Meeting the Circle
25 April 1939
Berghof, Bavaria.
As Esdeath finishes with her looks she can't help but imagine what power these men behold. Of course, they're only humans with administrative power but the way they walked into the tunnel entrance of the Berghof implies something else.
"Of course, these men couldn't be powerful like me or General Budo. Neither wield Imperial Arms nor wielded any type of power. This must be a mockery if Hitler wants me to cozy up with his inner circle. Even worst if he's going to use me as a type of pawn or as a plaything for them. That was never my position. If that happens, well." Esdeath cracks a cold smile. "I guess I would just kill all of them and take the reins for myself." Esdeath hears a knock on the door.
"Lady Partas, have you finished changing? The Führer requests for your presence." Krause asks from behind the door.
"I will, just give me a moment."
"Right, but just a piece of advice. You should always be prepared on time and not be a minute late. This isn't just with the Führer but within all of Germany."
"*Sigh* This is frankly ridiculous. Of course, one shouldn't be late when meeting members of the head of state." Esdeath speaks to herself as she wraps her dark blue scarf around her neck and lets the large poms fall. She pushes her blue hair back and allows it to settle, finally she places the Empire's generals cap back on her temple. "Now then, time to meet this group."
They were given a call a couple of days ago by Hitler's secretary and were given a short notice to arrive at Berghof as it was of great urgency. All of them convened together, some are a bit tired, while others were a bit frustrated with Hitler for this sudden announcement as they have to leave their work behind, but having it heard from Bormann's voice made it worse. Even if one did make a complaint, then this would create an opportunity for the others to pounce. Neither men in Hitler's inner circle would dare to make the first move or complain, because if they did, then it would spell downfall for them and the rise for the others.
The first to enter the meeting room of Berghof is Albert Speer dressed in a formal suit and tie along with a National Socialist armband, he takes a glance and sees not much else aside from the seats. "I wonder what reason Bormann called me up for? His Brown-Eminence is starting to get on my nerves. No-less than Göring, Himmler, Heydrich, and Ribbentrop." Albert Speer speaks with himself. "Fortunately, my home isn't far from here and I can get easy access to Hitler, but even easier without Bormann!"
Next to enter is Hermann Göring wearing his white Luftwaffe generals' outfit. He looks around a bit and sees Speer is first. "I assumed everyone is going to enter at the same time." Göring sits down. "Of course, it's going to be the young architect who's going to be first. Why did I stop to have a quick drink before entering the room? But hey, at least I'm here before Goebbels or Himmler, but Bormann. God knows just how much of a brown-noser Bormann is." Göring turns to Speer. "Still pushing forward with the Germania project?"
"Yes, we are. I am still a bit tired out by that man, but what else could we do about it. The air show that you set up was very good and well-choreographed, so were those marches by Goebbels and so was my Arch design for the Germania project for the Führer's birthday. That is until he showed off that new headquarters above the Berghof." Speer replied.
"We? There has never been nor will be a we in this circle. The only time one or two of us work together is if to take down one of the others a position or two." Göring mentally replies.
The next to enter is Heinrich Himmler and his second-in-command, Reinhard Heydrich. The two are dressed in their black SS uniforms but have also packed a spare suit and tie. Himmler looks at both Albert Speer and Hermann Göring. Himmler and Heydrich take a seat. "Great, Göring and Speer are here first before the SS. We all got here at around the same time. Thanks, Bormann for keeping us behind."
The next to enter is Joseph Goebbels, he wears his standard suit and tie, along with the National Socialist armband. He takes his seat aswell. "Gentlemen and Ministers, good evening," Goebbels responded. "Has anyone received what the Führer has wanted, such as the reasoning for calling us this quickly?"
"No, neither of us had. It was Bormann who contacted us, remember?" Himmler answered
"Right. Bormann." Goebbels sits down. "I didn't expect for the wannabe soldier to respond. I wasn't even expecting a call at such short notice after the Führer's birthday and his speech. Perhaps Bormann wants to gloat. Either way, I'm already devising a plan to put him in his place, even the others too."
The last to enter is Joachim von Ribbentrop, wearing a similar suit and tie with the National Socialist armband, like Goebbels and Speer. He can already sense the tension between all the members of Hitler's inner circle, especially in their discontent against Bormann and each other. "I see this is a matter of state business if we're all convened here. Perhaps it might even be about foreign policy."
"Speaking of Reichsminister, what is your latest announcement with your foreign dealings." Speer turns to Ribbentrop and asks.
"Nothing much at the moment. Things are going smoothly with the Kingdom of Italy and its leader, Benito Mussolini. We are pursuing a goal with the Soviet Union, yet that won't be for another while. Especially when dealing with that Jewish Foreign Affairs minister, Maxim Litvinov."
"Well many of their members are Jewish and are Bolshevik-communists. So the Soviet Union is bad enough with Jews leading the Soviet Union." Goebbels responded, putting his spin on the antisemitic comment.
"Last I checked the Soviet Union proclaimed that atheism is their state religion. Ridding and regulating themselves of their traditional Orthodox Christian beliefs as well as Islam, Judaism, and other religions. Especially with Stalin who was an Eastern Orthodox Christian but is now a staunch atheist. Also, many of the party were purged by Stalin and his men, even the common people too. It was easy to tell by their foreign minister."
"Another reason why the communists are subhumans. They never will come to understand that there is a God who created the Earth, the Heavens, the Fatherland, the Volk, and had sent us the Führer."
The next person to enter is Martin Bormann. "Heil Hitler."
"Great it's Bormann again," All of the men said in their way. They stand up and saluted Bormann also saying, Hail Hitler.
"You may sit as the Führer is on his way." Bormann directs all of the men as he sits down on his chair close to the Führer's. The final person to enter is Adolf Hitler with his SS guards opening the door for him. All of the men stand up immediately and saluted Hitler, saying Heil Hitler in the process.
"Heil. You may all be seated." Hitler sits down first followed by everyone else. "I thank you all for coming on such short notice. As I have a special announcement to make to all of you in person. You men, my closest confidants. " Hitler then stands up once more and begins to walk around the room stopping in front of an open window. "Just the other day in my evening strolls, I've come across something or actually someone peculiar." As Hitler says this, the men of Hitler's inner circle look amongst one another, some concluded it might be Bormann as he is physically close to the Führer with his quarters just above the Berghof, and others thought it might be Goebbels, Speer, or Göring.
"Now when speaking to these men. You shall directly address them by their rank, but in case you may forget then it would be safe to address them as Herr or Reich Minister, understand Lady Partas?" Krause tells Esdeath as he leads her to the meeting room in Berghof where the members of Hitler's inner circle are convening, including Hitler himself.
"Of course I do. They're the heads of state and ministers of several departments in the Reich. So it would make sense to do so."
"Oh and one last thing. Many of them are not going to expect a woman in uniform, no less one that can control ice, missing a left arm, and wearing an officer's uniform from another world or something. So if anyone of them makes a disparaging comment or remark, please refrain from harming them and demonstrate something."
"Oh, like what?"
"I don't know? Freeze their drinks, make it snow the inside of the room, or perhaps create a hand or a sword made of ice. That way, they can get an understanding of your power. But just simply, do not kill or hurt them in any shape, way, or form. Understand Lady Partas?"
"Thanks for the advice," Esdeath says in a bit of a displeasing way. "Too bad I won't indulge in their sufferings if they insult me. But, first impressions are always important. Especially with men who are powerful but only with a pen."
The two stop before the door to the meeting room. "Oh, and lady Partas, once you enter. You may feel some tension in the air. It's pretty common considering these men are not only vying for power but also to push another down in their place. So please don't say or do anything that is related to them nor that would damage your credibility. You already have a suspicious glance by Eva Braun, but these are the men you do not want to mess with or step on their toes. Understand?"
"Yes, I do. I know how to present myself in front of the elite and powerful members of society. Especially if that person is extremely obese and controls a child's emperor." Esdeath pokes fun at Prime Minister Honest and the child emperor of her world.
"Great, I'll avoid saying that if possible. Bring up only relevant information about your old world if need be. Now then, I shall enter first. Wait here and the Führer shall call you in." Krause enters the meeting room. He looks around and sees the other members of Hitler's inner circle. He walks up to Hitler as he is speaking.
"Now, this person-" Hitler is interrupted by Krause.
"I'm sorry to interrupt my Führer but Lady Partas is outside of the door waiting for your orders," Krause whispers to Hitler's ear.
"Well then, wait by the door, and when I give the signal, let her in," Hitler whispered back.
"Yes my Führer," Krause walked back to the door, standing
"Now then men, as I was saying. This person I've only met recently and we've come to know a lot about each other, including about her world."
"World? What does he mean by that?" The men of Hitler's inner circle question, looking back at each other and back at Hitler. Of all seven men, Speer stands up.
"My Führer. Just who could this, other person be?" Speer asks.
"Well then Herr Speer, I shall present to you all." Hitler turns to Krause and nods. Krause reaches for the door handle and opens it. "Gentlemen, may I present to you, Lady Esdeath Partas." Esdeath walks through the door with her head tilted forward and stands at parade rest. When she stopped, she looks around. Speer, Göring, Himmler, Heydrich, Goebbels, Bormann, and Ribbentrop are at mixture of surprise, confusion, and questioning. At the very least, they know that Bormann left out a key detail when he called for them under Hitler's orders, he too didn't know about Esdeath. "I see you're all taken back by her. But don't let her sex or uniform underestimate her. She has told me all about her world and the victories she gained along with it."
"Great, another rival in our midst." All the men mentally thought the same. The next to stand up is Göring who looks directly at Hitler.
"My Führer I just want to ask. What made you think this woman is even worthy to be here? I don't see her being of importance to us nor ever. Looking at her now, she is not only dressed a bit immodestly but also is wearing a type of uniform from another nation. Just why? On top of what I've said, she is also missing an arm. I see no proper use for her in the Riech." Göring states his frustrations, the feeling is mutual with the others, except for Himmler.
"Hm. So that man who talked was Göring. I honestly don't like his attitude towards me but I can't blame him."
"Calm down Göring," Hitler reassures Göring. "You and the others may share a similar feeling, but I can assure you she can be a great use of the Reich. One aspect of her that is not seen in anyone before is the control and manipulation of ice."
"Ice?" Many of the men ask. Hitler then turns to Esdeath.
"Lady Partas, care to demonstrate."
"Of course, my Führer" Esdeath raises her head. She walks up to the table and places her right hand on it. "I hope you men don't mind scooting yourselves back from this table," Esdeath tells the inner circle. They all do as asked, sensing something in her that is different from Hitler and the others. "Now, freeze!" Ice originates from Esdeath's hand and soon freezes the entire table solid in jagged ice. All of them are amazed and terrified by this type of power, except for Hitler, seeing a perfectly good table being frozen and possibly to waste.
"So you can freeze things by touch, Lady Partas?" Göring asks, surprised by having witnessed this impossible feat.
"Not necessarily." Esdeath releases her hand from the table and from it creates a small wall on top of the table. "I can make ice expand and shrink, turn them into projectiles, create a wall of ice, a large cylindrical platform, and even freeze people and things, and perhaps other powers too." Esdeath slightly chuckles.
"Care to demonstrate?" Himmler asks, now intruiged.
"Of course." Esdeath gleefully responded. "Weissschnabel!" Esdeath summons several icicles and they float just above her hand. She aims them outside and launches them. "Now I could've launched at you gentlemen, but I think I've already caused enough damage to this table. But this isn't the fullest extent of my power. Now, any questions, gentlemen?" Esdeath asks. The room stays silent after witnessing just a percentage of Esdeath's power, Hitler stood by the sidelines smiling. Esdeath raises her left arm and was able to formulate a replacement arm made of ice, as a front to Göring. Then Himmler stands up and breaks the silence by giving applause.
"That is simply impressive. Terrifying, but impressive still." Himmler tells Esdeath, he then stops clapping. "Tell me, lady Partas, just what is the name and how were you able to acquire such power?"
"Yes, after seeing this power display, I second that motion," Göring responded.
"Third," Bormann responded.
"Alright then. The powers you saw me just demonstrate are part of an Imperial Arms. The one that I wield is called Demon's Extract, it grants the user the power to control and manipulate ice. Now, I'm its only user since it runs in my blood."
"So it's hereditary?" Heydrich stands up asking.
"Unfortunately, I believe not. But it is possible. Considering that the Imperial Arms itself came from the blood of a super level-class danger beast from my old world. Those who drank only a sip went mentally insane, but not me. I drank it all and was able to tame its psychotic abilities, bending it to my very will."
"Looking back now, I see that there might be some application for this after all," Göring states taking back some of his words about the female ice general.
"Lady Partas. You've mentioned that you came from another world, would it be presumed that your uniform is also a testament to that?" Himmler asks. In his head, he can possibly wield this type of power, or at the very least, keep it away from the hands of his rivals.
"Of course, Herr."
"Its Reichsführer-SS Himmler." Himmler responded.
"So I take it he's the leader of the SS. I must say, he isn't all that impressive, especially with that uniform he and his companion are wearing. I think he might act like Prime Minister Honest, but it's still too early to say." Esdeath thinks to herself. "Where I'm from, I am a general of a large and powerful army. Though the army still uses swords and large blunted and bladed weapons, we still have specialized gun users. Not only that, my Imperial Arms is one of 48 unique and powerful weapons."
"48 you said? That must be impressive, I'm surprised such a society could even field such weapons of power." Himmler responded, with a content smile. Himmler approaches Esdeath he stops in front of her. "Now then, Lady Partas. How would you feel like joining the SS? Be at the forefront of our grand operation for the Reich."
"Fuck, Himmler took the damn initiative." Göring becomes frustrated by Himmler's action. "Lady Partas," Göring calls out. "How about you joining the Luftwaffe or the Wehrmacht's Heer at that? As the Commander-in-Chief of the Luftwaffe, it would be better for you to join the Wehrmacht over the SS." Göring proposes to Esdeath, trying to undermine Himmler.
"Stay out of this Göring, we don't need your meddling here," Himmler responds mentally, turning to Göring, giving him a nasty glance.
"Could you explain to me what this Luftwaffe is?" Esdeath asks.
"Simply, the Luftwaffe uses planes to enforce and display the will of the Reich from the skies."
"Perhaps it might be possible." Esdeath turns to Göring.
"Or perhaps you might want to utilize your general expertise in our plans for the expansion of the Reich," Bormann asks.
"Thank you, sir."
"It's Secretary Martin Bormann."
"Right, Secretary Bormann. Though I liked to form operations, I much prefer to be in the front fighting. Secretary work is not my style." Esdeath responded. Speer and Ribbentrop keep quiet as their work is mostly administrative and in their respective fields. Göring, Goebbels, Himmler, and Heydrich mentally laugh at Bormann's failed attempt and even possible humiliation.
"Then what about this lady Partas? Have you thought about becoming an actress? Perhaps you'd like to join the Reich's growing movie and propaganda ministry, I promise you may find some use for your powers." Goebbels propses next, seeing a possible use for his propaganda ministry.
"An actress huh? Though it sounds nice, I much prefer to fight. Though I guess I can appear in a few of these "films" this world has." Esdeath thinks to herself. "Sounds nice and all, but as I said to Secretary Bormann, I prefer not. Mr."
"Reichminister Goebbels."
"Reichminister Goebbels. I'm sorry but I would turn that, movie proposition, that you called down." Speer, Bormann, Göring, Ribbentrop, Himmler, and Heydrich all mentally laugh at Goebbels.
"So lady Partas, what would it be?" Speer steps up. "Because from your answers, it appears you only want to see combat. Is it not?"
"Of course. And from what I was told of previously, the Luftwaffe sounds good." Esdeath states which catches Görings attention. "But, I much prefer to fight in the front lines. Whether that be against enemy forces or partisan forces. So the SS is what I'm deciding to go with." Esdeathturns back to Himmler. "Reichsführer Himmler. You got yourself another recruit."
"Well, I'm never more delighted than for you to join the SS, lady Partas." Himmler and Esdeath shake hands in agreement. Göring, reeling back from his loss of Esdeath to his rival Himmler comes up with a solution.
"Well then, it is decided that Esdeath would join the SS," Hitler announces.
"My Führer, mind if I can make an announcement and even a proposition?" Göring steps up to Hitler.
"What may that be Herr Göring?" Hitler asks.
"Not to offend the intelligence of lady Partas, but I see no reason to instantly grant her a generals level position in the SS." Göring asks Hitler. Though the SS is not his specialty, and much rather to his disdain, he knows that though Esdeath appears powerful she might not be tactical nor strategic enough for the evolving battlefield.
"What are you saying Herr Göring? Are you mad that you lost lady Partas to the SS?" Himmler teases. "Stay out of the affairs of the SS Göring"
"I am not. What I am saying is this. We have no idea of her credibility as a general, her tactics from another world may in fact be outdated here. She mentioned her armies still used medieval weapons like bows and swords. With a small number of troops actually capable of firing a firearm. Not only that, her world's writing system may be different than ours. It could use something like the Chinese or Japanese writing and grammar system and not German, perhaps even being illiterate in our world." As Göring states this, he catches the ire of Esdeath. Though her ire is strong, the old war hero of the Great War still stands firm.
"What are you trying to propose Herr Göring?" Hitler asks as everyone else assumes Göring is throwing a fit.
"Here is what I am proposing, my Führer. Lady Partas can stay in the SS, as long as she takes a ten-week German language course, as well as learning about our history, politics, the world, and its military in those ten weeks. After that, depending on how well she has done, she can be allowed to enter the SS-Junker School." Göring proposes his plan. "This would be good. Though I fear her power would impact the Luftwaffe and the Wehrmacht negatively and give more power to the SS. Pray tell that this plan goes well and lady Partas is kept away from the front lines. God knows how powerful she might be."
"Damn you, damn you, damn you, damn you to hell Göring!" Himmler curses Göring.
"I see your pragmatic reasoning Herr Göring. Well, then I'll allow it to happen." Hitler agrees and turns to Esdeath. Himmler, Heydrich, and Esdeath are disappointed, and Himmler is now even more angered by Göring's pragmatic proposition. But he agrees with him on some level, just how can he measure her generalship and leadership skills since her old world mostly used swords and bows, not relying heavily on the firearm. "Well then, for this to work. Herr Himmler, I want you to procure a professional tutor for the ten weeks for lady Partas, Herr Goebbels, I want you to have her procure a selection of films for her to watch during this time period. After that." Hitler turns to Esdeath, "Esdeath you shall join the SS Junker School and be able to earn your commission in the SS. Is that understandable?"
Esdeath tilts her head forward. "Well then, I think I'm starting to understand about this rivalry between all of these men, excluding Hitler. This would be annoying, but I can work with this." Esdeath tilts her head back up. "Well then my Führer, I'll accept this term for now."
"Once you arrive at the SS-Junker School lady Partas. You will be held to the same standards as the other men who are enrolled. So do not let us down." Hitler tells Esdeath.
"Of course, I'll see to it that you will not be let down." The two shake hands.
"Depending on how everything goes, she might be a problem for us." The men of Hitler's circle said a similar version to themselves.