Ivan stares at the objects on the table. Intrigued.
"Well, if I were to guess. I'd say that they all carry tradition in them. For example, the "Class of 100" ring." Ivan says, pointing to the artifact. "This ring is carrying the memories and traditions of the..." there's a brief pause before Ivan continues, he looks aggravated. "...Liberty Swine that were alive in 100 A.S. As the same for everything else. It's old. It carries tradition, memories, history."
Ivan stares at the gold ring, rolling his eyes at the raw symbol of capitalism.
Nick stares blankly at Ivan and then smacks the Liberty ring off the table it lands with a soft *plink* on the floor a few feet away.
"No, you have 3 more chances to prove to me that you can be trusted in the SCRA. I suggest you think and speak carefully. What do these three things have in common?"
"This pendant,"he pushes it across the table. "This ring," he slides it closer to him. "And this knife." He stabs it into the table and it cuts into the wood with terrifying ease."Feel free to inspect them as you wish"
Nick stands up slamming his fist on the table"No!"
He grabs the Rheinland pendant and throws it across the room it breaks open revealing a picture of a young woman.
"Strike two boy, I want you to think long and hard. What could all of these things have in common to an applicant of the SCRA? I'm feeling generous, so I'll give you a hint: 'Why would anyone carry these old pieces of wasted materials?'
Ivan was taken back by the response. He wanted to say that they were all apart a twisted question that made no sense, but held back. Standing up, the interrogator looked a lot more threatening. Much like his father when he had done something wrong.
"Why would a SCRA solider want to carry these pieces of garbage? Shouldn't they just be loyal to the Coalition and not any other house? I can guess, but that's all it will be because I see no reason for a solider to carry memorabilia from the other houses." He replies, still looking him in the eyes.
"Boy, you do not know how close you really are. You are quite literally on the door step of the Coalition.
You see, a wise man once told me"
"It's important to recognize your past, but accept it as the past and also accept the Coalition as your new future."
"These symbols,"He walks over and picks up the Libertonian ring and the Rheinlandic pendant."These are all relics of your forefather's past, people who have come to the Coalition looking for the truth, they have given up their past, the shackles, the burdens, in order to perform a greater service to humanity. You said you joined because of your mother's memory, I want to know, can you remember her and still be strong? If we are attacked, can I count on you to stay and fight? Or will you run? These are important questions I need to know the answers to. Just remember,"He grabs the Kusarian blade"you are not out of the woods yet."
Ivan felt a rush of relief. He took a moment to brainstorm his answer, then replied.
"My mother is my strength. If I were to flee midway an invasion, I should be shot. Many times. I remember her to be strong, not to indulge in weaknesses." I van notices as the man picks up the blade.
"If you want to trust me, don't trust me in my words, as they are but mere sounds that are hollow. Instead..." Ivan said, taking the Kusarian Blade from the man's hands, then pressing the blade into his own. A trickle of blood poured from his hands, oozing down between the many lines and crests in his palm, then dripping onto the table.
"...trust me in my own blood." He finished, as he felt the relief of the blade that was still sharp, despite its long history.
He slowly takes Ivan's hand and puts it on the table cut down and then quickly stabs the knife into it pinning it to the table blood began to pool around his hand.
"Alright, you like to prove your worth in blood? Time is ticking, and you still have one more question; why should I risk my reputation to let you into the SCRA?"
He leans over to a small intercom speaker
"Michael I need a medical team in here"
Michael: "Code A,B,or,C?"
"Code C"
Michael: "Alright, we will be there in 15 minutes."
Pain rallies through Ivan's vein, but a calm serenity is created after a moment of thought. He tries to not look at the pool of blood that has leaked from his hand as the answer runs smoothly from his mouth.
"Danger?" he inquires, "What danger? Your reputation would not be in any form of danger with me gallantly fending off the enemies of the Coalition and upholding the glorious status that the Army maintains so flawlessly."
"Understand this maggot, you have one more test, one I cannot administrate. It will test your wits against your foes."
Michael knocks on the door before walking into the room
"Michael take care of this soldier's wounds. He will need to be in fighting fit for his trip the the Hispania."
Michael: "Yes sir."
Nick looks back at Ivan
"You heard me right, your last test is a trip to Omicron Alpha. This trip is symbolic of the harsh times that our forefathers faced during The Exodus. There is a Griffin waiting for you in the hangar. Good luck."
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![[Image: NickTrewett2_zps99da9b9c.png]](http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad3/vulkhardmuller/NickTrewett2_zps99da9b9c.png)
