RM Vol 3: For a World without Boundary – Chapter 59-5: Happenstances elsewhere (Part 5)

    Warsaw.

    A fresh batch of coal has arrived to keep the power plants of Polania''s capital going. Pulled into the city by Thomas the Train, the station workers eagerly help with the unloading process, knowing that they''ll be able to sleep warmly for a few months. Until they can get their mining industry back to full efficiency, wagons of coal delivered by the transcontinental line are crucial to the well-being and productivity of the Polanian people. As such, every train that arrives is to be treated with utmost importance. Care must be given to ensure good relations with the crews of the supply freights and by extension the countries behind them.

    Such orders are what the station master tries to perform to his utmost capacity. He has thus far been very accommodating to the crew of Thomas, despite some of their requests he has been unable to deliver last time. Fortunately for him, the Belkans are very sensible people, they haven''t made it hard for a small civilian official like him. Hence, when faced with a request for a portion of Thomas'' crew to tour the city this time around, the station master hoped that it would be easy to dismiss. Unfortunately for him, he''s put on the spot when a bonafide General of the powerful Rusviet Union demands his official entry into the city, alongside that of his retinue.

    This is... Honestly, it''s most troubling for the small station master. Even though there''s also a military garrison at the train station, the highest-ranking person is only a mere Captain. They can request for a member of the top brass to come down, but let''s be real. Them barring a foreign General''s entry is tantamount to a diplomatic incident, one that the current Polania regime can''t afford. Especially more so when the coal they need are given to them by the Rusviets.

    To try and stall for time, the station master has risked his small life to query about the purpose of the General''s request. The answer amounts to little to none, however, and the nature of his request has immediately raised suspicion from both the Rusviet General and his delegation. After that, the General has come to discuss something with the Belkans, with the former possessing a frown the more the talk progresses. The Polania station master does not like where this is going one bit, and he sure wishes for someone to take his place soon.

    Unlucky for him, the General soon returned to speak with him once more. This time, he is not taking a no for an answer.

    Perhaps it''s time to get a change of job? This cushy job is starting to be less appealing by the minute. All the more so when the Rusviets finally get to see what has happened to a portion of the city. It''s probably best that the station master high tail out of Polania altogether and travel to neutral Romania. Preferably as soon as possible even.

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    It''s weird, suspicious, and all the more troubling to Rokossovsky when he sees the station master''s resigned expression. The gate to the city is only opened when he threatens the pureblooded Polanians with diplomatic retaliation from the Union. It would seem that there''s trouble afoot, and now that the path forward is clear, Rokossovsky is determined to get to the bottom of this. Preferably before someone of the same standing as him can get involved. Yet, to move with only himself will risk the chance of being isolated by the Polanians. This is still their home turf, after all, and the risk of him and his delegation being accosted for a ''cordial chat'' is too great. His time is limited in Warsaw, especially more so with the duty given to him by comrade Stalin. There''s a good chance that the Polanians know this and will use it against him to stop him from figuring out this enigmatic matter.

    As such, the Rusviet turns to the Belkan friends he has made along the way. Since they share the same suspicion as himself, perhaps they can join forces for the excursion beyond the station. Rokossovsky thought that it would take some convincing to get Lieutenant Kemper to agree to this collaboration. After all, there''s little to no business that requires the Belkans to venture outside the trainyard. Yet, much to his pleasant surprise, the good Lieutenant gives his affirmation with a face full of seriousness.

    "General, it would be my honor to accompany you on a tour of the city. It will be a good learning opportunity for when I have to regal my journey back home." Ah, a smart lad he is. Young Adam will pose as a tourist and escort but will cooperate with Rokossovsky on his investigation in actuality. It would seem that the Lieutenant is either feeling investigative or there''s an order from Reich. Whatever the case, with the Belkans joining, Rokossovsky will have another layer of security. Making it so that the Polanians will be dealing with two potential diplomatic bombs. Thus giving them more time to get to at least get a general idea about what to report to their respective countries.

    "General, if you would follow me, the train also carries some vehicles that we can use." Adam extended a hand over to the direction of Thomas.

    Rokossovsky nods before moving alongside the Lieutenant, with Adam saying. "It''s best we don''t take up on their offer for a designated driver."

    "I wholeheartedly agree. We need to move fast before someone can intercept us. I can navigate just fine with a map of the city, and the receiver''s address for the letter entrusted to me points to a Slavic community. We can both deliver the letter and inquire about the state of affairs there without any political interference." Rokossovsky said his piece.

    Adam nods. "I will leave the talking and navigating to you, General. Since I think they will open up to you more than me."

    Adam and Rokossovsky soon reach the location of Captain Surbella and Sergeant Hultebring, with the latter two carrying out their duties. "Captain, Sergeant, a word please."

    "What''s up LT?" Hultebring came forward, asking the question for Captain Surbella. Rokossovsky also motioned for his security chief to come along.

    Adam gives them a summary of what''s going on, with them nodding seriously. The Lieutenant then says. "Lukas, I want you to hasten the unloading process, and prep Thomas for immediate departure as soon as you can. Captain, the General and I need you to prep the Humvees. We will be taking the two unarmed ones into the city, alongside our respective security details. Just in case, we need to up the security level of Thomas to Code Yellow and prep a QRF."

    Captain Surbella nods. "I will swiftly arrange for those." He then gave them a salute before rushing away to handle the matter.

    Lukas then asks Adam this, however. "We expecting trouble, Adam?"

    The Lieutenant sighs. "Not if I can help it, but best to be safe. Until me and the General return, you and Surbella will have the command of Thomas. Also, get the word about this to High Command. Best we let them know that we will go and verify their suspicion sooner rather than later."

    "You got it, Adam. Just give us a holler if something comes up."

    The Sergeant then walks away. Adam then turned to General Rokossovsky. "General, we will soon be ready to move."

    Rokossovsky nods before saying. "Security Chief Kotovsky will be staying behind with some of my men too. Like Captain Surbella, he will help keep our ride to Berlin safe."

    "That will be much appreciated, General. Since a portion of the train security will be departing with us, additional guards are always welcome. I just hope that none of our precautions will be put to use."

    "Drop the gun! Drop the gun!" Adam shouted at them in Erusean, the common language for the Western world, unfortunately. His focus and the muzzle of his MP9 are directed toward a Polanian officer pointing his pistol at a mere child.

    Speaking in Polanian, Rokossovsky sternly calls out to them. "This is General Rokossovsky of the Rusviet Union, stop this foolishness at once!" He too is directing the business end of his SMG at the shocked Polanians.

    Seeing their action, the escorts fan out while pointing their weapons at the group of Polanians, with a few of them pulling rear security. All of them have a grim or angered expression on their faces. To point a pistol at a kid in an executioner manner. What sort of twisted fuck do you need to be to be able to do that with a smug face?

    "Belkan Armed Forces, put down your weapons!"

    "Do not move! Do not fucking move!"

    "Drop the gun! Drop the fucking gun!"

    "This is a Belkan-Rusviet coalition unit! Stand down and drop your weapons!"

    "Move the fuck away from the kid! Step away!"

    Orders are shouted at the Polanians one by one in both the Erusean and Polanian languages. The sheer aura radiates from the combined force of the two nations immediately overwhelm the Polanians who have no clue about who or what the fuck is going on. Some of the Polanian soldiers can''t stop themselves from taking a step back or two with paled faces, slackening the grip on their weapons.

    The Polanian officer of Captain is angered at the lack of backbone shown by his underlings. "What the Hell do you think you''re doing!? Stand tall and face them, you fool! This land is the sovereign land of the Polanian people! We will not bow nor fear the presence of some foreigners that dare to intrude on our soils!"

    His words seem to bring back some defiance in the eyes of the Polanian troops. Hearing that spiel alone has caused Adam and Rokossovsky to adorn a frown. Something ain''t right, and it''s not just the hostage situation they are having right now. Before they can decipher the meaning of the Polanian Captain''s action, however, the person of interest is already speaking.

    "This is the territory of us Polanians, and we''re conducting official business on behalf of the Revolutionary Command Council of the Polanian Republic! To intrude on us carrying out official duty equal infringing on the sovereignty of the Polanian Republic on our home soil!"

    Rokossovsky is undeterred. "What kind of nation condones pointing a gun on the head of a child? From what we have seen so far, you''re conducting a slaughter of civilians!"

    The Captain rebuts. "This girl is a part of the terrorist group that seeks to topple a nation of the Polanians, for the Polanians, and by the Polanians! For her to aid this destructive element in any shape and form is a crime befitting of execution!"

    Adam shouts as his veins of anger popping in his temple. "She''s still a kid, a non-combatant! No law permits the execution of a child! No nation, no ethnicity will tolerate such an insane act! You''re asking for a worldwide condemnation of this new regime of yours in its very nascent state!"

    Rokossovsky follows by adding.

    "The term ''terrorist'' is a recently coined word to describe the Sardegnians'' attack on the Stockholm Conference. Terrorism, in its broadest sense, is the use of violence against non-combatants to achieve political or ideological aims. The term is used in this regard primarily to refer to intentional violence during peacetime or in the context of war against non-combatants, civilians, and neutral military personnel. There are various definitions of terrorism, yet no universal agreement about it. Different definitions of terrorism emphasize its randomness, its aim to instill fear, and its broader impact beyond its immediate victims.

    Regardless, from what I can see so far, Polania is at peace, and the Polanian people shed no blood and tears to no unjust attack. If there''s a terrorist around here somewhere, then that person should be you for trying to murder goddamn children!"

    "I won''t say it again, drop the goddamn gun!" Adam ordered once more, following the sounds of multiple weapons aiming at the Polanian officer.

    The Polanian Captain is now livid in rage, having his argument verbally shot to shred by Adam and Rokossovsky. Scoffing, the Captain says. "So what? I have the power of the Polanian people on my side. They will know who is right or wrong. But you all? For daring to trounce on this land as if you own everything, you will be facing your due judgment very soon. Just you wait."

    The Polanian Captain smirks at the unpleasant expression of the Belkans and Rusviets. He truly does not care about who they are or what sorts of ranks they hold. What''s important to him is that this is the rightful land of the Polanians, and they won''t be able to do shit in the very capital of the Polanian Republic. To him, they''re the ones in the wrong for daring to try and stop him from executing this... leach.

    So, feeling vindicated that these intruders have properly known their place, the Polanian Captain levels his pistol at the head of the crying little girl. You know, just to further drive his point home.

    BANG

    ...

    ...

    BANG BANG BANG BANG