The old man sat down in his seat by the fireside and watched the little flames blazing.
He has some bottles of Riesling, the Ehrenberg's finest selection on the table, aswell as his homemade Apfelstrudel.
Jürgen was waiting for his guests to show up, as this meeting could influence the fate of all these agents. He sighs.
He knows about the current tentions in Rheinland, the others probably do not. Jürgen himself never thought, that this day would come, but he is aware that the time changes. Es ist everything prepared, mein Herr.
Jürgen looked up. Huh? Ah! Danke, Alfred! I hope they arrive soon. The old butler smiled abit. They will, Sir. Your Apfelstrudel is well-known all over Rheinland, no real Rheinländer could resist this, Herr Erbserzherzog.
Jürgen laughed. Don't call me with my titel all the time! You know we don't use them since the von Rohe's day officially! Alfred bows My apologiezes, Sir, but as you know, the tradition lives on, and as you have invited the Kurfürst von Stuttgart today, you will have to stick to these traditions, Sir.
Jürgen stood up and walked to the window to look outside. It had already begun to snow heavily. Jürgen grumbled Snow... Ich hoffe, our guests find the way to the estate, Alfred... Oh, don't be afraid of that, Sir, your Residenz is big enough to find it!
An unmarked shuttle made its way to the courtyard, landing softly on the launchpad though the VP engines still produced a boisterous noise until they were turned off. Half a minute later, the door opened and a blonde woman of clear Rheinland descent came out of the shuttle holding a stick in her hands. She then released the stick which deployed an umbrella to hover over her head and cover her from the snow, a weather typical for Neu Berlin but not for Stuttgart.
The woman's eyes scanned the area before she started walking. The gardens of the Von Thielau Residence looked lovely even though they were capped by snow. Two inscriptions on a column peaked her interest but she didn't stand to examine them, instead she continued walking towards the entrance where an older man was patiently waiting.
"Frau Landers?" The batler asked, his head slightly inclining to his guest.
"Pleasure to meet you mein Herr. I am here to see Herr Jürgen."
"Indeed, he has been expecting you. Please follow me."
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The snowfall has already developed into a storm when the former Direktor arrived at the Residenz.
"Ja leck mich doch einer fett! I cannot see anything, Herr Direktor! Where are you? Sir!" Hans looked around. Then he heared steps in the snow and the voice of his boss yelling at him
"Ich bin hier, Hans! Follow my voice! I cannot see you too!"
A kind voice appeared in front of Volker;
"Gentlemen! We have waited for you! You arrived just in time, Herr Direktor, bitte folgen Sie mir."
Volker's steps were insecure as he didn't see his own feet. Volker grumbled
"We have already spring, where the hack come all these masses of snow from...?"
Somehow, however, the four men found their way into the estate. The security man turned around to Volker.
"Herr Direktor, I don't want to steal you time, the Erbserzherzog is awaiting you, I know." He pulled out a Silver Plate
"But please Sir, your Waffen. Also your men will have to stay with me in the rest of our security staff hier. Trust me, the Residenz ist gut bewacht, Sir." Volker looked at the men and grumbled a bit. But he realized the guard wouldn't let him in, if he refused to hand over his Luger. So he laid his weapon onto the Plate.
"Vielen Dank, Direktor. Now please follow me, Herr von Thielau is already awaiting you."
"Willkommen, Volker! Viktoria!" He shook hands with Volker and kissed Viktoria's hand. Jürgen smiled at the guests.
"Please come in, it's nice and warm hier. Have a glass of Riesling, the Apfelstrudel is still warm, come in!"
Volker grinned
"I hope you have Helles Rheinbier too, mein Freund!"
He followed Jürgen into the room.
A fully armed Wraith lands on Rezidenz private landing area with Lichthammer and two of her most deadly marines,Lara and Herman.
Before exiting Lichthammer gives them instructions for worst case scenario,as she never takes any chances
"As you already noticed Rezidenz is secured.You will say near my ship leave your heavy side arms in Wraith.In case someone tries to mess with my ship prevent him by any means necessery.Since there can be no other then Rezidenz security.If you see them armed coming towards you. - She turns to Lara -You will launch Wraith and use its guns to wipe out security .Herman you already faced worse odds"- She gives him bag of gear including smoke bombs and communication disruptors while giving him her own rifle- "I am sure you understand that if it comes to this my life is in danger and only way you will support me is as I said.I will probably have to give them my gun too.But fear not.You wont lose me that easy"-She removes eyepatch in front of them showing that weapon is online-All you need to do is disable Residenz power core.However this is a noble house.I doubt i am invited to my on assassination.However as I said as long as you are lft to be I am fine.If you see them approachin armed and outnumbered.Dont wait demands or requests launch Wraith.If something happens to Herman ,do give him air support.
During thier speach two armed security guards approach Wraith as they see the three landers stoping their speach and turning to them
""Greetings ,Frau Lichthammer?"
""Ja,It is me.My sencier appologies for being late.I hope Herr Jürgen is not disturbed by my late."
"Negative,you arrived just in the last hour.Everyone is already here.Please follow me -One security guards says while the other remains position at the Wraith with Lara and Herman
As they approach Rezidenz Hanna holds security guards hand looking at him very unpleasent giving him creepy vibe with the eyepatch saying
The two marines you saw are most trusted escort delivered to me from Buro.Their duty is to guard the ship.Therefor they will not leave its area.If do be kind and report at once.Otherwise I really hope -Her hand grab suddenly becomes a bit more hard and painful.-I wish to see them the way i left them after the meeting is over
She lets his arm and smiles for a sec.
Confused security guard starts speaking
Frau Lichthammer ,there is no need for you to worry .Your escort will be fine.I hope we have done nothing to make you feel ancious .Herr Jürgen would not want you to feel unwelcome
She puts her hand on his sholder smiling - Then what you worried about?We have an understanding.In case of any sort of security breach.You are going to be given their support.But know this.If you fail with your job I will personaly take the investigation.I trust von Thielau.And i trust everything will go peacefuly as planed.As much as you I am as well responsable for lives of ppl inside Rezidenz.I most generously demand that you see this meeting go safe.I may have upset you but once this is all over in silence we may go grab some drink later - She smiless while pulling out her gun and giving it to Security guard
As he delays for a secund he salutes her - "By my life i assure you,you can relax knowing all these men including your marines will die first before Rezidenz is even approached.Also you are surendering your gun inside.On a silver plate"
-"Wunderschon.I wish i had more people in my crew like yourself - She smiles again as she turn her back an slowly enters the Rezidenz.
The Von Thielau Residence was as magnificent as its gardens outside. The experienced eye could discern that this was a place full of history with drops of nostalgia for a past long gone. A few moments later the agent gently removed her coat and gave it to the batler. She then proceeded into the main hall where her host was waiting for her.
Viktoria was wearing heels with leather trousers followed by a semi official suit, in order to present a professional look with unofficial characteristics. This was supposed to be a friendly meeting in a civilian setting, after all.
"Viele Danke Herr Jürgen!" she said accepting his kiss, and smiling broadly. She then turned to former Direktor Volker.
"Direktor, it's very gut to finally meet you. I was transferred to the Büro after your retirement." she explained as a former member of the [RM-MND]. Even if she didn't have the pleasure before, Volker was a legend and she had much respect for the man.
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Volker smiles, stands up and shakes her hand. "Frau Landers, Ich fühle mich geehrt, it's always good to see some Rheinwehr pilots who go on serving the Vaterland after their Pflichtdienst in the military…" He was interrupted by one of the security staff in a military uniform. "AAACHTUNG!" the guard shouted into the room as Vizeadmiral Karl-Heinz von Thielau entered the room. "Rühr'n! Jesus Christus, Soldat, there is no need to shout at the Offiziere in this room so loud, they all can hear you pretty well." The old officer chuckles. The look around in the little room and his eyes begin to glow as he spots his old friend sitting next to the fireside. Himmel Herrgott, VOLKER! It has been a long time!" Volker grinned. "It's been 800 A.S. at the Ostfront last time, mein Freund. A lot of things have happened since then... We can talk about these later." Jürgen looked amused at his father who is even more excited at that evening as the last three months together. In this moment Hanna Lichthammer entered the room. Karl-Heinz turned around as he heard the door opening. He looked at the attractive woman and grinned. "Ja soll mich der Blitz beim Scheißen treffen!" He went to Hanna and kissed her cheeks. "Vizeadmiral Karl-Heinz von Thielau, at your service." Alfred, the butler came in and looked at Jürgen Is everyone here now, Sir? The Hauptinspektor looked around. "Nein. Kommissaroberrat Stieglitz is still not here. Please be so kind and wait for him, Alfred!" The butler bowed and went outside. Jürgen turned to his guests again. "Now, everyone, you may take a seat. Alfred set up some Glühwein as reaction to this weather."
Viktoria exchanged a few more words with the Direktor. Being in the Service since 818 A.S. the duo had much to talk about. Then the noisy entrance of the Vizeadmiral occurred interrupting their conversation. The agent wanted to speak to and greet Karl-Heinz as well but he seemed to be occupied with Hanna Lichthammer.
As she was running out of time and not wanting to interrupt them, Viktoria had a seat instead.
.
"Ok, let's come to the point then, Frau Landers, we have unfortunately some topics to deal with. The most important one after your recent Beförderung." Jürgen takes out a bunch of paper and looks for the right one with the information he needs on it. "Sooo… Ah! Now I have it. You wrote in your application, that you want to join the Inspektorat. As Herr Generalinspektor Ohlendorf is too busy these days, I will do this little talk with you, as I'm his Vertreter. Now, please tell me, is our department still the most attracting one for you? At least I hope so." He chuckles a second but then looks serious at Viktoria again.
Viktoria was seated, her legs and hands crossed while listening to Jürgen.
"Oh dear, am I going to be interrogated this before even the apfelstrudel arrives? " she said, laughing.
"Well, yes you are correct Herr Jürgen. Due to my former experience, I was transferred in the Büro for the purpose of eventually joining the Inspektorat." she explained while looking at the man with interest.
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"Oh, Frau Landers!" He laughed. "The Apfelstrudel is already hier, take a look, over here!" He stood up and walked to the neighboring table. He took two pieces of Apfelstrudel from the gold plate, one for himself, one for Viktoria. "Alfred! Die Sahne! And the Vanilleeis!" He looked at Viktoria. "Now, as the older one, I'd like to offer you the 'du'." He took his Glass of Bier to clink glasses.
