A Matter of Security by Bjorn Hasseler

Author:Bjorn Hasseler [Hasseler, Bjorn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781953034649
Google: ji9czgEACAAJ
Publisher: Baen Books
Published: 2021-03-25T04:00:00+00:00

Monday, June 20, 1633

On Monday, most of the men took day jobs. Karl worked at a blacksmith’s shop, and Wolfram went to EMT training. But Neustatter came back before midday.

“Miss Schäubin, Chief Frost would like to see us.”

Astrid closed her book and stood up at once. She brought the book with her, expecting they might have to wait at the polizei station. But as soon as they gave their names to the receptionist, she phoned the chief’s office and sent them right in.

“Neustatter, Miss Schäubin. I heard you had some trouble on the way to Schleusingen.”

“It could have turned into trouble, but it did not,” Neustatter clarified.

“The way I heard it, there were no shots fired in the confrontation, and you brought in forty-nine refugees.”

“Ja.”

“Excellent job, Neustatter.” Dan Frost leaned back in his chair. “I mean that. That could have gone badly very quickly.”

Neustatter gave a slight nod.

“I understand your martial arts lessons came in handy.”

“Ja.”

“What if you’d had to fire?”

Neustatter sat still for a minute before answering. “It was short range. Matchlocks on both sides. We had experience and a slightly better position. A couple of us probably would have gotten hit.”

Frost nodded. “I’ve been in positions like that a time or two. We can use someone who can get out of fixes like that with nobody dead.” His pause was obvious enough that Astrid held her breath, waiting for the rest of what he was going to say.

“Neustatter, you need better weapons. Just in case it does go badly sometime.”

“We know.”

“But you need money to buy the weapons. I have a proposal for you.”

Neustatter did not say anything, but Astrid saw that he was paying close attention.

“Join the Reserves. Drill one weekend a month and two weeks a year. You’ll be issued weapons. You could probably carry those when you are on a mission directly for the Army. Plus, it pays. Not much, but some.”

Chief Frost let Neustatter process that, then he added, “Those are not the only refugees coming out of the towns in the Thüringerwald. Anse Hatfield was reporting movement back in January, and it has only increased. We need somebody down there to make contact with them, and there are reasons why it should not be the NUS Army. You did good, and we’ll make sure you get reimbursed for the food.”

“Interesting,” Neustatter declared. “Political reasons.”

Chief Frost nodded. “Exactly.”

Neustatter grimaced. “I have noticed in the movies and television shows that frequently people with political concerns tell the men in the field what they can and cannot do.”

“We believe in civilian control of the military.”

“But not every civilian,” Neustatter stated. He leaned forward slightly in his chair. “If I accepted this assignment, I decide if I have to open fire. Not somebody who is not there.”

“I don’t have a problem with that,” Dan Frost declared. “Neither will President Stearns or General Jackson.” He grimaced. “Some others, maybe, but frankly, Mike and Frank aren’t real likely to listen to them.”

Neustatter looked over at Astrid. “Did you understand that, Miss Schäubin?”

“Some of it,” she replied.

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