Ehrenkanzler Klaus Altmann sat in the office of the Ruhmes Haus sifting through report after report. He had made the horrifying discovery that paperwork was not nearly as thrilling as sitting in a tank and killing reds, but generally it was more important. And it helped. Every form he signed sent food to Marnik or concrete and bricks to Karlsberg or sent money to businesses. Business were getting restarted, factories were turning out toasters, pans, or tools rather than guns and ammo, and much of the roads and buildings didn’t have holes anymore. Things were working out, and the Honor Party officials were there to make sure the people knew it was them fixing the country.
Altmann gets up out of his chair and walks up to the windows of the office overlooking the mighty capital city. He watched as a construction worker crew moved tools away from a rebuilt structure. Altmann smiles. Yes, things were getting better indeed. The pleasant moment is silent by a beep from his desk phone. “Minister Wendil is here,” his secretary says over speaker phone. “Send him in.”
Wendil walks in, tall, blonde, muscular, a warm yet unsettling smile, he had been a leader of the Honor Guard back under Eroberer and was now the Minister of the Interior and he and Altmann had been close since Eroberer went off the deep end. “Good to see ya, Wendil. Take a seat, and let me in on how everything is.”
“Well, been signing off on plenty of executions of socialists and other such reds. I believe the west is now pacified. We aren’t getting any more reports of attacks on soldiers and the general populace seems rehabilitated enough. After all, what everyone truly wants is a full belly and a home and we provided.”
“Good, that’s good. I’m gonna announce the end of occupation and reconstruction soon. We’ve sat here long enough getting back to a pre-war standing that now we have to get started on our plans. Make the country better for all, and make damn sure we’re top dogs in the west.”
Wendil smiles. “I have faith in you. I have a good feeling you stick to your guns, not like the last two screw ups. This is the party’s last chance. If we fail now we fail forever and I’ll be with you to make sure that doesn’t happen.” Wendil extends his hand over the desk and the two men shake hands. Altmann then leans in. “How’s the search going.”
“We haven’t found him yet but when we do I can get a guard-“
“No, let me know when you find out and I’ll deal with it personally.” Wendil shrugs. “Alrighty. Whatever, boss. Now I need to leave pretty soon, got to meet with the guard and see about upgrading some of their rifles.” He stands up almost at attention and gives the Honor Party salute. “Honor!” Then walks out. Altmann smiles. Yes. The country would indeed have its honor.”
