Kapitel Eins
9. Januar, 2183
Philadelphia, Erde, Sol Reich
The taxi dropped me off in front of my parents' house, and drove off. Finally, I'm home again. It's nice to be granted leave from the Fuhrer himself. I took a moment to look around me. The neighborhood was just as beautiful as ever, if not more. I crossed the street, and knocked on the door to the house. It took a while for my parents, Richard and Monika, to answer the door. Both were surprised to see me. "Lukas! You're finally home!" My mother kissed me on the cheek, and they took me inside.
The house was as clean as ever. We walked into the kitchen, and I sat down. They already had food ready for me. "Danke. This really wasn't necessary." They shook their heads. My father sat next to me at the table. "It was. A brave soldier of the Reich, my son, returns to me safe!" He sighed. "I remember my time as a soldat. Never saw that much action, except quelling a few riots in Neu Athens." He took another look at me. I saw him inspect every element of the black uniform I was wearing, from the boots, to the medals pinned to my coat, the armband on my arm bearing a swastika, and the skulls on my collar. He was obviously proud of me.
When mother finally came to the table, we held hands in prayer. My father began. "Dear God, bless the Reich and the Fuhrer forever. Thank you for returning our son home safely, and ensure that he has many journeys to come. Amen." We began eating the porkchops in front of us. As good as ever. My father looked up at me from his food. "I heard of the combat on Akuze. Or, should I say, Zählen. You were there, correct?" I nodded. "Ja. we halted a rebellion that could've destabilized the whole region." I took another drink from the cup of milk in front of me. "I managed to get 30 degenerates in a single day." My parents beamed. My mother took my hand. "We're so proud of you, Lukas. Never forget that." I couldn't help but smile too. "Danke, mother." We kept eating.
When we were nearly finished, my father turned on the TV. It was the news, nothing big. I finished my food. "Danke, both of you. This was a fine meal." I stood up, bowed to them, and made my way upstairs to my old room. Tidy, to say the least. They've kept it preserved for years. I layed down on my bed, and closed my eyes. I didn't necessarily sleep, I just thought about what had happened on Zählen. I just lied to my parents. That's going to bother me for quite some time. There wasn't a revolt on Zählen at all. The colony had gone silent, and when we got there, there was no sign of the colonists. And on top of that, there were these strange worm things that nearly wiped us out. It was reported in the news that the "rebels had been fighting ferociously", and had obviously lied about the body count. But I can see why they'd lie. You don't want the public to panic about something like this.
I opened my eyes, and turned on the TV across the room. It was running news about Zählen, still. It was still running the recorded interviews with me, and praising me as the "perfect Aryan man". I had blond hair, blue eyes, and had no degenerate blood in me. Of course I was the perfect Aryan. But then again, there are barely any degenerates these days. I got up from my bed, and looked out the window. Of course, we had a perfect view of the city. The spaceport was the most prominent structure downtown, with the banners draping down the sides of the building. I looked down at the street below. Each streetlamp had a flag draping down from it. Well, long live the Reich, I guess. I took off my uniform, hung it up in my closet, and fell asleep in my bed.
The next day...
I awakened to the smell of breakfast downstairs. Ah, just like when I was young. I searched through my baggage, and found some casual clothes to wear. I slipped them on, and went downstairs. When I got down there, I found my parents intently watching the TV while eating breakfast. I grabbed a plate of toast and bacon from the counter, and sat down at the table. I looked up at the TV. It was playing the news about something. I took a better look at it. What...?
A turian attack on Eden Primzahl? This can't be happening. The Treaty of Noveria hasn't expired yet. The Fuhrer came on screen. "Yesterday, the Reich was unfairly assaulted by the Turian Hierarchy. They've disregarded our efforts towards peace, and this attack is a clear act of war. The Reich will prevail." He extended his arm in the salute of the party. "Sieg heil!" We stood from the table, and followed the salute. "Heil Hitler!" So, war had finally come. Well, it looks like my leave is being cut short.