With several folders in his hand, one open and his eyes examining the contents while walking, Alexi strolled past the entrance to Kalashnikov's. It's been a while hasn't it, thought Alexi as he paused at the entrance, seeing the greasy imprint of what looked like a face on the plexi-glass door of the place. A slight smile crossed his face as Alexi allowed himself a small chuckle looking at the "Push" sign someone had hastily stencilled on the doors. At least moral is high. Maybe I will stop in for a drink. Might make this paperwork go faster.
Alexi pulled open the door and stepped into a raucous environment, as Kalishnakov's always is. He quickly spotted an open booth in the corner and maneuvered his way through the crowd toward it. Setting down his stack of folders on the surprisingly clean steel tabletop, he caught the eye of one of the waitresses; lithe girls in fetching facsimilies of Coalition uniforms, though much briefer than standard issue. Whomever came up with that idea, thought Alexi should be commended. He did not sit, however, but stood looking around the room.
Though he was not in his uniform, but in civilian clothes, Alexi knew that the men there looked at him and saw his rank, that of a new Acting-Admiral and CO of the Fighter Corps. How far I've come from that boy on Pittsburgh. And still the fight continues. Shaken from his thoughts by a light touch on his shoulder, Alexi turned to the distraction to see the waitress he'd flagged down.
"Good to see you here Admiral," the young woman said with a smile. "It's been a while since you've been to the Klash. We still remember you though, your usual?"
"It has been a while hasn't it. Yes, the usual. The good stuff, and a Red if you please." Alexi motioned to the table in front of him. "Just put it here if I'm not here, I'll be back shortly."
"No problem," said the waitress as she turned to go. Alexi wasn't sure if he'd caught a wink or not as she walked away saying "Be right back."
I miss her so at times like this. My dear Natalya, I hope you are well. It'd been far to long since he'd seen his girl, trapped still on Pittsburgh. Someday I will bring you here, someday, when it's safe.
Alexi looked around Kalashnikov's, taking in what was there. He spotted many of his Fighter Corps pilots, apparently celebrating something. Katz was at a table with Stenka, Yuri, and an attractive woman Alexi had never seen before. Must be one of those with a visa. Alexi glanced at his stack of folders with a sigh. That's one of my duties over there. Perhaps she'll turn up there. Alexi saw at another table several of Bigeard's Marines engaged in a card game, and another table off in the corner with some mechanics in what seemed to be a heated discussion with some employees from the Commissar's office.
As he turned to another corner, Alexi spied the jukebox system for Kalashnikov's. It was then that he noticed the bar was conspicuously devoid of music. These kids nowadays. Time to show them. Alexi walked over to the machine, and started flipping through the selections. Another light touch on his shoulder caught Alexi's attention, and his waitress was looking over his shoulder; no small task, at his musical selection. "What are you looking at? I hope it isn't any of that poppy dance music Commander Mao usually plays. I don't know how he listens to that stuff."
Alexi kept flipping through the selections, until he found what he was looking for. "Oh, that's one that hasn't been played in a while," said the waitress. "Please play that one." With a slight smile and a side-long glance at the young waitress, Alexi pressed play.
As the music started playing, he leaned to the waitress. "Will you do me a favor and bring me my Red. I don't feel like sitting just yet. Thank you." The waitress went back to Alexi's table and grabbed the pint of beer, bringing it back to him as he moved in front of the Wall of Heroes.
The wall was a new addition to Kalashnikov's, and a welcome one for Alexi. The wall was like taking a walk down memory lane for Alexi; a bittersweet journey of his career, and that of so many, in the Coalition. The Wall of Heroes had pictures of those pilots and leaders who have been an integral part of the Coalition. Some had given their very lives in service; others had served with distinction and given leave to retire.
As the music swelled, so did the pride in Alexi as he contemplated the Wall of Heroes. Flanking the dominating picture of Grand Admiral McIntosh were the portraits of Jan Richtofen and Ty Kirk, of Miroslav Baranov and Nikolai Varnava, of Dieter Zehn and Sitting Bear. These were all great men of the Coalition, and the Wall of Heroes was created to honor their acheivements and memories. And I miss you all. Too many good men have died at the hands of our enemies. Too many friends.
As the song ended, Alexi turned back to the main area. The Wall of Heroes was positioned so that no matter where you were in Kalashnikov's, the grand view of the Grand Admiral and his cadre would be there. Staring in to his glass in contemplation, Alexi took his ring and started slightly tapping the glass with it, making a small yet noticable clinking sound. Gradually, the din of conversation died as all eyes turned to Alexi, under the visage of the Grand Admiral and the other Heroes. As the last of the conversation quieted, Alexi spoke in a soft, yet forceful baritone.
"Marines and maintenance staff, pilots and public servants, join me a moment if you will. I stand here under the gaze of the Heroes of the Revolution, and I am reminded of the sacrifices they have made to the Revolution. I am reminded of the sacrifices we ALL make to our glorious vision of the future for all of Sirius. We have come a long way in the last few years comrades, a long way indeed. We have lost many great men and women, lost many friends, family, loved ones."
Alexi paused for a moment, then looked up at the crowd staring back at him. "But we have also gained. We have gained the expertise to build our mighty fleet to take the fight to the enemies of freedom. We have gained the respect of the Revolutionaries of Rheinland and others throughout Sirius, who have heard the call of the Red Dawn. And we have gained many new friends, new families, whom we have welcomed into our homes and hearts. The Coalition is strong, and as I stand here before you, with the Heroes of the Revolution around me, I can look out and see among you the potential to be Heroes of the Revolution as well."
Gesturing to the portraits behind him, Alexi continued. "These great Heroes knew what they were fighting for, and so do you. These great men fought for the people of Sirius, and so do you. We all fight for those who do not yet have the power to fight for themselves. We fight, so they don't have to. We fight, so they can have hope of a better life for themselves and their families, their friends, their loved ones. These Heroes remind us of how much good we can do, and how much good the Coalition has already brought to so many."
"Join me in a moment of silent rememberance for these Heroes, and for all those who have fallen in service to the Coalition, and for those who we have yet to help shed their chains of oppression. Remember why you are here, both individually and collectively, and take heart in the fact that whatever your reason, you fight to make Sirius a better place for the people."
Alexi looked out at the patrons as they bowed their heads in reflection and reverence. Alexi was proud of his pilots, and indeed of all those who fought for the Revolution. He waited a moment longer, then raised his glass above his head and in a thundering voice, yelled "FOR THE REVOLUTION. FOR THE RED DAWN".
As he finished, the whole crowd, in one voice answered him, drinks raised. "FOR THE REVOLUTION. FOR THE RED DAWN". Alexi joined the crowd in the toast, downing the pint of Red in one long pull before setting the glass on the nearest table.
Walking back to his table, letting the jubilant cheers of the patrons slowly fade back to their conversations, Alexi sat at the booth and took a drink of his vodka, now chilled by the ice to a wonderfully cold temperature.
And he smiled. Tonight was going to be a good night.
