Execution [Book 2 of The English Lion]

LV

In the early days of the war coalition government under Churchill, the war continued to rage on in the West, as well as receiving Alexander's anonymous notes and letters. He also offered the former Kaiser asylum, which was declined by the former Kaiser. The next day consists the Belgians tried everything in their power to slow down, and even halt the German advance. Under Alexander, they did with the help of Regius Obligatus's guerrilla army located there. The same day, the Battle of Hannut begins in Belgium.

But, despite all this, Luxembourg is occupied, making it the first Western European country to be occupied by the Germans. Alexander, Regius Obligatus and Absconditus Custos worked diligently to secure and win the espionage game in Luxembourg, fearing the fact the German espionage game would work to quickly gain ground in Luxembourg.

The thirteenth of May saw Winston delivering his "Blood, toil, tears and sweat" speech in the Commons as the Dutch government-in-exile being established in London, as Guderian's Panzer corps breaks through at Sedan and Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands goes to the United Kingdom for asylum. Winston's speech was broadcasted throughout the nation, and Alexander, Hugo and James listened to it via radio, thanks to Regius Obligatus.

There was silence when the speech was over. Hugo and James glanced at one another before looking at Alexander, who was clenching his fist, face looking determined as ever.

"We will die if needs be. We will die for the United Kingdom, as we have given her our blood, toil, tears and sweat for this country since 1933. We will continue to do so. Hugo, go set a radio announcement to all Regius Obligatus. It is time," Alexander ordered and Hugo nodded before scrambling. James looked at him.

"Do you think it is wise?" James asked worriedly. Alexander looked at him darkly.

"It is time that Regius Obligatus hear from their Director-General," Alexander replied darkly, eyes of determination, "Winston is giving hope to the nation and the world. I have reports from Regius Obligatus and Absconditus Custos that there will be deserters if they feel hopeless, especially those in the lower ranks ever since I died. They joined because of my leadership, my devotion to the country and the duty to serve her."

Hugo walked in as James immediately stood stiffly and nodded before he bowed and left.

"What was that about?" He asked, "Nevermind, the radio is ready for you, Alexander. All of Regius Obligatus is tuning in."

Alexander nodded and immediately he followed him after straightening his outer jacket. Moments later, they arrived in a room that was set up for the radio. It was another couple of moments where everything had finalised and Alexander was ready to go.

There was silence as Hugo looked at his best friend expectedly who was gathering his thoughts.

"Regius Obligatus, this is your Director-General. Yes, I faked my death, and yes, you must have a million questions on your mind right now. Yet, however, I received reports that there are a number of you who are willing to revolt because what's left for there to fight for? Everything seems hopeless now, isn't it?"

Alexander stopped for a moment, clenching his jaws together, before continuing: "Everything isn't hopeless. There are still things that we all need to fight for. That is the country we all swore allegiance too: the United Kingdom. We all swore our lives to defend this nation. We all swore our allegiance to this nation. We don't ever give up. When we find the situation helpless, we don't quit. We never quit nor do we surrender to tyranny. Earlier today, Winston Churchill - our Prime Minister - had given his "Blood, toil, tears, and sweat" speech in the Commons. I will tell you this, reiterating our Prime Minister's words: 'I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.' I have offered my life to serve this nation by carrying out the plan I have in mind to defeat this tyranny. I will continue to do so until the tyranny is gone."

Alexander's speech continues on, and as his speech goes on, questions eased on everyone's minds as they all realised that their beloved Director-General is alive, and where he is now is not asked nor was it discussed. It was also agreed between all the members of Regius Obligatus and Absconditus Custos that they will keep quiet about Alexander being alive, for the sake of him because they all now know the reason behind Alexander's fake death. They must protect him at all cost, as well as Britain and the world's survivability in this war. Meanwhile, Douglas, Emily, Winston and Antoine all looked at one another in shock, with a similar question in mind: Isn't he supposed to be more careful about this? What is he thinking?

Throughout the next eleven days, many events seemed to sway the word hope between victory, defeat, and surrender. Regius Obligatus and Absconditus Custos have their hopes renewed. Their determination renewed. Now they know their leader is alive, their determination to bring the tyranny of Hitler and Nazi Germany down so that Alexander can reemerge from the hole he's been hiding from ever since he faked his death.

Meanwhile, as all of this is going on, Isabelle's relationship with Philippe is slowly budding into a romance, much to the horror of Colette, who now knows Philippe's true identity, thanks to Alexander's letter. Colette keeps corresponding with Alexander about her worries about Philippe, but Alexander reassures her about Philippe and Isabelle, even if he is angered at Philippe and frustrated about him.

Throughout the next ten days, everything happened in a blur for Alexander and the world. Winston had asked President Roosevelt and Canada for aid, as there are outlines of the new British coalition - including Labour, Liberal, and Conservative members - being made public, the creation of the Local Defence Volunteers announced by the new Secretary of State for War Anthony Eden, meanwhile the Germans made their way through the Netherlands. The Netherlands decided to surrender after the Rotterdam Blitz on the 14th, as the capitulation of the Dutch army was signed the next day. The same day as this was signed, the first large-scale strategic bombing in this war happened. Alexander stayed up during this time as the bombings happened, as he starts to plan the strategic military plans in relations to the Absconditus Custos guerrilla army and how that they would play in helping out the defence of France and Britain. He somewhat gets more worried about how fast the war is getting ever close to Britain's shores. When he heard that the French war was as good as over on the 16th, Alexander corresponded with Winston, and a number of other people of appropriate positions to get Britain's defences up to date and to prepare for what's to come. The 19th of May 1940, when Rommel's forces surround Arras as other German forces reach Noyelles on the Channel, Alexander gets even more worried than ever, his fear for the safety of Britain and Isabelle's safety continue to gnaw the edges of his mind, threatening to take over his decision making machine in his mind.