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Bruchsal, Frankfurt system, 829 A.S.

Prelude

150 years after the founding of the Bundschuh movement...

These are unnatural times in Rheinland. It seems as if space is ushering in a zero hour in the remote corners of the nation. Just as Rheinland has continued to change socially and politically in recent years, so too has the Bundschuh been a self-transforming ensemble of freedom fighters and idealists.

Bruchsal, as the central vantage point of this movement, was never intended for the multitude of people who gathered here every few years. In their zeal and need for a safe haven, the young activists did not necessarily think about everything when this beacon of change was established. The station is bursting at the seams. Hangars are crowded, and shouts and slogans can be heard over almost every level throughout the station, more so than was the case anyway.

On the 150th anniversary of the Bundschuh, it was that time again. Activists from all corners of Rheinland made an almost religious pilgrimage to the heart of the Widerstand. Some had never seen Bruchsal before. But not only the Bundschuh itself, but also close confidants, allies, and interested people, who were initiated into the secret of the Widerstand, wanted to be part of this event.

Bruchsal fell victim to a concept called "democracy". For the Bundschuh, this meant several days full of arguments, discussions, quarrels, but also political zeal. It was a struggle in and of itself. Influence, resources, credits, fame, and new members were central aspects of this gathering. On these days, the future is always decided anew, as it was this time.
The days consisted mostly of presentations and discussions, both between the different subgroups and cultures of the movement and within the individual groups themselves. It was a time of ideas and reflection. Never is the Bundschuh more self-critical than these days. Most reformations occur at this time, as do most foundations and dissolutions. The spirits are united in the will to change something, but not the methodology of this endeavor. Accordingly, things get heated at the station.

The main act of this event was the meeting in the large auditorium of the station. Here, the faction representatives as well as voted nonaligners are given a chance to find activists and financial support for their cause, it was the most sought-after moment of the anniversary events....

Day 1 - Arrival

I notice every year when it starts. A supply ship brings provisions for the activists to the station's storage facility.

"This is the sign." I thought to myself.

Peace and quiet are over from now on, the focus is now solely on the Widerstand. I looked out of my office and saw the many station leaders in charge walking through the hallways with tunnel vision, datapads in hand and an edge of nervousness. I don't know why they never get used to it, but neither do I honestly. Every time the Bundschuh gathers it's like meeting a part of your family that you do not know, that you may not even like. Nevertheless, you look forward to it, to the many like-minded people, the ones who do not shoot directly at you, if it presents an opportunity.

The following day was the day.

In preparation for the anniversary, most members come earlier to witness the whole process, maybe they have something planned. However, it is not too rare that some activists show up in the auditorium only for the speeches. I remember waking up in the morning because I heard the many voices on the landing pads all the way to my bedroom. It was uneasy. Very uneasy. I assumed this was due to the recent political changes.

For most people in Bruchsal, the prelude to the anniversary was the worst. Even in our circles, after spending some time at the station, people identify with the atmosphere and the individuals they see. This image is usually trampled and the tolerance we stand for is put to test. In the end, we are only human, too.
As the many activists were escorted to their quarters, there was a commotion. I saw several doors open, heard many complaints. "Don't act like animals!" some older members said, I had to laugh. Fortunately, violence among activists is rare even in these times. Even if many Rote Adler would possibly want it otherwise. I am very glad about that, we must not fight ourselves from within.

The canteen where I usually had lunch was, without surprise, very crowded. I saw how already only a few hours after the arrival of the people, the discussions committed. They just can't leave it alone. Always in it with a full head of steam. I sat down next to a lady a few years younger than me, I assumed she barely noticed me as she was intently reading a hologram book.

I couldn't stop myself from reading along with individual words as I ate and calling the lady on it.

"Ah, The Iron Empire by Eltmar Strossel, an interesting book, though I don't entirely agree with the author's political commentary." I said and smiled. I turned my head away from the lady, I guess she hadn't heard me.

"Excuse me? Oh, that, yeah right." She replied and laughed.

"I'm sorry, I didn't even notice you, what did you say?" She closed her hologram and turned to me.

"Oh, just that I find the book interesting." I replied, feeling kind of uncomfortable. I felt like an intruder and continued eating.

"I'm reading the book for my degree in Rheinland Art, right now I'm writing a paper on how the Empire affected art back then, it takes good references to the political situations. My name is Isabella Laubrecht!" I paused for a moment. Such a young student, here on Bruchsal.

"Paul Botzler. You're a student? Where do you study?" I asked again, wiping my mouth and turning to the lady as well.

"At the Kaiserin Leicht University on New Berlin. Are you here for the anniversary too?" She smiled kindly at me.

"I'm stationed at Bruchsal, I'm one of the speakers at the anniversary." Her eyes widened, I was very confused for a moment, but then it blossomed. There was no resistance fighter sitting next to me.

"Forgive me, you are not with the Bundschuh, am I right?" She glanced nervously to the side, her previous joy curbed.

"No, but I have friends who belong to the Bundschuh and told me about this event. I had to swear to death not to tell anyone about this place. Everyone thinks I'm on a research trip in Bretonia!" She chuckled lightly.

"If you're one of the speakers, you must speak for a faction, who are you speaking for?" She took a sip from her glass and put her holopad in a pocket.

"I speak on behalf of the people in Rheinland and the supporters I gathered along the way, no specific faction, not yet." I replied, looking thoughtfully at the table.

"Have you been with the Bundschuh for a long time?"

"Yes, a very long time. I've met good people during all this time, we've stayed in the background until now, but soon we'll present our ideas for the movement and hopefully gain more members." Answered.

"How many are you?" Asked the lady curiously.

"It's hard to say, but I have close confidants that I have to meet with later as well, who are setting all this up with me."

We talked for a while longer about the Bundschuh, our origins, and Rheinland. We got along surprisingly well, despite the small age difference. It was pleasant to tell a new person, who was not already in the Bundschuh, about my group's alignment. She assured me of her support and then said goodbye.

"Back to reality." I thought to myself and went to join my comrades for more planning.

Day 2 - The preparation

I did not sleep well the next night. Too many thoughts were buzzing in my head. Soon it was time, soon we would have to make ourselves known. I was nervous. I was afraid of the reaction of my brothers and sisters. Afraid of the responsibility and of what was expected of me. We had already gone over our formation several times. Still, the feeling of being ready never arose in me, but I had to ignore that. After a restless night, I consulted with my members about the final steps of our movement.
The walk to our conference room was immensely difficult. The sound of the metal floor beneath my feet rang in my ears as I made my way. I knew they would already be waiting for me. It was meant to make some impression, I'll admit that much. Our movements are designed to evoke emotion, of course, it was never my plan to inspire awe in others. They were supposed to be fighting with me, not under me. Still, there had to be a slightly dramatic entry into this final act of management.
When I entered the room, my key members were already waiting. They sat gathered around the large table, deep in their conversations.

"Good afternoon, fellow activists." I said as I came to my seat. I put my coat around the chair, which elegantly slid back. I did not sit down. I wanted to stand in front of my seat. The rest of the members turned in my direction. I nodded to the rest of the organizers who were sitting at the remaining seats on the curved table.

"I am very happy to welcome you all here. We have come a long way and are finally close to gaining an official position in the Bundschuh. I am convinced that we can use our ideas to make the Bundschuh flourish once again, now Rheinland needs us more than ever." I took a firm stance.

"Herr Botzler, we think it would be appropriate to record this conversation for our members and distribute it accordingly." Said a woman at the left end of the table.

"Thank you for reminding me, Frau Merryweather. Please do. I would like to offer every member the opportunity to participate in this meeting." I Replied.

"Well then." I initiated the visualization. A hologram appeared behind me, continuously displaying the most important points.

"I would like to begin by explaining the doctrine of our movement for the last time for our members who are not in close proximity to our deeds." I turned directly to the camera.

"All you who have hope in the Bundschuh. Have hope in Rheinland. Have always been ready to give your lives for the cause. But the core of our strength does not lie in our belligerence, our violence, or our ferocity. It lies in our ability to reach people's hearts and minds. We believe that the Bundschuh gains its strength through conviction. And we believe that even the most deceived people in Rheinlandcan be convinced to support us by appealing to their reason. We are convinced that violence against Rheinlanders should be used only when necessary and that by doing so we will make people understand that resistance can succeed even with minimal bloodshed. No longer should the victims of our exploitative and corrupt system believe that we, who have their best interests at heart, are in any danger to them. Let us not succumb to the propaganda of the emperor and his string-pullers." I paused for a moment and looked down.

"But I do not expect anyone to make a sacrifice without appreciation for their own lives. We will not give up without a fight and will oppose with all our might anything that threatens us and Rheinland. We want to represent a movement in the image of the Bundschuh that selflessly sacrificed itself in the war against a Rheinland infiltrated by nomads to stop a war against Kusari. We still have the power to be a symbol of hope." The remaining members applauded. It was still unusual to receive encouragement for this kind of speech.

"Now I don't want to bother you any longer with my idealism. Let's be clear about what we are doing."

Thus began our meeting. I sat down. For hours, we discussed the best course of action once we had our activists. We planned our approach in detail. Transporters, ships, weapons, financing, people. Until Frankfurt night, the movement was consolidated. At the end of the meeting, the room emptied. Tomorrow, these people would be waiting for me in the auditorium. Frau Merryweather came up to me and addressed me.

"You know, Herr Botzler, I hope you realize that supplies are going to be very tight. Even though you have such an idealistic view that it will take care of itself. If you are wrong, we will quickly be in the red at Bruchsal's storage unit." She warned me. An accountant in all senses of the word. I had to laugh a little. She was right. Our logistical situation was far from ideal.

"You know, Frau Merryweather, if I didn't have you, this whole plan would collapse." I replied ironically.

"You can be sure of that. I just don't want our movement to get into discord with the Bruchsal logistic officers shortly after the announcement. You know yourself how much they hate to give more than comes in." She said to me in a stern tone. She was like a mother at that moment. Of course, that was reinforced in no small part by her older age.

"We're going to make this work. More people will join us, if necessary I will fly the freighters myself at the beginning. I'm not too shabby for that, even as the face of this all." I replied assuredly.

"Your position as the leader can also be voted out of you very quickly!" She said with a humorous face. Then she tapped me on the shoulder.

"You'll be fine, child. Your father would be proud of you." She left the room.

I was left alone. That last sentence gave me an uneasy feeling. I hadn't really faced that much anxiety about impressing a man I didn't see often until now. Yet something triggered this in me. I sat for a few more minutes before deciding. To get some sleep. There was a speech to give.

Anniversary day - Anticipation

The air on Bruchsal was unusually thick and filled with an atmosphere of tension. I sat in my sparsely lit room, hunched over an aging tablet. My right foot bobbed in a constant pace In the background, all that could be heard was the hiss of the slowly rotating fan, as well as a kind of man-made murmur.

A loud noise interrupted the silence that was typical of Bruchsal. I straightened up and turned in the direction of the door. "Come in." I said,sort of startled.

"Herr Botzler, the spokesman for the Festung has just been given the word. You should also go to the auditorium." Said Frau Laubrecht to me. She was keenly keeping up with our meetings and read up on what our plan was in the last few days.. Her worried look countered my stoic face which brow trembled in uncertainty. "Thank you, Frau Laubrecht, I'll be right with you." I replied, nodding to her with trained confidence. After the door closed again, I took a breath and stood up. At first on heavy legs, I went to my desk and laid the tablet on the metal surface.

As expected with the main event being today, the corridors on Bruchsal were more crowded than usual. The people to be seen were more diverse. I had never encountered most of these faces before. On the many different uniforms were various pins representing all kinds of symbols. Some bore a symbol of a hand with a quill, some a candle, others carried White Roses. It was impossible to examine them all. I eyed the figures I encountered with caution yet also great interest. "Excuse me." I uttered as he bumped into a grim-faced man with jet-black hair in a narrow doorway. "Watch your step silver tongue." The man hissed back. I looked indignantly at the back of the man's head as he continued. A bloody scar in the shape of an eagle was what burned into my mind as I continued to wander down the metal corridors of the lower levels on Bruchsal.

The sound of voices shouting in disarray grew louder with each step. The closer I got to the auditorium, the more people rushed past me from both directions. Some with determined looks, some with horror, some with despair. A blind man could have known where he was.

An elderly gentleman approached me as I entered the great hall of the auditorium. "Ah, Herr Botzler, where have you been? You must be getting ready." He uttered in an excited voice.

"I am glad to see you, Herr Ehrengart. I thought you were going to speak for the NCCPE yourself today, what happened?" I looked puzzled and eyed the gentleman's suit, which, unlike usual, did not proudly display the typical symbol of the NCCPE.

"Our time has pretty much come. The Nurembergers have joined us in great numbers." He laughed. "I think we are the first Bundschuh activists to disband because they have achieved their goal."

We shared a laugh and shook hands. I looked down the steps to the ground of the auditorium, my smile fading. "I don't think that's going to happen again anytime soon."

"Ach!" He nudged my shoulder. "Don't make such a long face, you don't know what the mood is this year. People are finally in a good mood again." He said fulfilled. However, I could not directly share his undivided euphoria and gruff humor. I turned back to the man.

"You can probably hear the cheers of the Rote Adler rejoicing over another destroyed convoy. Another casualty we should not attribute to our movement." I replied in an irritated voice. My look changed to seriousness.

Just as he was about to reply, several more members joined the hall. "Oh man, once again no time to hear the whole speech. That history lecture had to go on for hours too long again." A small group of students, who could not have been older than 20, pushed past us and ran down one of the many staircases. We stood rooted to the spot when wecaught sight of the young group. It evoked a great sense of nostalgia of earlier times.

"Maybe we should go downstairs. Frau Laubrecht was expecting me some time ago anyway, as do the rest of our people." I went down the steps. Herr Ehrengart followed me. It was only as I climbed the stairs that I noticed the actually piercing sound of the current speaker's voice. Nevertheless, the commotion in the hall was audible. None of the rows was silent, not even their own. Conversations could be heard from everywhere, some rows ranging from whispers to attempts at loud heckling.

I looked at the faces of the people I passed. That was them. The future of the nation and the hope of all the people out there. It was partly a blessing to see these many bright people. Full of zest for action. But it was also a prime example of the disunity of the Bundschuh movement.

"Finally, there you are, who is that?" Asked an excited Frau Laubrecht. "Johann Ehrengart, former chairman of the NCCPE, my pleasure." Herr Ehrengart bowed slightly to the much younger lady. "Isabella Laubrecht, non-party, is also a pleasure." She remained standing as before and merely returned a friendly smile to the gentleman before turning back to me.

"Herr Botzler, you will be on any moment. I am counting on your words." She said with a serious tone. I nodded in agreement and looked toward the podium. At the top of the wall, which was behind the podium, hung the Bundschuh Eagle. A dark green, barely maintained symbol, its terse but venerable appearance reflected all too well the Bruchsal base and the Bundschuh movement.

"And therefore I expect from you, my comrades, a resolute and severe action against the enemiesof the Rheinwehr ." A non-negligible portion of the crowd began to cheer. "The oppression of citizens loyal to our movement must no longer be tolerated. We will continue, in the heart of Rheinland, not to leave our comrades behind!" The hall shook. Paul looked around and saw various people jumping up and cheering. Others just shook their heads in disappointment and folded their arms.

As the speaker walked off the stage, the moderator for the event stepped behind the microphone. "I have the pleasure of asking Paul Botzler, nonpartisan, to the podium next."

The hall became crowded with whispers. Everywhere heads turned to each other and looked around. I stood up, which did not make me particularly more visible. Some of the people in the hall looked rather confusedly in the direction of the whisperers. Only when I walked up the stairs to the podium did the gazes focus on me. For the first time, the auditorium was almost silent. I nodded to the lady at the podium and positioned myself accordingly.

Anniversary Day - The speech / Rheinland

The room grew quieter with each passing second. Paul glanced lightly into the crowd. The last mouths parted from the last ears, the last sounds died away.

"My name is of no consequence, what is important is the cause for which I fight. There comes a time when the tyranny must give way to the needs of the people. When greed and oligarchy must yield to the natural freedom of men. When no amount of grandeur or lace will cover the sins of leaders who have forsaken their oaths and forfeited their birthright. It is in this time that only a few may rise up, but around those few many others will gather, bringing with them an irresistible wave of change [...]".

He paused for a moment.

"These were the words of my father, Klaus Botzler, an idealist like ourselves. He sacrificed his life for a land that repudiated him in order to prevent the influence of the Nomads in the colonies. I know that for many of you this name does not bring back any memories or thoughts, but his words still guide the purpose of our movement today. In these words we, with our many differences, are united. Even thirty years later, after so many of our brothers and sisters have passed away fighting an alien-controlled Rheinland, we stand as one movement against the regime."

"Today, Rheinland suffers from a different infection. A different ulcer. One that has lasted much longer than the Nomads could dream of. The aristocrats who, in their exploitative and misanthropic fervor, have put our nation in chains intended to keep it from breaking free. For years and years we have striven to redeem the Federal Republic from its sickness and thus allow the working class to partake of the prosperity that only a few would otherwise hoard for themselves. "

"But it is not only the aristocrats. The nation has renounced and forsaken itself. The wheel of time has turned backwards. They have cleared the way for the fascist imperialists, who now claim to be elected by the people. The people they have deliberately kept weak and voiceless, deliberately manipulated to maintain the appearance of a democracy. The snake has shed its skin but the same teeth poison the weakest of our oppressed brothers and sisters. Once again, Rheinland hails an Emperor and once again must we be the ones that expose this scheme as an attempt to solidify a strength that is long lost."

"In reality, things have not changed for the better in Rheinland. The same puppeteers control the same puppets. The same lords command the same serfs. The Emperor is but a symbol of a deeply flawed and ideologically corrupt land that thinks it can appoint symbols to appear strong. Now they want us to believe they made an effort to make peace and compromise with the Federalists. They want to change the crumbling foundation on which this nation now stands with an image of empathy and willingness to find compromise. They have offered us to submit to the government and become part of society again."

The auditorium chanted in unison. Boos could be heard.

"But we understand the devious machinations of those in power. We know that the next moment they would plunge the knife into our backs, as they have done before. We know that the exploitative aristocrats would never dare to dispose of their greed and they know that we would achieve such. The Widerstand must not fall prey to the government's poisoned olive branch and be numbed by its deceptive verbiage. Instead, we must fight it all the harder and help the people face to face."

Many audience members applauded. Most supporters obviously rang from within their own ranks.

"Even if they want us to know that they tried to give us a voice, we know that they fear our conviction. Because this is our strongest weapon. It is not the ships we fly or the weapons we fire. It is our conviction and the impact it has in making people's hearts and minds stand up to fight injustice for themselves and their own compatriots. They do not want enlightened and educated citizens, because they know that this will be the end of them. Instead, they keep them imprisoned in their stations, make them work, far from all possibilities to live a free and undetermined life. They do not want the citizen to be able to develop themselves and become their own identity, they want pawns to work their riches that disappear into the bottomless pockets of the owner class. They try to entertain the citizens with the simplest means to distract them from their misery. Only in this way they generate hard workers, who unconditionally and without respect for their own life, limb and health, make the rich criminals of this country even richer, while they themselves become poorer. We can no longer tolerate this injustice. Our words have never carried such weight, our thoughts have never been so daring, our actions have never had such an effect. In these times, it is the underlying unity of the good people of Rheinland that we must ignite to awaken a consciousness of solidarity in the people and thus dare to take the first step, to plow a path of courage that will lead to a free and just nation."

His following words were mixed with the cheers of the people in the auditorium.

"I am ready to give my life for the cause if it demands it, as my father did in the Nomad War!"

"We will not abandon Rheinland and its people!"

Anniversary Day - The speech / The Resistance

The hall shook in a wave of applause. Several people jumped up from their seats and cheered euphorically. I looked into the crowd, it was an isolating feeling to be cheered from so many sides. My friends were not recognizable in this commotion and the time to look was not given to me. There was more to say.

After a few seconds, the silence in the hall settled down again. I waited a few more moments until the atmosphere was filled with total silence.

"But I don't want to talk only about Rheinland. I want to take this opportunity to talk about us. Our resistance."

"Our movement has been in the process of changing Rheinland for over 150 years now. We have suffered many losses and defeats along the way, yet we have never quite lost sight of the goal."

"Over the years we have been oppressed, risen up, triumphed, been betrayed and forgotten, only to do the right thing at a crucial hour."

"Considering that along the way we didn't even agree among ourselves about which path was the right one, even an outsider has to admit that the Bundschuh has come a long way. Our supporters look up to us, hoping to glimpse the change in the approaching sky. It is our duty to live up to that hope and the goals we have set for ourselves."

I paused one more time.

"I am aware that we all do not often agree very much, that there are many rumors about each other, as well as incomprehension and even hatred. None of us can completely eliminate these facts. We have to realize the reality that there will always be disagreements in a movement that values critical thinking and individuality."

"I have observed the Bundschuh for many years now. I have witnessed some ups and downs in my time. Disagreements over violence, activists disappearing, dissolution due to conflict, almost as many groups have left as have come. I've wanted to stay out of the tumultuous happenings of these groups for the most part, and meanwhile I've met good people who shared my views on the Bundschuh."

"We have come together over the years and added other activists to our ranks. Now that our circles are sufficiently filled, we've finally found the courage to go out into the open."

My tone now louder, I began to speak with more emotion.

"I respect our differences, no I even cheer them. Be it the rote Adler among you, the Weiße Rosen, or the Widerstandsarmee, you are all a part of this caucus. And yet I stand here before you today with a plea to join us, back to the beginning of our honorable movement!"

"Return with us to solidarity with the workers, without harming them through suffering, fear and destruction. Return with us to political conviction and moral strength that can defeat our enemies more powerfully than any battleship could dream of. Return with us to a resistance built not on retaliation or ill will, but on compassion for our afflicted brothers and sisters in the homes and streets of Rheinland who think they know who we are!"

I pounded the desk repeatedly, my fist already hurting by now.

"If you are interested in blood, revenge and brutality, so be it! But we will lead by example and prove that reason in people has not been destroyed by the propaganda of the regime. Today is the day when the Bundschuh is created anew, when we see ourselves in the task of redefining our role. We will once again carry the eagle of resistance and live up to its role of freedom."

I took a step back, put my hand on my chest and bowed slightly, speaking the following words:

"We... are the Neue Widerstandsbewegung of the Bundschuhrebellen. I sincerely thank you."

The auditorium shook with cheers from several sides. I turned away from the audience, not caring now about the doubting looks of the opposition. Only the reunion with my confidants mattered to me in this rousing moment. Now it was time to put the promises into action.

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