The armored transport "Koblenz", escorted by a wing of Wraith fighters, left the tradeline outside Mainz and headed towards Planet Holstein. A one-eyed passenger looked at the passing by moon with the Republican station visible on its background, summarizing once again a report from the last 24 hours he had read before leaving The Ring. One transport destroyed, two damaged to such an extent they need repair in a drydock. Within a week Daumann lost three vessels classified as transports, further seven units were more or less damaged. If this upward trend continues, cuts in profits will increase. The Military firmly denied the possibility to withdraw any significant forces from the independent worlds Hudson and Bering, where the war with Liberty was fought, two squadrons were, so far, everything the corporations, tired of the endless skirmishes in the Omegas, had gotten. Federal police rarely left Stuttgart, barely managing to fend hessian raiders off the lanes. They could keep the farmer terrorists under control, in a fashion, though. At least when it comes to securing the vital for entire house lane from Stuttgart to Berlin, which was used to export food from Stuttgart deeper into Rheinland.
Edward Von-Geld smiled at the very thought of mention Synthpaste as a food. He had a foggy memory from childhood of microwaved warmed slushy porridge, with an artificial taste which could be simply felt. He had no Paste in his mouth for many years, and he wasn't intending to change that. Looking through the one window it was possible to see the moon Stullingen with its now tiny transhipping station moving away, while the view from the other one window gave passengers perspective on the growing bigger and bigger aquatic world, owned by the corporation. A local Eagle wing was already on standby, patrolling the way between Mainz and Holstein's docking ring. Wing leader waved wings greetings Pelican and its crew. As the docking ring was getting bigger to the eyes until it was possible to see protruding from it defense turrets, the ship was slowly loosing velocity. when the armored transport was less than a kilometer away from the mooring fixture and docking ring, the pilots engaged impulse engines and opened a radio channel on secure frequency.
- This is DHC-Koblenz, signature RTJ-1505/7 to Holstein traffic control, I request docking clearance
- This is traffic control to Koblenz, initiating sequence, you are clear to land.
Shining in the sun, the Pelican's armor slowly flew through the open jaw of the docking ring, softly entering the atmosphere...
It was a warm day in Holstein; a nice 10 degrees. Warm at least, in comparison to last week when the high was at -5.
WIlhelm Wolf was standing in landing pad 45R, on "The Hub", the biggest platform in planet Holstein. The Hub, officially know as Platform DCCH-1, served as the downtown of the planet. Serving the millions of Rheinland citizens, The Hub was also the main command center for the Holstein Police Force. A private army on itself, HPF served as the main peacekeeping force in the planet, along a smaller, yet significant amount of federal police personnel. Wilhelm Wolf, was the Commander.
- Sir, the report from the Red Knives.- Said a a sexy blonde, Wolf's assistant.
She was shaking, despite being under at least, 3 layers of clothing. Wolf found a bit disappointing that she was not used to the cold weather yet, after nearly a month fo arriving at Holstein, she still has not wore the official uniform, and Wolf made sure the skirt was just a bit shorter than usual, a shame,
He looked at the report on the Red Knives; a teenager gang with Hessian influence, who decided the best way to bring the revolution to Holstein was assaulting corporate employees.
- They won't be assaulting anyone with their broken legs anymore- He said at his assistant. - Process them at put them to good use.
His assistant tried to smile at the cruel humor of her boss, but she didn't find his methods funny, and even if she did, the low temperatures barely let her move.
The Pelican transport approached the landing pad. Escorted by a few eagles. It slowed down as it approached, following the directions of the signaler in the pad.
The ground crew ran to the Pelican position, securing it and plugging it to external power. Another ground crew operator, plugged the engine waste hose, while a third one gave a general check from the outside, making sure there were not loose parts. 5 Heavily armored HPF enforcers approached the Pelican, and the signaler made a thumbs up gesture to the pilots. The main door opened. Von-Geld was standing, next to him, his bodyguard.
One-eyed leader of corporate security division stood on the ramp and inhaled deeply; fresh sea air with significant salt content in it was a nice change after The Ring's air-conditioned halls and rooms, or after New Berlin's freezing wind. Wolf and his assistance were waiting twenty meters far from the landing pad, while security teams took defensive positions around the pad and at the roofs of nearby buildings. For the duration of visit, landing pad was closed for all other traffic, shipments coming to and departing from Holstein were being redirected to the other platforms. Von-Geld assisted by his personal bodyguard and protecting him HPF squad approached Wolf and his secretary.
- Guten Tag, Herr Wolf.
- Guten Tag, Herr Von-Geld.
- I have important news and an offer for you, but first I'd like to know the latest report from Holstein. Shall we go inside?
- This way - Wolf replied, showing open door to the closest building, "The Hub's hub" as it was nicknamed by water world's inhabitants due to fact of housing traffic control for planet's docking ring, HPF headquarters and various Daumann offices, effectively making it control center over the planet. 250 meters tall mass of synthsteel, glass and enhanced concrete was the tallest building on the planet, able to withstand the biggest hurricanes caused by storms at thousands of kilometers far equator.
Escorted by the bodyguards VIPs entered skyscraper, went through turned off metal detectors and headed to the elevators. Wolf pressed key and in few seconds the door opened. During travel to the 43rd floor where the conference room was, mercenary was thinking what exactly caused Von-Geld's unscheduled travel to Holstein. "Old Edward" or "one-eyed man" rarely was doing something unplanned, his work cycle was systematic as clock's ticking for years, and nothing from his side could cause his or Company's dissatisfaction. Holstein had its problems, like every larger human settlement, but so far HPF was more or less able to keep everything under control, with advantage for more. Occasional riot or strike happening on the planet like in every place in Rheinland were pacified quickly and with some sort of profesionalism from HPF's side, with small casaulties in civilians and none in HPFs, Wolf's personal achievement, possible thanks to new training tactics introduced in the Police Force, concentrating on wider use of non-lethal weapons such as stun batons and water cannons in place of simple Daumann Devastator salvos, and on quick charges deep into rioted crowd in formation, in order to arrest provocateurs and strike leaders; leaderless crowd is always much easier to pacificate and control. -Even- if one day unruly population achieved to drive HPF garrison out of one of the small platforms, those up to 20 000 inhabitants, such rebelled platform would be simply cut off from supplies, and surrender quickly. Possibility for platforms to rebel though was one of the main reasons HPF maintained own naval force on Holstein, consisted of few dozens of patrol boats and gunboats, lightly armored and armed, with capability to transport up to two platoons of troops, and displacement ranging from 150 tons of small patrol boats up to 750 tons in the case of standard missile-armed gunboats with synthsteel plating and troop hangar.
Subtle sound announced the elevator is on the 43rd floor, and the door opened, showing prepared room conference with oblong glass table in the middle surrounded by chairs and breathtaking sight from the covering entire wall window, landscape was showing entire The Hub with all of its landing pads, warehouses, factories, living quarters, neons and from that height similar to ants people walking few existing narrow streets; most of the cargo and personal transportation around platforms was done via either space freighters using extensive system of landing pads developed on every bigger platform on the planet or by used locally on a smaller platforms water buses and ferries. Taking his seat Wolf could hear Von-Geld saying:
- I'll explain reason of my visit soon, but first, situation report I spoke about, bitte...
Wolf took short break and started introducting situation on the planet for the last 24 hours.
Despite Von-Geld cold and calculating personality, he could feel an aura of friendship, like two veterans meeting after a long time. He took a datapad and proceeded to read.
- In the last 24 hours, HPF Violence Suppresion Force crushed a small rebellion in platform CH-67, Red Knives. We had been investigating them for some time, and infiltration agents confirmed Hessian influence. Their leaders were all arrested simultaneosuly at 0300, during their sleep, in a joint operation with Corporate Police, while VSF assaulted their stronghold. A clean operation, no casualties on our side... Specially because most of the rebels were college students with little to no experience in the use of weapons.-
Wolf looked at Von Geld.
-The irony, most of their weapons were made by Daumann.- He looked at the datapad again.
The confirmed Hessian leaders are on their way to Leipzig, and the useless bunch of college rebels are being processed... While you are here, if you authorize it, we could expedite paperwork a bit, and transfer them to a nearby installation close to the North Pole, where they can be put to good use.
He put the datapad aside.
-The news will report all the Hessian leaders died in the firefight. We also have video evidence of the rebels shooting first, and recordings of them abusing drugs, hiring prostitutes, and violence; courtesy of our undercover agents. Aside from that, Holstein is pretty much secure.
He smiled proudly, then he made a gesture at a nearby assistant.
- Nein, danke. - replied Von-Geld, sitting comfortably on a char.
Wolf took refusal as a sign important matter will be discussed - usually after initial formal greetings, atmosphere during meetings was more relaxed, glass of something stronger and Munich cigar weren't nothing unusual on a closed high executive meetings.
- Herr Wolf....
"He is serious and formal, there's big thing in need to deal with" - Wolf thought.
- ... situation in the Omegas and Dresden is getting worse, and Military cannot retrieve forces from the frontline. Special problems need special measures to deal with them. Training security pilots takes time while we need more combat crafts as soon as possible, as many as possible.
- What would be my role?
Von-Geld smiled.
- You always were the right man, Wilhelm. We need Adler back. Right away, kicking hessians, pirates, blood diamonds smugglers and whoever else right in their butts. No loosely organised mercenary band this time though, it'll be done under Daumann's official name, with transponders and such.
Wolf nodded.
- I felt it'd be something big, perhaps few IMG thieves needed to be shot down right outside their base, but I didn't suspect you'd just come here and tell me to recreate Adler and make it more paramilitary division than mercenary group.
- That's correct, paramilitary, with more or less disciplined pilots, with that difference they'll already have combat experience. If there's someone who is able to turn band of merc from all over Sirius into something similar to GMG's security pilots, it's you.
- Gut, you don't need to convince me especially for it, you pay well for keeping Holstein under control, but that work starts to be booring. What about stuff for Adler?
- You know how it works, we will provide hefty wages alongside any equipment necessary, but pilots and proper organisation is your thing to care of. These Eagles and Rocs may be agile and mass produced, but their hulls are weaker then they should be; if boys you find have their own more exotic equipment than CTE and are used to it, wonderful. If you know good equipment which isn't standard for corporations, inform me and we will get it.
- And recruitment?
- Find some old trusted aces, you will get funds and few hundreds of recruites pretending to be freelancers, smugglers or junkers, they'll look after potential pilots in such places as freeports and junker bases.
- Training?
- There's no need to inform sector prematurely we're recreating Adler, one of far platforms here at Holstein would mine out smaller than expected resources deposit and be closed. Except trade lines and our planet, that entire system is slum of Rheinland. Plenty of open space to train combat far from curious eyes and press.
- When would I start?
- Almost immediately, preparations for recruitment campaign are about to end. Choose platform, close it, adapt to the role of mercenary camp. Naturally someone else will take over HPF. Don't worry, you won't loose financialy on Adler leadership.
Wilhelm Wolf sit straightly on the chair, looking through the window how hauler courses between moored to the fixture Titanic, somewhere high up there, few hundreds kilometers above them, bringing down containers with mining machinery and delivering boron ore to the ship, which will take it later to smeltersThe Ring, with intention to use metal in battleship construction. He was thinking about old Adler Omega-7 turf wars times, when news were full of reports about IMG vessels shot down after being caught mining inside Daumann owned part of the system, or about intercepted blood diamonds which couldn't support hessian movement with funds anymore. Half of the sector, that one affiliated with entities such as IMG, Gateway or Bundschuh, hated Adler because of that, the other half, mainly tied to big corporations as Daumann, Samura or these envy about it BMMers admired Adler's flexibility and ability to replenish loses quickly with experienced pilots. Salaries and corporate bonuses made the choice easy for many of semi-legal in the best cases freelancers and smugglers to enlist.
"Yes, money method always works" - thought Wolf, reminding atmosphere of competition between his mercenaries back then, fueled by system of bonuses used by Daumann, motivating them to shoot down biggest possible amount of enemies.
- How do you like working in outer space, Jessica? - Wolf said to his assistant.
She didn't answer, she just smiled.
Going back to the old ways of shooting first asking questions later was more the style of Walter Daumann, not Rebecca; she was a bit more subtle, still she retained the aggressive personality of the Daumann family when it came to doing business.
"She has been taught well" Wolf thought, remembering Rebecca's mentor, Tsubaki Tanaka, who worked as an intelligence agent during the turf wars, and the link between the family and its covert ops.
- I have a few questions, mein freund. Where will our headquarters be? And more importantly, is "Tensai" Tanaka available?- Not sure if Von Geld remembered her, he spoke again before he could get answer. - Tanaka was a good agent for DHC, she knew how and where to get information, she is also a prodigy child. In short, she was the board's right hand... Mentoring the Daumann childs is not her place. I'd like to assemble a team of well known people to assist me, starting with her.
Wolf's assistant gave him a datapad.
-We found ourselves a training center.- He said, smiling. - Platform Blue Star 3, an old industrial research facility, big enough, far enough, and secret enough. Up in the north pole.
- Platform Blue Star 3, Sir. - pilot informed Von-Geld, Wolf and few other passangers of Pelican, when the platform from small dot on the horizon turned into something of similar to sea platform shape.
Armored transport softly landed at small abandoned platform, and bodyguards went out to check the terrain.
It's safe. That platform was closed down for 2 years, there's no living soul. - Wolf told.
- We never know Sir, our orders are to ensure Herr Von-Geld's safety, at all costs if needed.
- I understand - Wold replied to bodyguard in black hardened armor, capable of withstanding shot from standard laser gun.
- Remember those two liners full of people, 20 years ago, Wilhelm? - Von-Geld asked.
- I do, hessians killed few hundred people because there were Daumann's father's brother's great-grandsons onboard.
- That's why my boys always check places I'm in. Wherever I, or anyone else important goes, entire visit is always planned and secured in the best possible way. Daumanns and their key employees are guarded like heads of state.
- But the common employees, our miners and transport crews.
- Ja...That war with Liberty ironically is very profitable and costs us great deal of money at the same time. After Bonn it got worse though, the goverment didn't pay for the newest battleship constructed at The Ring on time, we had net loss this month due to this, for the first time in few hundred years.
- Is it that bad?
- First weeks, when it all started, were bad, now we're recovering losses, some of our employees have to work longer for the same wage. But I wonder how we'll be compensated for that delayed transfer from the goverment.
- They're really desperate for money, aren't they?
- I think on Stuttgart, land there is almost in virtually over 90 percents in Synth's hands, they could just sold that planet to Synth.
- Yes, but what about us?
- Oh well, Omega-7 or Nuremberg would do it, I suppouse.
- And Kruger? IMG?
- Kruger's about to entirely bankrupt, Bonn was the final nail to Kruger's coffin. I wonder why ALG still didn't buy it out, but they have Bonn-caused problems as well. You know how it is, when you pay and care about low level importance assets too much...
- "Low level importance assets" ? What kind of language is that?
- An example of how some of those white collars in Berlin speak. But anyway, Kruger wouldn't be problem, neither IMG would be, they're insignificant.
- Still it's a risk of a big fuss, like during Turf Wars.
- That's why I said Nuremberg would be good as well. But anyway, back on the topic.
- How we'd start that?
- Hmm - Von-Geld muttered - what we've got here...
Platform had rather small size, with few medium-sized buildings which could be repurpoused for barracks, storages and training centers, and landing pad able to serve 10 snubs at the same time. Small hangar could be good for start.
- Make sure this place is absolutely forgotten about. Erase it from all official maps, plans, silence people who worked here, if needed. That small hangar will be good on a short run, but with more pilots coming there'll be need for more space, rebuld this one, or build entirely new. Training halls, flight simulators, headquarter, barracks, storage building...You know how it works, Wolf.
- It was small survey mining platform, when it turned out Boron deposits here aren't satisfying it was used as simple polymer research facility, with minimal crew. I doubt anyone even remembers this place.
- Wonderful.
- Supplies?
- Obviously sooner or later someone will just notice Adler is back, but for the sake of getting it organised in peace, I want to delay that moment as much as possible. Hide aerial supply paths to that platform.
- Understood.
This place really is forgotten, it should do the work - Von-Geld said, kicking empty can after beer.
A few days had passed since Wolf and Von-Geld's first meeting at the instalation and it was already taking shape.
An X shuttle is a very low profile transport, Tanaka thought to herself. What could these two be up to? Why they didn't want to share more information about the project, she is one of the most trusted individuals in the whole corporation. What if its a plot to kidnap her?
- Paranoic again... - She muttered.
- Excuse me? - The pilot replied
- Oh, nothing.
Tsubaki was sitting in the copilot seat in the X shuttle. Next to her, one of the few authorized pilots to fly to Blue Star 3. She reviewed the information from Blue Star 3 on her datapad, what was left at least; all data was removed from the corporate database. But isn't it weird that the database has Blues Star 1, 2 and 4? Someone could notice a missing number, someone unwanted, a police officer. What if the pilot is undercover and wants to find out where 3 is? She checked her gun holster on her right leg just in case... Wait no, she was being paranoid again.
The grey X shuttle approached the landing pad, there were a few workers. No one told her about them, now she has to double check everyone at the platform, she really, really has to. Wolf was standing outside, with some blonde woman next to him. Judging by the lenght of her skirt, Tsubaki concluded that she must be Wolf's assistant. Also, she will probably freeze to death. What's her name? Can she be trusted? She doesn't fit with the grey, cold image of the installation. Yep. She definitely stands out. No weapon; worried look, probably because of the low temperature, worst job ever.
- Ummm, we have arrived. - The pilot said.
- Oh! - Tsubaki replied - Sorry.
- Yeah I like her too.
She unbuckled quickly. Caught again gazing at someone like an idiot. No matter, there is a job to do here. Wait, what did the pilot mean? Was he implying something?
There was no time to ask, not that she would if she had the time though, she walked outside. Chill winds, a grey industrial installation in the middle of nowhere, a shady friend with a cliché assistant. Yep, it was good to be back at DHC.
- Tensai! - Wolf shouted, as if greeting an old friend.
Oh, here he comes, Tsubaki thought. Wolf hugged her, expected, but unprepared.
- Geez Wolf! - She whined - No one calls me Tensai anymore, its a silly nickname...
- Oh Tsubaki, I missed you.
I'm sure you did, pervert. She said, if she had actually said it instead of just thinking about it, professionalism first.
- I missed you too, colleague.
- Ja, ja; this is my assistant Jessica.
Jessica greeted her, a quick handshake. Damn she was really freezing. If they waited a few more minutes she would die. Convenient, if she was an undercover agent; but she had to give her benefit of doubt. Also, all that paperwork, and how would they explain an empoyee died in a non-existent installation.
- We should go inside. - Tsubaki said.
The group walked inside the main building. It looked quite clean, despite being an old abandonde survey facility. Or maybe it was never a survey facility after all. Tsubaki smirked.
- Well? - She said.
- Ah, of course, come to my office.
The three of them entered Wolf's office. Jessica looked better, relieved.
- Von-Geld should arrive any minute. - Wold said.
- I'm waiting, Wolf
- Ja, ja.
Wolf walked around, like thinking very well what he was going to say. He didn't fool anyone, maybe Jessica, but not Tsubaki.
- Don't do that, you don't look any cooler.
Wolf smiled.
- You see, that's why you are good for this job. - He said.- You can look through people's bullcrap. You can measure their every move and... You know its like you could read people's minds.
- I know, Wolf. That's the reason the family trusts me, but you have not even told me what the job is.
- Ja. Do you remember the turf wars?
- Of course.
- Well, do you remember Adler, and the WRF?
- As it was yesterday.
- Well you see, after the turf wars, the WRF ships were mothballed and stored in Stuttgart. Many Adler replacement fighters and bombers too. There was no need for them anymore... But now there is.
- Are we starting another war? Or maybe intimidate a small freight company?
- No. Not yet at least... We want to revive the merc fleet. Masked as a military contractor, a DHC subsidiary.
- Why exactly?
- Because you know, DHC feasts from chaos and misey.
Tsubaki looked at Wolf's secretary. She could have a mic. What if she is transmitting this conversation? She could be an undercover journalist. Of course! She must...
- Hey! - Wolf said. - She's fine, paranoid.
- Ok... So chaos and misery. What are you thinking?
- Well, we figured out we could bring in some extra profit from providing security services, while also giving those stored ships some good use.
- And it's also the legal way to acquire a private military to do the company's dirty jobs...
- Yes! - Wolf shouted. - This is why I like you Tsubaki, you are faster than the rest.
- So...
- So we need you, because you know where to find people and where to get information; and if you don't, you know someone who knows.
- How comes you didn't tell me beforehand?
- Well, this comes straight from Rebecca and Von-Geld. Top secret information, we couldn't use the standard methods to communicate and risk a leak.
- So what people do you need?
- The best... The worst... The worst is usually the best in this job, you know what I mean.
- If I get it right, you want to hire the worst scum in Sirius to fight for your private military, that's why I'm here?
- No, no. I mean yes. But we also want you with us. No more potty training security agents in The Hub. This time it's the real deal.
- Gathering information, spying on everyone, planning assassinations... Sounds like a deal, I suppose it comes with a bonus.
- Yes. Wait, what? This is not an offer, its a transfer.
- I'm not an "official employee", Wolf. Besides, I'm not going to risk my life for the bad pay.
- You are one of the most overpaid workers in...! Ok nevermind... its a deal.
- Great.
- Von-Geld might have a few questions, he should arrive in a few minutes. Meanwhile I will feed you on the details.
Wolf's assistant gave him a datapad containing all the relevant information regarding the operation.
- One more thing Wolf, because this is really starting to piss me off...
- What?
- Give your assistant some clothes before she dies.
- But...
- All that paperwork...
- She won't...
- She can barely walk, Wolf.
- Is that true Jessica?
Jessica blushed a little.
- Well... I'm not used to these temperatures. I'd rather use something warmer.
- Ok fine, go to requisition office and ask for an APS executive uniform.
Jessica walked outside.
- We have uniforms already?
- We work fast.
- You mean the sweatshop workers...
- Shut up an listen...
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