Berlin blood

August drove to the site early in the morning, and his eyes were drooping from fatigue. Yesterday he slept with half his eyes: he was impatient to see this object, since he was responsible for it. August must ensure that everything is in the best possible condition. Approaching the headquarters, which, for now, was the only permanent building among the empty land, Augustus saw several trucks that were bringing people — apparently workers. But the only thing that alarmed Augustus was that they did not look like ordinary workers. He wanted to clarify this point with the Oberjunker, who stood and waited for him. Getting out of the car that had just arrived, he said hello: — Hello Oberjunker. — Hello, Unterscharführer Scholz, my name is Erich Meyer. — August Scholz, I’m from the operational headquarters. — Yes, I was told that you are largely responsible for this object. Let me bring you up to speed. — Yes, come on, but before we start, tell me, who are these people? — He pointed to the workers who stood in columns, and more and more were brought to them. “They’re not just workers, are they?” — Yes, you are right, these are prisoners from prisons in most of Germany. They will build a concentration camp, where they will then live, one might say, for themselves and they are building it. — Who are they? — Opponents of the new Fuhrer and his power. “I see,” August sighed heavily. — Okay, let’s go, you and I have a lot to do. At this point the conversation was over, and they went to the house, where engineers, architects, and also an accountant were already waiting, who was going to write down everything and draw up a report with which Augustus was supposed to go to the main headquarters. — Let’s not delay! At this point they sat down to resolve the issue. After spending two, or even three, hours in the room, everyone left for a week of reflection, as well as to begin construction. It was morning, so August went to the office to submit documents. Arriving at the office and going up to the desired floor, August realized that somehow there were too few people, and those that were there were very worried about something. Augustus was confused by this; he had never seen the commotion. Having gone up to the Untersturmführer’s office and knocked, he did not find him there. August turned around and began asking everyone passing where he could be found. After running almost the entire building, he found it an hour later in the archives. — Untersturmführer, I brought a report. — Unterscharführer Scholz, not now. We have a very important guest coming to visit us. — If it’s not a secret, who? — Heinrich Himmler. What kind of report do you have? — He glanced at the folder. — Regarding today’s camp and construction, there are dates of construction, as well as characteristics. — Great, then you have the opportunity to personally present them to Himmler. — What?! Are you serious now? What about you, and why me? — Your department is responsible for this, besides, why not, you want a promotion? With that, he left the archive, leaving Augustus standing in complete bewilderment. Did he want a promotion? He didn’t know, didn’t think about it, he was glad of the place he was given, but if fate gave him such a chance, he couldn’t lose it. Therefore, having collected his thoughts, August flew like a bullet to his department. Having flown into the office, he commanded: — Himmler is coming to us! Everyone, get yourself in order! — Who? Did I hear right? — Franz jumped up. — No, you heard right. — So that’s why there’s such a commotion today! — Get to work! Everything must be perfect. — Yes sir! At this point they parted ways, and Augustus went to his office to tidy up, straighten his uniform and prepare some more documents. About thirty minutes later, a soldier entered the office with a warning that Himmler was approaching, and that everyone should be ready and stand below on the first floor. They went down to the first floor, where other departments, or rather what was left of them, had gathered. Everyone stood in line, as they were taught at the academy. August didn’t think that he would have to remember this either. The car pulled up, and there were a lot of soldiers near the headquarters — they literally surrounded the building. And so, he came out, Heinrich Himmler. He was in a black uniform and absolutely ugly. He was accompanied by two employees — apparently, they were accountants, deputies or personal adjutants. Two. The first thing August thought was, isn’t this too much? Although for such a person — no, not much. Himmler walked by and looked around. The Sturmbannführer hovered around him all the time, like a mother around a child. He talked a lot, Himmer ignored half of his speech. He was a rather calm man of average build, he wore a funny mustache. August still couldn’t understand why he came here? See what and how it works? It’s unlikely, these are too small things that should not worry such a big shot. Maybe because of this project? Yes, most likely because of him. He wouldn’t cause such a commotion just like that. This means that there was something very important in this project. Apparently, this was not just a prison camp and not just a prison camp. Maybe he had a military mission? Or maybe they wanted to produce some kind of secret weapon there? These thoughts sank deeply into Augustus’ consciousness. And while he was thinking, his turn came. August might never have gotten out of his thoughts if Franz, standing next to him, had not pushed him in the side. — And this is Unterscharführer August Scholz. He and his department were responsible for the construction of the first concentration camp,” Himmler looked at him with curiosity. — Hello. He raised his right hand in greeting, as was customary. “Hello, Reichsführer,” August also extended his hand and greeted him, they exchanged glances. “Let him come to me personally with a report on the first inspection of the concentration camp.” “Yes, of course,” the Sturmbannführer nodded to him, and they walked on. August still held the folder with the report. After Himmler went into one of the specially prepared offices where lunch was to take place, everyone exhaled and went to their places to work. And August needed to see the Sturmbannführer. Having reached the office, knocked and received permission to enter, he opened the door. — Come in, sit down. He said to call you after lunch. Why are you so interested in him? — Don’t even know. — In any case, you have to keep the bar and not screw up in front of him. — Yes, sure. Tell me, he didn’t come to us just like that,” the man, standing with his back to him, put out his cigarette. — Yes, for a reason. But you don’t need to know the real reasons,” he smiled tiredly and, looking at his watch, said that he would soon have a meeting, so he needed to go out, he would wait at the entrance. August had never been so worried, standing at the very door. He understood that this was the moment when he could show his best side. He must do this. The door opened and the Sturmbannführer invited him inside. Closing the door, Augustus walked and stood in the middle of the room. There was a cold black aura around this person. August felt goosebumps running all over his body. It was not cold outside or in the office, but he felt this cold that literally took over his body while he was in the office with him. — August Scholz, if I’m not mistaken? — Yes, Reichsfuehrer. “Come closer,” he spoke in a calm tone, but behind this voice was a cold killer. Perhaps, if they were in a different environment, Augustus would look at him from a different angle, but not now. He was afraid of him and, although this fear can be explained, it was not human fear, it was animal fear. Augustus came closer, but not too much so as not to bother him with his presence. — So you are the person in charge of the facility? — Yes, today I went to the construction site, I wrote a report. — Okay, let me take a look. Place it on the table. Tell me, August, what are your impressions. “It’s hard for me to say, Reichsfuehrer, but I think that all this will be for the benefit of the Third Reich.” — Sounds patriotic. Have you been told why we are building this facility? “I was only told that it was for the detention of criminals and opponents of the regime. — Yes this is correct. But, you see, this is not the whole truth. This is not the only concentration camp, there will be many more. But let’s start with this for now. So, I’ll look at your report. You can be free for now,” the Reichsführer emphasized the word “for now” with a different intonation, which made August’s heart beat, but he didn’t show it. — Yes, of course, Reichsfuehrer. Turning around, as he was taught, Augustus left the office and exhaled. He had not felt such internal tension for a long time. — What did he say? — the Sturmbannführer immediately approached him. — He said that he would look at it later, but for now I can be free. — Okay, go to your place and work. At this point their conversation was over, and they each went to their places. Entering his office, August lit a cigarette. He wanted to relax. — Well, what did he say? — He said that for now I can be free. “Okay, don’t worry, everything will be fine, I’m sure,” Franz was one of the few people who knew how to support with simple words, which was rare at that time. — Okay, go to work, otherwise it’s not enough for me to fly. “Okay, okay,” and Franz disappeared behind the door. August took a drag on his cigarette and exhaled the smoke. He hadn’t been this worried for a long time. He kept thinking about Himmler’s words. “This is not the only camp.” It turns out that this will be massive? Will camps replace prisons? Or will only people accused of particularly serious crimes be sent there? This gave him no rest. August opened his desk drawer and found a small notebook in which he used to write notes when he began working in the SS. “Today the Reichsfuehrer came to us. I was given a lot of responsibility. I don’t even know if I can handle it. Hope so”. The phone rang and August picked it up. — Come here quickly! “Got it,” he hung up and rushed to the office where the Reichsführer was sitting. Having come running and taking a little breath, August knocked and entered. There were three people in the office: the Reichsführer, the Sturmbannführer and the Untersturmführer. August approached and once again greeted everyone standing in the office. — Unterscharführer Scholz, I liked your report. You express your thoughts competently, tell me, are you an aristocrat? August froze. It can’t be, how did he guess? — Yes, Reichsfuehrer. “I realized it as soon as you entered.” Ordinary people cannot express their thoughts so competently, and they also cannot, by looking at people, understand where they come from and what they stand for. However, August Scholz, you can. Tell me, where are you from and why did you come to the SS? — I’m from Berlin. My family owned several factories, I had a complete family. However, in the thirty-second year, the father died first, followed by the mother. I had a sister, Mia, and she inherited my father’s business. I didn’t claim it. I was so consumed by grief that I decided to pursue a military career in the SS. In addition, I was at the military academy and graduated with honors. — Yes, I am aware, I have read your file and the medical examination. I didn’t think that people from the aristocracy would also come to our organization. I liked you, August Scholz. You will be promoted to the rank of Scharführer and also placed in personal charge of this facility. You will bring all reports to my adjutant Karl. Sturmbannführer, prepare documents for promotion, and also allocate him a separate office. He is no longer assigned to the department. — Yes! With this the conversation came to an end, and Himmler went to his car, which took him on other errands. August said goodbye. Coming out of the office, he smiled. Is he really that special? He quickly went to collect his things and say goodbye. “Gentlemen,” entering the department, August stopped. — I want to tell you some news. From now on you will have a different person in charge of your department. By order of the Reichsfuehrer, I am transferring and will be responsible only for the concentration camp that we oversaw. — Are you going? — Unfortunately yes. “Eh,” Franz sighed heavily. — First Charlotte, now you. — I think you will also have a good boss. — Let’s hope… What rank were you promoted to? - Scharführer. — Wow! So will they give you a new uniform? — I think so, okay, I’ll go. They hugged Franz goodbye. It is unclear whether they will meet again. August came in to get documents and a new form. “I didn’t think that you would get used to it here so quickly,” the Untersturmführer said this, giving him a uniform. “I didn’t expect this myself.” — In any case, we are glad for you, August Scholz. “Thank you,” August beamed with joy. Evening was falling, and the last rays of the sun illuminated the city. August walked home, thinking about how he would brag to his friends about his promotion. Perhaps they will be happy. August knew that both Rudolf and Jens were jealous of him, although they did not show it. Going into a telephone booth, he called Jens and told him to come to Rudolf, they had something to celebrate. — I’m home. — Oh, come in, you’re early today, did something happen? — Yes, I was promoted! — How is it? “I’ll tell you and Jens everything when he comes with the beer.” — Okay, I can’t wait. About half an hour later Jens was there with a lot of beer. — So, what are we celebrating? Having sat down in a chair majestically, like a king, and putting on a new uniform, Augustus began to tell them. They listened with their mouths open, sometimes not believing, but after listening to the end, they sat for about five minutes and walked away from the shock. — I congratulate you, you really took off. — Yes, I’m very happy too. Let’s drink to all of us achieving great heights in our careers. — Yes, let’s do it! — All three clinked glasses and drank their glasses of beer to the bottom.