I'm Czech, not native speaker. But since those who's not speaking english seems like they don't exist, I tried that. Please, tell me about potential mistakes and if you like, about your openion for this story, whether is worth to continue.

- Historically wrong, but I did it on purpose: Austria was invaded before Czech.

"The Slavs must work for us. If we don't need them, they shall die. Vaccination and German health protection means are excessive luxury. Completely undesirable is the Slavic fertility. Education is dangerous. Is sufficient when they will be able to count to one hundred. You need to enable just such a range of education, which will turn them into a proper servants. Leave religion as a means of distraction. Nutritionists provide only that they will not die. We are Masters and we have to stand in the first place. "

- Hitler's secretary Martin Bormann, head of the Reich (19th of June, 1942)

Since yesterday Europe stepped closer to the darkness.

Meanwhile he was standing in the corner of antechamber, it cost him just quick glance through the window to see all that strange blue fog, white grey clouds and shady, nor grey or green, landscape under.

Nobody seems to care. All the officers he met here were too young and apparently too optimistic for drawing any conclusions just because of weather. But he, Ludwig Beilschmidt, wasn't like them. He was old and experienced. He was soldier and he remembered the last war.

The weather used to be such like this all the time. Like a reflection of their acts...

"Herr Commandant?" Even the officer next to him was young, just about thirty. What could he know about war?

Both saluted and hailed.

"Führer wants to see you."

Ludwig followed him into the main office - to the group of people, who were suddenly deciding about his fate. To the man, into his hands Ludwig commited his own life. To the Führer.

Conversation was again very exciting, mainly because the preparations for the campaign on the Eastern front. However, Ludwig was nervous to focus himself. Today he had one important question to ask, question about one of his former friends and former family member. The question he hate to ask, because it's definitely going to touch also the race purity and he wasn't sure he want to hear the answer.

Minutes were passing, as well as piles of maps on the advisory desk and pieces of Lugwigs concentration. His attitude, seemingly calm and stable, masked the bundle of nerves inside the tall, muscular body.

Now the Führer stopped his speech and as he pensively observed the mark of Lenningrad, Ludwig took a chance.

"Mein Führer," he said.

Leader of the country didn't even look up.

"Mein Führer," repeated Ludwig louder.

"Yes?"

Still no eye contact. Ludwig wasn't sure if it's better for him or not. Whole yesterday night he was preparing his speech that way he wouldn't have to ask directly about her, but now everything oddly faded and he lost his words.

"Czech..."

Now Führer lift his eyes. "Yes?"

"I would like to know your plans about that country."

Führer stepped back of the table, hands thougfully clasped infront of him. "Well, it has huge industry potential. For the war it's very usefull - that's the reason I wanted her at the first place."

He laughed, maybe on the memory of his first triumph over the frightened England and the whole League of Nations. Rest of the room laughed also.

Ludwig imperceptibly shivered. "I agree. What about her people?"

"Her?" Führer repeated it like he heard that for the first time. "Oh, I almost forget. It is a girl, is it? Honestly, I was surprised when they told me that czechs have their own national spirit..."

"What I'm supposed to do with her?" ask Ludwig with more annoyed tone.

"Revive my memory - she's working here now?"

"Yes. A maid."

"Well, don't bother about it." Führer stepped to the window. "My dear friend, lot of nations used to live on this planet. Most of them were in past absorbed by the strongest neighbour. Wait just a little bit and she will be gone."

"I recently heard about the intergration program," pointed Ludwig.

"You did?" Führer turned back. "Yes, we made something like that for special cases - people with german ancestors, or half-breeds in case they are arian. But that's just few percent."

"And the rest?"

"After we win the war, those so called Czech slavs will be moved to Ukraine, or even far. Siberia, perharp." They laughed again and Führer had to lift his hand up to calm them down. "Well, I don't suppose that much of them would survive the selection until then."

"But isn't here a chance," said Ludwig carefully, because he knew he's walking on the thin ice, "for integration? I mean, reeducated the Czech personification."

Führer gave him serious look and stepped closer. "Herr Commandant, I'm afraid this topic is not for you to decide. Leave it on the Race Commission."

Ludwig recognized that he went too far and bowed his head. "I'm sorry, Mein Führer."

"Don't be. I'd like to see you as you really are. The soldier - no weakness, no regret. Stop dealing with people like her, those mistakes of the nature. I promised I would rather die than see you on her level!"

"Hello, Ludwig."

Called person turned back and scanned shadowy figure in front of him. Unknown man stand near the window and the bright white light behind made his face dark and unreadable.

Ludwig stepped closer, but after the first step he stumbled with suspiciousness. "Who are you? Are you allowed to be here?"

Man chuckled in a way of somebody with unhealthy confidence. "Not yet."

Ludwigs eyes narrowed. A spy? Man's figure doesn't look like one - tall and slender, almost like Ludwigs. He chuckled again and waved his hand.

"See ya."

"Wait!"

Ludwig couldn't say how quickly and actually why the man disappeared behind the curtain. He hurried to pull it aside, but there was nothing, not even the space for anyone to hide.

"What are you doing?" Gilbert stand a few metres down the corridor, looking uncomprehendingly at his brother.

Ludwig stepped aside. "I dropped my pen."

"Really?" answered Gilbert.

Space was suddenly filled with silence.

"Won't you pick it up?"

"No..."

"Huh?"

Ludwig shook the head and continued his way in the direction which Gilbert came. "It doesn't matter, we have more important things to do."

"That's right," said Gilbert and scratched his platinum hair. "Roderich awaits you for fifteen minutes now."

"I suppose you already cajole him to cooperate."

Gilbert shrugged. "If you consider the innocent talk as a cajole..."

Roderich sat in comfortable armchair, inclined slightly toward his knees, hands clasped and eyes fixed on the floor.

When Ludwig entered the room, Austrian stand up. They exchanged their glances - Ludwigs cold and stable for Roderichs astonished and tense. Nothing surprising. When you are invited to the Third Reich headquarters by the young arian soldier, to met the highest german officer with gun in his belt, you're not supposed to be calm. Not even when you know each other for centuries.

"Roderich," greet Ludwig.

"Herr Beilschmidt," answered Austrian by a bitter tone.

They sat down next to him. This meeting alone could resolve the whole matter about occupation. But it still wasn't enough - Ludwig likes to be sure.

"I think you need to drink something."

"You have no idea..." Roderich nodded.

There was a little bell lying on the table. Gilbert pick it up and rang. "Service!"

The doors on the other side of the room opened and she came in. Roderich froze. She didn't look as bad as he assumed. In the dark blue dress, with the skirt just above her knees, black stockings and the white lace apron, with the light brown curls tied under the lace headband, she looked rather well. Actually, he blushed a little when he realised how it affect him.

Czech stopped in the middle of the room, waiting.

"What do you like? Tea, coffee?" asked Gilbert.

Roderich took his time - he simply couldn't stop himself from watching her. She looks beautiful and she was a maid, like the ghost from the past of old Austrian Empire... But why?

"T-Tea," whispered Roderich.

She approached them, landing a silver tray on the table and filling a porcelain cup with the tea. Roderich watched the long face with calm green eyes and slightly pointed nose. He noticed the dried blood in the corner of Czechs lip. Just a small blemish, but the more significant.

Only for a second she met with his stare. In her pale face was something -... something... insistent? She was a maid again. Why?

Ludwig watched carefully Roderichs reactions. She was preparing him tea. A butler of Austrian Empire.

Czech straighten up, looking direcly forward. Even her voice was of the dead person, cold and without life. "Do you have another wish?"

"Sit down," said Ludwig.

She didn't move.

"I told you to sit down."

Czech found her place on the last arm chair, right next to the couch where Ludwig sat. It's the demonstration of power, Roderich thought. And her humiliation.

"Someone said, that I'm just the ruthless invader," said Ludwig, looking straight on him. "But that's not true. I'm only taking back what used to be ours. You all should named me rather as a uniter. After all, you are my family, Roderich."

Roderich gulped. "So? You want me surrender to your armed brotherly hug?"

"No. I want you to join me. Together we can defend ourselves easily."

"Against what?"

"Against those, who are collecting all we earn as a reparations. I know - the war wasn't your fault. Last emperor just wants a satisfaction for son's death. But..."

"Don't talk about that," Roderich interrupted.

However, Ludwig easily finished his sentence. "But somebody must pay, Roderich. And I'm tired of it have to be me."

"You announce a war," answered Roderich, staring to the floor. "How can I go through the same hell again?"

"This time would be different. Particularly, when we have the best weapon - the war itself. More accurately, the fear from the war."

Ludwig searched the faces of his mates, one after another. They all know that weapon, simply because he tested it on them. Suddenly, a special feel captivated him. The hope of victory and bright tomorrows, which Fürer kept in his dreams:

"Come with me, for the crown of New Europe."

But the beautiful feel ended when Czech said: "I'm not your family."

Ludwig stood up. She bowed her head a little. Perhaps it was fear of beating, that she already experienced. But he didn't even touch her.

"No, you're not," nodded Ludwig, as he would speak about her entire existence. "Not yet," he add and then he realised, he already heard this phrase today. But he forgot where and when.