Chapter 34

Auschwitz

"Leutnant? Leutnant (Lieutenant? Lieutenant)!?" barked the SS Guard captain, "Wo könnte er sein (Where could he be)?"

I drew near the convoy, keeping my head down as much as possible so that the soldiers wouldn't get a good look at my eyes. The SS Guard captain turned and approached me.

"Hey du da (Hey, you there)," he said.

"Crap," I thought.

I stopped at the same time as the captain. He was a tall man, I'm guessing six feet tall, with a firm build.

"Ich erkenne Sie nicht, wo ist der Leutnant (I don't recognize you, where's the lieutenant)?" he asked.

It was at this moment that my mind started racing. I had to think of something quick, something that he would believe… Something like…

"Er ist ... Er ist tot (He's... He's dead sir)," I said, "Getötet von einem dieser Assassinen (killed by one of those Assassins)."

The captain's eyes went wide in shock.

"Mach dir keine Sorgen, Sir ... Ich habe es geschafft ihn zu töten (Don't worry sir, I... I managed to kill him)," I said, "Mühe ist, habe ich nicht genau gehen weg in einem Stück (trouble is I didn't exactly walk away in one piece)."

I raised my head, letting him see my masked face mask, which had the soldier's blood smeared on it a bit to make it look like it was mine.

"Wie konnten Sie einen Assassinen nehmen? Du bist nur ein gewöhnlicher Soldat (How were you able to take out an Assassin? You're just a common soldier)," he said.

Too easy.

"Kein Soldat, ein Templer. Ich habe mich von meiner Mannschaft getrennt (Not a soldier sir, a Templar. I got separated from my squad is all)," I said.

I flashed my hidden blades.

"Wenn Sie mir nicht glauben, nahm ich die Klingen von der fucker als Souvenir (If you don't believe me, I took the blades off the fucker as a souvenir)," I said.

The man looked at the blades, then he looked at me. I kept letting out slow, deep breaths, keeping myself calm so I wouldn't blow my cover and wind up having to kill him, if I did that there would be no way I could be able to get to the prison and get my sister out.

"…Alles klar dann (Alright then)," he said as he led me over to the rest of the guard, "Wenn Sie sagen, dass Sie getrennt wurden, dann können Sie mit uns ins Gefängnis zu kommen. Ich lasse Kommandant Berand von Ihrer Situation wissen (if you say that you got separated, then you can come with us to the prison. I'll let Commander Berand know of your situation)."

I felt my heart skip a beat.

"Kommandant ... Berand (Commander… Berand)?" I asked as I followed.

"Ja (yes)," said the captain, "kennst du ihn (do you know him)?"

"Äh ... Nur durch den Namen (Uh... Only by name)," I said, "Ich habe ihn nicht persönlich kennengelernt (I haven't met him in person)."

The captain laughed.

"Commander Berand ist ein guter Mann, sowohl er als auch die Männer, denen er dient und fügt unsere Reihen hinzu (Commander Berand is a good man, both him and the men he serves and adds to our ranks)," he said, "Seit sie sich mit uns verbündet haben, haben wir es geschafft, einen festen Fußstoß in Europa zu haben ... Auch wenn wir mit diesen verdammten Assassinen umgehen mussten (ever since they've allied themselves with us, we've managed to have a firm foothold on Europe so far... Even if we've had to deal with those damned Assassin)."

Just hearing him talk about the good Abelard and the Templars are doing was enough to make my face burn up. How could these people be so dammed blind? The Templars aren't helping, they're goading the Germans into slaughtering people, innocents for Christ's sake! And what's worst is that they've been brainwashed into believing that they're helping to create a new world, an Aryan World, they don't have a fucking clue that they're paving the way for the Templars to knock Adolf off of his high horse and snatch the power from him.

"Sind Sie ... Sicher können wir diesen Männern vertrauen? Diese Tempelritter (Are you... Sure we can trust these men? These Templars)?" I asked as we arrived at the convoy.

The captain stopped and looked at me. I shouldn't have said that.

"Ich vertraue ihnen (I trust 'em)," said one of the soldiers.

"Ich auch, sie haben uns geholfen, viel Boden zu gewinnen (Me too, they've helped us gain a lot of ground)," said a second soldier.

"In der Tat ... Und darf ich fragen ... Warum würden Sie fragen, eine solche Frage Soldat (Indeed... And may I ask... Why would you ask such a question soldier)?" asked the captain, "Sie sind doch eure Verbündeten (they're your allies after all)."

Crap. I had to think fast.

"Nun ... Es ist nur, dass, bevor ich zu ihren Reihen hinzugefügt wurde, war ich ein Soldat selbst sein ... Uh ... Ein Scharfschütze, bevor ich einen Platz in ihrem Orden verdiente (Well... It's just that before I was added to their ranks I used to be a soldier myself... Uh... A sharpshooter before I earned a place in their Order)," I said, "Ich war nur ... Uh ... Ich äh ... Tut mir leid, ich habe das falsch formuliert (I was just... Uh... I uh... Sorry, I kind of worded that wrong)."

The captain put a hand on my shoulder and smiled at me.

"Das ist ganz in Ordnung (That's quite alright)," he said.

The captain walked away, making his way towards the truck up front while barking out orders. I let out a long breath, I was so happy I managed to fool that idiot, I thought I'd shit all over myself if I failed.

WHAP!

I let out an alarmed squeak as I felt someone slap me right on the bum, I turned around fast and saw two of the SS Guard chuckling to each other. I frowned and marched over to them.

"Hallo (Hey)!" I snapped.

The guys stopped chuckling and looked at me, backing away a few inches.

"Sie denken, Ohrfeigen meinen Arsch ist komisch (You think slapping my ass is funny)?" I aksed firmly, "Sie wissen, dass ich Ihre Esel haben könnte, um zu versuchen, mit einem Templer zu fraternisieren (you know I could have your asses court-marshalled for trying to fraternize with a Templar)?"

The soldiers looked at each other and then looked at me, they looked terrified by what I had just said. I jabbed my finger into the first soldier's chest.

"Berühre mich wieder dort, wenn du großen Jungen willst. Weil heute Abend kommen, werde ich in dein Schlafzimmer kommen und schneiden Sie Ihre Bälle aus mit einem motherfucking gezackten Messer (Touch me there again if you want big boy; because come tonight, I'll come into your bedroom and cut your balls off with a motherfucking serrated knife)," I warned.

"U-Uh ... Y-Ja ma'am, ich verstehe ma'am (U-Uh... Y-Yes ma'am, I understand ma'am)," he said as he put a hand up.

I made my way over to the troop transport truck and climbed inside, the other members of the guard followed. I had no idea that the Templars carried this much power with them, it was kind of fun to boss these chumps around a bit. It was a shame that I wouldn't get a chance to do that a little more, because we were soon on our way to the prison.

The ride there was dull and boring, a few of the SS Guard talked amongst themselves and told jokes, some of them just sat back and enjoyed the ride. Some of the topics of conversation weren't interesting, as they talked about the good times they had back at home before being enlisted to join the army and serve their leader, others talked about their daily routines, their "morning rituals". Then there were topics that got me turning my head a couple of times, like how they couldn't wait to see the looks on the prisoners faces when they take them to the prison, some of them hoped that they were worked down to the bone, some hoped that they would try to escape so they could get picked off by the guard towers, or caught by the guard and their dogs so they could be mercilessly beaten until they were battered and broken.

That made my face get hot with anger and sadness, I squeezed my eyes shut as I struggled not to break down crying. Heartless bastards, they call themselves doing something for the good of their country and the fucking world, they don't know jack shit. And I'm willing to bet they would have the gall to use the excuse that they're "following orders" just so that they could avoid any and all possible punishment for their crimes.

"Following orders" my ass. These aren't soldiers, they're slaves! Slaves who blindly follow a lie that's disguised as the truth! And the Templars are only adding more kindle to the raging bonfire to make matters even worse… Podły (Despicable).

I don't know how long it took for us to get from where we were to the prison, mainly because I was knocked out for most of the ride… No pun intended.

"Hey! Girl!" someone shouted as he nudged me.

"Hmm?" I asked as I looked up at the guardsman.

"We're here," he said.

I sat up as he turned and hopped out of the truck, I stretched and let out a yawn before following him out. As soon as my feet hit the dirt, I felt like I was going to pass out.

"Och ... Kurwa (Oh… Fuck)," I thought with despair.

It. Was. Everything I thought it was going to be: A living Hell. The prisoners wore striped camp fatigues and… I could only assume they were wearing ill-fitting wooden shoes on their feet. All around, these prisoners toiled away at their places of work, the bulk of these prisoners, I instantly recognized as Poles and some of them I recognized as Romanians, the rest I didn't know recognized; but I knew they didn't belong in this place regardless.

I felt my grip on my rifle loosen up a bit as I stared, trying my damndest to hide my shock as I looked at the faces of each of the prisoners: They were… So… So… Broken. I don't even think that saying they looked sad would do it justice, these people were… broken. Many of them looked starved to the point where they looked like skeletons wearing a thin sheet of skin to cover themselves, their skins looked deathly pale, as if all the blood had been drained away, but worst of all… They appeared… Mindless. All around it seemed like most of these people had become mindless zombies, slaved to work in these horrid conditions, under the deathly stare of their Templar and Nazi prison guards.

"Welcome to Auschwitz newbie," the guardsman said with a cheerful attitude, "make yourself at home."

Make myself at home? Make myself at home!? This isn't home! This is the lowest and coldest part of Hell! There is no home anywhere!

"Th-Thank you," I said quietly.

I quickly turned my head to the sound of a Nazi soldier yelling at a prisoner for falling behind on his job.

"Hehe, looks like someone might get executed on the spot," the guardsman, right next to me said with an amused chuckle.

I said nothing. The man was terrified, he put his hands up, appearing to be begging and pleading with the guardsman to have mercy on her for falling behind. I let out an alarmed gasp as he struck the man to the ground, if he didn't appear so weak and thing, I would've thought he had broken his neck from the strike.

"That tears it!" I thought.

I marched over to the man, my face felt like it had been set on fire, as a mix of anger and rage started to reach their boiling point.

"Hallo (Hey)!" I screamed.

The guardsman turned.

"Was zur Hölle geht hier vor (What the hell is going on here)?" I asked firmly.

"Who are you?" asked the guardsman.

"I'll ask the questions!" I snapped, "now what is going on?"

"Showing this Polish shit what happens when he falls behind on the job," the guardsman said firmly as he drew his pistol.

I grabbed him by the wrist and gripped it tightly.

"What the hell, could he have done? To deserve this kind of punishment?" I asked firmly.

The guardsman wrestled his hand out of my grip and turned to look at me like I was crazy.

"Does it matter? This is how things work around here, when a prisoner starts falling behind, they need to be disciplined!" he barked.

"This man is sick and weak, he needs to rest!" I snapped.

"Why the hell do you care? You're a Templar, I thought you guys couldn't care a less about what happens to the prisoners," he said with a questioning tone.

Shit… I had to think of something fast or else I'll lose my cover.

"I'm… I'm sorry, I'm just… I'm new here," I said, looking down, "I got transferred after I killed an Assassin and took these wrist blades as souvenirs."

The man raised an eyebrow.

"Is, that, right?" he asked.

I gave him a slow nod.

"Well… Why don't you show me how that work?" he asked.

"What… What do you mean?" I asked.

The guardsman chuckled and pointed at the prisoner before me. I felt my heart stop. This can't be real… This… This can't be real, this has to be a trick!

"You… You mean?" I asked.

The guardsman nodded.

"If you're really a Templar, and you are new, why don't you prove it?" he asked, "kill the prisoner."

I felt like I shit all over myself.

"Stay your blade from the flesh of the innocent."

"Never compromise the brotherhood."

I was screwed, on the one hand I couldn't kill this man; but on the other I couldn't blow my cover, otherwise I won't be able to save Miriam.

"Go on, new girl… Show me that… Templar loyalty you have to your buddies," he said as he crossed his arms.

I looked at the guardsman, and then I looked down at the prisoner, who was shaking and whimpering in fear. I felt my chest start to get tight, as I formed my hands into fists.

"I can't," I said.

"Alright then, how about this?" said the guardsman, "either you kill him… Or I do."

I turned and saw him raised his pistol again. I was trapped, I had to think of something and quick. But what the hell could I do!? I was caught between a rock and a hard place!

"I can't… I'm… Not that keen on killing prisoners like… The rest of my brothers yet," I said as I looked down in shame, "I… I am new after all."

The guardsman gave me a questionable stare and shrugged.

"Fine," he said.

The prisoner looked into my eyes… Those… Sad, broken eyes as he reached forward, as if he wanted me to save him… To help him. I shook my head and looked away.

"Es tut mir Leid (I'm sorry)," I whispered.

I heard the guardsman start to pull the trigger on his pistol, causing the hammer to pull back and come down fast.

BANG!

Thud

I felt my whole-body tense up, like how a child's body would when they heard they were receiving a shot during a doctor's visit. I slowly turned my head and looked at the prisoner, who laid dead in a pool of his own blood with a hole in his head.

"Don't worry new girl, I know that this is messy work and all… but trust me," the guardsman said as he gave me a pat on the back, "you'll learn… To just shrug it off."

The guardsman walked away. I slowly turned my head as I saw him make his way to another part of the prison. I turned back towards the man, now a dead corpse. I couldn't save him… I had my weapons on me and I couldn't save him.

"You idiot… You could've killed the guardsman… You could've made it look like an accident, you could've told someone that an Assassin had infiltrated the prison, you could've done anything!" I scolded myself.

I shook my head though, realizing how stupid the idea sounded.

"No… There wasn't anything you could've done. No matter what choice you made, there might've been a good chance that my mission would be compromised," I thought, "regardless… It's too late now."

I looked all around the prison and let out a heavy sigh. I was in Auschwitz now, disguised as the very people I despised. I needed to make sure that I played by their rules, keep their eyes off my back while I looked for Miriam.

"However, If I'm going to do this, not only do I need to play by their rules so I can keep their eyes off me… But I need to gain the trust of some of the guardsmen, both Nazi and possibly Templar," I thought, "I need to gain their trust, try to pull them over to my side so I can have more leg room to look for Miriam. I just hope I can get it all done in three days. If not… My sister won't make it for the rest of the war… If not shorter."