War Never Ends

1| Anfänge

"Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom... These are the beginnings of sorrows"

             -Cynthia Harrod-Eagles

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Dresden, Germany

March 6th, 1938
6:27P
                                          

"Melden Sie sich bei Ihren etikettierten Einheiten!"

Blinking awake, Nich sits up, glancing around as the truck he was in halted to a stop, the fellow soldiers around him, along with Nich, leaning towards the front lightly into each other, a few grunts of discomfort sound through the canopy without a distinct owner. 

    The panel in the back unlatched, flipping outward. The first few men began making their way out, pushing the canopy open slightly.Once he was able, he stood inside the dim truck, hunched over as he walks behind the man in front of him, hopping onto the paved ground.

    Nich looks around, in search of his unit's crest among the sea of soldiers, trucks, armour, and yelling, a few planes flying overhead.
As he searched, he spotted a small flag beside a infantry car and a group of soldiers with an Officer.  The flag was white with a red outline and a solid black Odal rune in the middle, a thin gold-ish lining in it's black colour.

   He swiftly marched through the sea of men towards the flag, straightening his uniform and cap, breaking through as he reaches the Officer.
"Hauptmann Keller?" He spoke in a questioning tone, unsure if this was the right Officer or not.

   They turned around, showing a rather young man in his early twenties with sharp blue eyes, his face clean shaven, jaw chiseled. Much like the rest of the Waffen.
"Ja. Und you are?" The officer, now known as Wilhelm, raised his brow, his tone rather laid back yet still keeping it's firmness.
   "I was informed that I would be joining your unit?"

     Keller had a light look of realization on his face, nodding lightly.
"Ahh, you must be our new Marksman, Nich Hörst"
Nich saluted, his arm fully vertical with a light angle toward his head, his palm out flat, facing outwards.
"Ja, Herr Keller. From Cologne"

   Wilhelm nods again, saluting back as he yawns lightly. "Well, welcome to Dresden, Hörst. Und this, is our unit. Small, but quite functional"
He leans against the car, before lightly waving a hand at the four Heer a ways back, who were quietly chatting.
"That's Will, Michael, Frans, und Walter"
   One of the men in the group glances up from their conversation, noticing the pair beside the car before nudging another, gathering the rest's attention, nodding at the two.

   They make their way over, all but one wearing the Heer helm, the other wearing a beige and grey side cap with red crosses stitched on it.
 "Is this the new member, Herr Keller?" The one in front points at Hörst briefly, speaking to the Officer."
"Ja. Welcome Nich Hörst, our new Marksman"
  All four of them give a brief salute, much like Nich's earlier, one of them checking his watch afterward

   "It's almost time for our round in the mess Hall, Kommandant" He looked back up from his wrist towards the Officer, whom was silently looking out at the buzz of activity in the rain.
"Then let us move. Unless you want your food cold."
 Everyone but Nich nodded, turning on a Heel and walking of, presumably to the mess hall
"Kommandant?" Nich, unmoved, glanced at his newfound leader
"Ja, Hörst?"

  "I heard of an operation coming soon?" He sounded curious, wanting clarification from a higher source.
"Ja, soon. Very soon.. We will be taking back what was ours first place"
  "Of course, Kommandant. Austria, ja? My mother as born there"
    The Officer nodding, looking out.
"Ja. Let us go, I don't feel like having cold soup tonight"
Nich nodded with a brief salute, turning on a heel before walking alongside the Officer

- - - [] - - - 

  The smell of beef soup, clatter of spoons, buzz of conversations, and the constant shoulder rubbing of the large room filled the air with a warm sense, filling everyone's ears.
   "Best. Stew. Ever."
The mechanic of the group chuckled as he continued to eat, the medic to his right nudging him with his elbow.
  "Sure beats your mum's grit, eh?"
"Oh fuck off, Will. You know damn well my Mum's the finest cook in Munich"

   "Oh, I know them sewer rats like a good fill o' guts up there, Frans"
One of the rifleman butt in, grinning while the Medic laughs
  "Ah, fuck the both of you. Her food isn't that bad, right Herr Keller?"
He turned to the Officer, who was calmly sipping a glass of water, his eyes down.

   "Frans.. I don't think potatoes and water count as food"
Everyone at the table burst into laughter, including the Officer, who gave a light chuckle.
  Although, there was one silent one. Nich st at the end of the table, silently tearing apart his slice of bread and dipping it into his bowl, scraping up the remaining broth.

    Frans, sipping the broth left in his bowl noticed Nich, wiping his mouth. "What about you.. Nich? Your mum a good cook?"
He glanced up, eating a chunk of break, pausing
    "Used to be a chef for a restaurant in Belgium"
Nich went back to eat, looking forward again

 "Huh, must be good then"
He shrugged, finishing his broth.
"What about you, Keller? Your wife cook?"

  He nodded, eating a spoonful of beef.
"Ja, makes a breakfast that'll please even Herr Karl"
Keller chuckled lightly with a grin, sipping his glass.

   The men at the table fell silent, most of their eyes set on the Officer
The mechanic spoke up with a low voice. "Keller, what are you doing?? Herr Wilhelm would have your head if he hears you call him that.."
"Ahh, he won't mind.."

    A few of the men followed Keller's gaze, which was upon a slightly more decorated Officer, his cap still on as he silently sipped from a glass of something, standing away from everything else.
  The Officer glanced around before seeing Keller, to which he immediately and swiftly made his way to their table, weaving through the other tables and people.

   Keller stood with a smile, giving a simple salute.
"Karl, it is gute to see you once again"
"It is, Keller, it is" He smiled warmly, the others looking up before standing, all giving the outwards salute.
"Heil!"
"Heil!
The Medic was late, standing. "Herr Wilhelm! Heil!"
   Nich remained unmoved, his attention set on his food, blocking everything else out.
Wilhelm only chuckled lightly, waving his hand dismissively. "Mind if I join?"

   The Mechanic was quick to act, scooting over to leave an extra space, the Medic doing to same to add more space.
Wilhelm nodded, sitting down, now slightly across from Keller.
   "Quite the team you have here, Keller"
Keller chuckled, sipping his glass. "Danke. With some help from you, of course"
The men around merely stayed quiet, glancing between the two.

   Nich, on the other hand, sitting at the edge, had to scoot away to make space, now only sitting halfway on the bench. He glanced at Wilhelm, not saying anything or saluting, focusing on the conversation to pass the time.
   "I had just gotten my new Marksman today, actually. Nich?"

    Nich looked up, blinking. "Ja, Kommandant?"
"Meet Herr Wilhelm"
 He turned to Wilhelm, giving the same salute as Keller.
Wilhelm nodded, turning to Keller. "Reminds me of me"

   They both chuckle, Wilhelm glancing at Nich once again.
"Ja, reminds me of whe-"
"Eating time if over! Report to your barracks!"
An Officer spoke out to everyone sitting around.
   "Alright, let's go" Keller stood, along with his men and Wilhelm
"It was nice speaking with you, Keller"
 "Same, Karl. I shall see you in Austria"
The salute each other before parting ways.

What would happen in days to come will rock the world for generations...

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