I
What If?

It stood alone, looming above the city of Berlin. The central spire tried desperately to touch the heavens. But alas, it couldn't. Like all other things in this world of the left behind it couldn't quite reach for what it wanted. It was, in truth, the perfect symbol for the people themselves. The people who were told, if you try hard enough, you could make it. Ten years ago other governments were saying the same thing, but they were desperate. That’s what lost them the war.

Paulo's eyes slowly opened, the ceiling fan greeted him, but the poor thing wasn't doing its job. It was humid day in Rome. The date: August 14, 1961, the ten year anniversary of the surrender of the United States of America. He sat up and rubbed his red, bloodshot eyes. For some unexplainable reason he couldn't remember the night before. Then it slowly came back to him, mainly because the young rent boy was still sprawled out on the bed, and mainly cause his ass still hurt like hell. He stood up and stumbled over to the bathroom, where his rusty razor lay next to his toothbrush. On the wall beside him Il Duce stood triumphant before the Italian people. Obviously it was the young Il Duce, Mussolini was 79 now, he was no young hot shot dictator standing beside Das Fuhrer in Berlin. Why was Paulo thinking this? He was a loyal Blackshirt, this was not his way. He quickly shaved what hairs he had on his face (which for some reason was not many) and began the search for his uniform. What if Il Duce were to die? Who would replace him? Paulo couldn't help but ask himself those very treasonous questions. Was that even considered treason? Paulo had his money on Galeazzo Ciano, Il Duce's son-in-law. Finally all the parts of the young Captain's uniform were found and Paulo began the process of putting it on. He had a long day ahead; he had to do everything to avoid being shipped out to Ethiopia.

Erich Roth shot his hand in the air as they passed. "Heil Hitler!" The phrase was stuck in his head. He and generations before him had uttered the words to one an, Das Fuhrer, Adolf Hitler. Now he shouted it as Hitler's apparent successor, Heinrich Himmler, passed by in his shiny black Mercedes. Himmler was now 61 years old, yet he looked like he had only aged ten years since 1945. Sitting beside Himmler in the Mercedes were two men, to his left was Reinhardt Heiydrich, and to his right was his apparent successor as Reichsfuhrer-SS Alois Kruger. Erich was afraid of Kruger, the man wore a gas mask and always had that artificial demeanor about him. Across the boulevard the counterpart to Erich's SS, the SA, stood in perfect formation. That damned homosexual Karl Friedrich stood beside his other "boys". They were Röhm's little fairies. The brutal unsophisticated dogs, the darker side of the Party. God how Erich hated them.

Richard Nichols stood in line at "Brewer's Deli" at the corner of Fulton and Smith. The Buffalo skyline could be seen in the distance. In front of him an older woman of about eighty held a newspaper, on it was a picture of Hideki Tojo. That Japanese bastard that conquered the entire West Coast. Rick was happy to read the above article. "Tojo Dead, Yamamoto to Succeed." A grin formed on Rick's face, Yamamoto was a better Japanese bastard, he was Japanese and therefore the enemy, but he at least had some respect for the US, unlike those pricks in Tokyo, or these krauts that occupied the east coast. Rick paid for his single Pepsi-Cola and exited the store, walking to his home, the apartment above 532 Fulton St., his sanctum. He had planning to do, lots of planning.

II
Rising Sun

Koiso Umezu rushed up the steps of Tokyo University. He was an assistant to Army Chief of Staff General Tadamichi Kuribayashi, known in Japan as the "Dragon of Iwo Jima". He had beaten off the American assault in time for Yamamoto's fleet, assisted by Spanish ground forces, to destroy the main American force. To Koiso, it truly was an honor. He stopped at the door, where two soldiers stood guard. "Counselor Koiso Umezu." They nodded and the guard to the left opened the door. Inside almost every government official in Japan was seated in their respective areas, General Kuribayashi was seated in the third row, Admiral Yamamoto was at the podium delivering a speech to the group of men. It suddenly hit Koiso that he no longer needed to use the title of Admiral, he was now Prime Minister Yamamoto. Koiso rushed down the aisle until he reached the General's row, he quickly slid past the other officers until he reached the empty seat beside the General's personal assistant, Sadao Nagata. "What's happened so far?" Koiso whispered. Sadao leaned towards him. "Yamamoto has been saying that Germany is real enemy, he has considered removing troops from American west coast and restoring American sovereignty." Koiso nodded and directed his own attention to Yamamoto, who was still giving his speech.

Koiso and Sadao entered the office of Colonel Hajime Ugaki. The Colonel was a major figure in the Japanese Military Intelligence, he was a direct subordinate to Admiral Yamamoto AND had ties in the Reich, Italy and Spain. He had requested that Sadao bring Koiso to his office, Koiso had no idea why but, obviously, was curious as to why such a powerful man was interested in him. Koiso and Sadao sat before the large desk, the short chubby man that was Colonel Ugaki stared at them from behind his round spectacles. "Counselor Koiso Umezu I presume?" Right off the bat Koiso knew he would have to struggle not to kill the Colonel. He spoke in a way that suggested he had been around the Germans a bit too long, he had also seemed to inherit their stuck up attitude. Koiso himself was more American than anything else. He had spent five years in the Japanese Consul in Los Angeles and had learned the "American Way" from the citizens of the city. Hell, Koiso even spoke like an American. "Yes, is there some reason you called me here Colonel?" He countered the Colonel's German mannerisms with his own, authentic, American ones. "Counselor I understand that in the last two years of the war you conducted secret intelligence missions for our government. Is that correct?" Koiso nodded. "Excellent. Counselor, I want you to conduct a rather secret mission within Reich territory, Paris to be exact." The Colonel still had that annoying German speak, it angered him that a full blooded Japanese man would speak and act like a German. He could understand acting American, that was acceptable, but German? "So you want me to go to Paris and, what?" The Colonel stood now, not changing his height that much. "We want you to fly to Paris via special diplomatic transport. You will be contacted by a Swiss agent there." Koiso nodded then stood up as well, making the Colonel look like a child. "I accept sir, when will you ship me out?" The Colonel had a smile on his face, further cementing Koiso's hatred of the man. "Right away Counselor, right away." And with that the two men shook hands.

III
Better Half Of Fascism

Paulo Volpini walked into his friend Rosa's flower shop in downtown Rome. He poked his head in and looked around. Rosa looked up from the front desk and smiled at him. "Good morning Paulo." He walked inside and stopped at the front desk, she went back to her work, as if he wasn't there. "How is my Rosa today?" She was still smiling, Paulo had that effect on people. "I'm fine. But I'm a bit curious as to why you left with a rent boy last night." Paulo chuckled as Rosa looked up at him ever so slightly. "I hate being around those Japanese bastards, I wanted something to get my mind off of them so I paid for a little distraction." Rosa finally looked him straight in the eye. "It made Anthony sad you know." Paulo looked at her with pure surprise. "Your younger brother?" Rosa nodded. "He likes you Paulo, I've never seen him like this. He thinks you're a gift from God." Paulo's usual charm disappeared for a moment, Rosa could see this, Paulo had known Rosa since they were little, they had grown up in Palermo together. She had been there when he heard that the allies had killed his father in Cairo, she had supported him in 55 when he decided to join the army, she was always there for him. Rosa had an eighteen-year-old brother, Anthony, who just so happened to like Paulo. That’s why Paulo liked Italy, unlike Spain and Germany most people didn't look down upon his kind. Il Duce had legalized homosexuality in 1950, after he realized that condemning it put him on the same level as Franco and Hitler. Since then he had led the lifestyle he had always wanted. Spain had made it illegal to be gay and the Reich looked down upon it, even though the poster boy of the Nazi Party Ernst Röhm was indeed a gay. As was almost 90% of the men in the SA.

Anthony walked into the front room of his sister's flower shop. To his surprise Paolo was standing near the front desk. "H...hi Paolo." He was stuttering, an obvious sign of nervousness. He had to stop doing that if he wanted to be in the navy. Paulo smiled at Anthony. "You were sad last night?" Anthony nodded. Rosa smiled at Paulo, she knew exactly what he was going to do. "I'm going up to Paris to see a friend of mine, would you like to come?" Anthony nodded enthusiastically. "We're leaving tomorrow...I'll pick you up." Rosa smiled at her brother, who was clearly holding in a shout of excitement, and then at Paulo, who had that warm look in his dark brown eyes.

IV
Changing of the Guard

Richard pounded on the old wooden door that led to his brother's apartment. Rudy Nichols opened the door and looked his brother over. "Have you slept at all Rick?" Rick shook his head, Rudy moved as his brother walked into the apartment. Rick stopped and turned to his brother as he shut the door. "I wanted to see if you were still having doubts." Rudy just sighed and fell down on the couch behind him. "I'm going through with it lil bro. The Fuhrer won't see it coming." Rick nodded; this was the brothers Nichols, revolutionaries through and through. Their father had fought in the war and Rudy had fought in Washington prior to the surrender in 1951. Rick was only twenty-one, Rudy was a whole ten years older, he had been a Corporal in the Army back in 51 and had fought the Nazis one on one. Their father, Kevin Nichols, had fought the Nazis on June, 6 1944. But, like all the other men that fought that day, he surrendered and was sent to a POW camp somewhere in Poland. He was released just after the war ended, he returned to the US a different man, a broken man. This was a small part of Rudy and Rick's reason for planning their nefarious act, though it wasn't that nefarious. In fact most people in the US would have hailed them as hero for killing the Supreme Commander of German forces in the US...Erwin Rommel.

Erich Roth sat in the office of General Alois Kruger. A portrait of Kruger himself sat above the fireplace, Erich didn't look at it much though. He was afraid of Kruger; he looked like those robots the Reich scientists were building in Moscow. Finally Kruger entered the office, but Erich was taken surprised when two men entered the room. Kruger was followed by Reichsfuhrer-SS Heinrich Himmler. Erich stood and saluted. "Heil Hitler!" He sat down as Kruger did; Himmler sat at the couch across from the desk. "Good afternoon Herr Roth." Erich nodded. "General." Kruger let out a slight chuckle. "That’s why I brought you here. You see Roth; a few hours ago power was transferred from Hitler to Himmler. Roth, the Fuhrer is dead." Erich stood perfectly still. Kruger continued. "It was Rudolph Hess; he recruited several army and SA men and stormed the Fuhrer's office in the Reichstag. Hess was able to kill him before the SS could act. Himmler is now the Reichskanzler." Roth stood and bowed to Himmler, who stood as well. "Sit Roth, you and your brothers did all you could." Himmler said. Roth sat after Himmler did. "I have succeeded Fuhrer Himmler as Reichsfuhrer-SS." Kruger stood up and walked to his window. "Alfred Jodl has been executed and I've become Army Chief of Staff. Heydrich has already expressed outrage at Himmler's promotion, but I've been able to keep him in line. But we have bigger problems." He turned to Roth as the young SS officer tried to stay calm. "We have received word that the Japanese are sending a spy to Paris to try and steal a very important document. We want you to go to Paris, find him and liquidate him. Understood?" Roth nodded. "Good." Himmler stood up and placed his cap on his head. "If you have any questions direct them to Herr Kruger. I have business to attend to in Bremen." And with that Himmler was gone, and shortly after that so was Roth. The winds of change had blown, but not for the first time. They had blown in 1923 when the Putsch had succeeded and they would blow again.

Karl Friedrich laughed as he stumbled onto the wet cobblestone alleyway in Munich. He stopped as he came to a dimly lit street. He looked both ways and turned left towards the train station. As he neared the imposing domed structure a hand pulled him into the adjacent alley. Their lips touched and soon they were engaged in a rather passionate kiss. Karl opened his eyes long enough to see Captain Hans Gerlich, this army boy he had spent the night. But Karl had felt something different with him, he actually loved this soldier. "Paris!" Karl was able to shout out the name of the city. Hans stopped kissing him and looked at him. "Paris? Are you going for leave?" Karl nodded, a sinister smile on his face. "Are you going to that hotel I told you about near the Eiffel Tower?" Karl nodded again. "Mind if I tag along?" Karl kissed him lightly on the lips. "We don't want to miss the train now do we?" Hans smiled back at Karl and the two rushed off towards the train station as the sun splintered up from behind the Bavarian mountains.

V
City of Lights

Koiso Umezu's staff car drove down a small side street in Paris. His shuttle had landed in Hamburg, Germany and he had arrived in Paris by train. He hated traveling by shuttle. The space craft that the Reich produced weren't very comfortable. They shook during landing and gave Koiso this strange feeling in his stomach. Especially when he traveled to the colonies on the Moon. He had only been there once, in 54 when they had just started the program. His father had been assigned to the Japanese Space Corps base on the Moon and he had visited him once, the trip did not end very well for Koiso or his father. Koiso pushed the memory aside and focused on the task at hand. He was to meet a Swiss spy disguised as a banker, they were to meet at the Japanese Consulate. The Consulate had a perfect view of the Eiffel Tower. The staff car stopped in front of the Consulate. The building itself was just slightly different than the surrounding buildings. It was modern and, unlike the other buildings, the Rising Sun was draped across the front. Koiso noticed something, something that bothered him. Hanging from every building was none other than the Swastika. Koiso stepped out of the staff car and approached the front door. Standing on either side of the door was a Japanese soldier. Both men saluted as Koiso opened the door and walked into the Main Hall of the Consulate.

Paulo and Anthony stepped off of their train. Paris stood before them, a shining monument to the Nazi ideal of purity and really omnipotent. Paulo thought Hitler had a Superiority Complex, but in the Italian Army you weren't supposed to speak ill of those Germans, especially the late Fuhrer. Paulo had received the news of Hitler's death aboard the train, a high-ranking SS officer had told him, apparently he was on his way to Berlin to attend the funeral. Anthony hadn't cared much about Hitler's death, he didn't care about the Nazis. The two men walked through the train station holding hands, receiving many, many dirty looks from the Nazis and the regular civilians as they made their way to the main entrance. Paulo just smiled, and walked out of the train station. As a little present for the Nazi bastards staring at them he moved his arm around Anthony.

VI
Master Race

Heinrich Himmler shot his arm up and shouted "Sieg...Heil!" He lowered his arm as the crowd roared. He turned and walked into the room behind him. Alois Kruger and Reinhardt Heydrich were the only two in the room. "Herr Kruger, what have you to report?" Kruger was sitting in a chair, Heydrich was seated in the couch next to him. Himmler sat down in a chair across from Kruger. "Dr. Von Braun has made headway on the V-19 project. Dr. Danzig has made progress in Paris. His newest weapon, the Hydrogen Bomb, will be ready soon. He says it has more destructive capabilities than the Atomic Bomb." Himmler nodded. "What about the men in the Reichstag who wish to keep relations with Japan and the US peaceful sir?" Heydrich finally spoke, it startled Kruger and Himmler somewhat. "They aren't a threat, w shouldn't act immediately if they try to move against me then we should worry." Himmler stood and nodded to the two men as he walked out of the room. "Alois, I'm having doubts about Heinrich." He turned to Kruger. "He told us once Hitler and Hess were dead then we would rule the Reichstag...he's becoming like Adolf more and more. He wants to be Fuhrer." Kruger kept his artificial looking head turned towards the door that Himmler had exited through. "We wait Reinhardt, we wait. If he overrides us again, then we strike. Then you will be Reichskanzler. We should gather more allies. Goring and Eichmann will do." Heydrich nodded ad Kruger and stood up, he walked out of the room as Kruger sank down into his chair.

Doctor Kurt Von Danzig Strode through the Wilhelm Hotel in Paris. It was modern, high-class and oh so patriotic. Portraits of the late Fuhrer and the Swastika decorated the lobby. The doctor stopped when he saw something that angered him, something that went against everything he stood for. Two men, both Italian, were walking into the hotel lobby...holding hands. The older looking man, in an army uniform which disgusted Kurt even more, leaned over and kissed the younger one on the cheek. He motioned for his SS escort to stop the two. The black clad SS officers stood in front of the couple. "Two perfectly fit Aryan men should focus their attention on the women of this world. Not each other."

Paulo heard the words of a rather stuck up German ringing in his ears. "In Italy, my insane Germanic friend, men are allowed to love each other like this." Kurt gritted his teeth and raised his cane as if to strike the men, but he just lowered his arm and smiled. "It's sad, it really is. The Italians are so promising, then two imperfect fags like you come along." Paulo laughed and just walked past the group. "It's sad that people who consider themselves intellectuals can be so single minded." Kurt walked on as Paulo and Anthony entered the elevator.

Hours later Doctor Kurt Von Danzig would be in his bunker beneath SS headquarters. Beyond the glass before him the weapon codenamed Project Thor sat before him. The Hydrogen bomb. The Reich's secret weapon, a weapon they would use to destroy the Japanese. Danzig smiled as the other scientists worked on the weapon. Within days it would be ready, and the world would kneel before the Third Reich.

VII
The King Is Dead, Long Live The King

The light seeped into the hotel room as Hans stroked Karl's blond hair. Hans kissed his forehead lightly. "I've never had so much fun. You really know how to show a man a good time." Karl just smiled and kissed him. "What shall we do today? We're two queer krauts in Paris and we have the entire city to ourselves." Karl sat up slightly, Hans' head still resting on his bare chest. "Can we visit the Eiffel tower?" Hans had that innocent look on his face. "Sure, I've always wanted to see it." Hans moved up and started necking Karl. Karl just laughed and wrapped his arms around Hans.

Richard and Rudy stepped off of their train and onto the platform of New York’s Grand Central Station. They had to change their plans, instead of appearing in the Eastern capital of Washington Rommel would be giving his speech in New York. The Gestapo checkpoints had been fewer than they expected. Only one since Buffalo, and luckily they hadn't found the sniper rifle concealed in Rudy's suitcase. The two brothers walked out into the metropolis of New York. Their intentions clear. If all went as planned, they would leave New York Alive but Erwin Rommel wouldn't.

Rudy stepped out of the elevator at the top of the Alfred Jodl building. Rudy glided up the stairwell to the roof. He set his case beside his chosen spot. It was perfect, it overlooked 5th Avenue, which was already packed with the citizens of New York. German soldiers marched down the Avenue. Rudy readied his sniper rifle and took aim. The staff car carrying Erwin Rommel came into view. Rudy's sweaty palms struggled to keep the rifle on Rommel. He held his breath, the Nazi bastard waved to the crowd. Rudy pulled the trigger...bang...all he heard was screaming. Slowly his sight came back, he smiled as he saw the blood soaked body of Erwin Rommel fall out of the open top car. His smile disappeared as the stairwell door flew open and several fully armed German soldiers opened fire. Rudy was able to dash down the roof before they fired, but it was too late. One had aimed and hit Rudy and he fell forward, limp.

Erich Roth walked down the marble steps of the Paris train station. He yawned as he raised a hand, hailing a cab. A small yellow vehicle stopped in front of him. He climbed in and placed the small leather briefcase on the floor of the cab. "SS headquarters please." The cab driver nodded and drove off. He had the radio on, news. Apparently the Spanish suppressed striking workers in Barcelona, a serial killer in the US capital of Dallas had been caught. But the last report, given by a hysterical German reporter, was what really caught his attention. Erwin Rommel, the hero of the Second World War and the Supreme Commander of German forces in North America, had been assassinated.

Reichskanzler Heinrich Himmler sat at his desk in the Reichstag. The city if Berlin, with the towering spire. lay beyond his office window. His eyes peered beyond his glasses at the reports on his desk. The reports were the denied orders to launch retaliation against the American Resistance for Rommel's death. As Himmler was about to close the document the faint sound of running reached his ears. His secretary screamed and suddenly his office door was kicked in. SS men poured into the room and lined each wall. Himmler fell back in his chair, he reached for his pistol but alas each SS man already has weapon aimed at the Reichskanzler. Himmler glared at the calm figure that entered the room, Reinhardt Heydrich. "Heydrich. What the hell do you think you're doing!?" Heydrich stepped aside as another figure entered the room. It was none other than Reichsfuhrer-SS Alois Kruger. Kruger's leather coat concealed his black SS uniform. His knee high boots, Iron Cross 1st class and gas mask were his only distinguishing features. "We are replacing you Heinrich. Reinhardt here will become the new Reichskanzler." Himmler finally raised his pistol, but Kruger beat him to it and Himmler's blood stained luger lay on the ground beside him, the Nazi clutched his hand. Kruger holstered his luger. "Don't fight it Heinrich...it was inevitable." Kruger turned and left the room, followed by Heydrich. As they reached the end of the hallway the booming sound of a dozen firing rifles filled the hallway briefly, then silence swept over the Reichstag. "You keep things in order here. I'm going to Paris to oversee the final phases of Project Thor." Kruger said to his treacherous companion. Heydrich nodded. "Good luck, Reichskanzler." Heydrich smiled slightly at Kruger's comment. And with that Kruger set off down the hallway.

VIII
False Face

The silver shuttle's landing gear screeched against the military airstrip outside of Hamburg, Germany. The side door opened and out stepped Alois Kruger. He stopped on the pavement below him as another figure emerged from the shuttle. Colonel Hajime Ugaki stepped off of the shuttle and onto the airstrip. "Are you ready Colonel?" Ugaki nodded and the two got into the staff car before them.

Richard ran down the dark alleyway beside Ernie's. He had been hiding in the club since the assassination, since those SS fucks killed Rudy. Rick had heard things while he was inside Ernie's, that they had some SS big shot named Schreiber come to New York just to hunt down the group that killed Rommel. That wasn't the most interesting thing though, power in Berlin had shifted again. Himmler was dead and Heydrich had taken power. Rick emerged in Times Square, a montage was playing on every screen. Pictures of Rommel during the war were fading in and out along with old fashioned Nazi marching music. Rick stopped running and moved into the large crowd, regular army and SS stood at each corner. Rick was safe though, they were looking for more than one man, and he had used a false name at the checkpoints on the train, they almost certainly thought he was in Buffalo.

Anthony and Paulo were on the bed, just lying there. Paulo was stroking Anthony's head and smoking his cigarette at the same time. "Paulo?" Anthony's innocent voice made Paulo smile, he couldn't help it. "Yes?" Paulo finished his cigarette and pushed it into the marble ash tray on the end table next to him. "Did you bring me here just to make me feel better, or do you really love me?" Paulo was silent for a moment. Anthony turned over on to his stomach to face Paulo, he was met by a kiss. But that kiss was interrupted by a loud knock coming from their door. Paulo let go and smiled at Anthony, then he stood up and walked over to the door.

Koiso's hand contacted the door once more as he stood in the hotel hallway. Earlier that day the Consulate had been contacted by a man who, to Koiso, sounded Swiss. He had told Koiso that his cover had been breached and that a second contact could be found at this very hotel. Finally the door opened and a young man stood before him. "Captain Paulo Volpini?" Paulo nodded. "I'm Counselor Koiso Umezu." Paulo nodded again and moved aside. "Come in Counselor." Koiso entered the room. Anthony was still lying on the bed, a look of surprise on his face. "I assume the Swiss man is dead Counselor?" Koiso turned to Paulo. "He said his cover had been breached." Paulo nodded. "Then the Gestapo got him." Koiso sat down in a chair beside the bed, Anthony was still staring at him. "Um Paulo, why is there a Jap in our room?" Paulo smiled down at Anthony. "Anthony, theres another reason I'm in Paris." He looked up at Koiso, the smile disappeared. "The Supreme Fascist Council wishes to halt the German production of a super weapon called 'Project Thor'. They've only tested this weapon once, Italian military commanders were present. This thing makes the Atomic bomb look like a firecracker." Koiso's eyes widened. "What am I supposed to do with this information?" Paulo looked at him. "Nothing, Japan already knows of this weapon. You and the Swiss man were supposed to kill the only man who knows exactly how to build one of these things. Dr. Kurt Von Danzig." Koiso stood up. "When are we getting this man?" Paulo looked at his watch. "Tonight. Danzig is meeting with some SS big wigs atop the Eiffel Tower." Koiso turned to the window, the Eiffel Tower loomed over Paris, the swastika hung from the top.

Erich Roth stepped out of his staff car and looked up at the imposing Eiffel Tower. He walked onward and saluted as he approached two SS officers of lesser rank, they returned salute. "Has Herr Kruger arrived yet?" The older looking officer nodded. "Yes sir. He and the colonel are atop the tower." Both men nodded. "And Reichskanzler Himmler?" Then both men looked at each other. The younger replied after a while. "Dead sir. Heydrich and Kruger launched a silent coup. Heydrich is the new Reichskanzler." Erich's face turned pale. He walked past the two officers. "Where are you going sir?" Erich stopped and turned to the two. "We're SS, we were taught to protect the Reichskanzler and our supreme leader Heinrich Himmler." The older officer pulled out his pistol and aimed at Erich. "Sir, don't make me..." Before he could finish another shot was fired. Erich fell to the ground, clutching his side, Kruger stood behind him, his luger in hand. He holstered his luger and turned, walking towards the elevator. "If anyone other than SS come anywhere near this tower...kill them!" The two saluted and just stared down at Erich who was still clutching his side.

Koiso, Paulo and Anthony walked together from the hotel to the Eiffel tower, the tower itself wasn't that far away from the hotel. They approached the base of the tower. Two SS officers stood near the entrance to the elevator. Both officer produced their lugers and aimed at the group. "Stop, by order of Reichsfuhrer-SS Alois Kruger!" Paulo produced his pistol firing twice, both bodies fell to the ground. Anthony stared wide-eyed at Paulo. "What the hell was that?" Paulo lowered his arm and looked over at Anthony. "I'm a soldier, its in my blood. Besides, Kruger's coup in Berlin is perfect justification for killing members of the SS." Paulo looked down at his watch. "We have fifteen minutes." Koiso nodded and walked over to one of the bodies, taking a luger. He looked over at Erich's seemingly lifeless body. "They turned on their own." Paulo looked over at Erich. "Things are crazy now, Stauffenberg and the Wehrmacht should end this political nightmare." He looked at Koiso. "We will end the military problem." Koiso nodded, but Anthony just stared at Paulo with an angry look on his face. "Paulo, what the hell is going on?" Paulo turned to Anthony. "Koiso and I are going to go kill Dr. Danzig, a German scientist who is designing a super weapon Heydrich and Kruger plan on using against Japan. In fifteen minutes a Wehrmacht General named Claus von Stauffenberg will storm the Reichstag and usurp Reinhardt Heydrich." He walked over to Anthony and planted a kiss on his forehead. "Stay here. God only knows how many men are protecting Danzig." He walked over to the elevator and entered with Koiso. As the doors closed he blew Anthony a kiss.

IX
All American

Richard Nichols ran down the concrete platform that ran above railroad line B16. "Stop! In the name of the Third Reich stop!" At least eight SS men were chasing him. Rick stopped beside the guard rail. Suddenly Rick was surrounded by a mix of SS, SA and regular police. "Richard Nichols, you're under arrest for the assassination of General Erwin Rommel!" Rick looked down at the lonely steel tracks. "The Reich has no place in America." His voice was surprisingly calm. He looked up, the sun was shining, casting the shadow of every man there. The wheel in the sky is turning. What did that mean? Of all the things to enter his head why did that make itself known. It was a song, he knew that, but where had he heard it? "Herr Nichols, we're going to have to take you into custody." It was an American speaking now. An American used their words. "Then my cause is truly dead." He climbed up onto the guard rail as the 3:30 to Rochester pulled out. Within moments he was on the steel tracks below with two broken legs, and in another moment Richard Nichols was no more as the 3:30 to Rochester ended his life.

The brothers Nichols were dead, and gone.

X
Fall From Grace

Koiso Umezu and Paulo Volpini exited the elevator on the final level of the Eiffel Tower. Paris, the city of lights, lay before them. Doctor Kurt Von Danzig stood near the railing, looking out at the city. "The Italian and Japanese spies I presume." He turned, the sound of clapping became stronger. Paulo looked to his left. Alois Kruger was clapping as he emerged from the side of the towers final floor. "Herr Umezu, Herr Volpini. How nice of you to join us." He had a luger in hand. Paulo raised his as Colonel Ugaki emerged on the right side of Koiso and the two aimed at each other as well. "Colonel Ugaki. I had the feeling you were working with Kruger." Ugaki just smiled at Koiso. "It's futile to stand against the Reich. Soon the Reich will stretch from Germany to Japan." Dr. Danzig turned to face the four men. "Project Thor has been completed. One missile is ready to fire, and it should fire when Herr Kruger gives the go ahead." Paulo kept his aim on Kruger, as Kruger did with him. "One of us won't be leaving here today Kruger." Kruger nodded. He was surprisingly calm, sweat was running down Koiso and Paulo's faces. Suddenly a shot rang out. Dr. Danzig collapsed, blood running down his face. Anthony emerged from the elevator, a luger in hand. Kruger turned and fired hitting Anthony in the leg. Paulo fired and Kruger fell to the ground. Another shot rang out and Ugaki fell to the ground, dead. Paulo rushed to Anthony, he held him as tears ran down Anthony's face. "I'm here Anthony, don't worry, I'm here."

Karl Friedrich and Hans Gerlich approached to base of the Eiffel tower. When they reached the elevator, however, Karl stopped. "Erich!" He ran to the SS officer, who was lying in a pool of his own blood. "Kruger...Thor." Erich struggled to sit up. "What? What about Kruger? What's Thor?" Erich pointed up, suddenly several shots rang out. Erich finally found the strength to stand up, clutching his side and with his luger in hand he and Karl hobbled over to the elevator. "I'll keep watch." Karl nodded to Hans.

Kruger stood up, aiming his luger at the group huddled near Anthony. "You fucking queer! Killing me won't stop it. Killing Alois Kruger won't stop the Reich!" Kruger moved back as another bullet from the elevator hit his side. Erich Roth stood clutching his side, his anger filled eyes fixed on the SS chief. Another shot, Kruger moved back again. Another, and another. Finally Kruger stood beside the railing, Erich smiled and fired again. Pieces of Kruger's mask flew into several different directions and the SS chief fell backwards over the railing. Erich fell to the ground, the smile still on his face.