Prelude to a New War
(Part II)

1962-1963

Relations between the three powerful nations have begun to reach a breaking point.
Agreeing to reduce the number of nuclear weapons and restricting their use in warfare was one the three can agree on yet it's a little semblance of peace in a sea of animosity.
Tariffs were raised on US ships to bring revenue to the Reich as well as keep American influence out of the Reich causing diplomatic relations to worsen between the GGR and the US.

Partisans in Europe and Africa, especially within the Reichskommissariats, have started to become a bigger problem since many are decentralized in their approach after the establishment of the Neo-White Army in Reichskommissariat Russland. Major partisan groups such as The Free French Forces in North Africa and the Polish Home Army lay in wait, having already pushed for several hit-and-run tactics. Yet minor groups rise and fall by the day within the Reich.
Despite the partisan uprisings within the Reichskommissariats, the Reich itself is returning towards general stability, with its main Wehrmacht force establishing itself as a more dominant military power on the world stage, with the US military coming close.

30 January 1963
Germania, Greater Germanic Reich
Early afternoon

The streets of Germania are in the midst of a great celebration. Confetti of black, white, and red, drape throughout the city and then some.
In order to make the celebration perfect the Reich Minister of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda Joseph Goebbels had spent the past few months for a grand celebration, the thirtieth anniversary of Hitler's chancellorship. Flags of the Reich wave and drape several monuments in celebration of the thirtieth anniversary of Hitler's rise to power.

As Hitler's motorcade travels through the city the citizenry raises their arms saluting the Führer. Prussian and National Socialist military marches are being sounded throughout the city's alarm system playing the songs of the old Kaiserreich of the Kaiser to the modern Greater Germanic Reich of the Führer. Hitler's SS guards stand and keep watch, making sure to keep the peace while this celebration is played through-throughout the city.

Several high-ranking generals and members of the National Socialist party are in attendance for this grand celebration. Even Himmler is in attendance along with an entourage of men from the SS divisions of the SS State of Burgundy. As Hitler arrives at the Volkshalle, he makes his way to the main podium overlooking thousands who are in attendance. Soon the military music ends and the cheers of the adoring crowds of civilians and soldiers, lined up in rank, also cease. All cameras are turned on to Hitler, recording, and live-broadcasting all throughout the Reich and outside of the Reich's borders. Approaching the microphone, Hitler begins to speak.

"Today, on the 30th of January, 1963, we celebrate the rise of our great party. Thirty years ago, the German nation was on the verge of collapse. Its heart was corrupted and sent to utter ruin. Enemies of the Reich, both foreign and domestic, want to see our nation and culture collapse. Collapse, ruin, and fall into destitute. Caused by our enemies who controlled the banks, those who called themselves superpower nations, those who want to see our Germanic way of life be destroyed by the greed of capitalism, the lust of degeneracy, and the envy and pride in their hearts." Hitler opens up. "But where are they now?" Hitler asks as he uses his right hand to wave and gesture, keeping his left hand hidden.
"I, and those who have given their lives to help rescue the German peoples, who gave their lives to establish the Greater Germanic Reich, have saved a crumbling nation in debt and established a Reich that will last for a thousand years!"

As Hitler continues on with his speech the people listen intently. International translators are hard at work in trying to translate what the Führer had said in their native languages.

After an hour of his speech, the civilians begin to clap and the soldiers of the Wehrmacht and SS all raise to salute, shouting Sieg Heil. Soon the entirety of the Volkshalle erupts in chant chanting Sieg Heil. Hitler raises and salutes back ending the chant. Soon he departs from the building.

The cameras continue to follow the Führer outside as the people scream praise and admiration, photographers continuously take photographs, and the SS guards work hard to keep the crowd back. Hitler's chauffeur opens the car door for Hitler to enter.

"Death to the Führer!" A male voice cried out. Two SS guards are stabbed by two assassins dressed in civilian clothing as the third draws his pistol and opens fire at Hitler. The sound of gunfire caused the public to flee in panic as the SS guards work to apprehend the would-be assassins.
The Führer collapses, bleeding from the chest from the three gunshots. He is then dragged away to his motorcade and is soon escorted out to his hospital to treat his wounds, hoping that the bullets have not hit anything major. The would-be assassins of the Führer are then apprehended by Hitler's SS bodyguards.

In a scurry of panic, Hitler's chauffeur begins to drive the Führer off to the hospital with the SS locking down the Volkshalle. Soon an order was given by general Hans Spiedel to lockdown the entirety of Germania and everything within Germania's radius. The three assassins are arrested and promptly taken away for questioning.

Esdeath's Estate
Outskirts of Germania, Greater Germanic Reich

Esdeath awakens from her sleep late into the morning, only wearing a white unbuttoned shirt. She was previously invited to join in the celebration of the Führer's thirty years but turned down the offer when they told her that she can't take her Tatsumi with her. She looks down at her bed and sees Tatsumi sleeping like a rock.

"Why good morning my love," Esdeath whispers, letting her fingers walk on top of his bare chest. "It's been about two years since we first did it. Perhaps it may be the only time since my duties kept me from spending time with him. Fortunately, the year and a half off work have helped me recover some of my strength." Esdeath thinks to herself, smiling. Esdeath gets off her bed and stretches her arms, letting everything out.
"Right, I forgot that today is the thirtieth anniversary of Hitler's reign. Not interested in going if I can't bring Tatsumi with me." Esdeath gets up and walks to her window, looking at the Volkshalle in the distance. Her reflection reproduces her figure. Standing in the nude form, exposing a voluptuous build, with tight and smooth skin and porcelain in color. The only article of clothing covering her is her white unbuttoned dress shirt, covering her breasts but exposing the sternum all the way down to the lower button.
In her time of this world, she has come to appreciate the human body and anatomy. Following in the style of the Ancient Greeks and their appreciation of the fit naked human body is the pinnacle of beauty. "If I can commission an artisan, then perhaps I can have a few statues or paintings made of me and Tatsumi in the style of the Ancient Greeks or the Renaissance that I read so much about."
As Esdeath continues to look out of the window a knock on the door is made. "Who could it be at this hour?" Esdeath responded. She quickly buttons up her dress shirt and goes to her wardrobe to pick out a fresh pair of underwear. She dresses and walks to the door where a second knock is made. "I'm coming." She answers, opening the door. "What is it?" Esdeath asks.

"Sorry to wake you up, Madam. But I received dire news from Germania." Standing in front of Esdeath the SS-Hauptsturmführer breaks the news to Esdeath. "But the Führer has been shot. He's currently in the central hospital being treated as we speak."

"The Führer has been shot?" Esdeath responded, stunned by the news.

"Yes. Germania and the surrounding area have been placed under lockdown; it's recommended that you are to remain in your estate until orders from Germania are given out." The SS-Hauptsturmführer tells Esdeath. "Heil Hitler." The SS- Hauptsturmführer salutes Esdeath and she salutes back. She closes the door and turns around.

"Shit," Esdeath responded. She lays her back on the door and lets herself fall. "With the Führer shot. There is a chance that I might not be able to keep my status." Esdeath speaks aloud. "I hope he does make a speedy recovery. I have no doubt that Brown Eminence would jump at the chance to kick me out of the party when he has the chance to. It was a stupid idea to make Bormann his second." Esdeath tells herself as she is a bit enraged. "But if that's so, then I guess I should take control myself." Esdeath chuckles.

After hours and days passed since the assassination attempt was made, news came about Hitler's condition. The Führer Adolf Hitler has made full recovery and is currently recovering from his attempted assassination. As per the fate of the three assassins, it's classified.

March 10, 1963
Washington D.C. United States

Within the White House in the meeting room, President Kennedy is in discussion with several military and intelligence advisors. Kennedy is worried about the current situation, over a month has passed since the attempt on Hitler's life was made. Diplomatic ties were officially cut and the Reich is preparing itself for war. What's worse is that several spies within the Reich have gone silent. He worries that the CIA may have stepped too far in its role, but the time to dissolve the institution should be saved for later as it had proven itself to be the main connection between the US and anti-Nazi groups within and outside of the Reich's borders.

The Reich is advanced militarily and technologically. But thanks to their recession, it has given the US an opportunity to catch up. Replacing old uniforms and outdated rifles with modern equipment such as the M16. The economic recession in the Reich even helped the Soviets in catching up with the Reich, all be it still underequipped.

The Soviets have been remaining silent since the end of the Soviet Civil War and the capture and execution of Beria. If war were to break out, he can't count on Soviet intervention to at least draw forces from the west to the east. Even then, Khrushchev has his own problems with both SS and CIA spies in his nation so tensions is truly high between both the US and the Soviet Union. Yet at least the Reich is a common enemy between the two, yet even that can't be guaranteed the Soviets would work with the US.

Another problem is within the domestic front. Lately terrorist and counter-terrorist groups clash with one another causing public unrest in major cities, and the German American Bund having the gall to host the same rally in New York, but at least it has been taken care of by the federalized New York National Guard and racial tensions have been slowly declining, a win for Kennedy.

Now, inside the White House's West Wing, Kennedy speaks with his advisors of EXCOMM, planning for any potential strategies to counter Nazi aggression. At least one item can be ruled out for all parties and states: the US, the USSR, and the GGR, can agree on. The usage of nuclear weapons is to be restricted as a last resort when all military and diplomatic options have failed. With this, the risk of nuclear Armageddon is postponed and millions won't have to be killed by nuclear fire. Even if at last resort, Mutually Assured Destruction still lingers.

"General Decker, what is the status of the readiness of our troops? On the ground. After that attempt on Hitler's life was made, our spies have been getting caught. Leading all fingers to us, giving him a cause for war. What is the status of our troops?" Kennedy asks the Chief of Staff of the United States Army, General George H. Decker.

"Mr. President. Our troops on the ground are currently well-equipped, the same level as the Wehrmacht. We don't know anything about the Waffen-SS divisions inside of the Ordenstaat. But it's safe to assume that if war is predicated then we can win on the defense and even offensively with the member states of the UFN." Decker reports to Kennedy. "That's only fighting against the Reich itself. We don't know if the other members of the Einheitspakt would intervene on behalf of the Reich, if the British Union were to get involved, or if the Mediterranean Triumvirate would join in on the side of the Reich."

Secretary of State. Dean Rusk speaks. "The Triumvirate has long separated ties with the Reich since the mid-fifties. But trade is good between the Triumvirate and the Einheitspakt. Yet I doubt they would intervene in a war on the behalf of the Reich." The other members also agree on the secretary's assessment.

"What about our naval and air capabilities? Any news on that?" Kennedy turns to Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral George W. Anderson, and Chief of the United States Airforce, General Curtis E. LeMay.

"Our naval capabilities are strong in the seas. Our battle-class of ships outclass several of the Kriegsmarine ships. We outnumber them in aircraft carriers as well. Except for one field, submarines. Their U-boats have the capability to cripple any military transport that would threaten the Reich." Admiral Anderson reports.

"Then when war breaks out, have the navy find a way to counter and avoid those U-boats," Kennedy responded.

"Yes, Mr. President." Admiral Anderson responded. The next to report is General LeMay.

"For the air capabilities Mr. President. All I can say is that the US Air Force has the capabilities to take on the Luftwaffe. Because both of our technologies are near equivalents of each other, it's safe to say we can go toe-to-toe with the Luftwaffe. We also have the capabilities able to field in more aircraft and personnel to replace any losses. An advantage the Luftwaffe does not have." General LeMay reports.

"But you all are forgetting something that separates us from the Reich's military of the Wehrmacht and the SS, as well as the other SS units in the Ordenstaat." Director of Central Intelligence John A. McCone speaks up. "We may be well equipped than the Reich, but many of the Wehrmacht and SS have real combat experience, many are considered veterans while ours barely kept up as a peace force. We can't simply take them by surprise like in the First and Second World Wars. You're all forgetting one factor. The Reich's trump card, the Ice General, SS-Gruppenführerin Esdeath Partas." Director McCone reports. The name of Esdeath sends chills down their spines as they've seen reports of her achievements and her abilities as both a military leader and strong figure capable of halting entire divisions with just ice. "But Mr. President if you'll allow me. I would like to put forward a task force to deal with her. Of anyone and anything the Reich has; she is the greater threat."

"The only way to deal with such a woman of her power is to use nuclear force" LeMay cuts in. "I doubt a task force would do much help to kill that woman. So, what's better is to use nuclear power." LeMay turns to Kennedy. "Mr. President when this woman appears on American shores, all I need is your word and my fighters and bombers would put an end to her."

"And risk nuking our own citizens with American nukes? Escalating what could be a conventional land war to a nuclear war? No, General, nukes will be off the table and be used as the last strike. For now, we'll be sticking to the terms made in." Kennedy responded.

"If it's practical and not something fantastical that would waste taxpayer dollars and not pull resources directly from the military, then please speak director. If not then please bring this up in the next meeting." Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Maxwell D. Taylor tells McCone. "Don't forget director, it's your agency that approved much of the espionage inside of the Reich's sphere of influence. Your organization is playing with the fate of the world in its hands. Tossing the Earth like it's an egg. One misstep and its nuclear Armageddon."

"Gentlemen, please calm yourselves," Kennedy orders the two officials. "It was my decision to give the go-ahead on the espionage orders. We hoped that some of our spies might get lucky and managed to develop a resistance effort against Hitler. And in the event, it may fail, maintain plausible deniability. But what happened here, is far worse than what we could imagine." Kennedy comments. "Our own spies try to tiptoe their way in, just like with Castro in Cuba. And like Castro, Hitler survived."

"What are you getting at Mr. President? We in this conference room know it's your order to assassinate Hitler and now we're here. You've placed yourself in this position, Mr. President." General LeMay responded.

"Well, you're here with me now, LeMay. Same with the rest of you." Kennedy responds. LeMay sits back in silence, seeing that Kennedy is not wrong. Director McCone speaks up once more.

"Mr. President, if I may. Returning back to the previous subject on hand. With the SS-Gruppenführerin's powers to create, control, and manipulate ice. There is no doubt that the Reich will use this to their advantage to attack and cripple US and UFN forces." McCone speaks. "A person with a such reputation to freeze entire cities and armies in their tracks, both figurately and literally, would pose a great threat to our national security."

"Well, director, what are you waiting for? Present to us this Task Force of yours that you're proposing. And God help us if it's another stupid idea. Like that gene cross-breeding program in the Appalachian Mountains over ten years ago." Kennedy orders McCone.

"I can assure you, Mr. President, I won't be making these mistakes that took time and resources like my predecessors who were in my position. But this task force would be better said directly by the man who proposed it to me. I only feel it's appropriate to do so." McCone turns to a man in a US colonel's uniform behind him. "Colonel, if you may." The colonel stands up and proceeds to pass out to every main member of EXCOMM a copy of a folder.

The colonel begins to speak. "Now what I'm passing out to you gentlemen are folders, each folder has the same six people in them."

"Wait a minute, if he's CIA then why is he wearing an Army dress uniform with the colonel ranks?" General Decker objects.

"The men and women of the CIA are allowed to wear the uniforms of their previous branch with rank when working with the CIA. He's in joint operations with the CIA and US Special Forces, currently in transition into the CIA. But these six people you see in those folders are in CIA jurisdiction, and can be exchanged to another branch's jurisdiction with my discretion, or with the discretion of the president or the secretary of Defense." McCone responded. After skimming through the files, the senior military leaders place the files down and pushes them to the center of the table.

"As I was saying, general." The Colonel turns back around. "In case I haven't told you, my qualifications. I am colonel Johnathan Reeds, I previously worked in special operations, and intelligence, as well as in clandestine and covert operations missions, in both the CIA and the US Army Green Berets."

"Get on with it, colonel. We don't have all day when war is potentially near our doorstep." Kennedy tells colonel Reeds.

"Understood Mr. President." Reeds responds to the president's request. "Officially named Task Force NH or 'Night Hunters', I founded this group in the fall of the previous year, they're trained for covert and clandestine operations Including but not limited to: Infiltration, sabotage, reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, direct action, unconventional warfare, and assassinations. The main priority of this task force is to take out SS Gruppenführerin Esdeath Partas. Even from new photos of her, a possible ally of hers."

"Question," The Secretary of Defense: Robert McNamara cuts Reeds off. "But what made you put faith into these six? Five of them look like their supposed to be in high school or in any other higher education institution." McNamara poses a question.

"One of them, a US Army Green Beret captain, is the leader. The other five people have equipped something only they have the ability to use. It's called Imperial Arms, the same one that Ms. Partas is using to control ice. Said five also have encountered her previously, coming from the same place as SS Gruppenführerein Partas." "As such, I have brought a little presentation to show you just what we're facing up against. Trust me, if she and her unit can easily wipe out partisans, then think what would be possible against our troops on the ground or planes in the sky." Colonel Reeds then proceeds to walk to the back of the Roosevelt Room and activates a screen projector with his film presentation. "Fortunately, this video provided to me by a French insider shows just a glimpse to remind us of her power. Unfortunately said insider was killed in the fighting and his widow gave this to me."

"That won't be necessary colonel." Kennedy comments. Reeds returns back to how things were. "I'm pretty sure we're aware of her power and magnitude that she's capable of, which Is backed up by the twenty years of fighting she's in. The only question is-is this group of yours capable of handling such daunting tasks? Would they be a better alternative using a nuclear strike on her, as what General LeMay had requested?"

"Well, Mr. President. The power of a nuclear strike from Washington should kill her. But such power that is dwelled inside of her can easily triumph over much of our nuclear and non-nuclear arsenal that we throw at her. Most likely she'll be sent in to exploit a potential weakness. The people you're seeing in that file, can all attest to her power. They know what she's capable of. But here is what they can do Mr. President. The subcommander of the group managed to kill Esdeath." Reeds tells the entire EXCOMM committee.

"So, you're saying this woman is killable? Would be easier to use a sniper instead than these assassins." General Taylor comments.

"Easier said than done, General. We know that this woman can't be killed so easily by a mere bullet. Her reaction speed is too quick for that. As it's known before, she has an entire division that surrounds her, and I've mentioned it before but she also has another ally. A cordial lover is to be suspected."

"Well, if that's a pain. Not only one person has the ability to control ice but now two? What element is it this time huh?!" General Le May asks.

"We don't exactly know general. But it's reported that it could have possible affiliation from the SS State of Burgundy." Reeds comments. "But to be honest with you gentlemen, with the SS State being ultra-isolationists, even to the members of the Nazi Party in the Reich, I won't be surprised that they would pull something unexpected from out of their wild fantasies."

"I see colonel. Thank you for this presentation." Kennedy tells Reeds. "But before I would give my full approval, I would like to verify these 'Imperial Arms' that you mentioned, colonel."

"Why'd certainly Mr. President. I will schedule a few demonstrations to show the capacity of each member who wields these Imperial Arms." Promptly the doors for the Roosevelt Room open, allowing several Secret Service agents entry. They enter and the head of the Secret Service whispers something into Kennedy's ear. Kennedy stands up from his chair.

"Gentlemen, it seems we have to cut our meeting short for now. Recent developments in our domestic policies have revealed themselves. The diplomat from the Reich who we're supposed to meet today to de-escalate tensions. It was revealed that his plane was shot down in US waters." Kennedy responded.

"How long was that Mr. President?" Director McCone asks.

"Roughly an hour ago," Kennedy responded. "But I doubt this was our doing. Admiral, Generals, just in case please investigate this. I hereby call this meeting over." The men of EXCOMM collect their belongings and proceed to leave the Roosevelt Room.

March 11, 1963
Washington D.C.

"We're going live in three, two," The tv announcer counts down, mouthing the word one. Inside the oval office, President John F. Kennedy begins to speak. After the news of the downed aircraft of the Reich diplomat in US waters had spread around the world, Kennedy prepared an address.

"Good evening, my Fellow Citizens: This government, as promised, has maintained the cause for global security. Yesterday, it has been revealed that the delegate of the Reich, whom we were supposed to meet to discuss peace, had his plane shot down over our coastal waters." Kennedy stays silent for a second. "We've come to know that this was not our doing, as some may speculate. No one could foresee such tragedy unfold in our waters. „Kennedy takes a second. ". We are committed to upholding peace in the world, no matter what the cost may be. Yet, what we have come to realize is that maintaining peace, in a world filled with great tension, is impossible. Soon, war may inevitably be broken out." Kennedy continues on for several minutes. Maintaining US deniability into the incident, but also into how the balance of powers can break and a peaceful solution may no longer be an option. "Our goal is not the victory of might, but the vindication of right - not peace at the expense of freedom, but both peace and freedom, here in this hemisphere, and we hope, around the world. God willing, that goal will be achieved. Thank you and good night." Kennedy ends his address to the nation and the cameras go off the air.

Robert MacNamara walks up to Kennedy, followed by a few secret service agents. "Mr. President, you're needed in the Roosevelt Room immediately with the rest of EXCOMM. We have received new photo updates from the U2 planes." MacNamara hurriedly tells Kennedy. The two depart for the Roosevelt Room. The EXCOMM committee members stand up from their chairs.

"Please be seated," Kennedy ordered. "So, what new updates have we received?" Kennedy asked. McCone stands up and places a blown-up image of several ports.

"You see Mr. President, after the incident yesterday, and the failed assassination of Hitler two months prior, the Reich sees this as a just cause for war."

"So, they finally declared war on us." Kennedy laments. "I knew that they were going to declare war on us since that incident yesterday."

"Precisely, Mr. President. From these images, there are cargo-like container ships. What we have learned is that these are troop transport ships."

"And what has happened to them?" Kennedy asks. Admiral W. Anderson speaks.

"Mr. President, it has come to our attention that these ships have left port from Burgundian, French, and English ports mere hours after the incident and many have regrouped with Kriegsmarine ships near the. With many primarily joining up with destroyers, escorts, and a few with Aircraft carriers in and around the Celtic Sea and Gulf of Biscay." Admiral W. Anderson reports.

"To where are these ships planning to invade? So that we can effectively mobilize our military and ships to block them." Kennedy asks.

"The most probable places Mr. President are as follows: Boston, Providence, New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Norfolk Virginia, Florida, and South Carolina. Essentially the major cities of the East Coast and surrounding military bases. With Washington D.C. and New York, it's no doubt that they would be going for the political and financial capitals of the United States."

"Just when do you estimate they'll be coming to US shores?" Kennedy asks.

"In roughly a time frame between five to seven days Mr. President. That is the time frame" McNamara responded.

"That's not enough time to evacuate the civilians and mobilize our defenses," Kennedy responds with disappointment.

"Mr. President, if it would make it any better. Parts of the Army have already been mobilized under the guise of a military exercise in urban combat settings. Parts of New York and several other cities in the eastern seaboard have already more than fifty thousand soldiers." General Decker responded.

"Thank you, general." Kennedy sighs as he stands up. "Secretary McNamara, Admiral. I want you two to order navy ships to scout and blocked any of the ships. They're only allowed to fire when fired upon, and to not use any nuclear weapons unless I personally give the go-ahead. Is that understood?"

"Yes, sir." The two men responded.

"Good, gentlemen, we're about to face the wrath of another world war. I have no doubt that this war will be just as dreadful as the last one. But lets at least end this war quickly and without destroying much of our known world." Kennedy responded. "This meeting is officially ordered. Go over what you must do and prepare an evacuation order for the major cities. I have to go make another address now-now that we're in a state of war." Kennedy responded. The men of EXCOMM leave to conduct the rest of their affairs. "Christ, just what are we going to do about this war?" Kennedy asks himself as he looks outside of the window, contemplating how to break this news to the US public and the rest of the UFN. "God-willing that this doesn't turn into nuclear Armageddon."