I own nothing from Hearts of Iron nor the Kaiserriech Mod.

Private Bedros Sahakian

Journal Entry 13

June 17, 1932, Friday

Mr. Guao is a lot more intelligent than many of my fellow marines would think. All they see is someone who does chores for us and they prefer to keep it that way. Being around him for the past few days I developed the impression Guo used to be more than a manservant. Around us marines he is generally jovial, polite and humble but with the other roomboys Guao is like another person, stoic and authoritative. He leads them not like a supervisor but more as Captain Miller commands our company.

Did he have military experience beforehand? Given that China has been constantly in warfare since the 1911 Revolution it would make sense. If it is true then who did he serve with and why place himself in this servant role with foreigners now? Could Mr. Guo possibly be a spy?

Then again if I noticed all that about him in this short amount of time surely Major Sullivan has done so by now. He is one of those hard nosed suspicious types that doesn't like to leave any stone unturned. Best to leave that stuff to him and his intelligence section. I got enough on my plate as a grunt without overthinking about these notions. Focus on my duty and enjoy rest when it comes.

Acted as sentry again but this time with Mordecai and at a different station. It was one of the checkpoints boarding the German zone. We observed automobiles and rickshaws dashing back and forth in the midst of the crowd. Whenever someone got knocked down or ran over most of them just seem to smile and get up seemingly without a care in the world if possible. The old hands were right, this is a tough town.

During the course of our watch Mordecai told me he was missing home already. Didn't think less of him but it was surprising for him to admit that. He didn't usually bring it up during the boot camp like many guys did on the first days. Perhaps being in another country far away made his homesickness worse. Out of curiosity I asked Mordedcai why he joined the Corps.

He actually laughed before answering that it was because of a breakup. It was some girl named Leah. They grew up together and dated since the middle of high school. They even had plans to study together at university, become musicians. Although it appears Leah got hooked on Syndicalism, becoming an activist.

Modercai tried to make it work, joining her at rallies, engaging in lectures and reading the works she was into. Yet Leah still became more distant and more militant, consumed with her crusade as time went on. Finally they had a terrible falling out and never spoke or wrote to each other again. Not long after and wanting to do something with his life he enlisted with the marines. That was a rough deal from the sound of things.

I dated some in high school but those relationships never really lasted where else Modercai had a deep connection with someone. Only for it to break apart. I wager he is probably still hurting from that. Soon after our watch was finished and we headed back to base. I couldn't offer any advice to my brother marine other than listen.

For family, whether they're blood or not just being there for them can be enough. We don't always to have the answers.