(no subject)
"Do you believe in God, Commander?"
"No, sir. I do not."
Admiral Maxmilian von Thrax, former commander of the Eighth Imperial Borussian Star Fleet, turned to regard Commander Iancu for a moment, just slightly disapproving. It seemed that ever since the War, disbelief had become an epidemic. Before the War, he remembered watching tens of thousands of men and women lustily declaring their allegiance to God, Emperor and Country. But now the Empire was a Republic, Thrax was a renegade and God, well, some days it seemed he was the last person who actually believed in Him.
"Hm. You're probably baptized and confirmed, though? Valakian Orthodox Church?" Von Thrax inquired, perhaps out of boredom, for the last few days had felt even more aimless than the rest of his postwar life. To be fighting in the service of the Imperial Fleet again, even as a mere ensign. The only thing that sustained him was a belief that he was doing his true duty, to enforce some order in a chaotic galaxy. If the Borussian Republic was unwilling to fight the pirates and insurgents, his fleet would. And should an opportunity to overthrow that already rotting democracy come- Von Thrax's modest fleet was waiting to play its part.
"... Evangelical Union Church of Borussia, sir. My father felt it would be socially advantageous." Commander Iancu replied.
"No wonder you're non-religious. The Evangelical Union was a disaster- destroying two perfectly good Christian denominations through doctrinal compromise and pork barrel politics. And now, our great Empire has fallen victim to the same processes. This Republic is a disgrace, Commander."
"Perhaps, Admiral, but almost everyone has suffered similar upheavals. There has been major social chaos and political upheaval throughout the galaxy."
"Seven Great Powers, and there's been regime change in four of them." Admiral von Thrax agreed, with a small sigh. "There are dark times ahead for all of us, I believe."
"That, sir, is something we can agree on."
"Hm." Von Thrax thought for a moment. Then he turned to Commander Iancu. "We need ammunition and maintenence. Set a course for Colmar-V. We'll stop there for forty-eight hours. Give the crew a little bit of R&R. Then we're going pirate-hunting again."