Commander's Rounds

Entry 100-5: True Terror

"Why did I lose to you?"

While König's gaze was fixed on Roon, it still seemed like she was regarding Roon passively, as though she was one of the many items of furniture in Eugen's bar. She decided not to answer until she had another drink from her mug. "...Because you were a wild beast who decided to contend with a world of men. Because we knew what you would do and how to make you do it. And most of all, because you disdained our strength."

Roon sat down on a barstool and clutched the edge with her armored hands. "...But I've always managed to tear them to pieces..."

"Do you think they are afraid of you, Roon? The only ones who truly fear you are your friends." The scarred old battleship finished off her drink. "For these long years, our enemies have been studying us and stressing us to see how far they can push us until we break. But eventually, either sooner or later, they will fight a battle in which they play for keeps. What use will terror have against those who do not fear? If you keep fighting as you are, you will die when that time comes. Will a corpse be of use to the commander?"

Roon clenched her hands more tightly around the stool, and the creak woke up Arminius from her nap on the couch, the large battleship looking around. "Ha, haha... Do you really think you can get away with saying that?"

"Seethe all you like. But you will rage, you will burn, you will charge into the foe, and perish in fire, just like when you were gunned down by my armored cruisers in our battle. Dying wretchedly, you will accomplish nothing, just like all others in the history of humankind who believed that fury and will alone could immunize them to the dangers of the field." König looked over to see Arminius stretching. Lazy as her companion looked, she was ready to spring into action at any moment.

Roon was completely tense now, ready to crush the barstool in her hands. "You are doing this? Knowing that I am only within two arms' reach of making you pay?"

"The question you should be asking yourself, cruiser, is "Why does this woman feel so safe saying these things?" It is a question you ought to ponder carefully. You may repeat your last mistake if you don't, and I assure you that the consequences will be far more dire- Much more than your pride will be wounded this time."

Roon looked over and saw Arminius squatting cutely on a nearby chair, an image incongruous with the buxom blonde battleship's sheer size. But those strong legs, those long arms... Arminius was a kindly hound that loved her mistress and obeyed her completely. But... If she was angered... What if the mistress wasn't able to tell her to... Stop?

Roon looked over at König. "Please, tell me how to make them truly fear me."

"Good girl." König replied. "The fact of the matter is that I can't tell you how your mind works. You have been gifted with great strength, much like any other Kansen, but it is intellect and discipline that wins battles, campaigns and wars. Rage is an excellent fuel but a terrible captain."

"But... I have to destroy them... I have to make them all pay, for his sake, even if no one else's."

"Then harness it. Put a bridle on it and make yourself its master rather than let yourself be its slave. Apply all of the gifts you have been given as a being that has a mind that thinks to the battle at hand, and then ride your rage into them at the most crucial and opportune moment like you are the dread horseman War himself."

Roon looked excitedly at König. "And then...?!"

"And then?" König put her mug back on the bar counter. "That is when even They will fear you."