Throwing a Spanner in the Works
May 153
After tea with my brother on the 1st, and realising that I needed to speed my recovery more than I had thus far allowed, I took myself away somewhere faster for a few days, until I felt more human again and had returned to some semblance of fitness. It's good to be able to take a fortnight out, and know that I've only been away overnight back home. However, I knew I couldn't be away for long, so I returned to Berlin on the morning of the 2nd, with every intention of going to visit Roland in Eboracum on the 3rd.
Feeling better than I had for some time, I decided to work late on the evening of May 2nd: I was expecting a report from an agent I had in the field, and was curious to see what he had to say.
When going through my inbox on returning to work the previous week (before my self-indulgent holiday), I had found an invitation from a company called Other Criteria, to the preview of an exhibition of the works of an off-world artist with a somewhat unusual view on the world.
Before you ask, yes, I am interested in art. Some people seem surprised at this fact, given my position and reputation, but I consider myself to be a cultured individual, and actually pride myself on being a patron of the arts within the Reich and its territories. So I do periodically get invited to such things, even though I certainly don't attend all of them. But what piqued my curiosity about this particular one was its location: the Commonwealth Shadow of Karstadt. Not a place I was wont to frequent, for obvious reasons. Why did they think I was either willing or able to attend an event in my brother's territory? To answer that question, I decided to send one of my aides in my stead, with instructions to inform me if the exhibition might be of interest to me, and whether he considered that I could visit it without incurring Robert's wrath.
Sturmbannführer Jorge von Raeder is unusual for a career officer, not least because he is one of the senior aristocrats within the Reich. He is a man truly in the SS for the honour and prestige of being part of the Reich's new 'knighthood', as envisaged when the regiment was first formed in that long ago Germany, rather just because of the possibilities of advancement within it. After all, the gods know he doesn't need any more power and influence, having been born with both in abundance.
His mother, Annemarie Hartmann, was Lebensborn, who fell in love with the Uradel Wilhelm von Raeder. Normally, the hoher Adel and Uradel - the grades of higher nobility - do not marry outside of their own social circle. However, Lebensborn children are in a unique position: detailed records of their parentage are kept by the Ahnenerbe, and if it can be proven to the Imperial Council that those children are of suitable lineage, they can be accorded that social rank. After all, under Reich law, all Lebensborn children are legitimate, as they are children of the State. And as being the child of a Prince of Sable was considered suitable birth - especially given her highly appropriate Lebensborn upbringing - she and Wilhelm were allowed to enter into what was by all accounts a very happy marriage.
Jorge is the oldest child of the marriage, and did his State Service with the Wehrmacht, before moving over to the SS. However, even when he was a raw recruit at the SS officer training facility at Bad Tölz, he had potential. So I nurtured that potential and treated him as something of a protégé, encouraging his training in certain directions, even after his father was killed surprisingly young and Jorge became Graf von Klieburg. Since then I've used him as a go-between and trouble-shooter in a variety of areas.
His position as an aristocrat has also meant that he is in reasonably good odour with the Kaiser and the Imperial Family, and he has therefore acted as my liaison to the Imperial Palace on occasion. For some reason, Kaiser Wilhelm doesn't usually allow my people into the Imperial Palace, perhaps because he thinks they are not to be trusted. Such is the difficulty of trying to protect my land against opposition: that those who do not understand my methods consider me suspect, even on my own side. However, with von Klieburg it has been different, and I'd even say that a friendship has developed between them.
What impressed me most, however, was that when I sent him on a covert assignment into Sable to protect a niece of mine in whom I have a particular interest, from a potential threat at her at her wedding, he not only neutralised the threat, but also managed to ingratiate himself with various of Robert's agents who were trying to deal with the same problem. Hence he seemed the logical choice for a reconnaissance mission into Sable territory. Yes, they knew exactly who he was, but they also knew that he had played straight with them in the past, and they hopefully wouldn't kill him on sight.
It was nearly midnight when he finally called, and the fact that he was using a Trump to do it surprised me. As I opened the link, it was obvious that something was wrong. He seemed unusually tired, and if I didn't know better, I'd have said he was at the Berlin ATS station, although I could think of no reason why he would be, given that I had sent one of our Pilots with him, who should have returned him directly to Hradcany Castle after the preview.
"Is there a problem, Sturmbannführer von Raeder?" I asked.
"The Karstadt matter has been dealt with, Herr Reichsführer," he answered, promptly.
"I presume Obersturmführer Dahl will be bringing you back to Hradcany shortly?" I commented.
He paused a moment, before answering, and I felt as much as heard him take a deep breath before he did.
"Obersturmführer Dahl is dead, Herr Reichsführer."
"Perhaps you'd better join me," I said, and offered him my hand. After a brief pause he took it, and I brought him through to my office. He wasn't even in uniform when he arrived, dressed as he still was in the dinner suit he would have worn to the preview: a breach of etiquette, let alone discipline, which he would never normally have committed.
"How did he die?"
"General, Prince Andrew," came the answer, and I felt a purely psychosomatic twinge of pain in my guts as I remembered our recent encounter.
"And exactly how did General de Lacy come to be involved, Herr Graf?" I asked, quietly.
"He was called in to...I think the place was called Ni'anda...to deal with a Machine facility there. Apparently he was the only person who could shut it down."
The Machine? Where in the name of the gods was Ni'anda? I felt my heart sink, hoping the place was a very long way away but almost guessing beforehand that it would be to close for comfort.
"At ease," I commented, and once he had complied, I continued, "Your report...?"
"Of course, Herr Reichsführer," he answered, took a deep breath, and began.
"The exhibition on Karstadt was a Trojan Horse."
"Go on."
"The installation was a cover for some kind of device which was taking arcane copies of anyone visiting the exhibition. These were being transmitted to another Shadow, where a piece of Machine technology was storing the information. It wasn't the same as the equipment we came across on Aldemyon last autumn: this seemed to be storing mental and physical patterns, and we surmised that it could be used to make duplicates of anyone it had recorded - rather than just taking them over, as was the case when we previously encountered Machine technology."
"We?"
"As you correctly anticipated, there were Sable agents on Karstadt: Bond, Carrey, Auzella Blake, Schwarzbach, Dr Cooke and Grand Pilot von Kleist. I had the impression that they were acting as an advance party to see if Robert of Sable could visit: I believe that he, like yourself Herr Reichsführer, was invited and had sent them along to check things out. Of course, it didn't take them long to report that that wouldn't be a good idea."
I decided not to mention that he had failed to give me the same information. But I suppose, in honesty, I wouldn't have visited Karstadt without his report anyway, and I imagine he knew that, so I guessed it was no matter. No point seeing conspiracies where I'm pretty sure they don't exist: there are enough real ones to worry about.
"We separately came to the conclusion that there was a problem. They were also motivated by the fact that two of their number had already been scanned by the device. So I offered them my assistance, as I had skills which they could utilise, and they had numbers which might be handy from my point of view, and we agreed to co-operate in face of a common enemy."
Normally, I would have concerns about one of my officers jumping in with both feet as far as working with Sable agents is concerned. But I generally waive that worry if the situation would give Robert and myself mutual cause for concern. And if the Machine - Andreas's Delatz's bastard technological creation - was trying to spread its influence as far north as a Second Veil Commonwealth world...well, it would suit neither my purposes nor my brother's to allow it to gain a foothold. And as I've said, von Raeder had worked with Sable agents before, including several of those he had just named.
"Continue."
"The initial threat within the exhibition was neutralised first, and Major Blake and Grand Pilot von Kliest then managed to track the transmissions to their destination."
"How?"
"Some combination of Piloting ability and an arcane method I hadn't seen before, but which seemed related to the incomplete designs under our control on Thuringia and Saxony. Quite how Major Blake would have been using an arcane method of ours I am uncertain. However, it seemed to work."
"There are several of those designs. Sadly, we only have control of two of them. Continue."
He merely nodded as he digested that information, and returned to his report.
"We traced the transmissions to a facility on a world a long way out from here - I think it was called Ni'anda - and transported there using the carriage you assigned to myself and Obersturmführer Dahl. Part of the facility was a legitimate medical research company, and with the co-operation of the chief of the facility, who claimed ignorance of a Machine presence, or even of what the Machine is, we attacked the sub-basement levels. He knew of one of those levels, but thought it was making vaccines, and claimed to be unaware of the lower basement level when we uncovered it. We found a laboratory for making biological weapons, and the device which was receiving the recorded patterns. The weapons were neutralised and the device was destroyed."
"And Andrew de Lacy?"
"Was called in by one of the Sable team, as they were afraid that the device would transmit the patterns on bound. We tried to prevent the transmission, and he then did something which made sure that any information received would be useless to the Machine, by sending what he called a 'virus'. Once that was completed, the device was destroyed."
"What happened to Obersturmführer Dahl, Herr Sturmbannführer?"
"Once he had finished what he was doing to the equipment, General de Lacy ordered me to accompany him."
"You are not under his command."
"I know, Herr Reichsführer, but given that the only other people there were Sable agents, I felt my chances of surviving arguing were negligible. So I did as I was bid..."
"And..."
"And once we were alone he pointed out what he considered to be a few home truths to me."
"Did these include reference to the Princess Elanor?" I asked, and he nodded. I didn't even have the impression that he was surprised that I knew about the love of his life, even though both of them had gone to reasonable lengths to be discreet.
"That and the fact that he was my grandfather. He informed me that the only way he would accept any long-term relationship between myself and his niece would be if I resigned my commission."
"And do you intend to do so?"
"I do not, Herr Reichsführer. My honour is my loyalty."
"And you told him this?"
"I didn't have to," he replied, "I think he already knew what my answer would be. So he walked with me to where the carriage was waiting. Dahl saw us approach, and moved to engage, but General de Lacy held him in place with magic and wouldn't let him get any closer.
'Herr Graf,' he said to me, 'I wish to leave you with one thought. As you may or may not know, you are my grandson, and given the uniform you usually wear, that is the only reason why I have not killed you. But my patience is not infinite. Inform Bloody Rupert that I have received his message, and will abide by it as far as he is concerned. However, that will not prevent me acting against his organisation should the opportunity arise. You are a member of that organisation, and in case you need a reminder of what that means...'
And he forced Dahl to his knees and shot him in the back of the head."
With that, von Raeder fell silent, his eyes downcast, although I could feel anger from him as he remembered the unjustified execution of the Pilot under his command.
I watched him in silence for a few moments, considering a course of action. My nephew had obviously marked him, and while family ties would probably hold him from acting for a little while, it wasn't going to last forever. And for many reasons, Jorge von Raeder was too valuable to risk losing to one of Andrew's fits of pique. Perhaps it was time I assigned him away from Sable and its immediate environs for a while - which, of course, might also give him the opportunity to sort out his feelings for the lovely Elanor - although it would be a shame to lose him on my staff.
"Is there anything else?" I asked, finally.
"Only that he returned me to Karstadt. The others came back a little later, and then Grand Pilot von Kleist brought me back to Berlin."
"It's a long time since she was here, but then defectors don't usually return to the land they have betrayed," I commented, "in fact, I'm slightly surprised she was willing to bring you here."
"I undertook to guarantee her safety," he answered, "and she was only here for a few minutes."
If I had felt particularly obstreperous, I could have pointed out that he had exceeded his authority by offering protection to a traitor to the Fatherland. But he seemed sufficiently subdued, and his report had given me more important things to worry about, that I decide to let him off on this occasion. Good tools are much more use in full working order than broken.
"Jorge..." I said, quietly, and he looked up at me, obviously surprised to be addressed by his first name.
"Herr Reichsführer...?"
"Your report is received and understood. Obersturmführer Dahl's fate aside, it sounds as if your mission was successful. Take a couple of days off and get some rest, as it sounds as if you have some thinking to do. I'm sure there's something you need to check up on at your estates. Be back in the office on Monday."
He met my gaze, and then nodded.
"Yes, sir."
"And in the meantime, I will consider where it might be best to post you for a while - as it certainly seems as if it would be best for you to be somewhere other than here."
"If that is your wish, Herr Reichsführer," he answered, and he obviously thought that a posting away from Berlin was intended as a punishment, especially given his meetings with Elanor. I doubt it even occurred to him that it was for his protection.
"It is, Sturmbannführer von Raeder," I replied, quietly, "believe me, if Andrew de Lacy has you marked, then it would be best for you to be elsewhere until someone else has attracted his attention. I have one or two possibilities in mind. However, whatever I decide, I will still consider you to be part of my staff, so this is neither punishment, nor demotion."
"Of course, Herr Reichsführer."
"You did well this evening, Jorge. Thank you."
He looked at me and saluted, and then turned on his heel and headed out.
Once he was gone, I leaned back in my chair with my feet on my desk and my fingers steepled in front of my face, and considered what to do next. I could attempt to have a word with Andreas to ask him what in the name of the gods he was playing at bringing the Machine this far north. Obviously my cunning plan to keep him busy by giving him the Waffen-SS to play with had still left time for idle hands, or co-processors, or whatever it is he uses. Or maybe he could multi-task such that he could act as the perfect general - and dammit, he really is a good general - while at the same time calculating how to try to destroy all life in the lands in which he is nominally serving.
But of course, given that his principles aren't anything even remotely human, my complaint would probably make as much difference to him as, say, a fly being crushed on the windscreen of his staff Mercedes. It was a rather sobering thought, actually. When Robert had commented on my uneasy alliance with Andreas on a previous occasion, he really didn't know how close to the mark he was.
Or I could disturb my brother, who was either waiting for news from his own agents, or more likely in bed with Claire, given that it was now well past midnight and he had Graham to accept reports for him. After all, it's not as if the good General needs to sleep. Robert and I between us could then see if anything could be done to prevent such an incursion happening so close by again. Unfortunately, because of the vagaries of Fate, I couldn't do it without him, and while I'd be happy to see the Commonwealth fall to the Fatherland, I certainly didn't want all life in the area eradicated permanently and utterly. I have uses for the place when the time comes.
In the end I decided that if I was worried enough to deny myself the pleasures of the marital bed to try to stave off disaster, then damned if he wasn't going to be equally deprived. So I brought his Trump to mind and concentrated. There was a delay before he accepted the call, and when he did, he was distinctly annoyed.
"Do you have any idea what time it is?" he asked. He was standing in a dressing room, wearing a dressing gown, and he looked decidedly pissed off. I think I saw surprise cross his features when he realised that I was in uniform. Usually I'm polite enough not to offend his sensibilities in that way, and dress in civvies when we meet. But then, on this occasion, I most definitely wasn't off duty.
"Here in Berlin, 12.37am, May 3rd," I answered, pleasantly, although his annoyance didn't seem to be lessened, "which Sable time makes it...oh yes...12.37am May 3rd."
"And you're calling me why...?"
"Have you spoken to Graham this evening?"
"I'm not sure that's any of you damned business, brother dear," he answered, icily.
"I merely ask because if you haven't, I need to brief you," I replied.
"YOU need to brief ME?" he said, his tone incredulous. Understandably so, I suppose.
"We have a problem, Mein Bruder. A big one. And we need to fix it."
"Tonight?"
"It would be my preference, given the situation. How much have you been told about Karstadt?"
"I was told I shouldn't visit the place in the near future. Gray mentioned that there was a problem there, but that it was being dealt with. I'm expecting his full report on my desk first thing."
"Did he mention the nature of the problem?"
"Not in great detail."
"Allow me to be the one who breaks the good news. Your people have spent the evening dealing with a Machine incursion."
That got his attention, and suddenly, his resentment was gone and he was all ears.
"You know this how?"
"Because one of my people was assisting them. Robert, will you please just get dressed and give me a call back. I'll even come to you if you want."
"Ten minutes, Rupert. Give me ten minutes."
"Until then, Mein Bruder."
Once he had gone, I checked in with Schultz and the Honour Guard and told them my intentions, knowing that I wasn't going to get away with going alone. And sure enough, Schultz insisted on accompanying me. Then, true to his word, a little under ten minutes later I felt my brother's call and opened the link. He was dressed in a turtleneck and dark trousers, and seemed to be in his office. As the link resolved, he extended his hand to me.
He wasn't entirely pleased when Schultz went through first, but we'd discussed that one the day before - two days before - and I'd made my position very clear. And give him his due, he didn't actually object. Once I had followed through, he even had the decency offer us both a drink, although my companion declined. I accepted a whisky, then took one of the chairs by the fireplace, while Schultz moved quietly into position behind me.
"Do you mind if I ask Gray to join us?" he asked, "I'm guessing that this isn't something which should be discussed over a Trump link, and I'd like a second opinion on what you tell me. Also, from what you've said already, as it sounds like he may have relevant information."
"Go ahead," I answered, which I think surprised him. Maybe he was expecting and argument, and in truth, I had absolutely no desire for Graham to join us. But that was personal, rather than logical, and this was time for patience and forbearance. I also couldn't deny that he was right about the Trump link.
He nodded, and I saw him concentrate...could feel the Trump energy. The initial conversation was mental, but then he extended his hand again, and we were joined by the Head of Sable Intelligence. His eyes flicked first to Schultz, and then to me.
"Herr Reichsführer," he said, as our eyes met, "what an unpleasant surprise."
"Oh, I assure you the feeling is mutual, General Graham," I answered, "but as I imagine Robert told you, this is much better said in person. You never know who might be listening to a Trump contact."
"Damning yourself again?" Graham asked, with a slight smile.
"That would be an interesting trick given that I'm in the room with you," I answered, mildly.
Graham pulled up another chair, took a drink from Robert, and once we were settled, I told the both of them the gist of what von Raeder had told me. The only thing I declined to mention was the small matter of the execution of Obersturmführer Dahl, as diverting them off onto the subject of Andrew was not going to get the problem fixed. They listened in silence, but I could see that my brother was as concerned about the implications of what I was saying as I was.
"Out of curiosity, why should I believe any of this?" Robert asked, finally, once I'd finished my piece.
"It largely ties up with the reports I've had from Bond and his group," Graham supplied, "although they did mention something about a dead Pilot."
He looked at me, his eyes hard and his expression hostile, challenging me to deny it.
"Yes, there was a dead Pilot," I replied, consciously having to control my annoyance with Graham, "however, he was one of mine, so I doubt you particularly care, and it isn't relevant to overall events, so there seemed little point in dredging it up."
"Rupert, I imagine you haven't brought me this information out of the goodness of your heart," Robert said, looking at me, although I could hear Graham mutter, sotto voce:
"The bastard doesn't have a heart..."
"No, Mein Bruder, I haven't," I replied, intending my response to be for Robert, although Graham could take it as he pleased, "I have a proposition."
"Which is?"
"We need to make the area of Shadow around Magica Superior impervious to the Machine, so it can never again exhibit its influence this far north."
He looked at me a moment, considering what I'd said, and then gestured for me to continue.
"I propose that we work together to achieve this."
"Cutting off the Machine will also cut off the Nexus."
"Not necessarily," I replied, "I'm sure that with Andrew's help, you can discern the difference between the two: the Nexus and the Machine manifested very differently, unlike our respective Patterns, where I very much doubt one could be cut off without the other. Not that I have a particular problem with your son being cut off from his power source when he's in Sable territory."
"You might not, but I guarantee he will," Robert answered, mildly.
"So will Andreas, but I don't hear you arguing that one," I retorted.
"Touché," he said, with a smile, as he took a drink from his glass.
"Much as I hate to admit it," Graham commented, quietly, "Bloody Rupert here has a point...
I made a conscious effort not to rise to the bait as he said that. He just seems incapable of realising that his aims on Sable's behalf are the same as mine for the Reich - to protect, serve and advise its ruler - so what right does he have to be so bloody sanctimonious because I choose to use different methods to himself to achieve the same goals?
I really loathe hypocrites.
"...the reports I've received imply that the Machine was very keen to gain a foothold up here," Graham continued, "the Karstadt group's interpretation is that the point of the installation was to gain influence over as many important people at this end of the universe as possible. And don't forget that you were on the guest list, Robert."
"As was I," I pointed out, not that he seemed to care.
"Assuming they could have got through either of our defences before we noticed what was happening."
"I suspect that if Andreas had anything to do with the set-up of that device, he would have found a way, Mein Bruder," I pointed out, "otherwise he wouldn't have taken the risk of pissing either of us off."
Robert shrugged. He'd taken the point.
"So presumably you have a cunning plan?" he asked, finally.
"You have the Sable Jewel. You'll need to do the primary edit from the Millbank Pattern. I'll need to work on changing the Sable Pattern in step with you. We'll need to be linked to do it, though, as I'm going to need to draw on some of the Jewel energy through you, which will involve us balancing up the defences on our respective territories, so we can access each others' work."
"No way," Graham exclaimed, jumping to his feet, but Schultz was between him and me in a flash, sword drawn. Robert looked startled: maybe he had finally realised that I don't keep the Honour Guard around as an affectation.
I gestured to Schultz to lower the weapon, although he maintained his position, and I said levelly to Graham: "General, this is not your concern. You can do nothing to assist in this, and you do not have the knowledge or the skill to offer an opinion."
He turned towards me, hatred blazing in his eyes, and he seemed unusually flushed.
"Gray, calm down," Robert said, quietly, rising and placing a hand on his friend's shoulder, "I'm afraid he's right on this one."
"You can't trust him," came the inevitable protest.
"General, why would I do something which would risk harming the Sable Universe," I pointed out, meeting his gaze, "it isn't in my interest to damage either Pattern. The balance between them is too fine."
"It's in your interest to damage my King," he retorted.
"Sometimes, perhaps, but in this case, no," I answered, "I need his help to do this, or I wouldn't have come to him: I would have done it myself. And take comfort from the fact that if my brother here wishes to exclude the Nexus from the prohibitions we're going to impose on the Machine, then gods help me, Andrew is going to have to be in the link as well. And I'm sure we both know that if he thinks I'm up to any funny business, he'll probably run me through again."
My comment obviously surprised Robert. It surprised Schultz, too, but he was too well trained to say anything, although he obviously didn't think it was funny. But then, let's be honest, neither did I.
"You're willing to let him be part of this?" Robert asked, quietly.
"If he has to be, Mein Bruder, then yes," I answered, "I don't' see I have much choice. I'm serious about this. The Machine has to be neutralised within, I'd say, twenty Shadow veils of Magica Superior - twenty-five by preference, to give a decent buffer zone. And if that means co-operating with Andrew, then I'll do it. But I'm very glad you made our Patterns blood proof."
Graham and Robert looked at each other as I fell silent, and then they sat back down. In turn, Schultz stepped back to stand by my side once more. Neither of them liked the prospect, that was obvious, but perhaps my willingness to have the Butcher involved was the final thing that convinced them. I just hoped that if my nephew decided to be a fuckwit, Schultz was as fast as I thought he was.
"Well, get it over with," I added, quickly, before I lost my nerve, because just then, the idea of being in the same room as Andrew scared me, despite the message he had sent via von Raeder, "invite him to the party."
Robert nodded, and made the call, and a few moments later Andrew joined us. Obviously he was more of a night owl than his father, or he hadn't been on Sable time. As he saw me, I saw him stiffen and he threw a glance at my brother. Beside me I felt Schultz become even more alert, if that was possible, and I actually think he would have liked Andrew to make a move, to avenge the slights from April 1st.
"What the fuck is he doing here?" my nephew asked, indicating in my direction.
"Doing you a favour," I snapped, "live with it."
"Is he for real?" he commented, still looking at his father, rather than me, which suited me fine.
"Yes, he is," Robert said, "we need your help."
"We?"
"We. With a working. You're with me: Rupert will be at the Wewelsburg."
"You have to be kidding?"
"General de Lacy," I said quietly, "if you don't want anything to do with this, no-one will be happier than I. But I think you will, once you hear the extent of the problem. Robert, if you'd be so kind..."
And my brother brought his son up to speed with our conversation.
This time, I only half listened, having been through it twice already, which gave me time to study the cheery tableau in front of me. Robert, playing sensible as usual: the hatred of the others palpable. And Schultz beside me, protective, like a dutiful son.
As Robert talked, I saw Andrew relax somewhat. After all, he hates Andreas even more than he hates me: because let's be honest, he only ran me through, rather than decapitated me. And once my brother had finished, it was obvious that my nephew was willing to participate. He seemed positively civilised all of a sudden.
"This is going to be an interesting exercise in trust," I commented, "as I was saying earlier to Robert, to be linked, we're going to have to allow each other access to our respective power bases: change their defences to let each other through."
"I think we can get away with a direct link between the three of us, which I believe can be set up through the Jewel," Robert answered, "so nothing will be completely undefended. Probably wise, given than Andreas is going to go ballistic when he discovers what we're doing."
"I'm not sure Andreas is capable of going ballistic," I said, with a chuckle, "not the most emotional being in existence."
"If he tries anything, I'm sure I can neutralise him," Andrew said, remarkably rationally, "it sounds as if it will primarily need to be you two doing the work. I'll be in more to guide on the Nexus than anything else. It should allow me to keep part of my attention looking out for him."
I looked at him for a moment, and then nodded. It made perfect sense.
"Shall we be about it?" I asked.
"Let me get the Jewel," Robert replied, and heading out, leaving me alone in the room with my two least favourite people in the entire universe. To say the silence was uncomfortable would be putting it mildly. I tried to remain nonchalant, sipping the end of my whisky, but it was strained enough to try the patient of a saint, and I never claimed to be one of those. Thankfully, my brother was only gone a few minutes, and once he returned, he was still feeling co-operative.
"Let's do this," he said, with a nod in my direction, and I got to my feet, "Rupert, Andrew, I need you to concentrate on the Jewel for a few minutes, while I establish the link between us, and then we'll head for Millbank, while you go to the Wewelsburg. Once we get there, we will be able to tell if my idea for a link has worked. I think it should, but..."
Much as I hate to admit any lack of knowledge, I actually didn't know how he was planning to do this. Given that he has a Jewel, my brother has become rather more familiar with its tricks and abilities than I have. Normally, I would have resented the fact that he was about to demonstrate something I was unfamiliar with, but my concerns about Andreas's intentions were enough to put any petty jealousy towards my brother aside. So I did as he asked, and concentrated on the black diamond which is the Sable Jewel.
Never before had I been close enough to it to truly appreciate its beauty, but I found myself staring into the facets of it, and could feel the tracery of the Sable Pattern within it, both light and dark. It was so welcoming. Then I felt a connection forming, and I was aware of both Robert's mind and Andrew's linked with mine.
"That should be it," Robert said, "I suggest you both stop concentrating, and see if we're still linked."
I did as I was bid, feeling a strange sense of loss as I pulled my attention away from the beauty of the stone.
"Can you both still hear me?" came a voice in my head, like, yet unlike a Trump contact. Maybe closer to true telepathy, which I found rather disturbing, and slightly distracting. Perhaps more so, because even when I stopped concentrating on it, I could still feel it in the background.
"You have some interesting tricks up your sleeve, Mein Bruder," I commented, down the link.
"It seems only right that he should have," Andrew answered, "he has to keep the edge over you somehow."
I thought about retorting, but decided to hold my tongue in the interest of mutual co-operation.
"Shall we go, gentlemen?" Robert said, trying to smooth over the hostility with sheer politeness, and I nodded.
"I will await your return, as always," Graham commented, quietly.
"We'll be back soon enough, Gray," my brother replied, "I'm sure of it."
Graham gave a weak nod of acknowledgement, and then I brought my mental Trump of Wewelsburg courtyard to mind. I placed a hand on Schultz's shoulder, and we transferred. As we arrived, Schultz broke the physical contact and looked around, before breathing an audible sigh of relief.
"Robert won't harm me if this is for the good of both of us," I reassured him.
"Of course, Herr Reichsführer," came his prompt response, but I could tell he was unconvinced.
"Anyway, we can worry about that later. For now, there is work to be done."
And I headed for the North Tower, went down to the crypt, and then activated the entrance to the staircase which would take us down to the Sable Pattern Room. In the background of my mind, I was aware of Robert and Andrew making their way to the family home, and the Primal design of the Sable Universe. Schultz ahead of me, we headed down, and after a few minutes, arrived at the Pattern Room. I opened the door and we stepped inside. This would be the test of Robert's idea.
I concentrated on the link, and it was still there. Fainter, to be sure, but still there, despite my own protections on the Wewelsburg Pattern Room level and his on the sub-chamber under the Millbank Maze.
"Still there, Rupert?" I heard him say in my mind
"I am."
"Good. Now, we walk together, and we're going to need to edit this as we go."
"Understood."
"Out of curiosity," he added, "does Schultz know you're a shape shifter?"
"I find I can hold my shape while walking," I answered, feeling a trifle superior, as obviously he could not.
"You aren't normally adjusting universal mechanics while you walk," he retorted, "and believe me, you don't want to split your concentration."
"Robert, why remind him?" Andrew chimed in, "wouldn't the irony of Standartenführer Schultz discovering his boss is a filthy shifter be more entertaining?"
"Right now, entertaining isn't on the agenda," my brother replied, and I almost had the impression that he was annoyed at what Andrew had said. I smiled to myself, amused at the very concept.
"Give me ten minutes to make alternative arrangement," I said, then brought my concentration back to the Pattern Room.
"Rikart," I said, turning to Schultz. Ask Gruppenführer von Halle and Oberstgruppenführer Gerlinde to join me down here, then wait outside."
He looked surprised, but he didn't argue.
"Of course, Herr Reichsführer," he answered, and disappeared.
A few minutes later, I was joined by the Knights I had sent for, and Schultz then closed the door on us.
"I'm going to need you both to watch my back," I said to them, my tone matter of fact.
"Master?" asked Silke, obviously voicing the surprise of both of them. After all, I was asking them to do Schultz's job, even though they knew he was outside.
"I have work to do with the Pattern, and some of what might happen next is above his security clearance, Gruppenführer von Halle," I answered, and I heard Dominik chuckle.
"We will do as you ask, Master," he said, still smiling, although Silke was obviously still figuring it out.
"If we are interrupted, keep them busy and keep them away from the Pattern," I said, "whoever it might be. And I really mean that. Even if the Head of the Waffen-SS walks through that door, stop him from interfering."
"Of course, Master," Silke said, although she was obviously still unsure of what was happening. Of her Lebensborn siblings, she was one of the most brilliant in matters arcane, but she was a planner, and she didn't have the quick wits of her elder brother. Still, she was loyal, and she would do what she was told.
"Organised, Delatz?" came Andrew's voice down the link. He sounded impatient.
"Yes, thank you, de Lacy," I replied, keeping my mental tone as polite as I could, "I am ready if you are."
"Then let's begin," Robert said, and together, he and I stepped onto our respective Patterns.
Editing universes isn't something I do on a regular basis. I do have Jewel-like abilities due to my inherent ability with the Pattern, but that isn't the same as working with the real thing. I discovered that to my cost when Robert had to bail me out as I tried to create Sanguine. But this time, I could feel the Jewel itself down the link, which strengthened me as we worked. My brother and I matched each other step for step, while I could feel Andrew remaining watchful, and influencing and advising with the Nexus as we edited out its counterpart. Slightly to my surprise, he remained consummately professional throughout, and perhaps for a little while I saw the old Andrew - the Andrew from before Sable was created and before he married Morgaine - and for the first time I saw why Robert still seemed to have such paternal feelings for him, despite the fact that he'd turned into an arsehole of the first order.
And of course, as far as the shifting was concerned, Robert was irritatingly correct: as I bent all my concentration to the work, my body began to change of its own volition. At the other end of the link, I could feel his doing the same.
"He's noticed," came Andrew's comment, around the time we reached the Second Veil, "not sure if he's incoming to you or us, Delatz."
"So noted," I answered, and I called to my companions, "we may be about to have company. And remember, stop him. WHOEVER it is."
I didn't hear their response, as I didn't want to waste any more energy. By now, I was tired, and the level of concentration I was having to maintain was wearing on me. At the other end of the link, I could feel that Robert was even more exhausted than I was. But then, he was working the Primal design, and affecting four Patterns to my one (five to two if you include Murray and Sanguine).
Subconsciously, I could feel Andrew switch his attention to something in the room with him, and could feel his hatred turning elsewhere. For a brief while, I had the impression there was a fight going on, but then, after a few moments, it was gone, and I could hear him cursing.
"I think he's headed your way, Delatz," he warned, "he obviously remembered what happened last time he tried to attack me."
Then I could hear shouting in the room with me, and blades being drawn. I hoped I'd guessed right, and that between them, Silke and Dominik could hold him off long enough for me to get to the centre.
"Keep going, Rupert," came Robert's voice, tired and encouraging at the same time.
Just at that moment, I felt closer to him than I had at any point since we had separated, and I realised that there was every possibility that in a working like this, he could end my existence as an independent entity. Suspicion suddenly formed in my mind, and I found myself painfully aware that there and then, my life depended wholly on his sense of duty and honour. Had I been the dominant twin, I doubt I would have resisted the temptation to reabsorb him while we were linked in the working. But I was not, and as far as I could tell after a few moments, the thought of doing so hadn't actually crossed his mind. Sometimes I feel I can almost find it in myself to love my oh so honourable brother.
Then we were fighting our way through the Third Veil, and I could feel the last few parts of the edit to exclude the Machine falling into place. As we pierced the Veil, I heard a scream of sheer rage and felt what seemed to be a stun grenade in the room with me. I only just managed to keep my footing as the shock wave hit me, and staggered, rather than walked to the centre.
"Clear," came Robert's voice, "I think it's worked."
"Right now, I have other things to worry about," I answered. I spent a few moments making sure I was human once again, and then looked at the Pattern Chamber to give myself a sitrep of what was going on.
I could see Andrew's counterpart getting to his feet, sword in hand, just as Schultz came barrelling through the door with murder in his eyes, obviously in response to the explosion. Von Halle was lying towards the doorway, blood leaking from nasty wounds in her thigh and shoulder, but Gerlinde was still functional and trying to get between the Pattern and Andreas. If he was surprised at the fact that he was suddenly in mortal combat with the Head of the Waffen-SS, he didn't show it. Maybe he'd taken my comment as the warning it was. But even from where I stood, I could tell that Andreas was a better swordsman than him and it was only a matter of time.
Then, without apparently diverting his concentration from the fight, Andreas loosed a bolt of magical energy, which picked Dominik up and sent him flying across the room. He skidded to a halt mere millimetres from the Pattern, and I saw him freeze. He knew what it was. He'd walked it. And he knew he mustn't touch it or he would die. However, before Andreas could gloat, Schultz moved to engage him.
"You traitorous son of a bitch," Andreas screamed at me like a madman. I had been wrong. He was capable of emotion, and he was furious. He didn't even seem concerned that Schultz was attacking him, as somehow, by instinct, he was still managing to defend himself and hurl abuse at me, as if his attention was neatly split in two directions.
"You're too late," I answered, "it's done."
But that didn't stop him heading to the very edge of the Pattern, and then loosing a double burst of energy at Schultz and myself. Schultz was knocked back, however before it could hit me, I felt myself teleported out of its way. The disconcerting part was that I hadn't formed the thought myself of where to get the Pattern to take me. And suddenly I was behind him, and Robert and Andrew were beside me, while Schultz was rolling and getting back up again, blade aiming for Andreas. The latter noticed and turned, and I could see insanity burning in his eyes. He moved to defend himself, but Andrew was faster, and got the first cut in. That bloody blade of his caught Andreas deep in the side, and the latter staggered, although as with the last time they'd met, it wasn't blood which issued from the wound. Schultz's blow caught him milliseconds later, and then the Master of the Machine was overbalancing.
I felt sure he was going to crash and burn onto the Pattern, however, before he landed, he disappeared.
"Are you alright?" Robert asked me, quietly.
"Exhausted, but otherwise...I thought I was toast. I presume I have you to thank for the out?"
"It was either that or test the blood-proof theory," my brother answered, but his expression was mischievous, not vicious, and I gave a weak smile.
"How...?"
"I moved us through the Jewel: used it to trigger the teleport on both Patterns."
"Cute," I commented, but he just smiled.
Off to the side, I could see Andrew cleaning and resheathing his blade. He seemed to be staring in fascination at the Sable Pattern. But of course, he'd never been in this room before: while my guest, he had only been taken to the Chamber next door.
Then my attention was diverted by a groan from over where Silke was lying, and I looked over towards her. She was still down, obviously in pain. Across the room, Dominik was trying to get to his feet, his movements slow and stiff, although being Forstapo he could legitimately shape shift, and I imagined his healing instincts would start kicking in soon. Schultz, meanwhile, was sticking to me like glue, but I could tell that he had also probably taken more damage from Andreas's attack than he was willing to admit. While shields stop quite a lot of things, the momentum of being thrown against the floor isn't one of them.
"I need to see to my wounded, Mein Bruder," I said to Robert.
"Let me help."
By now, Andrew had pulled his attention from the Pattern, and was visually scanning the room, taking in every detail, and noting that both Silke and Dominik were rather the worst for wear, and he started moving in the latter's direction.
"I think it would be best if you took Andrew away from here before he does something foolish," I answered, "it would be careless of me to lose two more of my generals this night."
"I'm not going anywhere until I've undone that Jewel link, brother mine," he answered, "and in the meantime, General von Halle seems most in need of my assistance."
Before I could stop him, he headed towards where she was lying, then knelt down beside her, and the physician in him kicked in.
"Robert, what the Hell are you doing?" Andrew demanded, as he noticed.
"Just for tonight, we're on the same side," he answered, no hint of apology for his actions in his tone.
Andrew looked at him, then at me, and for a moment, it was obvious that we were both thinking the same thing. How could he help his enemy? And I realised that however much we thought we did, neither of us truly understood what made Robert tick. Maybe he really was just too human to be a true Cornelian.
"Ah, screw it," Andrew exclaimed, and he reached down beside him and hauled Dominik to his feet.
"My thanks, General de Lacy," he said, quietly, his English heavily accented, and then I saw the look of mutual recognition cross their faces. They had obviously realised their relationship. Neither of them said anything, but instead turned and walked in my direction, side by side. I knew it was a moment that would never come again, and that next time they met they would be back to trying to kill each other, but just for a second...
"I'm sorry, Herr Reichsführer," Dominik said, as he reached me, "I wasn't good enough to stop him. He caught Silke first, before we realised he was a threat. I did not note your warning well enough."
"We can discuss it later, Dominik," I answered, "for now, though, we were successful, and the immediate threat has been neutralised."
"Yes, Master."
Across the room, I saw Robert stand, and help Silke to her feet. She seemed pale, but at least she didn't seem to be in pain any more. It was curious. As they stood there together, I realised that she bore more resemblance to her grandfather than to her father. And then they, too, came to join us.
"Well, this is an interesting family reunion," he said, finally, "all three of them are my grandchildren, Rupert?"
"They are."
"But not all siblings, I think."
"Silke and Dominik are paternal siblings. Rikart no."
"You really are a son of a bitch, Rupert," Andrew said, quietly.
"I do what I do for my country, nephew. As do you," I replied, firmly.
By now, Silke and Schultz were looking at both of us rather strangely, and I saw Dominik give a weak smile.
"General de Lacy is our father, Silke," he said, crossing to her and resting a hand on her shoulder, and I could see shock on her features. That she'd walked the Pattern, and studied it well, had shown her that she was of the blood, but I had never told her how. After all, Andrew wasn't exactly persona gratia in the Reich, so why burden her...any of them...with the truth? I preferred to keep it as my little secret. So much for that, I suppose.
Schultz looked at them, and then back to me, the question he wanted to ask, but didn't dare, burning in his mind.
"I'm guessing Conrad's?" Robert said, challenging me to prove him wrong, but of course, he wasn't, so in return I just gave a wry smile.
"Remind me never to underestimate your ability to identify your descendents again," I answered, and he chuckled. But then he became more serious again.
"You realise that you've just made a very dangerous, very deadly blood enemy, don't you Rupert."
"I always knew it was a possibility when I decided to bring this to you," I answered, "but then, by setting up Karstadt, he attacked first."
He looked at me, then nodded.
"I'll have to fire him, of course," I added, with a slight smile, "followed by a dishonourable discharge."
Robert looked at me for a moment, and then laughed.
"You will at that. More personnel changes in the Waffen-SS? Or will you give Kapler his old job back?"
"I'm sure I'll think of something, Mein Bruder, and when I do I'm sure you'll read it in one of Graham's reports. There'll probably be some treason charges in there somewhere, as well, once I speak with the Kaiser. Now, much as I've enjoyed our little adventure this evening, that link...?"
He brought the chain he was wearing round his neck out, so we could see the Jewel once more.
"As before, concentrate on the Jewel, and I'll unweave it."
Andrew and I looked at each other, and then did as he was bid, and moments later, I was alone in my head once more. The silence was blissful.
I glanced at my brother and nodded. "Thank you."
"And now, I think it's time we were elsewhere," he said, "presumably you'll let us out from here?"
"Of course," I answered, and adjusted the defences accordingly. Then he brought up the Pattern, and jumped the pair of them away. Once they were gone, I locked things down once more - tighter than ever, if anything - and then looked at my three companions.
"Master, I have questions..." Silke began, but I held up my hand for her to stop.
"I expect you all do," I said, gently, "and I am willing to answer them. But first, I suggest we adjourn upstairs, to somewhere a little more comfortable."
And before any of them could argue, I brought my own Pattern to mind and jumped us up to the lounge of my suite upstairs in the castle. I invited them to sit, and took a few moments to reinforce the wards around the room, especially against eavesdroppers. Then I offered them drinks and sat down to join them.
"Where would you like to begin...?"