An image of a man in a black flight jacket appeared. He adjusted his glasses and sat back in his chair with his hands placed on the metal desk that barely reflected the dim light of the room. A small genuine smile held on his face as he started to talk.
Hey Gene. Its been awhile. I just though I'd communicate to you before Rheinland starts capping down on transmissions. Heard you're moving up in the IMG ranks right?
I still remember when I was in my torn up raven fighter, watching a bunch of transports, trade ships, and miners standing down a damn destroyer and all its escorts. Took a ton of balls to pull that off. Those pirates didn't know what to do with a bunch of transports and miners willing to work together. I remember when I was head of the Research and development team for the IMG, the IMG head, what was his name again, had a lot of faith in me. Got back into engine designs, hull stresses and power systems, make them bigger, bulkier and ready for the rocks.
I remember that new CR guy, Ian Dresari, for the CR. A lot of spirit and honor in that guy. Haven't a clue what happened to him.
His smile grew a bit, letting out a small laugh, waving his finger to the screen
I think we still enjoy our little outs, mining like two care free rock smashers, dogging pirates and racing to delivery points.
Seems like we're in a mess here aren't we Gene? Here I am, back home, getting in the good graces of the most uptight nation in all of Sirius. I can't say I've built any strong relations with anyone but we've got a thing going here. Something we started back when we were working with Planetform. I haven't heard much from them lately. I'm hoping it will be good for Rheinland.
Slowly sitting back in the chair, letting out a barely audiable metallic sound. His hung back, looking up at the dim lights, closing his eyes. Slowly sitting straight, taking another breath, blinking back a bit, he turned to the screen
So what's going to happen Gene? We're going to start firing on each other? Two guys trying to fight for what they believe to be the best way? I don't know if I can do that Gene. We know and fight for a lot of people who look up to us and got a lot of pent up frustrations at the edge of a gun.
I remember an old book my father had passed down to him A journal book with a transcript of the times when we just came off the sleeper ships, started life all over again. The words, 'we shall never forget,' keep ringing in my mind and heart because I think we all have to some degree. I think we forgot a lot of where we came from and ran head long into an inevitable future where some other ancient monster sees us and wipes us out. Maybe that monster is already here.
He took a long pause, standing up and straightening his black jacket, picking up an old book. Slowly flipping through the pages, smiling then closing it.'
I'm going to fight for what I believe is right Gene. You know that. I've always seemed to find myself in one cause or another. I believe in Rheinland Gene, it's not perfect by far, but I feel, as its citizen I have to take a stand and try to see Rheinland be what I hope it can be.
Rheinland won't back down Gene, we're too proud for that. I don't suspect IMG and all its constituents won't either. Two, forces, with their own flags, their own, battle cries, their own calling, their own monsters.
He sighed out placing the book back on the shelf, lowering himself to the chair to face the screen once again.
See you out there Gene, fight well.
Transmission Completed
Sometimes, when all you want is to gain your freedom, you must be willing to risk it all.
Sitting at his desk going through some old papers his notices a lost video transmission buried amongst the rubble. He wipes off the dust and begins to watch while he rest comfortably in his leather recliner.
Well if it isn't my good ol' buddy Adam. Man its been a while sense our last transmission to each other. Yea I have been doing well for myself in the IMG. All the many years of service and restless nights of patrols have paid off. Not what its cut to be tho a lot of paper work and political monbo-jumbo, its worth it tho i would do anything for the these great people. You know there will always be a home for you here with us if things don't work out for you.
We had some great times and the money was even better! Planetform... what did ever happen to that? I think i still have my stock with them, would be worth millions by now! Miss those furry lil guys *smiles.
Ian Dresari, I haven't seen him around in a while, now that i think about it last i saw him he did a shipment of Silver for me. Oh dear i hope he made it ok? He is probably off somewhere spending his money, he always loved those Japaneses girls in New Tokyo. Speaking of that Melfina left the IMG after they discovered she was only a spy for the Kusari Empire. Something about she planted bombs in Bretonia and killed civilians. She was always a crazy girl that's for sure!
He takes a deep breaths
This Rhienland thing... He pauses...It has nothing to do with you buddy and you know you can stay far from it. I know you wont tho i know how you are. You have great honor in your soul and i cant take that from you! You also have to understand where the IMG is coming from too. We want people to be free and independent from any rule. With Rhienland moving in and claiming the south fields we saw peoples Independence being torn from them. We do not plan to invade just hold what is nutral free space. I know you understand the jest of it, our personal feelings aside.
I will protect the IMG and all of its people, I don't wish to come in conflict with you by any means. You are a great long-time friend of mine who just chose a different path and I would never hold that against you.
His eyes begin to water, he leans back and closes his eyes. Only the sound of the ceiling fans blades can be heard in the silence.
If it all could just return to the way it used to be. Everything must evolve and thus the ones around it must also, everything in life is lost or gained and thus the one around it must evolve. We must learn to live together or destroy ourselves trying. There is an old saying i like to think about when times like these ensue, it goes like this;
"All men are brothers, like the seas throughout the world; So why do winds and waves clash so fiercely everywhere?"
~Emperor Hirohito
Incoming Transmission
Transmission Origin: Relayed from Munich
Vessel ID: [FL]-FireHawk
Sender ID: Adam Spire
A screen turned on with a man in a black flight jacket, holding a number of papers, creasing them one at a time from the metal desk. Paying half attention to the monitor he turned towards it, adjusting his glasses with a rather diminished demeanor on his face.
I got your last message Gene'¦the way it used to be. Me in a beaten up Raven Talon, the IMG scrounging for miners, hiring out trade ships to haul our ore. Running from the Outcasts the moment we saw them. No war between Britionia and Kusari no war with Liberty, disorganized pirates and rebel factions. No Damn SCRA.
Simple.
Yea, I'd take it back.
Funny thing about things that evolve, there is no compassion, no moral direction, no fairness. The weak, the tame, those that don't change, just, die.
He placed the papers pack on the table away from the monitor, sitting back in his chair, folding his fingers together with his mouth to his knuckles.
Before all 'this' started, I respected, even admired the Colonials. Traveling that great distance, each generation passing hoping the next generation would have a better life. Then they found Sirius, already populated, functioning and themselves, forgotten. Tossed from one house to another until they found the IMG. I even saw it back then. We were more than willing to use their technology and time harden pilots in the defense and security to provide us, the IMG, relative safety. Again they were being use and drawn into conflicts they, may have not wanted in he first place. Above all, the wanted a home. Maybe IMG provide one for them, I don't know, but the Colonials are not the same people they were. They deserved better than Sirius. Now, they're just like us.
Placing on of his hands on the edge of the table, he laid his chin into the palm of the other, looking away from the monitor in thought.
I guess it doesn't matter now. Hm, a place back at the IMG, the Independent Miners Guild'¦.
Lifting up a small data pad, he pressed a few buttons and read off a small transcript.
Independent'¦not influenced or controlled by others in matters of opinion, not subject to another's authority or jurisdiction. Yea, no matter how you slice it Gene, that's independence. Gene, can you sit back and observe the Independent Miners Guild and say they are truly independent? What I'm getting tired of are individuals, factions, corporations, entire houses, claiming to be one thing in banner and in speech, yet act so contrary to that doctrine they hold to. A sad story as old as time itself and all we do is accept it.
Folding his arms he sat straight in his chair, viewing the monitor and continues.
When the Independent Communist Miners Guild appeared, I started inquiring the foundational reason for their existence. Their bottom line was to break off from the passive idealisim of the IMG and take a more aggressive stance on their holdings among the mineable fields. Sound familiar? What angered me all the more was instead of IMG outright denouncing their existence and taking steps to shut them down or pressure them to come under the flag of the IMG again, the IMG simply let them be. When the ICMG would create havoc, the IMG was quick to point the finger and simply let them be. All to remain, 'Independent.'
He sat forward, tilting his head a bit as his glassed slid further down. His eyes kept focused on the monitor
The Hessians. Rot Front, I didn't know or care about them until I returned home and saw them, flying IMG ships, destroying Rheinland patrols, trade ships, miners, and people! The IMG again washed their hands of the matter as skillfully as any politician would. I wouldn't be surprised if the Colonials are making use of the new man power they have access to. I know the arguments, Should Kusari be blamed for the losses dealt with by their explorer gunboats, should the Zoners be held responsible for all the countless technologies used by others to cause mayhem and disorder. I thought this way to, but one fact remains. The sins of others does not dismiss the sins of the accused. The more I look into this Rot Front matter, the harder it is to believe this was all a big surprise to the IMG.
He seemed to straighten his jacket, his hand laying on the arm rest of the chair as his other hand made a slight fist against the table.
Independent? The IMG has become just another corporation, flying behind the flag of 'independence,' and 'freedom,' riding on the shoulders of the heroic few who truly want to be Independent but who's dream of independence died a long time ago.
Again and again the IMG show themselves to be nothing more than a conglomerate, supporting the interests and fundamental principals of too many factions willing to pay the miners for a 'better tomorrow.' The whole time disavowing any connection or responsibility to the actions and outcome these other factions they support and supply. Convenient
Facts are stubborn things Gene; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclination, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence. The IMG is taking far too many steps to become their own little dominion while saying the whole time, this is for their, "independence."
From my perspective, Rheinland is fighting for its life and far too many of its aggressors have roads that lead right back to the IMG, back to you. You think you're building a future of prosperity and freedom for the oppressed, the vanquished, the impoverished, the silent, the timid and the helpless. Wonderful, powerful things to say as one trots off to battle to defend their way of life. Did you ever stop to think at the same time you're embolding the vile, armoring the villain, giving new fortitude to those who murder order and honor, strengthening the nightmare that should have been long since dead!
He found himself shouting at the monitor, his fists clenched against the metallic table, and a long, long pause.
Marshal told me something when he left Britionia, to defend Rheinland. He said nations which went down fighting rose again, but those who surrendered tamely'¦ were finished.
Rheinland isn't finished Gene.
I'm not finished.
I'm going to continue what I started long ago and if you and your ally's version of freedom and liberty can't tolerate that, well'¦ This is about remembering something we forgot, something so basic and fundamental. This isn't about the proud and powerful will of Rheinland with their ever imposing fist of intolerance and dominion over all who are under their shadow.
He said in an angered flippant tone.
All we saw as independents were the conglomerate masses of powerful men and women who steered the course of our troubled lives into dangerous waters and cared not where the path went.
What we forgot, what your ally's forgot, was that even the powerful people who so looked down us, can change. So instead of being a force which convicts them of their error through life, you'll try to convince then through conflict. So many of these'¦people you support, don't want freedom, don't want liberty, don't want honor and harmony, they just'¦ want.
He placed his head into his hands, bent over for a moment, taking a deep breath. He slowly sat back up in his chair, exhausted from his anger, almost weary of it all.
What's painfully ironic Gene, is that those out 'fighting the good fight,' take everything I just said'¦.and turn it back on Rheinland, on me. Someone called me a pirate, a thug. I thought for a moment, seeing them breaking a law, chasing them down and thought, 'Am I?'
We'll see.
I'm going to prove that Rheinland is not the monster everyone makes it out to be, that it can be a better place.
When it does, I'll get the hell out of the way.
Transmission ended
Sometimes, when all you want is to gain your freedom, you must be willing to risk it all.
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