Gravedigger of the Empire

The car slowly came to a stop in front of the courtyard gate, and Sikert frowned through the car window.

He truly hadn't expected Kahn to turn the V organization into this mess.

To be honest... it was a bit too unexpected.

There were no signs hanging at the main gate, and workers were laying bricks on both sides, completely covering up the original iron fence.

Looking at that section that's already been completed, the wall is ridiculously high.

"He turned his office into a prison," Sickert remarked as he climbed out of the car, looked around, and commented.

Lieutenant Colonel Bock, who was following behind Sikert, smiled; he didn't like this style either.

They're acting all mysterious, like they're afraid people will find out what this place is for.

The guards on both sides saluted when they saw Sikert, and then opened the gate.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Defense Forces, accompanied by his secretary and Lieutenant Colonel Bock, entered the new facility.

A faint fragrance filled the corridor, and several maids wearing aprons were wiping the floor, the soapy water from cleaning not yet completely dry.

Bock grinned; even his office didn't look as clean as this.

Sickett was quite satisfied with this attitude. He looked through each office and found that they were all properly furnished.

The filing cabinets were neatly arranged, all with keyholes on the doors. There was a safe in every room, and maps of Germany and the world hung on the walls.

"General! Lieutenant Colonel!" Kahn walked around the brand-new sofas piled up in the corridor, stood at attention and saluted Sickert.

"This place is well done. Where's the plaque at the entrance?" Sicket asked curiously.

Kahn replied somewhat embarrassedly, "Our department frequently deals with Russians and handles many shady matters... so it's more convenient not to have a sign."

Sikert thought for a moment and nodded: "You've thought of everything. If you don't want to be suspended, then you don't have to be suspended! I've already issued an internal document, and most regimental-level units will try their best to cooperate with your work."

To maintain secrecy, the information cannot be further cascaded down. If it became common knowledge, Kahn would be out of a job.

Many people actually oppose concealing military forces for reasons such as saving money and preventing the defense force from becoming too powerful.

If these people knew about this V organization, they might report it to the oversight committee, asking the French and British to step in and resolve similar "troubles".

From a neutral perspective, these people are also patriots; they simply don't want Germany to be drawn into the next war.

Sometimes things are just that surreal: those who are desperately developing military capabilities and those who oppose it may both be good people...

What's even more surreal is that, many times, it takes a group of good people killing another group of good people to advance the course of history.

"How's the recruitment going?" Sicket asked as he toured the place.

"Didn't you give me a list? I found about thirty that looked good on it," Kahn quickly replied.

Although he can build his own team, he still has to consider the feelings of those above him.

The defense forces laid off millions of soldiers, and many lieutenants and second lieutenants with their chests full of medals were sent home unemployed without even realizing it.

They were practically useless except for killing; they were better at tightening the pins on grenades than opening a bottle of red wine… They were a group of pathetic national heroes.

Sickett hoped that Kahn could select some usable people from among these men, which would at least offer them some comfort.

So many? Sickett thought Kahn was just going through the motions, casually bringing over a few people to make a show of it.

He truly hadn't expected that Kahn would give him so much face, settling over thirty people in one go.

"They are all key members of their original units, including sergeants who have killed countless enemies and second lieutenants with outstanding achievements..." Sikert thought for a moment and decided to give Kahn a few words of advice first.

"His temper might be..." He said this with a hint of embarrassment, because Kahn had to pay these guys' salaries, but he might not be able to get these old hands to do anything.

"General! Those who can recognize their place and continue to serve the country... I will respect them in my own way." Kahn stated his thoughts: "Whoever is not up to the task will be eliminated, and I will select suitable replacements from the list you gave me."

"Your way?" Sickett asked curiously.

"I'm just a captain, so I can't promote them," Kahn replied truthfully. "But I can offer them higher salaries."

Sikter nodded, acknowledging Kahn's approach: "There's actually a little something I wanted to tell you about that I came here today."

"What are your orders, General!" Kahn followed behind Sikert, walking step by step.

"The gas station's fuel supply will probably only last them one training session at a time." Sickett walked ahead without looking back, but it put a lot of pressure on Kahn.

"But they were able to keep traveling back and forth between Berlin and Stuttgart... Do you know why?" As the Commander-in-Chief of the Defense Forces, it would be strange if such a big thing could be kept from Sikert's eyes.

"I think I should know." Kahn knew he couldn't hide it, and he also guessed that Sikert wasn't there to interrogate him.

If the other party was there to cause trouble, they wouldn't have brought only their secretary and Lieutenant Colonel Bock.

"Then can you tell me why the truck drivers in the transport department, the maintenance team, including that Captain Guderian... can always get Spanish ham, French wine, and Italian cheese?" Sickert stopped, turned around, and looked at Kahn with a smile.

Kahn stopped and touched his nose sheepishly. "I helped them get a car, and they helped me out a little. Well, I guess..."

"Captain Kahn!" Sickett said sternly, pointing his finger at Kahn's chest.

He wasn't as tall as Kahn, his head slightly tilted back, and his tone stern: "The headquarters mess hall is running out of potatoes. Do you think that's reasonable?"

"If you allow it, I'll have beef, potatoes, red wine, cheese, canned goods... delivered to headquarters." Kahn secretly breathed a sigh of relief; Sikert was just there to freeload.

In reality, he wasn't unwilling to send supplies to the headquarters, but rather he dared not send them without permission.

Now that Sickett had spoken, he certainly couldn't refuse. Seriously, how many people would want to give him something but don't have the connections?

Have you not seen how many people carrying pig heads and tall incense sticks can't find the temple gate?

"Bock!" Sicket laughed, looking at Bock. "Did you hear what that kid said? Give him a list and make him deliver according to it! If anything's missing, kick his ass!"

"Yes, General!" Bock, taking advantage of the situation, also laughed.