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Theodor Wilhelm Falk von und zu Sittlingen
Theodor Wilhelm Falk von und zu Sittlingen | |
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Profile | |
Origin | Rheinland |
Affiliation | Rheinland Military |
Rank | Vizeadmiral |
Born | 796 A.S. |
Died | Still alive |
History
Being born into one of New Berlin's noble families Theodor had a very sheltered childhood. There was nothing he did not have except one thing - his parents. Mostly raised by his numerous nannies he neither developed a bond to his father nor to his mother. His feelings towards them can be described as respectful at best. A respect that was hammered into him by his father. At all the banquets he had to attend it was always the same - his father presenting him to the rest of the nobility, he always had to reel off phrases like "Ja mein edler Herr" and "Of course werte Dame" to show what a well-behaved child he was. Being nothing more but a doll his old man used to impress people with, the outcome when he hit puberty was inevitable. Only 16 years old by that time, he started to stay out the whole night, disobeying his parents. Soon his reputation changed from the well-behaved boy to the party animal throwing out more money at one night than the average worker earns in a month. And that money attracted women - many of them and of all varieties - and Theodor was not reluctant to get as many of them into bed as possible, much to the discomfort of his parents. His father, seeing enough damage done to his reputation, finally decided that after all the failed attempts to righten his son's behaviour there was only one way left. When Theodor woke up on the day after his 18th birthday, having a massive hangover from the party last night, his father already sat on a chair next to his bed. He sighed an then told his son with a stern face that he had enlisted him into the New Berlin Militärakademie. Theodor was outraged but there was no way out, the next morning two members of the Militärpolizei came for him.
Early Military Service
His new life at the academy was horrible at first, no way to sneak out at night, no women - atleast none he found attractive enough - and a thoroughly organized day. He had no choice but to adapt to the rules. Having passed basic training, with some help of his father's influence calming some of the more strict instructors of course, his situation got better - he even started to like it being in the military. The major reasons for that were the location of the base he was stationed - far away from home, were his father could not bother him, and of course the uniform - the ladies love that uniform.
Climbing the ladder up to the higher ranks was nothing Theodor was ever concerned about, let alone one of his aims in his military service. However, his father took care that he reaches a fitting rank for a noble soon enough.
His attitude hadn't really changed. Theodor still loved the excessive party live and the women. His service in the military primarily aimed at keeping his father out of his way and not a feeling of duty for the Vaterland. This also explained his behaviour during his assignments in space - his main goal was not getting shot at - "he can not afford to bruise that pretty face of him, can he? Image what the ladies would say!" - Atleast that is what he told his Kameraden. But in general he had learned to keep in line and not cause too much trouble, mainly because he didn't want his father to axe his funds and a night on penal duty is a night he could not go out after all.
A Change of Mind
Having served in the Military for quite some time, and being promoted to a rank that requires him to command other soldiers, his attitude towards military duty changed - for the better, as many of his Kameraden would say. He saw people fighting and dying alongside him, carrying out his orders no matter the circumstances. This kind of discipline and commitment deeply impressed him. He began to realize that it is his responsibility if the men under his command live or die and so he took his duty much more seriously. The spoiled child finally found a place where he belonged, finally found people who he cared for and who he trusted. This change was also recognized by his Kameraden and slowly the moans when they read "von Sittlingen" in the "Commanding Officer" column on their patrol schedules silenced.
This was also recognised by his superiors - Theodor was promoted to Hauptmann at the age of 20 after extended service as a Leutnant and served in the Mid Command since. During his service as a Hauptmann he developed a strong sense of comradeship to some of the other officers in the Rheinwehr, based on mutual respect. Among those officers were, just as an example, Leutnant Austerlitz, Hauptmann Hermann and Major - later Admiral - Landers, as well as the Admirals Meyer and Weissman. When asked whom he respected the most his answer came quickly and without hesitation - "I would pilot a Wraith blindfolded and with one hand only - if it's Landers who's giving me the directions." Yes, Theodor deeply admired Joachim Landers, who he considered not only a comrade but a friend. He would often tell the new Rekruten under his command of his exploits with Joachim on the frontlines and how often his ass was hauled back to the safety of the Vaterland by the Major. This made the decision at the end of his regular service time all the harder...
After two years of service Theodor, after a long period of consideration, dropped out of the Rheinwehr and began a civilian life on Planet Neu Berlin as an accountant for a Daumann Heavy Construction subsidiary.
Life as a Civilian
Civilian life started out very comforting for Theodor. As an accountant all he had to care about were numbers and paperwork, which led to a resurgence of his old habits - drinking and partying, mostly. He looked back on his service in the Rheinwehr with a weeping eye, but seemed content with his new life otherwise. His proficiency in the new job can be described as mediocre at best. He hated paperwork as much now as he did back during his service time in the Rheinwehr, but the circumstance that it wasn't necessary to cut back on his habits was a fair trade-off, at least in Theodor's opinion. The biggest impact, however, was when he met Marie Blücher, a secretary working for the same subsidiary he was employed at. After dating for quite some time it looked like Theodor had found the first lasting and stable relationship. He even thought about proposing to Marie. His love for her made forgetting his life as a soldier much easier and soon even the rare occasions (mostly after hours of hangover-impaired paperwork sessions) where he wished to be back inside the cockpit of a Wraith vanished.
However, Theodor's joy wasn't meant to last. He caught Marie cheating on him when he got to her place one hour earlier than arranged one day. Needless to say - he was furious and after nearly beating the other man out of Marie's apartment a vicious argument broke out between the two, resulting in many cruel things being said that ultimately led to the breakup of the two.
Theodor, after the breakup, resorted on heavily drinking for quite some time before he made another important decision that should, again, drastically change his life. One day at the office, working his way through dull paperwork with a massive hangover, he decided it is time to finally put Marie, and everything connected to her, behind him. Naturally, having to see her nearly every day at work, this included his job as an accountant as well. Theodor quit the same day and began to spend the rest of the week at home before showing up in the door frame of the recruitment office. "Name, age, preferred unit," the recruitment officer asked with slight signs of boredom, to which Theodor only replied: "Returning to active duty, you already have a file on me."
Reinstatement into the Rheinwehr
Ater having been reinstated as a Leutnant, Theodor was mostly busy with taking care of the new Rekruten. Having an officer with experience on both the Libertonian as well as as the homefront proved to be valuable in familiarising them with their duties, and preparing them for the dangers that lurked in Rheinland space and it's bordering systems. Being a steady presence on the field, Theo's actions were recognised by his superiors, especially by Admiral Weissman himself, who was on the lookout for suitable candidates for the General Staff.
At the age of 23 he was promoted to Major and took his new position in the High Command as Weissman's personal assistant, much to his own discomfort. However, he tries to fulfill his duties to the best of his abilities up to this day, even though some of his methods are not exactly conventional.
Current Objectives:
- Doing Admiral Weissman's paperwork
- Supporting the High Command as best as possible
- Showing field presence both inside the Vaterland as well as on the Libertonian front
- Accustoming the men under his command to their duties and make sure they don't bite the dust
- Acting as a liaison between the High Command and the Reaver Mercenary Company
- Managing diplomatic Relations between the High Command and other parties
- Trying not to go crazy due to his lack of sleep
- Getting on the good side of a certain someone
Off-Duty Occupations
- His dog (a German shepherd named Beißer)
- Theatre and opera
- Enjoying a drink (moderately these days and never on duty)
- Partying (occasionally)
- Collecting art:
Albert Bierstadt, 'In the Sierra Nevada' Caspar David Friedrich, 'Wanderer im Nebelmeer' Caspar David Friedrich, 'Eismeer' Johann Mechter, 'Stuttgart's Spirit' Gerhard Erben, 'Vaterland' Fritz Schaper, 'The First Chancellor' Herbert Specht, 'Neu Berlin Untouched'
- Music (he plays piano himself):
Edvard Grieg, 'Ensom Vandrer' Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, 'Minnie the Moocher' PAKT, 'Angriff' Rheinland House Anthem, 'Die Wacht am Rhein'
Ships
[RM]Va.Theo.Sittlingen Wraith [RM]-Va.T.Sittlingen Bergelmir [RM-RNC]Einherjar Rheinland Gunboat [RM-RNC]Altenau Rheinland Cruiser (shared) RCY-Iserlohn Democritus Theodor.von.Sittlingen Tiger Shark |
Personal Political Views
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Others on Sittlingen
"I know the Major since he was a Gefreiter under my command. Warfare and time turned him into a reliable, honorable and great military leader, no doubt. He should be an example before every soldier and citizen."
- - Joachim Landers
"The harsh sound of his black, polished leather boots on the cold floor, as he was stepping into our bar, made my ears hurt. Always knowing, that the butt of this brainwashed degenerated lapdog, will be mine, I hereby toast on his demise."
- - Klaas Klever
"Sittlingen? Oh Kanzler beware, he made me spend more hours cleaning damn toilets than actually flying a Wraith."
- - Albrecht 'Slick' Fuchs
"I'll never forget my first undesirably meeting with Sittlingen during my first weeks as Flieger. It happened, when I was called to his office, after I got cought, having a drunken bet on duty, with a pilot of the Rheinländische Volksfrontpartei. It was the penetrating expression of his eyes what made my heart-beat stop, and the way he talked in a slow manner, as if I'd be his unwanted daughter. I feared him. However, as long as you don't trouble him, he can be a nice person, too. I bet he is off-duty... maybe. Don't ask me, I'm afraid my attitude will never let me know the truth."
- - Sarah Simone Braun