Bruno met with Heinrich not long after he had done so with the other of his two best friends. Frankly speaking war has a way of making men discover who they really are, and it turned out that Erich and Heinrich were the exact opposite when the bullets started flying.
Heinrich’s sole purpose in warfare was to mitigate the suffering that his own men endured and that the civilians caught up in the conflict were forced to undergo as a tribulation placed upon them by God Almighty.
Erich on the other hand was a sadistic cold-blooded killer who took enjoyment in the torture, murder, and pain that others faced against his hands and that of his men. Such men were unsuited to the peaceful state of civilized society.
But in times of war, they were among the greatest weapons to be wielded by a commander. If one utilized them properly that is. The problem was that these types of men were also a double-edged sword, and because of that they needed to be kept very close to their master, lest they act out on their own volition and cause unnecessary complications.
Bruno had learned this the hard way, and he would not suffer from such a mistake a second time. And though Erich didn’t realize it, Bruno’s vigil eye was constantly cast upon him and his activities as the current director of the Stasi.
Heinrich, on the other hand continued to pursue his military career. Though colonial conflicts were more or less being fought, the man instead stayed within the fatherland, proving to be exceptional during both times of war and peace as an officer in the Kaiser’s army.
And because of this, he would likely be a full-fledged colonel by the time the war broke out. Even so, Bruno also kept the man close to him. He was, after all the sentimental type, caring deeply about human beings, even those from the enemy nation.
Such men were also a liability on the battlefield, but for reasons opposite as Erich. Even so, the two men were useful. Heinrich reminded Bruno that unnecessary cruelty, which he was prone to as a man who was by nature callous and uncaring towards strangers, nearly always caused more problems then it solved.
But Erich acted as the devil on Bruno’s shoulder, reminding him that sometimes brutality and ruthlessness towards one’s enemies was also necessary. As mercy, though useful in certain situations, if given too often, would result in your enemies taking advantage of your kindness.
Something that could easily result in catastrophic consequences for not only Bruno but the men beneath his command. And the last thing Bruno wanted was to return to his family in a coffin. Bruno having met with Erich and spoke with the vicious bastard about his plans for the future, had decided to do the same to the little angel on his shoulder.
Heinrich and Alya frequently visited Bruno’s home, even now that Bruno was living in much more luxurious conditions. But today was perhaps the first time in half a year that Bruno decided to drop by his trusted friend’s home.
And when he did so, he was indeed surprised. The relatively comfortable home that Heinrich had lived in had been fully transformed by his adopted daughter. From a pigsty which was only habitable by a young bachelor. To a rather clean and comfortable abode meant for a loving family.
Granted, Heinrich’s home situation was a bit unorthodox, what with him being a single father of an adopted war orphan. But even so Alya seemed much more happy with her current life than she had upon first entering the German Reich.
She was busy in the kitchen cooking up a meal for herself; her adopted father, and her adopted father’s close friend. Someone who Alya was still timid around. After all, while living in Russia during the Civil War she had heard all too frequently about the legendary Red Scourge and the amount of deaths he was responsible for.
To her he was almost like a mythical monster taken human form. Even if Bruno was her adopted father’s best friend, he was still a terrifying existence to a young girl who lived in Germany solely because of the war that Bruno had, to some degree been the cause of.
Even so, she brought Bruno and Heinrich food and drinks while returning to the kitchen, not wanting to look upon the man whose legendary march through the Volga region had been in part responsible for her family’s death.
Bruno couldn’t help but chuckle at the young woman’s timid nature, despite all the time they had spent together at this point.
“Honestly Heinrich, the girl is going to have to learn to confront her fear of me, eventually. It has been over a year since you brought her back to Berlin. The amount of meals we have all shared together, for Christ’s sake she has lived under my roof for more than a few weeks while we have been deployed abroad.”
Heinrich couldn’t help but stare at Bruno. Both of them were taking a drink as the former playboy narrowed his eyes at his best friend. Making a comment about his appearance and why people might fear him so much.
“It wouldn’t hurt if you smiled once in a while…. Your resting expression can be quite dreadful to a young girl who has heard rumors about you being a demon wearing human skin. I mean, I know you better than most, but if you would permit me to be blunt with my language, the way you look at people, it’s almost as if you’re thinking about eating their liver….”
Bruno couldn’t help but find this remark deeply offensive. Not in actuality, but purely in jest as he scoffed and retorted to this insult.
“Eat their liver? I assure you my thoughts are far more tame than that! You wound me, sir! No, but seriously, if she is this afraid of me, then what would she think of our mutual acquaintance? You know the so called Terror of Belgorod?”
The relationship between Heinrich and Erich had soured following their time apart during the Russian Civil War. Heinrich found himself appalled by Erich’s actions in Belgorod and the reason for why he gained such an abhorrent nickname.
They eventually had a falling out shortly before Erich departed from the Military and transferred to the Kaiser’s secret police. Bruno seldom mentioned Erich to Heinrich because of this, and vice versa. However, it was important for him to do so now.
And as expected Heinrich’s reaction was as vitriolic as Bruno had expected. Placing his beer mug on the table before lecturing Bruno for keeping contact with what was clearly a deranged sadist.
“Don’t tell me you still talk to that murderous psychopath? I don’t know what the Kaiser was thinking, putting such a monster in charge of his Secret Police! After what he did in Belgorod, though I have no proof to verify my suspicions, I have no doubt in my mind that the man is framing many of the people suspected of treason just so he can murder them in cold blood!”
Bruno looked entirely unphased by Heinrich’s outrage. After all, he had on more than one occasion ordered Erich to do just that. In fact, he had never told Heinrich the real reason Erich was selected for his current job, but considering the exact reason for his visit, Bruno finally decided to come clean about it.
“I recommended him to the Kaiser for his current position…”
Heinrich’s scream was so loud that it caused Alya who was in the kitchen cleaning dishes to flinch and drop a plate on the floor.
“You fucking what!?! Why would you ever do such a thing!?! You know what kind of sick bastard he is! Why would you give him a position where he could easily abuse his power to harm innocents?”
Bruno narrowed his eyes and looked over at Heinrich’s seat where he was now standing above, voicing his outrage. It was a stern gaze, one that silently commanded the man to sit back down and behave himself. Which obediently did upon instinct.
As for Bruno’s next words, they didn’t immediately answer Heinrich’s question. Rather surprisingly, he called out to Alya to make sure she had not harmed herself by accident because of her father’s sudden outburst.
“Alya, are you okay?”
Alya quickly called back, ensuring both her father and her guest that she was fine, and was currently cleaning up the mess she had made by accident.
“I’m fine… I’m sorry for the disturbance, please continue with your conversation! I will have this mess cleaned up momentarily.”
Seeing how the girl had not accidentally cut herself on the shards of ceramic, and in fact did not need medical treatment Bruno sighed in relief before calling back to her, showing his concern, and a more human side to himself which Alya had only ever witnessed the man act towards his family.
“Alright, I’m just checking. Do be careful when cleaning up the shards of that plate. Though I am qualified to act as field medic, I do believe I have had a bit too much to drink to adequately stich any wounds you might incur. And I would prefer not to have to drive you to the hospital.”
Alya was slightly flustered by the concern that Bruno showed her, and thanked him, while her adopted father stared at Bruno still enraged by his admission, and waiting for a proper explanation. Which Bruno gave him immediately after hearing the girl’s thanks.
“Where was I, oh right, I was about to tell you my exact reasons why I recommended Erich to the Stasi before you so rudely interrupted me with your outburst… Heinrich, do you really think that after what the war did to that man it would be wise to keep him in the military? At least during a time of peace? What kind of influence would he have on the men if he suddenly became bored?
Or perhaps you think it would be prudent to discharge him and send him onto the streets where there are countless innocent victims waiting for him to prey upon? Frankly speaking, I had two options with Erich: put him down like a rabid dog, or unleash him upon the enemies of the Kaiser.
Not all of our adversaries lie outside of our borders Heinrich, and I assure you I have eyes watching that man at all times. As does the Kaiser, if he acts out, he will be dealt with. But for the time being he has proven to be a reliable weapon to be wielded against the enemies of the crown who reside within our borders.
Besides, when the war finally arrives, I will need his services once again. It’s best to keep a knife sharp and close by your side, even in times of peace, don’t you agree? We wouldn’t want our little hellhound growing complacent now would we?
I’m not asking you to make up with the man, but I am asking you to tolerate his existence when he comes back to my side in the near future. Because believe it or not Heinrich, these days of peace we currently enjoy aren’t going to last forever. It will not be long before a Great War erupts across Europe, one that has the potential to engulf the entire world in flames.
And when that day comes, men like Erich will be very useful. So, what do you say? Are you willing to put aside your differences, and work together for the sake of God, Kaiser, family, and fatherland?”
Heinrich sighed heavily after hearing this request from a man he would consider to be his brother. And because of this, he gulped down the rest of his beer before ultimately agreeing to what Bruno asked of him.
“That piece of shit will most certainly drag the both of us into hell with him if given the chance… But I trust your instincts more than my own… And if what you say is really going to come to pass, then even I must admit that we are destined to face the Good Lord’s judgement, regardless.
So long as you can manage to keep him under control, I won’t find fault with you. Alright, you have my word. When the time comes for the three of us to come together under the banner of the Reich once more, I will tolerate that knave…”
Bruno immediately reached over and pat his friend on the back, assuring him that everything would work out in their favor. After which, they continued to share their drinks before Bruno headed home for the evening to spend the rest of the night with his beloved family.
