Viktoria exchanged glances with Jürgen again. Lichthammer was busy with Karl-Heinz she wasn't even sure if she was paying attention.
"We are in the middle of the war. If we are to act then we better do it sooner than later. Traitors don't have morals and the more we give them free reign, the weaker Rheinland becomes." she paused for a moment before adding. "But that is good in theory only. What exactly do you have in mind Direktor? You say that they are too many, spread in every influential position in the government, businesses, etc. So even if we manage to prosecute everyone, who will be left to govern Rheinland? We will be headless."
Volker nodded quickly to Jürgen and looked seriously at Viktoria. He took a deep breath before starting. "You said everything correctly and hit the spot, Viktoria. There would be too less people left to govern. Now comes what I've heard. This, meine Kameraden, may be counted as treason by the wrong people, but it seems as we don't have a real other option. It seems we need a change in our government. I prefer a peaceful change but maybe that won't work. All who agree to help make Rheinland safe, strong and less corrupt again will recieve a status of a national hero and will be paid as such. There has risen a movement. People who seem to be ready to do the right for Rheinland. Please tell me if you would be ready to join them. I am not in this movement right now, as I wanted to wait for the opinions of you, as I trust both of you. But if you really want to help Rheinland, I can contact the people right away." Volker paused and looked at Viktoria and Jürgen. He is unsure as he doesn't know if they freak out or would support the idea.
Viktoria's Geheimdokument described her as decisive. But at that moment she wasn't decisive at all. She was conflicted and uncertain.
She aimlessly gazed towards Volker Koch while pressing her lips together as if this would help the Agent find a solution. Eventually she realized she was holding a glass which she left on the table before speaking.
"Well, this goes beyond our mandate as members of the Büro. What does this movement seek to accomplish?" she asked. As a person well-versed in law it was obvious that she was trying to find a way to achieve their goals while still remaining within the boundaries of their mandate.
Volker already knew there were questions coming up, he tries to answer them, although he hadn't ask the leaders of the group before. "Nun, I know they are all from a noble bloodline, just as both of you. This movement, its bigger than we all thought at the beginning, the people of Rheinland are unhappy. They want to fight the corruption, end the influence of foreighn companies like synth food, and, of course as I told you probably already, they want to end the war. This movement, as good as it is, would perform a change of government, they want a Monarchy, constitutional at least... There would be classes again, but the movement wants the best for the people, some conflicts in Rheinland would be solved too, if they would govern. I was also told, they would have the backup of foreign companies and institutions, but I don't know if it's true, honestly." Volker looked into the eyes of the two agents. As he saw only uncertaincy, he smoked his cigarette and ate some of his Apfelstrudel quickly.
Jürgen didn't say a wordand just listened as he couldn't believe what he heared. He wasn't sure what to reply. There was nothing to calculate and analyze.
"Nun... Volker, honestly I wouldn't have believed, that our little Gespräch hier would have evolved in that direction... I must say, yes, I am from a noble line. My family's been part of the Hochadel for more than centuries... My father would be the current Erzherzog of Stuttgart, if the Kaiserreich would still exist... I am not a politician, I must tell you, however. I am a man of action, you should probably know from our time of rehabilitation on Baden-Baden, mein Freund, I dont really care about the political system as long as it works and does it's duty for a better Rheinland." Jürgen paused shortly, took a sip of Riesling and then went on. "This Government versagt in my eyes. They failed. I don't like changes, I am an old man, just like you *chuckles* but I agree with you, there need to be some. I cant promise you by now, that I will support that movement, but maybe you can tell me how wide it has spread already... I need a picture of the whole... A picture of our Rheinland, Volker, as I won't help anybody who would make our situation worse in a long term view. I need to have a closer look first. Maybe you better call your contact in this movement."
The agent was still considering her options. Based on Volker's words this political movement seemed to be more powerful and influential than she originally expected.
"Direktor, which are these foreign companies and institutions that are supporting this movement? Everyone in this room knows very well that foreign interference is never to our House's benefit." she asked with obvious concern.
Volker looked at Viktoria. He wasn't sure if he should tell the whole truth, especially with Frau Lichthammer in the background maybe listening. "The foreign companies... *whispering* I have heared, although I don't know if it's true that they are involved, I have heard, that Bretonia helps the movement. They are not trying to gain advantage over the movement, as it seems, but they seem to help the Wehr with new training strategies and stuff like this. There seems to be no direct involvement, but indirect one, Viktoria. The main companies involved are still our Rheinland ones. They have set some offers already: Those who help Rheinland, will receive help from the companies, for example they are going to upgrade my personal ship for possible fights against those who try to defend the corruption." Volker opened a bottle of Rheinbier and took a sip. He looks at Viktoria. "This movement seems to me, personally, not like a small movement, but more than the half of Rheinlands citizens, who want make their home better. The population doesn't like to see this war. This corruption. That foreign influence... Thats why this movement doesn't rely on foreign direct help, Viktoria. They don't want to repeat the mistake that was made after the Liberty war. Synthfoods is too much involved in our food production. The, let me call them imperials, strengthen Rheinland's local farmers. This already calms down one minor internal conflict." Volker leans back and looks at Viktoria. "Do you have more concerns, Viktoria?"
Viktoria never held the Bretonians in high esteem, and even more so their Intelligence Agency, clearly amateurs compared to Rheinland's.
"Was it Enfield's idea to invite the Bretonians over?" she asked, considering Geoff Enfield is not a Rheinlander but his actual origin is from Bretonia.
Volker looked into his empty glass and filled it with some Riesling, before he started to answer, again with a whispering tone, as if he doest want Lichthammer to hear this. "Nun Viktoria, Herr Enfield doesn't know of this movement... I calculated, that it's too risky to inform him, after that attempt to take his life, I feared he could blame the Imperialists for that. The Herr Direktor doesn't seem to care about the corruption in the ranks of the government, I fear. Of course I can't know, if I'm guessing that right, however.
So as you see, Bretonia offered their help on their own initiative. We asked them why they would offer that and what they want to gain in return. As surprising it may be for you, Bretonia doesn't want anything in return. They said: 'Rheinland is weak these days,it was stronger before the corrupt government came to power. We want to help you because a strong Rheinland benefits us all. It will make the bordering Omegas safer. The house border itself and for the economy.'
I agree with you, Viktoria, that outer interference is never good, but this non direct help from Bretonia doesn't seem to be a bad one. As their aim seems to be a independent, safer and stronger Rheinland."
Jürgen almost coughed out his Apfelstrudel again, as he listened. He leaned forward and whispered just like the former director. "Volker you must be crazy! Not informing the director is highly risky... But if you are right and he neglects the corruption in the Bundestag... You did tje right I suppose... Although I am still a little bit concerned. This, Volker, is a direction I don't like to see, but it seems to be the only way. I trust you and you know that.""I know you do. And that's why I am only talking to both of you. Since I talked to the imperials, strange things were going on. After my Reha I flew to my home. I've found it devastated and a Exemplar of the Weimarer Tahesblatt on my door step. It had a threat on my life on its front page. I think it was the lobbyists, who don't want a icon of Rheinland to take part in this to prevent the loss control of the citizens of our Vaterland...""Ach du scheiße... It's out of control... I am even more glad to see you wohlbehalten now, my friend..." Jürgen leaned back. He was shocked and drank some of the Riesling trying to get a clear mind.