Opening his eyes slowly, he took in his surroundings. His vision remained foggy, and he couldn't help but sigh. His head has shifted slightly on the uncomfortable pillow, making him realize he was in an unfamiliar place.
„Your Excellency?“
His head turned in the direction of the person's voice. He barely managed to make a few words leave his dry throat.
„Who… Who are you?“
„It is me, Ivanko.“
„Oh…“
„Is… Where are we?“
„Dugo Selo
[1], we had to evacuate Zagreb after what happened.“
„And what exactly happened?“
„You do not remember?“
„No.“
„Those damn Greens bombed Banski dvori.“
„How… How many?“
„What?“
„How many perished?“
Minister Farolfi shifted in his seat uncomfortably. He did not know the precise number, but he has seen the bodies. Lightly tapping his fingers on his lap, he replied.
„Around a dozen, Your Excellency.“
Maček's throat started burning. Regret and sadness started enveloping his being. He looked at the cracked ceiling, as if hoping he could just vanish and finally be at peace. Memories started to slowly return to him, making him remember yesterday's events. He remembered the pain, the smoke, the blood…
And him.
„Did… Did August make it?“
Farolfi expected the dreaded question, but its weight still hit him like a ton of bricks.
„No. He… The constables have taken his body to safety. A burial will take place soon, whenever all this blows over.“
A lone tear escaped Maček's right eye. He felt like he would choke on his own sorrow. Still, he felt like he deserved nothing less. The ponderosity of the mistake he has made warrants even greater punishments, and he was ready to take them as they come. He sacrificed the lives of innocent people, men and women who still had so much left in them, so many ideas and wishes that they wanted to and had the power to fulfil. He did not feel ready to face the consequences, he did not feel ready for all
this. These past two months have been nothing short of torture and inescapable stress.
He wanted to return back to that train compartment and just decline what Veesenmayer had to offer. Maybe things would have turned out better for everyone. He could have just simply sat on the sidelines, waiting for his opportunity, waiting for the United Kingdom to restore freedom to his country whenever the time comes because, despite everything that has happened so far, he still retained his faith in the human spirit, in human empathy, in doing what was right. He believed that freedom belonged to the people, and that it will always prevail, no matter what the circumstances are. His optimism still lives on deep inside him, despite being drowned out by the heartless people that have poured into his country from seemingly nowhere.
He was ready to ask Ivanko Farolfi a very important question.
„Ivanko, do you… Do you want to succeed August as Vice President?“
The younger man was surprised at Maček's question. He expected him to ask Juraj Krnjević
[2], Ljudevit Tomašić, or anyone younger and more qualified than him. It was difficult to comprehend that this position actually meant that he would become Maček's successor when the time comes. A lot more weight would be on top of his shoulders, but if the Ban wants him to do so, and if his homeland needs him to do so, then he will accept.
„I do.“
Vladko Maček breathed out a sigh of relief.
„Thank you, Ivanko, you have no idea how grateful I am for that.“
„It's… It isn't an issue, Your Excellency, if it means the safety of the Republic.“
„Did everyone else make it?“
„Yes, but Minister Pernar was heavily wounded, however his condition is stable at this moment. German minority representative Josef Meier
[3] was also not as lucky. His arm was apparently torn off in the initial explosion.“
„Jesus Christ… Is he alright now?“
„Yes, he is, surprisingly enough.“
„Thank God. And what about the civilians?“
„They have all been taken care of as well.“
„Great. That's great.“
Comfortable silence has befallen the two men. Despite the situation they found themselves in, they could still enjoy the occasional calmness that sometimes came to them, wrapping them in a bubble of peace and relaxed thoughts. But alas, all good things must come to an end.
„Ivanko.“
„Yes?“
„I can't see.“
„What?“
„My left eye. I can't see anything. Everything is dark and blurry.“
„Oh God… I'm going to go fetch the doctor.“
„Don't… Look, just don't. I need some rest. I don't want any doctors looking over me.“
„Alright, but if you change your mind, please tell me.“
„I will, don't worry.“
Four soft, barely audible knocks on the door disrupted their conversation. Farolfi immediately turned to the door, inviting the person inside. That person turned out to be Juraj Krnjević, secretary of the HSS as well as president of the now-abolished Croatian Sports Union
[4]. He warmly greeted the men with a smile, taking off his black pork pie hat in the process. He sat next to Farolfi, holding his fashion accessory in his lap. Newly-chosen vice president decided to begin the conversation anew.
„I take it you have good news for us, Juraj?“
„Indeed I do. I was informed by Minister Kemfelja that Operation Hajduk was a resounding Croatian victory.“
„Seriously? Those are terrific news!“
„Indeed they are. The mouth of the Neretva river has been secured and General Laxa has been working on fortifying the positions there.“
„Excellent. Things are looking really good right now.“
„What of the northern sector, though?“
„General Štancer is slowly making progress, but Chetnik bands are making his job really difficult.“
„Chetnik bands?“
„Yes. Apparently Italian authorities have been systematically recruiting Serbs as well as Yugoslav soldiers from the occupied territories and turning them into their own militia who do their dirty work.“
Gears are slowly turning in Maček's head. The new revelation hit him like a ton of bricks. Now he understood.
„Who is their leader?“
„I do not know. No one knows. None of the prisoners that General Kvaternik took in Knin would say his name. They only kept repeating his nickname,
Pop Vatra [5].“
„That is incredibly ominous.“
„I know. No one is sure many Chetniks there are, but rumor has it that there are over a couple thousand of them.“
„Oh God…“
„You do not have to worry, Your Excellency. They don't stand a chance against our Home Guardsmen, I assure you.“
„Thank you, Juraj.“
„And the northwestern defences are safe for n…“
„Juraj.“
„Uh… Yes, Your Excellency?“
„Is my family safe?“
„Yes, they are carefully watched by a battalion of constables. They can visit you whenever you wish.“
„Thank you.“
„You are welcome.“
„Juraj, I have to ask you another thing.“
„Of course, Your Excellency, Anything you want.“
„Would you like to become acting Minister of Foreign Affairs? It is only temporary, for a month and a half or so.“
„Oh… Are you sure I would be a good pick? That position holds many responsibilities and powers. Something I am unsure I will be able to get a grasp of.“
„Please… I have known you for almost two decades now. I know very well what you are capable of, and I have complete faith in you. You can save Croatia, and I know you will.“
„I don't know if I'll be able to survive living with the fact that I was the one gambled the faith of my country away.“
„You won't have to, because that will never happen.“
„You have proven yourself numerous times, and I am certain you will countless times more as Minister.“
Secretary Krnjević stared at the floor, still wrapped in deep thought. His fingers tapped lightly against his hat, creating soft sounds that slowly filled the quiet room.
This quietness was disturbed my Đuka Kemfelja, who with loud steps entered the room, his face red from stress and lack of sleep. He frantically searched the room until his eyes focused on Maček.
„Your Excellency! I have grave news to report!“
„Tell me?“
„Is it really a good time right now? The Ban needs some res…“
„Ivanko, please.“
„Mostar, Bihać, Karlovac and Sisak have been bombed in attacks similar to the one yesterday. However this time they went for civilian objects and buildings. I fear they are using intimidation tactics to sway public opinion against the effort of the Home Guard.“
„Oh no… How many people died?“
„I do not know. Over forty, that is for sure. Our anti-aircraft batteries were able to take down five planes, but none of the pilots have survived, so no further questioning is possible.“
„No. No, no, no!“
Maček punched the wooden side of his bed with his tightly clenched fist repeatedly, feeling completely dreadful and hopeless.
„Minister Kemfelja, please. Can you leave?“
Minister Farolfi stood up, telling everyone in the room.
„I will escort Minister Kemfelja out.“
And with that the two left the old man's new room. Krnjević put his hand on Maček's shoulder, trying to calm him down
„Your Excellency. We'll make it through this. I believe in Croatia, and I will try my damnedest as Foreign Minister to help in any way possible.“
That made Vladko Maček's teary eyes focus on his secretary. His look was that of surprise and shock. He reclined his old body back into the uncomfortable bed without saying a word, only faintly smiling.
*****
[1] A small town around 23 kilometers east from Zagreb. It seems like a good location for the constables to evacuate Maček and his cabinet.
[2] Coincidentally enough, Juraj Krnjević succeeded Maček as leader of the HSS after his death in 1964.
[3] Couldn't find much information on him, but he was a leader of the Volksdeutschers in the NDH IOTL and was quickly replaced by Branimir Altgayer.
[4] Croatian Sports Union (
Hrvatska športska sloga) was the supreme sports body during the Banovina of Croatia, with its main task being the liberation of Croatian sport from the Yugoslav one. It is reasonable to assume this organization would be abolished after Maček's Proclamation of the Republic, since the Croatian Football Federation already left the HŠS in its initial year (1939) and it is reasonable to assume other sports organizations would follow suit after April 1941.
[5] Translated to Father Fire (with
Pop being a term used for Christian priests).
1st Infobox Stuff: Mira Radić was the daughter of Stjepan Radić, founder of the Croatian Peasant Party, making Košutić have very close connections in the party after Radić's demise.
2nd Infobox Stuff: Pretty self-explanatory. The two Italians mentioned are fictional, while Mile Balaban was found on the list just like the previous guy in Chapter II.I.