Memorandum #004

Day 4,261, 12:15 Published in Ireland Ireland by Kaitlinn

Last Episode : Memorandum #003
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Subject: Base Inspection At Frosta


"Dammit!" I glared at the button that I had been polishing on my uniform jacket that had come off in my hand. "That's it, I'll have to wear the other one!" There was stifled laughter from the others.

"You can't Astrid, important people are coming and you'll never get those grease stains out of it in time." My sniper partner Annabelle grinned at me. She was sitting cross-legged in front of me, her rifle in pieces while she cleaned it on a cloth spread out in front of her. Mine was already cleaned and ready beside me. Karl and Stefan, our spotters, were trying to hide grins where they sat cleaning their own equipment.

With a sigh I got up and went to get the sewing kit. Such a fuss over another random base inspection. But word was it was someone really important and our Base Commander, Niklas Lange wanted our team or rather me which meant all of us by his side for it. I looked into a standing mirror, patting the creases out of my black uniform. Sometimes I really hate my pale albino appearance. It does set me apart though, I do like that.




Frosta, Spanish occupied Norway
Day 4261 ERT: 12:00

A couple of hours later we were standing at attention next to the Commander near the newly built helipad waiting for this mystery boss to appear. I couldn't help noticing how the other soldiers were slumped over and slovenly dressed, some were even popping those Type 4 pills we’ve been ordered to collect but never take. We had been warned by another soldier about them. Apparently he died a few weeks ago. Shame really, he was quite handsome.

I turned my attention back to the helicopter as I heard Annie gasp beside me. "It's the actual boss! It’s Petrov!" she whispered, almost giddy. I pulled myself tighter to attention as he stepped out, his one red eye roaming over us with a savagely stern look upon his face. Without a word he marched off towards the entrance of the building, followed by an entourage of soldiers with no sign of rank on there pitch black tight fitting uniforms. He proceeded to inspect the whole building with Commander Lange running after him and us following at his insistence. Hours later we arrived at our Commanders office. Petrov sat down in our Commanders seat.

Petrov looked out the window for a few minutes before turning his attention to the Commander. "What do you call this?" he demanded in a metallic, robotic voice. He flicked his thick cape over his shoulder. That voice, it was so dead, so cold. I noticed I was beginning to become infatuated with this other-worldly man. I wasn’t sure why.

"Is there a problem sir?" our Commander asked nervously.

"You received my directives did you not?"

"Yes.." Commander Lange was beginning to sweat.

"Then try explain to me your careless command of this base! Type 4’s are handed out in large packets for refills, but there are no checks! No records! Your soldiers are disorderly and have no respect for their leaders! The building is in a state of total disrepair, it’s filthy, despite the money I’ve been sending here each month! The only good thing I've seen are those four soldiers by your side.”

“In fact I will be taking them back with me to H.Q. They're clearly wasted in a place like this."

I was as giddy as Annabelle had sounded on the helipad at the prospect of following this man, Grand Commander Petrov. But I did feel bad for Commander Lange, he was really getting chewed out.

Our Commander started to try to explain himself but Petrov cut him off, placing a gloved finger over his lips. He turned to his aides and ordered them to remove all Type 4’s from the Commander and his office and to go sort out the bases Type 4 supplies. They hurried to do his bidding. I could see the shock on our leaders face. We all knew how dependent he was of those black pills. He took at least six an hour, if not more. He was worse than the soldiers and would often deny soldiers these black pills as punishment. It slowly dawned on me there and then. That’s what Commander Petrov was doing to our Base Commander.

"You will receive no more during my visit as a lesson to you." Petrov said with a loveless smile. He placed a hand on Commander Lange’s shoulder as he knelt on the ground before Petrov, sobbing like a child. Petrov seemed to enjoy this reaction.

I felt a bit sick as our Commander started to beg him for mercy... Petrov just stared at him with that cold red eye of his and waited for him to stop. "Lock him in his quarters but allow him to dine with the rest of the base. Let the soldiers see what disobeying my orders can do to a man." He ordered his black clad minions to drag our sniveling Commander to the barracks.

He then turned his attention to us. I was nervous, so nervous I nearly grabbed Annies hand. "You're Delta Unit, the sniper team, yes?" He loomed over me like an angry one eyed Demon. My thoughts were scrambled. How could he just emasculate Commander Lange like that? It wasn’t fair and who was he to decide? I felt a rush of adrenaline.

I stood closer to him "You can't do that! You'll kill him!" Annie grabbed my arm but I ignored her.

"Don’t worry child, a few days will bring him back in line with the protocols we all must follow. He’ll learn an important lesson in humility, a lesson all true commanders must learn.. Now child answer my question! That’s an order!"

"Yes we're Delta Unit you basta-" Annie held her hand over my mouth.

"Good, we could use a competent sniper unit back at H.Q. Pack your things, we’re moving out soon, the Lieutenant here will help you." he pointed towards one of his faceless retainers who stood forward immediately and saluted. Impressive as their drill was, it looked a bit creepy. Too precise..

The next few days were hell for all of us as Commander Lange first started begging anyone in sight for pills, but everyone just passed him by, too scared to give him a thing, from the few they could get themselves. They were all being rationed and we made good money selling the ones we got to people we trusted. By the third day he was being carried out of his quarters and not eating a thing, hunched over and whimpering pleas for the pills while often puking a disgusting smelling black bile. Petrov never left his quarters but it felt like he was everywhere.

On the fourth day we went hiking up the fjord. I wanted to remember this place as it was before Petrov arrived. The Metz brothers, Karl and Stefan began fooling around with Annabelle. I just stared out at the shimmering sea. It was unnaturally hot, despite it being summer. I looked at the woodland below. I felt like crying all of a sudden but the idea of Petrov seeing me cry startled me. I ordered the Unit to make their way back to base without me. I could hear the echoes of their teasing fade into nothing. I sat there until the sun sank into the sea and the stars revealed themselves. I still felt a bit lost, despite hanging out in my favourite place. I decided against lighting a fire and made my way back to Petrov, I mean back to base.

We left on the fifth day and Petrov brought our Commander out to the centre court. "The base will be run as per my directive, the Goshawk protocol we all adhere too, understood? I will not come back and find it in this state again yes?" The soldiers at base mumbled “Yes sir” but it was clear they hated Petrov and just wanted to be rid of him. “Okay, let me put it another way, if I come back and see even a cigarette butt on the ground, I’ll have the entirety of Goshawk flay you all one by one, understand now, yes?” The soldiers stood to attention. “Yes sir!” Petrov dropped the half dead Commander Lange. He was a shadow of the impressive man he’d once been.

Our Commander could barely talk but still managed to croak out a "Yes Sir!" His head was down on his chest. He looked so dejected and broken. Petrov had completely robbed him of his dignity. He’d never recover his command. He seemed barely human. Petrov looked like a hero from the Sagas standing over him, one eyed like Odin.

A large pile of Type 4s was dropped on the ground in front of Commander Lange. He went for them like a starving dog. Petrov strode out towards his helicopter without another word, his entourage following neatly behind him. My team and I followed with our equipment. I glanced back and I saw our former comrades fighting. Some were trying to help Lange and others were trying to steal his pills. Disgusting.

As we got to the helipad Petrov suddenly stopped and turned to us. "I haven't seen you take your Type 4’s, you will take three right now!" He nodded at one of his aides who handed us each three pills then stepped back and waited.

I felt sick again. We had been avoiding them and had just watched our Commander suffer five days of withdrawal but Petrov and his men were watching us like hawks. I had the distinct feeling if we didn't swallow them willingly we'd have them forced down our throats. I looked down at the three seemingly innocuous black pills. They were the most dangerous things in the world. I took a deep breath and threw them into my mouth and swallowed. The others followed my lead not looking very happy. I shuddered at the euphoric rush that followed and saw Petrov nod before he led us onto the helicopter. He let me go before him, helping me on board, quite the gentleman. Feeling the effects for the first time I snuggled into Commander Petrov unknowingly. When I came back to my senses I nearly jumped out of my seat. “I’m so sorry sir!” Annie sat across from us and had her usual evil smirk. Petrov said nothing and pulled me back under his cape. I fell asleep.







We were now tied to these things and forced to do his will, we all knew that and we were slowly beginning to accept it. We were all fortunate that Petrov took the time to overlook our combat statistics personally. We are provided with as many Type 4’s as we want, yet still it ties us to him unless some miraculous cure can be found... The special uniforms we now wear separates us from normal Goshawk soldiers. They’re all jealous of us for the special treatment we now receive. It’s really not that bad, Petrov is actually really caring as long as you follow protocol and we get to do what we do best, sniping enemy soldiers.

Signing off,

Astrid Halvorsen, Delta Unit, Goshawk