Reich Marshal of the Belkan Reich

RM Vol 3: For a World without Boundary – Chapter 59-3: Happenstances elsewhere (Part 3)

Moscow. It's a famous city for its immense historical heritage and colorful architecture. As the premier capital of Communism in a world otherwise dominated by Imperialism and Capitalism, the city has weathered many events. The results of those can still be felt and seen whenever one walks down the street of the Red Capital. The heart of Rusviet is also well-known for its vibrant society, with each day promising a new experience. Yet, beneath the welcoming exterior of the city is its deep shadow, cast by the great many sacrifices the Reds have made and will make to ensure their seat of power remains their own. Fortunately or unfortunately, Moscow has been a part of Adam's itinerary for this trip.

To some of Adam's crew, touring the city would have been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Nevertheless, Adam has opted to be safe and caution them against doing anything unbefitting as Belkan service members. Ultimately, they're still in a foreign land with drastically different rules and customs. The water of Moscow runs deep after all, and any action they take may reflect on the wider Reich. They all best keep that in mind or it will not end as just a disciplinary action. Fortunately for the Lieutenant, everybody knows the drill by now. The man did not need to harp on the warning much. Adam trusts that even on shore leave, they will all be on the best of behaviors. As the train is stopping at Moscow station, however, the Lieutenant is slightly surprised to see the Rusviet civilians from all walks of life celebrating their arrival. Just from a glance, there are at least a hundred of them, more than half of which are young and pretty ladies.

Adam sincerely hopes that none of his crew will be caught in a honey trap or something along that line. It will be best for him to be on the lookout for such ambushes.

Bringing Thomas to a complete stop, the refitted armored train is now sporting its Panzer Gray external for the whole of Moscow to see. The journey has been somewhat of an eventful one for the crew of Thomas, with them coming across a Rusviet town under attack. The enemy was a small pack of Demons that had managed to knock down a portion of the defensive wall around the town. Adam and his train arrived just in time to rescue the nearly overwhelmed garrison unit. Utilizing the onboard weaponry, the crew of Thomas eliminated the threat to the common Rusviet folks there, albeit not as clean as they would have hoped. Though nothing critical was damaged, the fact that they will have to repaint and fix the bumps on the armor plates later is nothing short of a pain. This will be the second time that they are gonna have to redo Thomas' exterior in a span of a few short months. No other armored trains have gotten as much of a scratch, much less being subjected to a new paint job.

Their luck is truly something else. Though Adam is not sure whether the Rusviet civies are here because of a Political Commissar or because they had saved one of their towns, the Lieutenant will take this over Warsaw's moody atmosphere. At least with this, he can feel that the work he and his crew undertake is worth something.

Now that the train has safely stopped at its destination, the crew moves swiftly to ensure a smooth unloading of their precious cargo. Adam, however, convenes with his XO Lukas and the Captain of the security unit of the train. Together, they disembark to meet up with the VIPs who will be boarding Thomas on their return trip. Leading the platoon-sized delegation is an old Rusviet General, hence Adam and his cohort have to perform a salute once they're near. A bit surprisingly, the Rusviet General and his group of aides return a salute of their own. Then, the General offers a handshake to each of them while introducing himself amicably.

"Greetings, gentlemen! I am Army General Konstantin Rokossovsky, hereby welcoming you to the wonderful city of Moscow! Me and my retinue will be counting on you in the journey to come." The General in a trench coat smiled warmly. "Words about your heroic intervention to save our hapless citizens have been keeping the city abuzz. Now that you've arrived carrying everything we could've ever asked, don't be surprised if some ladies accost you later, eh?"

Adam and the other two politely laugh at the joke before Adam introduces themselves to the Rusviet General. "It's an honor to meet you, General. I am Adam Kemper, a First Lieutenant. This here is Captain James Surbella and Sergeant Lukas Hultebring. Sergeant Hultebring here is my XO and is the one to aid me in commanding our train. Captain Surbella though, is our chief of security. For the duration of our ride to Berlin, he will be in charge of our safety. Since you have your bodyguards, General, your guards can coordinate with the Captain if need be."

General Rokossovsky nods before saying something in Rusviet to an officer under his command. After that, the man steps forward. "This is my Chief of Security Kulbertinov, I trust him with my life. He is fluent in Belkan like I am, so I reckon he and Captain Surbella will have much to talk about."

Adam nods. "Of course, General. If you would have your retinue follow after Sergeant Hultebring, he will get them sorted with their quarters while Captain Surbella will brief your security team. Nevertheless, the train is slated to depart in three days, so we have ample time to get ready in case your delegation is not fully presented now."

"That is fine, the group you're seeing right now will be the one to board the train. I have opted to travel light as I have full faith in the generosity of the Reich." The General explained before gesturing to his group to follow after Lukas. "That said, I will have to go somewhere and make a special order... Say, Lieutenant, I presume you haven't gotten a chance to tour Moscow before? If that's to be the case, care to join an old man like me to roam about? A good company is always a welcome one."

Hearing the offer, Adam first looks at his XO, receiving a nod in return. "Then excuse my intrusion, General. This will be a great opportunity to get to know the nation that's been a good friend to mine, and maybe to get some souvenirs for my fiancee."

The General smirks knowingly at the answer. "Wonderful! And I know just where to get a nice gift package! Don't want to get harped on by the young lady, am I right?"

Adam jokes along. "Righto, sir. She's my world and she deserves nothing but my best attention."

"Atta boy!" General Rokossovsky slaps Adam on the shoulder in a friendly manner. "Come! Come! My driver is just by the gate! Best we sort out your souvenir before we get caught up on something!"

The gathering of two nationalities part way, for now, with Adam joining the jovial General on a short tour around Moscow. During the tour, General Rokossovsky has the driver take them to famous locations like Red Square, Kremlin, and St Basil's Cathedral... The General gives Adam short summaries of the sites and has the car stopped so that Adam can procure some small local trinkets. Finally, they're driven to a small, but well-kept storefront.

"A desert shop, General?" Adam stopped to ask after stepping out of the car.

The General, having disembarked prior with the help of the driver, replies. "Don't let the size fool you, son. The place sells the best deserts in town. I reckon you can make a custom order for something so that you can carry it back to Berlin when the train departs."

"We do have a refrigerator on the train... Alright, I guess I can take a look around first. I am not very well versed in sweets unless they go well with tea." Adam nodded before they both moved inside the store.

General Rokossovsky chuckles. "I see, you're a fine enjoyer of tea as well. Later, we will have much to discuss, especially when I bring my secret stash along for the ride. As for something to go get for your fiancee, ever heard of vodka-infused chocolate candy?"

Adam sweatdrops at that, much to the Rusviet General's amusement. The pair then proceeds to give the bakers their shopping list, with Rokossovsky giving some suggestions here and there. Ultimately, the two will have the shop deliver the finished product to the train station in three days. Understandably, they go with products that can be preserved for some time, enough for Adam to present the gift to his fiancee, Aria. In the end, it's a fruitful tour for Adam, he is pleasantly surprised by the amicable personality of this Rusviet General as they chat while making the orders. The man is not stringent on ranks and honorifics, and apparently, he's a half Polania-half Rusviet. This is perfectly reflected when Rokossovsky takes up the task of delivering a letter from the shopkeeper to her long-distance cousin in Warsaw. It's such a menial task but he has confidently assured that he will see it through for the middle-aged lady.

In the near future, Adam would come to think over whether picking up the letter would have saved them the trouble that was to come.