Sun Jan 29, 2012 6:08 pm by Joachim Steuben
*The advantage of dressing like a foppish city dweller is that one easily fits in with other foppish city dwellers. There was no shortage of fashionable dress in these parts, and Joachim looked the part. Not only that, he had the presence of one who was born into wealth and was comfortable with it. Those that earned their fortune the hard way never quite managed to fit in with the old money crowd, no matter how desperately they tried. Such was the way of worlds used to having money. As time goes on, the societies inevitably stratify, and the military would be no different. In centuries past, officers on Serenno were selected for their technical abilities or leadership skill rather than their social standing. Now, one must have been born into the gentry if one wanted to wear the prestigious tabs of the officer rank.
The privileges of rank going hand in hand with the privileges of birth-now that would breed discontent among the lower enlisted. That discontent would be why Joachim would finish the mission with ease.*
*The guards posted at the entrance to the military HQ building were obviously stationed there because of some wrongdoing, perceived or otherwise, that their officers had felt it necessary to punish them for. They didn't even bother to check Steuben's ID as he entered to building, evidently fearing his wrath. He always kept a large collection of various military ranks and ID tags handy, and today was no different. Though his outfit only vaguely resembled a uniform, the Major's tabs on his shoulders discouraged close examination. Why, they even let him carry his pistol through the checkpoint. Steuben had witnessed other officers passing through with their purely decorative weapons, and the guards had no reason to suspect that his were anything but.*
