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

Private Bedros Sahakian

Journal Entry 28

July 7, 1932, Thursday

Drills and more drills. Gunny is making sure we don't lose our edge. Of course some guys during lunch do wonder if it is really necessary. It's not like the warlord in Nanking, who called the Smiling Tiger has much reason to attack this legation. Not when he is being paid off by the Kaiser's money and besides picking a fight with combined foreign garrison here is suicidal.

Well I did point out to them about the attempted bombing at the Sossom Hotel last month but they wrote it off, believing those were just a few crazies who failed anyway. Well they were right about that bunch failing but the more time I spend here, the more I realize that the foreign concessions are deeply resented by many Chinese if not most. My unintended trip in that neighborhood yesterday gave further proof. After chow I went to find Mr. Guao, who had just finished a chore.

After greeting each other I actually told him of my misadventure in that place. Guo nodded, remarking he was hardly surprised but pleased that I came to no harm. Then I asked him how he felt about the foreign concessions, personally. The old man sighed and looked out to the city from a window. Turning back he asked how would I feel if cities like New York or my home in California were occupied by other powers?

I gave it some thought before answering that I would be sad and even angry. Guao nodded, confessing that is what he feels about it. That as a younger man he had burned with passion at his homeland's humiliation but now older he believes that it is only part of the problem. The Kuomintang failed a few years ago despite all their rhetoric and now a weak emperor was restored as a puppet again controlled by competing warlords with the nation ever plagued by lawlessness despite the facade of unity. Guo further explains that his people, their country need to learn to lift themselves up again to confront these challenges, but he admits doesn't know the actual solution.

"Till then each of us can only do what we can, Bedros. For me it is to make a living and try to give what little good I can.'

Have to admit that got me thinking and Mr. Guao actually smiled in reaction, commenting that he is pleased that I'm asking such questions and willing to understand. I replied that I'm just taking his advice that day when we left the tea house to see. The part about 'seeing through different eyes'. With that the old man went on his way. Still think there is more to him than just being the guy who washes, cooks and cleans here.

Truth be told I feel like I am dealing with more of a teacher rather than a manservant.

Now word is on the street that the failed bombers from last month are currently being held in Ward Gaol Prison, the Alcatraz of the Orient, pending their trial next week. In fact a bunch of reporters from all over the world had arrived, either by plane or boat and train. One of them turned out to be that lady from the other day that Al scared off, she came by the base to talk with the colonel and Major Suvillian.

Actually she is the colonel's niece and once Al and I learned that both of us got really nervous. Of course I kept glaring at him and Al tried, again and again to apologize to me but yeah I was too upset to listen at the moment. Then the reporter started to head out but not before she recognized me. On the spot she requested her uncle for an escort to her next destination and I got singled out.

Pretty sure she saw Allen too who got more and more pale with each second but she ignored him apparently. I was assigned the staff car to drive for her to a radio station and given the directions. Lieutenant Dewitt made it his personal mission to lecture me about proper behavior before we set out. Judging by his tone and body language I actually think Dimwit was jealous.

That overgrown peacock was probably hoping to impress the colonel's niece and gain favor through that connection. Instead the 'dirty immigrant', as he called me before among other things, stole him that opportunity. I can tell he thought along those lines while he stared down at me. Well I don't know if I was the best choice personally but Dimwit is a million times worse. I wouldn't trust him to lead Boy Scouts to a picnic much less carry that duty without getting lost again.

Well it wasn't too long before I was driving the staff car and following her directions. To my surprise she was heading for the Shanghai Dawn Network. The place Sachi works at. Ms. Gardner turned out to be alright and didn't hold what Al did against me and seemed to forgive him as well. Of course she asked what his problem was.

I remembered pretty quickly that Gardner is a reporter and shut my mouth. Didn't want to get Al or myself in trouble for that matter but she seemed to know a awful lot about how the marines operate and was persistent in guessing with various scenarios that we deal with. In hindsight it makes sense with her family's ties to the Corps. So I confessed about the Independence Day incident and how it affected Al but asked her not to write any of that down. She gave her word and was outraged that we were treated in such a manner by some American civilians who are under our protection.

I tried to stay quiet afterwards but Gardner asked if I knew about the station we were heading to and I opened my big mouth, revealing in fact I knew someone who worked there. Again got barraged with questions and despite my best efforts she figured out that Sachi and I were old friends. Can't deny it either Gardner is a real good reporter or I'm more of a blabbermouth than I thought. Well we made it to the station and the joint looked impressive. The colonel's niece then insisted I escort her inside the building and I obliged.

Once we did, the receptionist at the front desk directed us to what floor the studio was in and we took the elevator. Soon we came in and there were plenty of technicians at work and there across the glass was Sachi sitting at the booth as she spoke into the microphone while reading from a script. She was a real professional even with the advertisement part. Gardner talked with the producer, Mr LeRoy running the place and soon Sachi finished with her program.

She was surprised to see me but before we could say anything. Gardner and LeRoy came over with the latter introducing the former to Sachi and told her why she is here. Following pleasantries Sachi led Gardner into the booth and got everything set up for her broadcast. Once that was done Sachi came out and we finally were able to say hello. It was a bit awkward initially but still good to see she's doing fine.

Finally able to tease her about that corny joke she did in that broadcast I listened to the other day. Have a pretty good laugh while she punched my left arm with an annoyed expression. Some things hadn't changed. She told me it was in the script, just as I suspected.

After that little exchange we asked each other who we were doing. Told her I was making it and told the reason for being here. Sachi found it a bit amusing and teased me for becoming a chauffeur for the day and I rolled my eyes. Have to admit she got her payback with that one. As for herself, my friend did confess her job can be challenging but exciting and something that gives her purpose.

I can see it in her eyes, Sachi's passion for the radio business hasn't lessened. In fact I believe her dedication has grown even. What a marine she would've made. Apparently Mr. LeRoy is tough as nails but fair to his employees. Wouldn't make them do something that he himself wouldn't do.

Then we talked about life in the city. Turns out Sachi actually lives in an apartment adjacent to here. Helps her to get to the studio on time. She always had a chess player's view on things.

We next talked about how our families are doing. I can tell by the hints she gave that her parents were disappointed that she left Japan and came here. The only reason they came to accept the decision was because she convinced them that she's got a steady job dealing with the radio. As I recall Mr. and Ms. Hamada always wanted their kids to succeed in life and placed a lot of expectations on them. If it wasn't for this Depression getting worse I think they otherwise would have insisted she return home.

Available jobs are becoming more scarce back there and it has become more difficult to enroll in colleges. Especially for people like us.

I don't blame Sachi for wanting more out of life but it is sad to hear that she and her parents struggle to see eye to eye. Hits rather close to home, similar to how my sister and I argued over my decision to serve in the military. She is learning to accept that I'm not a child anymore but I know she still doesn't like my career choice given it's dangerous nature. While there are some key differences I can see a similarity between Sachi's situation and mine. We're both trying to make something of ourselves in this crazy world and have disagreements with our families though we still love them.

Soon it was time to leave Ms. Gardner just concluded her broadcast on the upcoming trial. While the reporter talked with the producer again I told Sachi to hang in there, calling her champ. She smiled back telling me to take my own advice. Now I remember that she does love getting the last word in. Once Gardner and I got back into the car, she directed me to the Sossom Hotel. We managed to arrive there without trouble.

Ms. Gardner thanked me for the help and added that she is glad that I got to spend time with my friend before she departed. At that instant I realized that Gardner didn't really need me to escort her inside that studio. She set me up so I can see Sachi again. Kinda confused about how I feel about it.

Suppose the colonel's niece means well but I believe she got the wrong impression that Sachi and I are love birds somehow. We are just friends who haven't seen each other until recently and that's all. Upon returning to base and giving my report I showered and now resting. The squad asked what happened but I just told them only that we went to the studio and that I waited around before dropping Gardner off at the hotel. I made sure to let Al know that she doesn't hold a grudge against him for his attitude and is actually sympathetic to us, marines.

That seemed to get him thinking before going off.

Made sure that none of them, particularly Michail knew about Sachi being there. They wouldn't leave me alone if they did. Now it's time to get some sleep.