Cloppenburg Base, BremenAlexander Meier did not consider himself to be a man easily surprised. Cloppenburg's deceptively slight head of security had survived twenty years as a revolutionary, and ten years as a military pilot before that. He had survived the fall of the Volksfront, and the shattered chaos that followed it. Mortar bombardments and ideology clashes alike had shaken the very ground beneath his feet, the weathered revolutionary remaining as steady as the rock that surrounded him. Surprise was something that happened to younger soldiers.
Yet, today, as he exited the narrow corridor that snaked its way to the station's hangar bay, he found his eyes widening alongside those of the marine at his shoulder. Nearly concealed by a circle of Widerstand marines, their mismatched uniforms clashing the paintings of some mad artist, a young woman squatted atop the battered remnants of what may have once been a ship. Tall and lanky, she looked more like a basketball player then a pilot. Block text on the ship's nose, scratches removing chunks of letters, helpfully identified the wreck as an XC-3 DSE Personal Escape Pod ™ with further warnings advising the user to check dampeners before and after launch.
"Ms McFarlen." Alexander strode into the circle of marines, cool eyes tracking the woman's movements. He made a mental note to thank the lieutenant that had possessed the foresight to provide him with the new arrival's name on the walk over. "Quite the entrance you made. I'm told you sent a prison liner into the sun on your way to us."
The woman turned at the sound of his voice, dropping to the hangar bay deck in a clatter of boots and more than one hull panel. Twelve assault rifles hummed in readiness as she took a pace toward the VWA security chief. If she noticed, she gave no sign. "Please. Sarah'll do just fine. We're all friends here, right?" She spoke with a light accent, Libertonian, if Alexander's memory served, though it had been decades since he had last visited the place. "And I heard you're the person to speak to about signing up."
"Signing up?" Alexander's voice could have stripped paint. "Signing up, enlisting, volunteering. Whatever you want to call it." She nodded to reinforce the point, flourishing a data-pad. "I'm not certain you fully understand the gravity of the situation. You arrive on my base, quite literally at the far end of nowhere, dragging a flight of Rheinwehr fighters behind you, and expect not just a warm welcome, but a waiting ship?" Alexander worked to keep the accusation from his voice. A military patrol returning from their attempt to retrieve the remnants of this girl's ship from the corona of Bremen's sun had stumbled dangerously close to one of his supply ships. The captain had been forced to jettison his cargo and run to avoid detection. Thankfully, a second ship had been able to recover the cargo, but it had been a dangerously close call, nonetheless. "What gave you the idea I was after a ship?" She cocked her head to one side, eyeing Alexander like some comically over-sized bird of prey. "Give me two days and a few parts and I can have that-" She waved an arm at the decrepit escape pod, prompting another set of hums from the rifles of the watching marines. "Thing flying again and be out of your hair. If that's what you want.
But I don't think it is."
"And why might that be?" Alexander tapped his hand to his side, and rifle barrels lowered to the floor. The woman had had adequate opportunity to attack him, if that was her plan, and his guards had already checked the pod for explosives. The search had turned up no weapons, personal or ship-grade.
Sarah shrugged. "Because I'm useful, and I want to help. That liner you mentioned, it didn't come apart like that just 'cause I pointed it at sun. Breaking amidships, tears in the bays, fires?" She listed the damage slowly, mournfully, like she was recounting fatal injuries to a family member. "That was me. I rerouted the fuel lines and set them to detonate when my pod launched. There's a reason the patrols won't find anything there worth taking back. I can't fight, but I can fix a ship and I can take her apart again, if I have to." There was no arrogance in her voice. If anything, it carried a tinge of regret. She extended the hand holding the data-pad. "I didn't really expect to end up here either, to be honest with you. But I'm here now, and I want to do what I can. Please, at least look over this before you kick me off. I figured you'd want something, so I wrote it on the... Er... Trip over. That, and while I was waiting for you." The last word was said with an aside glance at the escape pod.
Alexander took the pad, turning it over in his hands. She seemed earnest, yet he had seen far too many supposedly earnest people fade away for the impression to be any more then a passing inclination. For all he knew, she could be lying. The only proof that she had rigged the ship, if indeed she had, was likely little more than ash and radiation now. She had one point right, though. The Wilderstand was always in need of people to maintain their ships, and if she was half as good as she claimed, it was possible there was a place for her. Either way, the decision would be made miles above his head. He tucked the pad into a pocket. "We'll see. I'll take this to the Commandant, and we'll see what he makes of your story. In the meantime, I'd say you've caused quite enough disruption to my hangar bay."
He tapped the shoulder of the marine to his left, a stocky man with a thin scar that stretched along his jawline. "Please see to it that Ms M- My apologies, Sarah, has somewhere to sleep tonight. Within this bay." He raised a hand, cutting off the oncoming stream of protests before they left her lips. "Until we're certain of your intentions, I cannot allow you free reign of the base." The last sentence was added with an apologetic nod to Sarah. She shrugged. "It's fine. I've slept in worse places."
"Then enjoy your stay." Alexander turned curtly, boot-heels squeaking as he retreated into the base's interior. As he walked, he powered on the data-pad the young woman had given him.
Sarah McFarlen Wrote:Name:
Sarah McFarlen
Place and year of birth:
Planet Manhattan, 798A.S
Personal Background:
Oh, where would you like me to start? I guess I fell in poorly from the start. My family were wealthy enough, Dad had made a small fortune designing navigation software for the Navy and transport companies. We had a nice house on Manhattan, I had a little baby brother. Living the dream, right? Guess it's true what they say, you never really do appreciate what you've got until afterwards.
Anyway, I was young and stupid and bored, and I thought I knew better. So, I stole a Junker's ship and set out to find the rogues. Heh. You know, it's funny. I still don't regret it. Sure, it was stupid, but if I hadn't done it, I would never have ended up where I am now, right? I'd probably still be fixing headlights for some tosh on Manhattan.
I never did end up finding the Rogues. It sort-of happened the other way around. Rumours I'd heard said something about attacks in the Badlands, so I figured it was a good place to start looking. Barely left the lanes before I drove the CSV through an asteroid. Just to top it off, I managed to rupture an air tank. It wasn't a fun 48 hours, and I wasn't exactly sing-song fit when the Rogues pulled me out.
To cut a long story short, they decided not to kill me, which was decent of them, I suppose. I hung around fixing ships with them for a while. I liked it. It was bold, and adventurous and, hey, I was even good at it. Even managed to get the Mothers spacebourne again when Ashes vanished that one time. I figure I must have done something right, because I eventually found myself helping run things. I know, shoot the pirate. Hear me out, okay?
I don't like slavery. Never have, really. It's not that I didn't know it was happening, I suppose, but it's really easy to ignore something as long as its outside your door. Maybe too easy. Anyway, I eventually got sick of it and decided I wanted out.
After that, I felt like I needed to get away for a bit. Somewhere to clear my head. I signed on with a Zoner Cruiser, Soliloquy, and kept her engines running while she plumbed the Edge Worlds for a while. Even peace gets boring after a while, though, and I eventually headed back for Core Space.
I settled into freelancer research for a while. Set up an automated crew for that liner you saw using what I'd accrued between the Rogues and Soliloquy and flew around looking for the weird and wonderful. Predominantly K'Hara relics, and the Rheinland military never were too fond of that, were they?
From there, I guess it's not too hard to figure out how I ended up sitting in an escape pod, typing this for you.
What brings you to our cause?
Besides a military patrol with no sense of humour? I suppose I drifted in here. I'm guessing that's how a lot of you do. End up here, that is. The way I see it, when the world throws you somewhere unexpected, sometimes it's worth a look before you run away from it. I... I haven't done a lot of good in the world. I never intended for things to work out like that, but they did nonetheless.
I'm hoping this is a chance to make up for that.
Skype protocol communication code:
Huh. We'll see if I get out of this first. (//You've already got it, Lun.)
"This is really sort of a personal project of mine."
- James Arland, on single-handedly engaging an enemy regiment.
Your resume speaks like a true Freelancer; you drifted into our territory like a wayward Texan tumbleweed. I should first offer you the disclaimer that we Bundschuh are not particularly fond of the Rogues... Not since the Cardamine convoy that passed tauntingly right by our noses.
Regardless of your unusual entry to our care... I am making the decision to offer you a chance. You will be assigned primarily as a hangar mechanic at our primary staging area and headquarters, Bruchsal. In addition we will offer you your choice of snubcraft for operations against the Federal regime that we so desperately stand against.
Much as we attempt to avoid it, Fraulein, I do hope you have no reservations about getting your hands dirty where necessary. Nonetheless, should you truly be seeking to do some good in the Sector... You could not have chosen a better organization.
Welcome to the cause, Aktivist. Report to Bruchsal in 0600 hours and you'll recieve detailed orders.
Personal Background:
Well, I grew up on Freeport One, out in Omega Tres. My parents were Corsarios, of course, but they left the Imperio behind when they had me. Started living permanently on the Freeport and everything. It must have been hard for them, but from the stories they used to tell me about Crete, it sounds like no place to bring up a bebita.
Anyway, as time went on, I grew bored of our life on this little borderworlds station, you know? So - after saving up the money that I would need - I bade adiós to mis padres, bought myself a little Switchblade and headed off to - cliché as it sounds - seek my fortune, ¿sí? After all, what is life without a little excitement, no? I have the blood of the Corsarios in my veins, and I wanted more than to be some waitress on a Freeport bar.
What brings you to our cause?
Well, since I came into Rheinland those few years ago, I have worked closely with you Bundschuchos many a time, ¿sí? Only as a freelancer or mercenary, of course, but over my time of working with you hermanos, I have come to have much respect for your struggle. Injustice is a muy terrible thing in this world, sí,, and the peaceful methods by which you Bundschuchos seek to improve your homeland are something else that speaks to me. For these reasons, I wish to fight alongside you proper, and hang up my mercenario coat.
Do not worry, too; it does not bother me to be shooting at Corsarios, either. All I share with them is blood, and I have no familia among the Empire itself.
I will forward you records and logs from when I was helping los Bundschuchos in the past, so that you will know I am telling the truth. I have not met your particular Army, true, but I am sure my story will be backed up by your hermanos.
I would write more, but the hombre watching me write this looks very distrustful, ¿sí? I suppose you do not get many Corsairs in your organisation.
I will await your reply.
Cordialmente,
Raquel Ramirez
//Skype protocol communication code: elitistganks420getrekt
Indeed, your story has been backed up. We of the Vereinigte Widerstandsarmee are staunchly opposed to the Corsair Emprie's piracy of Rheinland's people... But I am personally one to judge an individual on their actions, not their origins. We need ideologues like you in Rheinland... People willing to put their lives on the line for those in the crossfire that cannot weather it.
Make your way through any means possible to Bruchsal Base, Frankfurt, as soon as possible. We will arm you in the fashion of a defender of the People of Rheinland, but you will not be alone. Together, we'll attain our complete victory, given time.
My name ist Axel Eichel, former politician of the Rheinland Republic. Ich was born on Planet Hamburg, 795. I'll keep the exact location private to secure the safety of mein family.
I joined the field of Politics in 817, after my graduation from college where I majored in Politics. I'm a fighter, both in tongue und weapon. I am a true patriot, I have always loved mein Vaderland, but after recent events involving the destruction of a refugee ship, mein ideas have changed.
I am brought here to create the Vaderland we were promised. Freedom, acceptance, justice. All of these things aren't present in the current system, I hope to put my heart, soul, body, sweat, blood und tears into changing that.
This is the fight of true Patriots, the days of corruption are coming to a close, und Ich hope to be on the right side when the Government falls.
A genuine politician? I am envious in a way; my own life never quite approached that point. I'll be looking foreward to seeing your Party records and ideas upon what might make our shared Nation into an example for others to follow.
Never forget, Herr Eichel. True patriotism is not blind, zealous loyalty no matter the results or consequences. Patriotism is motivated by a genuine desire to weigh the options for improving the quality of life for all of a nation's citizens; starting from the lowest of the low.
You have made the right decision in contacting us. I expect to see you at Bruchsal, in orbit of the dark side of Planet Holstein within twenty four hours. You will be briefed and supplied accordingly.
Place and year of birth:
Planet Hamburg, 801. A.S.
Personal Background:
I was born on planet Hamburg in 801. A.S. My father is a low level government official in the local administaration and my mother is a housewife. I have a younger sister.
At the age of 18 I enrolled in the Hamburg University Law School. It was there that I met my friend Thomas, who was asigned as my roommate in the dorm. Things were going great for the first year of college, and me and Thomas became best friends. Thomas was always a bit different than other students, especially in his views of the current Rheinland government and their policy. He was firmly against the war with Liberty and would often debate with professors during class. I was never really that much into politics and would always try to find a different subject when he would start talking about how our society needed changes. Same was the case one Saturday night when Thomas came back from class, seemingly frustrated at how no professor would take him seriously on the account of his age.
In order to cheer him up a bit, I proposed we go out and have some fun. As we were coming back from the nightclub, both of us slightly drunk, a black hover van stopped right next to us. A couple of men in black suits and with masks on their faces came out and attacked us. We had no chance to do anything against them and were I was knocked out by a hit in the head. When I woke up, hours later, I realised THomas was missing. I rushed straight to my room, I was panicking, and wanted to get my head straight about what happened. I went to bed, hoping Thomas at least managed to escape those thugs and was hiding somewhere. When I woke up the next morning, there was still no sign of him, so I went to the local police station and told them what happened. One senior police officer took me into his office and told me not to poke around too much, and that my friend Thomas "had it coming" with his radical views. Frustrated, I went back to the campus. I started going through his stuff, hoping to find anything that could help track him down, when I came accros a brochure, with your logo and the title Popular Revolution writen below. I started reading it, and as I read more and more, I started realising what Thomas was talking about all along. It then hit me what exactly happened to him and what that polizei officer was talking about. I grabbed my backpack and put some basic stuff in it, and headed straight to the Hamburg Spaceport.
It was there that I was able to find a Junker, on his way to Kreuzberg Depot in the New Berlin system, and I managed to negotiate a ride with the money I had.
Upon arriving to the station I was able to find a Bundshuch aktivist and tell him my story. He directed me to this channel and told me this was the only way I could ever hope to make sure Thomas and thousands like him will not have vanished in vain.
What brings you to our cause?
I wish to fight our corrupt government and overthrow that ruthless dictator who calls himself the Kanzler.
I want to avenge Thomas and all others who were silenced just because they had a different view on how things should work in Rheinland.
Skype protocol communication code:
jaques.fontaine
I am deeply sorry for your friend's disappearance. Though I in no way belittle your own situation, it is hardly rare or even uncommon. Amongst the crimes we of the Bundschuh Party wish answers to are the whereabouts or fates of those we loved, taken from us for... Reasons unknown. Perhaps speaking out of turn. Perhaps knowing slightly too much.
The Vereinigte Widerstandsarmee can provide you with some of these answers, Herr Schaff; in fact Rheinland's unsavory underbelly is rife with them. Not all may be comforting or in any way acceptable. And that is where we come in, to set things right within our nation.
Prep yourself for an arrival to Bruchsal, in far orbit of Planet Holstein. You will be briefed and supplied then.
Place and year of birth: Planet Hamburg, Hamburg. 797 A.S
Personal Background:
Born on Planet Hamburg, the first son of Edaward and Anna Befeier, a family that has sacrificed both of her youngest siblings for Rheinland, but iit appeared to be in vain, The Rheinland - Liberty war. Many souls were lost, many casualties, losses, all of those occured due to the Rheinwher's foolishness, starting a war that they can't sustain.
Hatred grew in his heart, for the unnessecary llosses. He wanted to change the system from the inside, by rising through the ranks of the Military, but it was a mistake, his collegues betrayed him, and reported his intentions to his superiors, he was deemed traitor by them, He escaped frm Rheinland to bering taking shelter in Freeport 2, until he heard of the Vereinigte Widerstandsarmee, a group of honest men who attempt to change Rheinland through the best methods possible, all for the benefit of Rheinland's people.
What brings you to our cause?
I attempt to fix Rheinland in a true andgood methods that would not harm Rheinland's people, but help them. I see that the Vereinigte Widerstandsarmee is the place where I belong
You're absolutely right. Rheinland has started a war it can't keep up with, so a large scale economic collapse is the result. Honesty is what we do here, we represent the people's might and will against the tyranny that takes place in Rheinland. You're accepted. Catch up with the equipment dealer on Freeport 2, he'll tell you where you need to go.
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