"You've been listening to far too much propaganda."
He pointed the gun at the recruit.
"The pursuit of profit is to be encouraged. It is what one does with the profit, and how he obtains it. Consider Liberty. They arrest anyone for the slightest offence and use their harsh judicial system to press those deemed criminals to be a resource. A workforce. This is blantant corporate greed and the pursuit of higher margins on profit."
He got up and whacked the recruit over the head with his gun.
"Consider the Coalition. Our workforce is well fed, watered, sheltered and work diligently producing everything we need and more. The more is then sold at a profit, which is in turn given back to the workforce to better their conditions. No greed, no treading down on workers rights for a higher margin, no worker resentment."
He smirked.
"As a weapon, imagine a time where Liberty, Bretonia, Kusari and Rheinland's workforce all down their tools and demand a better way. A fairer way. The shouts and screams of the people is more of a weapon than any gun, any bullet."
His face turned sour.
"In the Gallic trader scenario, you simply ignore it. We are not common pirates or thieves. We do not shoot or even threaten civilians. They are the workforce after all. The weapon yet to be unleashed. Let's try something else. Why must the Corsair threat be removed?"
Masha took the strike, allowing the force of the blow to turn her head. Her face burned from the impact of Xu's displeasure. She returned her eyes to her point of focus, ignoring the stinging of her eyes, by the free flowing wound above. She inhaled slowly measuring her words.
"Da... Comrade Commisar," Biach inhaled slowly, measuring her words, "The Corsairs are listed as a second priority in that we do not allow them to gain ground, militarily or economically. We openly support the Red Hessian effort to defeat their oppressors, and their chief enemy, the Corsairs, for the same reasons, Comrade Commisar has pointed out. We view them as mindless and unorganized. Certainly beneath us. But if Comrade Commisar will allow... this recruit finds little use for them as a whole. They are cannibalistic. Look what they have done to their own people. Some may view their actions as strength of will or justify their existence through hardship, however their entire doctrine is based upon a system of ultimate decadence. We do not tolerate piracy, which is their mainstay. We do not tolerate their wanton encroachment upon our borders. Further... We do not tolerate the propagation of a peoples who see other people as food. Disgusting. Eradicate them... eradicate them all. Comrade Commisar"
Masha finished, realizing that if she said too much, she would die knowing she stood up while others fumbled about trying to find the correct words. The pain from Xu's strike reminded her to keep her focus, and that she was still alive, for the moment. She felt the blood coursing down her cheek and along the side of her neck. Masha made no motion to address it, clearly Xu wouldn't have struck her if he didn't have a reason and a desire. Biach stood fast, awaiting his next directive.
Upon watching this foolish applicant saluting, Vorshevsky noticed that he was a pilot, or at least an ex-pilot from the Liberty Navy.
Blackburn didn't even see it coming, with a quick move, the Commisar slid across the desk and kicked the applicant in the chest. As Blackburn fell back, Vorshevsky started to beat the living hell out of the man. Spitting out blood the recruit was anxious to get his reasoning out. However, the Commisar did not let one word slip from his mouth. Before Blackburn can respond Vorshevsky took out his pistol and pressed it against Blackburn's forehead.
"You know, I'm getting really tired of those Liberty Navy fools who think they can slip a spy past me."
Recipient of the Hispania Memorium, Golden Fourragere, Halo of Valor, Order of the Red Star, and the Hero of the Revolution
James felt the cold muzzle of the pistol pressing against his forehead. Spitting up blood, he looked up at the commissar, eyes gone cold, his face not contorting to show pain.
"Former Liberty Navy Special Forces, Commissar, not the Liberty Security Force" James spoke, calmly dismissing the accusation of espionage. "I saluted you out of respect for your position, it's what one is taught in the Navy" James said, pausing slightly, returning the commissar's glare, no signs of fear present in his features, showing a man with nothing to lose. "But that was some years ago, check my records if you want, it should say honorably discharged, then treason right below" He said calmly.
James continued to speak, not removing his gaze from the commissar "I left the Navy because I got sick of the job, hell, I signed up to protect the citizens of Liberty" pausing briefly, " but I did not get what I signed on for, Naval Covert Warfare instead had me flying against our own people, they didn't care about collateral damage, only results" His eyes now betraying a sense of loss and guilt. Silencing the memories, James quickly regained his rigid self-control.
"So you want to talk to me about spying commissar? How about you tell me about a government that strikes its own citizens" He finished coldly.
The Commisar scoffed to himself. He released and let go of Blackburn, but still had the gun trained on him.
The Commisar yelled to Alicia. "Alicia, get one of our techies to hack into the Inter-Sirius Galaxy database. We should have an encrypted virus that has access to all the Liberty Navy files." Vorshevsky looked into the man's eyes and continued, "Get the file for James Blackburn."
Vorshevsky faced back to Blackburn.
"Hrmph, finally someone who understands what Liberty is really about." The Commisar grew suspicious. "It seems a little too good. But tell me, what exactly did they order you to do that made you 'sick of the job'?"
Recipient of the Hispania Memorium, Golden Fourragere, Halo of Valor, Order of the Red Star, and the Hero of the Revolution
James got up and continued to fix his gaze on the commissar "I used to fly and operate as part of a Black Ops squadron, known as Wraith" he began "Our primary mission was to contain and eliminate suspected terrorist cells" James said, pausing briefly.
"On January 17th 817 A.S., we were called in to deal with a cell of radical isolationists on Denver" He began again. James continued to maintain eye contact with the commissar, continuing "It was supposed to be a routine op, fly in, carrying out a drop, and exterminate the threat, but of course it wasn't."
"When we reached orbit, we were informed we'd have to go in on foot, the terrorists had isolated themselves in a dense residential area in the capital city."
"We landed at the main spaceport and proceeded from there."
James said, the tension of earlier leaving, but replace with a solemnity not seen before in the man.
"Just as we deployed into the building, our commander contacted us; the terrorists had taken hostages" James remarked silently.
"As you no doubt know, those situations can be very lethal" James stated
"However, as we proceeded to the breaching point, we were met with nothing but silence, quite odd for a hostage situation" He paused "Initially I thought nothing of it, and ordered the deployment of breaching charges, and switching to nonlethal rounds" He said, his voice trailing off.
"We breached the room, and were met with no gunfire, just a few scared families. These weren't terrorists, just a bunch of scared civilians" He finished, fury appearing in his eyes.
"Then the worst of it happened, I informed my CO about the turn of events" he continued on
"And you know what I got? Orders to exterminate them and any witnesses; turns out some spook from the LSF had taken over the operation" James remarked.
"I refused the orders, but my second in command relieved me at gunpoint and ordered the team to deploy nerve gas canisters to the central ventilation system"James continued on, cold fury lighting his eyes.
"I managed to knock him out and gunned for the canisters. Though by the time I got there, they had dispersed" He ended starkly.
"1000 lives, snuffed out because of my failure" James aid, a hint of sorrow and guilt lacing his voice.
"I was to be court-martialed for dereliction of duty, and the rest of the team got medals" He said, the regret being replaced by disgust.
"I suppose I was lucky in some ways, some friends from the brass intervened and got the charges dropped. In response I resigned" James finished again.
"There's no way I could work for an organization that treats civilians so callously" he began again.
"But it wasn't over, I began to dig up information on the LSF agent who took over, turns out that those frightened civilians were some strong opponents of the war with Rheinland" James continued.
"Lives snuffed out just to fulfill a politician's agenda, go figure" James said, letting out a snort of derision.
"Of course, this digging brought a visit from the LSF, and they branded me a traitor, because I found out their dirty little secret" James continued again
"So I fled to the Omicrons, I had an old friend who was former LSF, who gave me sanctuary" James finished.
As James told his story the Commisar had a interesting look on his face.
"Then you are one of the many to witness the injustices Liberty performs against their own people, especially the ones that oppose all of the dirty and corrupt deeds the government carry out."
The Commisar paused for a few seconds.
"But why are you here? Why don't you just join some terrorist group such as those Xenos. What makes us so special to where you come to us, the Coalition?"
Recipient of the Hispania Memorium, Golden Fourragere, Halo of Valor, Order of the Red Star, and the Hero of the Revolution
James looked at the commissar, the coldness fading, being replaced by a look of interest.
"The Xenos? Not even on my radar, they may have semi-noble motives, but their methods are wanting, they engage in piracy to my knowledge" James spoke solemnly.
He continued to look at the commissar "Why the Coalition? Remember that friend I told you about?"
"Well, he was Kell Tainer, former Director of Order Intelligence" James said, brushing dried blood off his armor.
"I worked for him as an operative for about a year, until recently." James began again, pausing slightly, a pang of sadness flashing across his face.
"Toledo fell in a last stand against the Bounty Hunters Guild and the Nomads, the entire planet was slagged" He continued on, a sense of loss further lacing his voice.
"I was stationed on a complex on the outskirts of the nebula called Theta-7, a top secret ship research facility" He said, relaxing his stance.
"We were the first to feel the Core's attack, the entire station was lost with all hands" James continued speaking, regret entering into the mix of emotions.
"To my knowledge, I am the only survivor of the battle. I've been off grid since escaping that inferno." He ended solemnly.
"As to how I got here, I was picked up by a Zoner ship in Theta after my ship shutdown on me" He began anew, beginning to pace his position.
"I convinced them to take me here. My reason? I have worked with the Coalition in the past, before things went sour. You pursue a noble goal" James continued
"More importantly, you understand the need to limit collateral damage and protect the innocent at any cost. Something I value quite highly, and something the Director did as well." James said, turning to face the commissar once again.
"That is something that no other 'terrorist group,' as you put it, can claim." James finished.
James watched the commissar holster his pistol, feeling a slight wave of relief wash over him.
"Fundamentally, I'd say to liberate the common people from corrupt governments. I've seen it first hand, it may seem like we have a say in the government, but in the end, its merely a police state with a considerable amount of gift wrapping" James said calmly with a mild undertone of sarcasm.
"If you cross the government too much, you're killed" he remarked starkly.
"Furthermore, please correct me if I am wrong, the Coalition also seeks to eliminate capitalism as it effects the common man considerably, being ascribed to what could be called a form of 'slavery'" he began "To be perfectly honest, this isn't a field I quite understand, I am a soldier by trade, my place is behind the controls of a starfighter or in a strike team" He continued.
"I receive an order, and I follow it, as long as its in good conscience, that's the way we were trained at Westpoint" James spoke, his demeanor changing to one of caution.
"What a bunch of hypocrites" James finished bluntly.
"So you say you will follow any orders hmm?" The Commisar wondered.
"I hold it that you are willing to become loyal to our cause, and understand what we truly fight, work, and bleed for."
At that moment Vorshevsky was cut off by the arrival of Alicia. With a quick salute she handed the Commisar a dossier report, James Blackburn's profile, and quickly left with haste.
The Commisar took a good long moment to read over the report with a curious look on his face. Finally he put down the report and stared at Blackburn.
"If you are indeed wanted for treason, that means the home you called Liberty that you have fought and risked your life for means nothing to you anymore."
The Commisar continued as he motioned to the guards. "Let's see how loyal you are to our cause 'comrade'."
The Guards returned to the room with a bloody and bruised man, a bag over his head and his armed tied. The guards pushed the man to the ground, bringing him to his knees. James' eyes widened as the guards pulled the bag off of the man. Vorshevsky smiled as he watched the whole ordeal. He noticed that Blackburn's posture changed as he found out the identity of the prisoner the guards just unveiled. Was it a friend of his? Maybe an old acquantance? Vorshevsky looked curious.
"We found this dirtbag taking a nice little stroll in our system." The Commisar grabbed the man by his cheeks, "Now did we little boy?" he asked sarcastically to the frightened man.
The Commisar started to explain. "We found out that this pilot worked for the Liberty Navy Covert Ops. An agent just like you."
Vorshevsky held a devilish smile as he continued, "But then again, this man might be just another innocent kid who was at the wrong place at the wrong time."
"You know what we do to spies, James. If you are willing to do anything and everything to fight for our cause, for the glorious Coalition, then you will start with this. This will be the first step to prove if you are loyal and ready to join our ranks. Are you willing to trust me, a fellow soldier, and his judgement?"
Vorshevsky handed James his gun.
"You decide"
Recipient of the Hispania Memorium, Golden Fourragere, Halo of Valor, Order of the Red Star, and the Hero of the Revolution
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