Ch.2
They stood outside a large house surrounded by green lawns and well manicured shrubbery as the sound of children playing reached their ears. Karl looked around and John saw him smile wanly and he nodded, "Well, we won't get any food out here." He said and looked at Karl who nodded.
John opened the green door and walked into the large house, "Honey." He said as he raised an eyebrow, "We're home." He said and after a few moments a woman in a green dress wearing a white apron emerged. She had strawberry blonde hair styled well and she had a very kind smile.
"Back only a few hours after surgery, I cannot believe it." She said as a large golden dog ran up to Karl who smiled and petted him, "Karl I'm not mad at you." She said as she leaned in to kiss John on the cheek.
"Surely a home cooked meal and a soft bed are better for him then a hospital." John said and his wife shook her head.
"The pot roast will be ready in an hour boys." She said then she looked at John who nodded.
"Alright Karl, I'll show you to your bed. I insist that you rest at least until dinner." He said as he stood facing Karl.
Karl looked at him and raised his eyebrows, "Far be it from me to insult my hosts." He said and John nodded and walked upstairs with Karl following close behind him. John led him into a large guest room with the bed already made up and he stood there as Karl walked in, "Thank you John." He said, "And you have my luggage."
"Someone picked it up." John said and watched as Karl sat down and opened the bottle. Karl breathed out, placing three pills on his hand then dry swallowing them, "Let us know if you need anything Karl." John said as he closed the door. Karl furrowed his brow and winced then he pulled off the scrubs and pulled the covers over his bare chest and closed his eyes allowing the drug to work.
"Karl," A woman's voice said and Karl opened his eyes to see a slender woman with auburn hair.
His eyes widened, "Mama," He said then suddenly everything went dark around him and he heard two shots and a scream, "Mama! Mama!" He yelled as he ran forwards into the darkness. It swallowed him up until he could see nothing around him, hear nothing but his own breathing. He covered his eyes with his hands and dropped to his knees. There was no one, he had no one left. He covered his ears trying to block out the silence then he threw his head back and yelled.
Karl woke with a start and sat up quickly, wincing. He breathed heavily for a few moments then he let out a sigh and turned to look at the clock. He scratched the back of his neck and looked at the clock on the bedside table, "Shiza." He said, "Guess no dinner." He said as he saw that it was eight at night. He got up slowly, wincing slightly and quickly popped three more pills. He walked into the bathroom and turned on the shower then he looked in the mirror at his heavily bruised face. He slipped his boxers off then he took a long shower, using the hot water to help him steam the bandages off of his face. He winced and breathed out then put a hand on the inside of the shower and allowed the water to dribble down his face gently. When he was done with the shower he put on brown slacks, a white button-up shirt with a tie and an olive green sweater that he kept unbuttoned. He slipped on loafers and walked downstairs quietly as he combed through his wet hair with his fingers.
As he walked in the dark downstairs area of the house he saw a light on in a room and furrowed his brow, approaching it quietly. He looked through an open doorway to see John standing up and looking intently at a file. John looked up and Karl immediately raised his hands, "Sorry John, I saw the light."
"Not at all," John said as he straightened up, "Not at all Karl, please, come in." He said and Karl stepped into the office, "You look…"
"Much, much worse." Karl finished with a slight smile.
John raised his eyebrows and smiled as he looked at Karl, "Well, it always gets worse before it gets better."
"Hmm," Karl said and John looked at him.
"Oh, before I forget, Helen wrapped up some food for you in case you woke up. It's in the kitchen." He said, "Give me a minute and I'll join you." He said and Karl nodded, taking the hint as he walked out of the office. He walked through the living room and into the dining room to see an entire spread of food laid out.
"Zu viel." Karl said as he shook his head as his eyes slid from the bowl of pot roast to rolls to a salad and then a note that read that there was beer in the fridge.
"She wanted you to feel at home. Bought some Lowenbrau." John said from behind him.
"It's too much, I can just eat it here…"
"I'll join you." John said as he hit the lights and went to the fridge to grab two beers as Karl put the food on the table. He looked up as John opened the beers and handed one bottle to Karl who nodded his thanks as he placed his napkin on his lap, "Quick turn around. I would have liked to show you the city more."
Karl nodded as he spooned some stew in his mouth then raised his eyebrows, "You're a lucky man John. Helen is quite a chef." He said and John smiled as he took a drink of the beer.
"I know it. She's quite a woman." He said as he looked at Karl who ate a few bites then sat back and sipped his beer.
"I'll be passing back through this city on my way to the Reich." Karl said, "I'll probably be staying at the…"
"Oh I won't hear it," John said, "You'll stay with us again."
"John I don't want to…."
"I insist." John said as Karl picked up his fork and knife and looked at John for a moment then nodded.
"Then I accept, of course." He said and John nodded as he watched Karl eat for a moment.
He took a sip of the beer as Karl cut open a roll and buttered the fluffy center, "It should be interesting." John said and Karl looked up at him, "Being in the Pacific States, especially during an event such as the Crown Prince's speech."
Karl nodded as he washed the roll down with the beer, "Have you ever been to the Pacific States, John?"
"I haven't, no." John said as he shrugged slightly, "I'll be interested to hear about your trip." John said and Karl looked at him for a moment as he leaned forward.
"And I take it you enjoy details." Karl said and John shrugged slightly as he sipped his beer.
"Of course." John said.
"Anything in particular you want me to focus on?" He asked and John looked at him for a moment.
"You grew up with the Axmann family didn't you Karl?" He asked and Karl furrowed his brow.
"Hans and I are around the same age, we were friends. Last time I saw him was five years ago in North Africa." He said as he took a sip of his beer, "Why?" He asked and John shrugged.
"He's just been stationed in the Pacific States," He said and Karl nodded.
"You don't know why? He's very successful, he's already an Oberfuhrer at twenty-three, perhaps we needed another senior official in the…"
"Karl," John said as he shook his head, "We both know what Hans Axmann does for the Reich." He said and Karl breathed out and sat back.
"Okay John," Karl said as he looked at him with a furrowed brow, "But I won't spy on Hans for you."
John looked at him for a moment then nodded, "Loyalty isn't a bad quality Karl, but loyalty to the point of destruction benefits no one."
"John you've had to perform duties, you know…" Karl said as he shook his head, "He's a good man."
"What I'm asking you to do is not to hurt Hans." John said as he raised his eyebrows, "On the contrary, if my sources are correct, your actions may save him a lot of pain."
Karl furrowed his brow and looked at John, "What does that mean?"
John looked at Karl, "You leave tomorrow afternoon, you know my home number." He said as he drank the rest of the beer and stood, "If you see anything strange, anything worth being worried about…" He said then he nodded, "Good night Karl."
Karl waited until John had left before he drained the rest of the beer and raised his silverware once more to continue eating. He slept until seven the next morning then he got up and pulled on black trousers with a white shirt and a thin black tie. He looked at his well-cut suit jacket from Germany complete with the party pin on the left lapel and he furrowed his brow. He laced his polished, black leather shoes and put his jacket on, buttoning the top of the two buttons. He used a silver tie clip with the Reich eagle on it then he checked his shave and fixed his hair slightly before he finished packing his bags and carried them down the stairs.
"Oh Karl," Helen said as she walked out of the kitchen, "I would have had Thomas see to those." She said and Karl smiled and shook his head.
"I won't hear of it." He said, "Not after that five star treatment last night." He said as he straightened his suit and winked at the two little girls behind their mother. They giggled and skipped into the dining hall to prepare the table.
"Morning Karl, nice suit." Thomas said.
"Not bad?" Karl asked and Helen stepped forward and plucked his pocket square out. She proceeded to fold it delicately then placed it back into his pocket. He smiled and looked down at it.
"Just needed a woman's touch." She said, "Now come into the dining room boys." She said as she walked into the dining room.
Karl looked at Thomas who was staring, "Something on my face?" He asked and Thomas laughed as Karl clapped him on the back and they walked into the dining room. They sat and John looked up from where he was reading the paper.
"Morning boys." He said as he folded the paper, "Karl I'll drop you off at the airport on my way to work this morning." John said as he looked at them all.
"Perfekt," Karl said and John nodded as he poured himself coffee, no vestige of last night's conversation in either of their faces or demeanors. They ate breakfast with only polite conversation breaking the silence and soft clattering of silverware on porcelain. When they were done, the girls cleared the plates as Thomas gathered his backpack, said goodbye and walked out to catch the bus to school.
"Car's here." John said after a few moments and Karl looked up from the newspaper and closed it, laying it on the table.
"Helen, I cannot thank you enough for your hospitality. I intend on getting you a proper thank you in the Pacific States." He said as she embraced him.
"We'll see you soon Karl," She said with a smile as he nodded and went to pick up his bags.
"Erich will get those for you Karl." John said as a man in a khaki uniform walked into the house.
"Danke Erich." He said as he followed John out to a black town car. The drive to the airport was quiet but when the car pulled up to the front of the building and Erich got out quickly to pull the bags from the trunk John grabbed Karl's arm and they made eye contact.
"Be safe," John said, "The Japanese…" He said as he shook his head, "They aren't like us."
"Thank you John," Karl said as he nodded then he got out of the car and shook Erich's hand as another officer loaded his luggage onto carts and waited patiently.
"Diesen Weg," The man said and Karl nodded and followed him to a private hangar where a large jet, carrying about five other officers was being refueled. As Karl approached the other men clicked their heels and saluted, even a Colonel. Karl nodded and saluted in return.
"I had no idea this event called for such an esteemed guest." A man said as Karl made the rounds, shaking their hands.
"Unzinn, surely a young man doesn't out shine you Oberst Waltheimer." He said.
"If the young man is a genius who brought the Mediterranean farmland into a reality, who helped sketch the new rocket layout, who baffles modern psychiatrists." A tall man with well-kept grey hair and glasses said as he smiled wanly, "Then he may."
"Mengele," Karl said as they shook hands and boarded the jet. The man set Karl's teeth on edge, he thought, as the man sat across from him on the jet and they both took glasses of champagne from a beautiful flight attendant, "How have you been Josef?"
"Very fine thank you, and yourself?" He asked as he leaned forwards, "Drowsy?"
Karl smiled as he pulled out the bottle of pills and took three with his champagne, "Not enough to feel comfortable." He said and Mengele sat back and smiled wanly.
"Nein, es sieht…schmerzhaft aus." He said and Karl furrowed his brow. His tone wasn't sympathetic, he seemed to be more fascinated by the injury, viewing it as an opportunity of some sort. Karl sipped the champagne as the jet moved onto the runway, "You must have a high pain tolerance." He said and Karl raised his eyebrows.
"Not high enough I'm afraid." He said as he looked out the jet window.
"I'm sure." Mengele said and Karl looked at him as the waitress came back and he put his glass on her tray.
"Wir landen zwanzig Minuten." She said with a smile and Karl breathed in and nodded.
"Vielen Dank." He said as he watched the city shrink beneath them and they gained altitude, "Are you here for the Crown Prince's speech, Arzt?" He asked Mengele.
"Nein, nein I have very little interest in politics. I am here to study patients at the U.C. Hospital. We no longer have physical or mental deviants in the Reich. I must travel to the Pacific States to perform…studies." He said and it was all Karl could do to not shudder.
He knew that Josef's work was instrumental in many scientific advancements and that everything he did was for the betterment of the Reich, he was a hero for God's sake, but the guy was strange. Karl had killed some people, more animals than men really, but what this man had done to women, to children…what he'd done to hundreds of men. Karl knew they were all Semites or Slavs or degenerates but some of the tapes that he'd seen in school of Mengele's experiments still made him shudder. It was off-putting to sit in front of a man as comfortable with dissecting a man alive as he was with having drinks with him.
Josef studied Karl for a moment then he looked out the window and crossed his legs and Karl breathed out in relief. He picked up an informational magazine about the Pacific States and began reading but they were beginning their descent before he got past the restaurant pages. The magazine hadn't told him anything he wanted to know. He wanted to know what the local eateries were like, where a good bar was, a place where there weren't any curious green or blue eyes on him watching his every move or insisting on saluting him, "It was nice," Mengele said as they both stood, "Finally getting to meet you in person." He said as the jet pulled into the refueling station and came to a halt.
"Ich glaube wir sehen uns wieder." He said and Mengele looked into his eyes for a moment then walked off of the plane. Karl straightened his suit then walked off of the plane, the last one to leave. As he descended the stairs of the plane he saw immediately who was waiting to pick him up. He felt joy fill him up as he spotted the tall, athletic figure of Hans Axmann in a well-tailored grey suit. He walked up to him and Hans snapped a salute which Karl returned. "Nice to know you've finally learned your place." Karl said seriously as they locked eyes. Suddenly both of their faces broke out in genuine smiles and they embraced warmly.
"You've gotten big!" Hans said as he held Karl by the shoulders, "And uglier." He said as he peered at Karl's face.
"Very funny," Karl said as he shook his head, "So before we go to the official dinner tonight, why don't you show me San Francisco." He said as he climbed into the passenger seat of the car.
"You know, you're supposed to sit in the back." Hans said as he got in the driver's seat.
"That a rule here?" Karl asked with a wan smile as Hans pulled away from the runway.
"Come on, I'm your driver, your bodyguard. Not that you need it," He said as he cast a knowing glance at Karl, "But, you're supposed to be the one who sits in the back."
"We're equal Hans, you're not my servant." Karl said as he looked out the window at the foreign city and landscape.
Hans smiled wanly as he looked at his friend. It was comforting to know that genius, a famous family and good looks had not caused him to change at all, "I know a couple of good bars we can go to if I am reading that right."
Karl raised an eyebrow, "Was I being cryptic?" He asked and Hans smiled as Karl rested his arm on the door and touched his damaged face softly, "Take me to the one where there will be the least amount of Germans."
Hans furrowed his brow and continued driving until he parked the car at the base of the hill below a large white tower, in a docks area of San Francisco. They both got out and Karl looked at the crowds passing him with wonder on his face, "I've never seen so many…" He began and Hans nodded.
"They are the master race over here, not us." He said and Karl looked at him with a furrowed brow.
"Surely not!" He said and Hans nodded and shrugged.
"Different world." He said and they began walking down the sidewalk, "Tough flight?"
Karl breathed out as he reached into his suit and pulled out a cigarette, offering Hans one which he took, "You would not believe." He said as he lit it, then handed his silver lighter to Hans. He took a deep breath in, holding it for a moment as he touched his brow with his right hand lightly, "Dr. Josef Mengele was there for…sparkling conversation." He said and Hans winced as he took a breath in and gave Karl his lighter back.
"Sie scherzen nicht." He said as they entered a bar overlooking the Pacific Ocean, "Two lemon and sakes." He said and Karl furrowed his brow, "Trust me, this is just the thing you need after having your soul sucked out by the Engel des Todes."
Karl nodded as he continued smoking, "I hear he hates that name." He said as their drinks were placed in front of them.
"Well he certainly earned it." Hans said as they raised their glasses.
Karl raised his eyebrows, "Zu Freunden." He said.
"Prost," Hans said. Karl took a sip of the drink and his eyes widened.
"This is good, what is it?"
"The Japanese rice wine and a type of lemon that favors this climate," Hans said then told the bartender to give them two more.
"Enough about my woes, how is your post?" He asked and Hans raised his eyebrows.
"Never a dull moment here." Hans said as he took another long drag on the cigarette and scratched his eyebrow.
"Are you referring to the man in the far corner who has been following us?" Karl asked as he tapped the cigarette against the side of the ash tray.
Hans raised his eyebrows and put an elbow on the bar, "We can start with that. It appears a certain Kempeitai official has decided I am…dangerous."
"Nun, sie haben das richtig." He said and Hans looked at Klaus with a wan smile, "Nicht so schlimm an ihrer Arbeit wie das Reich uns glauben lassen wurde."
"Not even close." Hans said as they drank the next drink and he ordered two beers, "They are…far too competent in their job."
Karl leaned in and furrowed his brow, "This…Kempeitai man, he's causing you problems?" Karl asked.
Hans looked at Karl for a moment, there was nothing but concern in his tone, no accusation or surprise, "He is proving to be a worthy problem." He said as they sipped the beers. Karl raised his eyebrows after they finished their beers.
"That…sake is it?" He asked and Hans nodded, "It's…really something."
Hans smiled and paid for the drinks then they both got up and walked out of the bar and back to the car, "You'll still have two hours to get ready for the party." Hans said.
"Please tell me you're coming." Karl said and Hans smiled.
"I'll be there, but I'll be working." He said and Karl nodded as Hans drove the car into a parking area, "I didn't tell them when we'd be coming back."
"Good, the last thing I need is more pomp and circumstance." Karl said as he got out of the car.
"You have the suite on the eighteenth floor, room twenty." Hans said as he walked Karl to the elevators.
"Wir werden später aufholen." He said and Hans smiled.
"Naturlich." Hans responded as the elevator doors shut. Hans turned as he saw a man in uniform approach him.
The man bent down and said softly in Hans' ear, "Inspektor Kido möchte mit Ihnen sprechen." He said and Hans furrowed his brow.
"Woher?"
"Sein Buro." He said and Hans looked at him for a moment then nodded.
"Wenn ich nicht wieder in zwei Stunden bin. Benachrichtigung Berlin."
"Sir, is there a problem?" The man asked as another man brought him a long coat and hat, "I can send a guard…"
"Nein," Hans said and the man furrowed his brow, "Everything is fine. Precautionary measures. Protocol Hauptsturmführer." He said and the man straightened up and saluted. Hans returned it, then put on his coat and hat and left the embassy. He straightened the brim of his hat and walked purposefully into the city. He looked around, reveling in the normalcy of the lives of those he passed. He knew, however, as he watched a group of friends slapping each other on the back and laughing about some joke, that he couldn't enjoy the walk like he wanted to.
He continued towards a tall building with Kempeitai all around it and Imperial Japanese flags everywhere. He breathed out in preparation for the inevitable confrontation, he was growing tired of being treated as a second class citizen. He stopped at the foot of the steps leading up to the building and looked at it for a moment before he stepped forwards and walked up the steps quickly.
"Yameru!" A young Kempeitai soldier said and Hans clenched his jaw as he looked up at the man, ready for another altercation.
"Sore o nokosu!" Sergeant Yoshida said as he hurried down the steps, "Oberfuhrer Axmann?" He asked and Hans breathed out and extended his hand.
"I don't believe we've formally met, Sergeant…"
"Yoshida." He said as he shook Hans' hand.
"Yoshida." He repeated, "Forgive me Sergeant, but you do not possess a Japanese accent." He said and Yoshida looked at the man.
It was hard to tell with the Japanese, but Hans was sure he had struck a nerve with this man. Hans knew that those Japanese born in the Pacific States, though considered Japanese, were slightly snubbed when it came to the social element of their society. It was much the same as in the Reich. Being born in the American Reich was seen as something to overcome, it was a setback, "The Chief Inspector will see you." He said as he looked at Hans, "If you would follow me."
"You grew up here?" Hans asked him and Sergeant Yoshida looked at him as they walked up the stairs of the building.
"I did, The Chief Inspector's office is just through there." He said as he held out his arm to the left of the staircase they had ascended.
Hans looked to his left to see rows of desks with women secretaries at desks and a large office at the end of the room with glass windows around it, "Thank you Sergeant Yoshida." He said as he looked at the man who promptly bowed and walked down a hallway. Hans breathed in then walked into the large room. He felt eyes on him as he strode purposefully to the open glass door of the office.
Kido stood from his desk as he saw Hans approach and when Hans was at the door he nodded, "Please enter, Oberfuhrer." He said and Hans did so, turning to close the door behind him as Kido lowered the blinds on all of the windows so that they had privacy. Hans walked over to the window in the office and looked out over the streets of San Francisco as Kido continued to lower the blinds. Kido watched as Hans put his hat on a table and breathed out as he pulled out his cigarettes. He held out his arm, offering one to Kido, "I do not smoke." Kido said and Hans looked at him, placing the cigarette back and putting the pack away.
"Filthy habit." He said as he removed his coat and placed it on the coat stand in the corner of the room, "I used to be quite a good track athlete and now…" Hans said as he tucked the pack away and sat in the chair opposite Kido's, "Now there are other more pressing things." He said as Kido nodded.
"I understand you are in charge of the Nazi security during the Crown Prince's visit." Kido said.
"You are well informed." Hans said as he breathed in, "You will, of course, be assisting in the security of the Crown Prince along with the Imperial Guard."
"To that end, Oberfuhrer Axmann," Kido said, "It is in both of our…interests to work together, to a certain extent."
Hans raised his eyebrows, "I quite agree." He said, "I see that the public is allowed to attend this…event."
"That is the…point of it Oberfuhrer." Kido said and Hans looked at him.
"Simply broadcasting the address would, of course, be much safer. Or at least picking a different venue where we can control the crowd more."
"Out of the question." Kido said and Hans let out a wan smile and bit his bottom lip as he nodded.
"So you won't change the conditions surrounding the event itself but you want me to help you plug holes in this colander?" Hans said and Kido looked at him for a moment then breathed out.
"Oberfuhrer Axmann," He said as he took his glasses off and placed them on the table, "I am very well aware of the situation. It is neither of our jobs to pick the event location. It is, however, our duty to make an imperfect situation fool proof." He said and Hans looked at him for a moment and nodded. He stood and went to the chalkboard where Kido had the plans for the security of the event. He looked at it for a moment then nodded.
"That was well said." He said without turning his gaze from the board, "Excuse my…anger, but these events," He said as he traced the plan with his finger, "They can never end well." He said as he looked at Kido who had stood from behind his desk and was cleaning his glasses, "They can only not end horrendously." He said and Kido looked at Hans for a moment, "Guards stationed all along here is correct." He said as he pointed at the image and Kido stepped up to him to see, "And there should be a line of men in between the Crown Prince and the press which you have up front. Obviously they should be screened more carefully due to their large equipment."
"The press box will be screened separately. The foreigners will also be screened separately and their documents will be checked." Kido said as he looked at Hans.
Hans nodded, "Ja, that sounds good. Do you want your men to screen your officials and mine to screen the Reich officials?"
"That is what will happen."
Hans nodded then looked back at the image and pointed at the large buildings around the speech area, "These tall buildings concern me." Hans said and Kido leaned in and looked closer.
"Sodesu ka," He muttered, "Perfect vantage point for a rifle."
"Precisely my thought," Hans said, "I can have some of my men sweep the buildings prior to the speech, then station a man in there if that's agreeable with you." He said and Kido nodded as he looked at the image.
"That will work." He said and Hans nodded.
"The final thing I can see," Hans said as he furrowed his brow and traced the public viewing area with his finger, "I don't want this area completely unsupervised once the public are let in. They aren't officially being screened are they?"
"My men are stationed along here," Kido said as he made a blade with his hand and indicated the corridor they were creating with Kempeitai men, "They are trained to detect suspicious activity." He said as he looked at Hans who was looking at the board. He turned his eyes to Kido.
"You have a lot of trust in your men seeing as it will be us who hang should this fail." Hans said and Kido looked evenly at him as he narrowed his eyes.
"Such is the burden of command." He said and Hans looked at Kido.
Such an honorable man, Hans thought. The men he leads are truly lucky to have him, "Nonetheless we can…alleviate some of that burden if we place men in with the people."
Kido looked at him and furrowed his brow, "My men are not trained as spies Oberfuhrer Axmann."
"That is no matter." He said as he placed a hand in his pocket, "I can place men on this closer border and I will mingle with the crowd."
'Forgive me but you do stand out in the Pacific States."
Hans smiled wanly, "Yes, blonde hair and blue eyes do stand out here. Fortunately, those two things can be…modified." He said then raised his eyebrows, "Is this agreeable with you Chief Inspector?" He asked.
Kido looked at Hans and narrowed his eyes slightly. The truth was that he didn't like the idea of having an armed white man in the perfect vantage position to shoot the Crown Prince, especially Hans who could not miss such a shot. However, he thought, despite what Hans does for the Reich he is a man that does not want a war. Those eyes have seen suffering, Kido thought as Hans looked back at the board, such old eyes in such a young face. He does not wish to kill the Crown Prince, in fact he seems most set on avoiding an international incident, "It is." Inspector Kido said and Hans looked at him.
Hans was slightly surprised by Kido's trust, "Very well. Is there anything else Inspector?"
"There is not." He said and Hans nodded.
"Then I will inform my men." Hans said as he put his coat on and turned to face Kido, "Always a pleasure." He said as he extended his hand.
"Oberfuhrer Axmann," He said as he shook Hans' hand. Hans grabbed his hat and walked out of the office purposefully as Kido watched him go.
In twenty minutes Hans was walking back into the Embassy building, "Sir, das Ereignis wird beginnen." He said and Hans nodded.
"Vielen Dank Hauptführer. Planen Sie ein Sitzung für morgen früh." He said.
"Certainly sir, what should I list this meeting as?"
"Security," He said as he entered the elevator, "Inform the necessary elements." He said as the door shut. He went up to his room and poured himself a drink, downing the American whiskey as he laid out his tuxedo. He put it on deftly then he used the mirror in his bathroom to tie his black bowtie. He breathed in, opened his door and walked down to the large reception room.
Karl was constantly moving from the middle of the event to the outskirts, but it was fairly obvious that the middle of the event revolved around him. Men were praising him, women asking him incessant questions concerning the Mediterranean and occasionally men asked him about the damming project in Gibraltar or about the progress of taming the African. It was exhausting and not at all what he wanted to deal with. As he smiled politely at a distasteful and offensive joke concerning the Japanese his face began to ache horribly, "Ist das nicht die ewige Wahrheit?" Karl asked and the group laughed as the man raised his glass to Karl who smiled and did the same as they each finished off their drink, "Now, if you will excuse me." He said as he held up his empty glass and the crowd laughed and allowed him to pass through them.
As soon as his back was to them all, the smile melted from his face. He put his empty glass on a tray and left the main room. He passed very beautiful, intoxicated women with their equally intoxicated escorts and he clenched his jaw, avoiding the wistful gazes of women he passed and the interested gazes of Nazi officials. He walked out on a balcony, into the cool night air and looked out over the foggy city. He leaned on the railing for a moment and looked straight down at the ten floor drop, contemplating the terror he would feel were he to jump, fantasizing about the blissful moment when he would hit the ground and all of his worries would no longer matter. He shook his head, "Wenn ich nur ein Feigling ware."
"It would be an easier life." Hans said as he walked out.
Karl turned then smiled as he saw Hans, "You following me Hans?" He asked as Hans handed him a cigarette case and a lighter.
"Someone has to." He said as he leaned on the railing and looked out over the city as Karl lit his cigarette, "Just so you know, fall from this height would probably not kill you." He said as he turned to see Karl.
Karl raised his eyebrows as he puffed on the cigarette and handed Hans his case and lighter back, "Hmm," He said as he looked out over the city.
"Are you alright Karl?" He asked as he looked at his friend's profile.
Karl furrowed his brow, "Can I…ask you something Hans?"
"Of course."
"Why has the Fuhrer placed you in the Pacific States?" Karl asked as he looked at Hans, "We both know what your job is, what your presence has preceded in the past."
"I don't…" Hans said as he waved the question away.
"Africa, Eastern Europe, the Mediterranean, South America." Karl said, "Your presence foretells a major movement into a region."
Hans looked at Karl for a moment then breathed out, "I don't know, I've…never known."
"You don't know? You've never wondered?"
"Of course I've wondered Karl, but it isn't my job to know the big picture."
"Well, it is my job." Karl said as he looked at his friend, "I may be eighteen, but after I helped Von Braun with his rocket…worked on a few projects…" Karl said as he shook his head, "It has become my job to look almost solely at the big picture and I have lost sight of the small." He said as Hans furrowed his brow, "It worries me…" He said as he looked at Hans.
"You don't want the…the small picture Karl." Hans said, "It's dirty…" He said as he shook his head, "It means you're a puppet."
"Hans, tell me you are not here to start a war." Karl said and Hans looked at him with a furrowed brow.
"I could be." He said after a moment of silence and Karl shook his head, anger and disbelief on his face.
"Do you not see what that means?" He asked as he clenched his jaw, "Millions of people Hans…millions! Of our own citizens too!"
"And what happened in South America, in Africa?" Hans asked as he shook his head, "I can't think like this, Karl." He said as he pointed at Karl, "And you shouldn't either. You say you're a big picture man, well the big picture is our Reich continuing for a thousand years. Now I trust the orders I receive…do you?" He asked then he turned around.
"No." Karl said and Hans stopped dead in his tracks, "I never trust anything I'm told to do, any reason I'm given for any outcome!" Karl said as Hans turned, "Und du bist ein Narr, wenn du es tust!" He said strongly and Hans took a step towards him with his fist clenched in anger.
"Be who you are meant to be!" Hans yelled and Karl furrowed his brow as they both stood in silence for a moment then Hans breathed out and unclenched his fist, "Be who the Reich needs you to be."
Karl looked at his friend for a moment before he took a long drag of his cigarette and looked at his friend, "It will destroy us both, Hans." He said as he scratched his eye, "It will surely destroy us both."
Hans looked at Karl for a moment then sighed and nodded, "We both knew that when we made our choice in Greece." He said as he looked at Karl, "We knew where the path would lead. Here we are; the question now is whether we will have the strength to do what is necessary to save our Reich. Each of our jobs is a cog in a wheel, Karl. We are both replaceable, but so long as we choose to be in this fight, let's be in it." He said as he pointed at the ground emphatically, "Be in it! With all that we have Karl! We cannot afford to have one foot in the door, prepared to leave at any point. We'd be kidding ourselves if we actually thought we would get far by neglecting our duties."
"So we do our duty Hans, but we cannot afford to remain ignorant to everything around us!"
"What are you asking of me Karl? Should I ask Obersturmbannfuhrer Heydrich why he had me kill a man a few nights ago? Should I get on the telephone right now and ask the Fuhrer why I'm here? Sei ehrlich!" He said and Karl looked at him for a moment.
"Hans, sie wissen, dass ich das nicht frage." Karl said softly as he flicked his cigarette butt off of the balcony, "But wonder…think about the bigger implications your actions could have."
Hans looked at his friend, he had a point, and Hans would never admit it but he had been wondering about his own role in the Reich which was why Karl's words had affected him so much. Karl even seemed to realize this as he looked at his friend with his intelligent blue eyes, "I'll tell you what, I attempt what you ask and you attempt what I ask." He said and Karl smiled as Hans walked back towards him.
"Who knows, maybe we can make one balanced man between the two of us." Karl said with a smile.
"Champagne gentlemen?" A man asked as he walked outside. They both grabbed a glass and leaned on the banister looking out on the city.
"This city is something else." Karl said and Hans looked at him.
"It really is something. It's unfortunate that you're only here for two days." Hans said then watched as Karl raised his eyebrows, drained his glass then took three pills.
"Lassen sie uns betrunken." Karl said and Hans smiled.
"Lasst uns." Hans said.
A few hours later they were in the elevator telling each other stories and laughing extremely loudly. They put their arms around one another as they walked down the hallway, "Schwimm, schwimm, schwimm!" They both sang at the top of their lungs then they shoved each other slightly as Karl laughed and wiped his nose, "Until tomorrow!" Karl said.
"Jawohl!" Hans said and Karl punched him in the chest and Hans laughed slightly as he watched Karl enter the room.
"Sir," A voice said as Hans turned.
"Heinrich, not now." He said with a sigh as he saw a Captain, "What could possibly have happened? They're all drunk and in their rooms." He said and Heinrich nodded.
"Yes sir, you never told me what time the meeting should be."
Hans nodded, "Make it eight." He said, "Thank you Heinrich, have a good night." He said as he stepped into the elevator.
"You too sir." The man said with a smile.
Hans got into his room that night and as soon as he closed the door he undressed, took a steaming hot shower, the alcohol helped numb the pain in his arm but not by nearly enough. He got out of the shower wincing and looking at the wet bandage. He wrapped a tool around his waist and walked into the kitchen. He got out a medical kit and proceeded to cut the bandage off of his arm. He looked at the wound and breathed out, "Perfekt." He said sarcastically.
Karl's alarm rang at six that morning and he promptly shut it off. He groaned slightly as his head ached in pain and he blinked groggily. He got up and slipped on black running shorts with white socks and white sneakers and a white running shirt. He brushed his teeth and shaved then he walked out of his room. His official papers were tucked in one of his socks and he jogged out of the front of the embassy. The fog hung low on the city and he began jogging towards the large park that he and Hans had walked by earlier. He spent the next hour running then he made it back to the embassy. As he was walking towards the elevator he saw Hans come out of it in full uniform. Hans had many medals on his black SS uniform, but the most prestigious one hung around his neck under his tie knot. It was a black cross with the swastika in silver in the middle and silver bordering the black cross. Above the cross were two silver swords crossed below an oak leaf. Diamonds studded the medal and it hung on a red, black and white striped ribbon.
"Karl, I'm surprised you could get out of bed this morning, let alone slip out of here and go for a run." He said as he walked over.
Karl looked at him, "You're angry." He said as Hans shook his head.
"I'd rather not have to call the Fuhrer and explain the death of the Young Fox."
"Ich hasse diesen verdammten Namen." Karl said as he got into the elevator.
"Gut, now I know how to torture you, don't I?" He asked with a smile and Karl shook his head as the doors closed.
Hans straightened his uniform and walked down the hall, "Oberfuhrer Axmann." A voice said and Hans looked to see that a man in a grey uniform had fallen into step with him. The man was older, maybe in his early forties and he had blonde hair with blue-grey eyes.
"Oberfuhrer Diels, good morning. You are attending the security brief Oliver?" Hans asked, "That isn't necessary."
"Perhaps not, but staying informed is always a good thing, ja?" He asked and Hans looked at him for a moment.
"Perhaps not always, but as a general rule…" Hans said as he looked at Diels, "Oliver you have read the brief."
"I did, yes." He said as he looked at Hans.
Hans furrowed his brow, "Nothing has changed."
Diels raised his eyebrows and nodded, "I understand. I do find it interesting you're in uniform Hans, a rare occurrence these days."
"Well if given that latitude surely you too would take advantage of it." Hans said with an insincere smile, "So does Reichsfuhrer Himmler have a particular interest in the security of the Crown Prince?"
Diels' stupid, ignorant and cruel eyes gleamed with hate as he looked at Hans. Hans knew what it was, Oliver was jealous of his quick success in the Reich. There were a lot of men like him in Hans' line of work, "We received intelligence of a heightened security threat posed by the resistance."
Hans looked at him for a moment, "Ja I read the report this morning. Like I said, the security measures will not change."
"Do you think it wise to not adjust to account for this."
"To account for what Oliver?" Hans asked, "Smoke and ghosts? That report has nothing in it but rumors." He said strongly, "And you are out of your jurisdiction." He said and Diels smiled cruelly.
"What exactly is your jurisdiction Oberfuhrer Axmann?" Diels asked as he looked at Hans who nodded, "Who do you report to? The phone?" He asked and Hans breathed in and took a step closer to Diels.
"Believe me when I tell you that should your name ever be said over the phone," He said as he looked Diels straight in the eyes and saw a glimmer of fear, "I would not lose sleep."
"Sir," Heinrich said as he walked up and saluted and Hans and Oliver returned it, "They are ready sir."
"Danke Heinrich," He said and the man nodded then left. Hans turned back to Diels, "So long as I am here I report to the Fuhrer and I am in charge of every Reich citizen's security."
"Officially," Diels added and Hans looked at him for a moment.
"If you have any more questions about my jurisdiction please take it up with Berlin. Until then, you are more than welcome to attend the meeting." He said as he maintained eye contact with Diels for a moment then walked into a large meeting room.
A man with brown hair walked up to Diels, "Did he think your concern was sincere?" He asked and Diels looked at the man.
"Of course not, I'll bring it up to the Crown Prince directly, that should make his blood boil. But you may well be in luck Muller. He will be in a disguise in the crowd and armed, he may well take all of the blame." Diels said as he and the man walked down the hall.
Karl took a hot shower and after taking more pills for his pain he put on a white button up shirt, tied a maroon tie on his neck with a silver eagle pin in the center of it and a silver tie clip, laced up his black leather shoes and tightened his black belt around his thin waist. He poured himself a drink and breathed out as he leaned on the sink of the bathroom and looked out over the city. He used a piece of tape to get stray pieces of cloth of his suit jacket. He folded his red tie square so that only a thin line was showing against the dark suit, then he slipped on the jacket. He looked in the full-length mirror to check that his dark hair was correctly swept to the right side and gelled well. He nodded, put his dark sunglasses in his suit jacket and walked out of the room.
He walked down to the bottom level where Hans was waiting with a car, "You're on time." Hans said as he looked Karl over, "We're just making an appearance at the Pan Pacific Park."
Karl nodded as he sat in the front seat of the car once more and put his glasses on, "He is honoring Admiral Yamamoto, yes?" He asked as Hans got into the car.
"Ja," Hans said as they drove out of the embassy, "It shouldn't take very long, then we'll meet them back here for tea." He said and Karl nodded as he looked out the window.
"The order for entering the Prince's presence for tea was just passed this morning." Karl said and Hans looked at him.
"Ja?" Hans asked, "He gave you the position of honor, the last person to enter the room. That's the way the Japanese do it anyway."
Karl nodded and raised his eyebrows, "I was hoping to have a quiet trip where I could simply…observe."
Hans smiled, "Come now Mr. Rommel, you must have known the Ambassador would extend this honor. You're not wearing your medal." He noticed as he looked at Karl's suit, "You were hoping you wouldn't be introduced to the Prince. That you would be able to hide in the background."
"One can dream Hans," Karl said, "Anyway, everyone will notice when I enter last."
Hans nodded, "Every Japanese person will certainly take notice owing to the fact that we didn't tell them you were attending."
"Last minute addition?" Karl asked as Hans pulled the car over and they both got out, Hans placing his cover on his head as Karl tucked his sunglasses into his suit jacket, "Might I ask why?"
"If the Japanese knew that one of the most talented German minds was visiting, my job could have been a lot more difficult. Not to mention the Resistance forces here are too active and dangerous for my comfort in regards to your safety." Hans said as they joined the large groups of German diplomats lining the path leading into the park that eventually ended at Yamamoto's shrine. Karl watched with interest as a large black car pulled up and two people got out. The man was in a smart black suit and tie, but the woman was in a traditional white kimono with pink flower prints over it and wearing bamboo sandals. Karl only got a few moments of studying them before everyone bowed, lowering their eyes out of respect. As soon as they had passed Hans nodded at Karl and they expertly detached themselves from the crowd and walked back towards their car. As Karl was putting on his sunglasses once more he caught sight of a man in a well decorated Kempeitai uniform looking at him with a cold, analytical gaze.
"Let's get you back so you can put that medal on." Hans said as they got in the car.
Karl furrowed his brow, "It always seems…"
"Karl you earned that medal," Hans said.
"The only medal I have earned is the wound badge Hans."
"We hunted those dissidents down, Karl. We both earned the German cross, do not…" He said as he looked at his friend, "Do not forget what we have done for this Reich."
Karl nodded, "So that others wouldn't have to."
"So that others wouldn't have to." Hans echoed as they pulled up to the embassy.