Sailor Jupiter looked up from the paperwork on her desk. Glancing briefly the person seated to one side, she focused her gaze to the man standing before her.

At first glance the man appeared average. Average height, weight and build, although he was most certainly fit. Skin coloration so that he would blend in with a crowd in most places of the world and in a few places like Africa he might be able to pass as a mixed parentage child.

Average. At first glance you would think he had no business being here, applying for this position. Until you looked at his eyes. This man was a veteran of many conflicts, a warrior such as herself would recognize this look. In fact when she was being brutally frank with herself many of such men (and women) where more professional than herself at her job.

But that realization was why she occasionally hired such men for Crystal Tokyo's armed forces, so she and her troops could benefit from such professionalism. And with the events she knew were coming such people would be needed.

"A most impressive record Major, if a little vague in some places.

The background reports from France and Belgium for example"

"Both Legions care little about what a man or woman did prior to joining, Lady Jupiter. And my service record during my time is available to you. What you have there is the condensed version"

"And your other employers?"

"The governments and major corps in question have their own policies. They release what they feel is appropriate," the man shrugged slightly. "My military services are for sell to the highest bidder. However, I am very particular about who I invite to the auction."

"And what does Crystal Tokyo offer to you?"

"Stability, a chance to learn, a place where I could retire to, a home."

The man in the chair spoke up at last. "You are a citizen of France, thanks to your completed service in their Legion."

"I said a home Gr..Lord Calcite. France is a nice country but it is not home to me. Maybe Crystal Tokyo will be it."

"The fact that I'm also known as Grey is not a state secret Henry. Just don't call me Dark anything when Minako is around. Using that phrase has some very unpleasant associations for her."

While this was going on Makoto made a decision. "I'm going to hire you Major, I want you in the J-3 (Training, Operations and Planning). But there is a provision, one that you can take care of right now. I want to know how you two met."

Major Henry von Tramp looked over at Calcite, who nodded his agreement.

"Well....."

==5 years ago==

"Well Minako, it looks like this time I'm not coming back" Calcite AKA Grey said quietly to himself as he carefully looked through the slit in the bunker. Pulse-Laser and machine gun fire laced the compound, punctuated by an occasional mortar round. His own commands return fire was pitiful by comparison, but still enough to keep their attackers at bay. At least until they ran out of ammunition and power packs. And they would expect no quarter from the enemy.

* Which was why I hired on. To fight those butchers, now because I've done so well, they have targeted me and my command. *

* Watch the ego 'Grey' while I'm sure we're a factor they could have hit here anyhow. We're just icing on the cake. *

Africa still had almost as many conflicts as it did when Calcite came to Earth, despite the calming effect Serenity had. And the cycle of droughts and famine still occurred in some areas.

When they occurred together the carnage was appalling.

Thankfully the areas where smaller than during the 20th century. And at least some of the relief agencies had learned. Calcite as Grey had been hired as part of the security forces for one of the better funded agencies. By misfortune the victims of this famine also had ancient tribal enemies who saw the current famine as a heaven sent chance to settle some grievances, preferably by genocide. And anyone who helped them were also considered targets.

With out looking a way he asked "Status report."

"Camp is clear of all but fifty of the refugees sir. We've got them spread out amoungst our own bunkers and people. Those that have the strenght are helping helping passing the ammunition."

Grey nodded, still studying the fire. * Still mixing energy and matter fire. It'd would be a toss-up weather it would be shielding for one when then catching fire from the other, or the simple volume of fire causing my shields to collapes would kill me first.*

He had considered doing just that, charging the enemy's position, drawing their fire until his command could escape. Only to do so would mean leaving behind his wounded and the refugees who could not move fast. * And that I will not do. * Many of those refugees where children.

Finally he turned from the slit to face his communications tech. The woman was a local who had managed to get educated overseas. She had returned to help her people. Ironically she had also picked up a fascination for the Senshi of Crystal Tokyo. Fortunately for his peace of mind she had no one favorite. Right now though she was a true professional, trying desperately to call the help they both knew was not coming.

"Jamming still in place sir, and I don't have the equipment or the power to counter it. They took out all the comm laser relay points in their initial attack. I've tried bouncing a signal off a satellite but the angles are bad and I don't think I got through. The only ones who might have picked that up are the French or the Brits, and the <local obscenity>'s hate them as much as they do us. Those poor bastards are probably in as bad as shape as we are."

Grey nodded. British and French agencies where also trying to help and their respective governments had provided security troops. The French had sent some of their Foreign Legion while the British force had detachments form all over their Imperial Commonwealth. Good troops, but too far way or to engaged to do his command any good. "Keep trying."

"Yes sir." the commtech paused. "Sir?"

"Yes?"

"If I can't do it myself, please don't let them take me alive. You know what they do to any of my people, and especially to the women."

Grey could only nod.

Outside a full mortar barrage had started. It was obvious that a full assault was about to begin. Grey looked at the poster that his tech had tacked up on one wall. It was a often duplicated copy of all the Senshi in their typical poses. He looked at one in particular. * I'm sorry Minako. * Calcite thought again.

"Sir? You best listen to this." Grey took up the handset and listened. The jamming was still going on, but something was managing to punch through anyway, the signal weak, but understandable.

"Wanderer 6 to Simba, Wanderer 6 to Simba do you copy? Authenticate if you copy. Wanderer to Simba." Then the message repeated.

"Wanderer is our camp near the British Sir."

"But they couldn't spare the troops, they would have to guard all their refugees"

"Shall I authenticate? It couldn't hurt."

"I'll do it. This is Simba 6 actual to Wanderer 6 authenticate series 5"

"Simba 6 this is Wanderer 6 actual" said a new voice when the authentication series was finished. "Sitrep please."

"Command is in bunkers but we are low on ammo, power and supply. We have direct fire weapons only many manned by walking wounded. We also have fifty refugee's we couldn't evacuate. Estimate attacking forces to be a reinforced battalion with a lot of light and medium mortar support. Situation critical, need relief."

"Simba 6 can you observe?"

"If you can do something about the jamming, affirmative."

There was a pause, was it Calcite's imagination or was the barrage slacking slightly. Suddenly the commtech gasped and shook her head, muttering something in her native tongue.

"What is it?"

Pointing to one of the other comm units in the bunker she explained. "They've been varying their jamming with voice messages about what they will do. Right in the middle of the last broadcast he was cut off and I could have sworn I heard a war cry."

"What did it sound like?"

"Ayo something."

Suddenly the set Calcite was holding said clear as a bell, "Simba 6 can you correct fire now?"

Calcite looked out the bunker, the enemy looked like they were going to begin their final rush.

"Affirmative and hurry, infantry 200 meters from perimeter and preparing to assault!"

"On way."

The distinct sound of 125mm mortar shells started in. * But only the French and the Brits have those here. * It didn't matter it was fire support. And unfortunately the ranging rounds were about 75 meters too far to the right from where they would do the most good.

Calcite called in the correction. It was dead on. "Fire for effect!!"

It continued on the rest of the day. The artillery was giving them a fighting chance, but they were still running low on ammunition. As the sun set Calcite was considering evacuation at midnight when a most unexpected sound came from the bunker door. A knock.

In walked in a very short brown man in a British uniform. He had on a hat very much like what bellboys wore in movies set in the 1940's. He carried a very large knife, almost a sword. Calcite knew what that knife was a kuri the favored weapon of a group of people known as the Gurki. A people that many considered the best fighting men on earth. He did not appear conserned about the sword Calcite had formed when he entered.

"Captain von Tramps compliments Grey. He sent this humble one and his squad ahead with some ammunition, food and medical supplies. He asks me to advise you to hold your position and wait until dawn."

Calcite stared at the pack the small man was carrying. It looked like something that he would have no problem carrying but a human? And to carry that load silently? And for a group of men to do so? He squelshed his questions though. He still had to think of his command. "What happens at dawn?"

"The end of our current problem. It would be over sooner but many of the other troops are tired and we want to make sure we get all of these [insult]"

"I see."

"So what happened next?" asked Makoto.

"It turned out that the Gurki had the duty when the enemy attacked, they held off the attack until the rest of the camp was up and about. Von Tramp here, had set up our forces defences so that the attackers were caught between his troops and the Gurki's fire. The Brits and him organized a relief column and also set up a commando raid to destroy the jamming. The Gurki contingent insisted on taking part in both and did the heaviest fighting of the British forces."

"Why was he there in the relief column?"

"I felt it was my duty. I was the only one who knew the terrain well enough to coordinate the scratch force. The British officers were new to the area, while I had been there for months. When the Gurki's stated they trusted my leadership I lead them and my forces to the camp. The mortars crews followed and then set up once we where in range."

"And don't forget what the Gurki did for you afterward Henry."

Makoto looked very interested. "What? What did they do?"

"They said what I did was subash, very good. They presented me with my own Kuri and said I was worthy to lead them at any time and that they would let their king know. Then we had one hell of a party, along with Grey here."

"It turns out they have a great respect for me as well," added the Renegade.

"How good of a party?"

"As good as my first bachelor party. Only without that special brew Endymion brought to it."

Von Tramp raised his eyebrow. "Now that is a story _I_ want to hear."

Major Henry Von Tramp.

Despite name does not appear in any German, Austrian, or Swiss data base. May be assumed to be a fictional name, but it is now his legal name as well.

Know History:

Served 5 years in Belgium's Foreign Legion (yes they have one too.) Claimed to have been 18 but it is more than possible that he was younger. However like the French Foreign Legion, they don't care about what you did or were prior to enlisting.

Served in Frances Foreign Legion, two years into enlistment was chosen to attend their Officers academy. Served an additional seven years after graduation, good record, noted to be cool under fire. Resigned commission to take bodyguard position for a noted industrialist. Stayed with him until the man's death by natural causes two years later.

Has done both body guarding and mercenary work all over the world, speaks fluent French, English (no accent of any type however), and Japanese. Speaks passable Spanish, Arabic and Swahili. He picked up the last language while serving as an advisor in various African wars. He has also learned some Gurki but claims no command of the language. It is noted that he has allowed no atrocities to be committed in any unit he advised or commanded. Largest unit he has commanded personally is a company.

He is known to practice Savate (French Kick Boxing) most likely learned during his time in the French Foreign Legion.

As I tried to show in the story Von Tramp has one of those faces and bodies where he could blend in with any group of people. He admits to being of mixed parentage but that is as far as he will go.

He can be very diplomatic but he will do his duty.

He can be considered qualified in most infantry weapons in use in the 30th century. His rating is expert in the rest. He has a gift for leadership and planning.

Once he takes a job he stays truly loyal unless he is betrayed.

Then he will be one of your worst nightmares.