"Your arguments are valid, Sarah, but Crayter doesn't really takes Gallic prisoners. Between us and them is total war" he stopped and a few fragments of space battles between the Fleets and the image of Valors ruthlessly destroying surrendering Hydra or Thanatos burned him "Not anymore. We deem our prisoners War Murderers and they do the same. After we extract the information, they are most of the times executed. Unless they join our Reconditioning Program."
Taking a sip he looked at Sarah and wished that they would not discuss casualties or war, but this to be like their first date , but maybe , who knows.... There may be a future. Sensing that she is starring at him, Oreste continued "The Republic wishes however to train our own Combat Medic and use your doctors as a template on how they must act. There is where an insight into the MFE training would assist us,. if you can disclose that"
Hearing the sound of waves and the Prymtalls song, Oreste felt like home and he relaxed, but with his hand he touched his scar "This scar is a reminder of how easy is to take a human life and how hard it is to forget. The person which fired that shot didn't hate me as a person, he never met me, yet in the name of our countries we hated each other. We despised each other. What would have been happen if we met for a pint and not in battle ?"
"I have no doubt in my mind that some of the personnel that we have here will want to stay on a permanent basis," replied Sarah. "While they are top notch medical professionals, many of them want more. When you spend a life working onboard a ship's medical department or aboard a Freeport somewhere, life gets sort of stagnant. If interested, those people will approach me and I will in turn let you know."
She sipped her Martini, "I will only tell you that you won't find a better combat medic that those who opt to stay, especially with some Crayter military training."
She sighed though. Executing even an enemy combatant bothered her. True, they were just that, the enemy, but if they give up information, they should be spared a date with the Grim Reaper. She wanted to say something about it but didn't want to create friction. She was enjoying her time with Oreste and didn't want to ruin it. She was curious about the Reconditioning program though.
"So what about this reconditioning program you mention? I mean, I would think that if an enemy combatant gets fair treatment and good medical care that they would be..." She searched for the words that matched what was on her mind, "..........grateful and willing to give up some info." She then smiled a bit, "Besides, a good doctor can keep an enemy sedated as hard as they want and as long as they want but, that's a whole different kind of doctoring."
She listened to his story about his scar. Her face went straight and she nodded her agreement, remembering a story of when she had to guard a Red Hessian prisoner. "You're right. Taking a life is easy and anyone can do it but to save a life? That's hard and not many do. It's how we are trained at Med Force Enterprises and it's Doc's creed that he makes us all live by. He would know as he wasn't always a saint and he would be the first one to tell you that."
She sipped her martini again, emptying the glass in the process. "I had a Red Hessian ask me once about if we met, say, at a bar, how it would be different. You're right, Oreste, it would be different. We don't hate our enemies. What we hate is what they make us become."
She stretched out in her chair and finished with, "That is why I don't miss the military life. I did my time for my homeland but it just wasn't me."
Commander Sarah Coyle
Commanding Officer, [MFE]Med Force Two
"Hmm, will speak with Duncan to arrange something. A training grounds so to speak. Where we can train our people in Crayter warfare. In the Army and Fleet vision, the new generation of medic must be able to function as a Soldier until there is a need of a Medic. But this can be achieved."
Looking at the blue sky, he continued "The Reconditioning is a very dangerous technique used to change loyalties. Designed by the CIS and done by their operatives is somewhat secret, but in short is breaking down a man psychological and physical and then rebuilding him based on Crayterian ideology. Creating a perfect citizen." grinning " There is a say that many CIS operatives are trained like that, making them loyal to the Republic and the People to absurd limits, prefering to die then to say anything. "
Looking at her and seeing her starring "Is either that or the execution. The Republic cannot accept someone which was taken prisoner. We are not sure of where the loyalties are. Is a tough measure but is necessary in times of war. Why do you think our crime rate is low. And i mean all of it? Because our inmates are going through the same process."
Looking around he nodded "Not ideal but it works. But what if we just enjoy now of our time here? And by enjoying, you can ask me anything you want to know" he continued smilling.
She nodded. "You're right. I mean, I thought we were meeting out here to talk a little business but we can enjoy too. You know what they say about all work and no pleasure....right?" She then handed him her glass with a smile, "I wouldn't mind a refill myself." "Ask me anything you want to know" resounded in her head. Oreste was professional and not a bad looking guy but she was here on a mission and not really looking. Throughout her time with him so far, she couldn't help but think that he was trying to get her to make her move to Crayter territory a permanent one. The way he spoke to her and his mannerisms were mild clues but nothing too definitive. But what could she ask him without raising suspicions? What could she ask that wasn't too personal?
She made it simple. "So what else should I know about Oreste Atreides? What makes him tick? What does he like or dislike? What does he desire in life besides success for his people?" She waited for his answer and her drink refill.
Commander Sarah Coyle
Commanding Officer, [MFE]Med Force Two
While refilling the glass, Oreste shrugged "I am a Crayterian. My nation comes first." returning the glass to Sarah he smilled "I order a new concot. Is something from the Earth that used to be. I think it was made in Europe, Eastern Europe. Is called pàlinka. Watch out is strong, even with taste enhancers and sweetners, the alcohol is around 38%."
Sitting back on his chair, he finished his drink and putting his glass down on the sand "What I like and dislike...I like days likes this spent in a good company, especially with people I care for. I like ancient History and helping people.... I like gardening and at the moment on New Athos there is a small garden with my name on. I am trying to move them here to Borneo. But what makes me tic, would be to continue the plans left behind by Paul, to create a place for the people, in the truest Family Tradition. And maybe setting down somewhere" continued blushing.
She maintained a soft smile while she nodded her understanding approval as to what made him tic. It was when he mentioned a garden that she thought of home. Yes, it sounded like a great thing.
"A garden," she replied in thought, "you would have loved Stuttgart in it prime. It's still a lush land in which to grow things but farmers suffered there after the government pulled the subsidies from them so as to finance their wars, first with Kusari and then Liberty. Not so much food now but blue jillies still do well." She sighed, "Only the most resilient farmers make it now with Synth Foods on the planet, an entity many despise of and besides, that paste stuff is so gross."
She smiled a bit brighter remembering her father's gardens. "Tomatoes, vegetables of all types and even an area for grapes. Rheinland wine isn't widely known but local growers do well. Yes, times were great."
She was enjoying her time know with Oreste and was warming up to him. It was at this point that the buzzer on her datapad went off. She sighed as she grabbed it, "Excuse me." Her face went long as she read the headline and her eyes welled up. "Oh God!" was all she could say when she read the headline.
Rheinland declares war on Kusari
She showed it to Oreste even if she knew there wouldn't be much sympathy from him. After all, he was living in a war himself. Maybe she just wanted comfort. As fate would have perfect timing, her drink arrived. She managed a weak smile, "Well...." She took a sip. "You were right about this. Very, very good."
Commander Sarah Coyle
Commanding Officer, [MFE]Med Force Two
"Another war? Why are they fighting?" he took his pad and check the Crayter News Service "Interesting. But curious. From what I know both Kusari and Rheinland enjoyed good trading relations after the 801 Turbulents. Makes no sense. But this may implicate Crayter also..... I have my worries"
Noticing her unease, he felt a hug would be needed but he thought that may seem a but weird. "Do you have anyone in Rheinland? The Republic may offer sanctuary if needed"
She just shook her head, her eyes welled up a bit but not crying. "I have no idea what it's all about this time." She gave a sigh and got to her feet and began staring out over the water. "I guess it frustrates me more when you figure that it was long, declared war that did a lot of the farmers in on Stuttgart. At least when I served the biggest problem that Stuttgart faced were the Hessians and the LWB, the latter of which I actually sympathized with."
She turned back to him, upset but controlled. "My parents are on Stuttgart but should be fine. If you want a good side to a war in Rheinland is that Stuttgart isn't much of a target being that it's remote as compared to the border of the Sigmas and Liberty space. For now, they will be fine."
She wasn't sure what to say as she turned back to him with a light smile. "I think you're doing pretty good thus far creating a place for the people but um.....you seem entirely too busy to be..." She made quotations with her fingers of both hands, "....settling down somewhere."
Commander Sarah Coyle
Commanding Officer, [MFE]Med Force Two
Smilling, Oreste couldn't stop looking at her "You know, there is a reason why my people fight?" he stand up and his scars seemed red "We fight for our Home. Not the one now, the one from the future. We fight for our right to settle down and live a normal life. That is what we are fighting for."
Grabbing Sarah by her hand, he dragged her towards the water and splash some on her "We fight for this, for the right to be happy, as I am now. Would you not think that is a good reason to keep fighting. And as for keeping myself busy" he said and plunged in the water, took a dive and he came out with a big oyster "I also like to offer the same happiness to those near me. Open it" he said with a smile "Don't worry if you see something burning " he said seeing her taking her time. "Come on"
"Why you little...." is all she got out before he dove into the water. The water was very refreshing and she rather enjoyed it. Her bathing suit was only somewhat wet and the droplets of water on her exposed, brown skin beaded up. When Oreste came up with the oyster, she giggled a little. For the moment, the reason the Crayter's fought wasn't on her forethought. Rather, she took a couple of steps toward Oreste, a cautious smile on her face and a slight cock to her head. She stopped but a few inches from him to accept the oyster.
"We have these on Baden Baden but not this big," she replied. She gave a chuckle, "Dad used to bring them home on occasion for dinner. I still think oysters-on-the-halfshell are gross."
Per his request, she began to open it, not having a clue as to what was inside.
Commander Sarah Coyle
Commanding Officer, [MFE]Med Force Two