A Meeting Aboard the Sirene

[Aaron_Cianci]

//ooRP: The following is a joint RP venture of @Lucas and I.

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Excitement coursed through every part of Hunter. Things were starting to align, and today would be the day that he would make his biggest breakthrough yet. After concluding that Frei, Shultsky and any who supported them needed to be replaced, he had been working under the radar. He had focused on connections with people or groups – the Lane Hackers, the Gaian Guard, Aoi Oono – who could make things happen, but were not a part of the Union. He’d even talked to a few low-level pilots and engineers, to get their take on things. It had been enough to establish that he was not the only one who thought nuking Marshall was an atrocity, or that continuing the war a mistake.

Franz Rousse had been Hunter’s first friend amongst the Union’s pilots. On his first day on patrol, he’d bumped into the Gallian, who in their first five minutes together had confessed himself as a spy. It was the most shocking, unexpected thing Hunter had ever heard before that moment, and it had taken him days to believe it. But, eventually, it had been proven, heard directly from Corin Frei’s lips. Hunter still remembered that time, only a couple months ago, very fondly. But, he and Franz had both moved on to higher things. Now, Franz commanded the most powerful ship the Union possessed.

As the small shuttle Hunter rode on approached the Sirene, he still couldn’t help but be excited by it. It was a beautiful ship, and he was proud of the Union for having built it. He also knew that getting the Sirene on his side in the upcoming civil conflict was key. Taking away Frei and Shultsky’s most powerful toy and moving it to his team would severely limit their ability to fight back against a new vote for Arbeitsdirektor – a new hope for the future of the entire Alster Union.

The shuttle didn’t take long to land on the deck, and Hunter was the first one out. When he saw Franz standing not far away, he beamed in excitement. He moved faster across the deck than walking pace, but had the decency not to run, until he stood in front of the Gallian. “Franz, my friend! It is so good to see you again! It’s been too long. You still have that good wine for us, yeah?” Hunter asked. He was tempted to clap Franz on the shoulder but assumed that gesture might be inappropriate and restrained himself, considering the man’s higher rank and the plethora of juniors that surrounded them.

As usual before a meeting, Franz was fairly nervous even if it was a routine by now. A few hours before the meeting he started cleaning up the room as good as possible. The room was fairly large, an oval-shaped table in the middle with chairs around it. It was fairly easy to see that it was rarely used, as dust has spread everywhere over the time that Franz has had command over the Sirene. He had promised Hunter some good wine, so he decided that it was best to bring out the wine he had brought from Gallia when he left.

It'd been a while since he had seen Hunter and apparently that young man has evolved quite a bit. Franz had always thought of Hunter as a naive but nice person, as he was easily influenced by the likes of Shadowwalker or Mademoiselle Pennybrooke even while he was present. Still, he found it nice to have Hunter by his side as there was little that he knew so showing him new things was always a nice thing.

Looking at a clock Franz quickly realized that it was about time for Hunter's arrival on the Sirene. The Sirene was quite a treasure and the only thing that Franz thought matched the beauty of the Valor-Class that he had seen at the frontlines before. That ship already grew dear to him and was something he wouldn't ever want to let go off anymore, especially as he had already used it in combat against various targets. As that thought went through his mind, a small shuttle entered the Sirene docking bay. Not surprisingly it was Hunter who exited that shuttle and who then began approaching him rather quickly. As he was greeted by him, there was no way to prevent a smile. It hasn't been that long since he last saw him, but after all he was a friend he found within the Union. "Of course, I got the wine, after all I have promised it!" He giggled, showing Hunter the way to the room that he had cleaned before. "Shall we, Monsieur Wolff?"

Hunter’s response was an enthusiastic nod and a boyish smile that pulled at both corners of his mouth. Even as he followed Franz’s lead to the room that had been set aside, that youthful inexperience shone in the glances and looks that he gave every hallway, every corner of the Sirene that they passed. He and Franz shared small talk, but nothing meaningful, as the older, more experienced man seemed content to let Hunter admire the pride of the Union’s fleet.

When they eventually walked into the conference room, Hunter’s relaxed attitude was obvious. He gave the bottle of wine on the table a glance, chuckled, dropped into one of the chairs at the sides of the table and propped his feet up on the table, being careful to avoid the glasses or the wine bottle. “Damn, Franz…this sure as hell is an upgrade from that fighter I first saw you in. How do you like it? How many people serve you on the ship?” Hunter had a million questions about the ship, but he mentally scolded himself. That wasn’t why he was here.

He’d let Franz answer those questions, perhaps engage in a little more small talk, but he had to focus. He needed Franz on his side for the conflict to come.

"Monsieur Hunter..." He said in a serious tone as the young man propped his feet off at the table. He raised an eyebrow and looked at Hunter for a second but ultimately had to laugh because of his attitude. It was almost as if this was no meeting but instead a visit of a friend that came over to talk. He took a seat that was on the other side of the table so that they could see each other without needing to turn their head to the left or right.

"You surely are as energetic and enthusiastic as I had remembered you, Monsieur. But I'm afraid that I cannot tell you how many people work on this … pledge of secrecy, you know?" He said, pouring wine into the two glasses that had been brought to the table. As he was done, he carefully pushed one of them towards Hunter, indicating that it was his to drink. "I love this ship wholeheartedly. It's not a Valor in terms of aesthetics, but it definitely packs a punch and is a suitable place for me." Taking a sip of his wine he leaned back a little in his chair to relax as well.

"So, Monsieur, now that it's just us two why don't you tell me what you wanted me to hear? I'm sure you didn't come here without a reason, and despite my invitation I assume that you also have other things that you could or should have done in the meantime." Franz said, letting his voice go a bit. It wasn't as serious as before, but not really friendly either. It sounded more curious than anything, and as he spoke to Hunter he did not let his eyes off of him while preparing for the most adventurous things that he has heard in a while, after all he was speaking with Hunter here. Franz thought that he would probably be flooded with family talks, or perhaps some new acquaintances that Hunter had made while he was busy readying the Sirene for the tasks that he had been given by Corin Frei.

Hunter’s grin was infectious in response to Franz’s laugh, but at the mention of the pledge of secrecy, he stiffened and straightened. It was a reminder of the real reason he was here, in this room, aboard this ship, talking to his old friend. They’d both come a long way. Pulling his feet off the table, Hunter’s boots didn’t make a sound. This room, unlike most on the ship, had a soft fabric covering the deck plates. He straightened himself in the chair, leaning over it and meeting Franz’s eyes.

“There’s been a lot that’s happened, Franz. A lot,” Hunter said, his voice even more serious than Franz’s had been, trying to let his tone lead the way to what was happening. “You know the fighting with Harmony is just getting worse. We’ve had three major engagements with them in less than 10 days. And the nuclear attack on Marshall. Shultsky…,” Hunter’s voice trailed off. It had been over a week, but still every time he verbally mentioned it, the bright flash of blue light that hurt his eyes and forced him to look away still played itself back over in his memory.

“I think we’re only making things worse, Franz. I don’t think we’re going to make things better for the Union by continuing on this warpath that we are on now.” He hadn’t played all his cards, but he needed to feel Franz out a little bit first. He needed to know that he wasn’t barking up the wrong tree. Trying to relax back into the chair, Hunter let the tips of his fingers graze over the arm. He didn’t quite achieve nonchalance, but got close, never breaking eye contact with Franz. “What do you think?” Now, he would find out how much of an uphill battle he was about to initiate.

"Of course, war is not something that I strive for, Monsieur. But that goes for everyone else, too. Frei, Morgenstern, Shultszky … They are all very aware of the fact that war is not ideal for us." He said, in a calm voice while watching Hunter. He put his elbows onto the table, leaning forwards to put his head on his fists.

"But that is what we have been told to do, and I do think that I play a part in this war. I am not pro-war, don't get me wrong Monsieur, but if I'm told to go to war then that is what I do. I've done it before for the Kingdom, and I do not fear to do it again for Frei." Taking yet another sip of his glass of wine after he finished talking made him more relaxed again, although he wasn't sure why Hunter was bringing this up.

He leaned back in his chair again, putting his hands behind his head almost if he didn't care about all of this. "I do think that if you fight for your people, Monsieur Wolff, you are doing the right thing. But since I am not from here, I fear that this is a war that does not need to escalate even further." He looked at Hunter and his glass. "Are you not drinking anything?"

Hunter took in Franz’s words carefully. He knew his approach would have to be delicate. And then, Franz mentioned the wine. He couldn’t help himself – he was going to need a drink for this. He took the offered glass, trying to maintain some semblance of propriety as he drank half the glass in two big gulps. There was no mistaking the nervousness he felt, as his fingers trembled and caused the base of the delicate glass to tap against the table surface when he set it back down.

“Franz…they authorized a nuclear attack. That’s not just warfare. That’s…that’s an atrocity, Franz.” Hunter’s emotions started to slip, and the intensity he felt about how wrong all of this was could be heard in his voice. “Back home, on Leipheim, my people are about technology, and about protecting workers in Rheinland. We’re about making sure people have safe working conditions, good wages, and they can use their expertise to make the finest tech in Sirius.”

Hunter breathed heavily. The pause before he spoke again was pregnant with things unsaid, but when his lips parted again, he had to drag his tongue over them. They suddenly felt very dry, despite the wine, and he locked eyes with Franz. “That isn’t what’s happening here, Franz. What’s happening here is a battle with Harmony that does nothing to further those goals. And we’re willing to risk civilian lives to prove our point…whatever that point is. Don’t you think that’s wrong?”

And then, Hunter waited. With every word he spoke, more and more was put on the line.

"You see... " Franz said, taking a deep breath in, putting his glass down and looking at Hunter in a different manner than before. His eyes turned a little glassy, his gesture changed, and he seemed off generally. "When you've seen it all, Monsieur Wolff, then at some point you stop caring about what happens. None of us would like to get involved in a war, but now that it happened, now that Pacifica has been struck I think that it was not a bad idea to show them we are still present. I've seen worse... honestly." He said, not moving an inch from where he sat down.

"Monsieur Wolff..." He exhaled, falling back into his chair and taking a sip out of the glass he had picked up while falling back into his chair. "You're right that the Union currently is not really chasing after what they ultimately are after, but don't you think that is impossible with the current situation they, no, we are given and have to deal with? We have the Legion knocking on our doors, the Battlegroup, as well as Rheinland that could join anytime." He shook his head sideways. "I do think it is impossible, Monsieur Wolff. That's why I am using this ship to the best of my abilities to make sure that only those who fight us get punished, not the civilians or anyone who is not involved in this conflict." Franz was awkwardly calm about this but that was due to the fact that he had been attending such meetings quite a few times under the Royal Navy.

"Why are you bringing this up, Monsieur Wolff?" Rousse asked, laughing a little under his breath. "Have you gotten in trouble with your Cruiser or what? You sound so troubled. " He asked, expecting the young man to calm down a little. He has been with him on a few flights already, but this is a state that he has never experienced Hunter in.

“How can you say that, Franz?” Hunter whined, his youth and inexperience showing through in the tone of his voice. He heard it himself, though, and frowned at his expression. Sighing, he pulled his arms back across the surface of the table, trying to look more nonchalant as he laid his hands in his lap. “It is possible, Franz. I know it is. If we stopped becoming more and more aggressive, and we tried to make right some of the wrongs we’ve done, we could end this war. We could turn Bering into a haven for everyone oppressed by the house governments. I know it’s possible!”

It was time to lay it all on the line. “My cruiser is fine, except for the 17 who have already died because of the conflicts with Harmony,” Hunter said. There was no mask for the raw disgust in his voice at the loss of life. “Seventeen people, Franz, whose lives could have been saved if Frei and Shultszky would get their heads out of their own egos and take a half second to think about the Union lives being lost. Frei admits that we’ve done wrong in the past, but he won’t take accountability for it! He won’t try to right those wrongs, even to save lives!” Hunter protested, his voice getting louder with every syllable.

At this point, he stood up. Hunter’s arms raised enthusiastically and waved when he spoke. His emotional control was faltering. “Don’t you see, Franz?! There is nothing that is going to stop them from getting every single one of us killed to spare their fragile egos!” He was emphatic now, nearly spitting when he talked, his eyes never separating from the other man’s. “Franz. I have a family to go home to. Parents and a brother and a girlfriend who I love. And when I go home, I want to have some shred of my humanity left to share with them.”

And the final truth. “Franz…Frei and Shultszky need to go. And I need you to help me. Please.”

"Monsieur Wolff, what are you saying really is not wrong. Perhaps they are at fault for this war and perhaps there are people that die, but ultimately that is what a war is. This is your first one, so I understand your concerns... I wasn't much different before my first one either, Monsieur. But that does not mean I was not willing to give my life for my country, for my family, for my comrades in the Kingdom. Are you perhaps afraid of dying?" Franz said calmly and without a single crack in his voice over the entire duration that he was speaking. "You said it's possible? I'm all ears for your plan, Monsieur Wolff. I trust you and I do hope you do trust me as well." His eyes still did not move off Hunter for even a split-second.

"You know how many people I've needed to let go on the Sirene already, Monsieur Wolff? The truth is that I forgot the exact number, but I'd say around fifty people already suffered. That doesn't leave me cold even if it does sound so, but in my eyes, they died for the cause that they have been fighting for all along. Is that a death that isn't worthy for them?" In Franz' eyes the death of those people was an honorable one, so he did not understand the reason for Hunter to be so upset about war. But it was to be expected from someone who has just recently seen space for the first time, or so he had assumed.

"I'll hear out your plan. Perhaps, and only perhaps I may be able to help you, Monsieur. But first, let me leave the room for the toilet for a second." He stood up, put his glass on the table and left the room after he told Hunter. He did not go to a toilet however, instead he moved to the docking bay that Hunter's shuttle was docked at and gave one of engineers the command to make sure that that thing wouldn't fly off anymore. Moving back towards the room he has already had a bad feeling about what he'll hear next, and despite the fact that Hunter Wolff was someone he calls a friend he would need to act in time.

Hunter’s first response was frustration, but he managed to control it. His palms lay flat on the table, and he leaned across it toward Franz. The gesture wasn’t threatening, but more an emphasis of his point. “I’m not afraid of dying, Franz. I’m willing to die for my people. I wouldn’t have become a pilot if I wasn’t,” he responded, taking a deep breath. “What I am against is pointless loss of life, and to me, loss of life is pointless if it isn’t furthering the Union’s goals, and the only purpose of it is to keep clinging to a system where we have no business being for the sake of some egos.”

Hunter was relieved at Franz’s willingness to listen, and finally relaxed at that admission. He sat back down, ordering his thoughts even as the other man spoke. He was reassured at Franz’s offer of possible assistance as well. After all, that was his mission here. When Franz walked back into the room, he was ready to speak his piece, and reveal his plan.

“The Lane Hackers approached me. They agree that Frei will never end this war. The Gaians too. The Hackers have friends in the direktorate who could push for a vote for a new Arbeitsdirektor. The Gaians will stay out of our internal affairs. I’ve also secured several contractors – guns – who can help to make sure that a new vote result is enforced, if and when Frei and Shultszky decide they’re not happy to give up power, despite what the people might want.” Hunter’s voice was slow and steady, and his breathing was completely calm. “I want and need you on my side, Franz. I will make sure you get every piece of intelligence you need to help Gallia. But I can’t watch my people die uselessly anymore.”

"Monsieur Wolff... can you even hear what you're talking about?" Franz got louder than before and with that also more aggressive. The calmness in his voice vanished and he was seemingly upset with Hunter. He stared at him, directly into the eyes while making sure Hunter's eyes would not lose contact for even a second. "Not only are you suggesting to commit to treason but you also suggest that we get influenced by Hackers to choose a new Arbeitsdirektor. What's gotten into you all of a sudden?" He said, almost shouting at the man sitting across the room.

Overwhelmed by anger Franz stood up, throwing his glass at the table. To him as a foreigner it was a mystery why someone would betray their higher ups who have even put effort into making sure they feel good. To him it was clear that Frei was not trying to harm anyone purposefully but instead tried to solve this with as few casualties as possible. He had talked to Frei before, to him he was a sane man and on top of that the Arbeitsdirektor. "Monsieur..." He took a long and deep breath in before he continued speaking, trying to calm down significantly. "If you do mean what you say then please leave this room at once and don't turn around. I will count it as my mistake as I obviously did not hear correctly."

Franz pointed at the door as he spoke. "If you do not want to leave this room then drop this nonsense at once and we will enjoy this evening as friends. I will not be able to assist you on what you plan, and if you really move onwards with that then ultimately I fear that I'll be tasked with taking care of you, my friend." He went to take a new glass and filled wine into it, falling back into his chair.

"After all, Monsieur Wolff, I am the Procurator. Every decision that Monsieur Frei makes is talked through with myself and Morgenstern before we proceed with it. He was not the only one who decided that the warhead should be fired." Franz spoke similarly to before, still angry but not as loud anymore. It was more a cold voice that showed that he did not really care all that much about the warhead being fired as he always claimed to. "That's what I've called Warwolf-Policy before, Monsieur Wolff. Now make your choice."

Every single word that Franz uttered sank a blade deeper and deeper into Hunter’s heart. By the time the Gallian finished speaking, the young Rheinlander was half hunched over in his chair, veins in his jaw and neck bulging from how tightly his teeth ground together. His face visibly reddened with a wash of emotion, led most by his anger. “How could you do such a thing!? How could you authorize or agree to that? It wasn’t necessary, Franz! It wasn’t!” Hunter cried when he finally managed to speak.

His logical side knew, however, that there was no point. Someone complicit in such a crime was irredeemable in Hunter’s eyes. He stood slowly and steadily, keeping Franz’s gaze. “I’m clearly in the wrong place, Franz. And you’re clearly not the man I thought you were when you helped out a rookie pilot on his first patrol.” Hatred swept through the words in so many layers that the dark-haired young man might crack a tooth from the tension. He wanted to deck Franz, and his hands were balled to fists at the side of his body.

But that would do no good. Hitting a superior officer would just get him locked up, and that wasn’t going to get a new Arbeitsdirektor into power. Hunter turned and walked toward the door. Despite all the hatred and seething, he was sad, too. He cared for Franz. He only hoped nobody noticed as he pulled his right arm to his face, wiping moisture from the corner of one eye.

At an increased pace, it took almost no time at all to navigate the hallways and find his way back to the landing deck. He knew Franz was behind him, escorting him to his exit. The older man’s boots clicked in time with his own the entire way. The crew surrounding the shuttle pulled open the hatch for Hunter as he approached, and he took two steps up the exterior ladder before turning around and meeting Franz’s eyes for what might be the last time in person. “I’m sorry that we aren’t on the same side of this.” It was the absolute truth.

Every step they took involved a feeling that Franz has not felt before. It felt as if it was harder for him to move and yet he knew that it was what needed to be done. He tried to not look at Hunter while they were approaching his shuttle but couldn't prevent from looking at him every now and then.

As the crew opened, Franz mentally prepared for what he deemed mandatory and what would need to happen in order to make sure that everything that he has planned and worked for so far will continue smoothly. Pulling out a normal gun while Hunter approached his shuttle that would not take off anyways, he took a deep breath in. What Hunter then told him wasn't making this any easier and he couldn't control his emotions, an instance which had never occurred before. A tear rolled down despite the fact that Franz was still extremely upset with the young Monsieur who he had trusted and thought of as a friend.

"There is no need for you to be sorry, Monsieur Wolff. I've always thought of you as a friend, and as someone with potential. To have all of this fade away really is upsetting, even more than your betrayal." Franz said all while pulling out the gun he had prepared before. He looked at Hunter for a last time and gave him the most honest smile that he could bring up in such a moment. "Goodbye, Monsieur Wolff. I'll miss you." He said and then pulled the trigger. Once...Twice...Thrice. Three shots hit Hunter Wolff, two of which were fatal and as a result he died aboard the Sirene, on a day that was not supposed to end like this, on a hangar full of Unionisten that witnessed what just happened.

Franz put the gun back to where it was before and shouted "Monsieur Hunter Wolff decided to commit treason against Arbeitsdirektor Frei and Admiral Shultszky. He paid for it, so make sure to not follow in his footsteps, mes amis." He went back into the room that they met at before and stared at the glass that he threw at the table, causing it to shatter. It was a clear, expensive and new glass. One that has rarely been used, and yet had its stains of usage already. Franz stared at it for a few minutes, then gave the following command to all GEIST operatives: "Familie Wolff is to be eliminated for betraying the Alster Union and Arbeitsdirektor Corin Frei, as well as Admiral Shultszky. Their last known location was Leipheim Base." And with that, he went back to the bridge of the Sirene, where the corpse of Monsieur Hunter had been brought to.

"I'm sorry that we weren't on the same side of this," he said to the dead man. It was the absolute truth.

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To find out what happens to Hunter's family, read here.

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