In response to my words, one of the men, like a disciplined schoolboy, raised his hand:
— Managing people in battle is quite a difficult task. I would like to know if you have people in mind for commanding positions, or will you appoint them from those present here?
— There are no such people. Hopefully—for now. The squad commanders will be appointed from you. The general command in battle will remain with me in any case. — Noticing that only the questioner frowned, he added: — I will explain for those who did not understand — a sixteen-year-old boy will command you during the battle. And those who are not satisfied with it, I do not keep. — A short pause to let everyone understand. — However, I want to note that I understand this more than the overwhelming number of those present here. You have the right not to believe me. Mine is to keep silent about the source of such knowledge. Any more questions? — And another hand. I wonder if this is normal? — Please.
— I, like everyone here, am a civilian. And I can only fight. And judging by your words, you won't have to work with your hands at all. Will any instructor be hired?
A question with a double meaning. In any normal office that uses people as warriors, there are instructors, well, or at least constant training and professional development are carried out. But in Garagarahebi, they score on such things.
— Absolutely. I will not let you into battle with the skills you have now. I don't keep "meat", get used to it.
Another hand.
— I understand, it's a stupid question, but... how should I put it... will we have time for self-improvement?
— A normal question. There are millions of fighters in the army, but even there are not many Warriors there. And to answer your question, I don't have an army here. Your main task in your free time from the war is self—improvement. The stronger you are, the stronger I am.
"Where are we going to... well... work?" a guy of about eighteen asked after I nodded at his raised hand. — I mean, we're not going to train here. Is this... what's it like... the location of the deployment where it will be? And how in general... is it... well... what is the work schedule?
— Officially, you will be assigned to my company and will be listed there as a security service. The work schedule has not yet been determined. Not normalized yet. And the place of dislocation... heh, there will be a place of dislocation for you. The lands for the security service have already been purchased, it remains to bring them into proper shape. Fence, build buildings and all that. If anyone wants to, they can live right there. Dormitories, as well as gyms, will also be.
In the next instant, two hands flew up at once. The first one I chose was the one who looked older.
— You said that officially we will be listed as guards. Will we be involved in such work?
— Most likely. And not only to such. Security, escort, representative functions. Wherever I need guys with guns.
— Actually, I have a question about weapons. For example, I have the rank of a Warrior in hand-to-hand combat, and I am not legally allowed to carry even a pistol. How are things going with this?
— It all depends on the annual turnover of my company. More precisely, from its net profit. In this regard, everything is fine with us. The power structure of Shidotemoru, yes, the same one, has the right to arm up to the average MD. Actually, we can have two medium mobile armors. Or one light BR. However, as you understand, it's still something like bullying, we can't use heavy equipment in the city. — By the way, the heaviest MD in the world is just Japanese-made, equated to an average combat robot. They generally have stronger protection and more powerful weapons. And the heaviest BR in the world is considered to be an eleven-meter hundred-and-fifty-ton monster of the German Reich "Buffalo". However, after I get the coat of arms... well, you understand. The limit will depend on my ability to pay. And connections.
— How big is the chance of getting a coat of arms? a man from the front row asked. After he raised his hand.
— Anything can happen, so I estimate the chances at eighty percent.
They rustled, they rustled. It has always been prestigious to serve an aristocrat here. And it is also profitable — the status has increased at times.
It was in this vein that I spent the next two hours, during which they did not want to let me go. The questions were different. And important, and not, and stupid, and serious. But most importantly, I think I was able to convince most of the people to accept my offer. If it wasn't for age, everything would be much easier and faster.
But now the questions are over. The people began to disperse, and Honda rejoiced. After all, the opening of the club was already delayed by an hour. When there were eleven people left from the applicants in the hall, I wearily waved everyone towards the VIP rooms, and Shotgun went to open the club.
— Well, gentlemen? As Rymov told me, all those who came here today are great guys, but you are the most excellent among them. First of all, I would like to know if you agree to work for me. Or at least what you're leaning towards.
A couple of seconds of looking at each other, and I get an answer.
"We agree," said the man who first asked the question in the hall. — Takaki Sae, by the way, — he got up from the sofa and bowed.
— Ah, the same ensign. For some reason, I thought so after your question, back there in the hall.
— I'm sorry… the one? the man tensed a little. Or rather gathered.
— Well, yes. The only Veteran present here. Or did I get something wrong?
"No, that's right," he said, averting his eyes a little to the side. And then, sighing, he looked into my eyes. — You should know. I served in the emperor's army for fifteen years and was dismissed from there in disgrace.
— Yes, I know. I don't care about that," I pointedly looked at Rymov, who was present here.
— Ah... yeah. I'm certainly glad. Thank you for your trust," the man bowed again, this time lower, and then sat down in his seat.
— Please. In that case, I should warn you that I intend to use you more broadly. Accordingly, the degree of secrecy will be higher. For the future, think about and decide for yourself what you want to do. What am I talking about, exactly? I have a small spinogryz running around the club here, who dreams of becoming a BR pilot. Or MD, it doesn't matter. And for this you need quite a specific training, which is better to start early. Shidotemor does not need MD, but, as I said, I have a coat of arms in my plans. And there the layouts are completely different. And note, I do not require you to choose something combat, if someone wants to become ... um ... an economist, it is better to choose the necessary educational institution earlier. This is me, for example. But it's better not to rush, think. Questions?
— I've been thinking, — Sae began again first, — the land for the base, as I understand it, is just being settled, and there is no instructor yet. Maybe I should start training people for now? I have some experience in this, I have been a combat training instructor in the army for the last three years.
"I'd appreciate it." To be honest, I somehow don't know yet where I can get the right person. Well, yes, this is a temporary phenomenon, I'll figure it out. But your offer is very useful, do not let the people stand idle.
— I'm afraid to sound arrogant, but I have a couple of retirees in mind who could become excellent instructors.
— What kind of people? I was interested.
— Old people. A friend of my father and his colleague. They served more than mine, but due to the fact that they are commoners without connections, they could not rise high. It makes no sense to involve them in combat at their age, but as instructors they are very good. I experienced it on myself at the time. The three of us will be enough to start with, and then we'll see.
— Well, that's what we'll do. Get on with it. It is advisable to resolve this issue quickly. It's late today, I'm busy tomorrow, but I'll contact you on Sunday and we'll discuss the details. Or are you busy on Sunday?
—No way, Sakurai-san. I'll be waiting for your call.
— That's great. Vasily, you have the rest. Keep an eye on the situation and as soon as everyone makes a final decision, contact me immediately. And it's better to gather everyone and immediately take them to the personnel department of Shidotemora. I'll warn them about you. About you," he turned to the men listening attentively to me, "I will talk today, so it's best for you to be in the personnel department tomorrow. Do you have Internet at home? That's where you'll find out the address with the phone. Takaki-san, you're in charge of your group. Make sure everything goes well tomorrow.
— There is.
That's it, he's mine.
— Well, that's it, people, let's go. Think, save up questions, speak out next time. While we rest. I'll see you on Sunday, Sae. Vasya, tell the girls there... although okay, I'll have dinner at home.
Thinking about what I haven't done yet today, I remembered about Taro, whom I was going to take with me to the reception, let people get used to his appearance. I have already warned Koyama about this, you can go to him now ... but, however, why? We'll talk tomorrow. Then go home. I'll check a couple of nuances with the neighbors, and you can sleep. I seem to have finished everything. Although, if you look for them specifically, you can stop by a familiar seller of weapons. He does not sell wholesale, but he can advise the right person. At the same time, I'll take a look at the new items. Maybe I'll buy something for my people. You can also go to the shooting range, which I often visited until recently. Until all this leapfrog with Dakisyuro started spinning. This shooting range is good because a lot of retired people go there. From privates to officers. I aimed at the coat of arms for a long time and, of course, I understood that without professionals, my future... security service would be an ordinary gang. Of course, I will impose some discipline, but I can't do it all the time. I've got a lot to do already. So I broke through an interesting institution at one time, in which the people I need in the future often appear. This shooting gallery turned out to be such an institution. It took me two and a half years and a lot of nerves to become my own there, but now I have a small list of suitable people whom I know and who know me. Okay, though, I'll do that on Sunday. But you can go to the gun store. Or figs? Laziness, to be honest. I want to go home. Have dinner and play with some kind of toy. Let off steam, so to speak. By the way, don't forget to call the HR department.