NOVEL NEXT RM Vol 4: War – Interlude: Reprimand
"Mind saying that again?" I demand, my face remain impassive. "Belay that order. Bring up battlefield projection around that time and show me."
"Y-Yes, Marshal!" Brigadier Alexa and others in my command staff gulp at the aura I emit after listening to a particular piece of bad news. Rather than saying that I exude a feeling of piping-hot rage, it's more accurate to say that my atmosphere mimics that of perfect stillness and calm. One may even describe it as dead silence. It's as if Death has placed its scythe on their necks.
Soon enough, one of the holotables in the command room has its database rewind to the specific moment some ten minutes ago. Highlighting the airspace of Southern Maginot, I watch with an undisturbed gaze as the projections of four Hawker Hurricanes dive down from a giant furball in the sky. Ultimately, they level out at tree-top level, flying aimlessly for a while before turning in the general direction of Rosa's command HQ. Then, the four Hurricanes proceed to climb at the last minute to commit an attack run on the Reformists' base, only to be swiftly shot down by the AA unit I station there as an escort for Rosa.
"Rewind further." I command, prompting one of the staff to revert the timeline to when those four Hurricane projections are still a part of a loose collection of Allied aircraft.
These projections, taking off from the airbases and field runways behind the Maginot Line, serve as a scramble and last huzzah of the Allied Air Force in Ustio. Flying at various altitudes and dysfunctional formations, a direct result of our radio jammers, these blobs of fighters and bombers are then met with the collective interception of our air assets and ground-based anti-air units. I watch as numerous Allied designations are painted over with a red X, yet I still see some luckier Allied aircraft survive long enough for them to duck and weave. In the case of the four offending Hurricanes, they dive into the same path that ultimately results in my displeasure. Bastards dare to lay a hand on what's mine...
"Show me our AA coverage." I say, frowning when numerous blue spheres appear on the holotable. "Show me the targeting data." Alongside the spheres, disrupted and fully-formed lines are displayed, signifying the targets that are being locked and are already locked by the fire control systems of our units.
The holotable then depicts multiple of our anti-air assets failing to gain target locks on the Hurricane projections. After that, the projections fly into a gap in the air defense and at a very low altitude, making it so that our ground-based AA is unable to target them until the very last moments. At this point, I get the whole picture."
I say with hands resting on the edge of the holotable. "We opted not to completely eliminate their Air Force on the ground because of the need for a nice propaganda campaign. A massive win in the air in just a single day, with the decimation of the Allied Air Force, would be sung by our people for years to come. Yet, the whole plan nearly backfired when some aircraft escaped the net at the worst moment possible. This was something I explicitly gave instructions for to the people in charge of our defense grid. I told them to create a dense, overlapping field of anti-air fire so that none of the enemy could even fly, much less bomb us and our allies. There must not be a single gap in the field, otherwise something like that would happen."
I look at them all, not caring that my baleful aura suddenly intensified, causing dread to swell in their hearts. "Luck. Luck is all a soldier needs on the battlefield to create a miracle. Four outdated warplanes somehow escaped total destruction. Multiple of our AA systems failed to lock them in time. There was a gap in our AA coverage that coincided with their unexpected flight path... Those were three miracles in one day. Three whole miracles graced these four unknown pilots who could only use hand signals to coordinate. A lapse in our defense nearly cost us the leader of our staunchest ally. If that happened, it would jeopardize more than just our political image, it might as well cost us the alliance with the Reformists. Do we really want to explain to the world that one of our friends that to a case of bad luck?"
The command staff lower their heads. One of the Generals in the room reaches up to her cap before removing it and placing it on the holotable.
"Lieutenant General Weber, anything you have to say?" I ask, not even looking at her as I manipulate the holotable, returning it to the real-time projection of the battlefront.
"Marshal, the Sixth Air Defense Division has disappointed you, I have disappointed you. You instructed me clearly to have the entire battlefront lock-down with a no-fly zone. I have promptly failed in the most crucial moment. My mismanagement resulted in the near-death experience of Princess Bonaparte. The possible disaster that might have followed my ineptitude is too great to ignore. I beseech you that the fault is mine and mine alone, the soldiers below were only following my miscalculation."
"If you put it that way, then how should I deal with you next?" I ask while giving out direct commands to some frontline Companies.
"There were three miracles for the enemy, three times too many for a normal disciplinary action. The possible fallout is also far too immense." The Lieutenant General says with a tone of resolution. "I am ready to resign and await my court martial and sentences, Your Highness."
"Bold of you to suggest that option right off the bat." I comment, not even surprised by her serious suggestion. "Not even trying to defend yourself?"
"I do not wish to waste any more of your precious time and patience, Your Highness. My fate is left in your hands. My only wish is for the rest of the Sixth to get a second chance." Lieutenant General Weber replies with a smile of acceptance.
"Nicely put, Weber." I say. "At least you have your heart in the right place. One last thing, do you know why there was a gap in your defense network?"
General Weber stands at attention and reports. "Your Highness, the Sixth failed to rapidly adapt to the changing frontline, leading to a few companies being off-synced with the rest of the network. This resulted in ineffective lock-on targets and a flyable corridor for the enemy to utilize. The overall ineffective organization was due to my inexperience in conducting maneuver warfare. I failed to keep up with the rest of the Army, thus reflecting poorly on my subordinates, Your Highness."
Listening to her report, I find it coincides with what I've glimpsed from the projections. "It's as if you have said, Weber. Your lack of flexibility and adaptation nearly resulted in a possible collapse of the South. Now then, have you learned your lesson, Weber?"
The female General looks at me in confusion. "Your Highness?"
"Do you know what to remedy about yourself, Weber?" I ask dispassionately.
"Y-Yes, Marshal! I am sure of it!" Weber stands ramrod straight.
"Then that cap belongs on your head or none at all." I say with finality. "Choose wisely, Weber."
The Lieutenant General stills for a whole second. Ultimately, she picks up her officer cap and places it back on her head. Weber then snaps a perfect salute, her face showcasing a steadfast conviction, not willing to waste her second chance.
"I know you, Lieutenant General, you're quite talented in many defensive scenarios. This is why you could have a whole Division at your command and a battlefront to protect. Still, real combat is different and your tenure as a General hasn't been long or active. Something can't be learned in wargames, and it seems to me that the first example was presented to us quite handily by our enemy. This disgrace of yours is a wake-up call, for all of you, and even for myself that there will always be something unforeseen, something we can't plan around, biding its time to strike at the most inopportune moments. Let this be a reminder that no plans survive first contact with the enemy, and to always be adaptable when it's needed the most." I give a little speech before finally turning to look at Weber.
"Lieutenant General Weber, you may keep your rank, for now. Yet if you do not fix and improve yourself, then the last thing you need to worry about is losing those epaulets. I too, will have to reflect on myself for failing to see and advise you on your shortcomings, trusting you with a position that you're not yet ready for. Ultimately, the Reich does not need for those who stall, underperform, and thus dragging all others down with them. Keep this in mind, and make sure your acts are proper, and this goes to all of us. Have I made myself understood?"
"YES, MARSHAL!" My command staff replies clearly and loudly.
"Lieutenant General Weber, your tasking remains unchanged until I have found someone else to relieve you, or your actions have convinced me that you're fitted for future duties. You will be monitored by ONI and are required to send a thorough report and analysis of the decisions and elements that led to today's event. Are we clear?"
"Crystal, Your Highness." Weber responds calmly and is very accepting of my ultimatum.
I rescind my aura, allowing the staff to breathe more easily now. "Then let's us return to our duties. Our campaign has just begun."
Truly, something unexpected had to hit me sideways. I admit I was also at fault for trying to accomplish such a high-risk plan. Things could have been much simpler had I bombed their planes while they were still on the ground. While the effect might not be as great, it would have been much safer for everyone involved. There's no use in speaking what-ifs now, however. The only things I can do are to make the most out of the situation and to abide by what I told my staff. Never stop improving, and always be flexible.
I will also need to check in with Rosa soon enough. She is a tough girl nowadays, but I do not want to make presumptions. Mental well-being is important for everyone, after all. Though knowing Rosa, she may breeze through the traumatic experience and nag me for dinner with her as compensation. Honestly, it won't be a bad thing if that's to be the case.