Operation Red Herring (Countryhumans Alternate History)

Chapter 2

There was something so subtly perfect about color theory. The way one could understand the chaotic ensemble of colors that nature has gifted the world, and manipulate them based on logical reasoning and thought. One could make an object stand out, or dissolve into the background entirely, all by using a select set of colors and hues. It was simple. A set of rules that never failed. Warm colors contrasted cool colors, bright ones contrasted dull. Even the most opposite of hues, white and black, could be brought together with a pop of blood red.

All of the greatest artists understood this to some degree or another. From the golden undertones of the Mona Lisa, to the white gloves of American cartoons, each artist knew how to make their work blend together, as well as make certain features stand out.

Third Reich considered himself an artist, and thus understood color theory particularly well. His desire for order clinged to the rules and logic behind it all, the ability to manipulate something so abstract almost an addiction of his. He smiled lightly to himself, glancing down at his armband, the black and white standing out beautifully against the poppy red. Yes, his little mark was beautiful. Sharp edges contrasting the soft curve of the circle, all secured on his pristine black uniform. It was a masterpiece in his mind, all the colors matching and playing off of each other just as he intended.

Red: Importance and danger. Attention grabbing. Strong.

Black: Sharp and powerful. Rigid. Unbending.

White: Purity. He was purifying the world of all of the grotesque specimens that had been allowed to contaminate it for so long.

Yes, Third Reich considered himself to be an artist. He was wiping the grime away from the canvas of the earth, so he could paint his masterpiece.

Of course, every artist needs patrons. People to help them bring their creations into being. Third Reich had two notable ones, whom he sat with now, discussing strategies about the war they were all in.

First was Japan, or more specifically (Third Reich was always specific), the Empire of Japan. She stood tall, the largest in their trio, with strength from years of experience. She was the eldest, and believed in a code of honor that Reich appreciated. Her honor was based on belief. She did not do things to be honorable. No, she was above striving for the impractical ideals of sainthood that plague their enemies. Instead, she did things to honor her cause. She was dedicated, and had already stated that she would rather die in battle than return home in defeat. She was a strong woman, not only in physique, but in mentality. Third Reich did not feel particularly threatened by this fact. He couldn't care less about what gender roles Japan was breaking. He was confident enough in his ties with her (as well as his control over the situation) that her strength did not threaten his own. In fact, it benefitted him to have her be a strong warrior, not a compliant housewife.

Then there was the Kingdom of Italy. Italy was younger than Japan, having come into existence in the 1800's. Though this made him significantly older than Third Reich, who had only existed for seven years at this point, the Nazi was convinced that the other sometimes acted like a child. Not in the sense that he was immature, but that he was unsure of his beliefs. He had never voiced this, of course, due to the threat of a bullet in his skull courtesy Japan, but Third could tell. The way he would nervously glance around when he thought no one was looking or when he occasionally brought up objections during their meetings, often asking if the other two were being too extreme. Third Reich noticed these things, but said nothing. Italy was a man plagued by doubt. Thankfully, Third Reich was an expert at dissipating his doubts before things got out of control. A simple reassurance here and there was all it took to keep Italy in line and on board with helping to bring his masterpiece to life.

They all sat at a round table, maps and letters laid out neatly as they discussed. They room was fairly large, though it was drab as far as colors went. Third Reich cringed inwardly when he focused too much on it, but knew that it was more practical this way. The curtains were heavy, dark, and drawn shut, making the room lit only by the artificial lights inside. This was to insight secrecy, so that no one could look through and see them at work. No countries ever stayed in government buildings, especially not when at war. They were too public, too easy to locate, and made one too easy of a target if they stayed in one. Instead, a country would usually invest in a few safehouses, often making one their main base. Third Reich had done this, having made the main base of the Axis powers a inconspicuous home just outside of Berlin. His two patrons stayed here with him, making their moves together in their high-stakes chess game with the United Kingdom. He had a few other bases throughout Germany, in which he held some of the prizes he had collected over the course of the war. The homes in which the prizes were held were close enough to their respective borders to avoid too much of a hassle in transporting them into their permanent captivity, while still being far enough inland to discourage escape.