01x08 - Trial by Fire

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H: Clear, with a chance of a*tillery shells.

H: Visibility is excellent again today,

H: and so a bloody w*r is taking place.

H: Just when you thought we'd finallytaken out the Entente Alliance,

H: you find yourself back to the front lines,dealing with shells the whole day.

H: And sometimes, when you wake up,

H: you can find that the comrade whowent to sleep next to you is dead.

H: Unified Year April, Rhine Front

H: That's how life is on the Rhine Front.

H: Battalion, we'll provide support for this mission.

H: Get in there as low as possible

H: and take out all enemy a*tillery at once.

H: Deal with enemy air unitsand mages as you see fit.

H: Also, our allies won't cease a*tillery fireeven after we begin the mission.

H: I doubt anyone in my battalion is stupid enough to get hit by one of our shells,

H: Imperial Army rd Aerial Mage Battalion, Company Second Lieutenant Warren Grantz

H: but keep it in mind.

Gu: They're as extravagant as ever.

Gu: a*tillery shells aren't free, you know.

Gu: Stay sharp.

Gu: Those are airburst shells with timers.

Gu: Once they explode,their fragments will rain down on us.

Gu: I know that.

V: This is .

V: I've sighted two enemy magecompanies approaching!

T: Company , begin anti-mage combat.

T: Show these idiots we won't see themwithout an appointment!

T: The rest of you, take out a*tillery.

T: Do it fast, and rendezvous with us!

T: Battalion, it's getting lively here.

T: Fun, ain't it?

Gu: Damn it.

Gu: That's why I told you to stay sharp.

Gu: First Lieutenant Weiss!

Gu: But I managed to score a fair few points.

Gu: Count on me next time, too.

Gu: Don't blame me if the last pointyou score is when you get blown up.

Gu: Haven't had enough ofthe commander up your a*s?

Gu: I know...

Gu: Take a lesson fromSecond Lieutenant Serebryakov.

Gu: She became a veteran just byflying next to the battalion commander.

V: What's this about me?

Gu: You and the commander have been a pair for a long time, right?

V: Well, I suppose so, but...

V: Will you take my place?

Gu: Military regulations won't allow that.

Gu: I'm sorry, but we can't.

V: I see.

Gu: Major Degurechaff!

Gu: Is Major Degurechaff here?

Gu: I'm First Lieutenant Weiss,her second-in-command.

Gu: Is this an emergency?

Episode : Episode Trial by Fire

T: A rear area's been cut off?

Gu: Y-Yes.

Gu: The partisans have started a rebellion in Arene City.

T: Arene City was formerly Republican territory.

T: We failed to extinguishthe opposition completely, huh?

Gu: Local garrison MPs failed to quell it.

Gu: They already control the railroadand are straining our supply lines.

Gu: That's bad.

Gu: We have to fight without food or shells?

Gu: Imperial Territory Arene City

Gu: Die!

Gu: Take this!

Gu: Dog of the Empire!

Gu: A-An aerial insertion...

Gu: The Republic's begun an airship mission!

Gu: Enemy mages are trying to hook up with the rebels—

Gu: Republican Army nd Mage CompanyLieutenant Colonel Severin Bientot

Gu: Secure defensive points and prepare for a long battle!

Gu: Every day that we can, we'll draw out the w*r and strangle the enemy!

Gu: Rejoice, Major Degurechaff.

Gu: Imperial Army Western Theater Command

Gu: Imperial Army Western Theater Command Commander Mortiz Paul Von Han

Gu: As of today, you have a special missionfrom Theater Command.

T: "The rd is to eliminate enemy mageswho have joined forces with Arene rebels.

T: Afterward, work with allies to recapture the city."

Gu: The situation requires quick action.

Gu: We're counting on you.

T: With pleasure, if those are your orders.

T: But combat in a city will be difficult.

Gu: No need to worry about that.

Gu: Strategic Command has given us a plan toquickly eliminate enemy units in the city.

T: And what is it?

Gu: An evacuation order will be issued for Arene.

Gu: Under international law, anyone whoremains in the city after that order

Gu: will be considered a Republican soldier.

Gu: Orders from above are to eliminate all hostiles in the city.

Gu: Once you wipe out the enemy mages, our a*tillery will begin a barrage.

T: I see.

T: So we've got hell ahead of us,

T: and hell behind us.

T: Naturally, this is a very silly question.

T: But our enemy is onlythe Republican Army, yes?

Gu: Of course.

T: If possible, I would like to knowthe nature of these enemy combatants.

Gu: All of them, except a small numberof Republican mages, are militiamen.

Gu: Many Imperial civilians have already been captured.

T: How sad...

T: We must get to work immediately, then.

Gu: Yes.

T: Well, the civilian presence will be an issue.

T: But I can't see regular soldiersusing civilians as human shields.

T: We're simply taking out an enemy base...

T: Since we'll be following the rulesand issuing an evacuation order—

Gu: Major?

T: I'm sorry, sir.

Gu: It is a sad thing, though.

T: Yeah, it's terribly sad.

T: But we are soldiers,

T: and if orders say we must burn beautiful Arene to the ground,

T: that is what we must do.

Gu: Who would want to be a soldier, huh?

Gu: An evacuation order? Ha!

T: Battalion members,it's time for a sightseeing trip.

T: The enemy has sent airships.

T: Their mages have joined up with the Arene militia.

T: The city has fallen into Republican hands.

T: Of course, we'll take it back!

T: But there's a problem.

T: We must eliminateall Republican forces in the city.

Gu: All?

T: Well, firing on non-combatants is strictly forbidden.

T: But since we're fighting in a city,

T: we have permission to destroy property.

T: Additionally, we'll issue declarations beforeand after combat with enemy mages.

T: If the enemy accepts our terms of surrender, then very well.

T: If they don't, we wipe them out.

T: Dismissed.

Gu: Wipe them out?

Gu: In a city?

Gu: Eliminate all enemies?

Gu: She can't mean...

Gu: Is this really okay?

Gu: Wiping out all enemies in the city means...

Gu: It means...

Gu: I can't imagine them surrenderingjust because we issue a declaration.

Gu: And I heard we're even using an a*tillery barrage.

Gu: Besides, differentiating betweenmilitia and non-combatants is impossible!

Gu: We might end up—

Gu: Don't say another word.

Gu: Get in here and stay put!

Gu: I didn't expect them to be herein just a few hours.

Gu: It seems they're taking this seriously.

Gu: Bravo Leader to Combat Area Control.

Gu: Sending data on enemy mage unit.

Gu: Confirm.

Gu: The Devil of the Rhine?

Gu: They brought out the big g*ns, huh?

Gu: Enemy vanguard has passed the IFF boundary.

Gu: Approaching airspace above the city at high speed.

Gu: They're coming!

Gu: Prepare for long-distance ambush!

Gu: No one's here, huh?

Gu: An evacuation order was issued.

Gu: So of course not.

Gu: Ambushers! We're being sniped at!

T: Engage!

T: Everyone, split up!

V: Enemy locations confirmed.

V: Four o'clock and seven o'clock.

T: They're fast.

T: You won't escape!

Gu: Damn it.

Gu: Where are they?

T: Everyone, prepare for close-range combat.

T: Their goal is to buy time!

T: Don't get scared!

: Yes, ma'am!

Gu: Second Lieutenant Grantz...

Gu: Sorry, but I'm feeling strangely tired.

Gu: Can I get a stimulant?

Gu: R-Right!

Gu: First Lieutenant Weiss! You've been hit!

Gu: What?

Gu: You didn't notice?

Gu: I'll use a coagulant.

Gu: Hurry!

T: Second Lieutenant,how does that idiot look?

Gu: His life isn't in danger,but I don't think he can keep fighting.

T: Fine.

T: First Lieutenant Weiss, get out of here.

Gu: But, Battalion Commander—

T: Your leaving won't create problems.

T: I'd rather you take all the wounded out of here than slow us down.

Gu: Yes, ma'am.

T: First Lieutenant Koenig willtake over as second-in-command.

T: I'll take command of Company .

Gu: Roger.

Gu: Good luck.

T: You think too much.

T: You hesitated, didn't you?

T: You fool!

T: Be prepared for the worst when I get back.

Gu: I'm sorry.

Gu: Enemy mages have scattered!

Gu: They're charging us!

Gu: Fall back!

Gu: Stay at range and keep firing!

V: Enemy mages are retreating.

V: They're hiding inside a building.

T: Fine, the as*ault is canceled.

T: Let them go inside.

V: Are you sure?

T: If we ensure they can't touchthe a*tillery units outside the city,

T: we've basically achieved our objective.

T: What happens later isn't our problem.

V: Roger.

T: Let's send our message.

T: Connect me to a*tillery, too.

T: A message to the irregulars engaged in armed rebellion.

T: In accordance with Article , Clause of the Wartime Combat Treaty,

T: we request the release ofall Imperial civilians in your custody.

T: Release the people of Arenethat you have unlawfully imprisoned.

Gu: Shut up!

Gu: We are the people of Arene!

Gu: There are no unlawful prisoners!

T: We cannot allow your massacres to continue.

T: In accordance with Article , Clause of the Wartime Combat Treaty,

T: send us your commanding officer.

T: If you fail to heed this warning,

T: we will be forced to consider you combatants.

Gu: It's way too late for that.

Gu: Damn those Imperial shits!

Gu: What do we do? What do we do?

Gu: Damn it... Damn it all!

T: Did you get that?

V: Yes.

V: I recorded it with my computation jewel.

T: Send it to Command.

T: Sheesh... This is the problem with militiasthat don't have a chain of command.

Gu: Command to all units involved with the operation.

Gu: We will move to wipe out the enemy.

Gu: Eliminate Republican forces in Arene.

T: Okay, I've fulfilled my duty by demanding their surrender.

T: Let's get to work... "protecting our people."

Gu: Wha...

Gu: What is this?

Gu: What the hell is this?!

Gu: Commander Bientot!

Gu: Protect the Republican citizensand withdraw from the combat zone!

Gu: Hurry!

Gu: Loading complete.

Gu: Fire.

Gu: This way!

Gu: Hang in there!

Gu: I'm just saving the prisoners...

Gu: I'm just helping people.

V: Anyone else?

Gu: I think this is everyone.

Gu: Attention, Pixie Battalion.

Gu: Remaining enemy mages are at point B, serving as a rear guard.

Gu: They're interfering with our spottersand preventing our a*tillery from firing.

Gu: Can you take them out?

T: I have visual.

T: No problem.

T: It's possible.

Gu: As soon as the rear guard is down,

Gu: we'll resume the a*tillery attack.

Gu: Try to finish within five minutes.

T: Roger that.

T: I'll do my best.

Gu: Battalion Commander!

Gu: Please reconsider...

Gu: They don't know how toescape an a*tillery barrage!

Gu: If... If we take out those mages—

T: The Empire's enemies will bewiped out by a*tillery.

T: Fine by me.

Gu: But that's—

T: Second Lieutenant Grantz,

T: the enemy you let go will take up his g*n again.

T: To sh**t us.

T: If we let them go, some will become new soldiers who hate the Empire.

Gu: So... You want us to k*ll themjust for that reason?!

T: This is the order from our superiors.

T: We sh**t the enemy, or they'll sh**t us.

T: If nothing else, we must sh**t until we're told not to anymore.

T: I'll pretend I didn't hear what you just said.

T: But I'll say this once more.

T: This is the order from our superiors.

T: Take up your g*n.

Gu: What did you want to discuss?

Gu: This paper,

Gu: which was submitted last summerto the Army Academy's th Lab.

Gu: The paper deals with ways to legalize combat in cities.

Gu: It contains a way to interpret wartime law,

Gu: to avoid the restrictions onartillery bombardment of cities.

Gu: Did you use thiswhen you planned this operation?

Gu: If I did?

Gu: Nothing.

Gu: I just wanted to know for certain.

Gu: The author of the paper wasMajor Degurechaff, wasn't it?

Gu: As you say, she seems to bean extremely talented soldier.

Gu: Not using those talents would be foolish.

Gu: I am going to give her an extremely important job

Gu: to end the w*r with the Republic.

Gu: You're finally awake?

Gu: Allied Kingdom Humanitarian Aid Group "Peace World Hospital"

Gu: I'm told you were found floating in a fjord, critically wounded.

Gu: You've been unconscious for months.

Gu: They only identified you a few days ago.

Gu: I saw a light.

Gu: The light of God...

Gu: Very interesting.

Gu: And what did God tell you?

Gu: To destroy that devil.

Next time: Next Time Prepare to Advance

Next time: This program is fiction. All persons, groups, places, laws, and names appearing in it have no relation to the real world.