Chapter 28 Good Friends To Have

Two days after General Tennant reached out with his offer of Venetian Brandy, a high quality liquor favored by Kepler officers, it drew an unusual face to the Academy on Kepler Terminus.

Inquisitor Wolf, of Central Command Internal Affairs Investigation Department was not a figure that anyone usually looked forward to seeing. His words alone could have entire Academies closed, or Battalions brought up on charges. Due to this reputation and level of power wiring the Kepler Kingdom, seeing an Internal Affairs Inquisitor was considered very bad luck.

But he wasn't here to reprimand anyone, he wanted to see the Cadets that his uncle was training as successors. The old man was notoriously picky, and if he said these would make good successors when properly trained, Wolf was happy to help.

He had arrived in the causal slacks and polo shirt version of his uniform instead of full regalia to try to ease the anxiety of the academy, but he could still see everyone tense as he walked by. He would have come in civilian clothing, but it had been thirty years since he owned any. Duty was his life, and an Inquisitor was never truly off duty.

He easily found the training area that was being used by the General due to the distinct lack of foot traffic nearby. Stepping inside, he was almost floored by the gravity change from the outside normal to easily twice Imperial standard. Unlike a Mecha Pilot who required a high Rank System to advance, Inquisitors only needed intelligence and dedication. Wolf only had a Gamma Rank System, so even in his middle years, he could just barely match the strength these Alpha Rank Cadets attained without Modifiers.

The two Cadets, Max and Nico if he recalled correctly, were sparring when he came in. Coveralls tied at the waist and gray tank tops sweat soaked, they'd obviously been training for a while already this morning. He also noticed that the reinforced training batons they were using were bent from the force of the impacts.

He wasn't sure if it was the gravity or another part of their training, but these Cadets were monsters. Having over a hundred bonus points while still in primary training, with a two point base, Alpha Rankers were just built differently.

They also seemed to be using his family's variant of Kep Maga, which could only have come from the General. He really was going all out for his successors.

When they heard his boots cross the threshold, both stood facing Inquisitor Wolf and gave the fist to the chest Kepler Salute.

"Inquisitor On The Deck." Nico called out and General Tennant came sauntering out from the other room, smiling at the new arrival.

"Nephew, thanks for coming. Cadets, this is Inquisitor Wolf, he will be teaching you the duties of a Commissar over the next few weeks. Diversity of input is important, so I won't be teaching you this myself, only examining you on what you've learned."

"Thank You for educating us Inquisitor." The Cadets answer in unison.

"I'm here as an Instructor today, so you may call me Major Wolf. General, how much do they know about discipline rules and Requisitions?"

"I had them memorize the Imperial Handbook, so they know the theory, but we haven't touched on it yet." That makes Major Wolf's job easier. He won't have to undo years of local indoctrination on planetary loyalty, customs and standards.

Discipline is as much about motivation as punishment and a proper Commissar needs to balance the two aspects well to keep their troops at maximum efficiency. That holds especially true for a mixed force that contains infantry. More bodies means more issues, and many infantry soldiers are little better than conscripts, serving out a term of service so they can go home.

For those planets where the system didn't take well among the population, or where Mecha Piloting isn't as culturally ingrained, sending annual Regiments of infantry to the war effort is common practice. They serve ten years and then the survivors return home to a civilian life.

"We will start with a knowledge quiz. After physical training, hit the showers and return in casual uniform."

Max and Nico return to their match, having only a few minutes left in the session. Max is certain he's about to win this time when he captures Nico's wrist and twists, he's stronger so it's only a matter of seconds and he'll have her pinned.

General Tennant gives him an approving look that neither Cadet notices but Inquisitor Wolf shakes his head. "He's lost."

"How do you see that? That's a textbook lock." General Tennant asks quietly.

"Exactly, it's textbook. You recall the Gang Wars at the Salt Mines?"

"Victory is the only virtue. That bunch of savages?" The General says, thinking deeply.

"Just like them."

Just as he says it, Max pulls Nico in close for the pin and she very clearly bites him, making him flinch. Before he can recover, her flexible body has folded in half and she's got his neck in a secure choke hold between her thighs. Max does his best to hold out, but ends up tapping out first.

"You bit me."

"Lies and Slander. I did no such thing."

"You know I can read your mind, right?"

"Then why did you let me bite you?"

The two officers share a laugh as the banter fades behind the sounds of the showers.

"Are they always so competitive?" Wolf asks.

"It's even worse inside the Mecha. They're both fanatics and hate losing to each other, but they're still pretty evenly matched for now. Give them another year or two at the most to activate their first few System Abilities and it should sort itself out." The General confirms.

"You've got your hands full then. But don't worry, teaching then the reality of Commanding and Provisioning a unit won't take long at all if they're that dedicated. I hope you're intending the small one for Commissar. The big one seems like a genuinely good person, we need more like that in command."

General Tennant smiles at his nephew. "I knew we'd see things the same way. That's why I reached out to you for their training. If we had to separate them it would be a waste of talent."