Manneligs appearance was heralded by the sound of his footsteps once again.
I see you've woken up Professor. Follow me to the hangars, today we're visiting one of the military schools. Not sure that is your business but it is an integral part of young peoples life.
He threw the professor a worn flight suit and showed him a cabin to change his clothes.
D-R-09 Vogtland Station, Dresden
3/16/825 AS, 17:38 Always was a thrill coming back to Vogtland, jogging my bad memories and the tiny bit of good ones. At this point, even thinking about the bad memories took off the stress that had accumulated in the past few weeks. It was strange, my conscience had really been working its way back into my brain since I saw my son again, I hesitated to make the call to strike the Gwent, it gives off the impression of a bit of weakness, but I think at this point everyone understands and trusts me enough.
I don't think I was the only one either, it took us all a while to decide on a move, we knew it would likely be bad - but we simply couldn't let our only path to neutrality, and our fellow supporters vanish at the tyrannical desperation of those they sought independence from in the first place. It was a mess, everyone knew it, I knew it, I had never been needed in space for years - which meant the situation at the Kassel was really bad. After all this time I thought someone would surpass me, someone would be able to fly better. But maybe I guess I really was that once in a million year case, and I needed to prove it again.
But first there was some junk I needed to get out the air, and it seemed like my only chance at doing so effectively was still residing among us on Vogtland. The university professor was likely the only thing that could prevent total war for a lifetime. I arrived in the district where he resided, it was strange, I remembered being looked at like another face in the crowed. Shoved around, some perverts eyeing me down, others looking for a fight. Now though, I had a full detail of guards clearing the way, and some people waving flags, it should've made me angry, but it didn't. sidewalk was open with the entrance to the Army-Owned tenement where the Professor was staying. Sort of like a typical apartment getup, only well - connected to a bunch of others.
He's still here General, he's been informed of your arrival. He's a bit weary, but I suppose it could've been worse.
We're moving to a more secure location, have your men help him pack his things.
Shall I inform him of a destination?
No.
Understood, General.
I felt like I was about to step through the ground or something, this felt so weird.
I stood outside, waiting with my arms folded and about a dozen guards between me and the shuttle keeping people back and surveying the area to ensure there weren't any assassins. I was about ready to fall asleep, only the sound of officers coming in and out giving me sit-reps kept me remotely awake. I must've looked like a wreck even in my uniform, I hadn't slept in days, eating nutrient blocks to keep my physique up, my hair was sweaty and bits of it dangled over my forehead as I tried to close my eyes for a few minutes until...
A rather distressed Alfred Steiner came out of the building arguing with the guards, clutching a large book and wielding it almost as a weapon. His cracked spectacles a result of a recent disagreement with a guard, yet they did not distract him from making plain his thoughts I really must protest! This couldn't have come at a more inconvenient time, I was scheduled to...What are you doing? Leave that alone! The guard ignored the Professor while an officer attempted to explain the reason for the sudden move.
I understand perfectly, I understand that your men have an irritating habit of breaking things whenever the come visit and now I'm being told I have to move?! I've stayed here for months, I've obeyed every rule and regulation including the random room inspections which leave my home upside down. Now what? I'm taking a trip to the air lock due to some Bretonian treachery I have nothing to do with? Rubbish. At least do me the courtesy of telling me of who ordered this move and why!
D-R-09 Vogtland Station, Dresden
3/16/825 AS, 17:50 He was scared, angry, and likely to stack on more stress. I should've stood up forward, shoulders back, but instead I just kept there leaning against the side frame; only putting my head up. I decided a commanding tone would only scare him a bit more, so I spoke a bit casually, well, I think to most that know me - it's casual. The guard stood in front of him, turned around and eyed me so he could see.
No one's going to kill you, professor. We're not unworldly savages, we're moving you for now to make sure you don't get killed, something's happened recently; and if anything happens to you - the blame will fall on me and our image. So, for now, I need you to trust me, you'll be allowed back once things have calmed down. Does that sound better?
I didn't hold back my accent, I thought maybe the Bretonian would make me appear a bit more trustworthy. His mouth went shut once he turned and heard me spoke.
415? The guard muttered to me.
Yes, and tell them to checkup on my ship.
Understood, General.
I stood up now, giving hand signals to the guards and taking a bit of the Professors luggage. He gave me an astonished look, maybe because the luggage was a bit heavy, and I picked it up so easily - I couldn't tell either way. I turned back, looking at him again.
Come along now, it won't be a very long ride I assure you.
The Professor was indeed astonished, astonished that Heinrich herself had ordered the move and even more so now that she was helping. Lady Heinrich, you have my apologies. he said calming down considerably and taking care to speak in the politest possible tone and using his most formal Rheinlandic to carefully construct his sentences I beg leave to ask, where are we going and why? My research, which you so graciously allowed me to work on, is very nearly finished, I was not aware your ladyship remembered that I was here. But, if I might be so bold as to ask, what has happened? While I appreciate your concern, I must insist you take care of your own first, especially the children.
He worried that recent diplomatic changes made him a target or worse, an enemy. His name, as he understood it, suddenly became far more powerful in the realm of Bretonia, something he detested but it was a fact none the less. Now he worried that something may have happened that he would ultimately be responsible for.
D-R-09 Vogtland Station, Dresden
3/16/825 AS, 17:55 Isaak ran through my mind, and for the first time in a long time I felt no need for secrecy on the topic. He was well hidden, and perhaps if some new I was a mother, maybe it would help my cases in the future.
The children are in better care than they've ever been, and it will only continue to improve. As a both a mother and a leader, I know.
No turning back now, people could search to the end of the world, they'd never come by him. No one else seemed astonished, my guard was already aware, along with a few others in the Army.
Disembarking The shuttle shifted off the ground and away. Our seats shook for just a second before I began to let off the bad news.
Professor I had to make a very difficult choice recently that would either cost the lives of my allies or Bretonian lives. Bretonia has been a great benefactor for us, but I couldn't have the Army turn it's back on people who are our own. The H.M.S-Gwent was destroyed recently, on my order in an attempt to stop an attack against our allies. That didn't quite turn out the be the case however. I looked away, outside the window for a moment before looking back.
It's only gotten worse, and while my obligation dictates that I must continue to support my allies. I can't simply walk over the Bretonians and leave them in the dark, they've got the wrong impression on our involvement. Say what you will, but I had to make a choice.
I turned back and looked out the window again, taking in the view of all the skyscrapers as the shuttle gunned for the hangarbay.
We're going somewhere the world doesn't know of, and neither will you. Don't take that the wrong way, you'll be fine, it's just that you'll have no idea where we'll be, and that's how it's intended.
A wave of sadness crossed over him, he served on the Gwent when she had her fateful battle with the Embrun and while it had not be the proud vessel he had served on for quite some time, it was a ship he remembered fondly. The Gwent was my home for many years when I was younger. It is a shame to hear of it's demise. A terrible choice. He struggled to suppress a feeling of anger that was born of the news, but in the end, he managed it. Lashing out would not bring the Gwent back, now at least, that proud ship was frozen in his memories. Perhaps, he reasoned, it was better that the Gwent died in fire, rather than struggle on as the husk it had become. That did not take away the feeling of loss, but he knew that above all else, Edmund would be furious.
Alfred was so caught up on hearing of the Gwent that he barely registered the other things Heinrich had said, namely that she was a mother. Once the shroud of emotion receded, his face took on a look of surprise and confusion You..have a child? He did not mean to come across as insolent but he was so surprised that someone had managed to get that emotionally close to the General Major that he couldn't help but blurt it out Apologies my lady, I don't mean to sound disrespectful it is that...well, I am surprised. What with running the whole Hessian movement, I did not think you'd have time to care for a babe as well. Again, he was so caught up on the fact that she had ordered the Gwent's destruction and her announcement that she was a mother that he failed to realize that she was taking him somewhere.
Lines of thought quickly marred his face as he took in everything she said in an attempt to figure out where they were going, or if nothing else, why they were going wherever it was. He removed his glasses as he took a moment to consider: She had duely informed him of the Gwent's destruction, an act that would no doubt seriously anger Bretonia, particularly if there had been an agreement. Edmund would no doubt be on the war path more than ever now. She had also informed him of being a mother, typically for someone in her position it would be a deeply personal secret. The Hessians had many enemies, a child would be a serious weak-point if it was ever discovered. Thus in order to keep it hidden, few people would ever know. Yet she told him, which made him, by extension, a target. Now they were going somewhere secret, somewhere he wouldn't know where they were. Perhaps, he wondered, this was to prevent him from attempting escape. He chuckled at the thought internally, he was far too old to put up a fight, especially against the much younger and better trained Hessian Guards.
Instead, he sat back. He actively decided not to worry about it. Whatever came next, he would take it as it came, as was his philosophy in General. Well... he said looking at her with a warm smile I don't suppose there's a chance of a cup of tea where we're going is there?
D-R-09 Vogtland Station, Dresden
3/16/825 AS, 18:00 Well that went better then expected, I thought for certain I'd hear a long lecture ending with "god save the queen". Maybe he was still a bit scared, maybe not, didn't matter either way. There was no going back on the decision, and while a part of me regretted it, another part of me felt quite the opposite. I decided to carry on, better he heard the details from someone other than myself if at all possible.
Oh I'm sure it would come as a shock to many -that I'm a parent-, but we're people too, you know. We have families, loved ones among our friends that we fight to protect as much as we fight for a cause. As for the tea, well, I'm sure there might be some in stock.
Yeaaaa he was gonna tell everyone, nothing to fear though, I had thought it over for some time. I would never even think of publicizing Isaak's name or location, but perhaps my case would help draw in more that could relate to me.
Clearing Vogtland in T-minus 90 seconds. The Bulkheads shut as I was about to begin my sentence, the professor looked a bit nervous for a moment.
I think you'll find the place we're going to most relaxing, do be sure NOT to step outside though. I'm sure you're tougher than you look but even the strongest people can't survive outside where we're going... Another thing by the way, when we get there, there's something I need to discuss with you. We're obviously in a very open conflict right now to an extent, if you wish to leave and be with your own. You will be returned safely, so for now. Do you wish to stay? Or leave?
I leaned back, keeping my head up trying to sleep with my eyes open between statements. I really REALLY needed some sleep before my trip to Kassel.
My dear, I am not in the habit of leaving a task half finished. He said, rather unhappy at the implication he was afraid, which he was but he still had a duty. You have my apologies for my inconvenience in being here but I shall be staying for the time being if that's quite alright. But.. he began, producing his pipe at the same time and stuffing it I cannot fathom why you would need me, moral support is about the best I can do in circumstances like yours. While I'm happy to give it, I'm no tactician and I ask, what is it you want with me? He was about to light his pipe when he quickly added if indeed there is something you want and I haven't misinterpreted this trip as being a request for help where it is in fact a simple scenic flight. He thought he'd better make it clear that he had no illusions about his lack of importance, just to be on the safe side. He wondered how many people ended their lives shorter than expected because of ego or arrogance. Whatever the figure, Alfred did not intend to be among that statistic
D-R-09 Vogtland Station, Dresden
3/16/825 AS, 18:02 Now it was time to find out.
Professor I may just be guessing and happen to be correct, but are you related to a certain Admiral Edmund Steiner? You said you served previously and records indicate you're not the only one in your family. So I must inquire, you may be of more use to both of us than you think right now. I have to make a statement soon, and depending on the response I may need your help convincing your people that our involvement is not what they think it is.
He seemed to get a grip on where it was going, now he knew. I kept my eyes fixed on him for the time being, waiting for him to look back.
Professor if my word does no good, which is entirely possible, then the only thing standing between our people being at each other's throats for an eternity is your word.
I sounded like a therapist or something, charming, but with a purpose.
If you're not related and I'm wrong then this process becomes much faster and we will have you back at your apartment very soon as you were. But if I'm right... I need your help.