3 May 1963
Esdeath's Estate
A single black Mercedes-Benz 770 stops at the entrance of Esdeath's estate. Passing through the forest in the late morning. One of the SS guards of Esdeath's 9th SS Panzegrenadier Eis Division stops the black Mercedes by the entrance, another SS guard steps out of line to have the vehicle inspected.
"Check the driver's identification, I'll check " The SS-Unterscharführer orders the second SS-Rottenführer. The SS-Unterscharführer walks to the passenger side window and knocks on the window pointing downwards to have the window rolled down. "May I see your paybook or any other forms of identification please?" The SS-Unterscharführer looks at the passenger side and spots the face of a superior, the Obergruppenführer of the German SS arrives at Esdeath's estate.
"Is the SS-Gruppenführerin in, SS-Unterscharführer?" The Obergruppenführer of the German SS: Obergruppenführer Heinrich Müller, asks the SS-Unterscharführer. Müller, having not heard anything from Esdeath the day after her break-in during the war meeting in Germania, Müller wishes to speak with Esdeath with a follow-up of the strategy meeting with several of the SS Divison commanders. Yet, Esdeath was not present for the 2nd of May meeting, now he's visiting her estate in order to catch her up on not only what she missed but to also put her on leave from the SS organization as a whole.
"Yes, Obergruppenführer," The SS-Unterscharführer stands back up and turns to the other guards. "Open the gates and let them through." He orders the gates into Esdeath's estate to be opened. The back Mercedes passes through the opened gate and drives around, slowing its velocity and stopping at the entrance of Esdeath's estate main building. Müller steps out of his vehicle and buttons his military tunic. In spite of his apathy to the main national socialist party and the German SS, Müller takes his role as head of the German SS seriously in order to compete with the likes of the militarists, reformists, and conservatives of the Reich. In spite of his title and powers in the German SS, a promotion coincides with his work in the Gestapo branch of the German SS. Müller still holds tight to the rest of the German SS with his second in the German SS: Ernst Kaltenbrunner. Head of the SD and the director of the Reich Security Main Office. The two walk inside Esdeath's estate's main building, first encountering Esdeath's SS-Hauptsturmführer of her guard. Kaltenbrunner walks up to the SS-Hauptsturmführer.
"SS-Hauptsturmführer. Inform the SS-Gruppenführerin that Obergruppenführer Müller and Obergruppenführer Kaltenbrunner would want to see her immediately in her office." Kaltenbrunner orders the SS-Haputsturmführer. The SS-Haputsturmführer stammers for a second. "Now!" Kaltenbrunner raises his voice at the Hauptsturmführer.
"Yes, sir!" The SS-Hauptsturmführer salutes the two before turning around and leaving to find Esdeath.
Just as the SS-Hauptsturmführer leaves to inform Esdeath of the arrival of the Obergruppenführers. The SS-Gruppenführerin enjoys her first breakfast back in the Reich with her unit, the Einsatzgruppen Eis. After having spent their first night in Esdeath's estate, the Einsatzgruppen Eis came to like their new home in the Reich. Already Esdeath wears more casual clothes instead of her normal uniform. A simple dark grey long-sleeved top that reaches past her waist and black leggings with plain leather house shoes. The dining table is long, able to accommodate all nine members of Einsatzgruppen Eis and Esdeath herself, and the table is set up in a service à la française style with slices of cold cut meats, eggs, cheeses, vegetables, fruits, spreads, and a variety of bread served to all with drinks served on the side. Esdeath converses with them, using their actual names over their codenames when not on the field. She talks about her experiences of fighting against the Americans and American groups that came her way who supported the Reich's invasion.
"If there is one thing that I've learned of the American Nazi, and those of the extremist persuasion, is this. Many are eager to implement racial purity laws in the US as well. In spite of their faith in the national socialist ideology, I would say they follow a perverted version of it mixed in with their own American ideals," Esdeath comments on her experiences and run-ins with American nazis, men and women who defected for the national socialist ideological cause. "Even if we'd won, they would be used to enforce Reich laws in the US, like pawns. And like a pawn, they will be sacrificed for the greater good. At the same time, the Reich would drive groups like the Southern Klansmen to total extinction, like what we've done with the communists and the SA. A bunch of bed-sheet-wearing bandits if you asked me." Esdeath continues relaying her experiences. Then Angrboda stands up from her seat.
"Then such bandits have to pay for their crimes, should they not?" Angrboda asked, she turned her attention to Esdeath. "If we have a chance to serve the Reich, then I swear SS-Gruppenführerin, that they would learn the true meaning of justice. And not just German but Burgundian justice too!" Angrboda continues. Just as she finished, the SS-Hauptsturmführer walked over to Esdeath's right right side. He salutes Esdeath before kneeling to her right ear, raising his hand to cover her ear from view. Esdeath's face turns to the SS-Hauptsturmführer with a shocked expression, before returning to normal. As Esdeath gives her order, Fenrir leaves his master's side and leaves the dining room, desiring to see new accommodations in Esdeath's estate near Germania over his previous residence of Esdeath's Palace in Ost-Paris.
"Escort them to my office and tell them I will meet with them in a moment," Esdeath gives her order to the SS-Hauptsturmführer. He stands and salutes Esdeath once more before leaving to inform both Kaltenbrunner and Müller. "I'm sorry but I have to excuse myself and speak with a couple of my superiors. But stay here unless otherwise. I'll be right back." Esdeath leaves the dining room to meet with Kaltenbrunner and Müller who are being escorted to her office. Then, Todesengel, wearing a grey version of his SS Dienstrock uniform, stands up from his chair and turns to Esdeath.
"Then may I accompany you? I'd like to meet them in person." Todesengel asks. Esdeath gives Todesengel's her answer. Having an idea, Esdeath softly smiles.
"Of course. You may accompany, Run," Esdeath answered Run: Todesengel. "But everyone else stay here and enjoy your breakfast. I will be back shortly." Esdeath turns around with Run following her in toe, her men open the doors to allow the two to leave. "Firstly, I'll be heading to the bedroom to change. After that, I will tell you what to do. Unerstand?" Esdeath asks Run, who nods. As the group continues to dine, Angrboda looks around for Fenrir.
"Fenrir, Fenrir, Fenrir where are you!" Angrboda calls out for Fenrir. "Guys, did Fenrir run off?!" Angrboda asks with concern in her eyes.
"Huh, of course, he did. He ran out to the right hallway." Valkyrie tells Angrboda, pointing to the hallway with food stuffed in her face.
"Then why didn't you tell me sooner!" Angrboda gets up and leaves the dining room in search of her pet and companion Fenrir. "Fenrir! Fenrir!" Angrboda runs out, calling for her pet and searching for him all over Esdeath's home for him.
Kaltenbrunner turns around to face Heinrich Müller who is eyeing a painting of a nature scene including a pack of dogs hunting down a fully grown stag. "Firstly storming into a meeting that she was not invited to and next not showing up to a conference with the other German Waffen SS division commanders the next day. I could only excuse it if she was experiencing her womanly cycles, but this is no excuse for her position as a Waffen SS division commander. Either she must reassert her priorities and responsibilities or resign." Kaltenbrunner ranted. "Are you hearing me Obergruppenführer Müller? Can you stop eyeing that painting!"
"Just calm yourself," Müller turns to face Kaltenbrunner. "Just like this painting, we may have a chance to put her in her place. But for now, we're here to relay to her what she had missed as her absence was already noted. SS-Gruppenführerin is still valuable to the SS in our operations against the US and the others in Germania. Operation Schild will obviously include her. For now, keep yourself composed when we're in front of her. Despite being her superiors, she still could freeze us and the entirety of the Reich." Müller informs Kaltenbrunner.
"Of course, Obergruppenführer." Kaltenbrunner responded. The SS-Hauptsturmführer walks up to the two Obergruppenführers to relay the information Esdeath told him.
"My Herren, if you may, please follow and I will take you to the SS-Gruppenführerin's office." The two Obergruppenführers follow the SS-Hauptsturmführer to Esdeath's office where they await her presence but her presence has to appear quickly for her two superiors. As the three walk to Esdeath's office, on the second floor from ground level, a small rounded black-and-white dog-like creature standing on its hind legs spots the three men. Fenrir, who was let loose, roams the halls of Esdeath's estate. Kaltenbrunner notices the animal.
"What the fuck is that?" Kaltenbrunner asks himself passing Fenrir. "No animal in existence looks like that," Kaltenbrunner continues to walk but Fenrir displays a fiendish smile before grabbing onto Kaltenbrunner's boot. Feeling a tug, Kaltenbrunner spots Fenrir grabbing onto his leather boot. "Get the hell off me you filthy animal!" Kaltenbrunner attempts to shake him off, angry at the animal scuffing his boot. Kaltenbrunner kicks Fenrir to the wall a few times in an attempt to get the animal off of his leg.
"Fenrir!" Angrboda calls out Fenrir. Fenrir latches off of Kaltenbrunner, dazed after being kicked to the wall. Kaltenbrunner, Müller, and the SS-Hauptsturmführer turn to Angrboda. She rushes over to Fenrir, concerned for his well-being after leaving Angrboda's side. "Are you ok?" She picks Fenrir up. "Don't run out like that. Bad dog, bad boy. No, bad." Angrboda mildly scolds Fenrir. Seeing how she acted in caring for a mutt, Kaltenbrunner deduces who the owner is of Fenrir. Kaltenbrunner then walks up to Angrboda, who looks up at his face. His left cheek scarred by the Mensur duels of his student days, ones that unnerves Angrboda.
"Are you this mutt's owner?" Kaltenbrunner questions Angrboda, pointing at Fenrir. Seeing the young auburn-haired female, wearing green boots, white stocks, a long green tunic that reaches her upper thigh, and a white belt. Her hair is set up in a ponytail with accessories in it. Kaltenbrunner, seeing the strange young woman who owns Fenrir, walks closer to Angrboda who stands at attention. Towering over Angrboda with his tall stature. "Are you?" Kaltenbrunner interrogates Angrboda once more with a stronger and sterner tone in his voice.
"Yes, sir," Angrboda responded. "I apologize for what Fenrir has done to you. I'll look forward that his actions will be corrected and that he will not repeat this action once more." Angrboda responded with inclination in her voice. Angrboda bows her head in apology. Looking down at her, Kaltenbrunner raises his hand and smacks her left cheek with his right palm. The force was hard enough that she collapsed to the floor while holding Fenrir closely.
"Stand up, stand up!" Kaltenbrunner orders Angrboda. "Did you forget your manners, young lady?!" Kaltenbrunner berates further. "You are to address your superiors formally and are not to speak unless spoken to," Kaltenbrunner continues. "Now stand up and start from the beginning or else I will have your mutt euthanized and you sent to a concentration camp! Stand up!" Kaltenbrunner orders Angrboda as she stands up from the floor. After standing up, Angrboda stands at attention and performs the salute of the national socialist party to please Kaltenbrunner.
"Heil Hitler, Herr Obergruppenführer," Angrboda salutes but her performance is not to the liking of the head of the SD and the RSHA. Kaltenbrunner stomps on her foot with the heel of his leather boot, Angrboda winces in pain and tries to maintain her bearing. Fenrir senses his master's pain and growls to intimidate Kaltenbrunner but is stopped by Angrboda when she used she shifts her hand to keep him silent.
"A low-ranking SS soldier like yourself is to address superiors by their full rank and title. Now maintain your salute and repeat after me! "I apologize for letting my mutt run around, SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Polizei Ernst Kaltenbrunner." Understand!" Kaltenbrunner orders Angrboda who is holding back tears. "Say it!" kaltenbrunner scolds Angrboda.
"I apologize for letting my mutt run," Angrboda stammers for a moment as Kaltenbrunner increases pressure on her foot. "Around, SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Polizei Ernst Kaltenbrunner!" Angrboda repeats the apology.
"Again!" Kaltenbrunner forces Angrboda to repeat the apology in full. Angrboda repeats the apology once more as she attempts to maintain composure through the pain. The beginning and end of each apology were followed by him lifting his boot and striking down with his heel against her foot. "Again!" He orders her once more for the third time. The third apology satisfies him even more, seeing tears roll down from her eyes and onto her cheeks. Finally, Kaltenbrunner removes his boot from her foot but brings it down once more. His face of agitation changed to that of a mad sadist "Good. I'll have that thing euthanized if you let that thing run amok. Moreover, I will also have you-" Kaltenbrunner warns Angrboda but Müller calls out to Kaltenbrunner.
"Herr Kaltenbrunner. Keep moving. We shall discuss this matter with the SS-Gruppenführerin later." Müller tells Kaltenbrunner. Obliging, Kaltenbrunner turns around and catches up with Müller. The three continue walking towards Esdeath's office.
"What is his problem? Even Ogre's temper wasn't as bad as his." Angrboda relaxes with the pain remaining. Having received a volatile reaction from Kaltenbrunner and a cold reaction from Müller, souring relations before any proper introductions with the leaders of the German SS. Fenrir was able to break free from her grip, ready to kill the man who hurt Angrboda, but she is quick to react and catches him before he could even catch them "No, don't run out like that. You don't want to get euthanized, do you?" Angrboda warns Fenrir. The three men enter Esdeath's office after being led to it by Esdeath's Hauptsturmführer.
"The SS-Gruppenführerin will be with you momentarily. She recommends that you be patient as she is conversing with other guests." The SS-Hauptsturmführer advises Kaltenbrunner and Müller. With the remaining moments, Müller turns to Kaltenbrunner to address the actions he'd committed against the young woman.
"Was what you did really necessary? It seemed excessive if you ask me." Müller remarks.
"The master has a responsibility to control what is theirs," Kaltenbrunner responds, turning over to Müller. "It is in their duty to keep their possessions in line lest they let their possessions control them," Kaltenbrunner continues. "Thus, it i necessary to address this problem at its source. I care not for the animal as it is the extension of its master. But for the auburn Fräulein to let such mutt run around all free within this home, it's not something that I will overlook. Thus, it's necessary to instill discipline in her, for she knows what she is responsible for. Punishment breeds discipline, Obergruppenführer. The undisciplined, the delinquent, and the unruly have to be punished to be disciplined. To make them fear pain if they become unruly and anarchic delinquents. Even making an example of them to enforce discipline within their hearts and in the nation. With that, order is established." Kaltenbrunner answers to Müller.
As the two Obergruppenfüherers continue to wait, Esdeath is in her bedroom getting changed. She changes out of her earlier clothes into her underwear and begins to assemble her service dress uniform. She puts on her white dress shirt, buttoning it with her right hand, nextly forming a left forearm and hand with ice. She puts on her black thigh-high stockings and her grey knee-length dress skirt, tucking in her white dress shirt, along with putting on her black leather high-heel dress shoes. She pops up her shirt collar and ties a black tie, she then ties her Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds, bringing her collar down once more. She dawns her grey SS-Gruppenführerin Dienstrock tunic, with its few medals and ribbons. She quickly fastens her tunic. Esdeath fastens her SS belt to her waist. Finally, she ties her dark blue pom scarf around her neck and places her Waffen-SS officer cap on her head.
"It's been almost two days since I last spoke with SS-Obergruppenführer Müller. I wonder if he's here to apologize," Esdeath asks herself as she equips her leather gloves. She walks over to her mirror and inspects herself before leaving. "Then again, I wouldn't count on it." Esdeath turns around and leaves her bedroom, but before she opens her door she turns around and glances at her bed. hoping that Tatsumi would at least be in her bed sleeping. But at last, he appears nowhere for her to find in her room or in Germania. Esdeath sighs and turns to face the door, leaving her bedroom. Outside standing guard is Run who tagged along with Esdeath. The two begin to walk together to her office.
"The uniform Esdeath wears isn't like the previous uniforms she wore back in Burgundy. Perhaps it's her dress uniform and not her field uniform," Run glances at Esdeath's left chest as he walks to her left-hand side. "Those are a good number of medals and ribbons, SS-Gruppenführerin." Run comments at her awards, trying to make small talk while trying to know more about Esdeath's time in the Greater Germanic Reich.
"Thank you, Run. The majority of these I've earned by the end of the war. The Führer and Reichsführer-SS acknowledged my military prowess, but many still try to take me down a notch," Esdeath responded. She turns to Run. "Do you know anything about the Oergruppenführer Heinrich Müller and Obergruppenführer Ernst Kaltenbrunner of the German SS, Run?" Esdeath asks.
"Only that they run the German SS. I only know the high-ranking members of the Burgundian branch," Run responded. "Like Gruppenführer Sepp Dietrich, Obergruppenführer Oswald Pohl, and Brigadeführer Adolf Eichmann. For a time, I have worked both under Brigadeführer Eichmann and Obergruppenführer Gottlob Berger. Especially under how the Burgundians administrate." Run continued.
"I see. Well here, both Obergruppenführers Müller and Kaltenbrunner not only run as the leaders of the German SS but also of the Allgemeine SS and the RSHA, with Müller having control of the Gestapo. Kaltenbrunner leads the RSHA and the SD. I don't get why they didn't send SS-Obergruppenführer Felix Steiner to meet with me. Because if we're talking about the hierarchy, then I should be meeting with him or SS-Obergrupenfürer Paul Hausser and not Müller and Kaltenbrunner." Esdeath continued.
"Why Steiner or Hausser?" Run asked, confused as he only read those names a few times but couldn't remember where he read it from.
"SS-Obergruppenfürer Steiner is the current leader and Hausser is retired," Esdeath continued. "But to return back to what I asked, Obergruppenführer Müller and Obergruppenführer both lead the German SS, taking certain control of the Allgemeine SS while keeping the Waffen SS in control. Despite his new role as leader of the German SS, Herr Müller still leads the Gestapo and Kaltenrbunner: though not officially the leader of the German SS, he's still second to Müller and leads the RSHA and the SD." Esdeath remarks, with a displeasing tone when mentioning the SD. "Both men are powerful in the SS. Though some had complaints, many remained silent when Müller presented them with a large case of evidence, some real and others fabricated. It's interesting how he managed to take over the German SS, perhaps it's his diligence and ruthlessness in the office and with any found enemies of the party. But like Himmler, he doesn't get his hands all that dirty. Kaltenbrunner, unlike Müller, does get his hands dirty and has a violent temper if I might add. His demeanor is commendable, a person in the Reich who is like me in many ways," Esdeath continued. "Well, except that he doesn't have an Imperial Arms. Yet, if there was one person who could keep those two in check, it would've been Reinhard Heydrich." Esdeath sighs.
"Heydrich? And what happened to him?" Run asked.
"He was Himmler's right-hand man, and if he were alive he would've been the leader of the German SS. But he was assassinated by the Czech resistance in 1942. This is why Kaltenbrunner and Müller both run the German SS now and not him," As both Esdeath and continue to walk, they run into Angrboda holding Fenrir in her arms. Angrboda still sits on the ground after being struck by Kaltenrbunner. Esdeath can see clearly Angrboda's tears. "Angr- no. Seryu, tell me. What happened and who did this to you?" Esdeath asks Seryu over using her codename of Angrboda. Esdeath kneels closer to Seryu. "Tell me, what happened?"
"I...I was hurt... by an officer." Seryu stated, with tears rolling and unable to hold back the tears. Seeing her plight, and curious about which of her officers would hurt her subordinate, Esdeath helps Seryu back up on her feet.
"Tell me, Seryu. Who did this to you?" Esdeath asked once more.
"It was... it was Ernst," Seryu blurted out, wiping the tears off of her face. "Ernst Kaltenbrunner!" Seryu stated. "He said if I didn't apologize he would euthanize Fenrir and send me to a camp." Seryu continued.
"Kaltenbrunner you say," Esdeath gives off a disappointing sigh. "The one person we shouldn't anger," Esdeath helps Seryu up. "What did he do to you exactly?" Esdeath asks, lifting up Seryu's face and wiping off her tears.
"I was looking for Koro, using his new name. Until I saw Koro being kicked into a wall. After I helped him up, Kaltenbrunner began to berate me and smack me. He even stomped on my foot several times in order to apologize while saluting him. I couldn't move or break rank. It was hard to keep Koro still to not agitate either of them further." Seryu continues recounting the events of her injury to Esdeath. After hearing Seryu's story, Esdeath couldn't help but feel a tangent of disappointment and anger. Realizing that she has to solve this issue before reaching Hitler in Germania. Still with Seryu close, Esdeath closely embraces both Seryu and Fenrir, formally known as Koro.
"I'm sorry for what happened, Seryu. I didn't want this to happen, that is why I wanted you and the others to stay back in the dining room," Esdeath continues to comfort Seryu, brushing her hair down with her leather-gloved hand. She holds onto Seryu's shoulders and pushes her back. "Did you tell him your real name or codename?" Esdeath asks, Seryu softly shakes her head. "Good. Go now, there is a medical staff member in today who'll take a look at your foot," Esdeath turns her attention to Run. "Herr Run, please escort Fräulein Seryu to the medical room and meet me at my office once you are done. I'll let you in once you've arrived. Understood?" Esdeath gives her orders to Run.
"Yes, SS-Gruppenführerin." Run responded. He walks over to Seryu and grabs her by the arm and escorts her to the medical room. "Let's go Seryu. I'm pretty sure Kaltenbrunner didn't mean to react the way he did." Run tries to cheer Seryu up. As Esdeath sees Run and Seryu, known only as Todesengel and Angrboda, Esdeath feels a sense of irateness against her superiors. She suppresses it, willing to deal with them later, but continues to play a professional role in SS. To fight on the battlefield, even as general officer rank, is a special privilege only a few were granted in the SS, more so for Esdeath being a woman and a general officer. But a special privilege that could be easily taken away if she steps out of line from the desires of the SS.
"I do not know what came over him, but I will make him pay in some form or another. No one is allowed to hurt or punish my subordinates but me," Esdeath continues to walk to her office where she is met by her guards waiting for her. They salute her before opening the door and letting her in. In her office, both Kaltenbrunner and Müller standing before her desk. She takes off her officer's cap and places it underneath her left armpit. She raises her hand to salute the two leaders of the German SS. "Heil Hitler, Obergruppenführer und General der Deutsche-SS Müller. Heil Hitler, Obergruppenführer und General der Polizei Kaltenbrunner." Esdeath salutes the two men individually, calling each one by their name and rank. The two salute Esdeath back but do not address Esdeath by her name or rank, instead remaining silent.
"Sit, SS-Gruppenführerin. For you have much to catch up on and much to explain yourself for." Müller addresses Esdeath first.
"Understood." Esdeath simply replies to the cold Müller. She walks over to her desk in order to hear what the two men have to tell her. Despite her Imperial Arms having the capability of wiping them out, Esdeath knows well that if she did then the whole of the Reich would try to eliminate her, even while still conducting its war against the United States and the UFN.