Codegease: Air and Land Warfare 1946

His words were full of ease, but for those sitting in front of the screen...

The word "Germany" meant nothing to the supreme Britannian Empire—a mere nobody in the war-torn German province under the EU.

Now, in another world, besides an adversary with "America" ​​on its head, there seems to be a so-called "German Empire" that has already been defeated? Haha, it's not the Third French Reich after all.

A slight smile appeared on everyone's faces—though it might not have been an easy smile—as they looked at the lieutenant colonel on the screen and picked up the red-marked square on another piece of paper.

"So, this country that paints its flag so bright red must be called Russia, right?"

"what?"

"Don't play dumb, do you think I don't know Russian?"

"No, I just didn't expect you to be right..." The soldier's words seemed to be an attempt to "lighten the mood."

"Stop with the nonsense, answer me, is this country called Russia?"

“You can call me that, but…” the soldier hesitated.

"Is there a problem? Does it have another name for you?"

"Ah, indeed, it has a more confrontational name for us, the Soviet Union, anyway..."

"Halt!" The lieutenant colonel waved his hand. "I have a question for you. What does 'Soviet' mean?"

"Um, this question..." The soldier looked bewildered, seemingly racking his brains to come up with something.

"I suggest you grab a Russian-speaking soldier instead. They invented the word, and I've never slept in the same bed with them."

"Never mind then." The lieutenant colonel looked somewhat disappointed. "So the full name of this country is the Soviet Union? Does it have any abbreviations?"

"You can call it 'Soviet Union,' or the English abbreviation of 'USSR' or the Russian abbreviation of 'CCCP.' As for the full name... it's a bit too complicated, and to be honest, I'm a little reluctant to go into it..."

"Say!"

"Okay, that's what you called it... The full name is the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. OK? Got it?"

……

"Never mind, let's just call it the Soviet Union for now..." The lieutenant colonel put the two pieces of paper back.

"Since you're in control of Berlin, what is the Soviet Union planning to do on the east side of the city? Are they going to fight you?"

"Well, I don't know if a war will break out in the future, but let me put it this way," the soldier shrugged. "We Americans, along with the Soviet Union and some other countries, fought for several years and defeated Germany. Now, we're managing the security of this junkyard together with the Russians, that's all..."

"How many troops do the United States and the Soviet Union have in Berlin right now?"

"We have a little over 20,000 men, while the Russians must have several times, even ten times, our numbers... That's all I know..."

"Do other countries also have troops stationed in Berlin?"

"There aren't any fully-fledged combat units, but..."

"Forget it, since they're not nearby, it's not that important." The lieutenant colonel took a deep breath, looking relieved—clearly, since there were no other enemies besides the two opponents in front of him, the troop strength issue he had worried about before would no longer cause him insomnia or the annihilation of his entire army.

"Alright then, I'll ask a few more questions." He took out two more photos and placed them on the table.

"If I'm not mistaken, these are two models of Soviet tanks. Tell me as much as you know about them."

The soldier first looked at the photo on the left.

"Ah, this is called a T-34 tank," the soldier said, pointing at it. "I'm not a tank crewman, so I won't go into detail. To put it simply: it's quite fast and agile, better than the tanks commonly used by our US military. I wouldn't say its firepower and armor are top-notch, but they're at least effective."

“This one, let me think.” The soldier turned to another photo. “Oh, I remember now, this is called an IS-2 tank. Apart from being slower and less agile than the T-34, its firepower and armor are simply a behemoth compared to the former. To put it this way, when we heard Russian tank crews talk about their battles with the Germans and even showed us the scars left on their tanks by German tanks, we were all a little scared because our tank crews simply couldn’t produce anything that could perform in the same way as this thing.”

"So, do you know how many of these tanks the Soviets had? You don't need the exact number, just the proportion?"

"Proportion? Let me put it this way, if you encounter Russian armored forces, I dare say you'll definitely run into a T-34. As for the IS-2, if you happen to run into a beautiful woman as soon as you step outside, you'll probably run into one too. In a word, luck."

"So, these are the only two types of tanks they have?"

“Yes, oh no no no no…” The soldier suddenly remembered something, “Last month, when we, the victorious nations, were holding a grand military parade in Berlin, the Soviets drove out dozens of tanks at the end of the parade that we had never seen before. They were about the same size as the IS-2, and the gun barrels were quite similar, except they were rather flat, with round turrets…”

"Oh?" Caronville suddenly became interested. "Have you inquired about how powerful this tank is?"

“We can’t get our hands on that, but one of my brothers told me that if we ever go to war with the Soviet Union, this tank will turn all our possessions into scrap metal.”

"Um, please don't shoot me if I say something unpleasant." The soldier paused, then leaned closer to the lieutenant colonel. "If you ever run into this tank in the future, could you tell us about it? We're curious about how powerful it is..."

……

……

“Alright, that’s enough for now…” The lieutenant colonel turned around, nodded to the soldier, and said, “Leifel, see them out…”

The female officer who had been in the frame earlier walked in and led the soldier out like a child...

……

“That’s all, Your Highness…” Caronville replied to Schneizel, turning off the video on the screen.

"So, you didn't ask anything else? Or anything more important?"

"More importantly? Forgive my bluntness, Your Highness, but your orders to me are to secure the landing site. So what kind of enemies are near the landing site? Are we confident we can defeat them? Should we decide to call off this expedition? These should be the most important questions..."

“That’s right, Your Highness.” Duke Sassler seemed to have found an opportunity to speak. “Other problems can be solved slowly after the prisoners of war are brought back. General Marendor was so eager to cross the portal just now, we don’t want him to stumble and fall before he even understands what’s going on in front of him.”

"Bah!" Marendor slammed his fist on the table. "Let me tell you, Duke, oh no, Sassler! Stop protecting this bastard like he's your own son! You were all so confident and assured His Highness the Prince that you'd get him, and now you're showing a completely different face? Stop messing with me! If you really want to do anything for the Empire, get your bunch of junk under your command to the portal and get them together!"

"Fine, tell your people to hurry up and come over. Let's see if you can save your 'elite' who don't need food and drink from being squandered!"

"Alright!" Odysseus quickly raised his hand, trying to calm the two enraged lions. "The meeting isn't over yet, would you two please come down and continue arguing?"

Schneizel leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and the others in the conference room quietly awaited his decision...

……

"Caronville. Are you confident that the landing site will still be under your control by noon tomorrow?"

"It should be... oh no, Your Highness, no problem!"

“Alright, then… Marendor!” He suddenly opened his eyes again. “Now go back and prepare your troops. Be ready at the portal tomorrow!”

"Yes, Your Excellency!" The major general stood up excitedly, bowed, and was about to say something more.

"Don't rush, there's one more thing." The prince turned his gaze back to the display screen. "Lieutenant Colonel, send over the map information of that city called Berlin now, and also provide General Malen with some suggestions on the battle plan. Okay, that's all."

"Wait a minute..." Crown Prince Odysseus suddenly spoke up again, "Lieutenant Colonel, give me a map too. And that country you mentioned earlier, the United States of America, give me its flag as well..."

"OK then."

"Okay, I hereby declare..."

"Please wait a moment!" Caronville seemed to remember something and called out hastily, "Your Highness, could you send some more men to help me? I really..."

"Haha, don't be so afraid, you two," Schneizel said as he stood up from his seat.

On Caronville and Kari's screens, the prince gave them a slight smile, but that smile was like a wave pushing against the ice floes, washing over their hearts. Instead of the warmth that encouraged them, it was a chill that made them even more uneasy.

"Reinforcements will be here soon. Now is the time for you to prove your ability and will..."

A flash like a shooting star took away the prince's slightly upturned lips. The screen was left with only countless white dots flashing like a blizzard, and only the pattering noise of a light drizzle remained in the ears...

"I'm sorry, Lieutenant Colonel. Now, what should we do?"

"Just do what you're supposed to do..."

Section 31, Chapter Nineteen: A Calm Deal

Caronville and Carrie walked out of the palace gates. The curtain of night had completely obscured the fiery clouds that had been there, leaving only scattered lights and fires that barely warmed the hearts of the soldiers.

"Sir!" Major Leiffel, who had been accompanying the interrogation of the soldiers, stood aside and saluted the lieutenant colonel.

"Should we go check on the wounded?"

"Let's go."

"Are there enough medicines?" the lieutenant colonel asked as usual.

"Yes, all is fine. Except for those who are completely beyond saving, most will be able to see the sun rise tomorrow, but..."

"Just what?"

"Sir, I still have a few pistol bullets. If we fall tomorrow, I don't want to be taken prisoner, so..."

"So you're planning to save a few for me, to go to heaven with you?"

"Hey! That's going too far!" Kari couldn't help but interject. "Isn't this a bit irresponsible towards the wounded soldiers?"

“Did I say I agreed?” Caronville gave Kari a playful glare.

"There's nothing to worry about for the wounded soldiers. It's just that Harlan suffered a fracture after being hit by a tank yesterday, and I'm a little worried about him."

"Are you worried he'll die?"

"No, I'm worried he might never be able to sit in the cockpit again..."

As they were talking, suddenly, a strange, eerie roar came from somewhere in the camp. The three looked in the direction of the sound and it seemed that the argument was coming from behind a tent not far away.

"what happened?"

……

……

"Ugh! I don't want to talk anymore! Can I be alone for a while?"

There were only two soldiers. One, leaning on a cane, stood beside a large box, his body slightly tilted and wrapped in bandages. The other, like someone whose parents hadn't bought him a toy, was flailing his arms and legs at an innocent iron bar beside him, repeatedly punching it with his fists, making annoying noises.

A battered Gloucester sat slumped on the ground not far from the two of them.

“Harlan?” Caronville recognized the “bandaged man” at a glance and rushed forward. “How did you get out of the hospital bed?”

"The hospital bed has broken up with me again!" Harlan laughed like a child, tossing his cane aside and opening his arms to the lieutenant colonel, as if he wanted to give him a hug.

The lieutenant colonel suddenly pushed one hand out and pressed it against his chest, causing him to involuntarily take a step back.

But that's all they took as a step back.

"Huh, not bad."

“Oh, that’s true.” Harlan winked playfully. “My little problem is nothing to me.”

“And this…” Kari walked over at this moment, stared at the “child” for a few moments, “Hey, isn’t this Wilson, your student?”

"Huh? The one who said he was hunting with Lord Edus today, and almost got himself killed by the latter?" Lefel suddenly asked.

"Yes, that's right. Come on, Harlan, tell us, what's going on?"

"Haha, let him say it himself!" Harlan reached out to Wilson, his smile widening.

"I...I..." Wilson turned around reluctantly, stammering. "When I was retreating, Gloucester's spear got stuck on the tank. I pulled with the force of the pull, thinking I had pulled the spear out, but, but..."

At this moment, Wilson's gaze began to shift towards Gloucester. Following his gaze, everyone took a closer look and saw that the mech was holding a golden metal rod in its right hand, the upward end of which looked very messy, like steel pipes with their welds broken off.

"I actually broke the spear in half! And then I was carried back by two knights with this broken stick!"

"Your Majesty, I have never been so humiliated! I can't take it anymore!" Amidst everyone's snickers, Wilson sat down cross-legged on the ground, looking utterly dejected.

"Alright, alright, stop being childish." Major Lefel took the lead and slowly approached him.

……

……

"So, little brother, would you like to continue being a warrior in the army, or would you like me to carry you to kindergarten to be a little baby?"

The major put his left hand behind his back, bent down, smiled, and presented his open right hand to Wilson.

……

……

"Ah! Okay!" Wilson shook his head haphazardly, then swung his right hand to grab the fair hand in front of him, and stood up unsteadily.

"See, you're quite energetic, aren't you?" the major said reproachfully, patting Wilson on the shoulder. "You're a strong young man, you almost pulled me down."

“Hmm, not bad.” Kari tossed a comment at Caronville, “Leifel has taken care of another one.”

"Lieutenant Colonel! Please respond if you hear me!" The radio on the lieutenant colonel's body crackled to life.

"What's the matter?"

"His Highness Schneizel's orders are for us to prepare to clear the portal landing site, transport a batch of supplies for the follow-up troops, and also send over a group of personnel who seem to have a mission."