The East PacificBoard

A new face is in the crowd, and one Clara doesnt know. He watches the room with eagle eyes, and a determination in how he holds himself on his chair.

Kaiser Friedrich walks the streets of Ruhmstadt, people gathering in the streets, pubs and bars lit up with lights, and confetti cannons being fired from soldiers into cheerful groups of children. The war was over, the men were coming home. Friedrich smiles, as the nation hadn’t bore much damage and had even come out better then before. Although he had no time to celebrate, there was still a job to be done. He waves to some of the crowds who yell out “Warrior Bill!” A young boy runs from his parents to the Kaiser. “Thank you Mr. Bill for keeping us safe from those mangoes.” The Kaiser pats the boys head. “It’s my duty, young one.” He then pulls out a 5 Kroner banknote and hands it to ‘the boy. “This is for you, boy.” The boy lights up with joy and thanks the Kaiser who continues to walk off.

Soon, a sense of anger overcomes him as he approaches the General Staff Office. The Reichsmarschall had tried to coup him and use the war for his own glory and power, but Friedrich was not one to stand down and let him do it, launching a counter coup and saving the constitution in the process. Though it hadn’t been finished. He pushes the door open, many of the staff members are clinking drinks together, talking about the war, and ignoring the Kaiser. Perfect. He walks through as a drunk staff member, a Leutnant Oberst bumps into him, the Kaiser shoving him aside. He then heads upstairs.

At the end of the hall is the Reichsmarschalls office, he walks over and nods to the guards in front of the door who salute him and open it. The Kaiser walks in to see the Reichsmarschall’s chair turned away towards the window, a half empty bottle of wine in his desk and a cigar in the Marshall’s left hand, a phone in the other. Reichsmarschall Pikner continues to chatter and laugh, oblivious to the Kaiser being there, who them reaches over the desk, grabs the phone, and slams it down. The Reichsmarschall looks startled. “Mein Kaiser,” he says, then heaving himself out of the chair. “Stay seated,” Friedrich says.

The Reichsmarschall nods and sits back down, “what can I do for ya, Your Excellency.”

“As you know, the war has ended.” The Marschall nods. “It’s been, what, a little over a year I’d say?” The Marschall nods. “Good. Now, remind me, what did the Treasonous Reform Act of 2057 state about the time Traitors had before they were dealt their due?” The Reichsmarschall raises a puzzled eyebrow. “I...is there something wrong.”

“I just need you to answer the question, Marschall.”

“I think it’s a week or something like that.”

“Just about. Now, we have a very dangerous traitor who’s been on the loose for nearly two years.”

“Good Lord, what can I do to help?”

“I’m afraid you can’t do anything.” The Kaiser pulls a small piece of laminated paper from his pocket. “This is a court order, a military court, which states that you are guilty of treason.”

The Reichsmarschall stands up in defiance, a more angered expression on his face now. “Now I did nothin!”

“Sit back down!” The Kaiser shouts. The Marschall obliges. “April 7th, 2060, you couped the Stauermann Administration and relieved me of all my powers, you went against the Constitution and against your Kaiser. That is treason, Marschall.”

“You know I was doing what was bes-“

“Silence, your appeal time was lost a year ago, and now, according to law, the Death Penalty must be served.” The Kaiser then pulls out his P320, the same in which he used to threaten Pikner once before, and starts pulling the trigger, a shocked expression on the former Reichsmarschall’s face turns to a slump as more rounds pierce into his body. The Kaiser doesn’t stop until the handgun is empty. The two guards rush into the room to find the Kaiser about to walk out. “Oh! Good, clean up the mess in there if you will.” He then leaves without another word or thought.