Talita walks into her suite aboard the Rheinpride. She looks the door behind her with the latch, and enters her pin code to enable the deadbolt. Talita makes her way to her bed, removing her jacket throwing it onto her bed. She walks to the window beside her bed and stares out, getting a partial view of Alster Shipyard and the trade lane nearby as she removes her necklace, rings, and ear rings.
She places them down on her bed side table, grabs the photo frame and lies ons her bed. She stares at it for a moment. What should I do? Talita stares at it as if it would answer her. She hugs it tight against her chest.
After laying there for what seemed like a long time, she stands up and puts the photo down. She walks to the bathroom and splashes her face with water, looks up at herself in the mirror. She tilts her head from side to side, and wipes away the remnants of blood by her ear then looks directly at herself and bares her teeth. She cups her hands under the running water and takes a drink.
There is a knock on the door, three quick knocks. Talita walks to her bed, grabs the gun from her jacket and places it against the door as she unlocks and opens it. Yes? Can I help you
A member of the cabin crew stands there dressed in his uniform, with his hands behind his back. Good evening Ma`am, Mr Mayer requests your presence in his cabin. Immediately
Thank you, I’ll be there shortly She slams the door closed. Guess no rest tonight then, she thinks to herself. She goes to her wardrobe, and opens it up. She looks at what she has available, while undressing. She picks out tight black jeans, black boots, with a white shirt and mat black coat. She heads to her customized safe in her room, and pulls out two 9mm hand guns, and checks that they are loaded, and puts them in their holster under her coat. She grabs two knives. One she slides into its holder attached to the back of her belt, and the second into the holder in her right boot.
She walks to her bed and pulls out her duffel bag and throws it on the bed. She pulls out her bullet proof vest with the MND logo printed on the top let by the shoulder strap, and her mask. She places both of them on her bed and leaves. Locking the door behind her.
She knocks on Mr Mayer’s cabin door. The door buzzes and she pushes the door open and walks in. Mr Mayer you wanted to see me?
I'll be with you now. He said from another room. Talita looks around making sure there are no hidden dangers.
Niklas comes out from his study with a brief case and places it on the table in the room. Talita, you and I have been working together for a while, and we know each other since we were kids. I have trusted you with information, and up to this point you have not let me down. I would like to thank you for you service and loyalty. I believe everything happens for a reason. So for the MND to give you freedom to do what you want as a specialist, and the chance of our paths crossing at such time is either fate or coincidence. Either way, it will not be forgotten.
Niklas lights up a cigarette.
I called you here for one of two things. Either, you take this briefcase and you leave. Retire, go on holiday or go back to MND and do you duty. Or, you can hear me out and I hope, we remain friends.
What's in the briefcase?
Money, enough that you wouldn't need to worry. One day when you have kids, they wouldn't have to worry either.
What about what you want to tell me?
It could get you into a conflicting situation, fired or killed.
Talita grabs the briefcase. I'll take both. I think that is only fair.
Niklas, laughs. I didn't say both were open for the taking.
But you didn't say I couldn't either.
True. Well Talita, I think you should take a seat.
A few months ago, myself and others had a meeting with some people about the future of Rheinland. I was given a choice. Continue as things are now, where the Republic carries on its merry way as it has since its inception. Where there is a great divide amongst the people. Where people like me can do what they want, and if they have enough money, buy their way out of any situation, or make the economy come to a halt. Where the poorest of our people starve, beg for basic conditions or join radical groups.
Or an alternative. A chance to recreate Rheinland, a chance not to bathe in its former glory, but to once again become fully independent in all aspects. I'm talking about removing Synthfoods and replacing it with a Rheinland corporation, remove Ageira and its monopoly and open up the market to both Ageira and EFL. Maybe even have a 3rd option. To give those less fortunate a chance to better themselves rather than be sucked into the criminal world. To have Rheinland rise from the ashes and be born anew.
Talita puts the briefcase down. Mr Mayer, what you talking about, is treason. You of all people should not even consider that option. You are Republican Shipping. Republican!!!
Agatha appears as a hologram by the study door. Mr Mayer, I have been monitoring the conversation. With elevated blood pressure, the sensitivity of the topic and the code word Treason, do wish me to execute the assign protocol? If I do, the reaction time at the moment would be around 110 minutes before anything can be intercepted.
Agatha, do not execute. Return to monitoring Republican Shipping comms, and station status`s. This conversation is not of importance to you.
Agatha fades away.
Talita, I know what my company is called and I know its history. Republican Shipping prospered when Rheinland was imperial. It was the beacon of Rheinland. We made sure Rheinland was taken care of, and we transversed Sirius. We employed millions of people. Then the empire fell, jobs were lost, riots started, the damn Unioners attacked Alster. The income Republican Shipping got used to was taken away. Rheinland suffered because of this. Liberty got the lion’s share of Rheinland and the Republic let their monopoly continue, to this day. Am I wrong in wanting things to become better for everyone?
No Mr Mayer, but I'm sure there is another way. You could speak to the government and arrange something. Going against the Republic is going too far.
Talita, when I took over, the government overlooked Our importance to the war effort. They overlooked our importance to better Rheinland. They just told me, sorry we don't have any contracts. They even dismissed my request for more patrols in the Omegas with the Junker piracy happening. So I took it upon myself to help the people of Munich by given them aid. They don't want Rheinland in a position of strength, or some foreign power doesn't want it.
Do you know who saw Republican Shipping’s potential?? It was the Core. They knew what we had to offer. Bretonia saw what we could give them. Damit, even Gallia saw. So don't you stand there and try praise the Republic. The Republic has fallen from grace. It's just a matter of time until the people call for change, and by god I will lead that change myself if I have to.
Are you leading the change because finances will be better or for actual moral reasons?
Talita, you know me, it's for moral reasons. That is why I'm meeting a person from the imperial party to discuss how we can help the people. To put your mind at ease as well, when Rheinland becomes imperial once again, I will be having talks with the new government to make Republican Shipping, a crown corporation under Imperial Shipping. I will still be head of Imperial Shipping, and I will then have a say in Rheinland matters. I will be nominating myself to become a minister under the new regime. Outside of that, profits after expenses go directly to Rheinland coffers.
Talita looks out the window as she thinks. This is a lot to take in to be honest. I see where you are coming from, but I have been trained to serve the Republic.
No Talita, you were trained to serve Rheinland. Trained to protect Rheinland and its people from foreign and domestic threats. Unfortunately, this threat which has been in power for so long, portrays itself as the voice of Rheinland. I need you to see the bigger picture. I would never ask you to do something that you would not normally do or not trained to do.
Good, cause I'm not going to spy on the Republic, especially officials. That is out of the question.
I wouldn't ask that, or expect it even if you were ok with it.
If you don’t want me for that, then what do you need me for?
When the time comes, you will more than likely know or be informed of what is happening. I want you to then get on your vessel, where ever you are in Rheinland, and leave. Head to Bretonia, Omicrons, or the damned Omegas. Just get out of Rheinland until the dust is settled.
Talita sits there in silence pondering what she has just heard.
