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Father Hendrick's room

Father Hendricks was given his own room in Squad 7's barracks. It would serve as both his personal quarters and where he would take confessions from members of the squad. It would help serve his purpose to the unit as their chaplain and make his job much more easier. In his room he put of a picture of Saint Mary, a few lit candles, places his cross necklace on his desk, and placed his Bible there as well. Though this room was far from a church, it was enough for it's current purposes. And at least for Father Hendricks it reminded him a bit of the St. Joan Cathedral where he used to work. It was these small personal details he did that made Father Hendricks feel much more at ease with his role as a Militia chaplain.

At least here in Randgriz he could practice the Christian faith more freely than the priests inside Germania. In the Nazi Reich, German Propaganda preached that the Nazi Royal Family were the descendants of God Almighty himself. However, this was by far their least successful piece of propaganda. And one that they didn't really use. The idea that this is what they believed in was just something that other nations created as their own propaganda against the Nazi Empire. In reality, the Germans didn't believe that their royals were descended by God. They in fact believed that God, and any other deity that humanity believed in, had abandoned Earth long ago. They claimed that man must put their faith in themselves, not absentee gods. But that didn't mean they outlawed religion within their empire. They allowed churches and other religious buildings to be constructed and for people to attend them. However, these religions had no real power in Germania aside from giving faith to the people. For Father Hendricks, if this was him he would be glad that he could at least preach to the local population.

Father Hendricks heard a knock on the door and looked to see Catherine O'Hara and Coby Caird standing in the doorway. Catherine spoke first and asked "You settling in okay Father?"

"I'm doing alright. Usually I'm the one who asks if there is something wrong," pointed out Hendricks. He then gestured with his hand for them to take a seat in the two chairs opposite of him next to the table. The two walked in and did just that.

"I have a question. Why did you become a chaplain here," asked a curious Coby Caird.

"A lot of soldiers in the military need strength in their faith and spirit. It's what helps drives an army to victory. I'm here to help this squad become more solid in their will. I'm also here to take confessions from anyone who wishes for me to," explained Father Hendricks. It was normal for him to receive such confessions. Thanks to the confidentiality of these confessions, it made people more willing to confess these things to a man of the cloth compared to anyone else. Talking to a priest helps give these people a sense of security that they're secrets would not see the light of day.

"Well that's good to know. I have the feeling that we're going to be making a whole lot of confessions before this war is over. Sure had to when we were fighting in the last war," said Catherine. She well knew how bad morale got at times during the Great War. It was common for Gallian soldiers most of all, since they were fighting for their lives against a foe that seemed just as unstoppable as it did today. And Catherine had seen a great many of her comrades go to talk to priests for comfort in those dark days.

Coby Caird said in a solemn voice "And I have a feeling that I'm going to be one of them."

Father Hendricks looked to him with a voice of concern and asked him sincerely "And why is that Coby? Do you have something that you wish to get off of your chest as well? If so I'm all ears."

Almost instantly, Coby looked away and his face showed a sense of regret in it. Quite possibly it was due to Father Hendrick's question reminding him of a terrible event that Hendrick's had asked him about. And what's more, it seemed evident that he was not in the mood to talk about it for without another word, he got up from his seat and left the room, even after Catherine grabbed his hand in an attempt to stop him. Coby simply shrugged it off and walked out of the room.

"Oh dear. I must have said something to hurt him didn't I?" asked Father Hendricks, felling somewhat guilty over what happened.

"Don't be. Some people just aren't as willing to open up as others?" clarified Catherine.

Father Hendricks nodded at her comment and then turned his attention over to Catherine. He asked her "I noticed by your accent that you're not from Gallia. Where are you from exactly?"

Catherine surprised him when she answered "I was actually born here. My parents were Irish immigrants that left Ireland near the turn of he century. They had the choice to either come here or to America. And apparently my father has a big case of seasickness so they opted for the shorter trip instead. I was born a few years later, making me an official Gallian citizen by default. When the Great War started I joined the Militia as a Sniper and served throughout it till the end. Now here I am doing the same thing almost twenty years later."

"Ah. Another Great War veteran. I assume you have some stories to tell? Both good and bad?" asked Father Hendricks, being intrigued. He now hoped that Catherine would be more willing to open up to him and share something that she would want to get off her chest. But to his surprise, she didn't say those exact words that he wanted to hear.

Catherine, averting her eyes from Father Hendricks, answered back in a soft voice "I'm sorry Father but...but I'd rather not talk about it. It's just too painful."

Catherine, just like Coby, proceeded to leave. But before she managed to even get out the door, Father Hendricks offered her a final say with words of wisdom. He told her "Some people believe that keeping things hidden inside means that they'll go away. But I've found that it's much better for one to just let it all out. No sense in keeping everything in your life all bottled up. I don't know how long this will take, but when you're ever ready to talk about it...my door is always open."


Alright. Up next folks is Cherry Stijnen, Dallas Wyatt, and Ramona Linton. Stay strong everybody, I'm almost done with these Support Conversations.

As usual, if you have a question or comment about this chapter or the story in general, simply send me a PM and I'll answer as best as I can. Also, don't forget to leave a review and to leave a comment on my Valkyria Chronicles Forum as well as to add to the polls I have there.

Until then,

- Heinkelboy05