Varna - May 14
A black car pulled up to the HQ. Alexandria was the first to step out, followed by that young blonde man clad entirely in a black outfit, the officer's cap's brim bearing down on the upper part of his face. He almost looked like something out of a propoganda poster - quite impressive, really.
Keiper stepped out of the manor to greet them, army couriers behind him. He was walking much slower now, his wounded leg gliding across the gravel as best he could move it, his cane coming before it. Alexandria raised her onyx-like eyes up at him - she expected his cane to come down on her head or for him to grab her by the hair and throw her aside...but now it was different. His blue eyes seemed to become moist, and he looked on her like a father might on a newborn daughter.
"Did they hurt you...?" he whispered when he finally got to her. She shook her head, still nervously.
"A message, dear Field Marshal," the Security Officer said, that same cocky smile creeping across his face as he held out a parcel. Keiper took it with a nonchalant glance, and nodded. It was very surprising, considering the anger he had held the Security Ministry only days before. The Security Officer nodded - not a salute, but a nod - and got back into the vehicle. The three black cars then headed down the road.
"Is everything ready?" Keiper asked a nearby courier, his blue eyes not losing their hold on the cars.
"Yes sir," said the courier, "they are awaiting your permission to continue."
Keiper nodded, "You have it." The courier darted off, and at this Alexandria shot a questioning look at her superior. Keiper merely gave her a warm smile, a rare thing usually reserved for when he was in an especially good mood. "Come on in, you've been away from your duties for too long."
When they were finally back inside Keiper settled them in the study. He lit a cigarette and inhaled the nicotine into his lungs before speaking to his aide, who was standing timidly in the corner of the room:
"Did you tell them any thing?"
Alexandria looked away, her cheeks beginning to feel warm.
"Tell me. I need to know, did you tell them any thing?"
Alexandria shook her head, "No."
Abruptly, Keiper stood up and walked slowly over to her, his blue eyes fixated on her. Some of his warmth had now escaped, and when he was close to her he leaned in and whispered, his breath bouncing across her cheeks and making her shiver:
"Did you...tell them ANY thing...?"
Alexandria shook her head again and said more assuradly, "No."
Keiper smiled. "Good." He turned and walked out of the study, but stopped outside of the doorway and said to Alexandria, "I am giving you three days off. You've had a difficult time, you deserve to rest. This time alone I'm letting you get out of uniform and do what you wish...but you must remain at this headquarters at all times."
Alexandria eyes were wide with surprise. She blinked twice and nodded graciously. Keiper nodded back, the warmth in his blue eyes returning for a brief moment, and then continued his walk away from the study. The walk took him across the manor to another room, where radios and maps were laid out on tables and aides and couriers were busying themselves relaying messages.
Keiper sat down at a table and opened up the parcel. The first item to catch his interest, a message from GTG himself. It was formally documented and opened up with the issue of Alexandria.
I have received President Czar's order, and have subsequently secured the release of your aide. Rest assured she has been most forthcoming, answering all questions posed to her to our satisfaction. Due to her cooperation she has been treated with the utmost dignity and respect.
Mh..."to our satisfaction." What did that mean, Keiper wondered. He was hoping it didn't mean what he thought it meant. That would be discovered - and dealt with - in due time.
A ministry field physician took note of several prominent bruises on her person upon her detention. We suspect you are aware of their causes and therefore I need not provide any further details.
A shrill went up Keiper's back, but soon subsided...an excuse, no not an excuse, a logical reason for the bruises came across his mind. He smiled, already prepared for that accusation should it ever come to him.
Please accept my apologies for any inconveinences caused by this detention and accept this portrait as a gesture of my sincere regards.
Keiper lifted the hand holding the letter and looked down at the portrait. It was a glamor picture to be sure, GTG all smiles and nicely done hair. The field marshal set it up on his table, making sure it was neat and fit in with everything else before continuing with the letter.
I look forward to discussing with you in person the status of Bulgarian prisoners of war and their repatriation to the homeland for various economic purposes. I have dispatched an inspection committee to investigate their condition and look forward to the military's cooperation in this regard.
Keiper smiled - he already had a plan for that issue. He put the letter down and inhaled more of his cigarette. Couriers gathered around him, knowing he was about to make an announcement.
"It is time we moved on to the second phase of my plan," Keiper began, "the Bulgarians are in full retreat, and we will make sure they can't escape to Sofia. Get me our division headquarters."
***
The black cars of the Security Ministry glided down the road at a steady pace, the way they had done before. They soon approached a dense forest through occupied territory, the road leading them right for the Romanian border.
A small group of men waited for cars. They were wearing Bulgarian uniforms, and they were armed with enemy weapons. They waited until the lead car was close before they opened fire. The bullets ricocheted off the hood and then pierced the glass. The driver and front passenger were struck with bullets. Blood splattered on the windowshield. Simultaneously, the attackers struck the last vehicle, running up behind it and firing point blank into the rear window, lobbing two grenades inside after the window had fallen apart. The explosion rocked the car, sending debris and human organs flying through the side windows. The middle car was struck by gunfire from both sides, bullets piercing through the door and windows. The Security personnel inside never had a chance. The young Security Officer stepped out, crawling to the side with another survivor from the front car. Their attackers were waiting for them, and blew away the two escaping men.
The ambushers walked up to each man, put a bullet in their head, and then lobbed a grenade into the back and front each car - they wanted to ensure no one survived, the cars totally useless. Their officer spoke to the men in fluent Bulgarian, and they replied in turn, all fluently. With the job done, they ran off into the forest, rendezvoused with a Romanian vehicle, and drove off.
***
Keiper was notified of the event while he was standing over the map with his staff. He smiled and nodded to the courier, taking in the moment for a while. He had allowed his aide to be taken from him, and had put up with her detainment...but every moment of patience with Keiper came with a price.
"Do we still have those Bulgarians?" Keiper asked another courier."
"Yes sir."
"Very good. I will see them later." Keiper turned to the soldier at a radio, "Get me the Security Minister, I need to deliver a message..."
***
Keiper's command car was driven to a forest outside of the headquarters into a clearing. There a Romanian personnel carrier was waiting, along with the group of Bulgarian soldiers.
"You did well," said Keiper, assisted by a platoon of Romanian soldiers, "we inspected the area. You really made sure they were dead, I commend you. If you had fought this hard against us, we may have turned back the first few days."
The Bulgarian officer nodded, "And...you will return our favor?"
Keiper nodded with a smile, "Oh of course. This one duty for your freedom. You are free to go...but just one little thing. Please hand your guns over." The Bulgarians exchanged skeptic glances at this. "Oh come now, we're in the middle of a war, do you expect us to let a group of hostiles walk through our lines armed? Simply hand over your guns and you're free." The Bulgarians complied, handing their guns to the waiting Romanian soldiers.
Keiper smiled, tightening the grip on his cane. The Bulgarian officer looked into the eyes of the field marshal...and immediately he felt his breath leave him. He saw the very core of evil, and he knew what was coming, though he had no chance to stop it.
It happened fast. The Romanians opened fire and the Bulgarians were dead in a few seconds.
"Then again," said Keiper, more to himself than the corpses, "its my responsibility to punish the men involved." He sighed and walked back to his car, saying casually to his men, "I'm a bit hungry. I believe its time for lunch..."
