Which side are you on?

[TheJarl]

Friedrich Heissler - Eltmann Moor, Munich System

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“Genossen!” Friedrich Heissler looked around the room. A brown-haired man in his late-thirties, he was one of the few Bundschuh-members who could pull of the trenchcoat-look without looking like a troubled Klugmannist soul. Perhaps it were the shoulder pads, or maybe it was just the fact that Heissler looked confident and extravert. He was standing at the head of a long table along which about a dozen men and women were seated. They were a curious and diverse group. There were two wearing the faux-uniform of the Vereinigte Widerstandsarmee that was especially common to Eistochterists, some others wore suits or attire common to office workers, a few wore various forms of casual clothing. Many wore pins indicating their particular sect, mainly of course red eagles and quilt-holding fists, although a few others were there as well, whose meaning would be lost on most outsiders unfamiliar with the vast amount of small Bundschuh fractions.

“I have received word from our dearest Genossin Eistochter.” Everyone at the table now gives their full attention to the VWA Kommandant. “She apologises for her lengthy absence, but once again stresses that she has not and never will abandon the cause and is grateful that so many remain loyal and steadfast. To remain loyal is not just a matter of morality or strong character, your unbreakable revolutionary spirit will be what will bring the Bundesrepublik.” Heissler paused, which quickly was filled by a round of applause, almost as a Pavlov-reaction. A phenomenon not common in politics, although somewhat odd in light of the clandestine nature of the meeting.

Heissler raises his finger as he continues. “Now, it is time to reap the fruits of your continued efforts and put the Bundschuh back on the militant path. Genossin Eistochter will return and it will be soon.” He suddenly calms down as lowers his volume slightly. “However, to make this possible, there will be a slight adjustment to the course we’ve heading so far. Our Genossin has come into contact with Annika Haupt.” The people in the room were universally surprised by this, as Heissler had expected. “Our dearest Genossin and Haupt have come to the conclusion that the now and the future are more important than the past, as hard as it is. She asks us to support the Frühlingwache in their efforts against the opportunism of Die Weiße Rose.” Some of the attendants start murmuring and Heissler raises his voice to keep the attention on him.

“No one would hesitate more to do this than Genossin Eistochter herself, you all know this to be true. You also all know that she will always be prepared to cast aside her personal grievances if she believes it is for the better. This is not about forgiveness, our Genossin has not forgotten the treachery of Haupt.” Heissler pauses and gazes at some of those before him. “This is about the revolution.” He let those words ring, all those in attendance are dedicate militants and belong to some of the most radical Bundschuh groups in the region. “Haupt has gotten her priorities straight and has her aim on the counterrevolutionary elements that have paralysed the movement. Our dear Genossin believes that it serves our goals to provide assistance to that end. She suggest we offer support for the Frühlingwache, but do so lowkey. We are not part of them, and we must not create the impression that we do, so our Genossin has given the suggestion that we simply accommodate Haupt’s operations that will be communicated to us directly by Genossin Eistochter herself.”

He clears his throat. “We do not take orders from Haupt, nor is any of you obliged to act on the suggestions of our dear Genossin. So, I ask you, are there any objections to this course of action?” Heissler knew there would be no one who would object. By asking, these people would feel like they were free to choose and that paradoxically made it much easier to simply accept the line that that was set out for them than if seemed forced on them.

“Very well. Remember, for now this cooperation must remain a secret to stay one step ahead of the counterrevolutionaries. Until further notice, we inform no one. I will brief those who already have particular tasks they could fulfil in private, I thank you for your time, and hope to see you at our regular planned meeting tomorrow.”