A logical enough question. Following strict reason, the discussion should end there. No matter how hard we might try, a single division of Imperial aerial mages cannot alter a situation like this. Game, set, match. Victory in war goes to the Federation… That would be the common sense conclusion.
However.
Is there such a thing as common sense in war?
If there were, war would never occur in the first place. If a war that should not be already is, then the Imperial mages have no obligation to content themselves with common sense and meekly accept defeat.
No. This single aerial mage division will devour the enemy’s logistics.
War, however, is an agglomeration of absurdity. If we can pull off the impossible, so can our enemies. I am reminded of this common truth by Captain Meybert via my radio, as I fly over enemy territory.
Altitude, 6,000. We are currently in scouting mode as we penetrate the enemy’s sphere of influence. This is the crucial moment—when I least wish to be distracted—so obviously I am none too pleased at receiving an emergency transmission from absentia command at this time.
However, there is danger in becoming the type of commander who does not welcome unwelcome news. I pick up.
“C-C-Colonel!”
It is the voice of our artillery man, clearly upset! Is this prodigious veteran, whom I have left in charge in my absence, frightened? To say that I have a bad feeling about this would be a massive understatement. However, perhaps because of that very feeling, I adopt a magnanimous tone as I respond, “Captain Meybert, what is it? Calm down. This isn’t like you.”
I speak slowly, enunciating each word so that my excited counterpart can hear me clearly and, by extension, hopefully calm down.
“B-but! It’s an emergency!”
Despite all my solicitude, Tanya’s voice does little to tranquilize him.
“Colonel, it is an emergency. It’s the enemy! They’re conducting an airborne attack on command!”
“What?”
My jaw drops. I fail to immediately grasp the meaning of his words. Captain Meybert, nearly in tears, repeats himself.
“It’s an air drop! The Federation Army is targeting Eastern Command! It’s a decapitation strike!”
Well, would you look at that. I purse my lips. The Federation is copying the Empire’s favorite trick.
“Damn it, Captain Meybert. That is not good news.”
An airborne assault on command. That is our specialty, but the truth is, it doesn’t necessarily take mages to pull it off. Assuming a one-way trip, even ordinary airborne troops would likely suffice.
Obviously, the Federation would not blink at such extreme steps. As long as they could establish an airhead, the rest could work itself out. I grimace. It’s just like those commies—willing to make the bloody trade if it means shattering our chain of command.
Now would be a good time to throw up, a voice inside my head whispers. But that would just be escapism, another voice chides in response.
I shake my head and begin asking Captain Meybert more questions, almost impulsively.
“What other units are nearby? I don’t care how bad it is. I need to know the situation at command.”
“We’re still in the dark! The only clear thing so far is that they are already fighting!”
I make an immediate decision.
Eastern Command may have lost General Laudon, but that only means they have lost their decision-maker. We cannot allow command to be excised entirely; that would mean losing all organized combat capabilities.
It is our duty to avoid the worst-case scenario, plain and simple.
“I am ordering you to provide assistance. Top priority. Use the entire Kampfgruppe if need be, including Lieutenant Tospan’s infantry—I don’t care. You have my permission to commit all forces currently at your disposal to assist Eastern Army Command.”
“Wh-who will hold the base?”
“Only leave what’s needed to destroy cryptographic equipment if it comes to that. Deploy with everyone else. I do not care what it takes—do not allow Eastern Army Command to be taken out by the enemy.”
“No matter the cost?”
I grunt emphatically in response to my subordinate’s question.
“Yes, Captain Meybert. Let me be clear: Even if it means total annihilation of our Kampfgruppe, the loss of command would be far worse.”
“I will begin immediately. Can we expect help from the mages?!” he asks, desperate for support.
But Tanya can only tell him the hard truth in a bitter voice: “Support will be difficult. We won’t make it in time. We’re deep in enemy territory right now, remember?”
We are currently infiltrating the enemy’s rear to target supply lines. Even if we can fly, it isn’t as though we can turn around and be at their door in five minutes like a delivery driver with a hot pizza.
“Can’t you turn back?!”
“I just told you, we won’t make it in time.”
“But, but…!”
I understand how he feels. This doesn’t look good for them. I don’t need to hear Captain Meybert’s pleas to know that any enemy airborne troops coming for command are going to mean business.
The core of a Kampfgruppe is its combined arms doctrine. Expecting them to fight with only artillery and infantry, since both Captain Ahrens’s armor and my mages are currently absent, is asking quite a lot.
As his boss, I consider what we can do. I can only choose the best option available under the circumstances. Though we may not be able to reach command in time, we can at least defilade against follow-on forces.
“We will mobilize here to prevent reinforcements from reaching the airhead. If we can make it on time, we’ll attempt to provide close air-support afterward…but don’t pin your hopes on that.”
“I’ll do what I can… If you can send even a company, though.”
“It’s an airborne attack on our HQ. Depending on the scale of the follow-on troops, there’s no guarantee we will be able to beat them back on this side, either, even at full strength. I say again, do not expect reinforcements.”
It is the worst thing someone can hear from their boss. There is effectively no guarantee that help is coming. I sigh midair. What a sad excuse for a boss Tanya has become.
I have never wanted to be a good soldier. I have wanted to be evaluated as one, treated accordingly, and given better career options. But given the choice, I would just as rather change career paths. When that time comes, I would not want a note in my personnel file stating that I am the type of boss who expects employees to fend for themselves.
If it were me in charge of hiring, I’d prefer to hire a team player. Who wouldn’t? Deep down, no one wants to be forced into self-sacrifice. But the bare minimum of social behavior demands that one be cognizant of others’ eyes, and display at least enough teamwork to avoid being seen as pushing the short end of the stick onto others.
As a functioning member of society, Tanya accepts that she is now in a position that requires her to provide good faith support to Captain Meybert. Of all the damned luck! But I can hardly complain out loud. Instead, I offer up a different complaint.
“Those damn Federation commies. When the hell did they get so good at war?!”