Editing City Series:Volume6a Chapter6 (section)

===Part 2===

Berlin’s sky sat above Tempelhof Airbase which was burning in the flames of the crashed warship.

The uniquely long and flat shape of a pitch-black König Pseudo-Drach strategic reconnaissance craft kept its short-distance takeoff thrusters active as it flew in a large circle.

Two people sat in the two-seat cockpit.

Schweitzer sat in the front seat while wearing a flight suit for high-altitude mobility and Berger sat in the rear seat while still wearing his black coat.

Berger viewed Berlin below from the tilted craft’s cockpit.

He noticed the city was tinged faintly blue as he spoke to Schweitzer who held the stick in the front seat.

“You and Alfred went south two years ago, right? I heard you were promoted for hunting down a dragon. So was that part of the Heidengeist hunt?”

“I have no obligation to answer that.”

“Good grief. Is that dragon what required Alfred to wield that sword given to the Maldrick family by the emperor? …The emperor protected the Messiah, you know? Meaning he chose to protect a Heidengeist.”

“Times have changed. In the modern age, humanity can rule all through the power of steel.”

Just as Schweitzer finished speaking, the centrifugal force of their rotation increased.

They were speeding up.

“Tighten your belts, Berger. This craft has some inertial control, but it is far from perfect.”

A short silence followed, but then the communicator switched on and they heard Bermark’s voice coming from Tempelhof Airbase below.

“König Pseudo-Drach 000210, this is the District 1 Airbase. Signal received with a strength of 55. The reading is good.”

“This is König Pseudo-Drach. Same on this end. Encrypt the transmission and provide us with a report and a route.”

After a short pause, Bermark’s voice returned with some static mixed in.

“Continue in your circle until you reach 85 degrees from due north and then fly straight. The Sylphide is intermittently heading north while engaging with the cutting-edge Hs201 Doppelschneide sent in by the 2nd Aerial Fleet to assist the scout ships. The Doppelschneide is attempting to pull the Sylphide west toward Hamburg so it will not cross the border with Denmark.”

“That ship has excellent rear defenses, so it is well-suited for that role.”

“It is a battle between two cutting-edge ships. And the military has ordered the Sylphide destroyed, so the Doppelschneide cannot withdraw. The end result will likely be an unpleasant one. …I have used the name of our leader to gain permission for your König Pseudo-Drach to pass through the 1st and 2nd Aerial Fleets’ districts. Please hurry.”

“Have we received no further orders from our leader?”

“Only to secure the Sylphide…and to double-check the prophecy. It would seem the Fräulein is thinking the same thing we are: that the true Messiah might just be born here.”

“That possibility seems to please you, Bermark. Have you taken a liking to that girl?”

“Of course I have. …And, Lieutenant, the Fräulein’s orders say we may…shoot down the Sylphide if it is necessary to fulfill the prophecy.” Bermark took a breath. “Also, representatives of the military and the Geheimnis Agency have gathered at the general headquarters to make a decision. They hope to decide whether or not the Sylphide prototype truly is necessary for Germany.”

“Keep me updated on their decision. What is the military saying?”

“The air force intends to launch the V-0 ramming weapon they have developed jointly with the army. In order to destroy the Sylphide.”

“…”

“I will gather some troops and head there in Silber as quickly as I can.”

“Make sure you only use Geheimnis Agency members. The military’s people…might be involved with the V-0.”

With that, Schweitzer ended the König Pseudo-Drach’s circle and flew straight forward. The craft was no longer tilting and they slowly left the city below behind. The sound of the wind and the shaking of the craft could be heard now.

“Schweitzer, why did Marsch die?” asked Berger with his arms crossed. “Was it a military plot? Were they that upset the Geheimnis Agency had created a new version of the Kaiserburg that defeated them 2 years ago?”

When Schweitzer responded, it sounded like he had finally given up on ignoring the other man.

“Two months ago, the military rushed in and stole the Sylphide prototype from the 18th Airbase up north. They claimed other nations would see us as a threat due to the ship’s presence. They captured Marsch as well, saying they wanted him to dismantle the Sylphide and indefinitely lock away all of its components.” His voice was flat and monotone. “The military…imprisoned him in Berlin’s general hospital and tried to get at his knowledge about the Sylphide. So what they truly wanted was the Sylphide’s power.”

“So the thing about other nations was just an excuse, huh? Cause if the Geheimnis Agency built their own Kaiserburg, the military would never have any power over you again.”

Berger sighed.

“Was this because of the Panzerpolis Project?” he asked. “I think I get the connection. The Geheimnis Agency has started work on the Panzerpolis Project recently and it’s supposed to be made public with the announcement of the Greater Germanic Reich next April, but once that happens, the Geheimnis Agency will have power over both the government and the military, right? That’s why the military rushed to build their V-0…and stole the Sylphide.”

He smiled bitterly.

“Ideals aren’t enough for a largescale project to succeed. You need a symbol of power. And is that where the Messiah and the Sylphide come into play? If so, the Sylphide must be built as an Eingeweide too.”

“Yes, it is.”

“I see. Eingeweide devices are made to join people with machines. And unlike our weapons, it should work with a traditional Schreiben device as well. Is that what Marsch created in the Geheimnis Agency?”

Another bitter smile.

“If Eingeweide devices are the key to the Panzerpolis Project, then I think I have a pretty good idea what that project is.”

“Oh, and what is that?” asked Schweitzer.

Berger’s bitter smile grew.

He uncrossed his arms and recrossed them behind his head to look up into the sky as he answered.

“You plan to modify the entire country of Germany into a giant Eingeweide device, don’t you?”