UOW North Korean Chronicles: Kronin Chapter 1:

Kronin sat across from the North Korean officer questioning him with the same calm, stoic expression on his face as if he were facing any of a myriad of social interactions he dealt with on a daily basis. Silence reigned as the interrogator awaited an answer to his stated question. Kronin let the silence hang in the air for a bit longer, timing his responses to make it clear his captors would get answers on his time. Ensuring he maintained control of the situation. “Name, Kronin Reinhardt. Rank: Captain. Branch: German Army. My Serial Number is 21-479-001. Date of Birth is 21/9/1980” Kronin ended his response there and the interrogator sighed. “You been saying that since I ask you.” Kronin simply nodded. “Something is obviously getting lost in translation. I’ve given you information I am required to give. You should go make sure that information is reported back to my country.” The man leaned forward. “I want you to answer my question!” Kronin smirked ever so slightly. This man was obviously an amatuer. Kronin repeated the name, rank, serial number routine and the man lost his temper and responded by striking Kronin with the back of his fist. Kronin took the blow without flinching and without changing the stoic expression on his face.

Before things could progress much further, the door opened and a young to middle-aged woman walked in. Kronin noted the reactions of the guards and the other interrogator to her arrival and quickly deduced she was in charge here. She spoke a few words in Korean and the interrogator bowed and left the room, closing the door behind him, leading Kronin to assume she had dismissed him for some reason. Likely his abject failure to do his job. Kronin greeted the woman, aiming to throw her off her game. He bowed his head a bit in a gesture of respect and looked at her. “Greetings. You’ll have to forgive me for not rising or shaking your hand.. But it seems your subordinate didn’t want me moving from this chair.”

The woman nodded. “I did not wish you moving from that chair. I must say Captain, you don’t seem as agitated or bothered by the accomodations.” Kronin nods. “What can I say? I can adapt.” Kronin said as the woman paced back and forth, considering her next move. He then added in. “You know, in most civilized countries, it’s customary for even enemies to introduce themselves.” The woman stopped and looked at him, raising an eyebrow. “You’ve already introduced yourself, multiple times. You will learn who I am when I decide to tell you and not before. The information you gave.. I find it curious that you would choose to give that information and nothing else.” Kronin shrugs. “It’s the information I am required by the Geneva Conventions, NATO and International law to give.” The woman smirks. “Only current military are so required. Your responses indicate you are working on behalf of the German government, not merely some wrestling company, which makes me wonder what interest does Germany have in North Korea?” Kronin shrugs. “None. Well, none outside of doing what we can to ensure that World War 3 doesn’t start because of a childish insult to a thin skinned dictator who can’t handle criticism.” The woman narrowed her eyes. “You insult our Emperor?” Kronin shrugged. “Well no, I insulted a thin skinned dictator who can’t handle criticism. If that’s what you believe your Emperor is, than I would humbly suggest that you insulted your Emperor. Not me. I did not mention anyone by name or national affiliation. Due to the parties involved in the Korean War, 4 major players are vital to maintain peace and stability. North Korea, South Korea, The United States and China. That is 4 people, by my count to which my comment may have referred.” The woman rolled her eyes. “You would not insult the Americans, or the South Korean puppets the Americans use.” Kronin shrugs. “Right, because it isn’t as if the American president has not set out to insult my country and leader every chance he gets or anything. My job started long before it was announced that we would be coming here so doesn’t it seem more logical that you aren’t my assignment?”

The woman thought about this for a few seconds and nodded slowly. “Then what is your assignment?” Kronin shrugs. “Classified. That’s what my assignment is. You’ve given me no reason to help you, so I’m going to tell you to contact my government, inform them of my capture and see if you can get them to authorize me to share my assignment with you. I doubt they will, but you’re certainly welcome to try. Now, if you’re willing to introduce yourself and if you’re someone with the authority to make decisions, we might be able to get something done.” The woman nodded. “You are not in control here. Evidently the fact that I can move freely while you are restrained to a chair has not made that obvious to you. I do have the authority to make decisions. You will find out more when I decide and not before.”

Kronin was silent for a few moments, enjoying the chess match he found himself in with this woman and plotting his next move. “Alright, then consider this.. You have an idea for this grand spectacle. This brutal bloodsport meant to entertain your Emperor. Problem is you executed the executive in charge of this venture. The man who was going to ensure that we got paid for performing. I’m going to assume all of us are prisoners and most of us are in various stages of torture.” The woman nods. “Your point?” Kronin shrugs once more and leans back in the chair as much as he can. “There is an actual threat to your country and leader here. I’m sure to prepare for your interrogations, you watched film of our events?” The woman nodded and Kronin continued. “Then you know who I’m talking about. That cult of Blob crap.. These people are extremists. Terrorists using religious dogma to control their adherents. You don’t want these guys winning and you definitely don’t want them anywhere close to your leader.”

The woman nodded and took a seat in front of Kronin on one of the nicer chairs reserved for the interrogators. “Which is why I will ensure they don’t get there. For instance, you will be fighting one of them. If you’re still alive afterwards, then we can see how else you might be useful.” Kronin frowned. This one was definitely much more skilled than his previous interrogator. A worthy opponent. Yet Kronin’s face never lost the stoic, confident look of a man who was always in control. “I see. Mind narrowing it down a bit?” The woman nodded once, curtly. “I do.. But I will tell you. His name is Buzi I believe. You will fight him in an electrified steel cage.” With that, she stood, and left the room, leaving Kronin alone with his thoughts.

Buzi. Kronin was familiar with the man. Like most of Summerof’s fighters, the man was well trained. Formidable. He had been called champion in more than one federation. Kronin also believed he had retired, much like Kronin had planned to. It would make for an interesting match up, Kronin supposed as he considered the match up. On one hand, Kronin would like to assume he had the edge in conditioning. His time off had been shorter, also, due to his military training, Kronin continued a regime intended to keep him in excellent physical condition. Buzi, on the other hand, had left wrestling. Combined with the general lack of knowledge about exactly what went on in the compound of the Blob’s Cult, it was really anyone’s guess as to what type of physical condition Buzi would be in. An electrified cage was useful, it meant Kronin might just be able to gain a win without having to kill his opponent. While he definitely considered the cult of blob to be enemies, he did not yet see the need for deadly force. It was also becoming increasingly likely that he and his fellow wrestlers could not count on being allowed to do any kind of training or match prep. He had had a chance to speak briefly with his fellow prisoners and from what he could determine, it seemed the first round of matches was going to be dominated by UOW vs. UOW matches. Not surprising, it was just another way to ensure the home team had every advantage that could be given to them. First things first, Kronin had to find a way past Buzi. Even if the fighters refused to kill the loser, Kronin was sure the North Koreans would be highly unlikely to spare fighters eliminated from the tournament.

That meant Kronin needed to win this match and his record in must-win circumstances was enough to give him confidence.