■ Dutiful
■ Faithful
■ Reliable
■ Sensitive
■ Traditional
Hobbies:
■ Theater
■ voluntary work
Current task(s):
■ Stellv. Direktorin of the penal colony Hammersee
■ Inspections of modular bases
■ Paperwork
■ regular patrols
Never take ze new way (827 A.S.)
Some weeks have passed since the Republic of Rheinland has broken into the federalist and imperialist side.
Oberst Bommel stands in front of the Nibelung Polizei Plaza on Planet New-Berlin.
She is a bit nervous, but motivated to see her old comrade. Lets do zis she thought and went to the main entrance of the headquarter.
One of the officers, who guarded that door, looked at her with fears in his eyes.
She looked back and stopped a short moment.
It was the officer, she once slapped for a miserable performance of paper work.
With her chest swelled with pride she continued, the officer was tracking her with eyes
while she entered into the building and did not appreciate him of a view; but smirked.
What's so funny? Oberst Fritz Schulz, who was already standing in entrance hall, waiting for her to arrive, asked. Ahh, nozing. Hello Fritz! she said and hugs her old Friend. Wow, you didn't get any older, did you? I like what you did with your hair. Thanks... I guess, zats probably just ze makeup. How are you? Well, his voice gets serious many things have changed. Ja, I heared about ze incident, terrible story. Once again in Rheinland, brothers fight against zeir brothers, soldiers against zeir sons and woman against zeir daughters. Whoever is up there, must really hate us. Well, let's not begin your first day with such a topic. Shall we?
Renate nods and both are on their way through the building
So... How have you been? You were a long time gone. What did you do? Personal affairs. I wouldn't go into ze detail, but after I was ordered to concentrate ze developement of ze new administration software for ze R.C.D.B. , I got again other zings to do. Finally ze software were abandoned, ze taxpayers' expense lost and I was ordered to shred all documents belonging to it. All zis was too much, and I've needed some time. And Paul? I know your son was sometimes looking after you. Vell, during ze Kusari war, we haven't seen us much. But zings are getting better. Glad to hear that.
The elevator they were in stopped and they entered a corridor.
Some older officers were greeting her.
Fritz? Say, do you still have contact to ze old force? Oberst Wolthers once sent a request to me for your help. Ohh and Trauer did ask for you, but since I didn't know where you were,
I wasn't able to give them a satisfactory reply. Trauer? Martin Trauer? How is ze Grenzschutz doing anyway? Ja. Well, they are still there. But there are many new faces around.
They both continued their walk into a room on this level.
Two people were already in this room and discussed a topic.
Would you two please leave? I have here a highly decorated person to talk about something. Fritz asked them and they nodded.
Renate was looking at the wall, at the polizei poster, when they left.
What are you looking at? RheinlandImperalPolice,I still don't know, if I can get used to zis or if I can fly with somezing like zis in my callsign. You know this is only the sirius-wide name of it. Here, fill this out so we can get you your old ships. I'm sure you missed the paperwork thing. Totally. She ironically answered and filled out the form.
She gave Oberst Schulz the documents and he began to read through the pages.
Your weight is classified?Don't ask a woman zat.Ok, I'll fill your recorded weight from back in time then. Finally, due increased security protocols, we've to take a record of your current appearance.Why's zat? Since the banishment of the Bundestag many people don't know who they can really trust. I know you, but others may not. So it would be wise to update your neural net info. Please focus on the camera drone behind me.
It might be not good enough for a reapplication to another department, but accomplishes it's task for now. So... what will you do next? Vell, in remembrance of ze past, ze first I do is a job advertisement for a secretary.
Both begin to laugh, knowing this will never happen.
Nein, I'll try to catch up the last years in a reasonable time. As you said, many zings have changed. So it seems to be better, zings start slowly but diligent. After I brought order in to ze paperwork chaos here, I'll zink it would be wise to stick to simple task at first, namely protecting ze backbone of ze empire's economy. I understand the motivation of ze expelled federal government, we both served a long time for ze Rheinland Federal Polizei, she takes a short break. But I fear zeire propanda about fighting for Rheinland's people isn't more zan... well, propaganda. On the other hand, we've the ruling imperial government, which has used the power of the Rheinwehr to banish the rightfully elected government. This doesn't sound better in my ears. Isn't a government, rightfully elected or not, supposed to serve for it's population?! Wasn't ze taking over of ze Rheinwehr supported by ze 3 major rheinland corporations which represent the bulk of rheinlands civilian? The entire political debate gives me headaches.
Oberst Schulz nodded.
So, business as usual - staying out of politics and protecting Rheinlanders from threats? Ja, never take ze new way.
History: ■ Early life and education(784-802 A.S.) ■ Basic training at the military academy on New-Berlin(804-809 A.S.) ■ Specialized Polizei training at Brandenburg station(809-814 A.S.) ■ Rheinland Polizei, Kadett -> Wachmann(814-817 A.S.) ■ Rheinland Bundespolizei, Kadett -> Oberst(817-820 A.S.) ■ 6 months basic MND training(820 A.S.) ■ "Personal affairs"(820-827 A.S.) ■ voluntary help of the Munich evacuation(827 A.S.) ■ re-integrated as Hauptkommissarin der Kaiserreichspolizei(827 A.S.) ■ Promoted to Polizeioberrätin der Kaiserreichspolizei(828 A.S.) ■ Received Rheinland nobility title "Freifrau"(834 A.S.)
Tasks at the Rheinland Polizei: ■ Doing paperwork required for duties ■ Common patrol duties ■ Training of Polizei personal ■ Coordination of lower ranked officers ■ Administration of the Rheinland Criminal Database
Hammersee is an uninviting moon of Planet Juist. It is volcanic, dry and dusty -- daytime temperatures scorch the surface, before plunging far below freezing at night. When Daumann deep space explorers first arrived in 820 AS, they found a number of primitive survey probes scattered across the surface, confirming they were not the moon’s first visitors. Charting of the subterranean lava tubes revealed rich mineral deposits and signs of previous habitation, spurring rumors of a very literal Bundschuh “underground”. Seeing the potential of a mining colony, Daumann set up a small outpost, while lobbyists persuaded New Berlin to invest in a Jump Gate connection from Frankfurt.
By 825 AS, the Gate connection was completed -- Daumann aggressively promoted the Hammersee colony to refugees fleeing the Munich Disaster, hoping to recoup some of their own losses from the evacuation. Unfortunately, the marketing failed to capture the harsh reality of living in Hammersee’s mines. The Saigon War further worsened the situation as supply shipments were targeted by the GMG and Kusari Office of Intelligence. By the end of the year, almost all of Hammersee's initial settlers had fled, and the colony was deep in debt. Facing spiraling costs, Daumann turned over the moon's infrastructure to the Rheinland government for a nominal $1 sale.
For the duration of the Rheinland Civil War, the Hammersee project remained largely dormant -- save for periodic use as a staging post by the Battleship Kolleda. Following the Holstein Accords, the unified Federal Empire entered into a joint agreement with Kruger Minerals for the development of Hammersee, providing inmate labor from the orbiting Mecklenburg Prison. Thanks to their captive workforces, Hammersee’s refineries produce significant quantities of valuable metals for export back to Rheinland. Hammersee’s deadly mines are among the most dreaded destinations for Rheinland's dissidents and criminals.
Mecklenburg Prison
Mecklenburg is Rheinland's largest prison complex, designed using the lessons learned from the destruction of Vierlande Prison. Initially constructed in 824 AS as a Military outpost to secure Rheinland’s claim over Sigma-15, the station was significantly renovated and expanded as an orbital prison after the Rheinland Civil War. It now holds over ten thousand prisoners, including murderers, pirates and political dissidents. Mecklenburg oversees the operation of the Hammersee penal colony, coordinating inmate transfers and work orders. There is a substantial Kruger Minerals presence aboard, as the corporation works closely with the Federal Police as an industrial consultant for resource extraction and labor management.
The prison is equipped with extensive armor and weaponry to deter raids, in addition to a significant Police defense squadron. Despite this, the facility and its supply convoys come under frequent attack by Corsairs, Bundschuh and occasionally the GMG, all seeking to free captured comrades before they are consigned to Hammersee’s mines. Securing the hazardous route from Frankfurt has imposed a significant drain on Fulda’s resources, with emergency support frequently needing to be scrambled from the nearby Battleship Schwerin. Despite these challenges, Mecklenburg generates a significant profit from metals exports, albeit at a terrible cost to the prisoners within.
It's dark.
It's currently night on Planet New-Berlin. One of those nights, which last almost a year. There have been a few weeks, since Renate Bommel, Oberrätin of the Rheinland Polizei, was finally granted the command of her first warship.
It's too early in the morning and the buzzer rings.
As she dressed in her uniform, Renate reflected on her journey through the ranks. Years of training and unwavering dedication had finally culminated in this moment. Yet, excitement mingled with anxiety; command of a capital ship was no small responsibility.
She stepped outside into the bustling streets, where hovercars zipped above and drones flitted through the air, delivering packages to citizens. The atmosphere buzzed with energy, a sharp contrast to the gravity of her upcoming command. With each step toward the docking bay, Renate felt the weight of her new position settle upon her shoulders.
Upon arriving at the docking station, she was greeted by a mix of personnel, from engineers to fellow officers. A Humpback shuttle was already prepared. Renate could feel her heart race as she approached the ship.
The Humpback leaving Planet New-Berin
They left the planet. The ship was heading to the position of an old cruiser. The Chemnitz was granted by the Hauptflotte to the Rheinland Bundespolizei over a decade ago. Through all those years, the crew served the primary tasks of a Polizei capital ship in the house of Rheinland.
Alongside her usual work, the Oberrätin was able to locate the current deploy position of the cruiser near the planet. It hasn't been a long ride and yet the shuttle enters visual range. Upon approaching it could be seen, that this ship has been gone through a lot of skirmishes.
As she boarded, her excitement quickly turned to concern. The interior was dimly lit, and she noted several flickering control panels. The air was thick with the scent of burnt circuits. A crew member, looking frazzled, approached her. Oberrätin Bommel, welcome on board. We’ve had some issues with the power systems. There’s been significant hull degeneration, especially around the after section.
Renate’s stomach tightened. What do you mean by degeneration? Is ze hull structurally decaying?
We’re not sure, ma’am. We’ve done all we can, but it’s worse than we anticipated. There are leaks, and the shielding systems are compromised.
Renate nodded, determination flaring in her chest. We’ll handle it. First, let’s get the engines online. I want a full systems check.
She moved to the bridge, where the holographic screen flickered in and out. Renate has taken the command seat and ordered the engine officer to initiated the startup sequence. Power to engines, she commanded, her voice steady. Prepare for cruise speed.
As the crew worked to respond to her orders, a low rumble reverberated through the ship. Renate’s heart raced. Status report! she barked.
Before anyone could respond, a violent explosion rocked the vessel. The blast came from the engineering section, sending debris flying. Alarms blared as the lights flickered wildly, casting shadows across the command center. Renate braced herself against the console, her mind racing.
Get everyone to safety! she shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos. Seal off ze engineering deck!
As the crew scrambled to follow her orders, Renate took a deep breath, her instincts kicking in. She needed to assess the damage and ensure the safety of her crew. The ship trembled under her feet, the alarms echoing in her ears.
Engineering, report! she commanded, her heart pounding.
A voice crackled over the intercom, strained and panicked. Captain! We’ve lost containment in the after section. The reactor is unstable! We need to evacua—
Negative! Renate interrupted. We stabilize ze reactor first. We can’t let zis ship go down on my watch. She turned to her crew, now focused and determined. We need to act fast! Prepare emergency protocols for ze reactor core.
Renate rallied her team, delegating tasks with precision. They moved swiftly, gathering equipment and working together to contain the explosion’s effects. She felt the tension in the air, a mix of fear and resolve, but Renate stood firm, her experience guiding her actions.
Hours passed in a blur of smoke and flashing lights as they fought against the clock. Working alongside her crew, Renate led them through emergency protocols, using every ounce of her training to stabilize the reactor. Finally, they managed to secure the breach, restoring power and calming the chaos.
With the immediate crisis averted, Renate took a moment to gather her thoughts. The ship had survived, but it was clear they were facing more than mechanical failures. Something was amiss, and she needed to uncover the truth behind the Chemnitz’s condition. Was this known by her superiors? Was this the reason, why she had to provide usable status and maintenance documents?
Alright, everyone, Renate said, her voice steady. We’ve dealt wiz the explosion, but zis isn’t over. We need to investigate ze cause of zese failures. I want full diagnostics run on every system. No stone left unturned. We will head to ze Oder shipyard for repairs.
Her crew nodded, determination etched on their faces. Together, they would restore the Chemnitz to its former glory and prepare for whatever lay ahead in the house of Rheinland.
As they began their investigation, Renate felt a sense of purpose swell within her. The path ahead would be fraught with challenges, but she was ready to face them. After all, she is now a person, who is in charge of a Donau class cruiser, and she would protect her crew and her ship at all costs.