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You do TLAW's now?
Yes, I can't devote myself to a long term project like a regular TL, and this is a good compromise.
Well, that's surprisingly forward thinking of you. Good luck. Whats your POD
First one i'm not gonna say because its gonna be pretty obvious in a second. The second I will reveal later. Thank you, so without further ado...
Go East Young Man!
Kiev, Ukraine
June 4th, 1965
Klaus drove his Ford 300 through the rainy streets of Kiev and looked on as celebrators continued to flood the Maidan. There they chanted pro-independence slogans at the government buildings surrounding the square. After the pro-independence candidate Nikita Khrushchev's election last September Ukraine has been the latest nation to begin a slow sway over to the Russians. However if Poland was going to be an example the Germans would be here any month now. The Ukrainians knew that to and they had prepared. Across town Klaus had seen the Ukrainian military preparing to march out for military drills. Klaus wondered to himself whether they were for practice, a show of force, or a combination of the two.
Klaus pushed the thought of another war out of his mind as he pulled up to the Kaiser Cafe. It was a small joint, selling a variety of Slavic and German meals for modest prices. Klaus ordered a bratwurst and sat at a wrought iron table outside under a large umbrella. Across from him was another man with Ukrainian features and calloused hands. His face lit up as did Klaus's and they shook hands.
"Klaus! I thought you weren't coming! You were due half an hour ago!" The man exclaimed.
"Sergi you know me, always late. Hell, i'm gonna be late to my own funeral if this keeps up." Klaus responded playfully. Sergi let out his signature deep, belly laugh at that. He was a nice guy. About 30 or 40 and Ukrainian born, German raised. He was a product of the infamous Zusammenhalt program. Klaus was to, he didn't like to think about it.
Sergi leaned forward "You obviously didn't come here on such short notice just to play catch up. What do you want to know?" Sergi asked.
Klaus was the political attache for Die Zeit newspaper. The recent historical political upheaval in Ukraine drew him and other reporters like flies to a corpse. "Sergi, what do you get about all thats been happening lately." Klaus asked, motioning to the Maidan down the street.
"Oh that? Its just a bunch of liberal hicks celebrating a temporary arrangement. Even if Nikita is not thrown out pretty soon there is no way he can carry out his platform." Sergi scoffed as he laid back in his chair.
Klaus jotted down some notes and looked back up "Did you vote for Khrushchev?" he asked.
"Me? Fuck no. Things are great here and being free is just gonna fuck all that up. Hell, the Russians are barely keeping their own country together, that does not bode well for ours if we shove Ukraine under its wing." Sergi said, partially annoyed.
"So how do you expect the Germans to respond?" Klaus asked after taking some more notes.
"You're the German here. I should be asking you that." Sergi responded.
"Look, I need a Ukrainian perspective for the newspaper. Please." Klaus asked.
"Fine. Im expecting German Feldgrau marching into the Maidan within the week." Sergi said reluctantly.
"Do...do you want that to happen?" Klaus asked.
"Yes. Like I said before. Siding with Russia is going to ruin this country." Sergi said.
Klaus nodded before jotting down more notes. He then closed his notebook as his food arrived. Klaus doused the braut in ketchup and mustard before taking a large bite. He gagged a little before putting the braut back down.
Sergi chuckled "You don't like Ukrainian braut?" he asked
Klaus smiled as he swallowed the mouthful "I guess ever since i got swine flu last time I ate a Ukrainian braut my palate as soured." he said sarcastically.
The two friends chuckled and sat wordlessly as Klaus scarfed down the braut. Afterword Klaus and Sergi stood, shaking hands again before Klaus spoke up "Well Sergi. I will call you soon, however I must take my leave. I need to get back to Germany and publish the story." he said. Sergi nodded acceptingly and they parted wordlessly.