We have Zhukovsky on scanner Fraeulein. One of her personal guard pilots spoke up after an hour of silence. Anna was so busy thinking of her son, and of the situation on Tangier that she had completely lost track of time. She was sitting in the cockpit of her sabre, alongside 4 SOA pilots, some of the best. The ship she was flying went back decades, before she was born it belonged to her father, she she abandoned her father to join the Army she took it with her, and now she had hopes giving it a better legacy. Notify the Baroarbunga we've made contact, dock first, and I'll follow. She replied with her common serious tone, she hadn't been to Omega-52 under such circumstances before, the Coalition's customs and civilian life was far different than that of the Hessians, it was slightly more appealing for civilians. As the ships landed several Coalition officers and gaurds entered the hangar bay from the A shuttle landed behind them, carrying more guard troops onto the shuttle bay. They walked out in formation and made a perimeter around the Sabre, the guards were always dressed combat-ready, and were armed to the brim. They all carried shotguns and assault rifles, their body armor was all black along with the helmets and gas masks covering their faces, they seemed quite intimidating up close. It seemed a bit excessive in the presence of some civilian traffic, but Anna wasn't willing to take any chances with her own life after Hamburg. Anna exited the ship, and walked alongside her guards up to the officers.
One of the officers walked in front of the rest, only 2 guards stood near the door and the area around them was cleared of civilian traffic. The officer appeared to be middle aged, he was short, shorter than Anna and spoke with a high pitched tone. Generalmajor Heinrich, it's an honor, what brings you to Zhukovsky? Anna's head turned towards him upon hearing him speak, she was expecting to see Tabakov on the deck, but he was probably somewhere else for diplomatic matters. Whatever, all she was really here for were the upgrades anyways, some pleasant discussion to reinforce the friendship between the parties would just be an addition. With that being so, she still needed to meet up with Tabakov to get started on upgrading the vessel.
Expanding an arsenal, Commissar Tabakov was informed of my coming here, might you be so kind as to direct me towards him? Her voice appeared much more serious and intimidating, but the officer's face remained the same, he nodded.
The Officer led the Hessian party through the Docking Bays of Zhukovsky, Civilians and members of the Military alike stepping out of the path of the group as they approached a section of the dock that seemed even busier than the rest of it. Outside the windows in space they could see a Borderworlds Transport attached to their section of the station through a docking Collar leading to a large cargo bay ahead. The blast doors being guarded by a squad of Coalition Marines who seemed to glower at anyone who dared approach the doors. The Officer took no note of this and spoke to a rather large bulky marine in his armour who seemed to be in charge of the security detail.
"We are expected by Commissar Tabakov."he stated calmly. The marine stiffly nodded before nodding to one of his comrades manning the controls, after a moment the large blast doors opened, revealing a large number of crates marked with the symbol of Volgograd Industrial were being sorted and carried by teams of porters through a Cargo Docking Collar. In the centre of all the activity they spotted a short Commissar barkout out orders and using rapid hand gestures in an effort to direct the work flow.
"Containers X and XII are to be stored carefully in the cargo hold, if you drop them that pray that you don't detonate it's contents, I will be damned if I have to clean up another mess by you muppets simply because you were careless!" he barked roughly, even when he was standing on a crate one could tell he was a rather short man at 5 feet and 7 inches. But none would dare tell him to his face due to his status and rather sour temperament.
"Our comrades on Tomioka need these supplies, every moment you waste here is another moment that our brave Marines fighting alongside the Dragons go without ammunition and replacement equipment!"he snapped before taking notice of the group at the entrance to the rather extensive Cargo Bay, he beckoned them over before snapping at a pair of porters who were struggling with a long crate carrying portable Ground-to-Air Missile Launchers.
"You two better get that onboard the transport or I swear by McIntosh's left testicle YOU will be the ones launched at enemy fighters!"With that the two men quickened their pace, trying to avoid both Tabakov's ire and words.
Anna looked about in curiosity as the officer escorted the group towards Tabakov. The station was far less militarized than that of Vogtland, the shuttles and flocks of people moving about made the station appear far more lively. The station turned less crowded as the group neared Tabakov's location. Ranks of soldiers were patrolling the halls, as well as stationary soldiers at every doorway. Upon seeing the woman walk by some of the soldiers turned their heads, others walked by as if they didn't know her. Upon opening the blast doors Anna looked about, the crates everywhere obviously seemed delicate, but after glancing for a second she lost interest. The pair walked over towards the crate where the Commissar was standing. He appeared short, shorter than Anna infact, she glanced up at him, studying him for a second. He seemed unsettled, his face was red, his arms waving about like a windmill pointing towards different crates, his voice was high pitched, not exactly the most intimidating sound. After listening to him ramble for a second Anna drew some air and opened her mouth, about to speak up when she was cut off by the Coalition officer.
Commissar Tabakov, sir! As of on que, the Commissar snapped his head towards the officer for a split second before realizing the individual standing behind him. The Commissar looked at Anna as she stared back at him.
Generalmajor Heinrich of the Red Hessian Army is here to see you. Sir. As the words "Generalmajor Heinrich" left the officers mouth a large portion of the room turned their heads towards Anna and her guards, Anna had never visited the Coalition before, and few people had seen her up close in person. Anna rolled her eyes about, noticing that over half the room had ceased their activities.
Commissar. Anna spoke up. Her deep Bretonian accent catching more ears as the Commissar began to muster some words.
Raising an eyebrow he turned fully towards her after giving another porter the 'evil eye', subconsciously warning him to keep moving.
"Generalmajor."he greeted, the crate putting him slightly above her as he crossed his arms. Around him the work continued as crates of weapons and ammunition were loaded onto the transport. Kusari-bound for their forces on Tomioka in addition to supplying the Dragons with some extra firepower. The Commissar looked her from toe to head, his expression was deadpan as he looked her over like a drill sergeant would with a batch of recruits.
"Welcome to New Moscow, I apologize if you were expecting something else from our meeting, however as you know war is a constant effort."he comments before snapping his head back to the same pair of porters carrying the long crate."I see you slacking Muppets!" he snaps, spooking the poor pair in question into moving faster. With a sigh he turns back towards Anna shaking his head.
"So...You are here for a reason. What can the People's Republic do for the Red Hessian Army today?"
The Commissar didn't have a strong memory, that or whatever was going on currently had his attention in a much larger quantity than Anna's request. No matter, Anna looked over at the men he yelled at before glancing back at the Commissar as he turned his head back towards Anna.
Upgrades, to my personal vessel, it'll be used as a reference for the production of more vessels. The Reapers of Sirius fighter designs I mentioned over the comm, tell me what your engineers need to upgrade my vessel. My guards should be capable of acquiring the components shortly. She paused briefly, the Commissar face changed, as if he was thinking of what to do, or as if he was unsure. Despite the odds Anna was bound to see the project through to the end, she continued.
The Army already has -some- components from the offensive's by the Reapers in Omega-47. Any and all necessary funding for the project will be covered by the Army.She paused and continued, to study the Commissar's face. She spoke up, trying to catch his attention.
He raises an eyebrow at her request, while he remembers that particular conversation he is still unsure of it would be nearly as effective as she thought it would be.
"Ah yes, Reaper fighters...I would assume you are mostly interested in that boondoggle of a ship they call the Lich. Our people have fought them eversince they first started fielding the things, thankfully they aren't seen in organized numbers outside of Kiev anymore due to the fall of the Reaper command structure..."the man comments before taking a seat on the weapon's crate he had been standing on.
"We should be able to modify a Borderworlds Sabre into the Lich configuration if we can get enough parts salvaged and brought to Doctor XiaoBei on Mykolaiv, he and the rest of his team should be able to take it from there so long as they get the parts and consult the Army's archives on previous encounters. "Tabakov states before starting to pop his knuckles one at a time, looking quite bored.
"The question I suppose those eggheads will be asking at Mykolaiv is if there is a deadline for this project?'
Most of the Army engineers never needed a deadline to work at optimal capacity, they were motivated enough by either their patriotism or fear of failure. Anna was interested to know the Coalition didn't operate in the same manner. She though briefly for a moment before speaking up. I'm always in a rush Commissar, however, I'll be a bit more lenient with this. Tell the engineers I would like the project finished within the next month, extra funding will be provided if need be. Tell me what parts you need, and the Army will provide them, the same can be said for the archival data. Acquiring the parts was no issue, the Army had the reaper's weapons and components in a small stock from their occasionally -fatal- raids towards Omega-47.
A rush she says...The lads at Mykolaiv love rush jobs...Still he gave a small nod and stretched his arms out. Causing several 'crack' sounds to be heard as he stretched them wide and far for such a small person.
"I think the boys can do it, bare in mind it will likely not be fully 'to spec' due to the parts requiring to be manufactured for it that cannot be outright salvaged from wreckage, which means the Power Systems may be a bit...How to the Bretonians say it?"He paused for a moment, thinking of the word he was looking for before nodding to himself."Oh yes, weedy was the word. So over time it'll have to be adjusted as you acquire flight data after the prototype is completed."he warned before jumping off the crate and onto the deckplates, making his height difference much more apparent to her as he looked up at her with folded arms.
The engine components and power systems weren't an issue. If the Lane Hackers kept true to their friendship she would have the scanning technology she desired. Upon hearing him cease to speak, she spoke up almost immediately. That'll be fine Commissar, my engineers have prototype power plants and engines ready to be put to use on this vessel. The stealth systems and unique structure of the wings are what catch my attention. She paused for a second, ordering two of her guards back to the entrance. I'll head to Mykoliav, once the vessel has been completed I'll notify you if there's anything else. Your contribution is most appreciated. As if on que the woman turned around and her guards followed her back the the entrance of the hangar bay.