[Germany] Winter in Germany

[NagandEmerald]

@Retroliser

In the harsh winter winds, the Kaiser was already starting to feel the chill. He wasn't properly dressed for the trek, and the cold winds, temperatures, and rapidly accumulating snow were already slowing him down. In about 20 minutes, he had taken shelter inside of a local restaurant only about 10-15 minutes away from the Reichstag heading down towards the Volkspalast. Staying in for a moment, people who were busy eating did not seem to notice the man who'd taken his seat. In the Reichstag, panic was beginning to set in as former-President Kästner started directing people to start packing their things and preparing to leave. Other officials in the Reichstag had managed to get a hold of public transport services, and several buses along with a snowplow motorcade were dispatched to the Reichstag to begin the process of evacuating people on orders of the Royal Household without the Kaiser's consent.

"Guten tag, Könnte ich dir was zu trinken bringen?" a waiter asked the Kaiser. He turned to the minimum wage worker with a small grin and shook his head.

"Nein, aber danke für das Angebot," he responded, causing the waiter to move elsewhere for the moment. As he thought on what the good doctor had said, he questioned whether he was right for Germany now. Every decision he'd made regarding the storm was only getting worse, and now he was going to force his people to leave their country and seek asylum for the time-being in another locale.

It was mind-boggling now that he had the power that his efforts could be for nothing, as the people would want a scapegoat. What's more, he feared the rise of alternative powers with the "ineffectiveness" of his Chancellor, especially from the NPD. Not only was a proper National Socialist leading the group, but it was clear that he didn't like the Kaiser all that much from the gala that he hosted at the Volkspalast only about a month prior. Would he be ousted from his new seat, was Germany just destined for failure at this juncture? His disbandment of the military had made Germany vulnerable, his efforts to bring the bad weather situations under control only made fruitless, and his own authority questioned by even his own countrymen.

Upon realizing the severity of the matter, his own pride and hopefulness for the future had prevented him from looking at the bigger picture, and now, more than ever, Germany was in danger of falling apart because of some bad weather. He was not a weak-willed individual, but a King and an Emperor! He was successor to Wilhelm II, and people were counting on him to make the right moves! He had to tell the Volksrat what had to be done, and take executive power. With this in mind, he went out to face the cold again, and pressed onward to the Volkspalast, not even noticing any lights from any oncoming traffic.

 

[Retroliser]

The wind swirled round the doctors cloak, trying eagerly to find its way to the sensitive flesh wrapped in the thick layers of wool and cloth. However, he was well versed in the art of appropriate clothing. The only skin on display was his head and neck, which were feeling rather cold, but nothing that concerned the intellectual.

Noticing a figure up ahead, he picked up speed in an effort to catch them. Upon doing so, he found himself in the presence of The Kaiser again. The time the royal had spent in the cafe had allowed the doctor to catch up.

"Your Majesty!" He yelled, so he could be heard over the howling winds. "Are you alright!? You can't stay out here! It's too dangerous!"

 

[NagandEmerald]

The Kaiser turned as he heard the voice of the Turkish ambassador, his expression rigid in its calmness, but also with a hint of annoyance. His face and neck had turned a shade of pink as the bitter cold began to bite into him, and, when he spoke, his teeth chattered.

"I-I-I'm f-fine! I m-must c-convene with my people! I-I need to tell them what I am planning!" he chittered in protest to the doctor, his teeth chattering loudly against the cold as a snowplow's lights illuminated him; light flakes were beginning to accumulate along the top of his fur hat.

Perhaps he should've at least grabbed his scarf and hat from the Reichstag lobby, but he was too focused on getting to the Volkspalast that he forgot...or maybe he wanted to die out in the cold for being a terrible icon for his people; no, that wasn't a thought that crossed his mind until now, but maybe it was a subconscious desire? Regardless, it was clear that he had a personal mission to his people now: to get them to safety.

 

[Retroliser]

"Then let's hurry for Gods sake! You'll catch your death of cold!" He replied forcefully, as he put an arm round The Kaiser to shield him from the cold with his cloak. "We can walk to The Volkspalast together. I have some of my embassy staff there attempting to get some transport together to evacuate the occupants there."

 

[NagandEmerald]

The Kaiser was immensely thankful for the doctor's help as he trudged his way down Leipziger Straße towards the Volkspalast. Upon entering the building, it was clear that people were immensely disgruntled, and upon his entrance, the main foyer became silent as many citizens stared him down. Breaking free from the doctor's cloak, he started looking around for members of the Volksrat, letting any detail of security know to call them to the plenary chamber. He went into the room, which was not as beautifully decorated as the rest, and more plain to reflect it being the room of the Commoners. 17 seats were situated around a centermost podium, and one-by-one, each member walked in. The door shut behind him when the last member came in, and he thanked the doctor quickly before going to tell them his plan.

"Ladies and gentlemen...we are in serious danger now. In the past few weeks, I've done all that I can to prepare for the storm, but it seems to be getting worse by the minute. Therefore, I am declaring a state of emergency for the German Reich. No one will be safe if the storm can help it. I hear of softball-sized hail falling down on most cities north of us as the storm worsens, and of people getting frostbitten and hypothermia from simple tasks such as staying outside for only 10 or 20 minutes to shovel snow...we must leave Germany, and find asylum in another country." At this prospect, several members of the Volksrat began to murmur what could be seen as treasonous in some countries. They murmured the Kaiser's weakness and giving into peer pressure as befitting of their new monarch.

"Please understand that I don't want to leave as much as the next person, but this storm is only going to get worse, and the best I can do for the people here and at the Reichstag is evacuate them and, in a safer location, call for a temporary evacuation of German homes, especially those in the north...people are already dying out in the cold, and as the weather worsens, so too will the condition of German citizens. The Turkish Ambassador has gladly opted to help organize a transport motorcade out of the city, and towards the south. If we can avoid problematic areas and get some people out of the country, then I will feel much more ease in my heart. It is your decision if you want to leave or stay with Frau Kanzlerin Nahles, but I am leaving the country, and so are the people that wish to find sanctuary somewhere from this dreaded storm...I would not normally call for such an action, but the people are in immediate danger, and need guidance..." Silence followed as the Kaiser started walking to the door, not even giving the Volksrat a chance to speak out their complaints, a grievous error of protocol, but a necessary one.

"I have told you what I am doing for our safety. It is up to you to decide if you wish to follow..." The Kaiser then left the room, taking a seat on the cold floor nearby and placing his head into his hands. Despite what he said he would do, doubt clouded and whispered treacherous thoughts in his mind. Maybe he wasn't doing the right thing, or maybe he would be deposed of the first chance the Volksrat got...it was such a complicated world now, where every move he made had to be done on fragile eggshells.

 

[Retroliser]

The doctor approached the despairing monarchy and knelt down to pat his shoulder.

"You did well, Your Majesty," He whispered into his ear. "This is an event that is without precedent. Typhoons, tsunamis and hurricanes end within hours, so it's easy to just spend a few days away and then clear up the mess. This is different. This is a prolonged degrading of living conditions in the most frightful of conditions. While the same solution of fleeing the weather is appropriate, and necessary, it's so much harder, because of the longevity of the period in exile, as one may call it, due to this weather. Do not fret over the thoughts of individuals who think you're betraying your country by advocating the idea that its people should flee. Believe me when I tell you, not as a foreign ambassador, but as a man of science, there is nothing you, or anyone else, can do. We must be patient and wait... And hope... That this event is nearing its end, but also take steps to alleviate suffering by moving away from the danger that's pursuing us."

After giving the royal a reassuring smile from his craggy, wrinkled face, and patting his shoulder again, the doctor stood up and wandered into the Volksrat Chamber.

"Ladies and gentlemen of The Volksrat," He began loudly to grasp their attention. "My name is Doctor Mason. I am the Turkish ambassador that your sovereign referenced in his address. I want to make it clear that what you're currently dealing with is a freak of nature that will not care where your loyalties lie. It matters little whether you're so German that you worship lederhosen as your chosen god, or one of the 'foreign invaders' your more right-leaning politicians worry about. This constantly expanding blizzard will kill everyone in its path without any trace of discrimination for nationality or ethnicity. I don't know if you consider The Emperor's idea to be mad or treasonous, but let me tell you this... Berlin is already on its way to being buried under snow. The ploughs you have operating round the clock are already being rendered useless by the sheer volume of snowfall. In addition, the temperature is now so low that salt, the material you're using to reduce the freezing point of the snow, and therefore prevent it from accumulating, is now ineffective. The weather has beaten humanity. Further resistance will only prolong the suffering of the people you are duty-bound to protect... Even if that means asking them to abandon their homes and flee. You may control the law of the land, but you cannot control the weather that the land experiences... Only react to it appropriately. Any action other than evacuating to less cold climes is foolhardy and, to be completely honest and frank with you all, suicidal. This is not a ploy by me as a foreign emissary, but as a man of science telling you the facts and the only reasonable way forward that will save every life. In circumstances like this, every life is precious, and we should fight tooth and nail to save them all."

 

[NagandEmerald]

"Who is to say that we should leave our homes? I've worked hard for many years for this country! I pay my taxes, I help my community, and now, I help to decide its fate with the other 16, his Majesty, and Frau Kanzlerin! I and everyone else should not have to leave our homes just because the weather is bad, nor should we have to listen to foreign powers tell us 'evacuate your homes and seek asylum'," the gentleman representing Bavaria stated.

"That's easy for you to say!" the woman representing Hamburg interrupted, "I think his Majesty is making the right decision! Have you been up to northern Germany? Have you been up further than Berlin?! I think not! There is softball-sized hail breaking windows and destroying power grids! Trains have come to a dead halt across the country! If anything, we absolutely need asylum in another country! We need to evacuate as many as we can!" The entire Volksrat was now breaking out into an argument. Unlike career politicians, these were mainly simple folk, common peoples who were chosen at random to represent their state's interests. While one could argue them a useless formality for the Kaiser and Reich Chancellor, they were still an integral part in decision-making, and the majority of them had grievances with the Kaiser's sudden declaration of a state of emergency, as it meant that their influence was for nothing.

 

[Retroliser]

"EVERYONE, SILENCE!" The doctor bellowed to silence the room. "If you want proof that The Kaiser's decision is the right one, follow me to the window."

Doctor Mason walked over to the window and pointed at a snowplough that was driving past.

"The snowplough that's just passed has also dropped salt behind itself, so that any new snow that lands will melt due to the resulting freezing point depression caused by the sodium chloride mixing with the water snow is made of. Observe how even now, after less than a minute, the snow is not only landing, it's settling and building back up again. The salt is meaningless. Recent reports have shown that everywhere in Germany is now, at least, minus five degrees. Salt everywhere is already losing its ability to prevent snow from settling like it is now here in Berlin. Over half of Germany is at minus ten or below, meaning salt's now rendered so ineffective, that using it is actually more expensive than the now severely reduced ability for it to solve the problem you're using it for.

You may be upset about leaving your home, but let me ask you all something... What use is your home to you, if you've died of hypothermia or frostbite? If you head south, your homes won't vanish while you're away, they are made of bricks and mortar, the hail, wind, snow and cold won't destroy them. Damage, yes, but not destroyed in any sense of the word. You're preserving yourselves so that you can serve your country in the future, which is the single most important duty any loyal citizen should do."

 

[NagandEmerald]

"And do you know how much it takes to repair a home if it is damaged by severe weather? This isn't the United States, where free money for a broken home is possible!" another woman, this one from Rhineland-Palatinate, stated with a fire in her voice, "This is Germany, and in Germany, the cost of damages are far more than in the US!"

"Do not give me that! Maybe you just have a shitty insurance company, or didn't financially prepare yourself!" In only a moment, the Volksrat had descended back into chaos as the representative from Brandenberg and Rhineland-Palatinate started going at it. It was a wonder how the German government interacted with the Volksrat when needed.

 

[Retroliser]

"At least you all will have a home to return to, damaged yes, but still standing," The doctor countered. "Let's not forget that Norway and Sweden have already hit minus 25 degrees and will soon be minus 50. Ships are frozen in port and the blizzard prevents them from flying out. Spare a thought for them, and how they are, effectively, doomed to freeze to death. Think on how they will try to repair themselves when most of their population have perished, while you complain about the wallet puncture you'll need to fix. If I were in your shoes, I would prefer having to pay for home repairs, than dying slowly and painfully through freezing."

He then took the opportunity to leave them to mull over his final words by leaving to check on The Kaiser.

"Are you alright, Your Majesty?"

 

[NagandEmerald]

The Kaiser was now standing tall, watching as people began to leave the Volkspalast for several buses waiting outside. He then turned back to the doctor and sighed in relief.

"At least this way, less people will die...that being said, I don't recall sending for public transport...I suppose that is your doing."

 

[Retroliser]

"Yes, sir. I apologise for going over your head, but no matter what you decided, I was going to evacuate as many as I could personally... Not just for the sake of protecting life, but for my own conscience. A wise human once sad: 'Evil triumphs only when those who are good choose to do nothing.'

It's a truly inspiring remark, which, while slightly inaccurate since weather can't have evil intentions, is still appropriate since it highlights the need for people to try and change things for the better, rather than immediately give up under the pretence that the problem is 'beyond your control'."

 

[NagandEmerald]

@Retroliser

The Kaiser would nod in agreement before looking around the palace one last time, maybe for the rest of the year. His mind started to wander towards the prospect of Germany's future, and whether the nation would truly recover. Idly, one of his hands placed itself on the ornate wall, and sighed in apprehension as it no longer felt filled with life; now it was cold to the touch, and the feeling that was exuded made him feel sick inside, as though he was touching a corpse. His gaze then turned to the Volksrat chambers, their yelling and arguing deafened over the sound of his own mortality

A Frozen Germany

Upon realizing that he was one of the last 7 people in the room to remain, he stepped towards the doors of the palace and waited for his own motorcade. In the time he did, he took out his mobile phone and scrolled down until he found his wife's number. Quickly dialing it, the Kaiser placed the object to his ear and waited.

"Hallo? Georg?" he heard from the other end. His wife and his children had already fled south towards Munich. Looking out the window, then back to a painting of Wilhelm II, he sighed.

"Georg?" the voice asked again. This time, he spoke, but his voice was shaky and hardly composed anymore.

"Sophie," he choked, finding the words hard to say as his throat clenched up in despair, "Berlin ist gefroren...die Menschen im Norden sterben. Es...es ist Zeit zu gehen." Immediately, he was met with a frantic voice begging, demanding him to not give up, that they could still survive it. The Kaiser's heart was already shattering under the immense guilt of feeling that he failed his people, and to hear his wife stand by sentiment instead of fact only worsened the feeling in his aching chest.

"Die...die Leute sterben...sie frieren Sophie," he whimpered, looking over to the doctor, hoping that he'd called for his motorcade to come to the Volkspalast.
"Wir können nicht bleiben...wir müssen Deutschland verlassen. Bring meine Kinder aus dem Land. Ich ruf dich an wenn —" the connection began to falter a bit as he spoke, leading to some words not getting through. His wife's own panic in her voice finally brought him to the brink, and he just about threw his phone to the wall in frustration and sorrow. In this moment, the Kaiser was no longer a strong-willed individual, who could unite the German people...but a man grieving for the loss of his home, his neighbors, his community...perhaps even his family. After a moment of waiting, he put the phone back to his ear and said it again, quickly and simply.

"Ich liebe dich, Sophie. Es ist Zeit zu gehen." The Kaiser then hung up and looked outside, still seeing that the motorcade had yet to show itself. He and the doctor were among the last few people in the foyer, and it was only getting colder. Along with the heavy snow, he thought he saw what looked like balls of ice, no larger than a quarter at the moment, falling. The storm was beginning to get worse.

 

[Retroliser]

Doctor Mason, having kept his distance to allow The Kaiser some privacy to speak to his wife, approached him and put a hand on his shoulder to reassure him.

"Stay strong, Your Majesty," He said as encouragement. "Bravery is doing the right thing, even when it terrifies you. Berlin was still standing after days of bombardment by Soviet aircraft and artillery during The Second World War. It will still be standing when we return after this weather has passed."

 

[NagandEmerald]

"When is the motorcade arriving?" the Kaiser quietly asked, his breath now beginning to show. It was a simple question, but the weight of it hung in the frigid air

 

[Retroliser]

"I do not know when your personal motorcade will arrive, sir," The doctor replied honestly. "If you like, you can accompany me in my car. I have space, and what matters is getting everyone to safety, not keeping up appearances."

 

[NagandEmerald]

"I suppose that'd be the best course of action then...I'd rather not die in the cold than allow myself to wait for my personal motorcade."

 

[Retroliser]

Nodding, the doctor escorted The Kaiser to his car and opened the door for him to enter. Meanwhile, he dialled the number for Liz and informed her of his arrival at The Volkspalast and the decision The Kaiser had made. He then requested that she put Kästner on the phone.

"Frau Kästner," He greeted. "How are things at The Reichstag? Have the people been evacuated yet?"

 

[NagandEmerald]

"The Reichstag efforts are moving swiftly and very professionally. We only need two, maybe three more buses, and everyone should be evacuated. Did you get to His Majesty?"

 

[Retroliser]

"Yes, His Majesty will be accompanying me in my car. We're leaving The Volkspalast now. Everyone's been evacuated from here. Do you have any ideas regarding how soon you'll be moving out with the others?"