Re: Blood and Iron - Chapter 931: We Have A Problem
Chapter 931: We Have A Problem
It was not long before Germany withdrew its forces from Switzerland, which in years past had been negotiated to provide security to its critical infrastructure such as its aging railways.
The official cause was declared as Switzerland incapable of fulfilling contractual and diplomatic obligations.
The German Railway Forces being present in Switzerland had initially been the result of Switzerland’s own lack of internal security capacity, and previous attacks on German citizens and freight.
And it wasn’t just its security personnel Germany withdrew, starting in Zurich, then in Bern, and finally in Geneva Germany began issuing a warning to its own citizens travelling to Switzerland.
The travel warning was essentially a public statement that without German support, Switzerland’s law and order, especially regarding public transit would quickly collapse to levels that were considered a risk to travelling citizens of the German Reich.
Switzerland’s government formally protested the move by Berlin, but there was little they could actually do to stop the withdrawal of German soldiers, citizens, and businesses.
Naturally, the withdrawal notice sent many of the more paranoid members of Réveil de France, forcing an impromptu meeting between Annemarie and Pierre. Pierre sat across from the woman he knew only by the name of Conférencière.
This was his third cup of coffee since sitting down, his hands jittered around the cup as he took a sip. It wasn’t that he was overdosing, it’s that he was anxious. And he had every right to be.
He looked around, left and right, front and back. And it wasn’t until Annemarie sighed heavily and forcefully that he finally brough this attention back to her.
“Stop it… You’re acting suspiciously, and I can’t afford for you to risk having my identity exposed.”
Despite being a stimulant, the coffee soothed Pierre’s shot nerves as he too sighed, resting his head in his hands as he unraveled before the woman.
“My apologies…. It’s just that the others are starting to panic…. They think this response by the Germans is because they know about our plan…”
Annemarie’s brows narrowed as she stared at Pierre with a disgusted gaze. One that he couldn’t see because of the thick rimmed sunglasses she wore. She sighed and took a sip from her tea, looking away from Pierre as she gently and calmly sipped.
“You’re overreacting, this is coincidental timing. Nothing more. Every year around this time the Swiss Government is expected to make a payment on the debts it owes the German National Bank, and the interest that comes along with it. It has nothing to do with Bern….”
Pierre dragged his head out from under his hands and stared at Aneemarie with an interrogating stare.
“And how do you know that! If they know-”
“Keep your voice down….” Annemarie hushed through pursed lips. Her words cutting through Pierre’s mental breakdown like a knife through butter. “I know this because the son of de Gaulle has assured me as such. Are you questioning his wisdom?”
The words that had normally acted as a form of spell to reassert authority over Pierre and the other cell leaders seemed to have a diminished effect this time. Pierre rolled his shoulders, drank from his coffee, but still remained defiant nonetheless.
“I’m not questioning his wisdom, but nobody has ever seen the man-”
“I have seen him… I met him just last week.” Annemarie once more cut Pierre off before he could continue spiraling. Yet he seemed to notice it this time.
Pierre didn’t respond immediately.
“I am aware of that, but nobody other than you has. And I’m not the only one who feels this way… The others want assurances. They want to know with certainty that these words come from Philippe de Gaulle himself.”
Annemarie remained quiet for a few moments, going through the motions to appear as if she were acting normally, all in an attempt to buy herself some time. She sighed and shook her head.
“You’re asking a lot of me… Our arrangement works the way it does for a reason. The son of de Gaulle is wanted by Berlin… He can’t show his face in public, which is why I speak for him. Even if he agreed to your request, I would advise him against it. The Germans have eyes and ears everywhere, and a meetup like this would invite them.”
Pierre remained silent. He knew her words were true. But he also knew that his concerns were equally valid. Especially since it seemed like she was dodging his attempts to meet the man he had pledged his fealty for years.
Just then, however, Annemarie sighed and spoke softly.
“I’ll relay your concerns to him. For now, continue with the plan. When I have his answer we will meet again.”
For Pierre, this was about as good an outcome as he could expect. He finished his coffee and dropped some Swiss francs on the counter.
“Thanks, I know my request is unreasonable. But as things are going, we’re going to need a bit more than faith if we’re going to continue dedicating our lives to this cause. I look forward to hearing from you.”
Annemarie silently nodded as Pierre walked off, remaining seated for quite a bit longer. She went about her daily affairs as normal. Making sure she absolutely wasn’t followed or watched by anyone before returning to her place.
There she showered, styled her hair differently, and changed her makeup before dressing in a far more formal dress, where she took a cab to a hotel there in Geneva.
And after entering the hotel room she found Maximilian seated there, watching the television just as he had during their last meeting in person.
He did not even bother to shut off the television, nor even look in Annemarie’s direction.
“So, is the operation still going as planned?”
Annemarie sighed as she sat down not on the bed like she normally did, but the chair near the desk. The moment Maximilian saw this he quickly turned off the television and sat up, diverting his entire attention to Annemarie.
“What happened?”
Annemarie looked over at Maximilian straight in his eyes, her voice was soft, and calm, but still filled with weight all the same.
“We have a problem.”
