NOVEL NEXT Chapter 2: Chapter Two: The Mathematics of Victory
Numbers tell the simplest tale,
Who will live and who will fail.
Add the gains and count the cost,
Calculate what must be lost.
The morning briefing brought news of supply line inefficiencies. Tanya hummed thoughtfully as she reviewed the reports, genuinely pleased by how simple the solution would be. Three villages along the route were consuming more resources than they provided.
"Discontinue support to these settlements," she said cheerfully, circling them on the map. "Process any who object. Divert resources to units that produce results." She smiled at the elegant mathematics of it - three fewer burdens equaled faster advance times.
Her Burgundian melody never faltered as the orders went out. The first village's processing was already underway when the second one offered to increase their production quotas.
"Wonderful initiative," she beamed at the messenger. "But we've already calculated the margins. Processing will actually save more resources." She turned to her staff. "See? They can learn! Just not always in time to benefit from the lesson."
Count the bullets, weigh the bread,
Sum up living, subtract dead.
Simple math makes victory,
Numbers set our forces free.
The supply lines reported improved efficiency by noon. Tanya celebrated by processing the original logistics officer who'd allowed the inefficiency to develop. His replacement watched the procedure with perfect attention to detail - exactly as intended.
"Sir," Major Serebryakov reported, "Resistance forming in the eastern sector."
"How interesting!" Tanya's eyes lit up. "Calculate ammunition expenditure for processing the entire zone versus projected losses from continued resistance." She hummed happily through the calculations. "Factor in labor value of survivors who'll be properly motivated by the demonstration."
The numbers proved processing the smallest village would optimize results. She signed the orders with her usual good cheer. One small subtraction to multiply future gains.
Each sum must balance clean and clear,
No waste permitted, far or near.
Add up victories day by day,
Subtract what stands in Reich's way.
Afternoon brought reports of the processing's effect on nearby settlements. Productivity increased 23% - slightly below optimal but within acceptable margins. Tanya noted which officers needed monitoring for hesitation during the demonstration.
"Proper calculations prevent waste," she explained brightly to her staff. "Three villages processed saves ammunition we'd waste on rebels. Happy survivors work harder, seeing practical results." She gestured to the efficiency reports with genuine pride. "The mathematics of necessity is really quite elegant."
The day's operations continued smoothly. Units that grasped the practical lessons were rewarded with extra rations subtracted from processed villages' supplies. Units that hesitated were added to the next day's processing quotas.
When the sums are finally done,
And the Reich's great victory won,
Those who calculated well,
Live to serve, while others fell.
Evening found Tanya reviewing the day's mathematics with evident satisfaction. Resources saved, efficiencies gained, waste properly processed. Everything balanced perfectly.
"Tomorrow we'll optimize the northern sector," she told her staff, humming contentedly. "The numbers show clear room for improvement." Her smile widened. "And we have so many practical demonstrations to motivate them with."
She added a final note to the day's report:
"Supply lines optimized. Resistance calculated and processed. Resource efficiency improved. Advance continues."
The calculations were beautiful in their simplicity. Add what serves, subtract what hinders. The Reich's victory was just practical mathematics, and Tanya loved how the numbers danced to her eternal tune.