For the Republic
Interlude: The Downfall
April 30th, 1936
Berlin, Empire of Nazi Germany
"Mein Fuhrer, Republic artillery has come within range of Berlin and is currently pounding our outermost defenses."
Hitler glared at the spot pointed out to him on the map as if the troops that occupied the area would be incinerated by his sheer force of will. Ever since Republic troops poured out from the traitor city of Munich things had steadily been going downhill. His so called 'allies' Rome and Russia were content to do battle with the Republic and Carthage on the sea while good german men died defending the Fatherland [1].
They most likely wanted Germany weak to pick apart if the Republic was defeated. He mentally chastised himself. He used the word 'If'. He had many in the military arrested for spreading such defeatist speech. Once Field Marshal Rommel finished gathering his forces he'll rout the Republic and allow him to achieve a favorable peace. His allies were actually useful for something after all. The Republic wasn't going to prolong the war with those two still out there.
The bunker shook with dust from the ceiling covering the map. He scowled and wiped it clean. Damn those Republic B-17s! They reduced much of his beautiful capital to rubble long before the artillery was ever an issue. Hopefully Rommel had found enough forces.
There was a knock at the door. A young german soldier stepped inside and saluted him. When he said young he meant young. The boy wasn't even in his twenties yet. Realities of war required him to draft both men and some women at increasingly lower ages. When victory was achieved he'll repay those loyal to him for the hardships they experienced with a Germanic Golden Age.
After giving the soldier a nod and a pat on the shoulder he read the paper he delivered to him. It had to be important if it was brought directly to him. As he read the first few lines he snarled like a wild animal. In a fit of rage he flipped the table scattering the many maps and documents on top of it and sending his noble advisors moving for cover.
"Those fucking traitors!" he roared throwing the paper and anything else in reach to the floor.
Joseph Goebbels of the Noble House of Goebbels picked up the discarded paper paling upon reading it.
"Rommel and much of the army are surrendering to the Republicans!" He explained "Heer and SS forces are doing battle in the streets! Much of the people are siding with Rommel!"
As the other assembled nobles descended into a furious argument as they threw around blame Hitler silently fumed in anger. How could Rommel betray him like that!? While they never saw eye to eye on some issues he gave the man the respect he was due to his status as head of one of the nation's oldest noble houses and his military skill. To turn his back on not just him but Germany…
For the first time in millennia Hitler was at a loss for what to do. The reality of his situation was now hitting him. His capital under siege, his military effectively destroyed, and his people in rebellion against his rule.
"Mein, Fuhrer..."
Hitler turned to the young soldier who still stood dutifully by the door. The boy looked terrified but looked at him searching for some semblance of hope.
"Mein, Fuhrer. W-what are we going to do?" He asked voice cracking.
Something awakened in Hitler in that moment. The world seemed to slow down, the ongoing argument became muffled, and most importantly his mind became clearer. He needed to make a decision. His people needed him.
"Dönitz!" Hitler barked immediately stopping the cacophony of yelling voices.
"J-ja Mein Fuhrer?" said the Commander of the Navy
"Do we still have some naval assets left?"
"Yes sir. We have a destroyer, some submarines, and a number of transport ships."
"Good, good. Then there is still hope. Mein Friends I will not lie to you. The War for Germany is lost. We can not hold the nation against the Republicans or Rommel's troops with what we have. Therefore all of our forces including their families and anyone loyal to us shall be discreetly transferred to our Arctic Base."
Everyone around him was stunned. He couldn't blame them. He had anyone that so much as hinted Germany might lose the war thrown into prison. Now here he was telling them the war was lost and they must abandon Germany to their enemies.
"Mein Fuhrer, are you sure that is the most wise decision?" said his SS Commander, Heinrich Himmler of the Noble House of Himmler.
"I will no longer waste men and equipment in a hopeless fight. All we can do now is ensure that we live to fight another day."
Hitler expected some to refuse or protest but much to his surprise they all nodded and left to make the necessary preparations. Even when a majority of nobles agreed there was always some arguing. The Reich Council was never known for running smoothly. He didn't dwell on this for long however. There was still much to do.
Hitler grasped the railing of the catwalk looking at the spectacle below him. All throughout the ship's hold were men, women, children, and as many supplies as they could get their hands on. Over the din of voices an SS soldier barked out "Our Fuhrer wishes to speak!"
Everyone quieted down immediately looking up at their dear leader. Hitler looked around at the faces of his people and spoke in the confident way he was known for the world over.
"Mein Fellow Germans! I would like to first thank each and every one of you for joining me in the Exodus from our fallen homeland. That was no easy thing. You've all left behind homes, loved ones, and happy memories. I am personally ashamed at having to thrust such a choice upon you. For that I am sorry and I am forever grateful for you choosing to follow me."
This speech was being broadcasted to the other Exodus ships allowing all to hear their Fuhrer. The Nobles stood there listening to the speech in shock. Just who was this man!? They had known the Fuhrer personally since they were old enough to start participating in court. He had never once acted 'humble' or showed anything approaching 'humility'. The defeat must have hit him harder than they thought. Whether this new Fuhrer was an improvement remained to be seen.
"I will not lie to you." Hitler continued "None of you may live to see our triumphant return to our homeland. In our current state it will be decades before we can strike back against our foes! The United Republic who bombed our cities to rubble! Their lap dogs in Carthage who raid our trade convoys! Our so called allies Rome & Russia who were content to let be destroyed in order to shield their own territories! We will let them have their victory. We will let them have their peace. When they have grown fat and lazy we will emerge to claim our rightful place at the top of the world!"
A cheer so great sounded throughout the fleet it was rumored amongst the Exiles that Caesar, Catherine, Dido, and the Wanderer got chills at the exact same moment.
The Arctic Base wasn't what you would call state of the art. It was built as a long term research facility and small mining operation for the oil & iron discovered here. During the war its facilities were expanded to include hidden docks and some barracks. The equipment the Exiles brought allowed them to build hydroponic farms, a small factory, and expanded living quarters.
The newly christened 'New Berlin' had become a small city beneath the ice and current capital for the Empire of Nazi Germany. A wave of anger filled the city when reports of the surrender and formation of the 'Federal Republic of Germany'. While on the bright side it brought more true Germans to their side they were angry at the perversion of their empire which had stood for 6000 years.
The appearance of this 'Otto Von Bismarck' was another shock. He was an immortal there was no doubt about that. They sent an assassin to shoot the Usurper while he was giving a speech to the gullible sheep. The Usurper instead of dying merely spent a couple days in the hospital getting the 23 gunshot wounds tended to. It was like the world itself was trying to replace their Fuhrer!
Speaking of their Fuhrer he was the only one not expressing rage at how their beloved nation was changed. Upon hearing of the Usurper for the first time the Fuhrer merely raised an eyebrow and told his spies to keep searching for information. For those familiar with the Fuhrer's infamous rages no longer saw them. Hitler no longer wasted his time with spectacular displays of rage. Instead he embraced a policy of 'tranquil fury'. All had learned to fear his stern look of disappointment more than any raised voice.
Hitler's main motivation was to keep everyone on task for their main goal: the reconquest of Germany and the destruction of the other nations. While it most likely not happen this generation who's to say it won't the next or the one after that. No matter how long it took the True Germans would take back all that belonged to them and destroy their enemies. Once and for all…
1952
New Berlin
Hitler's Personal Quarters
Hitler combed his hair in private bathroom. Back in Germany he would have a small team of servants groom and tend to him. In today's reality such frivolous triviality was not to be tolerated even by him. They needed soldiers, scientists, farmers, miners, and workers. Having able bodied men and women wasting their time grooming him when they could be working for the good of all!? He still marveled at how petty he was in the past.
He was needed at a ceremony in the dockyard. He was to give a speech for the first ship constructed by them here in New Berlin, a submarine, which would allow to make discreet voyages back to civilization to get more supplies or perform covert actions. The sub honestly wasn't that impressive. It was garbage compared to the 'nuclear subs' the Republic was building but it was something for the people to feel proud of.
He placed down the comb and inspected himself in the mirror. He was about to leave when something caught his eye. He picked up his comb again and held it in front of his eyes. There among the black hair was a single strand of grey…
[1]- The term Fatherland comes from the old german phrase 'Our Father's Land'. All land was seen as belonging to Hitler the Immortal Father so Germany as a whole was seen as the 'Father's Land'. A similar situation exists in Russia with Catherine being known as Mother by Ancient Russians with Russia being an extension of her body.
