― Aldous Huxley, Brave New World
Occupied Vetalia.
0900 Hours, Standard Imperial Time.
Northern Gholgoth
Reich Ministry of Occupation and Labour Allocation.
The former Government building had been stripped down, many of its opulent fixings had been removed, scrapped or simply burnt, excessive decoration was not something The Reich tolerated at all, it was surplus to requirements, expended excessive resources when it served no function, no real function, to a normal person, it might have sparked happiness, a sense of achievement, success or was something to simply be enjoyed, but to the Reich it was folly. The corridors of the building, once lined with curtains, stained slightly by the tar of many cigarettes smoked long into the night were now bare and empty, tables that were adorned with a simple vase and flowers had gone, nothing replaced them, just the cold grey stone of the building, footsteps echoed all around, their sound no longer deadened by the fittings, it gave the building a tomb like feel, but yet was home to many of the staff who still got a sense of familiarity from the otherwise barren expanse of corridors and rooms.
Governor Haskins stood at his table, it was a large oak table, highly polished and one of his favourite possessions, he had convinced the Capitol Police that he needed such a large table for all of the work he was prepared to do for them, he would need the space to study all of the files and documents that would certainly pass through his office, he often chuckled to himself, the Reich one of the most technologically advanced nations in Gholgoth still operated with a paper document system, everything meticulously documented, written down, stored in folders, stamped several times, he had no idea why they didn't use computers like everyone else, even like Vetalia before the Reich Occupation, he shrugged his shoulders to himself...
Smoking had been outlawed by The Reich, you could still get hold of a packet of cigarettes, but it was a lot harder, the black market was thriving, although it was highly risky, anyone could be an informer, even the black marketeer, he pulled a packet out from his desk and lit up, taking a long drag and letting the smoke rise gently into the air, he savoured its taste for a moment before realising that a delegation from The Reich were due to arrive soon, still it helped to calm his nerves, it was always a tense meeting with the Reich, you never knew what they were going to say when they arrived.
He stubbed the cigarette out in an ash tray, making sure it was completely out then put the whole thing into the drawer of his desk, he opened the window wide and leaned out slightly, "A black APC..." he though to himself... "They are here" he could see the black figures walking up the steps, he straightened out his tunic and sat at his table, clenching his fists and resting them on the desk, sure enough, he could hear their footsteps long before they arrived, the lock step, sounding more like it was just one person rather than two or three, "How do they do it, I wonder, how do they keep in time, possibly the Relay? or drilled into them at birth? it's always so perfect" he thought to himself as they entered, he stood up and gave them a crisp, extended right arm salute, they returned the gesture, again in perfect time, it amazed him, it was like they were one person acting together.
"Hauptsturmfurhrer, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?" Haskins spoke, his voice cracking a little as he spoke, he never knew how to speak to Capitol Police
"Small talk is excessive." The Officer spoke, his voice cold and devoid of emotion, he pulled out of his briefcase a dossier, he passed it to Haskins who held it in his hands for a moment before placing it down on the desk, it was unmarked, usually they have some kind of title or stamp on the front, this was blank. "odd" He thought to himself.
"My apologies Hauptsturmfurher, what is this dossier"
"Production reports for the last six months." The Officer watched Haskins response with cold, grey eyes.
"Oh, I see, I have done everything in my power to ensure that production remains at the desired levels."
"And yet Production is down at several sectors, Governor"
"I can assure you Haupsturmfurhrer, I have everything under control, the problematic sectors of Vetalia are being dealt with, the KVF are doing as much as they can."
"Sabotage, a production facility bombed, a KVF Garrison ambushed, We do not need to continue, but we can continue to list your failings if so desired Governor"
"No, no no!" His nerves started to show in his voice, the sweat forming beads on his forehead, if they wouldn't shoot him on the spot he would most certainly light a cigarette...
"I will double my efforts Haupsturmfurher, I can guarantee that everything that can be done is being done." He held his open hands out, waving at the dossiers laid out in front of him, KVF Deployments, garrisons and other such matters, problems that all fell at his door.
"There is no need, Governor, your efforts are obviously not enough to bring the task into hand, production has been down consistently for six months." The Officer began to rise from his seat, exactly at the same time, the other two also rose...
"Then what should I do?" Haskins looked up at the officer as the full height of the man loomed over at the still seated Governor...
"Nothing, The Reich has decided to assume direct control of Vetalia."
All the Governor could must was a quiet "Oh..." he sat back into his chair...
"Prepare your affairs Governor, a Capitol Police unit will arrive shortly to relieve you of your Command."
"As you wish Hauptsturmfurhrer" He stood up now and gave a crisp right armed salute, the Officers did not return the gesture, it was a wasted effort on someone who was now surplus to requirements...
He waited until he saw the Officers leave the building and climb into the back of the APC, he picked up the telephone that was buried under a mountain of papers and wound the handle several times, a female voice answered...
"Sarah, its Haskins, look, No, I don't have time to explain, but does your boyfriend still do a bit of black market work on the side?" He paused for moment..
"No, Sarah, calm down, listen, listen... LISTEN TO ME GOD DAMMIT WOMAN!" He shouted, down the phone, his hair coming loose slightly and sticking to the damp sweat on his forehead...
"Sarah, I need your help, listen to me very carefully, I need you to get me a travel permit from your boyfriend, yes, I know, I don't care how much it costs, I just need one" He paused again, fumbling about in the draw for his cigarettes...
"Thank your Sarah, now listen, I need you to get your things out of the Office, the Capitol Police will be here shortly, No, I don't know, but you don't want to be here when they arrive, Ok, Thank you again, I'll see you later at yours this evening, Ok, bye..." He put the phone down and placed a cigarette in his mouth, he lit it with a match and took a long drag, it was time to go....