Karl hesitated at the steps of the Commissariat's headquarters. Sounds of city life echoed around him, but for reasons unknown, he found himself cowed by the towering building. On each of its spires, a crow sat perched, their beady eyes meeting his gaze with indifference. What did these creatures truly understand about the about the inner workings of the men and women who bore their name with pride?

This idea amused him and Karl exhaled, as he knew well that the corvids were seeking their next meal. His absentmindedness allowed Ulyana time to exit the backseat of a nearby car without being noticed. Wearing a smile, she almost succeeded in startling him, but Karl, sharp as ever, knew the sound of heel on pavement and more so the fact only one active member of the Commissariat wore heels. "Good morning, Ulyana."

He spoke without ever looking at her. Ulyana frowned. "Aw, you are no fun." She followed his gaze to a single crow, larger than the other members of its murder. It stared back at him with a single piercing black orb. "Sometimes I wonder what they think about all this. The oddities of human behavior must be a sight to behold."

"They understand us more than we give them credit for… " Karl spoke, but trailed off. He tapped his coat pocket only to find, much to his dismay, he had run out of cigarettes.

"Speaking from experience?"

"No." He looked down. "But I once knew a man who was saved by a crow." Changing the subject, Karl started up the steps, then stopped again, looking back at her. "So what does Montgomery have you working on now?"

Ulyana tapped her coat, suggesting a report concealed beneath its folds. "Directives 023 and 025. All Gallian nationals are to be deported from the border states on the front."

"Good, but not enough. National minded peoples are dangerous, and we no longer have the luxury of differing perspectives within our ranks."

"Klara felt the same, especially in light of the disaster. We trusted the defense of Schwartzgrad to a Gallian after all." Ulyana continued as they entered the headquarters. "But the Lord Commissar has been insistent. Now more than ever, we must err on the side of restraint else inspire other obsolete nationals to act."

"How strange. It isn't like him."

"Actually, I agree with the Lord Commissar on this. We've stretched our resources too thin already. We should make alliances, not enemies."

Karl waved to the secretaries seated at the front desk. He lowered his voice. "What about the East? Any word from Kamal?"

"He's moving to conscript every available man and woman into combat squads to reinforce our border. This has caused some … murmurings among those of affluence but they would never dare to voice them openly."

"All the more cause for concern, then. Our enemies should shout at the top of their lungs. Private fears are more dangerous than public condemnation." Karl stopped at the top of the stairs, peering back down at the lobby. "Never forget that, comrade. We are our people's shield and their justice is our sword. They are ruthless, unlike us. Leave those who doubt to them."

Ulyana hesitated. She often preferred to remove threats before they could ever influence the larger whole of society. An ordered country, required careful management of risk. "But surely you recognize that those who seek to undermine our unity need to be subjected to justice before the people need to act? Is that not our duty? To shield our countrymen from the terrible reality that those around them seek to destroy all we have gained?"

Karl admired her stubbornness. "Shall we ask Monty? He always enjoys a good debate."

He already knew the answer; conversations of tactics were best addressed by their helmsmen. So as they headed for Montgomery's office, she filled him on Volker's petition to build a new prison camp to address the influx of political prisoners following recent mass arrests. Slowly but surely, the Imperial eagle would be strangled in its nest by blackened wings.

Stopping at the double-doors to the office, Ulyana watched, amused, as Karl took a minute to adjust his disheveled appearance. He even ran his fingers through his beard before turning the handle. They found Montgomery leaning into his chair. A radio on his desk, tuned to the frequency of a propaganda station located somewhere behind Federate lines. Through it, the voice of a female announcer, with a smoky and erotic cadence, read out recent victories against the Empire.

Having heard their footsteps stopped at the door, Montgomery feigned being asleep with both hands on his stomach. Only when his loyal subordinates stopped at his desk did he speak. "Disturbing, is it not? We can no longer pretend our front is advancing."

"I will see it jammed," Ulyana said.

"No, it is better to drown out their outrageous claims. Match their absurdity with numbers of our own." Montgomery handed down the command with great fury, causing her to flinch. His eyes opened, and he stared at them both. "Since we failed to prevent our people from doubting our armed forces, we need to sober their minds for the storm about to crash onto us."

Ulyana nodded, but held her tongue. Opting to change the subject, Karl dropped his report onto his Lord's desk. Montgomery stared at it. "Good news I hope."

Walking to the map on the wall, Karl struck an imposing stance with one hand tucked in his coat and a cigarette dangling from his lips. "I believe we have chosen the right people for the job. Agent Graf and Rocino's destructive impulses should ensure the Nords get the calamity they so covet."

Montgomery held the report; it remained clutched between his bony fingers. "Yes, about that. I made an error in my fit of passion." He gave the manilla surface a few thoughtful taps. "When I suggested we send Lowerholm to the bottom of the Crystal Sea, I had forgotten its dockyards comprise eighty-five percent of our submarine production."

"With all due respect, Lord Commissar, the steel is being requisitioned for the land forces. Those dockyards are functionally useless," Ulyana interjected, having voted with Klara and Karl to complete the destruction of Lowerholm.

"Yes, but we should never just destroy our vital war industry. Our goal is the reintegration of the Nord Republic as per our agreement with comrade Halvard." Montgomery continued, looking back to Karl. "Understand Ludwig? Let's try to keep Heinrich's brats on a leash."

Karl took a seat across from his boss, leaving Ulyana standing. "May be difficult," he said, crossing his left leg over the other. "The notes of their project did not embellish their eagerness to fight. However, there is no controlling such an animalistic drive." He chose to keep silent about Saeoth's appearance in the field. "They will not do well with conflicting orders."

"They need to learn to adapt in the field." Montgomery tapped the folder against the desk's edge.

"Ulyana, go ahead and urge Kriegstotcher to spare the city if possible. " She saluted, leaving them alone. He gazed at his subordinate; his expression transformed into a much softer one of paternal worry. "How are you, Ludwig?"

Karl stared back, his frustration coming through loud and clear when he looked away, dismissing the question with body language alone. "Fit to work."

"So was Varrick," Montgomery said. He reached over, turning down this radio. "You know as well as I, it was not his time."

"He martyred himself for our Empire. There is no higher honor."

This answer annoyed Montgomery, who leaned forward. He hissed, "Oh, don't preach our scriptures to me." He pushed some papers to the side. "I am asking as a friend, for I will not see my best man find reason to doubt me."

A cloud of smoke filled the air and Karl coughed, finding his throat dry. He had neglected to get something to drink upon arriving in the city. "I assume her majesty told you."

Taking on the role of host, Montgomery stood. Choosing to leave his cane at his desk, he limped over to a side table where a pitcher of water set. "I don't know why you'd expect her to do anything else. Empress Gothia is not our ally and now…" He shot a look back over his shoulder. "Has a way to involve herself in our work." He returned, passing the glass to Karl. "So, tell me. What has given you cause to doubt me?"

"Nothing, I have never once doubted your or our future," Karl said but took a drink, taking the time to compose himself; "my concern is you have come to doubt yourself."

Montgomery peered down the bridge of his nose, over the rim of his spectacles. "Pardon?"

"Speaking as a friend, you've chosen to let Heinrich pollute your good judgment," Karl answered, shifting, so he was now leaning forward as well. "Retiring Nikola and Chiara was the shortsighted decision of a fearful man. And I thought you did not fear death."

Wincing as if cut, Montgomery pushed off his desk, rolling backward a few inches. He heaved an exhausted sigh. "In such a shameful fashion, I've been found to be lacking." A powerful silence lay itself upon the two men like a blanket, and Montgomery stood. "It is I who owe you an apology, Ludwig. For I have shaken your faith." He limped around his desk, leaning against it so the two men could be closer. "If those girls' lives are this valuable to you, then I'll recommend exile when their work is concluded."

Karl moved his head to one side. "Exile?"

"Their role in X-0's failures cannot be forgiven, but should they prove themselves worthy assets, then our Empire can be merciful." Montgomery gave a gentle nod; he placed a hand on his subordinate's shoulder. "Is this a satisfactory arrangement?"

"Yes. Thank you, Monty."

"Think nothing of it, but let's try to avoid involving our supposed masters in the future. Doing so undermines the fact that the Imperial citizen alone is our master," Montgomery said, giving a kindly squeeze before releasing his comrade. "With Varrick's departure, we've reached a critical phase in our work and I am going to ask you to set aside paternal ambitions going forward. Our enemies will exploit any weakness, no matter how small."

"I agree, Lord Commissar," Ulyana said, reentering the office. "Her majesty's wish to see Agents Graf and Rocino recognized as Heros of the Imperial Alliance, will cause distress among the ranks of the aristocracy. This is her intent. To turn their eyes from her base of power toward us and make it appear we have gained undue favor."

Karl could not conceal his surprise. To be labeled as a Hero of the Imperial Alliance would mean having one's name cemented with men who were credited with saving the state in times of crisis or going beyond the call of duty. Such an award had never been issued to a woman in the entire country's history. His leg aching, Montgomery sat in his chair. "Is that what you've gleamed from your …" He wiggled his fingers in the air. "Tea parties?"

"In a manner of speaking," Ulyana replied vaguely. She had taken the time to bring a teapot and placed it on the table before sitting next to Karl. "I alluded to her majesty the possibility of your plans as instructed."

Montgomery smirked. "Good, that would explain who rifled through the desk in my study. The booklet should grant us some much needed time as she investigates those names."

"Something I should know?" Karl asked.

"Empress Gothia hopes to find out who has aligned themselves with us. No doubt, she will find it odd only the names of her closest associates are listed." Montgomery explained, increasing the volume on the radio. "A victory in the North should secure Otto's loyalty and with Prince Maximilian's declining situation in the Gallian quagmire, the reformist elements of the aristocracy have all but been decapitated ."

"Victories determine who will inherit his majesty's thrones. It is why Empress Gothia has pinned her hopes on Field Marshal Richthofen's planned Southern thrust." Ulyana continued.

Understanding now, Karl concluded the thought. "An irrelevant victory, since the people's trust is with us and they long for peace." His eyes drifted to Montgomery. "Do we have a timeframe?"

"Not quite. As I am sure you are aware, our situation is precarious," Montgomery said, keeping one eye on the door, wary of eavesdroppers. "There are still those within our ranks who want to forgive the crimes of the masters. Those who can't be convinced will need to be sent into early retirement."

"At last, some progress." Karl had grown use to delays. While the disaster at Schwartzgrad forced a reshuffling of priorities, the primary impedance to realizing the Commissariat's plans was Montgomery's restraint.

Ulyana cleared her throat. "Has anything come of Directive 307?"

Montgomery nodded, reaching into a lower drawer of his desk. After thumbing through several files, he placed a single paper on his desk. "Thankfully, Empress Gothia saw reason and impressed upon her husband the necessity to enforce a new rigorous discipline."

Karl read the page.

External Directive: 307

By order of his exalted majesty, The Emperor, King of Kings, all previously independent Kampfgruppen, on the Western Front are hereby ordered to reintegrate themselves into the traditional chain of command. Failure to comply will result in immediate arrest, pending an investigation by the Imperial Commissariat.

In such a dire time, individual glory is of secondary importance. Above all else, our goal is victory.

His Majesty The Emperor, King of Kings

The stamp by the name confirmed the order as authentic. Karl looked up from the paper, surprise coloring his expression. "Has the army made an official response?"

"Some of our more vocal Field Marshals have lodged a formal protest against Lord Commissar York," Ulyana said; "they claim we have overstepped our authority."

Montgomery offered a shrug. "Let them complain. It makes it easier for us to identify our enemies." He nodded to Ulyana. "Have you done as I instructed?"

"Yes, sir. Commissar Volker has been dispatched to interview Field Marshal Julius. Kolya already submitted his report on Richthofen and insists he is a loyal man."

"No surprise there," Karl said, aware of Kolya's tendency toward the moderate approach. Changing the subject, he asked. "And what of our Darcsen problem?"

"Leopold has requested more men, but I've told him to make do," Montgomery answered, placing both hands together on his desk. "As you know, our friend Manfred took a chunk of valuable personnel aboard the Orcinus Magnus."

Karl grimaced, sharing an annoyed look with Ulyana, who placed a finger against her cheek. "Your trust in … that woman is subject to many whispers, Lord Commissar. Was it really wise to approve Manfred's voyage?"

Montgomery pursed his lips, his eyes darting away to the corner of the room. "She has assured me the answers will be worth it." Ulyana opened her mouth to speak, but he snapped to her. "It is of secondary importance to our primary objectives. Do not concern yourself with our … pale associate."

Ulyana fell silent, knowing better than to press the issue. Karl took charge of the conversation. "So what comes next?"

"Next?" Montgomery repeated, flipping off the radio. "Next, you go home and get some rest."

"Sir—"

"This is not up for debate, Ludwig. I'll need your mind sharp for when the Vinnish delegation arrives." Montgomery said sternly.

Standing, Ulyana took that as their cue to leave. "If that is all, then… I've got work to do."

She glanced at Karl, who snuffed out his cigarette in the ashtray on Montgomery's desk. "Hmm, I suppose I'll get some paperwork done."

"Ludwig." Montgomery said. "Rest. It is an order. I will not have you working yourself into an early grave." Karl and Ulyana saluted, then left their boss alone.