“That is your justification for genocide?”
“What gives an ex-bedouin tribesman the right to call the world’s oil reserves his own, and hold the world to ransom? Look at the Russians’ gas supplies. Europe is at their beck and call. The Bolsheviks have been a thorn in Europe’s side for generations.”
“So you would annihilate them and put yourself in control?”
“I would put the people in control!” Hofmann was getting up a head of steam. He felt the old passion growing in him.
“Have you never heard of democracy?”
“It doesn’t work, Michael. Look at the British, the oldest democracy in the world, and a pale imitation of a once-great nation. Walk through their capital, and you will hardly see a white face. Where are the Englishmen?”
“On the contrary. They are the living example that a democracy works.”
“Have you seen their immigration policies? It is a country of bleeding hearts. Its doors are open to every antisocial individual on the planet. The country is so politically correct, it has become a joke! They might as well make a big sign ‘Miscreants Welcome’.” Hofmann waved his arms and hands around, animatedly framing the sign in the air.
“You are looking at the world from the same sick, bigoted place that led us into the last world war. Your strategies will always sway world opinion against you and your blinkered beliefs. Fortunately, the vast majority of the people live by a higher moral code.”
“Listen to yourself, bleating on about morality. People look after themselves, Michael, always have and always will. If you don’t show strength, you will be used by your neighbour, not helped by him.”
The debate was going nowhere, and both men knew it. Hofmann had hoped he might be able to convince Jarvis of their vision, but now he knew he had to get rid of him.
I have to wipe every last trace of this man from my mind. Expel this weakness from my consciousness. Now, I know the source of the weakness I found in my board. It was the cosseted upbringing and indoctrination of their hosts.
Michael saw himself in the mirror thinking those words, believing those words. He had to stop this man, at all costs.
Suddenly, sounds came from the hallway, and within seconds, the door was open, and a guard and Dr Ecker were in the room. Ecker had a syringe in his hand and was staring into Michaels’s eyes, unsure of what he or whom he was seeing. He sank the needle deep into Michael’s right arm, catching him as he fell, still looking, still searching. For Michael, the lights went out.
It was mid-afternoon, and the spring sunshine was blazing through the windows of the club. Heinz Hofmann had the board back at the table, and he was not a happy man. The fight with Jarvis was taking its toll and leaving his nerves raw. Dr Ecker had again tried to play the patience card, but Hofmann was having none of it. On top of that, he had now finished his appraisal of Meyer-Hofmann AG, and the litany of errors he had uncovered infuriated him.
“Gentlemen, I am not going to beat around the bush here. You are a pale imitation of your forefathers. I have spent the last two weeks studying what you have done with my company. Only to come to the conclusion that you have all lost sight of our original goal. Gentlemen, it is not our job to make money—we have always had money. It is our responsibility to create change, to change the world for the benefit of our countrymen. To rid it of weakness, corruption, and the insidious influences.”
Grunts and coughs filled the room, as the men at the table digested the accusations. All were stung by the criticism, but none were able or willing to contradict it. Only Von Klitzing seemed unaffected by the insults. He had been trying to take a more aggressive stance for years, only to be blocked by Reichard.
Maybe Hofmann’s return would change things, maybe this was exactly what the company needed.
Reichard, on the other hand, was not impressed. He had devoted his life to the company, achieving success as a global influence.
“Michael, you don’t understand.”
“Michael? Michael! My name is Heinz Hofmann, and you will address me as such!” Hofmann boomed at Reichard, enraged.
“You men have lost sight of who you really are. Despite all your work, Hitler’s vision is a million light years away. You have allowed yourselves to be corrupted by the very forces we are here to stamp out. It is abhorrent to me!” His eyes went back to Reichard. “And you. You are Hans Bremen, my friend, my confidant, my right hand. Have you forgotten who you are?”
Reichard stared up at Hofmann sheepishly. He was about to mouth an answer when Hofmann continued.
“I need strength and commitment around me. I need total commitment to the cause. We will use the rebirth technique as it was intended to be used, to start a Fourth Reich! It is time for the next generation. If you can’t deliver, then your sons will have to do it for you! Dr Ecker, start immediately?”
Ecker too was in shock, taking a while to respond. He was well aware that this was always the intent.
“But, Herr Hofmann, not all of us have male offspring.” He had hoped that they could find a plan B and spare their sons this step.
“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.