Stupid Luck and Happenstance, Thread III
- Thread starter Peabody-Martini
- Start date
Look in the timeline around the guy's birthdate and you'll find it.
I wonder if the 3rd Hussars will pick up some local enlistees in Argentina? Many of the roles of a Hussar can be done by a 2nd, 3rd or 4th son of a Gaucho who can stand long days in the saddle, the outdoor life & can shoot straigh.
Part 136, Chapter 2331
Chapter Two Thousand Three Hundred Thirty-One
11th October 1974
Liebenwalde, Brandenburg
Niko’s arrival at the Depot had not worked out the way that he imagined it would. The 3rd Hussars were preparing to relieve the 1st Uhlan Guard Regiment in Patagonia. The first and only thing that Oberst von Kropp had said to him was that he had put in a personnel request for Troopers who had gone through the Alpine Training School in Bad Reichenhall because that was actually what was needed in Argentina. Niko had been just one part of what he had gotten instead. He then told Oberfeld Boettcher to find something for Niko to do until he figured out what to do with him. It took Boettcher exactly five seconds to hand Niko a shovel and tell him to follow closely.
A Cavalry Regiment that specialized in Guerrilla Warfare had hundreds of horses and mules in addition to whatever modern vehicles they used. Those were Animals that needed to be fed and watered on the north end. All of that moved in a generally southern direction until it became an issue for the Soldaten. That was where Niko came in as one of the youngest men in the Depot. He found himself shoveling manure and fouled straw into a wheelbarrow as Willi, a boy around his age who he had been sent to work with wheeled it away. He had lost count of the number of times he had filled the wheelbarrow over the previous days.
“How can you stand this?” Niko finally asked Willi who had been doing this for far longer than he had.
“Beats the Hell out of starving on the streets” Willi replied, “We get free meals and a warm place to sleep, all that is asked in return is a bit of work.”
Something about the way that Willi spoke suggested that he had experienced those things. Small wonder Niko had never heard him complain about anything. They had been sleeping with a dozen others in a bay of the barracks that reminded him of the one he had lived in back in Wahlstatt. The difference was that he didn’t have Bas around and was at the very bottom of the ladder along with Willi. Regardless of what Willi said, that situation didn’t feel particularly safe to Niko.
Leaving the stall, Niko led the horse, a big gelding, back in. He made sure that the horse had plenty to eat and drink. The horse liked it when Niko scratched behind its ears. Glancing at the number on the stall he saw the number, the one that matched the brand on the horse’s hindquarters. Niko wondered what name its regular rider gave to it. In theory, the horses were not supposed to have names because they might need to be used by different Troopers, but he knew better than that. Horses were often just as affectionate towards their people as dogs.
“You are good at that” Willi said. There had been some effort to teach Willi to ride since he had been sent here after Basic Training which had been entirely Infantry focused. That was a slow process though. Mostly because Willi looked at the horses with considerable apprehension and the horses responded in kind.
“I grew up around horses” Niko replied, “It is a necessity at my grandfather’s house because of the distances involved.”
“Where does he live?” Willi asked.
While Willi had heard Niko’s surname used, he had never made the connection with Manfred the Elder. That seemed impossible, but Niko’s grandfather had once told him why that could happen. When people pictured him, it was as the young Crimson Knight of the Skies, leading JG1 against the British and French. Or more likely these days, the actors who had played him in the movies. Opa laughed at how they were far more handsome than he ever was and most of them had become frequent guests whenever he was at his townhouse in Berlin.
“My family owns land in Silesia, Poland, and Galicia” Niko relied, “Mostly forest though.”
“So, are they rich?”
That was like asking if a mountain was tall. Niko had sat in on discussions where his grandfather’s estimated worth was the topic. One didn’t get to be a Prince-Elector after having started out as a Freiherr without having a lifetime of getting the better part of every deal along the way. That was especially true of someone who was as ruthless as Niko’s grandfather could be.
“They are” Niko replied, “As you can see, I’m not, so here I am shoveling shit with you.”
Willi accepted that and it made logical sense. Though Niko knew that it was far more likely that someone was trying to teach him a lesson. It was the same lesson that he had been required to learn again and again since he had been enrolled in Wahlstatt six years earlier.
It was then that the call came through the stables to fall in. Six years of practice made the response automatic. Niko put everything aside and fell in with the rest of the Troopers who were gathering on the Parade Ground. The entire Regiment wasn’t in Liebenwalde, not yet any way. That would come in the coming weeks as they gathered in preparation for movement. Even so, there were an impressive number of them present. Oberst von Kropp looked at them with an unreadable expression before turning on his heel and walking back to the Administration Building. Niko had realized that the problem that the Oberst had wasn’t with them, it was that peace didn’t agree with him. In the olden days he would have been one of those Officers sharpening his sword on the steps of the French Embassy, daring those inside to take issue.
Niko tuned out the Hauptmann as he gave the day’s announcements. His main consideration was lunch which was going to be served as soon as they were dismissed.
11th October 1974
Liebenwalde, Brandenburg
Niko’s arrival at the Depot had not worked out the way that he imagined it would. The 3rd Hussars were preparing to relieve the 1st Uhlan Guard Regiment in Patagonia. The first and only thing that Oberst von Kropp had said to him was that he had put in a personnel request for Troopers who had gone through the Alpine Training School in Bad Reichenhall because that was actually what was needed in Argentina. Niko had been just one part of what he had gotten instead. He then told Oberfeld Boettcher to find something for Niko to do until he figured out what to do with him. It took Boettcher exactly five seconds to hand Niko a shovel and tell him to follow closely.
A Cavalry Regiment that specialized in Guerrilla Warfare had hundreds of horses and mules in addition to whatever modern vehicles they used. Those were Animals that needed to be fed and watered on the north end. All of that moved in a generally southern direction until it became an issue for the Soldaten. That was where Niko came in as one of the youngest men in the Depot. He found himself shoveling manure and fouled straw into a wheelbarrow as Willi, a boy around his age who he had been sent to work with wheeled it away. He had lost count of the number of times he had filled the wheelbarrow over the previous days.
“How can you stand this?” Niko finally asked Willi who had been doing this for far longer than he had.
“Beats the Hell out of starving on the streets” Willi replied, “We get free meals and a warm place to sleep, all that is asked in return is a bit of work.”
Something about the way that Willi spoke suggested that he had experienced those things. Small wonder Niko had never heard him complain about anything. They had been sleeping with a dozen others in a bay of the barracks that reminded him of the one he had lived in back in Wahlstatt. The difference was that he didn’t have Bas around and was at the very bottom of the ladder along with Willi. Regardless of what Willi said, that situation didn’t feel particularly safe to Niko.
Leaving the stall, Niko led the horse, a big gelding, back in. He made sure that the horse had plenty to eat and drink. The horse liked it when Niko scratched behind its ears. Glancing at the number on the stall he saw the number, the one that matched the brand on the horse’s hindquarters. Niko wondered what name its regular rider gave to it. In theory, the horses were not supposed to have names because they might need to be used by different Troopers, but he knew better than that. Horses were often just as affectionate towards their people as dogs.
“You are good at that” Willi said. There had been some effort to teach Willi to ride since he had been sent here after Basic Training which had been entirely Infantry focused. That was a slow process though. Mostly because Willi looked at the horses with considerable apprehension and the horses responded in kind.
“I grew up around horses” Niko replied, “It is a necessity at my grandfather’s house because of the distances involved.”
“Where does he live?” Willi asked.
While Willi had heard Niko’s surname used, he had never made the connection with Manfred the Elder. That seemed impossible, but Niko’s grandfather had once told him why that could happen. When people pictured him, it was as the young Crimson Knight of the Skies, leading JG1 against the British and French. Or more likely these days, the actors who had played him in the movies. Opa laughed at how they were far more handsome than he ever was and most of them had become frequent guests whenever he was at his townhouse in Berlin.
“My family owns land in Silesia, Poland, and Galicia” Niko relied, “Mostly forest though.”
“So, are they rich?”
That was like asking if a mountain was tall. Niko had sat in on discussions where his grandfather’s estimated worth was the topic. One didn’t get to be a Prince-Elector after having started out as a Freiherr without having a lifetime of getting the better part of every deal along the way. That was especially true of someone who was as ruthless as Niko’s grandfather could be.
“They are” Niko replied, “As you can see, I’m not, so here I am shoveling shit with you.”
Willi accepted that and it made logical sense. Though Niko knew that it was far more likely that someone was trying to teach him a lesson. It was the same lesson that he had been required to learn again and again since he had been enrolled in Wahlstatt six years earlier.
It was then that the call came through the stables to fall in. Six years of practice made the response automatic. Niko put everything aside and fell in with the rest of the Troopers who were gathering on the Parade Ground. The entire Regiment wasn’t in Liebenwalde, not yet any way. That would come in the coming weeks as they gathered in preparation for movement. Even so, there were an impressive number of them present. Oberst von Kropp looked at them with an unreadable expression before turning on his heel and walking back to the Administration Building. Niko had realized that the problem that the Oberst had wasn’t with them, it was that peace didn’t agree with him. In the olden days he would have been one of those Officers sharpening his sword on the steps of the French Embassy, daring those inside to take issue.
Niko tuned out the Hauptmann as he gave the day’s announcements. His main consideration was lunch which was going to be served as soon as they were dismissed.
Niko has his priorities. Food and sleep being at the top of the list. Of course, he does share his cousin and grandfather's love of horses and dogs. Cats not so much.
Part 136, Chapter 2332
Chapter Two Thousand Three Hundred Thirty-Two
18th October 1974
Montreal, Canada
The Canadian Holiday of Thanksgiving had been earlier that week and Marie Alexandra was enjoying the week off. The formal dinner that her grandparents had held had not been the nightmare that she had feared it would be, mostly because her grandmother wanted to keep up appearances and there had been enough other people around for her to have plenty of people to talk to. Marie was certain that her grandmother had also happy that she had gotten a number of compliments about her lovely granddaughter and how happy she must be about her going to McGill University. That didn’t mean that Marie necessarily was interested in staying around the house. She knew that if she were around her grandmother long enough one of them was going to say something that everyone would swiftly regret. Going about her favorite activity of exploring for hidden treasure in thrift stores was far more fun.
Marie had also abided by her promise to her grandfather that she would not antagonize her grandmother. However, that had not stopped her from attending a meeting at a Unitarian Church that she was rather certain that her Grandmother would have kittens if she ever found out. That meeting was not religious in nature, instead there were discussions at length on the subject of Civil Rights. Marie had discovered that she was hopelessly naïve on the subject, learning that in Canada it was Black people, and those who she had been asked not to call Indians again after she had unthinkingly used that term, who bore the brunt of bigotry. Mr. Lewis, who she had met on the street corner weeks earlier had told her about the meeting in the first place, had also patiently answered her questions. Like why he had found her comment about Jews and Poles getting discriminated against in Germany so amusing, for example. His reply was that he was amazed by the power of human ingenuity. That had been something else that Marie had not understood, but this time had not asked him to explain further. Something else that Marie had learned at the Unitarian Church was that the people at those meetings had good reason to be suspicious of outsiders, especially one like Marie who was apparently being followed by more than one surveillance team and they had wanted to know why.
That was news to Marie, and she had been unable to answer their questions. That was why she had not been back either.
She had written a letter to Kage Akio asking for advice on how to handle the situation. Akio was an expert in these matters and wasn’t completely beholden to Marie’s mother like Aunt Asia. She had yet to receive a reply. She hoped that this wouldn’t be repeat of when she had asked him to train her in the art of Ninjutsu a few years earlier. He had told her that mastering that art was a burden that he wouldn’t wish upon anyone. A young woman like Marie needed to live her life in the bright sunlight, teaching her to ply the shadows would be like clipping a falcon’s wings, that was also the origion of the pet-name that he had called her ever since. Marie had a different perspective, she thought that learning to be a ninja would be far better than her present state of being followed around Montreal and be unable to put a stop to it.
Looking at a dress that smelled heavily of mothballs and had a few unfortunate stains, Marie wondered if it could be salvaged. It was the sort that could easily be altered to fit her, and the striped pattern was delightful. In the end she decided that it was too far gone and kept looking. She was hardly paying attention as she passed two women who were looking at a different rack of clothes.
“This will look absolutely adorable” The older woman said holding up a pullover, before her face fell. The younger woman, who Marie recognized with a shock was Henriette had been the girl who she had been pressed to become friends with when she had come to Canada when she was thirteen, looked totally indifferent.
“I cannot do this for you” The older woman said before walking off.
Henriette walked among the clothes, looking at them. As she drew closer, Marie saw that she just looked exhausted.
“Hello Henriette” Marie said with a smile, “Remember me?”
Henriette’s reaction wasn’t what Marie was expecting. She snapped out of her apathy in a heartbeat and just looked stricken. She put her hand over her mouth and fled. The older woman, who Marie remembered was Mrs. Lane, a friend of her grandmother’s years earlier. Too late, Marie realized that she had not seen her around when her grandmother’s inner circle met in the sunroom for tea.
“Look, we don’t want any trouble” Mrs. Lane said, “Your grandmother can be vindictive to those who fail to live up to her standards.”
Marie was a bit confused by that. “That is something that I am perfectly aware of” She replied, “Would you mind telling me what happened?”
“You don’t know?” Mrs. Lane replied growing angry, “Unbelievable! Hennie!”
Mrs. Lane then walked, practically running, off towards the door in the direction that Henriette had gone, and Marie was left standing there wondering exactly that had been about.
18th October 1974
Montreal, Canada
The Canadian Holiday of Thanksgiving had been earlier that week and Marie Alexandra was enjoying the week off. The formal dinner that her grandparents had held had not been the nightmare that she had feared it would be, mostly because her grandmother wanted to keep up appearances and there had been enough other people around for her to have plenty of people to talk to. Marie was certain that her grandmother had also happy that she had gotten a number of compliments about her lovely granddaughter and how happy she must be about her going to McGill University. That didn’t mean that Marie necessarily was interested in staying around the house. She knew that if she were around her grandmother long enough one of them was going to say something that everyone would swiftly regret. Going about her favorite activity of exploring for hidden treasure in thrift stores was far more fun.
Marie had also abided by her promise to her grandfather that she would not antagonize her grandmother. However, that had not stopped her from attending a meeting at a Unitarian Church that she was rather certain that her Grandmother would have kittens if she ever found out. That meeting was not religious in nature, instead there were discussions at length on the subject of Civil Rights. Marie had discovered that she was hopelessly naïve on the subject, learning that in Canada it was Black people, and those who she had been asked not to call Indians again after she had unthinkingly used that term, who bore the brunt of bigotry. Mr. Lewis, who she had met on the street corner weeks earlier had told her about the meeting in the first place, had also patiently answered her questions. Like why he had found her comment about Jews and Poles getting discriminated against in Germany so amusing, for example. His reply was that he was amazed by the power of human ingenuity. That had been something else that Marie had not understood, but this time had not asked him to explain further. Something else that Marie had learned at the Unitarian Church was that the people at those meetings had good reason to be suspicious of outsiders, especially one like Marie who was apparently being followed by more than one surveillance team and they had wanted to know why.
That was news to Marie, and she had been unable to answer their questions. That was why she had not been back either.
She had written a letter to Kage Akio asking for advice on how to handle the situation. Akio was an expert in these matters and wasn’t completely beholden to Marie’s mother like Aunt Asia. She had yet to receive a reply. She hoped that this wouldn’t be repeat of when she had asked him to train her in the art of Ninjutsu a few years earlier. He had told her that mastering that art was a burden that he wouldn’t wish upon anyone. A young woman like Marie needed to live her life in the bright sunlight, teaching her to ply the shadows would be like clipping a falcon’s wings, that was also the origion of the pet-name that he had called her ever since. Marie had a different perspective, she thought that learning to be a ninja would be far better than her present state of being followed around Montreal and be unable to put a stop to it.
Looking at a dress that smelled heavily of mothballs and had a few unfortunate stains, Marie wondered if it could be salvaged. It was the sort that could easily be altered to fit her, and the striped pattern was delightful. In the end she decided that it was too far gone and kept looking. She was hardly paying attention as she passed two women who were looking at a different rack of clothes.
“This will look absolutely adorable” The older woman said holding up a pullover, before her face fell. The younger woman, who Marie recognized with a shock was Henriette had been the girl who she had been pressed to become friends with when she had come to Canada when she was thirteen, looked totally indifferent.
“I cannot do this for you” The older woman said before walking off.
Henriette walked among the clothes, looking at them. As she drew closer, Marie saw that she just looked exhausted.
“Hello Henriette” Marie said with a smile, “Remember me?”
Henriette’s reaction wasn’t what Marie was expecting. She snapped out of her apathy in a heartbeat and just looked stricken. She put her hand over her mouth and fled. The older woman, who Marie remembered was Mrs. Lane, a friend of her grandmother’s years earlier. Too late, Marie realized that she had not seen her around when her grandmother’s inner circle met in the sunroom for tea.
“Look, we don’t want any trouble” Mrs. Lane said, “Your grandmother can be vindictive to those who fail to live up to her standards.”
Marie was a bit confused by that. “That is something that I am perfectly aware of” She replied, “Would you mind telling me what happened?”
“You don’t know?” Mrs. Lane replied growing angry, “Unbelievable! Hennie!”
Mrs. Lane then walked, practically running, off towards the door in the direction that Henriette had gone, and Marie was left standing there wondering exactly that had been about.
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Probably snubbed her from the "in" crowd and talked shit about her for some imagined transgression. That's hurtful if you are silly enough to measure your own self worth by other peoples standards and crave their approval. These freaking people apparently never mentally left high school, a seemingly common affliction amongst certain elements of "high" society.
I am going to venture a guess that Mrs and Miss Lane were looking at maternity clothes.
The harpy almost certainly doesn't approve of unwed mothers.
The harpy almost certainly doesn't approve of unwed mothers.
First the Surveillance Team that is following Marie is going to get at least one Counter-Surveillance Team who in turn will get some Counter-Counter Surveillance Teams of their own, what would be fun for Marie is that she spots the third group and starts following them and then everyone is just basically going in circles.
It won't take long for them to figure out that Marie is having some fun at their expense and maybe that will teach them to respect her and just back off a bit.
Second this encounter with Henriette and her mother shows that Margot is not a "Harmless Bitch" and is causing real damage to other people.
There are so many plausible reasons from Mrs. Lane openly showing admiration for Kat in front of Margot to Henriette being an unwed mother that drew the wrath of Mrs. Blackwood that any guess of ours is reasonable.
It won't take long for them to figure out that Marie is having some fun at their expense and maybe that will teach them to respect her and just back off a bit.
Second this encounter with Henriette and her mother shows that Margot is not a "Harmless Bitch" and is causing real damage to other people.
There are so many plausible reasons from Mrs. Lane openly showing admiration for Kat in front of Margot to Henriette being an unwed mother that drew the wrath of Mrs. Blackwood that any guess of ours is reasonable.
Falkenburg
Monthly Donor
Given Marie’s growing social awareness (and conscience) it would be fitting is her Grandmother’s issue is basic racism.
Quite a combustible scenario and likely to propel Marie’s Character in interesting directions.
Quite a combustible scenario and likely to propel Marie’s Character in interesting directions.
So Marie has just met John Lewis again, this is interesting because as one of the possible butterflies that has happened ITTL is because there isn't the OTL involvement the United States in WW II there isn't as great of a movement of African-Americans from the South to the North.
With the earlier passage of the Voter Rights Act and a later Civil Rights Act ITTL the politics of the South is going to look more different.
The way that various local, state, and federal districts were drawn IOTL there were many districts that were majority black but because of of the laws preventing blacks from voting they had white representatives elected and many of them were arch segregationists.
ITTL there will be an earlier change with more African-American being elected to office and more white moderates who are pro Civil Rights will be elected in districts that have a significant African-American voter base.
With the earlier passage of the Voter Rights Act and a later Civil Rights Act ITTL the politics of the South is going to look more different.
The way that various local, state, and federal districts were drawn IOTL there were many districts that were majority black but because of of the laws preventing blacks from voting they had white representatives elected and many of them were arch segregationists.
ITTL there will be an earlier change with more African-American being elected to office and more white moderates who are pro Civil Rights will be elected in districts that have a significant African-American voter base.
I think Marie is going to open Sir Malcolm's eyes to just how toxic Margot truly is. He has ignored far too much of her personal bigotry.
I think that SIr Malcolm has let the RCMP detail following his Granddaughter know exactly what they can expect, and more than likely, have had ones that worked with her mother brief the new people on what to expect. He might have actually let her know who is team, more for their safety than hers I think, and also let her know he has told them to leave her alone unless she has says a code word, gesture, or something that can let them know she has a problem without shouting help.
The Germans have also let them know they are there, He or the present head would expect it given Kat's position. I can also see between the Germans and Canadians having some kind of work share agreement to cover her with teams from both countries being "read in" so to speak to keep them out of each others way. The wild cards would be any of Kat's personal people not being known to RCMP or Germans.
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Part 136, Chapter 2333
Chapter Two Thousand Three Hundred Thirty-Three
20th October 1974
Liebenwalde, Brandenburg
After days of being stuck in the stables, Oberst von Kropp finally summoned Niko to his office. This didn’t help matters when Niko entered the office and von Kropp made no secret that he hated the smell of him. He wondered what von Kropp had expected to happen considering what he had been put to work doing. The last few days, Niko had found that he could get away from mucking stalls by assisting one of the farriers who worked for the Regiment. That involved doing important work that had a direct bearing on the coming mission in the months ahead. It was something that shouldn’t be lost on anyone in this room, though Niko wasn’t stupid enough to think that they had time to spare much thought regarding him. Movement was only a matter of days away, Niko wasn’t aware of any of the details or the present date for that matter, but that was all anyone was talking about.
“Yes, Nikolaus” von Kropp said looking at him across that desk that dominated his office. “I am rather surprised that you are still here.”
“Why wouldn’t I be?” Niko asked in reply.
“Well, considering the work you’ve been doing, I would have thought that a young man of your social standing would…” von Kropp said his voice trailing off. He had been about to say that he had expected Niko to just quit, that had probably been what he had been aiming for, proving that von Kropp knew next to nothing about him. “Never mind that, you put us in a rather ticklish position.”
Yes, and? Niko thought to himself as he waited for the rest of the Oberst’s thoughts.
“We are going to be shipping out starting tomorrow” von Kropp said, “As you know we are going to the Patagonian Frontier. It is an unsettled region and not without danger. Your Headmaster at the Wahlstatt Institution said that you can return with a glowing report from me, if that was what you want.”
The way he said that suggested what his preference would be.
For Niko, it was a bit different. His whole life he had heard stories about his grandfather, father, and older cousins. What they had done to earn their place in the world. Here he was with a chance to exactly that but was being encouraged to do what was safe. Niko realized even as he had that thought, that if he returned to Wahlstatt now it would set the tone for the rest of his life.
“Then I guess I had better get ready to leave for Argentina, Sir” Niko said, daring von Kropp to order him back to Wahlstatt.
The Oberst just stared at him, looking a bit surprised.
Montreal, Canada
This was probably the wrong thing to do, but Marie Alexandra didn’t like the idea of not knowing what was really going on. Long experience with her mother had taught her that getting surprised by unexpected events was not in her interest. So, that was why she had taken the time to look at up the address of the Lane family. She would have a few answers about what was going on and perhaps she could prove to these people that she wasn’t the sort of ogre that her grandmother was.
It was a brisk autumn day, with the weather report saying that there was a chance of snow that night. The slate grey sky did little to dispel that. During the summer, this neighborhood was probably quite pleasant, with tree shaded streets and the sort of houses owned by management types who worked downtown. These were the people who aspired to greater things. It was easy for Marie to see how the Lanes fell into the orbit of Marie’s grandmother. It was also easy to see how precarious that was. These people managed the businesses that the likes of Margot Blackwood owned controlling interest in, earning her disfavor could cost them dearly.
Screwing up her courage, Marie walked up to the front door and knocked. After a long minute, a woman answered the door. She had an olive complexion and was dressed in the manner of housekeepers. “Yes?” The housekeeper asked in oddly accented French, followed by “Can I help you?” In English.
Marie guessed that those were not languages she was particularly comfortable with. She also made an educated guess where this woman came from.
“I am a friend of Henriette” Marie said in Spanish, though that wasn’t true. “I wanted to see how she is doing.”
“Miss Hennie will be happy to have a visitor” The housekeeper said, happy to be speaking with someone in her own tongue. “Perhaps it will cheer her up, she has been so depressed lately.”
With that Marie followed her into the house. Walking upstairs, she saw paintings hanging on the wall. Mass produced, but in keeping with the décor of the rest of the house. They were along the lines of Marie’s assessment of the rest of the neighborhood.
“Miss Hennie” The housekeeper said, knocking on a door before opening it. Though it was early afternoon, Henriette was still wearing a nightgown. She also had dark rings under her eyes like if she had not slept in weeks. As before she looked stricken to see Marie. “You’ve a guest.”
It only took Marie a few seconds to figure out what was really going on with Henriette. A baby woke up in its cot and started crying which explained why Henriette looked so tired. Henriette looked at Marie despondently until Marie gently picked up the baby and held it on her shoulder rocked it until it stopped crying.
“You are good at that” Henriette said, “While I’m rubbish.”
“Don’t be silly” Marie replied, “I’ve had a lot of practice, with my friend Suga’s little boy, though he is four now, and Kiki’s little girl.”
“You don’t share your grandmother’s objections?” Henriette asked, “Alice is why your grandmother froze my mother out.”
“What do I care?” Marie said as Alice’s breathing became even as she fell asleep. “And I think Alice is a wonderful name. When I was little I read Lewis Carroll’s books over and over until they fell to pieces.”
“Really?” Henriette asked.
“Yes” Marie replied, “My brother thinks I ought to write a dissertation on those books, I mostly have them memorized so it would be extremely easy.”
“Dissertation?” Henriette asked a bit confused.
“I started University this fall” Marie replied, “McGill.”
That turned out to be the worst thing that Marie could have said because Henriette started crying.
20th October 1974
Liebenwalde, Brandenburg
After days of being stuck in the stables, Oberst von Kropp finally summoned Niko to his office. This didn’t help matters when Niko entered the office and von Kropp made no secret that he hated the smell of him. He wondered what von Kropp had expected to happen considering what he had been put to work doing. The last few days, Niko had found that he could get away from mucking stalls by assisting one of the farriers who worked for the Regiment. That involved doing important work that had a direct bearing on the coming mission in the months ahead. It was something that shouldn’t be lost on anyone in this room, though Niko wasn’t stupid enough to think that they had time to spare much thought regarding him. Movement was only a matter of days away, Niko wasn’t aware of any of the details or the present date for that matter, but that was all anyone was talking about.
“Yes, Nikolaus” von Kropp said looking at him across that desk that dominated his office. “I am rather surprised that you are still here.”
“Why wouldn’t I be?” Niko asked in reply.
“Well, considering the work you’ve been doing, I would have thought that a young man of your social standing would…” von Kropp said his voice trailing off. He had been about to say that he had expected Niko to just quit, that had probably been what he had been aiming for, proving that von Kropp knew next to nothing about him. “Never mind that, you put us in a rather ticklish position.”
Yes, and? Niko thought to himself as he waited for the rest of the Oberst’s thoughts.
“We are going to be shipping out starting tomorrow” von Kropp said, “As you know we are going to the Patagonian Frontier. It is an unsettled region and not without danger. Your Headmaster at the Wahlstatt Institution said that you can return with a glowing report from me, if that was what you want.”
The way he said that suggested what his preference would be.
For Niko, it was a bit different. His whole life he had heard stories about his grandfather, father, and older cousins. What they had done to earn their place in the world. Here he was with a chance to exactly that but was being encouraged to do what was safe. Niko realized even as he had that thought, that if he returned to Wahlstatt now it would set the tone for the rest of his life.
“Then I guess I had better get ready to leave for Argentina, Sir” Niko said, daring von Kropp to order him back to Wahlstatt.
The Oberst just stared at him, looking a bit surprised.
Montreal, Canada
This was probably the wrong thing to do, but Marie Alexandra didn’t like the idea of not knowing what was really going on. Long experience with her mother had taught her that getting surprised by unexpected events was not in her interest. So, that was why she had taken the time to look at up the address of the Lane family. She would have a few answers about what was going on and perhaps she could prove to these people that she wasn’t the sort of ogre that her grandmother was.
It was a brisk autumn day, with the weather report saying that there was a chance of snow that night. The slate grey sky did little to dispel that. During the summer, this neighborhood was probably quite pleasant, with tree shaded streets and the sort of houses owned by management types who worked downtown. These were the people who aspired to greater things. It was easy for Marie to see how the Lanes fell into the orbit of Marie’s grandmother. It was also easy to see how precarious that was. These people managed the businesses that the likes of Margot Blackwood owned controlling interest in, earning her disfavor could cost them dearly.
Screwing up her courage, Marie walked up to the front door and knocked. After a long minute, a woman answered the door. She had an olive complexion and was dressed in the manner of housekeepers. “Yes?” The housekeeper asked in oddly accented French, followed by “Can I help you?” In English.
Marie guessed that those were not languages she was particularly comfortable with. She also made an educated guess where this woman came from.
“I am a friend of Henriette” Marie said in Spanish, though that wasn’t true. “I wanted to see how she is doing.”
“Miss Hennie will be happy to have a visitor” The housekeeper said, happy to be speaking with someone in her own tongue. “Perhaps it will cheer her up, she has been so depressed lately.”
With that Marie followed her into the house. Walking upstairs, she saw paintings hanging on the wall. Mass produced, but in keeping with the décor of the rest of the house. They were along the lines of Marie’s assessment of the rest of the neighborhood.
“Miss Hennie” The housekeeper said, knocking on a door before opening it. Though it was early afternoon, Henriette was still wearing a nightgown. She also had dark rings under her eyes like if she had not slept in weeks. As before she looked stricken to see Marie. “You’ve a guest.”
It only took Marie a few seconds to figure out what was really going on with Henriette. A baby woke up in its cot and started crying which explained why Henriette looked so tired. Henriette looked at Marie despondently until Marie gently picked up the baby and held it on her shoulder rocked it until it stopped crying.
“You are good at that” Henriette said, “While I’m rubbish.”
“Don’t be silly” Marie replied, “I’ve had a lot of practice, with my friend Suga’s little boy, though he is four now, and Kiki’s little girl.”
“You don’t share your grandmother’s objections?” Henriette asked, “Alice is why your grandmother froze my mother out.”
“What do I care?” Marie said as Alice’s breathing became even as she fell asleep. “And I think Alice is a wonderful name. When I was little I read Lewis Carroll’s books over and over until they fell to pieces.”
“Really?” Henriette asked.
“Yes” Marie replied, “My brother thinks I ought to write a dissertation on those books, I mostly have them memorized so it would be extremely easy.”
“Dissertation?” Henriette asked a bit confused.
“I started University this fall” Marie replied, “McGill.”
That turned out to be the worst thing that Marie could have said because Henriette started crying.
I could see the BND and RCMP sharing information freely regarding Marie. It's good working practices and helps to ensure that a
Politically Compromised Person who is also a German National is suitably protected.
It wouldn't be a work share, it would be the responsibility of the RCMP entirely with the security attaché for the German embassy very heavily involved. The BND personnel wouldn't blend in like the RCMP would mainly
ANY foreign intelligence personnel, (including German), following Marie would be facing the wrath of the RCMP and the full weight of Canadian law unless they have diplomatic immunity. In which case they'd get PNG'd out PDQ.
That said, that's just my opinion. It's mostly up to @Peabody-Martini what happens ITTL.
Politically Compromised Person who is also a German National is suitably protected.
It wouldn't be a work share, it would be the responsibility of the RCMP entirely with the security attaché for the German embassy very heavily involved. The BND personnel wouldn't blend in like the RCMP would mainly
ANY foreign intelligence personnel, (including German), following Marie would be facing the wrath of the RCMP and the full weight of Canadian law unless they have diplomatic immunity. In which case they'd get PNG'd out PDQ.
That said, that's just my opinion. It's mostly up to @Peabody-Martini what happens ITTL.
Sir Malcolm is going to want them in from the beginning. He knows who he is dealing with here, family of course, and what her Mother is capable of and would make sure that no one wakes up the tiger. Given Malcolm's position and his son's they will make sure to have every thing done to help make this happen as smooth as possible. Having a German team here helping cover Marie actually makes it easier for them by spreading the burden around and lets them cover the continental aspects and lets the RCMP do more with the domestic front.
This will be again a case of not wanting her Mother, both the Germans and Canadians will agree on this, involved in anything going on around her. It would not surprise me if Kage makes an appearance and Malcolm would find a way to help him do his job without letting other people know.