Of course, Maximilian had something his peers did not. He had faith. Faith in the God-Emperor of Man and Rule of Law. Maximilian found his faith when he was very little. He was around six or seven years old at the time, a smallish boy with few real friends. On the Day of Ascension that year all the kids got a little present, courtesy of a nearby monastery. Maximilian got an old and wretched Mechanicus-crafted toy, but oh how he loved it. The next day it was gone, presumably stolen by the other boys.

There was naught to be done really. He didn't know who had taken it, nor did he have the strength to deal with his tormentors even had he known. But hate and rage filled him with reckless courage and he heaped blame and abuse upon them all. For his trouble he was laughed at, then beaten into submission. It was repeated the next day, and for many days thereafter. Finally one of the older boys either felt pity for Maximilian or just grew tired of the whole affair – it would not to to cause too much commotion, or the wards would come down hard on them all. So he made Maximilian an offer. If he could prove, beyond a doubt, who had taken the toy, then Ballack would set things straight. If not, then he would let the matter rest. Maximilian agreed.

He threw himself at the task with singular, almost religious, dedication. Using his intellect, his connections, and his knowledge of the boys and the orphanage to good effect, he was able to first track down the toy. It had been sold to a local street vendor. Retrieving the stolen item took some effort, as did convincing the vendor to 'testify', but these tasks were accomplished with unflinching dedication. The identity of the seller was then easily deduced and Maximilian could concentrate on determining what had happened on the night of the theft and who had been involved. After weeks of hard work he had everything he needed. The evidence was presented to Ballack and the perpetrators confronted. They denied everything of course, but after Ballack had beat them bloody – with the stolen toy as his cudgel – their protestations became whimpers of mercy and forgiveness. Ballack announced that the toy belonged to Maximilian and that any who dared lay hand upon it would have to answer to him. As for the thieves they had forfeited the right to their desert for two months, all of it must now be given to Maximilian to do with as he saw fit. Justice had been served.