Chapter 25: First Day at the Prussian War College
Bruno's life over the following week was rather peaceful. He spent every day at home with his wife. Free from any real worries that may have otherwise caught his attention. Luckily for him, he was not being deployed to some far-away corner in the world.
And instead, when the time came to resume active service, he was still able to return home to his wife every night. As their old manor was located close enough to the military base to be considered within the acceptable range of off-base housing for those soldiers who were already married.
As for Bruno's new unit. He was attached to another Infantry Company. He had a new commanding officer and new subordinates. What with Heinrich and Erich being sent off to other units across Prussia? Bruno found himself in a new and unfamiliar setting.
His daytime job during a time of peace was fairly simple. The usual bullshit that infantry had to do when there was no war to fight. Maintain physical standards, and every now and then go through some shooting drills. Other than that, the soldiers were left in the barracks with little to do. Most commonly turning to drinking and gambling to pass the time.
Bruno himself, as the leader of the Company was relegated to a desk job during the hours he was not actively training his company of riflemen. And because of this, he found his peaceful time in his new unit rather dull.
However, it was only a few weeks of this mundane activity before Bruno received a letter from the Central Division. It was not sent to his home, but rather given to him personally by his new battalion commander. A man who eyed the medal pinned onto Bruno's chest with a sign of respect.
He himself was a veteran of the Franco Prussian War, and had earned himself an iron cross during the conflict. In addition to this, he wore the Centenary Medal, which was an award established by Kaiser Wilhelm II, which honored the hundredth anniversary of his grandfather's birth.
This Medal was issued to soldiers only two years prior to Bruno's graduation from the Academy. And because of this, he did not have one to boast as well. Even so, the Colonel seemed to respect the fact that Bruno had volunteered to fight in the Boxer Rebellion, something that most of the Army, himself included had neglected to do.
It was because of this that his tone was more kind to Bruno than it normally was to his other subordinates, especially as he handed the young captain the letter in his hands.
"This is a letter from the Central Division of High Command, addressed to you personally. I have not read its contents, nor has anyone else for that matter. Whatever the reason, I suspect it is of grave importance. So stop what you're doing and focus on this."