Eugen wandered into Bruchsal with a smile on his face, a pistol in his hand, and a dozen armoured Marines at his back. With a casual wave, he walked over to a stunned deckhand, and clapped him on the shoulder.
Karl, isnt it? I remember you, still a deckhand, eh? Join the revolution, you can be a deckhand with a shiny uniform, like mine!
Eugen stepped back, and proudly displayed the midnight-black uniform with gold and silver trim, and a massive fruit-salad of medals, ribbons, and other paraphernalia, relics of three years of service, and campaigns too numerous to count. Nestled within that salad was a small, blood-red ribbon with a pair of identical blue and green planets on it. The Sol Expeditionary Force Ribbon with two planets, indication of a man who had been to the Sol system twice, and lived to tell the tale. Eugen could feel his left leg and fingers tingle, even as he strode deeper into the base.
The Marines behind him took up positions around the transport, a surprisingly ferocious vessel, despite its dilapidated appearance. The Red Sun Rising was one of the Sirius Coalition Marines specialized stealth craft, and could be easily re-configured to blend into any system in the sector with a few hours work. Brigadier General Anton had lent it to Eugen with no hesitation. Any man who had fought the.. Thing that had devoured so many of his men in Sol, and lived to tell of it would have no lack of support from the marines he had fought beside. With enough room inside to fit three sections of Armoured Marines, including drop-pods and heavy weapons, it was the epitomy of cost-effectively dangerous transport.
Eugen, with Marine Lieutenant Barkov, Sergeant Davis, and Corporal Ramirez behind him, strolled into the Bruchsal Base Command Center, to be greeted warmly but a short, stocky man wearing a black flight suit, unadorned save for three golden orbs on either shoulder.
Hauptmann Schneider! Good to see you again, Comrade! How goes the fight?
The man nods gravely, and walks around Eugen with an arched eyebrow. Taking a stance in front of him, he suddenly smiles, his lined face lighting up with pleasure.
Eugen Weise! As I live, Id never thought you would make it back here in one piece! The fight goes well as it ever has, although I dont believe for a second that this war will be over for good in my lifetime, perhaps in yours. I swear, Ive never seen so many medals in my life, and knowing the Coalition, I dont believe you got them for anything less than throwing yourself into the fire a few more times than was healthy. I hear youre looking for a ship?
Not just any ship sir, my ship. Do you recall my old scimitar, I believe it was locked in Bay 19-C several years ago? I never had a chance to get it back, but now Ive a need for it. By any chance is it still around?
Ah yes, that ship. Well, I tell you Eugen, I always figured youd be coming back for that particular piece of kit, so I took the liberty of keeping it up to date, and I even added a little extra to the paint job.
As Schneider spoke, he led Eugen and his marines along a curving passageway along the outer hull of the station, until they came to a door, long unused.
Now, I think youll like what weve done with it. Standard Luger loadout, a little extra punch from the thruster, and a few extra bits of armour. Shes a lean machine, and no mistake.
The door hissed open, to reveal an older-model Scimitar, obviously well used. The Name, wing, position, and nickname of the pilot were painted in plain black along either side of the fuselage, and the weapons gleamed with a recent coat of oil.
Weise turned to his old commander in glee, and exclaimed into the proud silence:
Jack Handey Wrote:I can picture in my mind a world without war, a world without hate. And I can picture us attacking that world, because they'd never expect it.
Eugen and the Red Sun Rising raced through Rheinland, cuising to a stop beside the the SCRA Fleet Tender Blanket Immunity. As the Marines began to pick up more ammunition, weapons, and medical supplies for the mission ahead, Eugen slipped unnoticed into a side passageway, and knocked quietly on an unmarked door.
Yes? Called a strangely mechanical voice.
Weise here mate, got something for you.
Come on in, Comrade.
Eugen slipped through the hatch, closing and locking it behind him. Sitting at the console in the cramped cabin was the remains of a man, swathed in a tight-fitting black jumpsuit, gloves covering his hand, and a combination of a flight helmet, breathing apparatus, and mask over his head. Commander Totenkopt was aptly named, for his face was a steel skull, blue lenses glaring from beneath a hooded brow, teeth pressed in a lipless grin, and a mechanical hissing underlying every word spoken. His flightsuit showed the Recon Squadron unit patch on both shoulders, and his figure spoke of an incredible strength, although he seemed to be slightly hunched, as though in pain.
So comrade, hows the leg? Any better?
Eugen took a seat as he replied, None at all, although it doesnt hurt as much any more. I think Its started growing into the rest of me, although the glow is still centralized.
As he spoke, he pulled the glove off his left hand, exposing two of his fingers as glowing, ethereal twitches in the still air. As he made a fist, the fingers moved, but not as a human one would. One instant, they were still open, even as the other fingers closed, the next, they were shut tight to the palm, leaving a slight glow that quickly faded behind.
Well, observed Totenkopt, those are twitchy alright. Most of mine is internal, so I dont get anything like that, although Ive noticed I can breath more easily lately. Either its fixing the damage to my lungs, or its growing me new ones, Im rather afraid to check.
Yea, its alright until I try to hit someone, then they get there before the rest of my fist, and they hit harder too. I like it, until it waked me up at night. Wheres your new ship?
Parked inside a cargo container at the moment. The techs say theyve never seen such a good connection with a human host, Im sure I could explain why
No doubt. Where are you bound now?
Back home, and then on to Omicron Alpha, to see what those cardamine-huffing Outcasts are up to. I need to talk to the Commodore about our little Problem a little more, and then dock my recce fighter down south for a while. The Immunity will hold here for a small time, and then move north to support me, and possibly the fleet if it moves up.
Gonna talk to Ares eh? Not a bad idea, I wont be back there for at least three weeks, at the earliest. I want to f*cking kill whoever had the brilliant idea to send me on this fool job. Seriously, if anyone is less likely to be able to identify with a pack of grubby farmers, I have yet to meet them. Me? For gods sake, I hate dirt!
Jack Handey Wrote:I can picture in my mind a world without war, a world without hate. And I can picture us attacking that world, because they'd never expect it.
The Blanket Immunity and the Red Dawn Rising met again, this time behind Planet Sprauge, in Omega 3. A small squadron of the new Insurgent class fighters swarmed around both of them, red stars bright on the wings.
Eugen Weise, mission completed with a complete lack of success, sat down again in the same cabin. Taking off his uniform cap, he raked his fingers through his hair, and looked across the table at Totenkopt.
"So, got your Commanders did you? I though Ares considered you too insubordinate or something..."
"Yea, I got it. Not going to go any higher, of course, but that's the price I paid for having fun, and I think it's a good tradeoff."
Eugen grins, and takes the glass of clear liquor offered to him.
"Anyways, those bloody farmers wouldn't listen to reason, I almost got shot like five times trying to find a policymaker, and then all he would talk about was the need to make Synth Foods a priority target. I've no problem with shooting people who're shooting back, but gunning down some guy carring a load of paste seems a lot of rather bad Karma to me..."
"Yep. Not going to happen anyways, McIntosh and Kirk are still adamant we need to win hearts and minds, not just kill everything we spot. If they're carrying slaves or cardamine or something it's a different story, but for the moment..."
"Can't blame 'em for that, Slavery is a bloody crime against nature, and since those crack-huffing bastards up north are in line with the squishies, we can't let them start spreadin' it about. Although, the way those farmers go at it is rather like slavery.... funny thing is, their pilots use synth paste as field rations, nuggets.."
"Ha! Silly farmers... Anyways, where are you bound now?"
"Well, I'm thinking back home for a bit, then see where the fleet is bound. In any case, we'll meet up, once you're done with the Jellies."
Totenkopt snorted. "Unlikely, I don't think either of us going to be done with them for a long time..."
Jack Handey Wrote:I can picture in my mind a world without war, a world without hate. And I can picture us attacking that world, because they'd never expect it.
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