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Danger on Danger (Prolouge) Never believe anything in politics until it has been officially denied. - Otto Von Bismark
A crowded and smoke filled beer hall in Munich early 1923
Oberleutant Theo (Theodor) Osterkamp drained his 3rd dark beer of the evening. An impressive man even in civilian clothes, he was one of Germany's most distinguished heroes. Only 31, he had been the last member of the German armed services to receive the highly coveted Pour Le Merite decoration as the commander of a marine air wing. It wasn't only decorations Theo had to his credit, he had been the first man to fly a mission against England and had more than 30 victories to his credit.
Tonight he sat hearing the political persuasions of a young political troublemaker named Adolf Hitler and his Nazi party. Politics didn't normally interest Theo, in his heart he still had a soft spot for the monarchy, but he had to admit it to himself, the monarchy wasn't coming back, and they had bungled the war badly. He didn't come for the speech though, a mutual friend of Hitler's right hand man Hermann Goering had invited him for steeply discounted beer and a chance to relive and swap some old war stories with several other pilot friends, including Hermann himself who had promised to stop by their table later in the evening.
Two of his tablemates excused themselves to go find a bathroom; whilst Theo started his 4th beer, alone for the moment he watched more and more intently as Hitler whipped the room into a frenzy.
“.. Do you now appreciate the depth of our National Socialist Movement? Can there be anything greater and more all comprehending? Those who see in National Socialism nothing more than a political movement know scarcely anything of it. It is more even than religion; it is the will to create mankind anew.”
With that Hitler's political army thugs in their brown shirts stood and held up their beer glasses shouting in joy for their leader. Theo allowed himself a smile; the fellows in the army like shirts brought back a warm memory of the days before the war; when the army was a symbol of national pride, and one's service was something to be proud of; the many decorations on their tunics showed him that many a combat veteran had found themselves a home with the Nazis. He listened to the remainder of the speech and soaked it all in and was mesmorized by their leaders ability to hold a room; his bombast, energy and passion more than putting him past the week willed social democrats in Theo's mind.
Two dark beers later as the crowd started to settle into a more conventional atmosphere, Hermann Goering joined the table as promised and their mutual friend introduced them. The two men hit it off swimmingly as they had come from similar places and shared many of the same adventures in the last war. Theo appreciated Hermann's rigor and decisiveness, whilst Hermann was taken in by the bravery implied and the artful telling of Theo's war stories.
As the crowd began to filter out, Goering suggested that Theo consider joining the Nazi party, were there was room for rapid advancement for a distinguished patriot like Osterkamp and that he would be delighted to introduce him to Hitler. Theo didn't know if it was the beer, Goering's charm, or the ambiance, or the nastalgia for the era past; but he took Goering up on his offer and signed the joining paperwork by the front door to become a member of the nazi party