Ch.1
A steady stream of people walked from the orderly parking lot outside of the large, beautiful school campus and into the large, very modern-looking gymnasium. The men wore grey or black suits with long coats and scarves while the women all wore more colorful dresses with their hair well done and their makeup done perfectly. They greeted one another with smiles and hugs as their husbands nodded at one another and shook hands firmly. As the women talked quietly about new recipes or upholstery the men discussed the recent upturn in exports between the Pacific States and the Reich and the steady upturn in the Deutschmark. Amongst the men in suits, with their obligatory party pin on their left lapel, were men in various types of uniforms.
In the locker room of the gymnasium a tall young man with broad shoulders and wiry but well-muscled arms stretched and sat on one of the wooden benches. He was wearing grey shorts and he laced up black shoes around his thin legs and ankles and breathed out as his strikingly blue eyes swept the locker room. He stood and adjusted the athletic tank top he was wearing. He looked in the mirror and touched the white eagle in the middle of the black tank top for a moment before he breathed in and nodded. He began wrapping his hands and he looked up sharply as he heard footsteps approaching. A boy his age appeared with an older man with gelled black hair in a black SS uniform, "Thomas, Obergruppenfuhrer Smith." He said in a slightly accented voice as he raised his hand in greeting.
"Karl, we just wanted to wish you luck." The boy said as he looked at the handsome young man.
Karl smiled as he stood and finished wrapping his hands and wrists, "Isn't that a little bit traitorous of you Thomas?" He asked as he looked at Thomas with a mischievous glint in his blue eyes, "Offering support to the opposing school's boxer?" He asked and Thomas smiled and shook his head.
"I think it would be far worse if I didn't offer luck to the son of one of my closest friends, though he won't need it." Obergruppenfuhrer Smith said, "And as I've said before." He said as he put a hand on Karl's shoulder, "It's John, Karl." He said with a wan smile.
Karl nodded and looked up promptly as a tall man with blonde hair and blue eyes walked in, "Der Kampf wird beginnen." The man said as he held up two white boxing gloves and John watched as Karl's eyes lost their kindness and became steely as his dark brows furrowed, "Keine gnade." The man said as he hit Karl's chest with both fists, "Kein versagen." He said as he hit Karl again and Karl nodded as his nostrils widened and his face twisted in intensity, "Immer sieg." He said as he fitted a clear mouth guard into Karl's mouth and Karl nodded intensely then turned and walked, with his coach out to where a large boxing ring was set up.
"He seemed nervous." Thomas said, "He was really quiet."
"That wasn't nerves, Thomas." John said as they walked out of the locker room and joined the crowd, "That was bloodlust." He said and Thomas looked from his father's intense profile to Klaus who was standing eerily still as the competitor, a young boy who was slightly more heavy set then Klaus, bounced up and down. "What's that boy like Thomas?"
"Cruel, dumb." Thomas said and John nodded as he put his arm around a woman and kissed her cheek.
"How do you think he'll do John?" She asked.
"Oh Helen," John said as he nodded, "Karl is going to rip this boy apart." He said as he sat forward, his eyes fixed on the ring.
"Ladies and Gentleman, the match we've been waiting for all year! In the red corner, the champion of the North American continent, from our very own Reich Institute Lucas Miller! And in the white corner, the winner of the European Continent league, from Neue Auftragsakademie, the Young Fox, Karl Rommel!" The announcer said and the crowd cheered.
Karl could feel his heart beating slightly faster in anticipation of the fight but he breathed in evenly through his nose and out of his mouth. The tall referee in all black called them both to the middle. "Alright gentlemen, a clean fight, understand?" He asked as he grabbed them both by the shoulder and squeezed, "Touch gloves." He said and Karl held out his gloves but Lucas looked at him and gave a smirk before he shook the referee off and turned his back on Karl. Karl's eyes widened in rage at the snub and he took a step forward but the referee stepped in front of him. Karl and Lucas locked eyes and Karl nodded as he bit his lip and clenched his jaw.
John leaned forwards as he watched all of this intently and Helen shook her head, "What?" Thomas asked as he saw his father's intensity.
"That was a mistake." He said.
Karl walked to his corner and his coach grabbed his chin, "Verlieren sie nicht den kopf." He said and Karl looked at him, "Verwenden sie ihre wut." He said and Karl nodded, "Go." He said and Karl turned just as the bell rang. His adrenaline flooded into him as Lucas immediately advanced. He could hear only his breathing and his steady but strong heart beat. He threw a jab to halt Lucas's advance then slipped a few of his blows before he saw an opening. He slammed his lead hand into Lucas's jaw then followed with a powerful shot to his ribcage. He slipped a jab that Lucas threw to get space then he grunted as Lucas threw a heavy body shot. He got some space because he'd seen an opening when he took the shot to his ribs. He advanced once more and saw Lucas preparing another body shot. He took the hit then slammed an uppercut into Lucas's exposed jaw, knocking him back. Then Karl was advancing and Lucas was frantically attempting to stave off the attack.
Suddenly the bell ending the round sounded loudly and Karl immediately stopped mid swing and turned. Lucas breathed out and struck a blow to Karl's back and Karl immediately spun around but the referee was grabbing Karl from around his chest as Lucas' coach grabbed Lucas, "Get back!" The referee yelled as Karl's coach ran into the ring and stood in front of Karl who was so mad at the slight he could hardly see straight. His coach grabbed his shoulders and threw him into his corner as the referee yelled at Lucas and his coach.
John was standing up and watching Karl closely as his coach inspected Karl's back and nodded at the referee to indicate they would continue. He washed out Karl's mouth then patted his back and said something softly as Karl shifted feet and knocked his gloves together. The bell rang again and he walked forward with his hands up. Lucas began throwing a bunch of blows which Karl either slipped or blocked. He took a few grazing blows before he spotted an opening and began his cool, unemotional onslaught. He landed a heavy blow to Lucas's body then threw his entire body behind the punch he delivered to Lucas's jaw. Lucas fell to his knees and the referee immediately shoved Karl away and counted to two before Lucas managed to get up.
The referee started the match again and Karl moved cautiously at first then, sure enough, Lucas came in swinging. Karl slipped a few and John furrowed his brow and nodded, "This fight is over." He said and Thomas looked at him.
"What do you mean?" He asked then he looked up at the fight and saw Karl deliver a powerful uppercut to Lucas. Lucas's head snapped back and he fell to the floor of the ring hard. The referee shoved Karl aside and began counting as Karl raised his hands and let out a triumphant yell, his muscles standing out and the veins in his neck bulging as the crowd cheered. John nodded approvingly as the referee walked over to Karl and raised his hand, announcing him as the winner. Karl turned and walked back to his corner of the ring where his coach hooked his hand behind his neck and they touched foreheads as he spoke to Karl. Karl nodded and smiled as he spat out the mouthguard. His coach pulled Karl's gloves off and Karl turned and walked to the center of the ring where Lucas was standing, waiting for him. The referee stood in between them.
"And the winner, from the white corner, Karl Rommel!" The announcer said and the referee raised Karl's arm. Lucas wheeled around and grabbed the front of Karl's shirt. John's eyes widened as the crowd grew silent and the coaches took a step forward. Karl waved them off as he locked eyes with Lucas.
"This would be a mistake." Karl said and Lucas sneered at him.
"You got lucky," He said and Karl nodded.
"No, I'm better then you." He said evenly then cocked his head, "You lost because you are worse than me." He said and Lucas raised his fist. In a moment Karl had swept Lucas's feet out from underneath him and Lucas was lying on his back with Karl's knee on his chest, "I warned you." Karl said as he looked down at his ripped tank top and shrugged it off exposing an extremely defined chest and abdomen, "You are beat, accept it." He said then he stood and nodded at the referee extending his hand, "Thank you." He said then he walked over to Lucas's coach and shook his hand. He walked over to his corner and left the ring.
"Du hast deinen Familiennamen nicht beschimpft." His coach said as they walked towards the locker room.
"Egal wie sehr ich wollte." Karl said. Suddenly there was shouting and Karl turned just in time to receive a blow to his nose. He clasped a hand over his broken nose as it gushed blood and looked to see Lucas. People from the crowd had Lucas and were pulling him back and just as Karl took a step forward he heard a calm voice in his ear.
"No," John said as he got Karl in a bear hug and pulled him back, "That's enough of that son." He said as blood gushed down Karl's face and Karl fought against him.
" Lassen sie John gehen! Lass mich gehen!" Karl yelled over the roar of the crowd.
"Karl, you'd regret it and we need to get you to a doctor." He said calmly as Karl's coach parted the crowd behind John and Karl, allowing John to pull Karl back towards the locker room.
Karl stopped fighting him and John was able to pull him into the locker room quicker then he let go and Karl turned to face him. Blood had run all down his face, even onto his bare chest and he was breathing heavily. John looked at him as Karl shook his head and clenched his jaw, "Is he insane? What was that?" He asked as John watched him breathing heavily, "Broke my nose." He said.
"We need to get you to a doctor Karl, you understand?" John asked as he waved the coach away, "You don't feel it now, but you will soon." He said and Karl swallowed and looked at John then he punched one of the lockers.
"I should have killed him!" Karl yelled as he put a hand on the locker and rested his forehead on it with his eyes closed, his face twisted in anger.
"That famous Rommel temper," John said as he looked at Karl's back.
Karl took a few deep breaths then combed his fingers through his dirty blonde hair before he turned around. He put a hand on a locker as he began to feel a little woozy. John stepped forward and Klaus nodded, "Ich denke, sie haben recht über das Krankenhaus." He said as he smiled wanly and felt more blood drip down his face.
"Alright. come on, I'll drive you." He said as he stepped up to Karl.
"No, no, your wife and Thomas, come on John I can…"
"Nonsense," John said as he shook his head and put a hand on Karl's shoulder, "Nonsense I insist Karl." He said and Karl furrowed his brow as he grabbed a towel and draped it around his shoulders. John escorted Karl into a black town car and he pulled away, "Helen and Thomas are getting a ride from a friend of ours." John said and Karl nodded.
"Good," Karl said with a nod as he looked at John, "I don't want to inconvenience any of you."
"I won't hear anymore of this," John said as he drove quickly through the traffic, "You're our guest while you're over here." He said as he pulled towards a large building.
Karl breathed out of his mouth and winced and John looked at him as he pulled into the parking lot. He got out of the car slowly and closed his eyes as he winced and John walked up to him and looked critically at his face, "You'll need surgery." He said and Karl looked at John as he swallowed and walked towards the hospital door.
"Solange sie mich klopfen." He said with a wan smile which quickly slid from his face as he felt a rush of pain. As they entered the hospital the nurse at the front desk looked over at them and immediately there were two doctors and two nurses urging Karl onto a stretcher.
"What happened?" A doctor asked John as another doctor bent over Karl and studied his face.
"I'll call the specialist, we'll need to set the nose, use surgery to reshape the cartilage then," He said as he lightly touched the bone under Karl's eye.
Karl let out a yell and began to reach up instinctively but the other doctor restrained him, "Knock him out, knock him out!" He yelled as the other doctor continued to probe the area.
"Broken, we need to get him in surgery quick." The doctor said as he put a hand on Karl's chest and looked at the nurse, "Prep him." He said and the nurses wheeled him away.
"He'll be fine Obergruppenfuhrer," The doctor said and John clenched his jaw and looked at the man then nodded, "We'll be done in a few hours. We'll call you back in when we're done." He said and John nodded.
He walked back into the hospital waiting room and looked up to see a man in uniform approaching him, "Obergruppenfuhrer Smith," The man said as he saluted and John nodded and returned the salute.
"Erich, find out everything you can about a boy named Lucas Miller." Smith said then took the briefcase Erich had brought, "The files are in here?" He asked and Erich nodded, "Thank you Erich." He said and the man saluted and walked away. John breathed out and sat down in the waiting room with a sigh. He crossed his legs and reached into his briefcase and pulled out a file.
Printed on the front in neat type under the stamped Reich Eagle was the name Karl Erwin Rommel. He breathed in and opened the file, settling down to read it.
After a few hours a doctor walked out and nodded at John who slid the file into the briefcase and stood, "How is he?"
"The surgery went well Obergruppenführer. His nose is reset, the cartilage is reset and the bones in his face are stabilized. He'll be in pain and have bruising for a while, but we're giving him medication to handle the pain." The doctor said as they walked down the hall, "Obviously he shouldn't be hit in the face anytime soon." He said and John raised his eyebrows and nodded, "He'll regain consciousness soon and he'll be able to go home tomorrow." He said as he stopped outside of a hospital room.
"Thank you," John said as they shook hands. The doctor walked away and John stepped into the room. Karl was unconscious on the bed, his head was turned slightly to the left and the hospital blankets were pulled up to his waist keeping his chest exposed. John could see bandaging on Karl's face and he winced slightly as he took a seat next to Karl's bed. He breathed in and crossed his legs as he looked at Karl, "So you won't be able to box for a while." He said to the unconscious Karl, knowing that talking would bring him to consciousness sooner, "Unfortunate given your talent." He added as he nodded and breathed out, looking around the hospital room, "I was just…" He said as he breathed out, "I was just reading up on something I should have seen to a long time ago." He said with a nod as he looked at Karl.
He saw Karl's legs move slightly underneath the covers and he watched silently for a moment to see if Karl would wake. After he didn't, John breathed in and nodded, "Every time I see you, I am reminded of my greatest failure." He said as he nodded emotionlessly, "That day, seven years ago…"
"Wasn't your fault John," Karl said quietly and John breathed in and smiled as he leaned forwards.
"You're up." He said. Karl hadn't moved a muscle yet, but he was fully conscious if not groggy.
"That day wasn't your fault." Karl said, "So if you were going to apologize for some perceived slight, please don't." He said in a voice older than his eighteen years would suggest.
"Karl I was the man in charge…."
"Of the security on the Rommel tour of the Greater Reich," Karl said as he turned his head to look at John, "You're not the only one who can look into people." He said and John raised his eyebrows, "I found the men left over from the attack John, some I killed myself, others met their end in a less personal way." Karl said and John furrowed his brow.
"Karl, I'm not questioning your actions or implying anything in that regard, only that the burden should not have fallen on the shoulders of a teenager."
"You blame yourself for allowing the attack to happen," Karl said, "But an attack against our family is constantly a threat." He said as he studied John's face with his blue eyes. He closed his eyes and breathed in, "John I'm telling you to let go of that guilt that you've been carrying. No one in our family blames you."
"Karl you lost your mother," John said as he looked at Karl searchingly, "And your childhood."
Karl looked at John for a moment, "I wish we could have had this talk," He said as he strained and grunted, sitting up with his back against the hospital bed as John leaned forwards and winced, "Under more dignified," He said as he looked down at his bare chest and smiled easily, "Circumstances, but it is good." He said as he looked at John, "John I grew up all throughout Europe, Africa, the Mediterranean. I saw my father assist in every major Reich project, I learned every language I could possibly learn, experienced everything I could possibly have experienced." Karl said as he looked at John, "I did lose my childhood John," He said as he nodded and John studied his face earnestly, "But I gained the tools necessary to tip the balance of power in my favor. Now I have come to peace with that explanation," Karl said as he winced and looked at John with a nod, "I have moved on and I think you must too." He said and John looked at Karl for a moment then raised his eyebrows.
"I have to keep reminding myself that you're Thomas' age."
"Four years older," Karl said with a wan smile, "I'll fight for that." He said and John raised his hands and sat back as he raised his eyebrows a few times and smiled.
"I'll work on it," He said and Karl shook his head and swallowed.
"What do I know? I'm a teenager." He said as he rested his head on the back of the headboard of the hospital bed.
"Well now don't be modest Karl." John said in his soft, slightly raspy voice, "You're not just any normal boy, you stand on your own."
Karl raised his eyebrows, "I stand on my family name if that's what you mean John."
"No," John said, "No, you stand on your own accomplishments." He said, "You're fluent in Russian, German, English, Spanish. You can hold your own in all of the Nordic languages as well as in Japanese. You've run operations, worked on the…the draining of the Mediterranean, the subjugation of the Africans."
Karl smiled wanly, "You've been doing some light reading." He said with a knowing look, "I've always wondered what Himmler said about me behind the praise and smiles."
John looked at Karl for a moment then breathed in, "The consensus seems to be that you're dangerous." He said and Karl locked his eyes on John all social politeness gone and only a cold, piercing look left in his green eyes, "You grew up far from the normal bounds of the Reich. This is your first time, since the attack, that you've been within Reich territory. After you attend the Crown Prince's speech in the Pacific States, it will be your first time in Berlin in a decade."
"Did they send you Obergruppenfuhrer Smith?" Karl asked as he looked at John intently, "To assess my…danger?" He asked and John looked at Karl for a moment.
"Would I have told all this if that were true?" John asked and Karl looked at him for a moment.
"Ja," He said simply and John looked at Karl for a moment then nodded.
"Smart." He said and Karl furrowed his brow, "Unfortunately wrong in this circumstance, but I can see you'll do just fine in Berlin."
"Why were you reading up on me then John?"
"Your father and I were…close." John said, "We lost touch after you took two bullets as a result of my…"
"John," Karl began but John shook his head and Karl nodded and put his hand up as he allowed John to continue.
"As a direct result of my mistake, I wanted to see how he'd been. Naturally that meant reading up on his son."
"You couldn't just call him?" Karl asked.
"He's busy with the new project of damming Gibraltar," John said, "You know that."
"John, he would take your call." Karl said and John shook his head.
"We'll meet one day. This is a conversation we must have face to face." He said and Karl looked at John once more and nodded.
"Very well John." Karl said and John looked at Karl for a moment then his eyes strayed to the scars on Karl's defined, muscular body. Karl noticed this but chose to not address it as his eyes turned instead to a doctor entering the room, "Ah Arzt. Sag mir ich kann gehen." He said and the doctor turned his eyes to John who stood.
"I know you said tomorrow, but…" John said as he looked at the man.
The doctor looked at the medical charts, "He'll be drowsy for a while from the medication, but I can discharge you now if you want that." He said and Karl pushed the blanket back and stood, using one arm to steady himself on the wall.
"Ich denke, das ist am besten. Schnell, bitte." He said and the doctor nodded then left the room.
"You'll have to wear scrubs out." John said as he handed Karl white pants and a white top.
"Charming, you don't think this is appropriate?" Karl asked as he slipped the pants on over his boxers.
"Maybe to the young ladies of the Reich." John said with a smile as Karl looked up at him, "Anxious to see the eligible Rommel."
Karl smiled and immediately winced and let out a grunt of pain, "With all of these bandages?" He asked as he gestured to his face which had bandages all across the bridge of his nose and under his eyes.
"I don't know," John said as he watched Karl slip the shirt over his head, "Adds to the mystery."
Karl smiled wanly, "Charmer, I'll have to keep my eye on you." He said only half kidding as he slipped on shoes and nodded at John.
"After you Mr. Rommel," He said and Karl looked at him for a moment then nodded and strode purposefully out of the room, ignoring the pain he was in.
"Herr Rommel!" The doctor called and Karl turned just before he and John were about to walk out, "These are morphine tablets." He said as he handed Karl a large bottle, "Take two at most, twice a day. If you should exceed that dosage…"
"I am familiar with morphine doctor." Karl said as he took the bottle and looked the man in the eyes for a moment in silence then he nodded, "Vielen Dank." He said then walked out with John. They got back into John's car and John pulled out of the hospital parking lot. Karl looked out the window, he felt strange. All that talk with John, he thought, and possibly the drugs. He was looking out the window silently and John seemed to sense something was different.
"Are you alright Karl?" He asked and Karl breathed in and watched the passing scenery.
"I'm alive John," Karl said as he looked at the well-manicured houses, "I am alive." He said slowly as he furrowed his brow.
A tall young man with blonde hair and blue eyes strode across the line delineating Reich territory from the Pacific States. He walked across the large stone pavilion and looked around at the grey sky scrapers. He strode purposefully with long strides but it looked natural as he put one hand in a pocket and allowed his long legs to carry him at a fast clip. He had an extremely lanky and athletic build with strong, aquiline features. Everything about his looks invited people in, but his eyes were cold, unfeeling. He scanned the crowd of people as he reached in his grey suit pocket and pulled out a cigarette from a silver case. He lit it deftly and tucked the case back in his suit jacket. He massaged his temples and breathed out as he watched a squad of Kempeitai men walk by. He put a hand in his pocket and walked into the bustling city.
The streets and stalls lining the hilly streets were bustling with a mix of Japanese and white people in all different sorts of garb ranging from suits and uniforms to kimonos. All of the people were in some state of hurry and small vehicles whizzed between them quickly.
As he strode past the citizens of the Pacific States he would occasionally draw stares or even looks of hostility. While outwardly ignoring this, he noticed every look and made mental notes of every face he passed. He walked into a small bakery and approached the counter. The bakery's air was flour filled making it appear slightly dusty and there was only a counter top in the entire store, "Mr. Axmann." An older Japanese woman said as she bowed from behind the counter.
"Good morning." He said as she placed some boxes on the counter.
"The usual, yes?" She asked and he nodded, all business, as he placed some notes on the counter, "It's only forty yen, Mr. Axmann." She said and the man smiled wanly and nodded. She bowed as he left the shop with the package.
He walked down the street, past the many large buildings and dark alleys and towards a large patch of green and open space. He slowed his pace as the crowds thinned and the eyes on him decreased until he was walking amongst trees instead of buildings. He walked further into the park down the well-kept gravel paths, until he reached a babbling brook devoid of all people and he sat down on a bench. He crossed his legs and opened the box to reveal freshly made, hot, buns. He breathed in and picked one up, "Beautiful day." An accented voice said, breaking the silence.
He looked to his right to see an older Japanese man in a well-tailored suit with black, thickly lensed glasses, "Mr. Tagomi." He said as he stood and looked at the man for a moment then gestured to the bench, "Please." He said and Tagomi bowed then walked over to the bench and took a seat.
"Thank you." He said and Axmann nodded as he sat back down.
"Of course," He said, "And please, if you wish, help yourself. There is more than enough." He said as he gestured to the box.
"Thank you." Tagomi said as he looked at the young man. Axmann nodded and looked at the stream once more, "You are settling in to your post here Oberfuhrer Axmann?" He asked and the young man nodded as he clenched his jaw.
"Yes I am Mr. Tagomi. It is, obviously, very different from my last assignment but there are a lot of things to love and appreciate about this place."
"You have adjusted more quickly than I could have imagined. It has only been two weeks and you have found the most beautiful part of the park. " Tagomi said, very shocked by the young man's versatility and openness to the new environment and culture.
Axmann looked at Tagomi, his face as stony and emotionless as most of the high-ranking Japanese officials, "Well Mr. Tagomi, it is my job to adjust." He said as he stood, "As for the park, the city has few pastimes I am partial to, but walking in the park is one I shall never grow tired of. Please excuse me," He said as he straightened his tie and jacket.
"Your food, Oberfuhrer Axmann." He said and Axmann stopped and looked back at Tagomi.
"Mr. Tagomi, you may take it if you wish to, but there are two children who look half-starved, sitting under a tree behind you and they may appreciate a hot meal." He said then snapped a quick salute and walked away leaving Tagomi wondering about the mysterious young man.
He walked back to the large stone courtyard with the line painted in front of the largest skyscraper of the city, made larger with the swastika on top of it. As he walked towards the line a group of people walked out of the building and up to the line.
He walked up to them and snapped a salute, "Ambassador Reiss, Sieg Heil." He said and Reiss smiled and returned the salute.
"Hans, we thought we would have to endure this meeting without your all-seeing gaze." Reiss, a man with well kept brown hair in a nice suit said as he smiled easily. Axmann fell into step with the Ambassador, though standing slightly behind him.
Hans looked over every individual that passed within 10 yards of them, keeping his hands loose and by his side, prepared to grab his concealed sidearm if need be. They walked through the streets and quickly approached a large skyscraper crawling with Japanese businessmen as well as Kempeitai guards. As they approached, the guards began talking and looking at the large party with worry and intensity on their faces. Hans looked around, feeling increasingly more anxious as his pale eyes slid from one young anxious face to the next.
He saw their hands grasping at their rifles and shifting their grips as they glanced at their superiors. As a Kempeitai officer approached, Hans moved so that he could easily react to anything that was about to happen, "This way." The Japanese man said, leading them to a well adorned section of the building where Kempeitai were set up to screen them. Hans positioned himself to be last, watching closely as all the other members of the party were screened and escorted through the room. As he walked up, one of the young Kempeitai men spotted his concealed weapon and raised his rifle as he began shouting. Several other young men joined in as Hans raised his hands and studied them intently.
"What do you want me to do?" He asked calmly but the young man kept yelling something in Japanese and waving the rifle in his face. A tall, thin Japanese man with round wire-rim spectacles walked by the room just in time to see this incident. He was wearing an all black suit and he paused to watch what would happen next with interest in his intelligent brown eyes, but no expression save the omnipresent slight anger and disgust on his face.
Hans looked at the screaming young Kempeitai man for a moment then with lightning quick reflexes he grabbed the man's rifle and spun around him, locking the rifle against the man's throat and using his body to shield Hans from the other Kempeitai men who were now pointing their guns at Hans. Hans' expression and heart rate hadn't changed at all, "Hor auf zu reden." He hissed in the man's ear.
"Yameru!" The tall man said authoritatively as he stepped into the room. Hans looked at the new man intently as he stepped in front of Hans and nodded as they locked eyes, "Oberfuhrer Axmann," He said as Hans looked at the man, shifting slightly as the Kempeitai man he was choking struggled, "Your reputation precedes you." He said and Hans looked at him.
"I'm afraid, Chief Inspector Kido." Hans said and the man nodded in mutual respect of their intelligence knowledge, "I do not speak Japanese."
Kido looked at Hans then breathed in, "They were instructing you to put your hands up, Oberfuhrer Axmann."
Hans locked eyes with Kido and kicked the young man's knees, causing him to drop to the ground before he kicked him away and threw the rifle on the ground in front of him. He kept his eyes locked on Kido's the entire time and slowly raised his hands. Kido narrowed his eyes slightly as he moved close to Hans then reached into his suit jacket to remove Hans' sidearm. He handed it to a Kempeitai man, "Sore wa subetedsu." Kido said and the man bowed as he stepped aside, "If you would follow me." He said and Hans breathed in as he fell into step with the man. Another man was walking with them and Hans looked the younger man up and down, "Sergeant Yoshida, you may leave us." Kido said and the man bowed and peeled off down a hallway, "I regret this is the first time we have met."
"We are both busy men," Hans said as they walked through the building, "Are we not?" He asked and Kido looked at the young, handsome Aryan with a slightly furrowed brow.
"We are," Kido answered as they stepped into an elevator. Kido noticed that, not unlike himself, Hans took in everything around him regardless of how chaotic the environment. There was silence for a moment then Kido gave a sharp intake of breath, "You are very young for your rank, Oberfuhrer." He said as he turned his gaze on Axmann once more, studying him as a scientist would study a subject.
Hans looked at Kido and nodded, "As I have said," Hans said as the doors opened, "I am a busy man." He said as they stepped out of the elevator. They walked to the large double doors leading to the meeting area and both men stopped. They knew their place, their post was right outside that door.
Hans felt no need to speak with Kido, the man was competent and was a definite threat but Hans sensed it was less a physical(though that was a considerable element)threat and more of a strategic and a mental threat. Hans breathed in as he looked out the window down the hallway from him.
Kido switched his gaze from the clock to Hans as he saw Hans' brow furrow and he caught Hans blinking rapidly for a moment before he breathed in and settled down. Kido switched his gaze back to the clock as he thought about what he had seen. He wasn't surprised to see Hans' impressive combat skills, nor was he shocked to see some form of mental trauma. He had, of course, read Hans' intelligence file in depth and the twenty-three year old had done and seen things that could leave nothing but damage in their wake. But then again, Kido thought, who wasn't left damaged by this war and its aftermath.
Hans snapped his heels as soon as the door opened and saluted the Ambassador as Kido bowed deeply. The party passed them and Hans brought his arm down as Kido straightened up. Hans looked at Kido for a moment then he turned and followed the party out without a backwards glance. Kido stood there for a moment then he walked purposefully down the hallway where Sergeant Yoshida was waiting, "Sergeant, find me every piece of information that we have on Oberfuhrer Hans Axmann." He said, "And have him followed every time he leaves Reich territory." He said and Yoshida bowed and walked away as Kido allowed a touch of a grimace to interrupt his usual scowl.
Hans followed the group outside of the Nippon Building and watched as they dispersed safely. He breathed out and straightened his jacket as he finally relaxed for the first time that day. He turned back to the building just in time to see Chief Inspector Kido approaching him, "Your firearm, Oberfuhrer Axmann." He said as he handed Hans the pistol. Hans looked at the pistol and quickly cleared it and put it on safety, sliding it back into his holster, "Not that you need it." He added and Hans looked at him, "Though do be careful to carry your firearm paperwork with you." He said as he narrowed his eyes and placed a black hat on his head. Then he walked past Hans with Sergeant Yoshida close behind him and Hans watched them climb into a black car and drive away.
He scratched his head and breathed out as he buttoned his suit jacket, concealing his firearm, "Oberfuhrer Axmann," He heard a voice as he approached the embassy. He looked up to see a man in uniform approaching. The man stopped and snapped a salute which Hans returned deftly, "Sir, we have a situation." He said and Hans looked at the man then scanned the watching Kempeitai guards at the nearby post they had outside of the embassy.
"Quietly," Hans said as he gestured for the man to join him.
"Sir, the Yakuza are holding a corporal for ransom." He hissed and Hans clenched his jaw in anger and annoyance as he furrowed his brow, "They say that he stole from them and they want 400,000 yen for him." He said as they walked into the embassy. Hans stopped walking and scratched his eye as he thought about the issue.
"Who is it?" Hans asked then raised his hand as the man began to answer, "Is he connected in any way? Father, Uncle, Aunt?"
"No sir." The man said and Hans nodded as he massaged the bridge of his nose then breathed out.
"Well we need to get him back." Hans said and the man nodded.
"I can get the money sir."
"Hauptsturmfuhrer," Hans said causing the man to stop, "I didn't say that." He said.
Hans sat in a car as an officer wove through the streets of San Francisco. Two cars followed his and they pulled down a deserted alley and into a warehouse section of the city. Hans got out of the car quickly as the man pulled over and he looked behind him to see six other men in suits get out of the two cars. He nodded at a warehouse ahead of them and they quickly walked over to it and knocked on the door, "Wenn wir hineingehen, gehen sie geradeaus und töten alle die sie sehen." Hans said as he knocked on a door.
"Und sie, mein Herr?" He asked as a man slid a slot open on the door and looked at them.
"We're here to collect our man." Hans said and the man looked at them in their well-tailored suits for a moment then he nodded and closed the slot, "Tun sie einfach ihren job." Hans said and the man nodded as the door opened, "Danke." Hans said then pulled his gun and shot the man directly in the head, firing once more to kill a man behind the one who had opened the door. The men around Hans immediately snapped into action and rushed into the building as Hans ducked down a corridor. He could hear shouts and gunfire from somewhere to his left as he walked calmly down the hallway.
He fired quickly, killing two men who were running from one room to the next then he heard a stop in the gunfire and he furrowed his brow as the shouting reached louder levels. He entered the back of a room to see that a Japanese man in front of him was holding the young corporal with a gun to his head and was screaming at the group of Nazis who had burst into his small cache house. The man didn't even notice as Hans walked up behind him calmly and blew the side of his head away with one close range shot.
The corporal was covered in the man's blood and was shaking in fear. Hans grabbed the front of the younger man's uniform. He looked into the young man's eyes searchingly then he shook his head, "Holt ihn mir aus den Augen." He said as he shoved the man back and two of the men he'd bright with him bundled him out of the building and back to the car.
"How many dead?" He asked and a tall man with black hair nodded.
"Six in here sir," He said.
"Two at the door, two more than six. Ten total?" Hans asked and the man nodded, "Okay, that should send a message to the Yakuza." He said as he looked around and shook his head, "Anyone injured?" He asked and the man shook of his.
"Those yellow monkeys can't shoot." He said and Hans looked at him for a moment then nodded.
"No, okay Heinrich, pull the men out before the Kempeitai show up." He said and the man nodded and left. Hans holstered his weapon and looked around at the dead bodies. He shook his head then furrowed his brow as he spotted a pile of money on a table along with a roll of tape. He walked towards the table and looked at the film reel, "The Grasshopper Lies Heavy?" He read softly as he furrowed his brow. He opened the large metal case and pulled out the film reel within it. He looked at it for a moment then slipped it into his suit jacket. He remembered that name somehow. As he walked outside the warehouse he heard a shout and his head snapped up to see a Japanese man in a suit with a weapon. He heard a gunshot and felt his left side jerk back before he pulled his own pistol and fired a shot, killing the man instantly.
Heinrich ran up to him as two men ran up to the dead Yakuza man, "Sir, are you alright?" He asked as Hans looked down at his left arm seeing a rip in his suit and he shook his head.
"It's nothing, just a graze. Yakuza?" He asked as the men walked up to him.
"Yes sir."
"Hmm, eleven dead." Hans said then breathed in, "Lass uns gehen." He said and they got into the cars.
Hans walked into the embassy and immediately took an elevator up to the twentieth floor. He was wincing in pain and he noticed that he was dripping blood slightly as he walked down the well-furnished hallway. He walked to a door with the gold number 18 nailed on it. He opened it and stepped in, closing the door. He breathed out and closed his eyes, alone for the first time that day. He shrugged off his jacket and studied the hole in his jacket. He put a finger through it and sighed as he grimaced and threw the jacket over a chair. He looked down at his white shirt to see that it was stained with blood. He ignored it for a time and walked over to a small table with a bottle of liquor and glasses. He poured himself a glass then he breathed in. The grey phone on a desk rang as he was lifting the glass to his lips once more. He stared at it for a moment then he sighed and shifted his drink to his left hand, wincing slightly as he picked the phone up with his right, "Hallo." He said.
"Hans," A voice said, "Wie geht es Ihnen?"
"Obersturmbannfuhrer Heydrich." Hans said, "I'm well sir, and you?"
"Gut, mir geht es gut." He said and Hans breathed in, "I just received very interesting news about a certain rottenfuhrer of mine being sent back to the Greater Reich."
Hans raised his eyebrows, obviously a spy in the embassy, that reaction time was far too quick, "Sir I…"
"Hans, you did the right thing, but we must all take care," Heydrich said, "Lest we provoke the Japanese into doing something rash."
Hans furrowed his brow, this couldn't possibly be the extent of the conversation nor the reason why he called him on a direct line, "Sir, gibt es noch etwas anderes?" He asked as he breathed out.
"Takezo Nakamura." He said then the line went dead.
Hans knew what it meant when he was given a name. He sighed and put the phone down after a few moments. He walked to the window that overlooked San Francisco and looked out over the city for a moment. He winced as he felt a pull in his arm and he looked down. He unbuttoned his shirt and slowly peeled the blood-soaked shirt off of the graze wound. He looked at it for a moment then nodded and finished his drink. He walked over to his kitchen and reached into a drawer to pull out a neatly packaged medical kit. He opened it on the counter then reached into his suit pocket and pulled out a cigarette. He lit it and grimaced as he breathed in deeply, "Es wird eine lange Nacht."
"Inspector, there are are ten more dead in the warehouse." Yoshida said as he walked up to Kido who was standing over the body of the Yakuza member outside of the warehouse. He looked up at Yoshida and furrowed his brow.
"All Yakuza?" He asked and Yoshida nodded.
"Yes sir." He said and Kido nodded and looked back down at the man. He looked from the man to where the man had been facing when he was shot. He walked a few paces then stopped by the door of the warehouse as he noticed a pool of blood, "Resistance?" Yoshida asked and Kido narrowed his eyes.
"Perhaps." He said and Yoshida nodded.
"Sir, one more thing." Yoshida said as he handed Kido the empty film reel. Kido took the reel and looked at Yoshida intently, "They didn't leave empty handed."
"No," He said as he breathed in, "They left with a film, a Nazi official and a bullet wound. Watch the hospitals for anyone with a bullet wound."
"Shall I begin rounding up known Resistance affiliates?" Yoshida asked and Kido furrowed his brow.
"Yes, and Sergeant." He said as he looked at Yoshida, "Have Trudy Walker followed." He said and Yoshida bowed and walked away, leaving Kido to stare at the empty film reel.
Hans put on a fresh shirt over the bandage on his arm and threw on brown trousers and a brown leather belt. He put a small pistol in his pocket then checked the intelligence file he'd had brought up to his room. He verified the name of the bar he was attending then he drained his drink and grabbed a long coat, leaving the embassy. As soon as he stepped foot outside he noticed the tail that was on him. He breathed out, "Japanese." He muttered as he popped the collar of his jacket and melted into the crowd. A few twists and back alley routes and the tail was completely lost. He shook his head thoroughly unimpressed and he continued on his way, down the well-lit streets of San Francisco.
He stopped outside of what looked to be a local basement bar and he furrowed his brow, verifying the name of the place before he entered it. He immediately canvassed the room and located his target in a very discreet and quick way. He walked up to the bar where two men and a pretty girl were sitting, "Uh, Sapporo." He ordered as he set his hat on the bar and sat down. He fixed his eyes on the television which was playing news stories from the Reich depicting the Fuhrer. He was about halfway through his beer when the target got up to leave the bar. He paid quickly and walked out, putting his hat on as he stepped outside.
He walked behind the man a few paces then as the man approached a side alley Hans picked up his pace and looked around before pulling the small weapon out and shooting the man under his ribs. The man let out a grunt of pain and slumped into Hans who swiftly got him into the dark alley and fired another shot before setting the body down behind a dumpster.
He pocketed the gun and stepped back into the main alley, looking behind him to see the pretty girl from the bar walking there. He put his hands in his coat pocket and breathed in the cool night air. He looked up suddenly to see another very pretty auburn haired girl approaching from ahead of him. He furrowed his brow, but she walked right past him and he could hear the two women have some sort of intense exchange as he reached the mouth of the alley and turned right into a larger street. He looked around then dropped the cheap gun into the storm drain he was walking by. He breathed out as he put his hands in his pockets and turned to walk on the sidewalk, under the street lights.
Suddenly he heard footsteps fast approaching him and he turned quickly to see the woman from before. Her eyes were wide and he furrowed his brow as he saw terror in them, "Run." She gasped as she passed him. He furrowed his brow then looked up quickly to see three cars come screeching to a halt.
They were dark green cars and their tires were smoking slightly as Kempeitai men poured out of them. He slipped from the light of the street lamp, stood against the dark wall behind the light and stopped moving, his eyes peeled and his body prepared to move should he be forced to. Other than his eyes he was stock still.
Sure enough the men were so focused on the more obvious target of the woman that they completely overlooked Hans' figure as he furrowed his brow deeply. He watched as Kido and Yoshida walked quickly towards the fleeing Trudy and Kido extended his arm and fired two shots. Hans raised his eyebrows, "Guter schuss." He muttered as Kido kicked over Trudy's body then looked up.
Kido looked up, "Sore o kensaku suru!" He barked and the soldiers ran off in all directions as Yoshida bent down to search Trudy more thoroughly. Hans watched as Kido's eyes stopped on the spot where he was standing and Kido took a step towards him. Hans popped his collar and brought his hat low on his face before he stepped quickly away from the darkness and walked back down the alley. Kido watched the figure turn back down the alley, but for a moment the light was behind the man and he could make out a profile. His eyes widened in recognition, "Sergeant, set a perimeter around the Nazi Embassy." He said and Yoshida bowed and walked to a car as Kido stood with his eyes fixed on the alley entrance.
Hans saw the beautiful girl from before and he walked up to her quickly, "You knew the girl?" He asked as her shocked eyes began to fill with tears.
"She's my sister." The girl said in a shaky voice.
"We need to go." Hans said as he looked at her and looked back at the alley, "Miss." He said as he grabbed her arm firmly, "We need to go now." He said and her eyes snapped to him. He raised his eyebrows, "Now." He said and she nodded and they walked quickly down the alley, "Your name Miss?" He asked as he put his arm around her waist and guided her into the crowd of the street.
"Juliana…Juliana Crane."
"And what did your sister give you Miss Crane?" He asked without looking at her as he led her through the crowd and into an adjacent alley, constantly scanning the crowds.
"Wh…what do you mean?" She asked slightly, meekly as he turned to face her. He could tell by her body language that she was wary of him. He buttoned one button on his suit jacket and breathed out as he looked at her.
"I'm Hans," He said as he extended a hand. She looked at him for a moment then took his hand in a surprisingly firm grip, "They were looking for something." He said as he looked at her, "After they…" He said but he stopped as he saw her bite her lip and look at the wall of the alley, "Hmmm." He said then he nodded, "I don't need to know, but allow me to walk you home." He said and she looked at him, "Please, you're in shock and the Kempeitai are on the hunt." He said, "It's more for my benefit then yours." He added with a wan smile.
She let a sad smile cross her lips, "Okay, I'm just down here." She said as she walked down the alley with Hans beside her. He was content to walk in silence but Julianna was slightly intrigued by the handsome young man next to her, "So, did you just move to San Francisco?"
Hans smiled wanly, "The name and accent sets me apart?" He asked as he looked at her.
"And the hair and eyes." She said and Hans nodded.
"Um I did, yes," He said as he looked at her, "Two weeks ago actually. I'm just trying to get my bearing." He said, then sensing that now was the time to get information from the girl he breathed out, "I guess I was just…in the wrong place at the wrong time."
Juliana looked at Hans then nodded, "A film." She said and Hans looked at her, "That's what she gave me." She added, "A film."
"A…" He said then stopped as he remembered the film he'd taken from the Yakuza, "What does it say? What film?" He asked.
"The label says, 'The Grasshopper Lies Heavy'." She said as she stopped by a door leading to a basement apartment.
Hans disguised his true interest and deep thinking with a shrug, "Look I'm sorry about your…"
"Yeah," She said cutting him off.
"Okay, well, good night." He said then walked away without a backwards glance. He put his hands in his pockets as he walked down the street towards the embassy building. He stopped at the edge of the street and narrowed his eyes. He clenched his jaw and nodded as he recalled Kido's eyes on him only an hour before and now saw a thorough and well-manned perimeter set up by the Kempeitai, "He's good." He muttered as he stepped back into the street and removed his hat and coat, shoving them behind a dumpster. He lit up a cigarette and put a hand in his pocket, "Lasst uns Jungs spielen." He said as he walked nonchalantly towards the perimeter.
He heard voices yelling and then men were running up to him. He kept his reactions as they would normally be and he dropped his cigarette and grabbed the first man who rushed at him, using his momentum to throw him aside bodily with a low grunt. Then the next man slammed into him and he swiftly swung his elbow down with all of his strength on the man's chin and he dropped to the ground, "Kare o nokoshi nasai!" A voice said gruffly and the men who were still conscious stepped away from Hans as more men formed a ring around him and pointed their rifles at him. Suddenly Inspector Kido's tall frame appeared amidst the uniforms and he stepped up to Hans, "Oberfuhrer Axmann." He said as his eyes swept over Hans. Smart, Kido thought as he narrowed his eyes, not wearing what he was earlier, probably no evidence on him, he knows I'll have to let him through.
"Inspector Kido I had no idea there was a curfew." He said as he winced slightly and Kido saw him make a slight movement as though his left arm hurt.
"We received credible intelligence of a threat to the Nazi Embassy." Kido said as he looked into Hans' face, "Naturally we set up a defensive perimeter to ensure all of your safety, at least for this evening." He said with a smile that made him seem even more dangerous and never touched his cold eyes.
Hans looked at Kido and it took all of his composure not to smile. Well played, he thought as he kept his expression neutral, "We thank you for it. An easy misunderstanding with…vigilant men on the job I can see how a mistake such as this could occur." He said and Kido nodded at the compliment, knowing full well that it rang false.
"Well, we won't keep you." Kido said, "Shuppatsu no junbi!" He said and the men walked away. Hans looked at Kido for a moment then nodded and walked forwards. As they were passing shoulder to shoulder Kido grabbed Hans' shoulder with his left hand watching as Hans' veins stood out in his neck and he turned slightly more pale confirming Kido's suspicion of an injury, "It can be cold here at night Oberfuhrer," He said as Hans turned his face towards Kido's and they stood practically nose to nose, "If you make nighttime activities a habit, I can suggest a good coat maker." He said and watched Hans closely. As Hans was beginning to open his mouth, Kido tightened his grip slightly and narrowed his eyes. Hans didn't drop eye contact with Kido, he clenched his jaw and nodded slowly as the two men felt mutual respect for one another's intelligence and danger. Kido let go of Hans who promptly walked away from him and into the embassy.
He walked back up to his room and when he closed the door he stood stock still for a time, looking at the floor. He then walked over to the window to see the men leaving and he could make out Kido still standing in the square and looking up at the building. He furrowed his brow and he jumped slightly as the phone rang. He blinked and when he looked out the window once more Kido was getting into a car. He breathed out and walked over to the table, picking the phone up, "Hallo?" He asked but there wasn't any noise. He breathed out and heard two clicks then he furrowed his brow.
"Bestatigen." A voice said.
"Takezo Nakamura, tot, 12 September 1952." Hans said there was a pause then another click.
"Das hast du gut gemacht. Heil Hitler." The voice said.
"Heil Hitler." Hans responded then the line went dead. He put the phone down and breathed out, then poured himself another drink.