Chapter Text
Autumn, 0800 Military Time
Strategy & Meeting Tent
Five Kilometers West of Moskva, Russy Federation
The Empire’s first kampfgruppe was holding an important strategy meeting. A map displaying their position and their enemies’ probable positions lay on the table in front of them. It was a long, grueling war of attrition up to this point. Despite a lack of properly trained mages, the Rus army held back the superior Imperial forces with numbers alone. Taking down 10 soldiers would only lead to 100 more taking their place, like a damn Communist hydra.
However, the General Staff had an Ace of Aces up their sleeve. Magic Lieutenant Colonel Tanya von Degurechaff, at the head a new war machine of her own creation, was ordered to make a concerted stab through the poorly trained Rus lines with the newly christened Salamander Kampfgruppe. Headed by the elite Imperial 203rd Aerial Mage Battalion, the group made swift progress. The main goal of the mission was to disrupt and neutralize the opposition though any means necessary.
They were now deep in the heart of Russy Federation territory, and Lieutenant Colonel Degurechaff had received new sealed orders the day before from the General Staff, regarding her kampfgruppe’s objective. They were within spitting distance of the Russy Capital, Moskva, and the next step to the operation was clear. Though, if her subordinates didn’t shut up soon, no one would learn this next step.
“Quiet down!” the irate Lieutenant Colonel slammed her hands on the table, “It’s time to go over our plan of action.”
A consensus among the General Staff was that the Rus Capitol would feature some form of aerial defense, largely due to the 203rd’s raid on the city several months prior. Whether that defense would take the form of a replenished multinational volunteer aerial mage battalion, or that of the Federation’s own malnourished mages recalled from the gulag, had yet to be known. Given the rational approach of the Imperial Brass, the worst was expected on all fronts.
“Now that Salamander is in range of Moskva, the General Staff has given the green light on an all-out attack to finally subjugate our enemies.” The Argent smirked. “While the infantry tears across the city, the 203rd Aerial Battalion will blanket the skies. Any mage and artillery resistance will be brought to heel. Major Weiss?”
For once, the Empire wasn’t fighting a neighboring power with only its own might. For reasons unrelated -and frankly, unimportant- to the Empire, the Akitsushima Dominion had attacked the Federation’s Eastern theater. The Dominion had decided to take a remarkably Imperial stance with the Communist power’s exponential growth. The Dominion saw the weakening of the Rus as a prime opportunity to both increase influence on the continent while also relieving the tension along their Western borders. In other words, Akitsushima saw the Federation’s potential collapse similarly to how the Empire viewed a potential take down of the Entente Alliance years earlier. Not to mention, the resources the Dominion would gain from seizing industrial areas on the way through would solve many of the issues that came from being an isolated island nation.
“Yes, Commander. The Dominion’s attack has left the Capitol without most of its ground defenses. It would be rude to ignore the red carpet laid out before us.” Magic Major Matheus Weiss added.
The Argent smiled, “It’s beyond great to have a second-in-command such as him. Morale-boosting is an essential skill for an officer on the front lines; if the soldiers can no longer smile, than the war is already lost. The Empire is truly lucky to have a human resource as adept as him.”
“Major Weiss is correct of course. Such an invitation must be answered in kind,” the White Silver continued, “As such, the General Staff has extended an invitation of their own. Roll out our red carpet, soldiers, for the leaders of the Russy Federation have opted to dine in our holding cells tonight. Lieutenant Serebryakov.”
“Right!” the White Silver’s Wing saluted, then turned to face the assembly, “Our main targets are Josef Dzhugashvili and Loria. The General Staff has mandated that they want these two men brought in most of all.”
Imperial intelligence’s successful espionage in the Federation had uncovered crucial information about the Rus leadership. Namely, where the location of the base of operations for said leadership resided. Additionally, foxholes for the two most notorious Communist leaders -General Secretary Josef Dzhugashvili and Loria, the Head of the NKVD- were under constant surveillance. If either or both of the two decided to make a run for the hills, they would be caught and detained mercilessly. If it ever came to that.
“Aah, the best part about having subordinates is delegating tasks to other people. In this case, uncomfortable dialogue.” Tanya sighed internally, “I don’t envy to poor sap who has to answer to a Communist superior. That seems like a hell fit only for the most unfortunate souls.”
“What condition do the Commies have to be in when we invite them to our picnic?” Third Company Commander Koenig questioned with a quirked brow.
Lieutenant Serebryakov answered, “Alive, if possible. Dead, if they resist enough that it could be considered a threat. ‘In the unlikely event that they fight back, their corpses can still serve as sufficient propaganda’ were the General Staff’s exact words.”
“What a grim proclamation,” Tanya smiled at her subordinates, “In any case, we’ll recover them to the best of our ability. I’ll make sure they get what they deserve.”
The leading veterans of the 203rd Aerial Mage Battalion were awash with confidence at her words, “That smile… is it her way of comforting us over such a tense situation? That’s the Argent for you! Even if it would cost her reputation, she wouldn’t hesitate to dirty her hands for her Battalion’s sake. Such a noble heart she has!”
“If either of them resists in the slightest, I won’t hesitate to put a bullet right between their eyes. Goddamn Commies.” Tanya’s thoughts were on a slightly different wavelength.
Regardless of conflicting viewpoints, all that was left was to decide who would protect the skies and who would capture the Communists. It was a easy decision. Fighting off Rus and/or multinational volunteer mages would be far more dangerous than searching for politicians.
“Rejoice, Second, Third, and Fourth Companies. The glory of defeating the enemy’s aerial opposition rest on your shoulders. Perhaps we can fill the entire battalion with Aces.” Lieutenant Colonel Degurechaff frowned, seemingly upset. “I can’t take all the glory after all. The First Company will go with me to find and capture our Communist dinner guests.”
“Lieutenant Colonel Degurechaff is so selfless!” her Company Commanders could have cried, “The Commander is radiant on the battlefield, and yet she doesn’t want to take the credit. Thank you for letting us shine, brave Commander! We won’t disappoint you!”
“Search and capture will be much safer than fighting mages. Make sure to work extra hard so I can do my job peacefully!” She gleefully thought to herself.
“You have your orders. Assemble your gear and be ready to fight in sixty minutes!” the ideal Imperial soldier saluted her troops, “The end to this war lies in your hands, my Kampfgruppe. Glory to the Empire!”
“GLORY TO THE EMPIRE!” They shouted; their salutes held steady. The time to strike was now.
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0920 Military Time
The Sky
Capitol City Moskva, Russy Federation
The assault by the Salamander Kampfgruppe, lead by the Argent herself, was in full swing. The infantry was spreading through the city, largely crushing any resistance from the skeleton crew that made up the rear guard. It wasn’t entirely a wash. The smarter of the Rus forces were attempting to conduct a pitched defensive battle using guerilla tactics. Unfortunately for the Federation, it wouldn’t be enough.
The majority of the Russy army was currently devoted to a two-front war against the Empire and the Dominion. The few ground troops that were afforded to protect Moskva simply could not be expected to last in a proper fight against the Imperial elite. At least the Communists had learned one thing from the 203rd raid: the need for actual defenders in their most important city. They even had aerial mages of their own this time, along with more multinational volunteers.
Of course, this meant practically nothing to the attacking Salamander Kampfgruppe. The Imperial 203rd Aerial Mage Battalion was the elite of the elite. Several factors were at play here. The Rus mages had spent much of their lives in the gulag; it was almost comical how green they were. It would take years for the volunteer mages to get the Rus up to par, and those were years the Federation did not have.
The volunteers were screwed from the start as well. Without another overpowered “Mary Sioux” on their side, it almost seemed like the 203rd were fighting the Entente Alliance’s mages again. It was pathetically easy. Experience was a teacher the Imperial mages knew well. The Devil of the Rhine was also a teacher they knew well. Put those two together, and you got the 203rd, the best of the best.
“This is almost too easy!” Fourth Company Commander Neumann exclaimed over the radio.
“Agreed. Perhaps we could go shoot ducks later. Then, we might get a little challenge.” Major Weiss said mockingly.
“Let’s make this interesting then,” Third Company Commander Koenig chimed in, “The worst performing company is providing the alcohol for our victory celebration!”
“Fourth Company will take you up on that bet!” Neumann swiftly responds.
“Thank you for your valiant sacrifice, Captain Koenig.” Weiss laughed, “With your company picking up the tab, we can truly go all out tonight.”
Koenig adjusted his grip on his rifle, “Oh, confident, are we? If you think my company will be paying, you are sorely mistaken!”
Then, a new voice came through.
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Same Time
Communist Party Headquarters
Capitol City Moskva, Russy Federation
“Are you having fun, my battalion?” Lieutenant Colonel Tanya von Degurechaff spoke into her radio, amusement coloring her voice. “I do hope you showed the immigration staff your passports. We wouldn’t want to cause any trouble, would we?”
“Damn, I left mine at home!”
“The check-in line was far too long Commander.”
“We would never cause trouble, what do you take us for?”
The humored responses poured in from the fighting Companies.
Jokes were always a good way to keep her subordinates motivated. And, if they found other ways to self-motivate, such as through alcohol or bragging rights, who was she to stop them? Regardless, business had to be addressed.
“Enough. Take this seriously, no matter how weak they are,” the Argent shifted the topic of conversation, “You have new orders once you’ve swept away the trash. Captain Koenig, Third Company is to secure the aerial and land routes back to base.”
“Yes Colonel!” Koenig responded.
“Captain Neumann, your Company will support the infantry. Don’t let them be embarrassed by the local militia.” Lieutenant Colonel Degurechaff continued.
Neumann acknowledged his orders with a laugh, “Consider them supported, Commander!”
“And Captain Weiss, you and the Second Company will meet up and assist First Company in the search and capture. Follow my mana signature.”
“We shall support you with all our might, Lieutenant Colonel.” Major Weiss confirmed with a sober grin.
“It’s so nice to have competent people under my command.” Tanya swooned internally, then stated, “First Company and I have located the Communist Headquarters. Don’t expect any help from our end. Put those Commie bastards in the mud where they belong! Salamander 01, out.”
Tanya let her left hand drop from her throat mic to rest on her submachine gun. Looking up at the building before them, she didn’t bother suppressing her grimace. It was disgusting how nice the building -small palace more like- looked compared to everything else in the Federation. This is the epitome of a failed system. The Rus people starved and slaved away while the Communist leaders lived in the lap of luxury. The Kaiser of the Empire might live in similarly opulent accommodations, but at least his people were well provided and cared for. If communism wasn’t doomed to die, it could have learned a thing or two from the Empire’s success.
“Lieutenant Colonel Degurechaff,” her adjutant, Lieutenant Viktoriya Serebryakov, interrupted her musings, “Intelligence’s belief that a meeting would occur around this time has been proven correct. Intercepted radio transmissions between NKVD security detail confirmed our target beyond doubt.”
“Good work Lieutenant.” Tanya smirked devilishly. “Let’s not keep them waiting. First Company, ready magic blades, reinforcement, and agility spells. I want every Communist in this building regretting their own birth.”
Tanya formed her own magic blade, then pointed it at the nearest platoon.
“If anyone gets injured or has to fall back because of the worthless shmucks that constitute this palace’s security force, I won’t hesitate to kill you myself.” Her eyes flashed dangerously, “If even one of my men can be scratched by these Commie bastards, I’ll have failed as a Commander and as an Imperial soldier. Glory to the Empire that has made you the strongest mages in the world!”
“COMMANDER!!!” First Company was in awe, “We won’t forget the trust you’ve placed in us! We truly are blessed to have such patriotic and caring leadership to guide us. We would follow you to the depths of Hell if you only asked.”
Tanya gave a mental chuckle, “Don’t you dare fall to these incompetent Commies, I need all the meat shields I can get. Heh, that’s a good look on their faces. Maybe I should take up motivational speaking when the war is over.”
The Argent checked her own gun, making sure her bayonet was affixed properly. Then, with a burst of mana, she kicked down the front doors with the ease of a schoolboy stepping on an ant. Moving to the side of the entranceway, the Lieutenant Colonel began barking orders.
“Lieutenant Serebryakov, with me! Everyone else, find those Commies! GO GO GO!”
“HOO-RAH!” First Company stormed the Headquarters. The Communists never stood a chance.
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0925 Military Time
Strategy Chamber, Communist Party Headquarters
Capitol City Moskva, Russy Federation
“HOW COULD THESE IMPERIAL RATS GET SO CLOSE TO OUR CAPITOL,” Loria, out of his chair and beyond furious, resembled a very ugly tomato. If his blood pressure got any higher, he’d likely burst an artery. It was almost as though he was trying to scream louder than the room’s soundproofing could handle.
“I cannot let those Imperial bastards keep me from finding my young, golden-haired goddess!” Loria mentally salivated, “White Silver, my pure angel, I WILL have you!”
He let out a heated breath, seeming to calm slightly, “They must have someone on the inside to have made it this far. A spy-!”
“That’s enough Loria. Clearly, there has been a screw up with the communications from the Western front.” General Secretary Josef interrupted, his hand raised in a placating gesture, “Have the NKVD look into the matter as soon as we’re done here.”
Loria sat down; temper somewhat abated. Despite his place as the General Secretary’s most useful subordinate, he knew not to test Josef’s patience. Time to do his job. If there was one thing Loria was good at, it was sending his NKVD on witch hunts. Perhaps some ‘evidence’ would find its way into the desks of various political annoyances. What better way to get rid of Loria’s opposition than through orders from the General Secretary himself?
“Once that’s done, all I need are some youthful bed warmers to finish off the day,” Loria thought, his depraved nature rearing its head, “I think I’ll pick out five -no, eight- ladies to join the fun. If only you were here, my goddess!”
Be careful what you wish for.
“Now, how is our situation on the Eastern front?” General Secretary Josef continued the meeting with a cool confidence, “Is the Akitsushima Dominion still knocking on our shores?”
Knock Knock
Before anyone could respond, there was an interruption on their doors. A muffled female voice could be heard a second later through the wood.
“Did someone order a pizza?”
CRASH