A Wilde-eyed surprise

[Slavik]

Two shots came from the cockpit waking Tobias from his brief snooze. He fell from his seat as the shuttle banked sharply to the left. Vizeadmiral Gerber was still in his seat strapped in and seemingly unconscious but the seat of Major Müller was empty. Looking out the windows he saw two wraiths taking on the two escort fighters. Purple blobs instead of green shots coming from the guns.

The leutnant instinctively took his firearm out from the holster and made his way towards the cockpit. The door was locked but the lock was easily bypassable. Tobias entered the cockpit, gun drawn. The cockpit window had blood splatters all over it. The bodies of both pilots lay on the floor next to their chairs. One of the chairs turned slowly, Müller was in it, his eyes glowing bright purple, mesmerizing the leutnant. Muller grabbed Tobias by the throat, lifted him up and smashed him into the wall.

Tobias woke up strapped to his chair with his head restrained. He felt the shuttle slowly touching down on a landing pad. All of a sudden Vizeadmiral Gerber was infront of him. “Ah, so Müller left you alive, I guess we have uses for you” Gerber said in an eerie tone whilst his eyes started to glow the same purple he saw coming from Müller earlier.

Tobias attempted to fight it but the vizeadmiral forced his mouth open. He felt something entering his mouth and slowly working its way through the esophagus and disappearing downward into his Body. “You’ll thank me for this some day Tobias. You’ve done good work for me, now you will do good work us for ”. Gerber Exited the shuttle and barked some orders to several men who were wearing what looked like Military outfits.

The entire shuttle was scrapped within record time, as if it was a pack of Junkers taking apart a ship that was meant to disappear. The entire Ragnar ended up in stacks of parts waiting for resmelting or reusage Tobias however, was still in his chair amongst the various parts that had not been removed yet. Strapped down and incapable of making any movements. He started hearing voices in his head and saw recollections of memories, things he had never experienced. The memories were so vivid, so bright they felt as if he was there. His body tingled, muscles cramped as he felt he was losing control.

He continued to fade in and out of consciousness, losing track of time as control over his body and mind slowly slipped away. He fell to the floor of what used to be a Ragnar transport, someone had cut him loose. “Get yourself together, the inquisitor wants to speak to you!” A female voice said, loud and clear.” Two broad shouldered men picked Tobias, their marine uniforms spotless with the correct markings and emblems but he could not recognise their unit markings. They dragged him through several hallways and into a dark room. Forcefully putting him into a chair but not putting putting any restraints on him.

After a few minutes the door opened up again a lady walked in. She wore what looked like an officer's uniform. Regulations would not have allowed her to wear it as she was, with a barret on sideways and high heels Tobias thought to himself. She asked questions and Tobias answered. His mind told him not to answer, but his body did, every single question she asked he answered. He knew he lost control of his body, as if someone else was in charge of him now.

She stood up and took out what looked like a communicator tablet. “He’s ready herr Wesen, his infection is almost complete and his training will make him a valuable addition to the fleet.

MND Dossier on Tobias Faber Missing in action under suspicious circumstances.


MND file OXLP-24839
MND main registry number: 67O567232B
Subjects name: Oberleutnant Tobias Faber
Subjects date of birth: 6.April 793 AS
Subjects place of residence: Planet New Berlin; Berlin city - Goslar district;
Subjects place of birth: Planet New Berlin; Berlin city - Goslar district;
Subjects employment: Oberleutnant, Rheinland Military
Subjects date of disappearance: 5 July 818 AS
Subjects last known location: Enroute to Battleship Altenburg onboard of a fleet shuttle
Subjects whereabouts: MIA, Dresden system; Personnel transport went missing with all hands ->Search attempts and investigation of logged flight orders resulted nothing., no further efforts necessary

Personal log entry 12th of August 814
I’ve survived the first phase of the academy and I’m now a Fähnrich. Even got my qualification to fly a Wraith! Only a few more months of training and I’ll hopefully get my first commision. Had a talk with one of the training officers, chances are very slim that I’ll get picked for a wraith squadron.

Personal log entry 2nd of January 815
I’ve been commissioned to serve as a communications officer aboard the Cruiser Breslau. Time to pack up as I’m expected to be onboard by tomorrow.

Personal log entry 4th of April 815
Saw my first action today, our flottilla hit a supposed construction site of a new Hessian base in Stuttgart. The CIC was buzzing with activity and it was hard to keep track of all open channels. Unfortunately we lost one of our flottila gunboats, most of the men onboard didn’t make it.

Personal log entry 17th of July 815
We had a visit from the Fleet admiral this afternoon the entire ship was sparkling. I’ve never seen it so clean. The entire bridge crew including myself were decorated for bravery. Apparently it had something to do with that hunt for the Base construction site in Stuttgart.

Promotion orders 2nd of December 815
Soldaten,
We are glad to announce the promotion of Fähnrich Tobias Faber to Oberfähnrich
The Admiralty thinks that you deserve this promotion, Fähnrich Keep the good work up
-Rheinland Military; Admirality

Personal log Entry 3nd of December 815
It seems we’re going out to celebrate my promotion. First time shoreleave in ages and apparently I’m paying for the drinks.

Personal log Entry 4th of May 816
I’ve just heard that they want me to qualify for Bergelmir piloting. Seems I’ll be going back on training in two weeks. Well Hopefully they will give me a flying job after this.

Personal log Entry 8th of August 816
Well I’ve certified for Bergelmir flying. Seems they’re shipping me back to the flotilla for a while. I’ve heard they are reinstating a Bomber squadron soon and I’ve already been tagged as a pilot.

Personal log Entry 4th of Oktober 816
I’ve just heard I’ll be flying with the Jagdbombergeschwader 313 on the Battleship Regensburg. Odd that they’ll let an Oberfähnrich fly a bomber in a commisioned squadron.

Promotion orders 6th of Oktober 816
Soldaten,
We are glad to announce the promotion of Oberfähnrich Tobias Faber to Leutnant
The Admiralty thinks that you deserve this promotion, Leutnant. Keep the good work up
-Rheinland Military; Admirality

Personal log Entry 7th of Oktober 816
I’ve just been commisisoned as a Leutnant! Time to celebrate with my crewmates in the messhall. I’m shipping to the Regensburg tomorrow!

Personal log Entry 2th of November 816
I’ve had to hit the ground running here on the Regensburg. No time to settle in at all. Been flying patrols almost daily the last month.

Personal log Entry 29th of November 816
Got my first real “kill” today, we ran into a Transport filled with artifacts whilst on a routine patrol. The thing just didn’t want to stop and even forced one of my wingmates to use his escape pod. We took it out good. Opened up the entire bridge section.

Personal log Entry 3rd of February 817
What a day! We finished a routine patrol and did not encounter anything at all, 2 hours later the entire squadron had to scramble. A number of corsair capital ships, with full fighter cover. We lost half of the bomber wing to their fighters before our own wraith squadrons were able to take them out. I was credited with taking out a gunboat and supporting with the taking out of a cruiser. I’m just glad to be alive. Seems the boys are going out for a beer, I better hurry up and join them.

Transfer recommendations Major von Klomp, jagdbombergeschwader 313 2nd of March 817
Whilst Leutnant Faber is a good pilot he’s not the best. His leadership skills are remarkable but can not develop in a cockpit. He would make a great Adjudant for any commanding officer and in due time he would be fit to command himself.

Transfer orders 7th of April 817
Leutnant Faber will serve as adjutant to Vizeadmiral Gerber aboard the Battleship Schwerin. He is to report to the ship before 7th of March 817


Personal log Entry 24rd of March 817
I’m moving to the Schwerin today, seems they want me to become the adjutant of Kapitän Gerber. Not what I had expected when I joined the Military, seems they don’t want me to fly.

Personal log entry 15th of July 817
I’ve settled in nicely, this position of Adjutant is not even that bad. I get to meet a lot of commanding officers, sit in during meetings with all the fleet captains. I hope to someday command my own cruiser or bigger.

Promotion orders 16th of Oktober 817
Soldaten,
We are glad to announce the promotion of Leutnant Tobias Faber to Oberleutnant
The Admiralty thinks that you deserve this promotion, Leutnant. Keep the good work up
-Rheinland Military; Admirality

Personal log entry 21th of Oktober 817
I’ve been promoted again, a slight payraise but no new tasks on the horizon for the time being. The Kapitain took me out for dinner during our last visit to New Berlin. Seems he has taken a liking for my work. Its good to be appreciated.

Personal log entry 14th of December 817
Just got back from a 2 month leave, met a lovely girl in a club. Already miss her. Can’t wait for my next shoreleave.

Personal log entry 3rd of February 818
The Vizeadmiral and me are on shuttles between Berlin, the Schwerin and the Altenburg twice a month. Seems the admirality is preparing a push against the Hessians in the area but most of the negotiations are classified, they won’t let us adjutants sit in on those.

Personal log entry 29th of June 818
A long shuttle ride tomorrow, have to go to New Berlin again, no chance to cuddle up with the Fräulein thought. We’re on a strict schedule, 3 more days and I’ve got a weekend shoreleave. Can’t wait!

Shuttle S543 flightplan 5th of July 818.
Planet New Berlin to Battleship Schwerin via the Altenburg

Passenger list:
Vizeadmiral Gerber, Battleship Schwerin
Oberleutnant Farber, adjutant of Vizeadmiral Gerber
Major Müller, Flight officer Battleship Altenburg

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There used to be pictures here

once known as Richard Farbridge, OBE and Ronaldo Benitez