Erich

Bruhl, Principality of Gallia

The General's sight was temporarily blinded by the barrage of flashes before him as he held the hand shake for the team of journalists to capture. The flashes and the subtle 'pops' of the flash powder echoed in his mind; the sound converted into rifle fire within Erich's mind.

"Erich?"

The voice echoed in his head as if he were underwater. In a rush of sudden focus, he broke his stare to look ahead of himself, realizing where he was.

"Erich, you can let go now." Eleanor whispered.

The female voice now clearer in his ears. He released her hand, his other letting go of the framed citation that commemorated Varrot's retirement that was signed by the Archduchess herself. Hearing a gentle applause of the gathered spectators in the town square underneath the looming double-mill of Bruhl, Erich's focus continues to regain itself. Clearing his throat of an imaginary obstruction, his eyes continued to dart about the small gathered crowd before focusing back on Varrot, flashing a slight smile to her.

"The Militia is losing a fine leader today." he said softly to her,

"On behalf of the Archduchess, the Principality of Gallia thanks you for your distinguished service." he continued.

The General took a few steps back to make Varrot the center of focus, giving her a few claps himself. The bursts of cameras flashing continued on, Varrot being the primary subject for the headlines. De Graeft and Varrot were veterans of both Europan Wars, though it was Varrot who commanded the most respect and admiration. It was Varrot's leadership of her Militia Regiment that decisively defeated the Empire and thwarted their invasion of Gallia, their feats saved the Archduchess herself and countless other lives, the Regiment's deeds and particularly that of Squad 7, some of which were present for this ceremony have been known across the Principality.

Erich felt he was standing in the presence of giants and gods as he started to watch the members of Varrot's regiment come up and congratulate her. The first of those he immediately noticed were the Gunthers, Alicia and Welkin with their young daughter in tow. 'Looks just like General Gunther' he thought to himself. General Van De Graeft and his Adjutant were the only members of the Gallian Army present for the retirement ceremony for now-retired Captain Varrot.

In the wake of the Civil War and the Second Europan War there was a harsh rift that existed between the two Gallian military organizations. Erich's predecessor, the late General Von Damon worsened the divide, well-known for his disdain for the Gallian Militia, Damon represented all that was wrong with the 'Old Guard' in the ranks of the Army. Erich sought to repair that rift whichever he could and his intent was shared with the Archduchess who wanted to rebuild their country. A strong standing army with a powerful reserve of militia across the Principality will serve as a great deterrence between the two Europan powers that border their little country. This press opportunity of a Gallian Army officer attending a legendary Militia Commander's retirement ceremony surely had to produce a positive image of better times ahead.

What seemed like ages for the General and his Adjutant, the invited crowd began to disperse from around Varrot and began to congregate over towards a modest serving table. The Bakery truck that was owned by the Gunthers was parked nearby who graciously provided the food for the ceremony, free of charge of course. Several journalists suddenly started to shift over towards the General,

"General De Graeft, is it true that the quota of Darcsen soldiers being promoted to Sergeant is being banned?"

"What is expected of the commander of the 499th?"

"Are the former Colonels of the Gallian Army expected to be held accountable for thei--"

"Come along now! Move! Ceremony's over, you all have your stories now. Leave the Commander in peace!"

Erich's Adjutant was quick to bark orders to the pestering journalists who were eager to mince any utterance or gesture of his General. The young officer placed himself between him and the journalists, blocking any further filming and photographs of Erich. The General side stepped off towards the serving table, giving his Adjutant a grateful nod as he began to shove cameras down and away from their intended target.

Walking back towards the gathered group that surrounded Varrot, he patted his old comrade on the shoulder to interject just briefly. "Thank you for having me, Ellie. I'll leave you to it." How Erich wished to make himself immediately scarce.

"Erich. You should stay for a little bit. You have a long trip back." Varrot spoke, smiling softly to her old comrade. The General stood in place for a brief pause, his piercing eyes glancing towards the legendary entourage of Squad 7 members. Flexing his jaw for just a second, he relented.

"If you insist, Ellie."

Whipping back into his wooden chair, Erich guffawed as Varrot concluded an old war story that involved another stunt that Erich committed during the first war. The medals on his dress uniform clattered like a pocket of change as he chuckled off the last wave of humor that passed through his chest; it seemed like ages ago since Erich displayed such joy.

"My old C.O. damn near relieved me on the spot for that stunt." Erich said, slipping a hordevour into his mouth, his tongue quickly wiping his pursed lips of the soft crumbs left behind.

"Your C.O. clogged our radios, screaming for you to confirm that you smashed your tank into our trench." Varrot added, seated across the table.

Swallowing his pastry, Erich suddenly leaned towards her, arms resting onto the table. The seated members of Squad 7 repelled a few inches away from him as if his presence was a physical force. "Now again, Ellie. It was an on-the-spot decision! My tracks could not have traveled another inch, my own radio exploded, engine severely crippled and a company of Imp tanks rapidly approaching. One versus a dozen, I turned that skirmish to our favor with your trench acting as my armor and you and your team keeping the infantry off my tank! You and I broke their spearhead that day I tell you, and your trench garden's sacrifice has been duly noted since."

"Do you know how hard it was to keep the rats from eating those flowers?"

The table cascaded into gentle laughter towards Erich as Varrot still did not forgive him for that heroic act. The General softly shook his head, a smirk clear on half of his face.

"I still can't believe you two managed to hold your ground in that situation." Alicia Gunther commented, raising a tea cup to her lips.

"Wasn't just us now." Erich quickly responded, his glance briefly fixed on her, briefly forgetting the secret fact that she was a Valkyria.

"Largo, Hans, Darien…--"

"Adlerman, Seri, Duro.."

Erich and Eleanor were quick to recall the names of their closest comrades that were with them in that story; the two veterans shared the unspoken promise of remembering some of their friends long after they had passed. For a second, the two held a pause on the table, the General leaned back to his chair..

"Good men and women. Army and Militia alike. Not even the Emperor's Finest could have gotten through that day." Erich's tone changed from joyous to his regular, softened voice.

"It's amazing what you and Eleanor had been through during those years." Welkin spoke,

Erich then glanced at the hero himself at the table and he responded with a curt nod. "We stood together against a menace that dared destroy our livelihood then. Gallia never rose back to her strength since." Eirch said with a heavy sigh as the current events began to flood back into his mind; his time of reminiscing his days in E.W.1 with Varrot quickly evaporated. The guests at the table were then reminded of the last two wars the country faced to include the Civil War. Erich flexed his jaw again, minding his dialogue so as to not come off as a griper or a ranter.

"It will be a long road ahead for us to get the Army back to that again." the General spoke,

"There's been articles questioning you about how you are directing the Gallian Army ." Welkin said,

"Of course the press have questioned my every act--my left handedness is apparently a threat to the security of this nation to them." Erich quipped towards Welkin, shaking his head in disapproval of the press being brought into the conversation,

"I cannot stand watching my army further decay by..by ancient vendettas and the blue bloods of this Court. The Archduchess and I promised ourselves to recover this country and I plan to follow her every command that will bring us out of this abyss." The General quickly found himself reciting this response to a disguised tabloid journalist some weeks ago that triggered the headline of the conservative tabloid: "MAD MAN VANTO PURGE NOBLE OFFICERS FOR DARCSEN REPLACEMENTS." The flashing headline in the General's mind heated his ears.

"Well I am glad that she chose you to take a lead in it. I cannot think of a more qualified officer to lead the Gallian Army now." Eleanor commented, fishing out a small pastry to bite onto,

"We'll see." Erich responded, the General was never the sort to have much self-confidence, but he masterfully concealed it.

"Maybe once the Gallian Army is back on its legs, Captain Varr-- I mean, Mrs. Varrot may forgive you for destroying her trench flowers." Welkin added on with smile,

The humor of the table returned as the gentle laughter emerged from the guests that surrounded Erich. The General could not help but laugh at Welkin's lightheartedness.

"I'll have to bring the Emperor's head if I even want to stand a chance to be eligible for Varrot's forgiveness." Erich's smile returned and Ellie could not have helped but add a little more to the laughter.

The General and his Adjutant concluded their visit with Mrs. Varrot and her esteemed guests, the staff car idling behind Erich as he stood before the group of Squad 7.

"Mrs. Gunther, your pastries were amazing, thank you for providing for this ceremony. I would love to order a batch for my office and staff." the General said with a soft smile, giving her hand two firm shakes.

"Why thank you, sir!" she beamed,

Erich continued on with his thanks, acting as if he had been the guest not just to Varrot but to be in the presence of Squad 7. Quickly shaking hands and dropping his thanks to each member that was there. It was until he reached Eleanor, the final one that she brought him into a gentle hug.

"Thank you again for having me, Ellie." the General said in the midst of the friendly embrace,

"Good luck and safe travels, Erich. Thank you for coming. It was great seeing an old friend again." she replied as she gave him two hard pats on his back. With his final goodbyes, he stepped into the front seat of his staff car and the vehicle slowly rolled off with the members of Squad 7 waving him off.

"Cannot believe that I met the Lieutenant Gunther, sir! And Squad 7?? I did not know that you and Captain Varrot fought together in the First War." the Adjutant commented,

"We certainly did. Was always very proud of her." A shame she had to retire, we need more leaders like her..not me. the General voiced the latter in his head as he stared at the rear view mirror of the shrinking Squad 7 in the distance. He did not comment back to his Adjutant about his own amazement of having met such heroes, his eyes savoring every second of viewing them before they completely disappeared in the distance. Erich took in a sigh of relief as he reclined back on his seat and closed his eyes.