Washington DC, United States
20 May 1963
The night draws near yet nightlife does not cease despite the calls for blackouts. After many days of training the Night Hunters were granted an opportunity to travel in and around the capital, to at least take in a sense of Americana before traveling to their destination Iceland, until they board the first plane bound for Iceland, they walk around through the capital of Washington D.C. to find a place to dine and reconnect closer after the reintroduction of Sheele and Chelsea into their lives once more. To celebrate the occasion, all dressed in business casual clothing that fit more to their style or utilizing parts of their old clothing, Reeds rented out a dinner and hotel for the group to stay at for the night, in part because the rendevous to take the first civilian aircraft to Iceland was closer and easier to reach.
"It's odd that we're being sent to a nice place, even before departing. It's almost like you're taking us to our last meal." Chelsea spoke.
"In this line of work, every meal could be our last," Anderson comments. "This is Reed's method of having y'all enjoy an American meal before departure." Anderson continued as the nine promptly reached their destination of a highly-rated restaurant. Before long the nine Night Hunters enter and are escorted to a private area sectioned off for them.
Despite working close once more for nearly a week, training nonetheless took up the majority of their time with little time to try and reconnect with Sheele and Chelsea.
"Though I said this once already, but I might as well say it again. I'm proud to be working with you two once more. I just hope our camaraderie will last until the end of this war." Mine opens up first.
"Don't be raising death flags now, Mine. It won't be easy to come back the second time." Chelsea commented as she poured a glass of wine.
"Perhaps the first one to go out will be you." Kurome interjected as she munched on a piece of bread.
"Yeah, you ensured it when we spared a couple of times. It's not fair when a one-on-one turns into a nine-on-one," Chelsea recollects moments of having to hide in a terrifying game of hide and seek between herself being hunted by Kurome and her puppets. "Not fun having to act like a red squirrel while that SS man was staring down at me with the barrel of Sturmgewher, or that moment that spear puppet of yours scared the inferno out of me while that cowgirl friend kept shooting at me and trying to stab me as I fled." Chelsea continues to recollect to Kurome's minor amusement.
"That is because you disguised yourself as a Eurasian red squirrel, not a grey one. Finding you was tough but easier after my German puppets pointed you out." Kurome commented further snickering at the moments when Kurome found Chelsea in terror at the palm of her hands.
"I'd removed that grin from your face," Chelsea further interjects. "There were moments where I've gotten the upper hand. Including when I almost killed you and caught you off guard. So I'd say we're even. Don't challenge the master of disguise," Chelsea further gloats as she sips her wine. She peers over to Mine just as she is about to cut a piece of baguette from the flat side. "Mine, I ask that you cut from the baguette right side up unless you want to give everyone who eats that baguette a hunger curse." Chelsea reached over and grabbed hold of the baguette with superstition in her voice.
"That's a weird superstition? Did you make that up to mess with me?" Mine asked with an air of suspicion.
"She's right you know," Sheele interjects. "Father Clément explained to me many times not to cut a baguette from the flat side because it was taboo. However, should I do it he got strict and cursed out in French. But I don't fault him. People have limits, even the pious whose tolerance for fools like me does have limits. But I learned every step of the way.
"You know Sheele," Lubbock inquires. "You've talked about this Father Clément guy before. Now I'm curious, who is that man? Because you are not the same Sheele that I'd remember." Lubbock further inquires, seeing Sheele having changed slightly. Though wearing the same dress inspired by styles found in her home district in the Empire, her mannerisms changed a bit.
"I've indeed changed," Sheele earnestly responded. "Although I would say it is for the better. I'm not as clumsy as before when I was working in Night Raid," Sheele continued but was rudely interrupted by Lubbock's comment.
"I wouldn't say the same when you've attempted to do laundry the other day. Mine was nearly spun to death and it would've been the end of her had we not found her in." Lubbock interjects, interrupting Sheele.
"Amicus meus es Lubbock, sed desine quaeso," (You are my friend Lubbock, but please stop) Sheele looked at Lubbock as how one would look at a friend after they said something embarrassing to the other, speaking in Latin as to encapsulate how she felt. Sheele then looks away and continues to speak. "As I was saying, working with Father Clément taught me many things: Latin, the Ecclesia Catholica, and things to be self-sufficient. However, I still am who I was. Which means I'm going to mess up here and there."
"Still Latin. Kind of surprises me a person like yourself would learn a language only to few know." Chelsea remarked. As of the nine, all but Akame, Tatsumi, and Anderson.
"That is an interesting conversation they're having however, I know little of this life you all have," Anderson comments to himself. "It's not my style one could say." Tatsumi turns and glances and Anderson. Despite working for the past month Tatsumi never had much of a chance to get a closer look of Anderson but in it him he sees the spirit of an old mentor.
"You know Mr. Anderson. You remind me of a whole like Bulat." Tatsumi comments.
"Bulat?" Anderson inquired. "I assumed he must've been a good man and a strong warrior?" Anderson continues to Tatsumi's interest.
"He was pretty strong indeed. I remember him telling me how he was able to kill 100 men. Furthermore, he was the one who taught me everything there is to be a strong assassin. On top of the lessons, I've learned from the others," Tatsumi leaned closer to Anderson. "He is also tall and muscular with a black pompadore. However, he gave his life to protect me and passed down Incursio to me. So as I live I will continue to train harder to make him proud, should we ever meet once more here." Tatsumi furthered, speaking in light praise of Bulat.
"I'm sure he would be proud of how far you came from that fight on the yacht." Anderson responded.
"Thinking about it," Tatsumi inquires. "Furthermore, your name sounds almost like Bulat, Blaut." Tatsumi remarked on the near similarities of Bulat's and Blaut's names.
"That name was given to me by my parents because of a miracle. When I was born I had a nuchal cord and my face was a light shade of blue. They thought I was stillborn but I showed signs of life and was quickly revived," Anderson continued. "And my name is of Nordic origin. I know little of this Bulat fellow. But if I met him we would be great companions."
"Well, either way," Tatsumi wrapped his arm around Anderson. "I'm pretty sure you two would be great allies."
"I'm gonna grab a smoke." Anderson stands up Anderson stands up and heads for the outdoors, intending to smoke outside. Akame silently follows him as he stands outside having trouble sparking the light of his lighter.
"Are you not going to tell him?" Akame asks as she sees him putting away the cigarette.
"Why would I?" Anderson turns around. "Things aren't the same back then as they were back then. I missed the opportunity to go further than a teacher-student partnership." Anderson answered Akame.
"He would be elated to know that his teacher and closest friend was working with him again," Akame explained. "I think it might reconnect a bond between you two." Akame furthered.
"Once a student surpasses their teacher what else could they do? Stand around with nothing else to explain?" Anderson asks Akame. "It would be best for that teacher to move on to find new students. Lest they fall into envy of their students."
"You don't have to be his mentor you know," Akame stands close to the side of Anderson. "You could work by his side. Perhaps in time, he'll learn about you more." Akame continued.
"I prefer that he doesn't and we just remain as colleagues. I lived without him for over thirty years and could go even further. However now," Anderson thinks of his next words recollecting his moment working with Tatsumi for the past month after his encounter with him in New York. "I'm going for a midnight stroll. I'll rendezvous with you and the rest later at the hotel. Keep watch over them Akame." Reeds continued before he left Akame at the restaurant. Anderson walked through the streets of Washington, growing tired and walking aimlessly. "How long have I been walking?" Anderson thought as he strolled through the rows of homes and businesses. "Might as well get a drink before the others get worried, worse yet Reeds getting angry." Anderson steps inside of the bar in front of him. The bar is calm with a handful of people mostly those who are societal rejects or work for the underground. A place to relax and reveal a controlled repression of himself. Despite being an outside patron to those who own the bar, he nonetheless walks to the counter, pulls out two dollars, and places them on the counter. "Two black Irish stouts, please. The rest is your tip." Anderson places an order he takes out a cigarette and his lighter to smoke. "Might as well drink my problems down. Tatsumi, I'm glad that you are here but..." The thought of Tatsumi's cheerful face appears until Anderson places his hand on his face
"You entered at a good time Mick," A young well-dressed woman of the night walks close to Anderson and seductively approaches him. "We still got time before more young folks show. Young men come to bars like these to get one last drink in before deploying, others want to dance with a professional before fighting the nazis in Europe. Occasionally behind their parents' backs. While others want to try substances they heard of but want to try nonetheless," She approaches him closely, enticing Anderson and pushing her brunette hair back. "Business for me and my friends boomed after the nazis attacked and before our boys head overseas," The woman of the night pushes Anderson's blonde hair back and looks closer into his blue eyes. "How about you and I get a drink and go all the way? I've always wanted to have a bit of fun with an older man, not with young boys freshly graduated from high school or boot camp." The woman of the night continues to try and entice till his order is presented.
"I thank you for your offer but let me tell you a couple of things," He grabs hold of his first drink and takes his first sip. "I am not Irish for my parents are German and Norwegians, I happened to like Irish stouts," He places it down and grabs his second pint, repeating as the first. "Secondly, I know what you are playing and you most likely are getting a free drink," He places the pint adjacent to the first and turns to the woman. "Thirdly, I am not interested in you or your friends. Pretty of course, but neither are my type. I do hope you find a man who is willing to buy your services. But frankly my dear...," Anderson drinks another sip from his pint. "I don't give a damn," Rejected, the woman of the night turns and leaves. Soon the woman's words turned true, becoming filled with more and more patrons though mostly with men. Anderson looks around in silence as the noise level increases. He checks his watch. "Shit, it's getting late. I should leave and rendevous with the others. But I should get one more in." Anderson calls for the bartender for one more pint, taking out another dollar. "Keep the change."As he scans, thoughts of his friends flash before his eyes old friends whose faces he long forgot the newly forged relationship with the Night Hunters, and the happy faces he sees between Mine and Tatsumi. A place he knows well not to intervene. "I'm starting to lose it." Anderson looks around and spots a group of men. A group like him though not dressed but in black leather, contrasting his navy blue pants and tan patterned gaucho shirt. Anderson moves from his spot and walks over to the group of leathermen. "So how are your nights going, gentlemen." Anderson introduces himself.
Reeds stands outside a hotel holding keys and the initials of each member of the Night Hunters. He turns his head and spots Akame walking alone.
"Akame? Where are the others?"
"Mine, Tatsumi, Lubbock, and Chelsea are at a park catching up. Sheele split off on her own for a private reason. Wave and Kurome also split separately but they're together." Akame reported.
"And Anderson?" Reeds asked.
"He left while we were in the restaurant and covered the tab. He said that he felt off and left somewhere?" Akame reported further. Hearing her report, Reeds becomes more animated.
"Do you know where he went?" Reeds asked but Akame shook her head in response. "Dammit," Reeds curses. "Akame go and round the others up and bring them back here. I'm leaving the responsibility to you. I'll look for Anderson. Do you know what he wore before he left?"
"It was a tan patterned gaucho shirt and navy blue pants. I doubt he would have left the city." Akame responded.
"Thank you. Now go." Reeds quickly enters his car and begins to drive off. "Just what in the devil is Anderson doing?" Reeds thinks as he continues to drive, taking a head count of all of the other Night Hunters except for Blaut Anderson. As midnight draws near he patrols the streets hoping to spot him before anything happens. "If he's still around I might... is that him?" Reeds stops just as he sees Anderson leaving an alleyway after being followed by a group of men in leather. He takes out a pair of binoculars and spots an unseemly sight. He places the binoculars down on the passenger seat and sighs disapprovingly. "Christ not again." Reeds continued his drive. A few minutes later, Anderson steps out of the alleyway after pulling his pants up and tightening his belt. Peering over he steps out seeing the coast is clear.
"That sure was fun, although I must hurry before he figures out I'm not chaperoning. This tough commander act is straining my will and is getting tiring," Anderson walks alone on the sidewalk hoping to reach his car before being caught. "Lately I've been getting stressed by the missions and on top of those Sheele and Chelsea joining," Anderson sights. "Not to mention Tatsumi. Luckily, none have figured out yet. However, my name is a dead giveaway," Anderson stops and looks above at the night sky. "But I dropped the location where we last me. Is he acting or actually ignorant." Anderson questions until a force bears down on him.
"Hey friend, long time no see," Reeds wraps an arm around Anderson's neck bringing his head closer. Hearing his voice, Anderson's expression changes to shock. "When we return to base, you and I will have a once-long chat. Understand, Blaut?" Reeds speaks through his teeth. Carrying over a disappointing message to Anderson.
Arriving at the CIA station, Reeds escorts Anderson inside a room with no bugs set up and no way outsiders can hear from the outside. "Sit, Anderson." Reeds directs Anderson to a seat just across from his own, however, Reeds does not sit. "Do not worry, Blaut, everyone in the Night Hunters are still in Washington and Akame has taken command to look over them. They're all at a hotel so we can speak freely. No bugs. No outsiders listening."
"Allow me to explain myself." Anderson's appeal is silenced the instant he spoke.
"What is there to explain?" Reeds speaks with a stern tone of voice. "What is there to explain? Abandoning a simple job to reach around a few men in an alleyway? What excuse do you have?!" Reeds continued to lambast.
"It was a careless yes, but..." Anderson tries to explain but is cut off mid-sentence.
"But what Blaut?" Reeds continued."From what I saw you decided that a reach around was more important than a mere chaperone job." Reeds continued.
"I think you are babying them too much. In my opinion, it is better to let them explore and-" Anderson tries to speak but is cut off even more.
"Did you forget that they're all revolutionaries from another world?" Reeds continued. "It is important that they maintain their allegiance with the US. Back to the main subject, you," Reeds gestures to Anderson. "That doesn't explain you leaving only to end up at a bar connected to an Italian mafia group in Baltimore and New York. A bar populated by vagrants, prostitutes, drug movers and God knows what. You're lucky no ethnic rival mafia group broke in and shot up the place, or worse yet the FBI," Reeds raises his tone. "This is the third time I've caught you in the act that a Uranian would do not a man of the CIA. The third time! You're lucky it was not any other members of the CIA. But still, are you out of your damned mind?!" Reeds continue to speak as Anderson tunes out.
"Are you done?" Anderson responded, hoping to speak to a calmer Reeds. "I understand what I did is what everyone considers immoral. But I won't apologize for it. You know it well enough. What I won't apologize for is leaving them on their own. I understand that it is negligent to leave them because as you said: they're revolutionaries from another world. A dangerous combination, but I trust them enough not to fall into treasonous actions," Anderson then pulls out a pack of cigarettes. "We both know that is not why we're here," Anderson takes a lighter, lights the cigarette, and smokes. "What I'm not going to do is beg like a dog to stay. Because you need me to stay. The bond I've built with them is the tether that prevents them from defecting to our rivals of the KGB or God-forbid the SS. They do that... we lose our advantage against Hitler and his armies, or possibly they join the Soviets and we all lose. Neither you, I, nor the CIA want that," Anderson sees Reeds pushing the glass ashtray closer to Anderson. "If that happens then Washington will ask questions and all of us will get sacked. It's almost a lose situation in the end." Anderson responds to Reeds who takes everything of what Anderson just told him.
"You are not wrong. Despite your negligence and immoral activity, it is inappropriate to change you last minute. You're all departing first thing in the morning to Iceland and to change you out will be a literal wrench in our plans to infiltrate the Kingdom of England and the Reich. Perhaps even the Soviet Union," Reeds continued, walking to come up with a suitable punishment. "I guess the most I can do is dock your pay under a pretense."
"Fair enough." Anderson shrugs to Reeds toning down his voice.
"It would've been better if it was an escort But like sodomy, using an escort would also complicate things and you could be terminated on moral grounds," Reeds comments. "Your security clearance would be revoked and you will be booted from the CIA. From there I would have to find another green beret who wants to lead this unit. Although they would object and even defeat if worse comes to worse. Finding them was already tricky enough." Reeds continued to think aloud as he saw Anderson taking out and lighting another cigarette.
"Even if I did use an escort, I would still suffer the consequences laid out. There is no difference for me so I'd rather be closer to myself. Unlike most men of my age or younger, I know how to control my urges and stresses. But a change in topic: the Night Hunters defecting because of the CIA kicking me out will spell disillusionment," Anderson begins to have flashbacks of memories of the Night Hunters, meeting each member one by one. "Especially for persons like Tatsumi." Anderson continued.
"The boy that fought for the nazis? Of course, he would be a danger to us. Their loyalties could wane the second anything goes to shit or becomes a human rights violation." Reeds adds to Andersons's sentence.
"Doubt he'll join up with the Nazis again," Anderson continues. "However, we are living in a tumultuous time in our history. Race relations are a mess and this war ain't helping. The zeal we have now that is our advantage would collapse within the next year or two if this war continues to drag on and lives begin to mass. Now that we're getting ourselves involved in Indochina and South Africa, perhaps the citizenry would see it not as a war for justice but for profit. Hell, some of the people see the US in the wrong because of the actions of our agents in trying to kill Hitler," Anderson continues. "Today we are the victims playing self-defense but tomorrow we could be the aggressors. Sooner or later the relationship of the Night Hunters to us may be questioned. I hold no doubts those in Washington would love to meet them for their political gains."
"I can see where you are coming from with those remarks. We are reaching at a crossroads However they lean dangerously on the extreme." Reeds responded.
"Well if that is all done. May I bring up something out of the subject? For the teams of three that you stated for the Night Hunters, I have a couple of recommendations to break them up. Considering you haven't set up any at the moment." Anderson changes the subject.
"Enlighten me." Reeds allows Anderson to continue.
"The comradery between Mine and Sheele is something to take advantage of. But Mine and Tatsumi are already developing romantic feelings with one another. Complications could arise in our missions you know, setbacks will run rampant. More so now since the enemies they're going to assassinate leaders in some of the most secure nations. So perchance, you could rearrange the groups in a way that they won't make romantic connections while on the field." Anderson explained.
"Is that so? I'll keep that in my for when we go to Iceland for our next mission in England." Reeds considers what Anderson explained to him. Promptly the two changed subjects and devised plans to separate the Night Hunters into smaller units until their first full mission in England.
Esdeath's Estate, Greater Germanic Reich
"It's been ten days Esdeath. It's about time that you get over it," SS-Obergruppenführer Steiner comments as he sees Esdeath with her head down as she hunches over her desk. "It is unbecoming of you. Both as a dignified woman of the Reich and a general officer of the German Waffen SS. Hitler's words should not affect you at this point. He may have been harsh to you when you came back but now you are taking things way to far." Steiner continued though it came less as a plea and more as a command.
"How could I?" Esdeath, dressed in her casual clothing, leaned back, looking at Steiner. "Knowing that I have to give them up immediately to the militarists sickens me. If our Führer, Hitler, had not been there I would've easily killed both Herr Göring and Herr Schörner for even suggesting it. Now I have to give up those Americans with the Imperial Arms to the Militarists. Just the idea of those in the Wehrmacht trying to join them is almost a pain in a sense. Worst yet, only God knows what the militarists would do to them if captured," Esdeath continued. "I've already given up a part of my force to Himmler to bring a Burgundian unit to the Reich and now my plans have already been sabotaged by friendly relations. I should've followed my instinct and not listed to Herr Schörner. But when he presented those photos from Greenland to me I could not refuse."
"Frustrate not, Esdeath. Hitler said to capture them but he did not order to bring them alive." Steiner responded.
"And what are you insinuating Felix? It makes little sense to kill them if we cannot use them. If we capture them alive then they have... to... be..." Esdeath promptly catches on. "I see where this is going. We should declare them dead or quarantined. That way the Wehrmacht does not get any of them."
"That is one way to put it, Frau Esdeath," Steiner responded. "Don't forget you too also wield an Imperial Arms as you call it. You could get yourself involved in the frontlines to find them and dispatch them." Steiner approaches Esdeath, stopping just before her desk.
"I could. However, I wish for my Burgundian subordinates to test themselves in combat. I will attempt to corral the Americans to me," Esdeath smirks. "Perhaps then I would get myself back in Hitler's good graces. At the moment the Einsatzgruppen Eis would find them, and a selected company of my division would subdue them. How does that sound?" Esdeath devised a plan.
"Indeed it does sound Esdeath. Indeed it does." Steiner affirms.
"Talking to you has put me in good spirits. It's good to speak with a fellow officer, nothing like -and if you permit me- speaking with Herr Müller and Herr Kaltenbrunner." Esdeath stands up. "Would you care to stay for an Asparagus platter as well as a sparing match done by subordinates?" The offer Espdeath proposes to Steiner is one that he accepts.