Vol.2 Ch.2: The Iron Behemoth

"Slow down! She is extremely heavy!" Professor Albert Von Hess, the State Chief Engineer and Head Lecturer of Imperial College of Germania is conducting some station workers to lift a massive beast to the military transport train by a huge crane near the Umburg Seaport of Osterreich. Since the start of the war with the Saderan Empire, the general staff were discussing whatever do they need a much advancive weapon to terrorise the enemy, Empress Victoria has appointed Professor Albert to construct a massive iron behemoth which was designed by her own hands. When he looked at the blueprint for the first time, he believed this could meet the demands of effective frontline support and breakthrough enemy's lines without any obstacles. He returned to Osterreich and started to mass-produce and tested it.

Back to the port, while the workers continue loading 30 of those beasts to the train, a general officer who will be in command of those behemoths meets up with the professor. "I am glad that you made these on time, now I bet her majesty will be very pleased with your work." Professor Albert laughed and wiped his glasses, "It is a great achievement for myself, but her majesty too, I have never been able to believe that this creature she designed will change the way of war. Speaking of, how is the crew training?" As a behemoth loads onto the train, the officer replied, "Better than I expect, although this creature needs excellent teamwork to control her." The professor nodes, "Once all of them are loaded, I will go along to the frontline fortress to present them for her majesty."

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When Empress Victoria arrived at a large vehicle hanger with Princess Pina and Bozes, Professor Albert came to greet them. The empress shook hands with him, "Professor Albert, meet Princess Pina Co Lada and Miss Bozes Co Palesti. Princess, Professor Albert." He bows and greets them, "Pleasure to meet you both." After a small introduction, the empress asked, "So I heard the news that you will present the tank I designed here today." "Of course, your majesty." Then he turns to an officer next to him, "Please tell them we are ready and open the gates." As the gate from the hanger opens, Princess Pina and Bozes hear a scary roaring from there and hide behind the empress herself, then for what they see is coming towards them. A dark grey beast with five heads and a long body marching towards them and stops, then Professor Albert begins to speak, "Your majesty, the Panzerkampfwagen Ungetüm Ausf. L, the KönigsUngetüm."

Panzerkampfwagen Ungetüm Ausf. L, nickname as KönigsUngetüm, a super heavy multi-turret tank proposed by Empress Victoria then remodelled by Professor Albert. The tank has a long body with high chassis, on top, each from the front and back has two small turrets; one with a newly developed KI 042 heavy machine gun and a 50 mm Uz-12 light tank gun. The main turret between on top the four small turrets is an 88mm Flak K.u.K heavy tank gun which can fire a newly developed Type 1C incendiary shrapnel shell which was tested and only able to be used by this tank. Speed up to maximum 45.5km/h with a high resistance engine.

Looking around the tank, Princess Pina is amazed by the presentation of it. "This creature is magnificent! Does it move by magic?" To reply to her question, the empress stated, "It doesn't move by magic but by humans to control it." Bozes is interested in the guns, "So these iron barrels shoot out explosive magic?" "You can say that, but it isn't operated by magic, it's by the explosion of gunpowder." She nodded as the empress replied.

After a view around the iron behemoth, Professor Albert asked Empress Victoria about the tank, "So, how do you think about it, your majesty?" The empress claps her hands, "Excellent! Magnificent job professor! That's very impressive." The professor bows and said, "Also, with your majesty's request, I have made 30 of these KönigsUngetüm delivered here and a new panzer heavy force is formed by Generaloberst Erwin Eugen Von Rommel himself just two days ago in Osterreich." Then, Princess Pina sees a tall figure walking towards them, "Is that the Generaloberst you mentioned?"

Walking towards them is Generaloberst Erwin Eugen Von Rommel, who has the most experience in panzer tactics and command. He was stationed in one of the military tank academies as a head instructor after the Fransco-Preussen War. Now with his present, he can take command of the Imperial Panzer Force. He saluted to the empress and reported, "Generaloberst Erwin Eugen Von Rommel, General of Imperial Panzer Force at your service, your majesty." They shook hands as greeting and Rommel sent his regards to Princess Pina and Bozes. "I heard that you will the princess to a garrison visit so I plan to come here to say my greetings to you." "I am glad to see you here Generaloberst, so you have organised a new heavy panzer division with this new tank?" He walked to the tank and smiled, "Indeed your majesty. To reduce the possibility of losing manpower along with this proposal you made, I decided to organise a new division with two kinds of this Ungetüm tank."

Suddenly, Empress Victoria is confused by the words "two kinds" from him, she turns to Professor Albert and he begins to explain. "Actually, besides this heavy tank, Generaloberst Rommel has modified a new tank with the same chassis but carry a new prototype artillery howitzer with it." Then, Bozes cut in, "So is an iron creature with no heads, but just a huge iron barrel?" "Correct Lady Bozes," the professor replied as Rommel continued, "The second kind of Ungetüm tank is also from this hanger too, you can have a look at it." After he finished, another roaring sound came from the insides of the hangar, slowly a new version of the tank marching towards them and stopped. "The SturmUngetüm, the Kaiserin Vorschlaghammer, your majesty."

SturmUngetüm, nicknamed Kaiserin Vorschlaghammer, a second modified version of the Panzerkampfwagen Ungetüm Ausf. L with the same chassis but without any turrets, but carry the newest prototype 280mm Zr-10 mortar howitzer. Modified and named by Generaloberst Erwin Eugen Von Rommel. Rommel continues his presentation, "This howitzer equips the first semi-automatic loader machine to load heavy shells within 10 seconds, it can shoot the newest Type 3C incendiary shrapnel shell with higher incendiary radius and explosion." "How many crew is needed to operate it?" Asked the empress. "15 in total including one commander." "Hmm, I wonder how these two tanks work?"

Suddenly, a siren alarm echoes around the fortress as Princess Pina panics, "What... What is that?" "Enemy intruders I suppose." Said Empress Victoria. Then a soldier rushed to her and reported, "Your majesty, the first trench line scouted a bandit army with around 1000 footmen in total advancing toward us, we are in a defensive position already. Any orders?" Thinking about it, she looks at the two tanks and her mind flickers. "Tell all arms to stand down, I have an idea." She turns to Rommel and smiles, "It is time for you to shine, Generaloberst Rommel." He bowed and said, "With pleasure, your majesty."

From the site of the fortress gate, Empress Victoria along with Princess Pina, Bozes, and Professor Albert look from the top as Rommel takes five of those new heavy tanks including his and the only prototype artillery howitzer tank to the frontline. The army personnel including their officers look from the defence lines with the amazing sight of the new tanks, a great show is going to spot on. While arriving in front of the first defence line, Rommel talks through his radio to his division, "SturmUngetüm, load the Type 3C shell and prepare to fire, the rest on me." With the SturmUngetüm at the back, the rest of the heavy tanks form a wedge formation in front of the artillery tank. "This is Sturm Eins, loaded and ready!" As the bandit army position far from them, Rommel shouts, "Kaiserin Vorschlaghammer! FIRE!"

When the trigger pulls, an extreme thunder explosion blasts from the mouth of the howitzer, the shell flies toward the bandits and explodes in mid-air, flames land towards the ground and roast the enemies into crisps. From the gate, Princess Pina is horrified by the scene but says to Professor Albert, "It's like a goddess smashes the land with the hammer of judgement." "Indeed, your highness. The flames just look like a phoenix flies above them." Within the range, Rommel speaks to the radio, "Good job Sturm Eins, now all KönigsUngetüm, panzer vor!" The five KönigsUngetüm tanks advanced and opened fire with all their might as Rommel shouted, "FIRE! Fire all you got!"

*BRRRUUUUMM*

*BOOM BOOM*

The KI 042 heavy machine guns sweep all the bandits into the ground and the guns shoot with roaring flames and case them away. With the heavy defeat of the bandit army, the crowd cheered from the defence lines while Rommel returned with his division. Bozes said to Princess Pina, "I hope these iron creatures can be a symbol of peace." The princess hopes that this can be true.

With the distinctive achievement of the new Ungetüm series tank, Empress Victoria awards Professor Albert Von Hess and Generaloberst Erwin Eugen Von Rommel with the highest order of Pour le Mérite. Rommel's men during the battle with the bandits are awarded the Military Merit Cross and the Iron Cross 1st Class.