Max had requested a fully assembled Regiment, which should come with its own Commanders, so he was eager to see what the Reavers could come up with on short notice.
The number of qualified infantry officers floating around the Galaxy without a home or duty was seriously limited, but they could have filled them with promoted Sergeants or possibly Reavers who enjoyed fighting since many of the Companies had Kepler-born members in their ranks.
He watched as the force made their way onto the parade grounds, led by a very familiar face from the past.
"Colonel Cortez. I watched with my own eyes as you retired. What brings you so far from home in your golden years?" Max asked as the Infantry Commander who had led the Kepler 111th aboard Abraham Kepler when Max was deployed for his very first mission came to a stop in front of him.
"Oh, how times change. The last time I saw you, you were a wet behind the ears Academy Cadet in a Crusader that still had the new oil smell to it. Kepler 111 is no more. The foreign invaders virus bombed us when they realized that the might of the Kepler Fleet was coming for them in the last battles of the revolution.
Most of us were already in orbit, fighting against their fleet. My team and I commandeered a fast attack vessel that I would call a Cutter if I were feeling generous. More like a shuttle with guns and a warp drive, but it got us out of the system after the Titan Class Mecha showed up and wiped them out.
We thought about picking a new home among the Kepler Free Territories, but you know how it is. We are all retired soldiers, we served our time, and none of the boys wanted to keep at it forever, so we came here.
But, all we know is soldiering, so here we are again." Colonel Cortez elaborated.
"Well, I have some good news for you. We don't need an infantry Regiment as the Kepler Military uses them. We need a force for boarding actions where the Mecha can't gain access due to their size, and we have a new generation of powered armor for all of you." Max offered.
"I thought that might be the case when they told me it was a Reaver Colony Ship that needed an infantry force, but imagine my shock when I saw you on the recruitment sheets. You can hide behind a mask, but you can't hide from soldiers who have spent time in the trenches with you by just covering your face.
Max laughed at that and took off the golden mask that he wore to public engagements, letting the Colonel see him in person for the first time since the retirement ceremony.
"It has only been a few years, and you've grown up so much. No more fresh-faced kid. Should I know the little cyborg beside you? Perhaps another of the Pilots from your wing?" The Colonel asked.
"That would be Tarith Nico, formerly of Tarith's Rage. There were some issues while fighting the Narsians, and she got a small cosmetic upgrade." Max explained, bringing a double take from the Colonel.
"Well, I'll be damned. It's good to see you again. My apologies for not recognizing you. I had thought you were a distant relative from the Tarith Family. There are quite a few here on the planet, after all."
Nico nodded. "That was the point of changing only my given name for public use. We didn't want to sever the link to the Tarith Reavers at first, but the Rebels were still calling us war criminals and even allied with the Tapani to hunt us down, so hiding in plain sight seemed like the best option."
Two more men walked up as they chatted, both wearing Captain's bars and Reaver fashion.
"We were short on experienced Commanders, so I took the liberty to recruit from the Reaver's vessels. These two needed a place to go but couldn't land a command position elsewhere due to Political concerns. Both their families are currently under censure, but I can personally attest to their character.
Meet Aaron and John, who prefer to go by their bare names only."
Max could see that they were Kepler citizens, with blonde hair and blue eyes much like his own, which were uncommon in the Empire, but sharply angular and distinctly Kepler facial features.
"Good to meet you all. I won't ask about your past unless it is relevant, and honestly, I don't care as long as you are loyal and hardworking.
I trust the Colonel, and I will take his word that you are worth trusting as well. It looks like we have three Battalions of infantry, which is better than I had honestly expected, so let me show you all to your barracks.
They might not be as fancy as the Pilots get, but you lot are likely used to that, and you will still have full access to the Cruise Ship amenities in your downtime. I will set up training schedules and courses to get used to the tactics and equipment that Terminus employs once we are on our way to the next stop.
But first, let me address the men."
Max stepped past the three officers and saw the moment that the survivors from Kepler 111 recognized him, sharing the information with the soldiers from other locations and deployments.
Almost all of them were from Kepler 111, but other than a few hundred veterans, they were mostly children, likely rescued from the Academy or hastily deployed to defend their planet against assault, leaving them in orbit when the planet died.
"It is good to see so many familiar faces among the new ones. For those that haven't been informed yet, I am Commander Keres of the Terminus Trading Company, a former Kepler Military Crusader Class Pilot with an Alpha Ranked System Compatibility.
Why do I tell you this? Because it is important that you all know that we are coming from the same place. Some of you spilled the same blood in the same mud that I did in the past, and it will be an honor to do it again if the time comes.
You will become the boarding action team for Terminus, and we have prepared state-of-the-art Mobile Suits for you to fight in.
But more importantly, you are now members of the Terminus Trading Company, with all the benefits that come with the title.
Welcome to the family. Your Commanders will lead you to your new barracks right away, and we will begin your orientation tomorrow. Now, let's get a move on so that the city can have its park back." Max ordered.
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