Essen, Germany – 22 April 1943

Half a year has passed since Lutz took over. Although after the takeover most of the Assassins acknowledged Lutz's leadership, a small number of Assassins refused to. They didn't try to free the old Mentor and Council, but they refused to follow Lutz's directions. But as the fight went on, they slowly became convinced. Either that, or they started begrudgingly following Lutz because this was not the time for disunity in the Brotherhood. Uncle Rudolf was one of the last ones to acknowledge Lutz's leadership, and he did so with disgust. He now does the missions assigned to him, but every time they met in the hallway, Uncle Rudolf would refuse to speak with him, and he would just ignore him.

With these thoughts in mind, Jan went to the council chamber. Though Lutz sometimes uses his old study for more private conversations, generally he conducts his business here these days. The raised platform with the tables and high seats remained, but now between the door and the semi-circle was a large table where a map of Germany and the surrounding countries was laid out. There were no chairs, and everyone would stand around the table with Lutz at its head.

When Jan arrived, Lutz was already at the head of the table. Elisabeth was to his left. There were other Assassins assembled around the table. The spot to the right of Lutz was reserved for Jan himself and that's where he moved to. To his own right was Caspar Klaproth, a young Assassin who has effectively taken the place of Kevin as one of Lutz's three most trusted lieutenants. Tall, lean, with cropped blonde hair, blue eyes, and a defined jawline, he seemed more like a Nazi poster boy than an Assassin trying to take them down. He was wholly devoted to Lutz and had been under his wing since before Jan had met Lutz. He was energetic, loyal, and skilled. Although he was no replacement for Kevin, Jan got along just fine with him, and so did Elisabeth.

"Welcome, brothers, sisters," Lutz began with a loud voice that echoed throughout the whole council chamber.

"I thank you all for gathering here today. Before we begin today's important discussions, I would like to say a few words of congratulations to all of us for all the good work we've done in the past half year. Ever since the old Council was removed, we have finally begun taking the offensive. And we have made sure the Nazis and the Templars feel the pain. But this is only the beginning. We are not in this war merely to fight. We are in this war to win! And together, that is no longer a fantasy. It is a future reality!"

The Assassins cheered in celebration; Jan included. Lutz's leadership had revived the dormant Brotherhood, and Jan had never seen the Brotherhood so full of energy and will. It was apparent in the eyes of each Assassin he met in the hideout. There was a fire in each and every one of them.

"And now, to the order of business. Courtesy of our good friend Neuner, who has been so generous as to provide as much information as he could willingly." Lutz paused for effect, and there was laughter around the room. "We have discovered that what the Templars are looking for is a weapons' vault. But not just any weapons' vault, apparently a vault so ancient that it possibly predate human civilisation. It apparently belongs to an advanced race of people known only as The Ones Who Came Before. Theirs was apparently a civilisation that puts to shame even our modern civilisation. And this includes their weapons. Apparently, the Templars are seeking this vault in order to end the war once and for all."

There was silence around the room as the Assassins digested what they had just heard. Jan was the first to speak.

"No offence to Neuner, but this sounds like mythological mumbo jumbo. We've never heard of these Ones Who Came Before. This sounds like superstition or old wives' tales."

"Indeed. I find it hard to believe in myself. But whether it is true or not doesn't matter. What matters is that the Templars believe it exists, they want it, and they have spent their unlimited resources on it. That value itself is enough for us to have to act, to make sure that whatever it is they find does not fall into their hands."

All the Assassins nodded their head. They were of one mind, their thoughts and will expressed and led by Lutz himself.

"Knowing that, we have two pieces of information. One, its location is somewhere in the Black Forest in southwestern Germany. Neuner has produced a map which should be able to lead us to the general area. Second, it requires some sort of key. And our activities thus far have pointed to a certain Frau Hauschka who seems to possess this key. Due to our sister Elisabeth's efforts, we have discovered that she is in Magdeburg, in hiding and under the protection of at least three battalions of Schutzstaffel Templar soldiers.

"We will focus our efforts first on the key. There is no point in finding the location if we cannot open it. It will not be an easy task. As usual, we take the offensive. But we are Assassins, we work in the shadows. We will not mount a frontal attack. A team of ten Assassins, led by Jan, Elisabeth, and Caspar, will steal the key from Hauschka and kill her in the process. The others, we will prepare for the journey into the Black Forest to find this… whatever it is. Am I clear?"

They all nodded and shouted yes in unison.

"Good, then you may prepare. Jan, choose your team."

Jan nodded. The Assassins began to leave, with Jan, Elisabeth, and Caspar trailing at the back.

"Jan, Elisabeth, Caspar."

They stopped just before leaving the room and turned to look at Lutz.

"We need that key. Kill Hauschka if you can, but what's most important is that you get out of there alive. Understood?"

"We'll get it done, Lutz," Jan assured him.

"Good. Now go."

They nodded, and the three of them left.