Chapter 33: Reuniting With Some Old Friends
It had been years since the Boxer Rebellion came to an end, three to be exact. And during this time, Bruno had gone his separate ways from the friends he made at the Royal Prussian Main Cadet Institute. Though he had kept in contact with the men the best he could, via letters which were still the primary form of communication in the world.
Bruno had quickly risen through the ranks of the Imperial German Army, becoming the youngest Generalmajor in history. Meanwhile, Heinrich and Erich had been promoted to the rank which Bruno previously held. Captain, also known as Hauptmann, in the German language.
Surprisingly, when Bruno arrived at the Prussian naval base in Danzig, he found the two young captains standing there, boasting their newly obtained collar and shoulder insignia while smoking a couple of cigarettes and catching up on what had happened over the past few years.
Erich was boasting about his older brother, who was several years older than him, and already a prominent member of the Kaiserliche Marine, also known as the Imperial German Navy.
"Yeah, I just received word from the family, my brother Hermann has been promoted to the rank of Captain within the navy. He's recently been assigned to a cruiser in the East Asia Squadron as its commanding officer. I wouldn't be surprised if we see him while in Manchuria!"
Heinrich blew a puff of smoke in Erich's face, responding with relative disinterest to his old friend whose boastful nature when it came to the topic of his family continued even now that he was in his mid twenties.
"I suppose that would be a treat, now wouldn't it... Oh shit! General, we were just waiting for your arrival!"
Heinrich immediately snapped to attention when he saw Bruno step forward. The man was dressed in the uniform of a Generalmajor. The only thing Bruno was really missing to appear like the old men who were sending him to Manchuria were several more medals, and a Sash belonging to one of the major orders of Merit.
Even so, his uniform commanded immediate respect from anyone who saw it. Heinrich and Erich were no exception. Who put out their cigarettes and snapped to attention when they saw their old friend approach them.
Bruno simply smiled and shook his head, before demanding the two of them not be so formal with him.