"One of the fundamental tasks of a Coalitioner is winning over the beliefs of our enemies. There is stubborness there... especially from a Rhienlander. I enjoy debating politics with them, I learn just as much about them as they do about me, and here, knowledge is power." He sips his tea.
"Have you ever met a man named Gunther Rall? Fascinating man, intriguing to talk to... in fact that is your challenge. Go to Rhienland, find Gunther Rall, and learn all about the GottKanzler. As usual, you have three days... and you may take your tea."
As the man departed, Khan checked his watch, "Next!"
Young man entered the office, He was well built. Young man standed in front of Recruitment Officer's desk and saluted him.
"Greetings, My name is Vladimir Ivanov and I wish to join honourable ranks of The Coalition. I come from Ronneburg base. I am not really a Hessian but I was raised as one. My real blood is Coalition one. Finally after all years I have been told who is my real family."
Vladimir saluted again, one drop of sweat was sliding across his face, Vladimir was staring at it, He didn't wanted to Officer knew that he is nervous....
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Angelrator @Foochow has been wished with the best by @Dimon and @Cashew (:
-something went wrong and pic got a "bit" oversize
Khan glanced up from the newspaper he was reading since the reception had been empty.
"Ivanov, quite a common name on Volgograd." He folded the newspaper and put it aside. "So you were born Coalition, that does make things easier, you should, without hesitation, be able to answer three fundamental questions."
He affixed his eyes on the recruit, "Who was Chancellor Aeon, and why was he deposed? What three tenants are essential to a Socialist Revolution? and lastly, what are the fundamental flaws in a KSD series Partisan?"
Scanners aboard the Typhoon class destroyer picked up what sensors took to be a Hessian Loki-class light fighter less than 1000 meters off the port side, lining up with the docking bay.
The recruit on duty blinked in disbelief at the signal, running several diagnostics on her systems. 'What's a Hessian doing all the way into Coronado?' she thought as the diagnostics came back all positive. 'Hessian vessel, this is the Coalition People's Warship Trotsky. Do you require assistance? You're a long way from home'
Inside the cockpit of the Loki, nicknamed 'Ullr', the pilot shook himself from the fitful doze he had been in. Autopilot had taken him across half of Sirius to get here, and all the while, he'd been trying to catch sleep when he could. An old combat trick.
'No assistance required Trotsky' he replied back. But I would like to dock, and be shown the Commissar's office.'
'That can be arranged comrade, please enter docking bay Two, berth 42 please. A Marine guard will be waiting to take you to the Commissar's Office.'
'Danke. Out.' The Loki maneuvered into position, and minutes later, he was taking off his flight helmet and shutting down the systems of the Hessian vessel. He looked about, and spotted the two Coalition Marine Guards that were his escort. Waving to the marines, he reached down and pulled out his duffle, containing what was left of his former life. Couple changes of clothes, an old flip-top lighter, my good luck charm, not that it's brought me much, and a picture of the old 371st. Not much for possessions in my 37 years..
The Marines, after making sure he carried no weapons, marched him through the bowels of the destroyer to the Commissar's office. In the waiting room were several others, so he spied an empty chair and placed his duffle on the chair, eyeing each of the other potentials in order. It's cliche, but youth really is wasted on the young, he thought as he turned to the waiting assistant behind the desk. He heard from behind the door leading into the back office the sounds of a conversation, mostly one-sided, and turned his attention to the enlisted behind the desk.
'Guten Tag. My name is Leutnant Markus Keller. The word 'leutnant' coming out of Markus' mouth sounded acidic and filled with remorse. I come to the Coalition because of a debt I owe my fallen brothers and sisters. And to fulfill a desire to free all the peoples from the despotic rule of both the Houses and the sell-swords plaguing this sector.
Khan glanced at his watch, then at the dumb-struck recruit.
"Well... I see you need time to think about my question, how about you wait in the reception area," he guided the young man out the door. "You can get a cup of coffee from the machine, though it isn't very good. And there are some magazines on the table there..."
Taking a moment to glance at the applicants who had returned from their tasks, he nodded.
"I will get to you next, first I need to clear the new applicants." He motioned to Keller, "you, please come in, and have a seat."
Once the door was closed again, Khan had taken his seat in the large armchair and was again stirring a cup of tea.
Mikhail, after journeying around the more remote parts of Sirius, returns to Coronado once more, hailing the Trotsky. His Crow, looking a little more battered than before, docks with the Destroyer, and he jumps out. Pieces are falling off of the Crow now, looking as if it's been through a few fights, and he himself looks physically tired. Making sure he cleared his pockets of all weapons, and left them on his ship, he makes his way back into the proper office.
After another search, he sits down, and waits patiently. He had some things to talk about with the Comissar, and hope he would be available soon.
Mikhail took his datapad, and began to mindlessly scroll through old logs, waiting for his turn.
Markus looked up as the Commissar motioned for him to enter. Standing up, he grabbed his duffel and followed into the office. Glancing around, Markus set the duffel down beside the chair and sat down. Shades of gray at the temples were the only give away to his real age, and Markus raked his hand through his hair slightly as he seated himself on the edge of the chair, straight-backed and looking at attention.
' Wrote:"Now then, what brings you to the Coalition?"
A small sigh escaped Markus' lips as he composed his thoughts. "Well sir, that is a long story. I must assume that I may speak freely within these walls, and will try to be as succinct as possible.
Revenge is what brings me to the Coalition sir. It is not what leads my life, but it is a small fire within my soul lately. The Coalition is my best hope for spreading the word of the Worker, and at the same time give me a chance to exact retribution on the miserable bastards who've taken my life from me.
Shaking slightly with rage as the memories crept up on him, Markus hadn't noticed until now that he'd risen out of his chair and had the had his hands on the front of the Commissar's desk...and two Coalition Marines pointing their rifles directly at his chest. Visually composing himself, he sat back down in the chair and continued his story.
My apologies Commissar, but it is difficult to retell my story. I joined the Red Hessian Army at 18, and worked very hard within the Army to further it's goals. I worked my way through the ranks to become an Oberst, and leader of my own squadron. Those were my men, and I cared for them like they were my own flesh and blood. I trained, ate, lived with my squadron, and they all respected me just as much as I respected them. They would follow me to the ends of Sirius.
Markus paused here in his narrative and stared at his hands a moment before continuing. They followed me to their death. Markus looked up again and stared hard into the Commissar's eyes. It was a trap, but I didn't see it until it was too late. We were on patrol out of Viernheim, headed for Freital via Omega 41. We caught sight of a small flightgroup of BHG Mantas and decided to pursue. They ambushed us with an entire battlegroup. Mantas, Bullheads, Makos, Threshers, and Orcas came pouring out of the asteroids. Only four of us made it out of the initial barrage. Eight of my pilots destroyed in the blink of an eye. I and three other of my pilots survived on luck alone and made fast for the Omega 11 jumphole, damaged and shocked.
We quickly outpaced the large craft in the asteroids, using the rocks as cover, but the Orcas and the Mantas were another story. My squadron sacrificed themselves to save me. Eichler, young and always a ready smile, Maier with her heart of fire, and Gottleib, who had only signed on two weeks prior. He was only nineteen. Those three turned to face a dozen Mantas to buy me the time to get back to Freital.
Pausing a moment, Markus looked away a moment to brush a tear away from his eye. When I got back to Freital, I was immediately taken into custody. My superiors put me up for court-martial on charges of conspiracy and treason. TREASON! Markus shouted as he slammed his hand against the chair. I've given over half my life to the Cause, would have gladly laid down my life for those kids, for the Army's ideals. To be charged with treason...well, it almost broke me.
The tribunal found that I was not at fault for the destruction of my squadron, but that I should have seen through the trap. I was demoted back to Leutnant and given only clearance to fly a Loki and Odin. I took my Loki with me and found my way to the Trotsky, and to the Coalition.
Markus reached back and into his duffel, and pulled out the picture that he carried with him everywhere now. He handed it to the Commissar. This was my squadron. These were the sons and daughters of hard working people put under my care. These are the ones who I have pledged to avenge. These youths, and the youths of all people, need protecting from those looking for a quick credit by the blood of others. The Bounty Hunters, House governments, Corsairs. They're all the same.
I come to the Coalition to take back that which has been taken from me, and to take off the shackles placed on hard-working people...and their young. I come to the Coalition to fight for those whom have lost something precious to them, and cannot fight themselves. I come to the Coalition, also, to fight for my own salvation.
That is my story Commissar. Markus finished and sat straight in the chair again. He was drained with the re-telling of his story, and anxiously awaited the Commissar's response.
Mikhail shook his head a bit. The man in the other room was very audible. His story may be more horrible than his own, but Mikhail and he were similar. They both were hard working men, and both of them had witnessed the death of their friends.
Perhaps Mikhail will speak to him later, and they can share their tales with each other. He continued scrolling through his logs, now over a year into the past.
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