"Mein Führer, this was an attack on me, on you, and on Germany," Paul began. "We identified the man behind it. His name is Klausemann, a former German officer of the Condor Legion."
"Klausemann! That traitor! Was he not the one who aided the earlier assassination attempt on you?" Hitler roared.
"Indeed he was. Back then he slipped through our fingers. I will not repeat that mistake. I request that the Gestapo eliminate him," Paul said, lowering his head.
"Of course. Of course. You will have your vengeance, Jaeger. Vermin like him must be eradicated. Do you know where this Klausemann is?"
Paul hesitated for a moment. "In New York."
"America?" Hitler stopped, thinking. "And you say he is connected to American intelligence?" He stroked his small mustache, eyes narrowed. "Very well. I will allow it. But we must proceed with absolute discretion."
Paul allowed himself a faint smile as he bowed his head.
1th of May 1938 - One day before departure
Knock*Knock
A familiar wave of déjà vu washed over Paul as he knocked on the same door he had stood before only a month earlier. It was his first visit since then, after weeks spent buried in preparations for the upcoming operation, rarely leaving his house for more than a few minutes.
When the door opened, he was greeted by a beautiful young woman.
"Elisabeth," Paul said, holding a small bucket of flowers.
"Heinrich," she replied, wrapping her arms around him. "I heard what you did for me and for father." Her eyes shimmered with emotion.
"It was my duty, Elisabeth," Paul said softly as he stepped inside the newly renovated Rundstedt home.
"Don't say that. It was more than that," she replied with quiet defiance.
Paul only gave a faint smile. "How is your father?"
Elisabeth lowered her gaze. "He is better..." she began, gesturing toward the stairs.
They climbed up together and entered a spacious bedroom. The room was tastefully furnished, an oriental carpet covering the floor, bookshelves lining the walls and a broad bed dominating the center.
"General," Paul said, more out of ingrained habit than intention, as he saw the man lying before him. Rundstedt looked older now, more grey showing in his hair, deeper lines marking his face in the sunlight.
"Jaeger," he answered hoarsely. "A shame you must see me like this."
"You are Prussia's glory in person, General," Paul joked, pulling a chair closer.
Rundstedt responded with something between a cough and a laugh.
"Tell me what is new in the General Staff," he said, struggling to adjust his position.
"Well, last week we discussed the establishment of two new artillery divisions," Paul began. "Along with the masses of new recruits we expect, plus new panzer and infantry divisions."
"New men mean new posts, Jaeger," Rundstedt said. "Will I see a general's insignia on your uniform next time?"
"The next time..." Paul repeated with a sigh, his eyes drifting to Elisabeth, still in the room.
"The next time we meet will not be soon, General. I will embark on a mission to root out the traitor responsible for all this. I cannot reveal much for your own safety, but I will be outside Germany for an unknown amount of time." Paul spoke through clenched teeth, watching Elisabeth's reaction.
As expected, she turned and stormed out, closing the door behind her.
Rundstedt watched her go with interest.
"Jaeger, promise me something," he whispered, beckoning Paul closer.
He leaned in and murmured something inaudible into Paul's ear. Whatever it was left Paul startled and deep in thought, before he finally gave a slow nod.
Paul saluted the old General one last time, then turned and left the room. As he descended the stairs, he noticed a silhouette sitting outside the front door.
He stepped outside and sat down beside her.
"Will you wait for me?" he asked. His voice was deep, distant.
"Like last time?" Elisabeth whispered. A single tear fell, landing on the cold stone beneath them.
Paul looked at her for a long moment before he slowly shook his head.
"Not like last time. I have thought a great deal. If you can accept the man I am, then I can accept your love. No… I will return it," he said softly, brushing a hand through her hair.
Elisabeth's eyes searched his face for any hint of a lie, but found none. "I will wait."
"Oh, and Heinrich… happy birthday," she said, leaning in to kiss him.
Yes, today was his birthday, or rather Heinrich's birthday, but it no longer mattered. For Paul, this day marked more than that. It was the anniversary of his arrival in this world, two years ago.
They embraced for a long time before Paul slowly freed himself from her arms. Without another word, he walked toward his car, alone, bathed in the fading afternoon sunlight. Summer was approaching.
Day 0 – Day of departure
Paul's car rolled to a halt before a guard post. A naval soldier in a navy-blue uniform checked the vehicle, while spotlights illuminated it and carved a circle of harsh light out of the otherwise dark night.
A sign became visible in the glow:
Navy Base – Wilhelmshaven
The Mercedes drove on, passing rows of warehouses and barracks.
When it stopped again, the sound of waves reached his ears. Paul stepped out, and the sharp sea air hit his lungs instantly.
He turned and saw a massive black silhouette looming at the pier, rising and falling with the wind and tide. Before the U-boat, a line of men waited. Four stood slightly ahead of the rest.
Paul approached them slowly, deliberately. The black leather coat he had chosen matched those worn by Heydrich and Werner, who stood at the front. Both gave him a curt nod.
Paul greeted the remaining two.
"Captain Prien," he said, examining the famous U-boat commander he had personally requested. The man responsible for the surprise attack at Scapa Flow, one of the most successful commanders of the Kriegsmarine, stood before him.
"Oberst Jaeger," Prien replied with a nod of respect. "I have heard much about you. This is my Second Officer, Hoffmeier." He gestured to the man at his side.
"Second Officer Hoffmeier," Paul said. "We will be in your care for this journey." He turned to Werner, Heydrich, and the five handpicked Gestapo members assigned to the mission.
"No introduction needed among us," Paul said, letting his gaze sweep over the assembled men: sailors, officers, Gestapo, Wehrmacht.
Quite a colorful mixture, Paul thought as he took one final breath of fresh air before descending into the submarine through the hatch, climbing down between Werner and Heydrich.
"This is the command center," Prien said, gesturing toward his station.
"The kitchen," he added, pointing toward a small door.
"The sleeping quarters. Your Gestapo men can sleep here." Row upon row of narrow bunks filled the cramped space, sailors already watching their visitors with open curiosity.
"And these are the officers' quarters," Prien concluded, ending the brief tour. "Make yourselves comfortable, gentlemen. This will be your home for the next twelve days."
A deep vibration soon rolled through the hull, followed by the rhythmic hum of the propellers. The U-boat began to move, slowly but steadily, gliding out of the harbour of Wilhelmshaven. Total darkness surrounded it. No farewells. No voices. Only the black silhouette of a steel predator cutting through the waves.
Then the descent began.
The submarine slipped beneath the surface, inch by inch. First the open hatch disappeared, then the conning tower, then the periscope. Finally, even the faintest ripple vanished.
Every trace of Paul, Werner, Heydrich and the U-boat vanished from the face of the earth.
They continued onward, swallowed by the cold depths of the North Sea.
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