02x04 - Operation Iron Hammer

[bunniefuu]

You're out of your office in
the middle of an operation, huh?

And you're entering without permission.

Does the word "classified"
mean nothing to you?

I simply thought you might
join me for breakfast.

You stayed here all night again?

There's no one waiting for me at home.

Your wife and daughter are still
at her parents' home in the south?

Yes. They haven't left since
my daughter's fiancé died.

It's still badly affecting her, it seems.

I'm sure she knew it was possible, but...

It's a tragedy happening everywhere
in the Empire right now.

You can come stay at
my place, if you like.

I'll get you something more
comfortable to sleep on.

I'll pass.

As long as I can sleep, it
doesn't matter where I do it.

The operation's started.

A large-scale counterattack that
will determine the fate of the w*r.

However it ends, I hope it ends here.

Yes.

How does our comms network look?

It's fine.

No sign of enemy airpower in the area.

"No reparations, no territorial changes,
no other conditions" is not acceptable.

That's our leaders' determination.

Which means we need to win
better terms for ourselves.

Security guarantees are our top priority.

A demilitarized buffer zone.
And reparations, if possible.

It's fine to continue
the negotiations, but...

Now the w*r's entirely political.

High leadership made the call.

I'm sure you have your own
opinions as a soldier,

but I'll ask you to
keep them to yourself.

It's time.

Let's get started, then.

A sealed order from command.

Now, let's see what
they've got to say today...

Paratroopers? That's crazy.

The bridges are too far...

Get our officers together immediately.

Understood.

We still don't have our lines
in good order...

Even if we push our lines forward,
they'll just push them back.

We still don't have enough supplies...

This was supposed to end
with unconditional peace!

And instead we're launching
a large-scale attack?

Major, what should I be doing
during this operation?

Don't worry. Nothing difficult.

If they tell you to go, you go.

If they tell you to return, you return.

You run around for a while,
and then the battle's over.

Our trained officers have learned to
keep their heads straight, but...

If you're going to fight,
you need sweets!

Hey, don't keep them to yourself!

Hey, don't take every last one!

I'll have to take a lesson from them.

It's not like peace talks
are off the table entirely.

I'll just have to do my job.

It's time, everyone!

Our goal for this operation is to surround
and annihilate the enemy's field army.

We'll destroy the enemy's main forces

and eliminate their ability
to continue this w*r.

The key to this operation is to use the
river to the enemy's rear as a barrier.

The paratroopers have already
deployed to make this happen.

They're attempting to lock
down several bridges.

We will follow up and
reinforce the paratroopers,

destroying the enemy's line
of retreat and supply lines.

Of course, the enemy will do whatever
it takes to get those bridges back.

We need to support the paratroopers
and protect the bridges.

Thus, this operation
will be about mobility.

We will smash into the enemy lines
with a highly mobile "iron hammer"

and meet up with our paratroopers
at the enemy's rear.

With their lines of retreat
and supplies totally cut off,

we will then divide and surround
the enemy field army.

Our allies will then
annihilate our trapped foe.

So thoroughly the Federation's leadership
never wants to fight a w*r again.

Our job in this operation is to
be at the front of the charge.

We'll be breaking through
the enemy's center.

If we're delayed, the paratroopers
may be wiped out.

Our responsibility is great.

Lieutenant Colonel, an operation
like this requires air superiority.

We can't move when
we're being shot from the sky.

Don't worry.

Our allies have already secured
air superiority, I'm told.

Even if that's true,
the enemy's defenses are strong.

They don't have any trenches yet, but...

How do we break through?

Look at this!

A Federation command jurisdiction map?

That's right.

Strategic HQ intelligence
has a plan for us

to slip through the gaps in
their assigned combat areas.

But can we slip through the enemy's
lines with an entire division?

Is that possible?

We won't be able to communicate
with our allies, right?

I can understand your concerns.

So I've decided to
prepare a little trick.

A trick, ma'am?

That's correct, Captain Ahrens.

Get us to the river,
no matter what it takes.

Sitting on a tank hurts my butt
more than I thought it would.

It sure does.

But it means we don't give off any
magical signals like we do when we fly,

so the enemy will be focusing
on the other mage units.

The Federation will be looking for
mages in the sky, not on the ground.

And that means we're much
more likely to succeed.

We have clear visibility on
any approaching enemies too.

Enemy attack!



We're completely within enemy territory.

If the enemy finds us...

We're sitting ducks.

Hang on tight!

Ambush at one o' clock!

W-Wait, don't sh**t!

Those helmets!

Those are allies!

Our allied paratroops.

Everyone! Wave your helmets! Wave them!

Comrades!

I'm so glad you're alive!

I'm so glad you're here!

I'm Lieutenant Colonel Degurechaff,
formerly in charge of this combat team.

Is there anything you need?

We've been here for three days
and are running low on a*mo.

I'll get it immediately.

We'll ask for some water in exchange.

Water?

There's plenty of water...

That's what you've won as
a prize of w*r, right?

Let's have a trade, then. Water for a*mo.

True. This is our w*r prize.

I'll take a photograph to
remember the occasion later.

Of course. Let us prepare the cameras!

The charge was a success.


with the Rerugen Combat Team.

The Rerugen Combat Team?

Apologies.

That's the codename for
the Salamander Combat Team.

Let's surround the enemy
immediately with all our forces.

The troops have already started to move.

Okay, we've got them.

This is where the mission really begins.

We'll stop the enemy's
attempt to break out.

Taking out their counterattack unit's
leadership would be the fastest way.

Attack their HQ directly?

Which unit has resources
to spare for that?

Don't play dumb, Zettour.

We have the perfect hunting dog for
this job just waiting around in the East.

Them?

Indeed.

The enemy's camp is better
defended than we thought!

None of the units are making progress!

Damn it... Strategic HQ
never gives me a day off!

We're pulling back!

Major Weiss! Casualty report!

Eight lightly wounded!

The most badly wounded is an idiot
who took a b*llet in the behind!

We're capable of continuing
the operation!

We are not!

There's no reason for us to work
so hard for some random side job!

There's a possibility of
enemy reinforcements.

We're retreating.

And even if we did break through
their camp and find their HQ,

we don't know for sure that
it would really be their HQ.

I don't know if I follow...

It's likely they've set up a fake HQ.

So this is a trap.

It's obviously a trap.

Or are we supposed to be bulls
charging at a red piece of cloth?

If we were lucky enough to find the
enemy HQ, would it really be their HQ?

Really?

Thus, we will maintain our
anti-surface formation

and continue to hunt for the enemy
HQ, just in the opposite direction.

The opposite direction!

It's important to always do your job,

but only when there's
enough in it for you.

Eight o' clock! I found it!

What?

Enemy command!

I'm sure of it!

H-He found it?

That moron has made so many bad IDs!

Why does he have to be right now?

Lieutenant Colonel,
it's time for us to be bulls, right?

f*ck it all!

Attention all units!

Any units in the vicinity of
the enemy camp and command HQ

are to evacuate immediately!

Hurry!

Damn it all!

Direct hit on enemy command!

The Rerugen Combat Team has done it!

We were just beginning to see the enemy
make an organized attempt at escape.

We managed to stop them from escaping.

That's the best we can
hope for now, I believe.

Everyone, we've done it!

Lieutenant General Rudersdorf!

Congratulations!

We've won.

Yes.

Once more, we were able to win.

Oh, Lieutenant Colonel Degurechaff.

Hello, Colonel Calandro.

Marvelously done.

After a defeat like that, it's only a matter
of time before a ceasefire is signed.

But I'm told we allowed
an organized retreat in several places.

Well, you can't be
expected to get 'em all.

Either way, the w*r will continue
until peace is achieved.

Sheesh...

It's good to not let your guard down.

Why don't the two of you take
a picture to celebrate?

No, I'll pass.

It's your nation that won the day.

Fare well.

Lieutenant Colonel, make a pose!

Give me a more natural smile!

A little more!

Grin!

Grin...

Does this make up
for my sins at least a little?

It won't be long until
you make field marshal.

I appreciate it, but the honor is
something to be shared among us all.

No, it's clear who was
taking the lead here.

My friend, you've done it.

Be proud.

Should I say thank you?

To me? To the soldiers?

The soldiers, I suppose.

Now, even Moskva is
within reach of our troops.

Only in theory.

The lack of supplies is a problem?

We've little hope of bringing
the railways back online.

The ceasefire negotiations
should be our top priority.

I just got the report in
from Colonel Rerugen.

It's only a matter of time
before it's reached.

The Federation is putting
together a peace proposal.

Excuse me.

News for you both.

High leadership is holding
an emergency meeting.

We still have some forces left,

but this is a disaster.

I can understand why the Politburo
wants to end the w*r, but...

I'm supposed to give up
on my beautiful fairy?!

Oh?

Oh? Oh? Oh?

The Empire is drunk on victory?

They're falling for their own propaganda,

without knowing what things
are really like for them?

This is why the masses need
to be properly led.

We must fight this w*r politically.

When you're in love,
everything goes your way.

An immediate ceasefire
along existing lines.

Areas currently under our control
will remain so.

A demilitarized zone will exist for
several kilometers along the border.

Citizens in presently occupied territories

will be given the opportunity to
vote for independence or join us.

We will accept multinational observers,

and the vote will be held as soon
as the peace agreement is signed.

This is the peace agreement the military
and the Ildoa Kingdom put together?

Yes, that's right.

You're really trying to tell me
this agreement is in our favor?

What?

Indeed.

The military believes this is the best
deal we can get and supports it.

I'm sorry, but can you really call
yourself an Imperial officer?

How can we have peace
with these awful conditions?

"Awful conditions"?

Many of our men died to make
the enemy agree to them.

It seems you're unaware of
domestic political opinion.

We can't have a ceasefire or
peace with these conditions.

The Empire has suffered
massive financial damage.

Without reparations, our budget will...

You'll go bankrupt, I assume.

The government itself may fall.

And while I hesitate to say it,

the Imperial family itself
may be in danger.

You overstep, sir.

A soldier should fear only
one thing: his enemy!

If too much fear of a civil w*r
puts the whole nation in danger,

then isn't it better to have a civil w*r?

Lieutenant General Rudersdorf.

This operation was yours,
so I'd like to hear your opinion.

Do you believe the Imperial Army
cannot win any more victories?

To be honest, it will be difficult.

"Difficult"?

Indeed. Difficult.

You're not saying impossible, I see.

A soldier's job is to protect the
nation from external threats.

Many soldiers have sacrificed their
lives to bring us to this point.

I don't know if it's worth
sacrificing more of them.

But if you're willing to make
unlimited sacrifices...

How could I be so irresponsible
as to say we cannot win?

So you're saying if we're willing to
take the needed measures for victory,

we may be able to win?

Then we must have you fight
for the future of our nation.

No matter how many of our men must die?

We can't let our sacrifices
so far be in vain.

So we must be prepared to make more.

Very well.

Stop it.

If you insist so much on victory...

Don't!

...then I shall bring you victory!

Shut your mouth, Rudersdorf!

No matter what the cost...

Our army shall be victorious!

All right, I'll take the photo!

Huh?

Why?