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

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. 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?"

"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.