02x11 - Sunadokei

[bunniefuu]

A promotion to general,
disregarding the pre-w*r regulations...

Stars aren't worth what they used to be.

We can win incredible victories
at the tactical level,

and it does nothing for us strategically.

What is Rudersdorf thinking,
being so aggressive?

I want to send a letter.
Prepare a messenger.

And now that the moment's here...

I have no idea what to write.

My friend...

There's no time...

We're running out of time...

What's wrong? What happened?

They're evacuating the area around
the southern border, they say.

You don't know what was in
the military's official paper?

Oh, you're right.

It's been a whole year, huh?

I'm sorry.

Please don't apologize.

We were only married for five days,
but I have no regrets.

And...

I was blessed with my child.

Before he left that day, he said...

If something happened...
if he died for me, for us...

then his death meant something.

You who have volunteered

despite being ineligible for conscription
are the chosen ones of the Empire,

Such wonderful patriotism.

its pride, and its future!

- Our home is in danger!
But we have no need to fear!

- Sheesh... I can't believe there
are people who don't volunteer.

- I can't wait to see
the looks on their faces

For you will be among our ranks!

- when they try to join the
government after the w*r.

- Those who come after you
will sing of your bravery!

- That's right.

- What use are they, when everyone
else is sacrificing themselves?

In the face of this... these voices...

Can we say that it was all for nothing?

Low-altitude bombing?
In broad daylight? Impossible!

What's the situation?

General, it's bad.

They've bombed our ceremonial grounds.

The damage was minimal, but...

It's humiliating for the army, yes.

They've used their new high-speed bombers.

Our interceptors couldn't make it in time.

Lightweight fighters couldn't catch up
to bombers carrying bombs?

The enemy's high cruising speed means
there's little time to intercept them.

And when there's a small number of them,

it's difficult to identify
and track them, I'm told.

So why were we bombed before
we could even get an alert out?

They've been having
a small number of bombers

serve as a decoy to distract
our interceptor units.

This was likely judged to be
another decoy and ignored.

We tried not to be the boy who cried wolf,
but the wolf was really there?

We'll have to hurry and research
a way to deal with this.

The enemy is coming up
with new ideas constantly.

We can't fall behind!

Sir!

That's right.

We can't fall behind.

We... the Empire...

cannot fall behind!

It can't end yet.

That idiot Zettour isn't
going to like this at all.

But it's better than
missing our chance...

We must do it now!

For the Empire!

You came all the way out here?

You must have really missed me.

I won't deny it.

It was a joke...

You read the plan, I assume.

Yes. And I have a question.

Have you gone mad?

Of course not.

I'm trying to win victory for our Empire.

Securing air superiority to the west,

ensuring our ability to continue the w*r,

and then taking down Ildoa.

It's the only way to win.

A wonderful plan.

Except for the fact that
it's utterly impossible.

If the military takes complete control,
it will be possible.

We can truly put our all into this.

The military has the ability,
the resolve, and the willingness!

So we can do it!

We were going to try to
resolve this through diplomacy.

Hadn't you agreed to that?

That's already failed.

Don't be stupid.

We can make it work.

You think we can make those
ridiculous conditions work?

We got them interested enough that
they're willing to give us conditions.

Then...

If we both lose another million,
no, ten million lives,

even the stupidest of them
will be willing to talk.

Don't be ridiculous!

Do you know how many have already died?

What's the point of more soldiers
dying needless deaths?

Looks like there's still
some sanity left in you.

But you're giving up on diplomacy?

The more time passes,
the harder diplomacy becomes.

The Empire still can gain
tactical superiority.

But if more time passes,
we'll lose that as well!

So this is your plan?

"Hit them while we still can?"

Indeed.

This can't work.

Sacrificing the strategic
for the tactical...

We can't be pushed
any more onto the back foot.

We need to do something drastic!

And you call yourself a strategy officer?

What?

Why are you drooling just
because someone rang a bell?

When did you become a mere dog?

Shut up!

If words won't make them
understand, then force...

Look at reality, Rudersdorf!

You've gone crazy!

No, you have!

Is that head on your
shoulders just for show?

What is that brain of yours for?

Think about this rationally!

We cannot lose this!

What do we say to the Empire if we can't
bring a victory worth the sacrifices?

We say just one thing.

We apologize for our incompetence.

Then we let them stone us to death.

Zettour, use your head before
you start spouting nonsense.

We're Imperial soldiers!

Defeat may be inevitable,

but we still have to win!

Use my head, huh?

Sheesh... It's tough having
an idiot for a friend.

If I wanted to, I could use my
authority as general to shut you up.

Shall I be more formal when
I speak with you, then?

Don't bother.

I'm sure you got a promotion, too.

You hear fast.

I never thought we'd both be
wearing these cheap stars.

I'm sure.

Regiment Commander Laudon
must be quite surprised.

He might get so excited, he starts
playing a tune on the wake-up bugle.

I can see how firm you are about this.

As your friend, I'll do all I can.

Thanks... I owe you one.

Excuse me.

Was General Rudersdorf doing well?

Yes, same as ever.

Death itself couldn't change him.

I'm glad to hear that.

So, what can I do for you?

Lieutenant Colonel, I need you
to do something for me.

Of course.

What is it?

I want you...

...to k*ll my best friend.

What did you say, sir?

I want you to blow
my best friend's brains out.

I believe I was quite clear.

May I ask why?

Oh? You'd like to hear the reason?

I'm not a m*rder*r
who kills without reason.

I am a soldier who knows her duties
and values her honor.

He said he's gonna flip over something

that must remain where it is.

Even military logic can never be
put above the national interest.

The strategic serving the tactical?

That can't happen.

At the tactical level,
I will gladly seek victory.

But that's only possible
if the Empire has a national strategy.

Tactics with no strategy?

Victory with no way to make use of it?

Anything we accomplish like that
is completely meaningless.

Let me ask one question.

What will you do once
this is accomplished?

We'll need to prepare for a clean exit.

You're not opposed to
the military taking full control?

Indeed. But if we're too
forceful when we do it,

we'll only bring about
the Empire's downfall.

We need to avoid chaos,
no matter how this ends.

Lieutenant Colonel.

Do it.

Make Rudersdorf a field marshal.

This is absurd.

k*ll him because he's in your way?
That's unthinkable.

Absolutely out of the question.

It's a necessary sacrifice.

Even now, you don't want to k*ll an ally?

Yes. I'm sorry...

But you seem to be debating
entirely the wrong question.

What?

You really don't understand?

That's a shame.

Sir, humans are a valuable resource.

They shouldn't be k*lled for nothing.

If you simply k*ll General Rudersdorf,
then his death is worth nothing.

A high-ranking officer should die
in a way that's more useful.

For instance, they could die

as the head of a treasonous plot
to install a military dictatorship.

I see.

We don't simply deem him
a cancer and eliminate him?

Yes.

His death could be the trigger
for a selective purge of the army.

And the danger such a plot would pose

gives us an excuse to take
full military control of the w*r.

What you're proposing
sounds like a coup to me.

I believe it could be done legally.

A single company of MPs would be enough
to arrest anyone we deemed his accomplice.

And then we could do whatever we wanted.

And how would you kick this off?

The best thing to tell the public is
that he suffered an accidental death.

Ideally, we find evidence of a plot
when searching through his belongings,

and then begin the purge.

Not bad.

No, it's perfect.

There's just one problem.

Yes, sir.

This plan needs someone with the resolve
to take full military control of the w*r.

I'm abandoning my friend.

I'll have to reserve
a seat for myself in hell.

Very well.

I'll begin my plan, then.

How do we get rid of him?

How about a plane accident?

A rare event that's
actually quite frequent.

Yes. Since the w*r started,
we've been short on parts and mechanics.

And I'll send my mages
to make sure it happens.

You'll sacrifice the plane,

as well as the reputation
of those who were there?

I feel terrible about it.

But sir, if I may...

You seem to be grinning.

Lieutenant Colonel, I'm asking
a lot of you and your men.

You always do.

Yeah, you always do.

Very good.

Then let us shed the blood
that must be shed.

Yes, sir.

I'll have good news for you soon.

You're serious about this, Uncle?

Impressive, isn't it?

Shuttle bombers that leave the Kingdom
and land in the Federation.

An ultra-long range bombing that can
put even more stress on the Empire.

On the surface,
it's a major strategic offensive.

No one's going to suspect

it's actually just a decoy to cover an
attempt to assassinate an Imperial VIP.

We can't let the Empire start asking
where the information came from.

A spy in the heart of the Empire, was it?

It's fine to keep secrets,
but you're asking a lot of the soldiers.

But General Rudersdorf's head is worth it.

And so I wanted to ask a favor.

I don't want our enemies, or even
our friends, suspecting anything.

So you want him dead without
the Federation finding out?

I'll ask you to do
what it takes to cover it up.

Now, I'll be going.

Hey—

A shuttle bombing?

Yes.

Allied Kingdom bombers will strike
the Empire and land on Federation soil.

They'll resupply and return to the Kingdom
while doing another bombing run.

Both countries will work together
to attack the Empire.

An example of international friendship.

International friendship
is a wonderful thing.

So, what does the party want from me?

We want you to be prepared
to welcome our friends.

So we're to guide the bombers
to the base and protect them?

Understood.

Comrade Colonel, the Federation
is planning a little surprise

for our friends after their long trip.

A surprise?

For instance,

ace mages equipped with
a new type of computation jewel.

How about surprising them with a much
better escort than they expected?

So we need to show them our strength
before they start looking down on us?

With these new, unstable
computation jewels? That won't be easy.

But...

If that's what the party wants,
of course I'll do it.

Let's show off this new jewel.

You're really sure about this, right?

Sir?

Just give me a moment.

He's a friend.

A part of me thinks
there's still time to talk him down.

It seems I'm not as cold-hearted
as I thought I was.

If I may, sir, we're all human.

That's surprising, Lieutenant Colonel.

Are you human?

Of course I am.

If a god or a devil
wants to get in my way,

I strongly feel it is my task
to crush them with human might.

I see. But...

I've burnt away any humanity I had.

I'm sorry, but I need
you to do something.

You always get one last sh*t job
to do before you quit.

But if I want to make a clean exit...

I have no choice.