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.
