Why must you do this, why must you tell such lies? Lorettes face was mere inches from her uncles. Her hands, balled into fists rested on the desk between them. Across the other side of the table, the elderly man against whom the harsh words were directed, had a much calmer demeanour. He settled back down into his chair and gave his niece a disapproving glance. Come, come, my dear, he chided, Why would The Company ever do such things? We work with the farmers, not against them. No, no, your tragedy was an act by those terrorists in an attempt to interfere with our businesses and relationships, such things are not for you to worry about.
I am no longer a little girl, uncle; I can see the facts before me as well as you. You know that thesethese Invaders work not for, but against those who have lived and worked here for generations. You know that they are polluting this planet in order to drive the small holders out. You know that the only thing that matters to the corporate giants is money, that they care not for the people, that they would gladly see all the farmers dead, and the planet in ruins if it meant more credits for them, it is all they care for.
The old man slumped in his chair, aghast at his nieces outburst. Slowly, he managed to recover himself, and stammer out a reply, Our only concern is the wellbeing of these farmers, these people that work so hard for us to provide Rheinland with much-needed food supplies.
Nonsense! She replied, All you want is for these people to bow down to your whim, to give up their lands, their livelihoods, so that you can cement a monopoly over the distribution of your so-called foods in Sirius. Well, I can stand by and watch no longer. As of this moment, I cut all ties with you and your masters, your company that you stand by so religiously. I am leaving. Now. Do not try to look for me, for you shall not find me. You are no longer any uncle of mine, not after the things you do to these people, the things you have done to us, to your own family! She turned, and, without giving her uncle pause for thought, let alone a chance to respond, stormed out of the door, slamming it shut behind her. The old man sat in his study, a while, the slam of the door ringing in his ears. Then, very deliberately and slowly, he reached for the comms switch. He knew what must be done, he knew that the terrorist movement could not receive even one new recruit. With a heavy heart, he entered the code for the local Police centre, and hoped they would not hurt her too much, after all, she WAS his niece, no matter what she claimed.
Lorette stumbled out onto the wind-swept streets. It was early evening, and not many people were abroad. Pulling her coat closer around her, she trudged off down the road. She knew whom she wanted to make contact with, but was unsure how. Maybe some of the farmers would know? After all, it was their fight, too.
Approaching the outskirts of town, she headed for a bar that she knew was frequented by the farm workers. Often, she had come here as a child, with her uncle, and been regaled with the tales of the old hands. Now the area was much shabbier and run down, a reflection of the entire industry of Stuttgart. So lost in her own personal world of sorrow and anger for her uncle was she, that she did not notice the pair of shadowy figures following her.
The bar was relatively empty; about half a dozen patrons were within, nursing drinks, or lounging on chairs or tables. Several looked up as she entered, and she felt more than one set of eyes following her as she approached the bar. Her fingers tightened on the knife in her pocket, she had come prepared for any eventuality. Walking up to the bar, she hailed the bartender. As he approached, one of the patrons slid up next to her. She was repulsed by his stench of old alcohol and burntsomething. He looked at her and grinned, So, fraulien, what brings you out here?
Lorette looked at him in disgust and sniffed My business is my own, thank you. Then, turning to the bartender, One glass of your finest wine, please.
Ooh, a reglar classy one ere. Sneered the man, Too good for yeh, are we? A couple of the other men had risen and were edging towards the pair, their hands conspicuously deep in their clothes. The bartender backed away, holding his hands in front of him, Now, lads, I dont want no trouble in ere.
We aint looking for any trouble, just being polite, like, and offering the fraulien a drink With a deafening crash, the door to the bar burst open, and a man in the uniform of the Rheinland Federal Police burst in with a rifle at the ready Fraulien Serilda, you will come with us now, ja? We would not want anythingbadto happen In a flash, the man sitting next to her had pushed Lorette out of her chair, and onto the floor. In the same movement, he had pulled a pistol from his belt, and fired off two rounds at the officer. The first one caught him in the shoulder, throwing him off balance, and causing him to drop the rifle. The second smashed into his right kneecap, splintering it, and making him fall in an awkward heap on the floor. The two men who had been approaching whipped out pistols as well, and took aim into the open doorway. The next officer, who rushed in, over the body of his fallen comrade, met both their laser bolts to his chest, dropping him instantly. Grabbing hold of Lorettes collar, the man crawled with her across the floor, and around the side of the bar. Dazed, she could just about force her legs and arms into motion so that she was not completely dragged. The bartender opened a door in the bar, and ushered them through. The remaining two men quickly followed. The rest of the patrons quickly and quietly vanished through a well-hidden side door, seemingly designed for this purpose. Hurrying along the road behind the bar, Lorette began to recover her senses. Realizing who was running alongside her, she tried to dodge and make a break for a nearby alley. One of the men caught her before she had barely begun to move in that direction and hissed into her ear Dont be silly, with us, you may have a chance, alone, they will hunt you down. After several more minutes of running, the pace slowed to a steady walk, as everyone paused to get their breath back. No sounds of pursuit could be heard. The man who had first approached Lorette turned to her and asked So, why would the Police be after you, fraulein? You do not seem the type to have a criminal mindset.
Whowho are you? panted Lorette Whywhy did youdo that?
Why did we save you, fraulein? Because any enemy of the authorities is a friend of the Landwirtrechtbewegung.
You aretheoh, thank god! Ive found you.
Excuse me, fraulein, you were looking for us?
Yes, Iummy parentstheythey killed themand my unclethe things they did
Aye, well, tis a nasty business youre getting yourself into here, fraulein, are you sure you can handle it? Theres not a few people that would want us dead.
If it gives me a chance to get my own back on thosepigsI would do anything.
Very well, quickly now, we have a freighter parked nearby, we can run the blockade and be away from here very soon, but we must hurry before the police pick up on us again.
Thank you. She extended her hand towards the unkempt man Lorette Serilda.
He took it, and responded Jens Mueller. Now that the pleasantries are done, lets get moving, and led the way towards his ship.