02x05 - Unlucky Draw

[bunniefuu]

[Saga of Tanya the Evil 2]

UNIFIED YEAR 1927, MAY 26
IMPERIAL CAPITAL BERUN CENTRAL STATION

THIS PROGRAM IS PURELY FICTIONAL.
ALL CHARACTERS, ORGANIZATIONS,

PLACES, LAWS, AND NAMES MENTIONED
ARE UNRELATED TO ANY REAL-WORLD ENTITIES.

Do we really need a sending off?

We rarely see you in such a mess.

How could I miss that?

[Episode 5: The Worst Luck]
You drew the worst luck, didn't you?

What can I do?

I was the one
who defied the Supreme Command.

I'm afraid
the national finances will collapse.

Even the peace of the Imperial House
could be threatened.

I was prepared to be relieved of my post
as Deputy Chief of Operations.

It turned out it was only a transfer.
That's rather disappointing.

On the other hand, I wasn't transferred.

Even though we defied
the higher-ups together.

It's utterly absurd.

We are soldiers.

We have to obey the will of the state.

In terms of operational understanding

and political maneuvering,

you can't be replaced
in the General Staff.

Now I have no one to complain to.

Indeed.

Parting with you like this...

It's about time.

I'll leave the East to you.

You and I will achieve victory together.

Yeah.

We will.

May you have good luck in battle

and return as a triumphant general.

Prepare fine wine and cigars.

I'll drink you into bankruptcy.

We will achieve victory together, huh?

The Empire will be shaken
to its foundations if it fails even once.

However, the Federation can recover
even after repeated defeats.

It's so unfair.

Officers are supposed
to go to their posts alone when ordered,

but my influence in the East
will be limited.

So, essentially,
I don't have any usable pieces.

No, there's still one.

EASTERN FRONT
IMPERIAL EASTERN ARMY ADVANCE BASE

Why?

Why was I summoned to the Eastern Army?

Could it be related to the peace talks?

If that's the case,
why hasn't a ceasefire order been issued?

Even the military observer from Yirudoya said
that a ceasefire is just a matter of time.

Well, regardless,

this w*r can't possibly continue.

Anyone capable of rational judgment
would understand that.

Surely the higher-ups
aren't that stupid...

Huh?

It's been a while.

Lieutenant Colonel Degurechaff.

S-Sir!

What are you doing here?

I've been exiled to the frontier
by the General Staff.

I'll be in your care for a while.

E-Exiled?

Our faction's leader
has fallen from power?

Huh? What's wrong?

S-Sorry.

I'm a bit dizzy from lack of sleep.

This is bad.

At this rate, my career plans...

No one will even look at
my recommendation letter from him.

No, wait.

If the peace talks worked out,

this would still be acceptable.

So...
- To be honest, the peace talks have fallen through.

The Supreme Command
demanded further military gains

in order to secure better terms.

I was transferred here for opposing it.

W-What did you say?

Not only did the peace talks fall through,

but you became a victim of that?

This is the worst case scenario.

Hey.

Hey.

Are you okay?

S-Sorry.

I felt dizzy from the shock.

That won't do.

From now on,
you'll have to work even harder.

I-In a situation like this,

he's still going to exploit me?

Now, based on political considerations,

I will be in charge of a large-scale
offensive operation in the East.

Andromeda Operation.

The main objective is to secure
more favorable peace terms.

And a part of this is to break
the enemy's will to continue fighting.

The specific plan is to seize
the Federation's resource-producing regions.

In this operation,

the Eastern Army will be split into Army Group A,
responsible for the main offensive,

and Army Group B,
responsible for maintaining the front line.

Army Group A will attack,
and Army Group B will defend.

If this operation succeeds,

our forces will be able to
sustain combat capability,

while the enemy will be weakened.

We can then expect them
to make concessions in peace talks.

That's why General Zettour is going to Army Group B
to inspect and provide guidance?

In reality, it's just exile.

The Supreme Command
didn't want to hear unpleasant truths.

I understand the operation.

But the negotiations with Yirudoya...

I heard they've been put on hold.

If the higher-ups want us to win,
we have to win.

And we have no other options.

I'll be frank.

What do you think
about Andromeda Operation?

To be honest,

in one word, reckless.

Go on.

The defensive line Army Group B
has to hold is already too wide.

The forces are overstretched.

If Army Group A advances
under these conditions,

the flanks that need to be defended
will be stretched even further.

In that case,

Army Group B will be like
a rubber band stretched to its limit.

Not to mention a full-on attack,

even a pinprick could cause it to snap.

Furthermore,

the name of this operation
is annoying enough.

The name?

The name means
"the distant galaxy of stars".

While I can appreciate the romanticism,

it's probably an overly ambitious goal.

Well said.

The one who named it seems rough,
but is surprisingly sensitive.

Yes.

Your objections are reasonable.

But unfortunately,
the plan won't be changed.

You will formulate a defense plan
for Army Group B.

A plan?

What do we need
in order to defend properly?

We need the initiative.

Without the initiative,
the defense is impossible.

That's a truth of w*r.

The question is the specific means.

As this is the choice of the weaker side,

we'll wait for the right moment
to counterattack precisely.

Lure the enemy with bait,

and once they fall into the trap,
we annihilate them in one fell swoop.

That's easy to say.

Right.

We must prepare bait
tempting enough to lure the enemy.

And the bait must have the tenacity to hold on
until they've swallowed the hook completely.

No need to worry about that.

I still have one card up my sleeve.

I don't know who it is,

but I feel sorry for them.

Next, we also need hunters
who can k*ll them instantly when they take the bait.

Hmm.

The strategic reserve forces
available in the East

are the armored divisions,
the core strength of Army Group B?

But even the main divisions
can't be easily deployed.

In that case,
what we can mobilize immediately

is probably only your Kampfgruppe...

Ah, don't worry.

I may be a harsh superior,
but I wouldn't ask that much of you.

Thank you for your consideration.

It's fine, no need for formalities.

Because I still need you as bait.

Making you bait and then the hunter?
Even I think that's too much.

Huh?

Um...

Are you saying I am

the bait?

This is your proposal.

It's only natural that you carry it out.

With the unit
that bombed their capital as bait,

plenty of enemies will fall for it.

However, even if we can use
the core armored divisions,

we still don't have enough strength.

You are absolutely right.

I'm ashamed to say,

the plan I conceived seems to have
almost no chance of success.

I will devise another plan immediately.

Excuse me.

Use one of your squadrons.

What?

Didn't you hear me?

I'm borrowing one of your mage squadrons.

That will be enough.

Y-You mean to split up our forces?

Exactly.

W-With all due respect,

my unit is not an ordinary squadron.

Moreover, in a defensive battle,
mage units are crucial.

It's like cutting off my own limbs...

It's nothing.

It's just like cutting off one finger.

A-Are you determined
to take from my squadron?

If we don't, how are we supposed
to rescue you when you're surrounded?

If you can accept the platoon
led by the young Lieutenant Glanz.

I'll be most grateful.

Now, for this fishing spot.

Look.

Right here.

Sordim 528 Position?

That was originally
a Federation vehicle repair depot.

It was occupied by the Imperial Army
during the previous Operation Iron Hammer,

but since the forces were withdrawn,
it's currently in a semi-abandoned state.

It's located along the railway line,

which makes it ideal as a supply base.

If the enemy wants to retake a base,
it will surely be this one.

Your Kampfgruppe must meet
the enemy's attack head-on.

Hold out until our allies
come to relieve you.

Wait a moment.

Could I decide on my own
depending on the situation to retreat...

Denied.

Hold out at any cost.

UNITED KINGDOM FORCES, MILITARY INTELLIGENCE
It's been a while.

UNITED KINGDOM FORCES, MILITARY INTELLIGENCE
Uncle.

COLONEL SIR ISAAC DUSTIN DRAKE
William.

COLONEL SIR ISAAC DUSTIN DRAKE
You still have that gloomy look.

Yes.

Because the troublemaker in my unit
has made a friend.

If Rear Admiral Harbergram takes them in,
I'll be very grateful.

This is a small gift.

I smuggled it in after negotiating
with Federation customs officials.

It's whiskey from our country.

Well...

Burn it after reading.

This is the latest intelligence
from ULTRA.

ULTRA.

The spy who infiltrated
the heart of the Empire?

Can we trust this guy?

You've heard about
the Empire's movements, right?

Yes.

The operation is codenamed Andromeda.

And they've instructed us
to respond accordingly.

According to ULTRA's intelligence,

there seems to be a conflict
between the Imperial Army and the government.

That's good to hear.

But even if we know that...

This conflict

has caused a general from the General Staff
to be transferred to the Eastern Front.

Lieutenant General Hans von Zettour.

He's troublesome.

Troublesome?

You mean he's very capable?

Yes, and terrifyingly so.

If you ever see him on the b*ttlefield,

k*ll him.

Eliminate him at all costs.

[Saga of Tanya the Evil 2]

I thought the Federation's air power had been
wiped out in Operation Iron Hammer,

but with weapon support of the Unified States,
it has already been rebuilt.

Has the premise of Andromeda Operation
already collapsed?

He will probably be furious.

What's going on?

Why haven't we reached an agreement
with the Foreign Ministry yet?

B-Because the previous negotiations
with the administrative departments

were always unofficially mediated
by General Zettour.

But now...

What about those ships
of unknown nationality?

A-According to the Northern Fleet,
their numbers are still increasing.

Darn it.

Can't we just launch
an indiscriminate attack with submarines?

According to legal experts,

doing so would pose a high risk
of violating international law.

You're too slow with your reports!

This is Lieutenant Colonel Uga.

IMPERIAL ARMY GENERAL STAFF, ARMY RAILWAY DEPARTMENT
LIEUTENANT COLONEL MAXIMILIAN JOHANN VON UGA

The United Kingdom has launched
another nighttime bombing on western industrial areas.

We are currently compiling
the battle damage report.

But our forces are insufficient
to stop all enemy's aircraft.

It is already affecting
production efficiency.

There are already problems
with the supply for Andromeda.

Are you dense?

You're just giving me boring reports.

Tell me a joke.

My apologies.

I-Is this true?

Yes, Comrade Loriya.

It is said that the reactionary known as
the "Devil of the Rhine" has occupied that position.

How pathetic.

Am I being tempted?

That's right, they're looking down on us.

Notify the military
and let them handle it.

Notify?

Let them handle it?

Don't be stupid!

We will capture them alive by ourselves.

You mean capture alive?

If they die in battle,
they'll just become heroes.

We must bring them to justice
in a public trial,

and make them suffer a lot,

no matter what...

EASTERN FRONT, SORDIM 528 POSITION

Being surrounded was expected,

but I didn't expect
there are so many of them.

Is this payback for the chaos
we caused in Moscow?

Darn.

I'm so envious of Lieutenant Glanz.

I hope he won't mess up
while serving under the general.

Who knows?

Getting beheaded might be
the least of his worries.

T-There's something worse than that?

The rescue force will really come, right?

EASTERN FRONT, ADVANCE BASE OPERATIONS ROOM
Emergency communication from Kampfgruppe Rerugen.

Sordim 528 Position has been surrounded
by numerous Federation forces.

What are you saying?

They've deviated from
the expected enemy advance route.

There should still be room to retreat.
- What on earth are the sentries and surveillance doing?

There are too many of them.

They just keep coming.
- They're charging straight at us.

The first line of defense
is about to be breached.

The line is being broken.

That's too fast! Tell them to hold on.

Buy as much time as possible.

This is bad.

They're advancing into the city too fast.

What's the status of each unit?

The armored units have withdrawn
and completed concealment.

No damage so far.

Same for the a*tillery.

Except for the platoon sent to support the infantry,
all other forces are intact.

Oh, I didn't expect
to hear that from you guys.

Lieutenant Colonel.

Lieutenant Tospan
wants to give a suggestion.

What? Lieutenant Tospan?

He's not trying to
pull some stunt again, is he?

This is Lieutenant Colonel Degurechaff.

Yes.

We want you to give us an order,
Lieutenant Colonel.

I believe I've already given the order.

Yes.

However, when encountering
an enemy force of this scale,

according to military tactical training,
it is generally required for troops to "withdraw".

Therefore, we hope that you can issue the order
of "holding out at any cost" as the unit commander.

Good...

I like you, Lieutenant.

I'll send someone with the written order
to hold out at any cost.

Yes. Roger.

What's wrong, Lieutenant Tospan?

It's enemy's heavy a*tillery.

Those guys are shelling indiscriminately.

Tch, how despicable.

Are they using their infantry
as disposable pawns?

Lieutenant Colonel.

Let us conduct counter-battery fire.

Denied. Let the mage units handle it.

Major Weiß, sh**t down the enemy's shells.

Lieutenant Colonel, are you serious?

You should have been trained for this
when the battalion was formed.

The density of military forces
is inadequate.

Two squadrons alone can't handle it all.

Major Weiß.

As a senior officer, this is unacceptable.

Do you want to be re-educated?

No...

I take it back.

Second and Third Squadrons,

sh**t down the shells
and strike the enemy's a*tillery.

Follow me!

FEDERATION ARMY
ENCIRCLEMENT FORCE HEADQUARTERS

Could you take the vanguard?

The Federation has mage units?

Is it that volunteer unit
we fought at Tiegenhoff?

Don't falter.

Prepare penetration formulas.





What are you doing?

Weiß, what's wrong?

Weiß?

Excuse me.

Alas...

Lieutenant Colonel Uga?

Ah, Colonel Rerugen.

It's been a long time
since we met like this.

Have you lost weight?

Yes.

You have too, Colonel.

We've both been saddled
with a lot of tough jobs.

Let's go grab a drink sometime.

Unfortunately, I still have work...

Are you dense?

Colonel Rerugen.

Lieutenant Colonel Uga.

I never thought
you'd be this kind of person.

Especially since you have a wife and child,
and heavy responsibilities.

To suggest that in a place like this...

[Next Episode: The Bait]