Sunlight trickled through the blinds on the small window into the even smaller room. Smoke playfully danced in the slight sunbeams as a gaunt man puffed away at his cigar, he was whispering a prayer, or perhaps a plea, under his breath. I spoke softly in German, asking for entrance into the room. His mouth replied softly in German, but my ears heard only a perfect translation into Cerecian. Fortunately for me, the answer was yes.

I entered cautiously.

The room was plain enough, two chairs, and a table with an ashtray. I took careful steps, letting my feet sink into the carpet, and finally took a seat on one of the two soft chairs. I paused for a moment to sigh and set my holo-record disc beside the ashtray.
The gaunt man finally broke the silence with six choice words which I still remember to this day, "So, which of them sent you?".
"The fourth..." I replied uneasily.
He chuckled mirthlessly, "The fourth eh?...Can't they see I have nothing left to take in the name of King and Country."
"I am not here to take," I replied with a wavering in my voice "I am here to give you an opportunity..."
"Not interested," he interrupted gruffly.
"...to tell your story..." I continued undaunted.
Silence smothered the room, and the gaunt man looked defeated, yet hopeful.
"You really want to hear my story?" he whispered softly, more of a statement than a question.
"Yes, if you would tell it, I would..."
"So... you really want to hear my story." he stated even louder, cutting me off.
"Yes," I stammered "yes I would..."
"Then so be it..."

I barely had time to turn on my holo-recorder before he began the tale of his life.