January 17While the Finno-Russian Border had erupted into armed conflict, in which many Germans were calling, "Die Winterkrieg" (or The Winter War), a new event was taking place in the heart of the newly established "German Empire".
A Lutheran priest stood proudly at the Cathedral of Berlin's centerfold, with the middle-aged Kaiser kneeling before him. He stated, "Do you, Wilhelm, third of your name, stand before God and promise to take care of the people of Germany no matter what may happen?" Wilhelm said, "I swear before the Lord, that I will keep the throne in God's graces." The priest took a newly polished crown, the same worn by his father for the last time in November, and lowered it onto his head and said loudly, "By the Grace of God, I crown you Wilhelm the Third, Emperor of Germany!" Cheering erupted as Wilhelm III raised his head and bowed to his people and was met with the band in the church playing "Preussens Gloria"
Outside, the banner of the German Empire and Prussia were raised once more.
The German Empire was reborn again.
Chancellor Hitler frowned at the intelligence reports from Finland. They had invaded right after recieving the German weaponry from the Weltkrieg, and had now ignited a war with the Soviets, invading Karelia. He sighed and nodded and turned to the newly assembled German cabinet.
There was of course, himself. Chancellor Adolf Hitler, one of the most famous men in post-war Germany for his dedication to his "Deutsche Genossen", which was more of a term of connecting high power to low, than communistic. Hitler was charismatic, and above all -- loyal. At least, he was a bit egotistical to be speaking of himself like this.
Then there was his foreign minister, Konrad Adenauer. The former mayor of Koeln, this man was fierce and followed both Kaiser Wilhelm AND Hitler's policy of being aligned to the British as an ally, which had recieved German probing with a quite strong and warm welcoming -- They were even in deliberation to pick a new monarch, of which two or three of them were direct relatives of the Kaiser!
Next, was his Minister of Security and Intelligence (and defacto head of the Schutzestaffel, the German special forces dedicated to intelligence gathering), he was a crafty man with designs for Germany that even Hitler was afraid of at the moment, but he was a strong mind and strong loyalty to both himself and the Kaiser. A former comrade in the DAP, he denounced Iron Guardism at the same time Hitler did, and won the hearts of many for his leadership against the KPD.
The man in charge of the Reichswehr was Paul von Hindenburg, a veteran of the Great War, despite Hitler and Wilhelm III believing him to be directly responsible for Germany's defeat in the West, but there wasn't really anybody qualified to take his place. Hitler had pondered the idea of finding a replacement, but there was little to determine due to Hindenburg's military clout.
Hermann Goering... a very close friend of Hitler's was the Airmarschall of the Luftwaffe, Germany's newly reorganized air force. It was obvious that Goering was a fiercely loyal man, willing to serve the Empire in anyway the Kaiser or he chose.
Then finally was him. Franklin Roosevelt, who Hitler found to be a very fascinating man. He didn't seem to care of his new exile status from his homeland, nay, he seemed to fit right into German society, he seemed to look fear in the eye and SPIT in it's eye. Hitler was very impressed by Roosevelt's strength, and had nearly keeled over when Roosevelt brought forth several new reforms to the Reichsmarine, creating a new idea that even Donitz was impressed, and had approved of Roosevelt's appointment instead of himself. Hitler liked Roosevelt, and was going to ensure his future in Germany was bright... very bright.
Hitler looked interestingly at the profile of another seemingly bright man that might be important to Germany's future. Albert Einstein was a scientist that lived in Ulm, and had made many advances in science, and had two years ago, made the "theory of relativity" which had brought the world's scientists to order. This man was important, as was his counterpart in the United States, Nikola Tesla, who Hitler had tried to reach to develop some of his ideas, which Einstein had personally tried to bitterly disprove.
Hitler tapped his chin and waited for Tesla's response, then his eyes fell to Versailles... and to the map of the communist states. He frowned and said, "Germany must be allowed to arm to fight communism... but the treaty is brand new, and I'm afraid of France's response."