Ch 5. Summons, Part 2

To Karl's utter astonishment, 6 individuals he recognizes emerges from a blindingly bright light. Each is whereing a confused expression, looking around before their eyes settle on either Karl or Bruno. Eyes seeking for an explanation, betraying a sense on unease and tension beneath their otherwise calm expressions. The first to speak, an older man wearing a smart and elegant, yet subdued 3-piece suit, addresses Bruno in a formal and respectful way that holds an undertone demanding answers.

"My Kaiser, it's good to see you in good health. Please pray tell, where are we?"

The others, now fully aware of their surroundings, give a slight nod of their heads in agreement with the question. One moment they were going about their lives, the next they were inveloped in a white light and appear on a beach.

Bruno: "Finance Minister Berengar Koch, Forgeign Affairs Minister Walter Shultz, Monster of Interior Otto Herrman, Minister of Justice Paul Friedrich, Defense Minister Curt Engel, and Minister of Food and Agriculture Werner Bauer". As Bruno calls out each of the Ministers, he eyes each one remembering what he can of each. Finance Minister Berengar Koch was the first to speak, a man who has served the Imperial family with loyalty for close to 40 years and a trusted friend of Bruno's father Kaiser Wilhelm. While loyal, he's also a staunch traditionalist who can be very stubborn in his beliefs. In his memories he recalls Berengar often complains about more modern ideals and technologies, however still implements budgets and policies that best benefit the Reich regardless of his personal beliefs. He has, after all, personally watched as cavalry transition from being one of most important land units a military has to becoming completely obsolete within his lifetime.

The man to his left is Foreign Affairs Minister Walter Shultz, someone who watched Bruno grow up from the boy who is often scolded by his father to a respected war veteran. Bruno remembers that while Wlster is loyal to the Imperial family, he puts the good of the common people above all else. He is after all a man of common birth who rose through the ranks of the bureaucracy through hard work, and still remembers his roots. As long as Bruno puts the needs of the Fatherland and its people above his own, he has no need to worry about betrayal.

Next is the Minister of Interior Otto Herrman, a man who rose through the ranks of the German Army intelligence service. While a little unstable, he's overall loyal to the Reich. However after 20 years in service he's nearing the end of his rope, and Bruno knows he will soon need to replace Otto in order to prevent his mental health from becoming untenable. Unfortunately Otto is the best Minister of Interior Germany has seen, using his ample years of personal experience to modernize and improve the nations internal and external intelligence services.

Behind Otto stands the Minster of Justice Paul Friedrich. A man born to a long standing County, he's naturally haughty to those whom he believes to be beneath him. This often causes him to clash with the younger Junker noble families who a rising in power, and often has to be realed in by the Imperial family. That said he is a more than competent lawyer, whose knowledge of both German and international laws and legal procedures is quite honestly incomparable to others. Furthermore, he is the kind of man who won't hesitate to tell the Kaiser if he is or planning to do something that violates said laws and legal procedures, often working hard to find legal precedent for loopholes and solutions.

Moving to the right of Paul is the Minister of Food and Agriculture Werner Bauer. Unlike the other Ministers who were either born into a well educated family or worked their way through the nations internal systems, Werner is originally the son of a farmer who was recognized for successfully worked together with the other families around his to not only survive a fraught, but also be among the only group of farmers who actually harvested enough to sell the surplus for a profit. This caught the eye of the local government, who offered to send his children to university in order to cultivate potential assets for the nation. Werner, having not only graduated but doing so at the top of his class, went on the become the assistant to his predecessor until he was relieved of duty for bribery. Werner was appointed as his interim replacement, but was appointed as his permanent replacement due to his earnest and dedicated nature. If Bruno was to list one thing he thought was a detriment in Werner, he would say that even though Werner is now one of the most influential figures in Germany he can still become timid around those like Paul.

Finally there is the Minister of Defense Curt Engel to the far right of the group. Curt, being one of the most decorated men in the history of the German military, is naturally an imposing and intimidating man. As a veteran of many wars, a graduate of the War College, and the man behind Germanys recent modernization of its military he is a man Bruno holds an immense amount of respect for. For Curt, he often thought of Bruno as a privileged boy who was merely playing army. However this all changed when reports started coming in front the Western Front on Bruno, his actions, and achievements. While he still harbored some doubt regarding the authenticity of said reports, knowing exaggerated claims are a common practice, these all evaporated when he read the individual reports of those serving under Bruno. Now Curt fully believes that Bruno is a Kaiser worth serving, and is than willing to give his life for the young man if need be. He honestly doesn't know if he could accomplish the same feats as Bruno especially against the odds he faced, and for the life of him doesn't understand why he wasn't awarded the Pour le Mérite with Oak Leaves, an honor not even he has received.

Bruno continues from where he left off, looking each of them in the eye to express his sincerity.

"I know each of you have your questions, and I will answer them in their entirety once everyone is gathered. Truth is, I'm exhausted beyond reason right now and don't have the energy or patience to answer the same questions a dozen times. For now, be patient while I summon the others."

Those gathered can see the exhaustion in Bruno's eyes as he speaks and, fearing provoking him in this state, wisely decide to be quiet and accept the temporary explanation at face value. At the same time many of them turn to Karl, who is still reeling from what he just witnessed, quietly seeking answered to their questions.