Proposal

With the New Year starting off not as nearly as well as Petre Sabri had hoped, this situation just added to an ever growing feeling of uncertainty and dread.

Just a few hours ago, he was sitting very comfortably in his office, reviewing the events of the last year and taking stock in what the Corporation was going forward with into times ahead. When he first sat down, he held onto this feeling of optimism and hope, but that slowly melted away as he took a much closer look at the details of recent events.

Recruiting had started off very strong, with news spreading about the Corporation and the Companies. Soon, it appeared that people from almost all walks of life came nearly running to get a piece of the action. Petre had found out that a cache of old British Chieftain Mk.6 Main Battle Tanks had been located, but who and how they were distributed became a topic of controversy.

Another cache was found shortly afterwards, this time with old Polish Puma Armored Fighting Vehicles. Failing to learn the lessons from the Chieftain, the cycle repeated itself.  Nevertheless, many came to take a chance at starting their new career in either one of these vehicles, most would be disappointed.   

Then, there was a series of European conflicts that drained the ranks, starting with Colonel Jacek Kowalski and Colonel Hans Krieger drawing swords on each other. From the barely trained to the battle hardened took leave of absences to join and fight with the Polish White Lancers and the German Hellhounds.

Few would return from the disaster known as Operation Arminius. Petre had met Erika Schepke from Lodestar GmbH on a few occasions and came to the quick conclusion he didn't like her very much. Eventually, word got out she was behind the White Lancers being wiped out and sending the Hellhounds running for their lives, he liked her even less.

A few months after the carnage in the Teutonburg forest, fighting broke out again, this time with names like Bulwark, the reformed White Lancer/Hellhound as the Remnant and Lodestar taking on the Maulers name. The Battle of Mattighofen put an end Erika Schepke's unchecked power grab and the Bulwark just faded away. Petre had to hand it to Sebastian Grimm, he never lost sight of keeping the Hellhound legacy alive and surviving Remnant members collected on a very handsome payout, thanks to securing a certain NATO installation.

Returning members and new recruits slowed from a run down to a leisurely stroll and faced a new situation. Battle hardened contractors were being saddled with less than proficient operators and the results from engagements were becoming worrisome. The more experienced lodged complaints that they now had to pull more than their fair share of the battle weight to achieve a more favorable outcome. Petre knew this came down from upper management and could do nothing about it, but just stand by and watch the ranks grow even thinner.

Now, with the major restructuring of just about everything Petre had come to know and accept about how things were, he stood there, holding a large, stuffed envelope, a proposal package in his hands and a mind full of doubts for the future.

From the shadows in front of him, a balding, middle aged man with a mustache pulled a drag from a cigarette. At his side and in his other hand, was a large rasp held by the handle, something of a personal signature that has become recognized by quite a few in the industry....