บท 111: WW2 begins
A vehicle sped across the deserted streets of Berlin under the cloak of night. The driver, evidently in haste, pushed the car to its limits. Leaves fluttered in the wake of the speeding vehicle. At a checkpoint on the outskirts of the city, two policemen noticed the fast-approaching car and signaled for it to stop. Ignoring their commands, the car sped past, forcing the officers to quickly step aside.
Inside the car, tension filled the air. "Colonel Smith! As a military officer of the British Empire stationed in Germany, how dare you kidnap the ambassador and flee? Are you not afraid of facing a military court?" the British ambassador demanded, glaring at Smith who sat in the back seat.
Smith scoffed in response, "Only a fool like you can't see that Germany is on the brink of invading Poland! Should we wait around to be detained by the Germans? If it were just you, perhaps the German Chancellor might let you leave, but given my dealings with him, he certainly won't let me go so easily! I requested your approval for transfer documents, which you, in your infinite wisdom, denied."
"You are utterly mad! Why would I approve a transfer request from someone so eager to desert?" retorted the ambassador, his voice laced with anger. "How do you expect us to return to the UK without embarrassment? The British Empire isn't at war with Germany!"
"You imbeciles ignored Colonel Grudeau's reports and shelved my warnings. The Germans are now as strong as they were in 1914... no, even stronger! What are you waiting for?" Smith sighed deeply. "Just hours ago, Chancellor Akado addressed the Reichstag, proclaiming that nothing can halt the ascent of the Third Reich. He's fully empowered now, and the Germans no longer need to struggle for room to grow. Yet here we are, the British Empire, unprepared for the total war that lies ahead."
"The situation isn't as dire as you make it out to be! The Americans are with us," the ambassador argued weakly.
"The Americans? They've never truly been on our side! They side with the victors," Smith replied, his tone one of defeat. "Whether they support Britain depends on how we manage the upcoming conflicts."
"God! Poland has two million troops, and the French have another two million. The Germans can't possibly succeed. Without the ability to initiate a war, we can defeat them as we did in the last one," the ambassador scoffed dismissively.
"You really think the Germans lack artillery and fighters? Mr. Ambassador, anyone with half a brain knows that Germany has been gearing up for war since 1920! Only we, the British Empire, started preparing just yesterday," Smith said bitterly.
Suddenly, the car slowed abruptly, causing Smith's face to collide with the seat in front. Dazed, he took a moment to regain his bearings. The ambassador, due to his advanced age, had passed out from the shock. Amidst the confusion, Smith shook his head to clear it.
In the middle of the road stood a German armored reconnaissance vehicle, its 20mm cannon ominously aimed at Smith's car. Flanked by military vehicles and soldiers in full combat gear, it was clear they were not there by chance. Two Mercedes-Benz off-road vehicles with military markings blocked the road, their engines idling.
"Colonel Smith! What a pleasure to see you here," a German Defense Army officer greeted him cheerfully. "The Führer remembers you fondly, hence we were instructed to ensure your return to him."
Smith, retrieving a crumpled document from his jacket, quietly handed it to his still groggy companion. "Give this to Mr. Churchill. Tell him I can no longer be of assistance," he whispered to his adjutant, who nodded understandingly.
The German soldiers, now visible in the car's headlights, were equipped with grenades and a peculiar rifle with an unfamiliar magazine. "We fled under the cover of night in search of safety. We carry no contraband, and we are diplomats of the British Empire. Surely, you wouldn't violate international laws?" Smith challenged as he stepped out of the car, dropping his pistol to the ground in a gesture of surrender.
The German officer smiled, "Germany is very keen on adhering to international laws. The Führer merely wishes to speak with Mr. Smith. As for other British diplomats, we will not impede their freedom."
"Thank you," Smith replied, stepping back and closing the car door. He then gestured towards the other vehicle, "Can they leave now?"
"Yes," the officer signaled, and his men cleared a path. The car carrying the remaining diplomats slowly drove off into the night, vanishing into the horizon.
Smith took a deep breath and faced the German officer, "Let's go. It seems the Führer is eager to see me."
"Before we proceed, we must conduct a security check. Although you are a clever man, Mr. Smith, even the smartest can make foolish mistakes," the officer remarked with a wry smile.
Resigned, Smith raised his hands as two soldiers frisked him meticulously, even inspecting his shoes. Once satisfied, the soldiers returned to their positions, and Smith was escorted to a convertible off-road vehicle. The officer took the passenger seat, and they drove off towards Berlin.
The next morning, Smith found himself in the living room of Chancellor Akado, who had just risen and was still in his pajamas. "Good morning, Mr. Smith. I heard you attempted to leave Germany last night. Why not inform an old friend? Is there a misunderstanding between us?" Akado inquired with a friendly smile.
"Now that I have greeted you, may I go? My flight is at noon, and it appears I will miss it," Smith replied, his tone tinged with humor.
"Colonel Smith, you still have your sense of humor," Akado chuckled. "You are more astute than your peers. You knew the German military's preparations were nearly complete, prompting your hasty departure."
Akado continued, "How could I let a dangerous adversary like you simply walk away?"
"To be honest, if given another chance, I would have shot you the first time we met," Smith said resignedly.
"You didn't, and now you won't get another opportunity," Akado replied, pointing to a bottle of red wine on the coffee table. "Care for a drink before you leave?"
"Of course," Smith said, taking a glass and sipping the wine. He then walked out of Akado's living room, his steps heavy but resolute.
On September 12, 1937, Colonel Smith, the military attaché of the British Embassy in Germany, was sent to a concentration camp on the outskirts of Berlin, never to be heard from again. The British ambassador and his entourage also disappeared in Berlin that day, their fates unknown. Witnesses last saw them crossing the German-French border, though there were no official records of their entry into France.
The German restraint was evident when the Soviet army attacked Poland. It wasn't until the morning of September 13, 1937, that Germany expelled the Polish ambassador and officially declared war on Poland that afternoon. Akado condemned the Polish government for ignoring the German people's desire for peaceful reunification and occupying the Danzig Corridor, declaring war on behalf of all Germans against the "evil" Polish rulers.
That same afternoon, France declared war on Germany, followed by Germany's declaration of war on France. Three days later, Britain declared war on Germany, condemning the seizure of British Embassy staff. Germany then declared war on Britain, and thus, the Second World War began.
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