They mystery man was the first to speak up. He seemed to finally have gathered the courage to talk to the Commissar. He introduced himself as Sergei Gohel and explained his family as wealthy benefactors to the Coalition. But it was the end of the speech that Emil listened to most.
' Wrote:Let me be part of the Revolution! let me be in the Red Dawn! let me prove to you that i am loyal, i am good soldier and i swear for my life, when i do not satisfy you kill me, because this is all i have, all i care and all i want!
Gohel finished at this point, and Emil sat up to his desk and eyed the man again. Now that he knew who Gohel was and the story he'd spun, Emil's mind was plagued by a question.
"Mr. Gohel. You say that the Coalition is all you have to live for. As we discussed earlier, life is a precious thing; to offer yours up so freely is both disturbing and disheartening. I had a gentleman in here today already who's last chance was with the Coalition...I put him out of his misery."
"But I find myself intrigued by you, so I offer you this chance. What do you, personally, have to live for? Why do I not put a bullet into your head now to save both myself and you the trouble of keeping you among the living? "
"And do not give me an answer about fighting for the Revolution. I want to know, Mr. Gohel, what you personally are living for, what you personally are willing to lay down your life for. The Revolution has no need for dead-men walking...they aren't worth the training. Dismissed."
Emil was slightly sickened by this man's contempt for his own life. If he's not willing to fight for his own life, he's not willing to fight for others.
Alvin Katz
Emil then turned his attention to the other man in the room. Emil glanced at his screen to read the name Alvin Katz. "Well, Mr. Katz. Perhaps you have a better reason for being here. Tell me you're story."
And Katz did. He spoke well of the plight of Sirius, from the point of all houses. He talked of the Coalition's small-town efforts, the grassroots campaigns of public education throughout the Houses. Emil was impressed by the man's zeal.
' Wrote:Thats it, that is all. I just want a chance to help open other peoples eyes to the realization that it is us who are going to win this in the end. I just want to earn my place through the hard work that got me here in the first place, sir.
As the young Alvin finished, Emil quietly contemplated what he'd just heard from the man. Then he reached for another recruitment packet and handed it to Alvin.
"I've nothing to ask of you son. You remind me of what the Coalition is about; educating the people and fighting for their freedom. Fill this out comrade Katz, and hand it in to the secretary outside when your finished. Dismissed comrade."
Vicenta Gonzalez
Emil watched Katz walk out of the room. He reminds me of myself when I first joined. I must be getting sentimental in my old age, to let him walk away so lightly. Bah! Katz exited the room and Andreyev saw that the young Corsair woman was walking back into the room.
' Wrote:I'm ready to answer your question. Senor, the only thing that would prevent me from following orders is if I were ordered to do something immoral or dishonorable. If ordered to kill a child, senor, or unarmed civilians, I could not do it. Aside from that, I would have no trouble following an order, even if it came from an ex-Outcast.
Emil nodded from his chair as Vicenta finished her answer. "That is what I expected to hear from you Ms. Gonzalez. The Coalition is here to protect the people. We do not shoot civilians unless fired upon first. We do not abide by such behavior in others, even our allies. There have been times in the past we have almost come to fighting our closest allies in our struggles because of the piracy they engage in."
Emil reached down to his drawer and pulled one of the few remaining recruit packets left, and handed it to Vicenta. "Please fill this out and turn it into the secretary outside Ms. Gonzalez. Dismissed."
Emil hated this part of the job. The stack of paperwork was mounting. Several recruits had turned in their packets, and the had been reviewed by High Command and himself. He began writing the communiques that would tell these recruits their fates.
Mikhail Petrov
The first was Mikhail Petrov. Everything looks in order. Emil made some notes on Petrov's application. Discretion is the better part of valor Mr. Petrov. When faced with overwhelming odds, fall back and regroup, do not die in glorious battle.
Emil found his stamp, and then signed the letter. APPLICATION APPROVED.
Youri Aliabiev
Next on the stack was Youri Aliabiev. Hmm...needs to brush up on communications protocols. Another one going out in a blaze of glory. Needs more schooling on propaganda and history. Emil made a few notes on the application. Communication Protocols allow for taunting at the death of an enemy, but never wishing them a "good fight" over unsecured comms. Also, the Coalition likes its pilots alive; do not fight against overwhelming odds.
Emil found his stamp, and then signed the letter. APPLICATION APPROVED.
Alexandra Volkova
Next was Ms. Alexandra Volkova. Hmm. Naming conventions needs work, good ideas of strategy and tactics. All seems in order.
Emil found his stamp, and then signed the letter. APPLICATION APPROVED.
Mark Donovan
Grabbing the next application, Emil noticed the name. Mark Donovan. Something about that man...I just cannot shake the feeling. Intelligence will sort that out. Everything seems in order though, all very good answers.
Emil found his stamp, and then signed the letter. APPLICATION APPROVED.
Vladimir Stukov
The last item on his stack was Vladimir Stukov's application. Emil looked over this application as well. His grasp of the Fighter Corps just isn't what it should be. *sigh* I don't think this one is right for the Fighter Corps.
Emil grabbed for another stamp. APPLICATION DENIED
Emil then reached for a pen, and made a note on the application Please report to Major Bigeard of the Coalition Marines. They could use a man like you in their ranks.
