"We"

[Balance]

Planet New Berlin

Rheinland's most stunningly successful band in history took a last bow on the stage as their concert ended. The auditorium shook with near deafening applause. The leader of the group was a true Viking of old. Not the blond haired Aryan but a dark warrior with long locks of black hair and as tall and powerful as a lion from old earth. It was obvious he reveled in his looks and equally obvious from the women in the crowd that he was no alone in that. As the band turned to exit the stage, its charismatic lead singer, Johan "Hans" Hoezel, turned his back to the Rheinland officer's detachment in attendance and seated in the front row "VIP" seats and with yet another bow dropped his pants and once and for all answered the fraulein's giddy and frequent question, "What do you wear underneath?"

The officer's half came out of their seats but the thunderous and approving cheer of the crowd behind them quickly sat them back down again--faces flushed red with impotent fury.

"That will show "Der Kommissar" that no one tells Helheim who gets the best seats at our concerts anymore!" Hans shouted to the crowd which was still delightedly cheering because in the passion of his message he had forgotten his pants before he turned. With a smirk and a flourish, he hoisted them back up and stepped spryly from the stage. The rumors of war with Liberty had alienated many of Rheinland's youth and in no small measure had elevated an already extremely successful group to the status of full cultural icons.

A chartered cruise liner waited them--reserved only for the band and its crew and a select few personal guests--many of whom were eager and nubile young female fans that would be unceremoniously ejected and replaced at the next docking. As soon as the ship launched the stocks of cardamine and synthetic marijuana along with mind altering hardware and software sets (rumored to have been developed as part of Liberty's experiments with the Nomads). If a Rheinland official were to see...

"Well, of no concern", thought Hans. "No Rheinland stooge will ever see these things. This is Helheim. None may enter without my permission! I am a GOD here!"

Hans eagerly keyed his music implant. He was eager to put the final mix on the song that would make his band infamous in all of Rheinland. It would be the capstone of their success. He was dedicating a song to the Wild. Oh the fury and gnashing of teeth by the elite would be delightful to see! "I'm golden now--no one can stop me!" He thrilled with anticipation as the music began to play loudly in his head.

One of the ship's compliment stared impassively at the singer and while his face did not show it, a look of satisfaction sparkled in his eyes. "Almost time for this one." he thought. "He will be the one."

**Evangelus**

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