an emergency. Reports from the front indicated a great deal of chaos, so naturally I chose to step in. Just to be safe.”
Good lord. First Lieutenant Grantz nearly groaned out loud but managed to contain himself. General Zettour was making himself loud and clear: There was to be no—absolutely no—further questioning on this matter.
Grantz understood what he had dragged in. He respected Lieutenant Colonel Degurechaff and believed her when she declared that General Zettour would likely ratify the order.
But something about this was insane, using unquestionable authority in this way to turn black into white. How could anyone be so ready to commit on the spot with zero hesitation? What gave General Zettour and Lieutenant Colonel Degurechaff such a different perspective from ordinary people?
These heavyweights were terrifying. Absolutely terrifying.
In what might be thought of as a valiant effort to preserve his sanity, First Lieutenant Grantz began to entertain thoughts of escapism. Meanwhile, General Zettour, standing off to the side, continued to speak calmly.
“Oh, that’s right. I hadn’t properly informed you of the matter, had I, Captain Uger? A point I greatly regret.”
“…Of course. Please forgive me. With all the chaos, we must have gotten our wires slightly crossed.”
“So you understand me then.”
“Yes, General. I understand completely.” Colonel Uger nodded, his face stiffening in understanding and respect.
General Zettour’s voice remained gentle as he responded, “Good.”
Spinning back around once more, General Zettour flashed a smile in Colonel Uger’s direction and began explaining how what Tanya had done had been carried out at his direction.
“It was a stroke of pure luck that the previous order managed to arrive despite all the communications mayhem. Considering the unfortunate fate that befell General Laudon, confusion on the ground was unavoidable. It falls to the General Staff to reestablish strict and formal order, and to ensure thorough implementation of the operational guidance I issued under my authority as the Eastern Chief Inspector.
“Don’t you agree?” the general asked bluntly, still clutching the cigarette between his lips. Of course, none could dissent. The orders falsely transmitted under General Zettour’s name had just been transformed into truth through this dreadnought act of absurdity.
But if the very person under whose name those orders had been issued now claimed to have been the one to issue them, what more could be said? These were official orders. That was the new reality, and it was time for everyone else to get with the picture. Colonel Uger nodded solemnly as Grantz watched on, signaling the beginning of that change.
“I will make the arrangements myself to ensure that everything is transmitted appropriately this time, without omission.”
“Excellent, very good,” said General Zettour, thanking Colonel Uger casually, as if the thought had just occurred to him. “My apologies, General, as always…for putting you to such pains.”
“No, it is my honor. If you will excuse me.”
Colonel Uger left with a salute. After watching him go, General Zettour turned his eyes back toward Grantz, almost as if he had just remembered Grantz’s presence. For his part, Grantz would have much rather been left forgotten. He was still frightened. Genuinely, incredibly frightened.