Emil kept at the stack of papers on his desk until he heard the door open back up and saw Alexandra walking back into the room. He sat up and waited for her response.
' Wrote:I'm sorry for my misunderstanding. I was very nervous, Commissar.
What I would give up sir? I don't have many things to give up. I'm young and young people doesn't have many things to give up. Especially when they are poor.
I would give up I won't see my mother again to stay in secret. I would give up to never land at Leeds and never see my home only if we *ehh* you succeed with Revolution. I would give up my previous life.
I'm here to start new life in Coalition. If you want new life you must give up all things from old one.
Watching the girl for a moment more, Emil weighed her words. "While you do not necessarily have to give up all from your previous life, the Revolution demands that you put it second. There have been many instances where pilots have visited their loved ones in the past. Commendante o'Jovem of the Fighter Corps rescued his own mother from Crete when the Corsairs abandoned reason, and Captain Karchov, also of the Fighter Corps, routinely visits his family on Pittsburgh."
"But, you are here for the Coalition." Emil reached into his desk and pulled out yet another recruitment packet. "Fill out these forms and have them routed to the correct individuals, and you will hear from us one way or the other. Dismissed."
Mark Donovan
Emil marked off on his tally as Volkova exited the room, and glanced again at the man standing in the corner of the room. He glanced back to find the recruit named Donovan standing in front of him with his packet filled out. Emil took the paperwork from Donovan and placed it on the Prospective Recruits stack.
Mikhail Petrov
Emil sighed and looked at the bar, the bottle of Mykolaiv's best staring him in the face again. Why not, it's been quite the day here. One more small glass won't hurt. Lots of ice. He made his way over and poured his third glass of vodka today. I'll start acting like Weise if I'm not careful with this stuff Emil thought as he walked back to the desk.
"*static* Commissar Andreyev, Mr. Petrov would like to see you again*static*." Emil had to think for a moment, Oh yes, the skittish boy, he thought as he leaned to the intercom and pressed the button "Send him in then".
Emil noted the small change in carriage as Petrov saluted more confidently this time around. He nodded his head toward Petrov, an invitation to begin.
' Wrote:Sir... Commissar, I think I found the answer.", he cleaned his throat and began,"On my travels, I heard there were some conflicts between the Coalition and the Corsair nation. I believe it was because of different methods. The Coalition is now at state of war with them.
I expected more from this lad thought Emil as he continued to watch Petrov. The boy must have gotten the hint as he continued his answer to the Commissar.
' Wrote:Well... Knowing the Corsairs, they are arrogant lot, which probably led to conflicts with Coalition. Their methods are also unacceptable. Coalition wouldn't ever degrade to piracy such as they do. Also, they might frown upon Coalition's stance towards the Hessians, which are oppressed by Rheinland government and deserve help in their cause as much as Corsairs do. Corsair people might need help, but with their arrogant pride, selfishness and disrespect they wont get any. That's what I thought up from my lack of information. It seems like the most logical outcome to me. Also, I knew I will have to leave my past behind when I entered this place. I already got over that, I understand why it is important.
Now Emil was impressed. They boy certainly did know more than most. "Very good Comrade Petrov. You seem to know the heart of our enemy even without fighting them. It is close to the true story, close enough for me at least. The precipitous event that lead to the split forced Commendante Ares out of the Elder Council on Crete, and by a harrowing escape through Corsair space. Corsairs were firing on their ally and savior in many a conflict, and the Revolution does not stand for such treachery."
"But as for you Comrade Petrov, that is not a concern at present. Let us see how you do on your aptitude test shall we?" Emil handed Petrov the standard recruit form. "Dismissed boy."
Petrov turned smartly and walked out the door. Emil turned to the intercom again and keyed the mic. "Anyone else out there?"
"*static* Oh yes Comrade Commissar. Several are waiting for you still. Should I send one in?*static*".
Andreyev rocked back in his chair a moment with a mighty sigh, then keyed the mic again "Yes, send one in".
Vicenta Gonzalez
A Corsair woman walked into the office, and immediately the Marines had weapons trained, and even Emil was out of his chair, pistol in hand. The woman immediately put her hands in the air and exclaimed
' Wrote:I'm unarmed. My name is Vicenta Gonzalez. I am by birth a Corsair, however, I have seen the lies and hypocrisy of the Corsair Nation, and have arranged things so I may never return.
Emil quickly nodded at the two Marines, who lowereds their weapons slightly, but still kept a wary eye on the woman. Emil himself put down his pistol and sat, motioning the woman to go on.
As he listened to the story of the Corsair woman's discovery of human nature, he heard truth in her story and in her tone. She finished with
' Wrote:So if there is a word of my story that you do not believe to be true, then kill me where I stand. At least I will die betraying the filth that I once called my people.
Emil held a hand up as a slight chuckle escaped him. "Now now, senora, there's no need for dramatic gestures. That is quite the story; I've seen myself this lack of honor in some Corsairs. Some, like yourself Ms. Gonzalez, have the honor and intelligence to see through the facade, and the strength to accept the truth."
Emil paused here to let his words sink in, and then thought of something to ask. "I'd like you to contemplate something. You will go out and think about the answer to my query, and when you are ready, my staff outside will let you back in." Emil made sure that he had Vicenta's full attention.
"You seem to have inherited the Corsair's fiery demeanor and I wonder if you can control your impulses. As a Coalition pilot, you will be faced with many scenarios that could challenge your thoughts and preconceptions. We never really give up completely who we are when we join the Coalition, and some part of our previous lives still remain with us. The Red Hessians are our allies, but bitter enemies of the Corsairs. There is a possibility of former Outcasts, Bounty Hunters, and others who have joined the Coalition. Will you be able to handle taking orders from someone who may have been, or still are, enemies of your people? Go outside and think about all this means before you answer. Dismissed."
Sergei Gohel
The young woman walked outside as Emil looked at the man in the corner. By Lenin, he looks like he's almost got something to say. Perhaps I won't have to have anyone else killed today thought Emil as he motioned the man forward. But before the man could walk forward, the door to the office barged open and a dusty, shabbily clothed man walked in.
Kari Izhao
Emil could hardly control himself. Indeed, words not of his own making seemed to spill forth from his lips before and after the man finished his story of work for the Coalition, then his kidnapping and forced labor for the Liberty Navy, and then the of course subsequent escape. Amazingly, Emil heard himself say
' Wrote:Thank you, comrade. We will look into you, Mr. Izhao. Now go on your way.
As the man walked back out of the room, Emil shook himself fully awake this time. What in the Red Dawn just happened. I believe... Emil was fully alert now, and all he could think of was SPY! He quickly leaned over the intercom as he motioned the Marines out of the room after Izhao.
"Alert, I believe we have a spy. He used some sort of mind-control on me in my office. I want the man apprehended. Kari Izhao is his name. Don't kill him, just apprehend. He will need to be studied at Mykolaiv".
"*static* Suspect has been apprehended Comrade Commissar. He killed one Marine, but the rest brought him down alive. He is headed for a transport to Mykolaiv.*static*"
Emil knew what would happen to the spy. First, to find out if he had used some sort of mind control device, he would be stripped and his clothes and body searched. If nothing was found, every inch of the body would be skinned, looking for a device just below the surface. If nothing was found then, the skull would be cut away from the still living body and the brain dissected with slow, exacting precision; all the while keeping the body alive to preserve whatever evidence that could be found. Emil also knew that the rest of Mr. Kari Izhao's pitiful life would be filled with nothing but pain and an urge to die that no one would grant.
Alvin Katz
A look of disgust crossed Emil's face as he thought of the spy again, and the Marine that had been killed in service to the Revolution. He keyed the intercom. "Tell that Marine's family they have the condolences of the Commissar's office. He died a hero to the Revolution." Emil sighed as he raised his glass to the strange man in the corner. "To Life, and to death in service to the People" and drained the glass. He keyed the intercom again. "Send in whoever's left".
A young Libertonian man walked into the office and stood in front of the desk. And waited. And waited. Oh by Lenin, I've got another one thought Emil as he continued to stare at the man.
"Tell you both something," Emil said as he pointed to the man in the corner to come to his desk. "You both had better start talking or there's going to be trouble. I've had a long day already and if you two don't start saying something soon, I'm going to let my Marines start talking. They've also had a rough day, and are looking for blood. So get on with it boys, you don't have all day."
