Chapter 11

Somewhere near the lands of Castle von Wulfcastle

Southern Rhineland, Prussia, Two and half months later.

The sun was setting as the black clad man made his last observations.  His master had paid him several months back to find out the location of the Wulfkorp headquarters, but it proved far more difficult than one would expect.  The man was not an expert spy like his master, but he still was trained well enough to know how to lie his way in and out of a problem, how to send messages in secret and to know when one is being followed or spied upon.  He had enough of the last.  He would have started his search in the Rhineland upon his arrival two months back, but his master made it very clear on how he would collect his information.  He thought back to that moment two months ago.

“There is no such thing as an ordinary village, city or town, especially here” Fallion said sternly as he pointed to the Rhineland region on a map.  “I understand master” the man said.  “You better, Lord Blackthorn has no time for excuse and he expects the Wulfkorp to be hit hard enough, so that they will be crippled long enough so that the Lord may carry out his plans” Fallion finished.  “Now what did I mean by there is no ordinary city, town or village in this particular region” Fallion pointed back at the Rhineland region once more.

“Because that region is where the Wulfkorp has its headquarters, so security will be much higher?” the man asked.  “You are correct my pupil” Fallion said with a cold smile “the Rhineland region is full of Wulfkorp spies, so that they know who and why someone is coming into the region, in order to make sure no-one is coming in to do anything suspicious” he concluded.  “That being said” the man said “I might have spies on me the moment I step off the train, even more so then when I fled the fatherland.”  Fallion nodded “A wanted man you may be, but after what I taught you all these years, lying and tricking your way out of a situation won’t be a problem” he stated.

“Plus if you have any trouble finding the headquarters remember this: the more spies that you notice following you, the more likely you are getting close their headquarters.  They may have security agents in the Rhineland region, but they will be concentrated on finding spies even more so when you get closer to their headquarters” Fallion concluded.

“I understand master, may I take my leave then master” the man said.  “Yes and report only when you have something and when you can send it” Fallion said as he dismissed the man.  With that being said, the man in black began making plans to leave from the Aquitaine region of France where he hid out and made way for the train stations, donning several disguise while trying to hide his face and identity from various authority figures.  It worked so effectively, he thought he would enter the Rhineland region with any unnecessary blood.

He was proven wrong once he began moving southward into the Rhineland region.  Upon arriving into the town of Wolfsburg, he noticed three men had been following him.  He thought nothing of them at first when he entered the Rhineland region, but just as soon as the train left to Wolfsburg, they started following him at slow, but steady paces.  “They must be Wulfkorp spies” he said to himself.  He would check into a hotel like he planned and rest up until nightfall.

When nightfall arrived he would make his move.  He didn’t want to cause too much attention to himself, but he couldn’t let them have the upper hand on him, he had to draw them away.  He went across the street to the tavern and went behind it.  Just as he expected the three men followed him down the street and into the alley.  He hid in the shadows waiting for them, when they got confused as to where he went when they couldn’t see him.  Two of them left and ordered the one to remain behind.

“Big mistake on your part” he whispered to himself smiling.  When the one man was left alone, he pounced on the spy and then slit his throat.  What he didn’t realize is that it wasn’t a man but a woman, a beauty if she had been alive with her brown eyes and raven hair.  “A beauty like you should have stayed home and raised your little bastards” he said sneering to himself.  Even though the man was a spy and taught to be emotionless on a kill, he still didn’t like the idea of killing women.

It didn’t matter know anyway, the Wulfkorp would know that he was here and the dead body would be proof of that.  Fortunately the man had been taught wilderness survival, a talent he had to adopt quickly after he had been chased out of Prussia for some terrible crime.  After leaving Wolfsburg, he spent the next several months hiding out in the woods, trying to avoid human contact and making his reports through a network of spies that posed as traveling merchants.

Now that he had found the Wulfkorp Headquarters, he wanted so badly to impress his master.  “Where in the hell is he” the man cursed to himself under his breath.  “If there is one thing I haven’t taught you are patience” a familiar voice said.  The man spun around to see an albino faced man with a pale-faced woman wearing a leather vest with spider-webbed netting on her arms and legs, a foreigner dressed in a strange outfit with a sword on his back and several Blood Knight Troopers that were armed and ready for a siege.  It was Fallion, Duchess and Hideo.

“Apologies master, I have been so eager to await your arrival” the man said smirking.  “It can wait; this is the headquarters of the Wulfkorps?” Fallion asked coldly.  “Yes, how I know it is because there a system of rails that goes underground.  Odd for a train to be doing that sort of thing unless you are the Wulfkorps, but also I noticed something that might impress your foreign friend” the man indicated to Hideo.  “I am not his friend” Hideo said coldly, “But if you have something that might interest me, speak it.”

The man smiled sadistically.  “You have a rival, blonde hair, blue eye, goes by the name of Kurt is it?” the man said as Hideo nodded.  “I know of him from my master about your grudge with him, I was told to keep a sharp eye out for him.  It wasn’t that easy to shake off the man, followed me for days on end before I could lose him.”  “Enough” Duchess said coldly “What about the best attack points on the castle, do you have those too?”

The man bit back his contempt for the women, telling him what to do instead of the master, but Fallion nodded in agreement with her.  “Let me show” the man said as he lit up a lamp and then rolled out a set of maps, depicting the outside and inside of castle.  “As you can see here my master, these two points” he indicated with his finger to a pair of red circles “are the most heavily guarded, but here” he indicted towards several other circles colored blue “are the most vulnerable, but still well guarded which would present a problem.”

“Not for me” Hideo scoffed “or me neither” Duchess said smiling coldly as she pulled out her knives.  “The matter of getting will not be your problem, but ours.  You have done well my pupil, now you must leave immediately and await further instructions, understood?”  The man smiled, seeing that his master had been pleased with him.  “Understood, my master” with that being done, the man disappeared into the forest.“Alright men, here’s the plan” Fallion said as he began looking over the maps.

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“Who’s up next as my sparring partner?” Ulrich bellowed.  The gym was alive with activity as the evening training went on.  Every evening after six o’clock was the beginning of evening training, by which most soldiers called “After six torture time”.  It was referred to as such because Ulrich was a real monster with the training.  He put them through a serious regimen of workouts that made men sweat heavily and hand-to-hand combat training along with Kurt, from time to time but it was Ulrich who was the real beast in training.

Every morning since the week Schroeder, Bruckner, Schwartz, Wolfgang and the other soldiers were brought in to the Wulfkorp, they got up at six-fifteen in the morning to have breakfast and began a series of training exercises ranging from testing out their standard issue weapons on the firing range to tactics to being pummeled in the training area of the gym by Ulrich

“The firearm you see is called an automatic rifle.  It has a four firing methods: off, single, triple and full auto” Harbin explained to Schroeder and the others.  The weapon that he had shown was a medium length weapon with a rectangular shape frame.  The frame also had a scope on it that Harbin explained would be useful when scanning the area and taking out targets from afar.  “It is no substitute for the scopes on rifles which Frauline Horton will be teaching you about in sniper training.  Now to the sidearm’s” Harbin was about to explain when Sheila stood up.

“If you’re trying to bore everyone to death, you have accomplished” she said with bored look on her face.  Harbin looked at her and frowned “If you want to teach them about the firearms, go ahead.  I’ll be waiting for when you are ready to learn about mechanics” he stormed out fuming.  Sheila smiled as she picked the weird pistol looking weapon.  “This here boys is your standard issue Wulfkorp sidearm.  I normally don’t carry like everyone else” she said slapping her holstered revolvers around her hips.

“This bad boy here has got three settings: off, single and triple.  Normally the off switch is more of a safety trigger thing, but this here is your real trigger finger” she said as she took her gloved right index finger and waved it back.  “This part” she indicated to a small box like shape on the gun “is called a magazine.  Normally you’d load your bullets in your side-arms like my revolver” she said as she pulled out the revolver in her left holster “but the ammo you load is in this part.”  She then went on to explain the other parts of the gun.  The long part called the muzzle and why the butt of the gun was made of wood instead of metal.

She finished shortly there after “Alright then, to the firing range” she explained as they moved to take their turns shooting on the firing range.  When it was Bruckner’s turn she kissed him on the cheek “For luck baby” she smiled as he smiled back taking his shoots.  When it was Schroeder’s turn, he did slightly better than Bruckner.  “You may be a good shot” Sheila said smiling to Schroeder “But my man here is just as good” she said as she was taking a single gloved finger stroking his scarred left face.

 When they were done with the standard issue weapons they were moved on to more special weapons.  That was Ulrich’s specialty.  When Ulrich came up to troopers he spat in contempt.  “Alright you maggots, it’s time to learn how to use heavy weapons.”

“You guys may have a problem lifting this particular weapon” Ulrich indicated “but when it becomes less heavy for you maggots, then you can learn to use it, but for now I will show you how to use it.”  Schroeder remembered a few months back when he had seen Ulrich use it back when he had ill feelings towards the man.  It let off a loud roaring sound like the room was falling around them.  When it stopped, there was nothing left that you would consider a target, just a large hole where there had been one.

“Heavy weapons may not be for you” he indicated to Schroeder “or any of you” he indicated “but once I am through teaching you about them, it’ll be up to your ability to use them properly” he grinned.  He then showed them another series of special weapons.  A medium size tube shaped thing with a butt whom it was called a grenade launcher, another tube shaped device that was much larger called a shoulder cannon and finally his gun that he used earlier that was called a mini-gun.

“This ugly brute fires a hundred rounds a second” he said grinning as if he enjoyed holding it.  “Not only does it require this heavy pack for the ammo” he indicated to the large box shaped device “but it also requires a lot of steam power” he indicate to another box similar in size but different design.  “You won’t burn your back, but it's still heavy shit.  Eggheads like Helga, Harbin and the other scientists that they work with are finding new ways to shrink them down and make it easier, but after the first time you saw this, much progress hasn’t been made.”

“Progress has been made you dumb oaf” Ulrich turned to see Helga with stern look on her face “I am also not an egghead and I happen to be your superior” she said to him sternly as she pointing at him.  Ulrich had maintained his poker face, before he could respond she looked to Schroeder.  “Captain Schroeder, I want to show you my work” she said.  “I’d be more than willing to see what you’ve done” Schroeder said as Helga nodded back with a smile.  “You’d best be showing him you work and not a good time.  In case you forgot, he still needs to be taught the basics” Ulrich spat.

With that said Helga walked up to Ulrich and slapped him hard across the face.  When she had been done doing that, she took Schroeder by the hand “Come, follow me Heinrich” she said.  “Whatever you say” he said as he looked back at fuming Ulrich.

“You know he’s right to say that I still need to know the basic training.  I don’t need you to save me from everything Ulrich does” Schroeder stated plainly.  “Your right I don’t need to save you from everything he does to you, I just don’t want him to drive your ass into the ground for failing and tormenting you for your success’s” Helga responded.  “So then why show favoritism to me and not the troops?” Schroeder asked.  “Because there not officers, he always despised officers back when he was in the regular army.”  Schroeder felt confused, before he could ask Helga why she then answered for him.

“It’s one thing for an officer to maintain order within the ranks, but when he fails to make a tactical assessment, that’s when bad things happen.  Back around the time when he first encountered Steel Monger” she shuddered as she explained “he warned his colonel of the matter, but took no heed from him because he was from the ranks and not a proper officer” she said with contempt in her voice.  “Even when he advised him the best way to fight Steel Monger, he still refused to listen to Ulrich.  That’s when Ulrich struck him down, if it wasn’t for General von Krieger being there, Ulrich would have been hung.”

“But I am not that kind of officer, you know my military record as well the others, it states that I do have good tactical sense, even when I don’t know what I am facing. Also, I am not some peacock officer who’s afraid to get his hands dirty or fight or bleed alongside the regular troops, he has been told this hasn’t he?” Schroeder asked.  Helga nodded “He has been told that, but you haven’t gained his trust” Helga sighed “The only way you can gain his trust is by beating him in a fight.”

“How bad is it” Schroeder asked quizzically.  “About as bad as you looked after fighting Steel Monger” Helga shook her head with disappointment.  “But I do know someone who can help you take him down in fight” she said with a positive tone her voice.

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“Not like that Heinrich, like this” Kurt said as he gripped Schroeder on his lapels and threw him to the side.  Heinrich had been thrown many times and he still wasn’t improving.  “You’re not using your right leg to sweep my left leg out of the way fast enough.  You need to go fast enough so I don’t catch and throw you on your back like I just did” Kurt finished explaining.  Heinrich was sweating hard through his training uniform, which Kurt called a GI.  He was told by Kurt to change into that after he entered what Kurt called a dojo.

“Up once more” Kurt said as he gave out his hand to help Schroeder up.  When they faced each other again Kurt grabbed Heinrich’s lapels once more.  “Don’t worry about hurting me” Kurt stated plainly “I have black belts in Tai-jitsu, Ju-jitsu and Ninjitsu, so when it comes to me getting hurt, I am more prepared then you are, now throw damn you!!!!” Kurt demanded.  Schroeder swept his right leg fast and threw Kurt down to the mat so fast, that Helga, who had been watching them spar, didn’t see it happen.

“Correct, like that Heinrich” Kurt said as he held up his hand so that Schroeder could lift him up.  “You may just be martial arts material, but I can’t promise you that you’ll be as good as me” Kurt said plainly.  “I just need to know enough to knock Ulrich flat on his butt and earn his trust” Schroeder explained as Kurt slapped him across the back of his head.  “I am not instructing you on the martial arts of Japan just so you can show up Ulrich” Kurt said coldly “I am teaching you these lessons in order to live.  Fighting is only half of the lessons you will learn from me, provided you want to learn more than that.”

“I am sorry Kurt” Schroeder said as Kurt folded his arms with a frown on his face “What?” Schroeder asked.  “Another thing you’ll have to learn from me is how to show the proper manners, whenever you address me, you call me sensei or master, calling me sir helps too, but not outside this dojo, understood?”   “Yes sir” Schroeder said plainly.  Kurt nodded “Excellent, now I want you to meet another one of your sparring partners” Kurt Indicated to the individual in the corner.  When the man stepped into the light it showed a familiar face.

“Schwartz!!!” Schroeder said with a smile on his face.  “Hey there Captain, nice to see that we’ll be sparring partners now that I got my new leg” Schwartz said grinning as he tapped his left leg.  “It feels funny at first, but once I got used to it, it was as if I never lost my leg in the first place.”  Before Schroeder could ask more Kurt cut in.  “Now that you two have caught up, it’s sparring time for you two.  Schwartz, show him what I’ve taught you while I spar with Helga.”

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For those two months, Schroeder, along with Helga, Kurt and Schwartz, learned the various techniques of the Taijitsu and Jiu-jitsu.  Kurt did show a few Nin-jitsu techniques, such as how to sneak around and strike when no-one could see you, but Kurt made it very clear that unless you want to learn real Nin-jitsu, you’d have to commit more time to it.  Schwartz was more than eager to learn more about being a ninja, but Schroeder wasn’t and merely wished to learn the hand-to-hand combat.  Over those months despite his soreness from Kurt’s training, Schroeder became more muscular and the other women, besides Helga, began hiding their blushing faces and giggle as the saw him shirtless.

“Hey Schroeder” Ulrich bellowed out so loud that Schroeder snapped back to reality.  “Since you obviously enjoy day dreaming more than training your up next” Ulrich chuckled.  “Let me handle this lug” Bruckner whispered to Schroeder “I took him on before.”  “The man had his back to you and then you butted his head in with a rifle, what makes you think you can take him head on?”  “He’s right sarge” Wolfgang added in “I tried that same approach and like at me” the man was bruised and bloody all over, which shows the extent of Ulrich’s sadistic training.

“If you and the rest of the ladies are done having your tea party, let’s fight Heinrich unless you’re a chicken” Ulrich said flapping his arms while some of the troops laughed.  “Kick his ass hon” Schroeder noticed a sweat stained Sheila and Hilda both wearing sports bras and gym shorts, speaking to him.  Helga was also there nodding here approval.

“Need permission from your women to fight me worm?” Ulrich sneered.  “Only if it means taking down a dickless wonder like you” Schroeder spat back.  A series of laughs came in, but Ulrich turned red.  “A pampered poodle like you think he can take me down eh?” he spat in contempt “then let’s fight.”  With that being said the two men grabbed each other by they’re joints.  Ulrich was able to thrown Schroeder off his balance by grabbing his waist and tossing him over his back side, but Schroeder had anticipated that and rolled out from the fall.

“Ulrich may be an expert when it comes to boxing and wrestling, but even those styles have there faults.  If he tries to do a suplex, then make sure you roll your way out before you fall” Schroeder thought back to one of Kurt’s lessons.  “I know you’ve been training with Kurt for these past several months, but I’ve been a wrestling and boxing champ back when you were still sucking your mother’s teat.”

“One other tactic he’ll try is to provoke you.  Don’t let him get you angry or you will lose focus and then lose” Schroeder thought again.  Ulrich charged at Schroeder and just as he was about to swing a devastating right haymaker, Schroeder grabbed his right arm and tripped him with his right leg, sending Ulrich flipping to the floor on his back.  Schroeder then got onto the floor and wrapped both his legs around Ulrich’s neck with his right leg around his right arm.  The men who had been rooting for Ulrich looked stunned.

“Give up yet, you ugly gorilla?” Schroeder asked as he struggling to keep Ulrich pinned down.  “I still got more fight in me” Ulrich spat as he tried to squirm his way out but to no avail.  Before the fight could go on any further, explosions were going off.  Schroeder unhooked his legs around Ulrich’s neck to stand up and wonder what was going on, Ulrich remained sitting on the mat to massage his neck area.  “It’s probably Harbin again testing out another experiment or blowing up a failed one” Helga said plainly.

Then another series of explosions went off and there was a faint sound of gunfire, then the alarm went off.  “Attention, Attention” a voice shouted out over the P.A. system “Blood Knights have entered the base, I repeat Blood Knights have entered the base, all troops repel borders” the voice ended over the system.  “How the hell did they find us” Bruckner shouted.  “Hell if I know hon” Sheila replied “But why don’t we get saddled up and ask them” she then said as she grabbed Bruckner’s arm.

“Let’s go Heinrich, the general and the baron will need us” she said waved her arm.  Schroeder, along with Helga, made a mad dash towards the armory. “Its payback time you sons of bitches” Schroeder said to himself.