798 A.S.
Stuttgart System
Planet Stuttgart
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"Hey there, how's my nephew doing?"
"I'm fine, Uncle Hektor."
"Just fine? Pah. You should be better than fine, you don't have anything to worry about now do you?"
"Grandmother tells me to worry about you when you go out flying."
"She would do that, yes. I'm completely safe out there, you don't need to worry about me, no matter what my mother tells you."
"Okay. Is it fun up there?"
"Best part of the job."
"I can't wait until I'm old enough to smash Hessians and Unioners like you do."
"Don't you have simulators?"
"Yeah, but I bet that has nothing on the real thing."
"There's something magical about space, I'll give you that. Some freedom you can't get on land, where the rules are your own, and nothing can bind you but yourself."
Hektor sighed.
"Run along now, dinner is almost ready. If you behave I have a nice present for you after we're done eating, alright?"
"Cool! Thank you!"
Klaus hugged his uncle and dashed off, leaving Hektor alone to think for a few minutes before the smell of real food pulled him to the table to enjoy a family meal.
799 A.S.
Stuttgart System
Battleship Jormungund
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Dear Mother:
I'm sorry for not writing more often, but we've been very busy lately with all the new recruits. I can't recognize half of the crew of the Ol' Worm anymore; we've just gotten so many new people and ships. I hear that ship production went up 300% last month, and the same the month before that; I don't know what's going on, but there's plenty of work to do. My request for another secretary to help me with the paperwork came through, so I might get real sleep sometime soon. Don't worry, I'll manage. They can't send me too much more, since at this rate Rheinland will run out of resources within three years- High Command even commissioned another two battleships just last week! As crazy as it sounds, I'm sure they know what they're doing. They wouldn't be Admirals if they didn't, would they?
Send my regards to Sebastian, Sophia, and Klaus. If I remember correctly, Sophia is due for another little one within the month. If you can send me a date then I'll try to cash in my leave time then.
799 A.S.
Stuttgart System
Planet Stuttgart
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"It's so nice to have you here. We don't get to see you often enough, Hektor."
"I know. Things have been very busy- bah, what am I doing talking about work. I'm here now on this happy occasion, and that's what matters. How is everyone doing?"
"We've been holding up alright. Market's going berserk with all this industrial activity, but our broker is keeping tabs on things. You probably won't believe this, but Sebastian actually got a raise from Daumann! Oh, don't give me that face. They gave him a temporary promotion until all of this production slows down again."
"Well, it will be good while it lasts. Say, where is he right now?"
"He's out picking up Klaus from school. They should be back soon. Well, speak of the devil..."
"Mom! We're home!"
"Hey Klaus! I've got a surprise for you."
"Hey little guy- well, not so little anymore are you?"
"Hektor!"
"Oof... no need to knock me down, I get plenty of fighting out in space."
"Klaus, give your uncle his leg back and help me get you all something to eat."
"Thank you, Sophia. Sebastian, good to see you. How have you been?"
"I never thought I'd appreciate paperwork, but it sure does beat staring at dials inside of a radioactive sulfur cloud. Plus, it means I actually get days off."
"Days off... never thought I'd appreciate them so much either. Any idea what's been going on?"
"No idea, but it means I'm getting paid more. I'll let the politicians figure it out. Say, did you hear they arrested a group of protesters against all this warship construction? The Bundschuh Party paid for all their lawyers- bless their hearts- but it doesn't look like a trial is getting set up."
"That's disquieting."
"No kidding-"
"Food's ready!"
"Hey- watch yourself, alright?"
"I'll be careful. Real food... another thing I never thought I'd appreciate so much."
"Thank Klaus, he did most of it."
"Thank you. So, how's school?"
"We're studying the Eighty-Years-War in history. It's really cool! The Kriegsmarine really beat up the GMG most of the time."
"Umm... you do know that we lost the war, right?"
"Yeah, but I can't figure out why, considering how much better the books say our ships and pilots were."
Hektor and Sebastian exchanged glances, but Sophia quickly changed the subject.
"Aren't you also working on a project for astronomy?"
"Oh yeah! There's this really cool nebula over in..."
"You got Klaus off to bed without issue?"
"Barely. I get less rap from my boss than from him sometimes."
"You think he really believes all of that propaganda they teach him in school?"
"I hope not. I try to pull him back into reality when Sophia is out of earshot."
"Good. Healthy grasp on reality is far safer than any amount of re-assurances in my experience. Being overconfident gets you killed. Self esteem is one thing, but... you won't let him think any of us are infallible, will you?"
"Not planning on it."
"Thank you."
"Well, I should let you get some sleep. You've certainly earned it."
"See you in the morning."
"Good night."
As Hektor tried to will himself to sleep, his mind wandered back to the strange military buildup and massive industrial overhaul taking place. He couldn't shake the thought from his mind that this might be the last time he would be able to spend a few blissful hours with his family.
800 A.S.
Stuttgart System
Battleship Jormungund
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"Sir!"
"Yes, ensign?"
"Are you Hektor Schneider, sir?"
"Yes. Any particular reason you didn't address me by rank-"
"Colonel wants to see you sir. Sooner rather than later."
"Umm... you have an order for that?"
"Came right from him sir."
"Sure you did. You're new here, aren't you?"
"Yessir."
"Where'd you get through training? I can't imagine-"
"Colonel said it was urgent sir."
"Hmph. Where is he?"
"The brig, sir."
"Why?"
"Colonel just said he wanted to see you."
"Right. I'll deal with you later. And fix your uniform! Mein Gott, who are you- where'd you go? Dammit."
Hektor spat and turned toward the brig. The guards let him through without question, but the warden was not at his post. Hektor turned to tell the guards, but they had shut the door behind him and locked it. He tried calling through, but they did not respond. Cursing under his breath, Hektor turned and began checking rooms. Down the hall he found a door that opened, and found himself in a room with Colonel Baer and a pair of guards.
"Ah! Hektor, I presume?"
"Yes sir, but what's-"
"Please sit down. You'll know soon enough. Oh, don't give me that look, there's a perfectly legitimate reason for this. Sit."
Hektor sat in the chair across from the Colonel, and noted that the guards had closed and locked the door behind him.
"Now, as I understand, you're quite an ace out there."
"Forty-five kills, sir."
"Quite good... your record is impeccable, and you are a fine heir to your family's military history."
"Thank you sir."
"Perfect for a... special assignment we have."
"Permission to speak freely, sir?"
"Granted."
"I can't help but notice that this ship has been falling apart in the past few weeks. People getting re-assigned suddenly, and several new recruits that clearly never went through any sort of training. Parts of the ship seem to be a world of their own, and wherever did the warden go? This whole place reeks of foul play, or I haven't seen any. I'd like an explanation, sir."
"You will get it, soon enough. Although I can't guarantee you'll appreciate how you'll get it... GUARDS!"
"What the-"
Hektor jumped to his feet as the Colonel's eyes glowed violet. He reached for his sidearm and turned around in time to see one of the guards aiming a punch for his head. Hektor ducked and shot the man in the leg, following with an elbow to the ribs. As the first guard crumpled to the floor, the other grabbed Hektor's arms and held him firm, with strength far greater than he could have expected. The Colonel grabbed Hektor's sidearm, and injected something into his arm. Hektor felt limp, and soon he had been hooked into a strange machine in the back of the room that he could have sworn wasn't there before. With growing horror, Hektor watched helplessly as something blue and squid-like emerged from the Colonel's mouth. He heard himself scream, felt another needle poke into his arm, and then all went black.