Author's Notes:
When I first wrote this part of the story, I wasn't exactly sure how to classify this as another chapter or an interlude. So for the sake of simplicity, consider this a continuation of "Chapter 4."
Also, this is also the part where things start getting a tad dark. Any Austrian fans might not like what's about to happen...
The Personal Records of a Doctor: A RDNA-verse Tale
The Doctor's Lost Entry
Among the more peculiar finds by researchers over the past few decades was an erased entry from Dr. Heisenberg. Wedged into the diary, it was initially found scratched and blotted-out. Signs point to a deliberate effort to conceal its contents from others, and possibly himself; the attempt was surprisingly thorough on the part of the doctor. Initial efforts to decode it were met with failure, followed by partial leads. It was only in the 1970s that advances made it possible to filter out most of the original words. Needless to say, we understand why he tried hiding this in the first place. As such, this must never be released to the public. It was dated, as far as it was legible, 7 March 1934.
- Director Bernhard Wieczorek; Evidenzbureau (1988)
Had a dream. [Strange] one. Was on one of the [ships.] Near the rails. Staring out into a red horizon. One of the refugees approached me. Limped towards me. Looked ragged. More like he'd [been through] Hell. Yet bore an aristocratic air. Or what he could [manage] of it. Bespectacled. Tattered remnants of a dark suit. Burnt traces of a cravat on his neck. Had the feeling I've seen him somewhere before. But that could have been years ago. Forced myself from running.
Asked the figure. He spoke formally. Wanted to anyway. Clearly in pain. Kept stuttering. Said his name was Roderich. [Recognized the] name. Apparently a respected [person] in Austria. Then it hit me. The stories. Of his relation with the Dynasty. That he was close in a way to his countrymen. That he was Austria. [Her father.]
But [he should] be dead. With many others of his kind. That much I know. Found [myself] frozen. Told me he didn't have [much] time. Was coughing blood. The [Reds] utterly destroyed them. And were tearing apart what remained. Separated him from her when the time came. Must have been Hungary. [Wife,] mother, who knows? Has to be.
Deprived them all of everything. [Even in] death.
Saw tears in his eyes. Wanted so much to see Francesca. No longer had the power. Wanted to know from me whether she's safe. Couldn't answer. Said I can only [hope.] It was all wrong. [Truly sorry.]
Then I felt the ship tremble. Watched him fade to nothing. Heard an echo. No, a conviction. That they'll all be together again. That everything [will be] all right. One way [or the other.]
My God, [what have]...
