Jonathan Taylor - Meyer-Hofmann AG

“What? You morons couldn’t even get that right!”

“Herr Reichard, Herr Von Klitzing, and myself have all fathered sons, Herr Hofmann. We can start the process at any time. But are you sure? Is it necessary?”

“Necessary? I will tell you what is necessary. I need my board. I need their strength and conviction. You lot are a disgrace!”

“We will start immediately. We can have the boys here by the end of the week.”

That seemed to pacify Hofmann.

“Good. We need to be proactive. I want to see this country on a different path within the year. We have the power and the influence; we only lack the courage and conviction. But not anymore!”

Ecker was still on his feet, but his mind was puzzling through his options.

Why stop the procedure? By helping each generation to remember its path, its history, they could extend their influence indefinitely. Hofmann was right, Germany had become soft and impotent, as much a slave to the corporations as any other nation. They were a corporation, a big corporation, one with the power to make a difference.

“I will have my son here tomorrow and start the work.”

Each of the board members now looked at one another and wondered what this could mean for their futures. Von Klitzing, Reichard, and Dr Ecker were all well aware what it would mean. Their sons would undergo a metamorphosis, before replacing their fathers. This was their initial design, their eternal protection, and most probably the reason for their personal extinction.

“I have also been looking at the command structures of our companies. Herr Von Klitzing has been doing a splendid job of eradicating the disruptive forces in our midst, but he has not gone far enough, or quickly enough. Herr Von Klitzing, I want you to double your efforts.”

“With the greatest respect, Herr Hofmann, we are moving as fast as we can without raising suspicion in the law enforcement community.”

“I have no interest in their suspicions—get it done!” That is foolish, Von Klitzing thought, shocked.

He watched Hofmann more intensely. Hofmann worried him.

We cannot ignore the world around us. This is not 1939. Things have to be handled differently now.

“Furthermore, I want more political involvement, in Germany and abroad. We can only influence the people by empowering them. What steps have been taken?”

At this, Fredrik took to his feet.

“Herr Hofmann, we have influence in all political parties in Germany, with the exception of the Green Party. Both the SPD and CSU could be influenced to move our candidates up the Party hierarchy.”

“Good, see to it! What influence do we have in other countries?”

“Wherever there is greed, we have candidates. America and Russia are well infiltrated, the United Kingdom and France are our primary targets outside Germany in Europe. We could have the entire Italian Parliament for a euro if we wanted it, but they hold no real influence in world politics.”

“Nonsense, the Italians understand us; they will be our allies again. I will make funds available immediately. Europe is screaming out for some leadership. If we offer people an alternative to the greed and nepotism of their governments, they will bite our hands off.”

“And how do you suggest we do this?”

“Simple, we make the funds available. There is more than enough money in the world’s companies to solve all of Europe’s problems. We just have to encourage them to give it away.”

Hofmann smiled at his own remark.

“Germany must be seen to be Europe’s saviour, not its financial auditor. Give the likes of Greece, Portugal, Spain our support and they will rise up with us. Their youth have been given no hope of a better life. We will change that. I want a plan in place within the month. Anyone who cannot see the vision, can be bought. Those who cannot be bought, will be terminated. Herr Von Klitzing, what is our strength at the moment?”

Von Klitzing rose slowly. This had been a lot to take in.

“We have a little over a 500 strong battalion, consisting of three companies. Approximately half are available for active service, and the rest could be made ready within a year.”

“Where are they? I want to see them.”

Hofmann had always loved the military. His service career had been limited to a brief tour of duty during World War I. He had missed the bloodshed, working in the supply units of the German Army. His business acumen had been recognised by the higher ranks and got him transferred from the front line, rising to the rank of captain. This had never been easy for him to accept; as a staunch nationalist, he wanted to fight for his country. He was one of many in the German Military who found defeat hard to stomach. He was sure that, had he been able to play a bigger part, he may have made a difference. That conviction had driven him to train extensively with paramilitary units between the world wars, convinced that the German Army could and would have won the first world war with better leadership. When Hitler persuaded him to take a back seat for World War II as well, it was with great reluctance that he did so. If he had anything to say about it, this time around, he would be on the front line.

“They are in Austria. We could go down there on Monday. I will make arrangements for the mobilisation of our assets. Have you made a decision about Jarvis’s wife?”

“I still haven’t decided. She is a problem. What would you recommend I do with her?”

“We need to get rid of her. Wives are a complication. The simplest way is to divorce her.”

“On what grounds?”

“Adultery is the quickest way. Either you have to sleep with somebody and let her find out, or we set her up as the adulteress.”

“I really don’t have time for this, but set up both.”

Lisa had started work at PricewaterhouseCoopers as planned. Steve had been a rock, filling her days with work and good humour. Fortunately, he must have got the message when they went for dinner, as there had been no more inappropriate behaviour. Truthfully, she could have used some flattery. Michael was ignoring her attempts to contact him by Skype or FaceTime, reducing their contact to brief text messages. She was becoming scared that the move to Germany could cost them their marriage. Michael had changed and was resisting all her efforts to help him. It was now the end of his second week away, and Michael had just sent her a text message saying that he could not tell her when he would be returning to Germany.

“Shit!” she said out loud. Throwing the mobile phone onto her desk in frustration, she heaved a deep sigh.

Unfortunately, she misjudged the force of her throw, and the phone bumped and skidded off the edge of the desk, landing with a crack on the grey office carpet. As she bent down to pick up the phone and assess the damage, she heard someone come up behind her.

“Got some bad news, Lis?” Steve Walker was right behind her by the time she stood up.

He had taken to calling her Lis (pronounced Leees). It was obviously an Australian thing. Only her mother had ever called her Lis, but that was the least of her problems. She gave him her best pursed-lip smile.

“It’s Michael, he’s still away on business and he hardly ever calls!” She spat out her frustration before waiting for her boss to hand her the morning’s work.

“A bunch of us are going to the Brenner Grill tonight, if you’re interested. Sophie is bringing her new boyfriend.” It was tempting. The alternative was another microwave meal, alone in a strange house.

“Maybe,” she answered.

“Okay. Can you check out HLH Partners yearly’s, for me? They have had some bad news recently and are keen to give their shareholders some good news for a change.”