Oppenheim III
April, 1945
Auschwitz-Birkenau, General Government
Esdeath's car stops at an unseemly sight that is beholden upon her eyes. Buildings lit in flame but long been put out, damaged and destroyed barracks, gunshots in brick and wood. Now populated with SS and Wehrmacht guards, it has an air of abandonment. From the sight itself, she knew it was not a standard labor camp or concentration camp but a sight of death. She knew its purpose after seeing and smelling the sight for herself. She tours and inspects around, no one daring to stop the SS-Brigadeführerin from her stroll: soldiers checking the uniform of the dead to make sure they are German and not Pole or a partisan, bodies of dead prisoners dragged from damaged barracks. As she toured around, ash began to fall like snow and a large black smoke rose from the ground just outside the camp. Walking towards the source she saw prisoners, men and women, civilians and POWs, with several wearing the yellow star patch. All were taken from surrounding camps to dig and drag out dead prisoners they could see in and outside of the facility, even digging out mass graves marked out.
Esdeath walks closer seeing SS-TV personnel playing their roles of guards and watchmen with a few officers striking the prisoners to make them work faster. Another few take shots at the stack of burning corpses to feel a sense of something while shouting out Valhalla, crazed by the vile nature of their work. On the side, a detail of SS senior personnel of the camp and an inspector from Berlin discuss assessing the damages caused by the assault and assessing if the death camp should be rebuilt or permanently shut down. One of the senior personnel, SS-Gruppenführer Richard Glücks, the concentration camp inspector, turns around and walks over to Esdeath after coming to a decision.
"This camp is not fit for a lady," Glücks approaches Esdeath using a handkerchief to cover his nose from the smell of burning flesh and ash. "Given your prestige, it may as well be." Glücks produces a second handkerchief and offers it to Esdeath. Esdeath looks at the handkerchief but turns her head away.
"And what does that supposed to mean?" Esdeath keeps her arms crossed and glances at the burning pile. "What happened here, SS-Gruppenführer?" She asked. Glücks walks closer and stands by her side.
"Polish partisans attacked a few nights ago and several prisoners escaped," Glücks turns to the burning site. "Though many were intercepted and shot down," Glücks continued. "As per the camp's fate, the decision would occur to the SS Main Economic and Administrative office. But I advocate for its reconstruction so it can be brought back to standard. If repairs happen then all of these prisoners would stay here," Glücks looks past Esdeath and sees a couple of prisoners using a wheelbarrow filled with the deceased. "Although the vast majority wouldn't make it before the end of the month as we continue to expand our operations in ridding these pests. I'm sure you shared similar sentiments, SS-Brigadeführerin." Glücks turns to Esdeath but sees an indifference on her face.
"And what for are you immolating the bodies? Esdeath asked, observing the burning
"Clearing space. If we're going to rebuild the camp then space must be cleared from the surrounding area. Space for inmate capacity, expanded infrastructure, and security has to be made. That is what slave labor is for," Glücks jokingly remarked. "At the rate we're going, it'll take a few more weeks to complete this project. Considering that many of them worked in factories it would take them a few days to clear. But I pray their usefulness isn't going to be thrown away like the others here," Glücks continued. "We're upholding our land promises to our soldiers so they won't fall for urban ideals, that's for the non-Aryans. However, those in that sector have to be removed from our new state," Glücks explains to Esdeath. "It is the reality of our work for the party, SS-Brigadeführerin. The war nearly caused our economy to shamble due to the total war initiative and allied bombings. Himmler desires to keep the Untermensch for free labor and keep the Aryans out of the urban areas, however, the Party and the Führer's desires come first. Many in the Wehrmacht would be working for work soon after dismissal however that would conflict with our interests and what is benefiting us. Keeping costs down. Yet, our mission in ridding the Jew from Europe remains the same. However, it would take longer if politics in Berlin remains the same." Glücks continued
"And if partisans attack again?" Esdeath asked further.
"Reichsführer SS dispatched an order to prevent another incident from happening again. Ordering that Polish families be arrested and deported if they were harboring escapees, and villages to be razed if they were collaborating with partisans and the Polish Home Army," Glücks continued. "The element of terror is an amazing tool to expand Lebensraum. By the end of the century, the entire region will be Germanized. The cultures that stood here will be forgotten and their blood removed or diminished to the point that they're a minority, and soon made extinct. It's only our destiny," Glücks continued to Esdeath's disinterest. " I hope you haven't developed a taste for Slavic or Jewish food, drink, and music as they won't be around for much longer. We surely won't be continuing on their traditions for it is beneath us, SS-Brigadeführerin." He further monologues to Esdeath's boredom of which she has had enough and turns to leave.
"I can see what they're doing since many bore no resistance." Esdeath thoughts raced as she strolled through the camp once more. "Must be also the same site my subordinates were sent to." Having bore witness to the culmination of industry, hate, and war evolving into a weapon of terror that rivaled none before it. Esdeath stopped at a site of the damaged camp and stands before a heavily damaged barracks, ruined by grenades and gunfire. Esdeath only imagined what scene happened night of the assault.
Gunfire and fires rage throughout the Auschwitz concentration camp. Through meticulous planning and sabotage, the Polish Home Army and Jewish partisans began their assault to liberate a major death camp. Through infiltration, the partisans made their way into every barracks they could. Speaking in German, Polish, Russian, Hungarian, and any other languages they know crying out a message of liberation from death to all of the Jewish, Slavic, and political prisoners of the Reich.
By one of the many administrative buildings, an SS-Totenkopfverbände Lagerführer lies by one of the buildings damaged by the assault with his arm blown off by a grenade thrown by an undercover partisan. As he slowly bleeds from his left arm he looks up and sees a man he tried to break and make his pet. In one hand he holds the uniform of a Jewish prisoner and on the other an SS honor dager. For seven months the Jewish prisoner was beaten, starved, overworked, violated, and robbed of his honor and humanity.
"Don't just stand there. This was a long time coming," The Lagerführer, Hauptsturmführer Otto, blurts out. "I know you want to end me. So don't hesitate." He continues. The Jewish prisoner remains silent as he looks down with a stern but tired frown. All of his hatred for the Lagerführer is what Otto could see. The Jewish prisoner looks down at his assaulter and violator and takes a few steps closer to the man. He walks forward to the Lagerführer while subsiding his hatred.
April, 1945
Outskirts of Krakow, General Government
The war draws to a close in Europe with an armistice. Esdeath and her 9th SS Panzergrenadier Eis Division reached the General Government's capital of Krakow, setting up camp near the city after being quartered in the residency of several Polish homes and driving its residents out. Yet, driving them out was not much effort for Wehrmacht forces reduced or forced them out entirely, leaving many to their fates. Due to the number of troops departing from the front, the Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS contest for quarters, claiming empty rooms, and driving out Polish families to the streets once arrangements had been made. Esdeath toured the city seeing first-hand the incompetency of Hans Frank, disgusted with his mismanagement of his governmental failures. Entertaining is the thought that Hans Frank is a reincarnation of Prime Minister Honest, Esdeath strolls through the woods near the city of Krakow. Leaving the safety of the camps that her men had set up.
"Five years of constant warfare. Now an armistice has taken that away from me," Esdeath sighs. "Had things gone better coordinated, had I been given more freedom? Then Moscow would've fallen, the BEF eliminated at Dunkirk, and the destruction of the Soviet Union. But I doubt that any of that would've been possible without me," Esdeath exclaimed. "One day I could stir up conflicts somewhere else. Hmm, maybe I should corral support and take power in Berlin. To confine on the process of war," Esdeath further thinks as she walks deeper into the woods. "Unfortunately I doubt I would get support from the entirety of the Wehrmacht and SS command staff to do so." As Esdeath continues to walk deeper she spots in front of her the hanging body of a man. Around the corpse's neck is a sign that Esdeath reads. "I am a German collaborator," Esdeath reads aloud the German and the Polish sentences. "Too bad no one will remember you. That is what happens for being weak." Esdath passes the body and continues her walk.
"The fighting and the war have kept me entertained for the past five years in the six years. Within those years I've been quickly promoted and yet," Esdeath thinks to herself for the moment, envisioning the faces of SS and Wehrmacht officers after hearing of Esdeath's promotion to the general staff level. Each reacting near disgust and false praise. Esdeath strolls and spots a fallen two-meter-long log. She seizes the opportunity to sit and think further about what her new life has been like. "How much I missed seeing the face of my beloved," Esdeath envisions the face of Tatsumi. Fondly remembers the good times of being with him, yet she sees him nowhere in the new world. Even after learning of his allegiance to Night Raid, she still loved him. "*Sigh* I always wonder what he would be if he were here," Esdeath continues to envision Tatsumi. "Even if you were here, I would still break you to be with me." Esdeath continues. Esdeath sighs. "I guess we were never meant to be together." A sigh of dejection escapes her breath. As Esdeath dreams of her new world and Tatsumi, they cease as a twig snaps. She stands and draws her pistol in the direction of the sound. "Come out if you desire an honorable death, if not then I will guarantee you a slow and painful one. Your choice partisan."
"As you demand, SS-Brigadeführerin," A voice familiar to Esdeath but has trouble recollecting. The man slowly stepped out of a treeline that kept him hidden from Esdeath's gaze. "It has... been a while... SS-Brigadeführerin." Revealing himself, he stands in front of her whose stature is like that of many of her SS soldiers but his build is dirty and disheveled as if he was kept on the brink of starvation for months. Face bruised and damaged and nearing the brink of mental breakage.
"Do I know you, prisoner?" Esdeath still maintains her pistol on the prisoner. Observing closer, his blue and white uniform is ragged and dirty with his head being shaved and having little in the way of hair growth.
"You may not recognize me, for it's been seven months that you've sent me away. A fate worse than death," He stands tall before Esdeath as he raises his hand to salute Esdeath. "Heil Hitler, SS-Brigadeführerin Esdeath Partas. I, Friedrich Oppenheim: SS-Scharführer of 9th SS Panzergrenadier Eis Division, 19th Panzergrenadier Regiment Eis, 1st Troop have returned." Oppenheim reintroduces himself to Esdeath who stands perplexed. A proud soldier of her division now stands before her in a disheveled state, a former shell of himself. But from this state, she can sense an ounce of pride that kept him alive through suffering and hardship.
"So this is or was the SS-Scharführer that the SS tried to get rid of. Honestly, the way he'd reacted is what I figured to be actions of the weak. Seeing him like this defiantly challenged my assumption after surviving through hell to find me. Perhaps I should ask for information that only he knows." Esdeath thoughts come to mind, clearing her throat Esdeath stands before Oppenheim. "You know prisoner, if you were one of my men, as you claimed, what was the name of my unit? Before it became a Waffen SS division." Esdeath asks, trying to poke a hole into Oppenheim's truth.
"Before the 9th SS Panzergrenadier Eis Division, you were first transferred to the 5h Regiment 'Thule' of the 3rd Division Totenkopf. You led the First Company, which you named the Ice-Jaegers. Is that sufficient, SS-Brigadeführerin?" Oppenheim provides information that only Esdeath and those of the Ice-Jaeger squadron knew, but their existence is few that Esdeath could count on one hand.
"So it is you. Only a handful of that original unit are all that remained," Esdeath comments. "It has been five years since the start of the Ice-Jaegers. Now, just how did you survive?" Esdeath asks, her interest peaked after seeing Oppenheim's state.
"I've been on the run for almost three days," Oppenheim points at a fallen log. "Care to sit?" Esdeath turns to see the log as Oppenheim walks over to it to sit down. Esdeath also follows but sits close to him. "I ask that you don't sit near me. I do not want you to be catching any infections that still cling to me."
"Oh, then I would like to test that theory out SS-Schar-" Esdeath was about to comment but Oppenheim interrupted her.
"If it is alright with you," Oppenheim turns his head and sees her slightly tilt her head to hear his request. "I would like to drop our titles and formalities." Oppenheim's requests has Esdeath sit up right before she gives her answer.
"Hmm. The last time you called by my given name was when you were sent away," Esdeath closes her eyes as she gives her answer. "That was the first a person below my rank has done so," Esdeath opens her eyes and glances at Oppenheim. "Before I served in the Reich, I was always called by my rank and given name: General Esdeath. Here it is by my rank and family name: SS-Brigadeführerin Partas. Although Partas is the name of my clan, I guess now it has become a family name," Esdeath turns her head forward. "With my permission, you may speak to me by my given name: Esdeath."
"Friedrich," Oppenheim lays his hand onto his chest, giving Esdeath his given birth name.
"Now explain, Friedrich, what happened after you were taken by the SD? I understood that your people were meant for death but this isn't what I expected," Esdeath comments. "I'd expect it to be through ruthless violence with an emphasis on total annihilation," Esdeath exclaimed. Oppenheim gives off a brief and tired chuckle and sighs.
"You are correct in that assumption Esdeath. But it wasn't barbaric, it was systemic. Like an assembly line. That is what I witnessed," Oppenheim details his experience to Esdeath as she takes an interest in his story. Though she holds her suspicions, seeing his current state gives an air of truth to his claims. "I was stripped of my uniform and my possessions were taken. Given that I was in the SS, I expected death. Knowing it was preferable after humiliating myself in front of you," Oppenheim continues. "Instead they gave me these clothes and sent me to a barracks for work... as per the others who were in the train cart with me, I never saw them again."
"Then they must've been weak. Considering the Reich's ideals, they would have separated the strong from the weak, the skilled from the unskilled," Esdeath presents her assumption. "Well, that is if they're going to end those they've separated for work at a later date." Esdeath's comment makes Oppenheim chuckle. "What's so funny."
"If that were the case then I would have seen more of my age working. But it's not the case from when I saw it," Oppenheim interjects and retorts Esdeath's claim. "Luck is what one needs. I was lucky because they were looking for the first thirty people to work. Everyone else was sent away, later seeing their corpses," Oppenheim further gives his explanation. "Young or old, strong or not, skill or unskilled, they all met their fates," Oppenheim recounts his experiences. "The stench of death lingered everywhere I went." Oppenheim continues.
"Then I presumed that you were chosen to live for another reason. As you said, you were fortunate to be chosen to fulfill a quota," Esdeath asks further. "And what of your first day there? I'm curious how many hours you've worked."
"They had us work over twelve hours in the winter. The literal hour that I was sent to my barracks all of the prisoners surrounded me. I didn't understand them but they must've assumed I was German based on my appearance. Even at times, they took their chance to beat me bloodied like an injured dog. One might say it is divine retribution. But their accostment and blows meant little," Oppenheim glances downwards. "I know what I've done serving in the Waffen SS, though I'm not proud of my actions I was proud to serve my Fatherland." Oppenheim continued.
"Those who accosted you were those who took offense that you, a Jew, were willing to fight for the Waffen SS and kill those of your race and others," Esdeath glances at a memory she had. "That is what the Northern Tribes did to me after massacring most of their population. My surname was the name of my tribe but they were wiped out by a rival clan. But when I got my revenge on the thems, some were trying to reason that those of the northern bloodline shouldn't kill one another but I did not listen. They were hypocritical as they were trying to save themselves," Esdeath explains to Oppenheim. "The same is said here."
"If I only knew what your world was like," Oppenheim sighs. "Only then, maybe those I've fought for would be safe there and not here," Oppenheim explained with dejection in his voice. "Perhaps the symbol on your chest and that of our SS division came from that tribe of yours aswell." Oppenheim points out.
"It's not. The symbol is that of my Imperial Arms," Esdeath lays her hand on her chest. She turns to see Oppenheim remaining silent. "Your family were there, weren't they? Your mother and father, your little brother and sister too?" Esdeath guesses land on the mark of Oppenheim's story. Esdeath turns her head away. "You held hope that your family would've escaped when you arrived, didn't you?" Esdeath glances over at Oppenheim who looks down with silence in his lips. "Guess I was right," Esdeath turns her body to face Oppenheim. She stands up and stands in front of him. She clears her throat. "As your former commanding officer, I ask that you answer my question." Oppenheim looks up at Esdeath standing in front of him and sits back up straight. From his training, he knows he cannot refuse an order from his superior but knows she is the type of woman to expect results no matter the costs.
"That is what I hoped for. But all of that dissipated the second I found my father. His barracks unit was leaving a worksite while my own was going forth to the same site as his," Oppenheim explains, looking down from Esdeath's gaze. As she sat back in the same spot as before.
"Your father, wasn't he a music teacher for an all-boys Gymnasium, the same one that you were an alumnus of?" Esdeath interrupts but her interruption brings a soft smile to his face, pleased that she remembered such detail. But his smile disappeared the second he spoke.
"It's been seven years since I last saw him. And in that moment that he saw me he poured out his regrets, but the reunion couldn't continue then. As he and I were forced to keep moving," Oppenheim exclaimed. "Seeing him there...caused something inside me to snap but I didn't know how to express it to him. But neither did I have the time to say anything," Oppenheim continued. "But when I got my chance to speak with him once more. He told me the truth," Oppenheim glances away. "Of how he, mother, and my little brother: Willy were sent before me. Telling me how he was separated from them and never saw any of them again. As per my little sister, Erika. She was separated long before any of them arrived here. But in the end, I believe she is already with them. But I hold hope that she is still alive."
"I supposed that meant you have to give in at times. If so, then I do not think I would allow a person to work for me once more if they became meek and gave in to stronger powers." Esdeath responded with a tonal disapproval. But her remarks give Oppenheim a smirk.
"To be meek does not mean you are weak," Oppenheim turns to Esdeath, standing up from the log and paces a step forward. "It means that you reserve your strength not taking it out against those beneath you," Oppenheim continued. "There was an officer, SS-Hauptsturmführer Otto. He's the one that made my life more difficult than it had. Forcing me to pleasure him day after day. The first time he did so he forced me on top of my father after I reunited with him, killing him before he forced himself," Oppenheim raises his cheeks, displaying a smile of abandoned morals to secure a victory against an enemy that was stronger then him but he considered weak. "But in the end," Oppenheim turns to Esdeath. "Meekness is a strength and a tool that can be used by those weakened by greater powers to use their full strength at the right time to end one's foes. But too few use it to fight and just submit without question. Breaking before they could fight," Oppenheim continued. "I did the former."
Screams and cries ring throughout the burning camp. The Polish Home Army and Jewish partisans hold off SS soldiers flooding in to stop the resistance. Despite their fighting spirit, remnants who'd stayed behind were quickly eliminated and those who couldn't flee in such time were hunted. As the death camp burns, Oppenheim and Hauptstumführer Otto flee from the burning camp. Rushing into the nearby woods, the two ran hand in hand as Otto had lost a lot of blood from his missing left arm. Otto had now been dressed in the same uniform as the people he'd despised, hoping that a Polish unit might spot them but they were too few to find.
"This is new, you know." Otto comments. "Just why are you helping me?" Otto asks.
"I need you," Oppenheim responded. Turning his head behind his right, he hears gunshots ring out as the Gestapo and SS surround the camp. He turns his head back front. "Hurry." The two continue to run through the woods. Dog barks are heard throughout the forest as dog teams are sent to hunt anyone who has escaped.
"I can't continue further," Otto responded. "Either way, we're going to die," The two stopped in their tracks. "We cannot escape this fate, Oppenheim." Otto continued. Looking around, Oppenheim spots a tree that appears to be sturdy enough to climb.
"Climb on," Oppenheim helps Otto onto his back as he begins to climb up the tree. They climb up on one of the trees mid-way to the top, finding a sturdy branch to rest on. Oppenheim then lays the wounded Hauptsturmführer on the sturdy branch. The two breathed heavily trying to control their breathing. "We'll have to continue on foot. Most likely we'll have to go east or north." Oppenheim introduces a few ideas on where to escape but he also knows that survivability is near zero. Otto looks away, giving a soft smile.
"I once had a dream," Otto explains his dreams to Oppenheim. "I dreamt that you and I Friedrich are living together as roommates," Otto turns his head over to Oppenheim. "You took care of me, even after all of the things that I've done to you: whether I sodomized you, beaten you, starved you. Heck, even killing your father and forcing myself on you while you were sandwiched in between. But you forgave me." Otto chuckles softly as he lays on the branch, looking up at the night sky. "Though I have wife and children. I'm more than willing to leave all of that behind if it means to be with you," Otto extends his remaining arm to Oppenheim. "What do you say, Friedrich? Will you?" Otto tilts his head. Hearing him open his heart fully Oppenheim also extends out his hand. But instead of grabbing onto it, Oppenheim pushes Otto's hand to his neck and collar shirt. Otto's face changes from affection to fear. "What... what are you doing?!" Using what strength he has left, Oppenheim pulls Otto closer. "Do you hate me still?" Otto pleaded.
"I have already forgiven you," Oppenheim looks down at Otto. "But I haven't forgotten what you've done. My father once said that to hold on to your offender without forgiving them is poisonous to the soul. But I should not forget about their actions. For time will answer their crimes, whether their crimes are repaid directly by a third party or by the victim" Oppenheim strongly looks at Otto's eyes. "I never hated you, but never have I loved you. What I see is not a man of honor or a member of an SS. But a morally corrupted man. One who throws away the values of the SS and takes advantage of others for momentary pleasure without even the decency of looking them in the eye or putting them out," Oppenheim turns to see as he hears the dog barking getting closer. "I'm sorry. But in my eyes, you've become another hindrance to the achievements of the Fatherland. A parasite. Goodbye, Otto." Oppenheim tosses Otto off the branch.
"Why," Otto thinks to himself. "I see now. He used me just as I used him for my pleasures. But unlike him, I've used position to toy with others and dump them away. He used me to advance his gains to fight for the party cause. While I used the party caused for myself," Otto falls on the dirt ground forcefully and couldn't move.
"Over there!" An SS guard spots Otto on the ground. "He's an escapee, shoot him." The SS guard gives the order.
"W-w-wait." Otto pleads for his life but his voice can't speak. He looks above to see Oppenheim, raising his arm as if trying to grab onto him. But in the end, all he is met with is a couple of seconds of bullet fire.
"Right, let us keep going." The SS guards move on with their search dogs. As the SS guard moves forward, Oppenheim climbs down from the tree and looks down at his callous action. He doesn't speak to the dead Otto nor does he contemplate his actions. Like in Teufelslied, Oppenheim continues to march forward.
After a long hour of conversing with her, his former superior, a thought peered into Oppenheim's mind. "If I may make a request?" Oppenheim asks Esdeath but she sighs.
"And what may that be?" Esdeath asks, entertaining his request.
"Despite the sins of the Fatherland," Oppenheim stands up and walks over in front of her, kneeling on one knee. He looks up at Esdeath. "Despite the sins committed, Esdeath, do not betray the land or the folk. Do not betray the Fatherland." Oppenheim asks Esdeath. She ponders for a moment of his request. An odd request, but one that only he knows.
"I would've thought that you would beg for you to serve me," Esdeath stands up from the log with Oppenheim lowering his head. "But such requests are vague. And yet you are sincere about it. Tell me, why should I not betray the Fatherland? You know as well that I could easily kill the Führer, leaders of the SS, and the Wehrmacht. That way they would all fear me and bow to my every will. My Imperial Arms can make sure of it."
'It's because you will not," Oppenheim responded. "In every battle, you fought vigorously for Germany and Hitler. But this will come as a benefit to you," Catching her attention, Oppenheim continues. "The Führer is Germany, the folk is the Reich. In essence, if you remove one then the entirety would collapse," Oppenheim furthers his plea. "The people all trust the Führer. Perhaps through him, you may experience a prolonged war against the Reich's enemies. The enemies of the folk."
"Is that so?" Esdeath responded. "Though for a Jew, your responses were more of support for the nation and leaders who betrayed and dishonored you. If you wanted you could have called for me to destroy the nation, the SS, and the Party," Esdeath responded to Oppenheim's request. "And yet, I can see where you are coming from. This is your land and people. Through hardship you want your nation to succeed but not lead it to destruction," Esdeath knelt to Oppenheim's eye level. "Alright, I will accept your request. In return for your being a servant of mine for the rest of your life. Do we have a deal?" Esdeath asked. Hearing her request, Oppenheim stood up and raised his right hand to salute Esdeath.
"To serve you Esdeath... is to serve the Fatherland." Oppenheim responds.
"Good, do you still remember your SS Oath when you joined the SS?" Esdeath asked. "If you recite it, then I would accept your allegiance to me... because as you've said. To serve me is to serve Germany." Esdeath reported. Oppenheim changes form standing at attention and raising his right hand above his head and arm bent, curling his pinky and ring fingers while spreading out the first three fingers.
"I swear to you, Esdeath Partas, as SS-Brigadeführerin und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS of the German Reich, that I will be loyal and brave. I pledge obedience unto death to you and those you appoint to lead. So help me God," Oppenheim pledges his service to Esdeath. "From now until my death, I will serve you to the utmost of my ability. For my honor means loyalty." Oppenheim repeats the motto of the SS with an aura of seriousness and dedication.
"Hm, he reminds me of another subordinate that I had saved but died. Let's hope he lives longer than Liver," Esdeath thinks. Esdeath then stands upright and enforces her bearing "Now, all we need to do is strengthen you up and restore you to your former figure, that way you will be useful. Perhaps even becoming the leader of my guard. However, your old identity will have to die," Esdeath paces her steps. "In death does duty end," Esdeath turns around. "Now, time for you to begin your duty."
"Halt!"; "He's over there!"; "Surround him!" Multiple voices call out as six men uncover themselves from the forest and aim their Kar 98ks at Oppenheim. Oppenheim stands in front of Esdeath in a protective stance, attracting their gunfire. Then a Hauptsturmführer steps out from behind of the men. "Good evening, SS-Brigadeführerin, Jew." The Hauptsturmführer greets them both. "I'll make this simple for you two. Either come with us or the both of you can die here." The Hauptsturmführer offers the two.
"You are here for me, aren't you?" Oppenheim exclaimed. "It does not involve her."
"What, her?" The Hauptsturmführer aims his P-38 at Esdeath. "The war is over and her existence is nothing but a danger to the Reich. The higher-ups of the party wish to not see her strive." The Hauptsturmführer continues, yet she takes displeasure she stated. Esdeath stands up and stands beside Oppenheim.
"Would you like to explain yourself, Hauptsturmführer?" Esdeath stated, glancing at the Hauptsturmführer with cold eyes, yet he doesn't flinch.
"That glare won't kill me, SS-Brigadeführerin. I've already condemned hundreds to deaths, many innocent of crimes. You two won't be any different. " The Hauptsturmführer gloats before aiming his pistol. "My command, men." Feeling a desperate situation, one they may not be able to escape from, Oppenheim glances at Esdeath.
"I'm sorry that I won't be of any use in the future, Esdeath." Oppenheim apologizes. He turns to grab Esdeath's pistol on her left side before she can make a move. Pushing Esdeath to the ground, he takes her pistol and opens fire at the Hauptsturmführer. A single shot traded for many. All within a flash, Esdeath turns to see her most loyal and faithful soldier collapse.
"Friedrich!" Esdeath cried out, expressing an emotion she hadn't felt in years, shock. Turning over, the body she sees the state of Oppenheim. Already fulfilled his service.
"The hell is wrong with that Jew, ow!" The Hauptsturmführer responded as he stood up, placing pressure on his wounds. "With one down, it's only us six against one. Any final words?" The Hauptsturmführer responded but that became his final words as he and the other six are frozen in an instant before becoming ice crystals themselves, leaving nothing behind. Esdeath peers over Oppenheim's cold body. Even if had used her Imperial Arms to save him, it was all but too late to save him.
"Despite the sins of the Fatherland. Despite the sins committed, Esdeath, please do not betray the land or the folk. Do not betray the Fatherland," Oppenheim's request rattles in her head. "You were weakened by those above but in the end, you fought on with what strength you had to the very end," Esdeath responded. "It would have been a pleasure to see you become one of my greatest soldiers, even used to get revenge on those who wronged you. But in the end, the odds were stacked against you in this world. No matter how one looks at it," Esdeath continued, she closed his eyes once more before picking him up in her arms. "You will rest now, for your service is over though it has begun. But in the five years, you have done more than enough for me and the Fatherland. Rest, Friedrich. Rest." Esdeath stands up from the ground before walking back to her camp.
Esdeath walks back to camp as her men have already set up their tents just outside of the city. The officers raise their heads to greet Esdeath but her aura is off. From what they see, Esdeath remains silent with her head down as she carries a man in her arms, her face remaining stoic as ever.
"SS-Brigadeführerin!" An SS-Sturmbannführer calls out to Esdeath. "Who is that man you're carrying?" He observes closer. "Oh, it's a jew." His tone changes disparagingly. Esdeath stops in her tracks.
"SS-Sturmbannführer. I want the men to acquire a simple long table, after that round up all members who are currently a part of the 19th Panzergrenadier Regiment Eis: 1st Troop and have them report here now." Esdeath gives her order which the SS-Sturmbannführer obliges. A moment passes by as the table is laid out in front of her of which she lays Oppenheim's body. Then, the men begin to gather around. "You, SS-Unterscharführer, tell me, who is this man?" Esdeath points at one of her soldiers. "You won't be punished for getting the identification wrong," Esdeath reassures him but he remains hesitant. A second walks closer and gets a better observation. Coming to the realization.
15 April 1945
Rostock, Greater Germanic Reich
In the outskirts of the city of Rostock, in the middle of the forest
"A reading from Psalm 41: 1-3," A Lutheran pastor reads from his Bible to the congregant in front of him he raises his right arm as to give a blessing. It wasn't his usual sermon but a funeral service held in honor of a fallen soldier, left disgraced by his nation but still fought for it till the very end. "Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the Lord delivers them in times of trouble. The Lord protects and preserves them—they are counted among the blessed in the land-he does not give them over to the desire of their foes. The Lord sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness. Amen." He closes the Bible, performs the sign of the cross, and stands to the side as the coffin of Oppenheim is lowered into the ground, giving him a final blessing and a send-off. Esdeath stands in the crowd, members of her division that she selected that was formally a part of Oppenheim's squad. In front of them lays Oppenheim in his SS uniform with his rank and medals. Several flowers were laden onto his body before being covered and brought down to the earth. Everyone presents Oppenheim with a final farewell salute as the song The Good Comrade is played from a grammarphone.
"Not once had I ever serviced a funeral, even those who died in battle I never gave them a funeral but still left them flowers. But given my new home, it seems to be appropriate that I held one. Fortunately, this will end quickly and none would confirm the dead's true identity except for us." Esdeath thinks to herself as her men participate in the song, with her mouthing out the words to the song. The song ends and Esdeath's men walk over to the side each grabs a shovel to replace the dirt and let the dead rest. Esdeath stands where she is and turns to the Lutheran pastor. "Pastor Arno. I ask that you label today's service as informal correct? The Party shouldn't need to know about this."
"To be honest SS-Brigadeführerin. Given the state of things, I have to do what the state tells me. Even the Bible that I hold is the prohibited version the party banned and if any of my congregants or fellow pastors saw me using it then I would be out of a job," Pastor Arno turns to the grave being filled, keeping his voice down. "But this funeral service held for Herr Oppenheim, then I could see myself disappearing from the face of the Earth if news came out, and you would be disgraced and possibly even removed from the party. That is if they do not shoot you. But I will keep my lips sealed and not document for the public records," Pastor Arno remarks. "Worry not, SS-Brigadeführerin, as God is my witness today, Herr Oppenheim's gravesite would only be known by me and the few who chose to be here," Pastor Arno looks at the gravesite.
"Keep it to yourself until you end up in the grave. You may go," Esdeath dismisses Pastor Arno who nods in affirmation and blesses the grave before leaving. Esdeath turns to the rest of her soldiers, seeing them filling up Oppenheim's grave completely. After finishing, Esdeath clears her throat to catch their attention. "You fifteen are to remain silent about today, no one else needs to know. Not to family, not to friends in and out of the SS, not to superiors, and certainly not the heads of the SS or of the Reich. I care not if you grieve in private, but remain this amongst yourselves and not let anyone else know. For not only I would be affected, but this will also affect your livelihoods aswell. Understand?"
"Jawohl," The fifteen responded to Esdeath.
"One more announcement. Given how the war is over, and most likely my division would be reduced but not disbanded, the fifteen of you will be the genesis of my guard. To whom your loyalty will be to me first and then your Führer and the Reichsführer SS. Is that reasonable?" Esdeath relays her order. The fifteen look at one another and consider her demands. Considering her rank and bearing, Esdeath's desire to lead from the front played a greater impression on them. They stand in rank before Esdeath and salute to Esdeath. "Now, do any of you wish to serve in my guard?"
"Heil Partas!" Their response brings a smile to Esdeath's face.
13 May 1963
Rostock, Greater Germanic Reich
Esdeath follows a path not marked in the forest, the path a few hikers traversed. But at the war's outbreak many maximized time for the war effort, but still maintained their traditional leisure and pleasure activities. Walking a path she hadn't walked in nearly twenty years, only recently visiting before her departure to America. Recognizing easily, she stops at a tree with the symbol of her division: a carving of the Demon's Extract marking on her chest on top of a shield with a chip on the right shoulder.
"It's been a while, Friedrich," Esdeath kneels to lay three lily flowers on Oppenheim's grave. "I've read in a book that lilies represent the afterlife and its purity," Esdeath stands up. "The war against the Americans hadn't gone as planned," Esdeath continued. "Though weak you were at the state of your death, you were the few exemplars of those who projected strength until death. Not letting your guard down or losing strength in a fight," Esdeath smirked. "Now I have a few more subordinates that would have been an honor for you to have led. Exemplifying strength and loyalty until death. Despite powerful opposition that led you to be regulated with weakness and exhaustion, you still fight until death. Traits I see in too few," Esdeath walks forward and places her hand on a small moss-covered plank and brushes off the moss to uncover his name, date of birth and death, and his division and unit number. Esdeath smiled softly. "Rest easy, Friedrich. For your service to me is over, but your loyalty and legacy continues on with my division." Esdeath salutes Oppenheim before turning and leaving. "Now I'll have to find a way to delegate a task force to capture Tatsumi, Akame, Wave, and Kurome. Keeping them separate so they don't return in American hands." Esdeath walks back into the forest to reunite with the rest of the Einsatzgruppen Eis.
Author's note:
This is the end of the Oppenheim trilogy as I'll be reorienting back to the main storyline.