Copyrighted.com Registered & Protected  SLRL-2CTC-3PFF-NQPP

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Prologue - Unholy Pact


Dear Readers
This is a work of fiction. Some historical facts and figures have been used to suit my narrative. Any similarity to persons living or dead is purely coincidental. 

Here's to a new journey with Dr. Khushi Kumari Gupta and Agent Arnav Singh Raizada.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

January 9th, 1940.

The tall pines stood quietly shivering in the cold rain. The snow refused to disappear as chilling rain muddied the cobbled streets winding through the alpine thicket. The motors came one at a time, each circling the decrepit circular fountain and stopping to unload its passengers in front of a crumbling mansion. The grey skies resented any remainders of cheer.

A fresh bout of flurry set the liveried servants scrambling to the entrance. Umbrellas were unfurled to protect the entrants, in quiet deference to the ominous event.  Words weren’t necessary as the arrivals gathered in the largest room of the mansion lining a long table. Men greeted each other with silent nods, the reality bearing heavy on their collective souls.

The head of the table remained empty as the guests gathered. Silver trays that had seen better days were freshly scrubbed and held cheeses and fruit, mostly ignored by the gathering. Wine goblets and water glasses were emptied with uncanny urgency as room provided little to no warmth against the alpine chill. A distant fireplace sputtered in hesitation, water logged wood failing to burn in time to help the cold affair.

“We need to start as soon as possible. Look, we can’t be waiting here, forever!” A portly man complained.

“Mr. Schmid will be here soon.” announced a tall doorman, quelling the growing irritation in the room.

A diminutive bald man with horn rimmed glasses carrying a business briefcase entered the room, shuffling his way through the long hall before reaching the head of the table. He was followed by what seemed like an assistant carrying yet more papers in binders. The small man thrust the briefcase on the table and looked up to face the gathering. The gathering fell quiet.

“Gentlemen, my apologies for the delay. I was unexpectedly delayed at the crossing by the Shutzstaffel (SS) guards. In any case, there is no cause for alarm. We have good friends in the right places. Please take your seats.”
The group of men seemed to settle down with his arrival. Servants appeared with refills of drinks and were quickly dismissed. The 30 feet roof echoed every little sound in the room. The two large doors creaked as doorman closed it shut.

“Well, let’s get to business then” the man rubbed his hands together, to fight his nervousness against the danger he could be inviting with the powerful men in the room. “Does everyone have their papers ready? Yes? Henri will come around and gather them.” he piped in his thick Swiss accent.

When the papers were gathered, Henri handed them to the small man who kept them in his briefcase. “And now let’s disperse the Sabres.” He signaled the wait staff who brought in eleven Sabres on eleven trays for each man in the room.

The Sabres were distributed as Mr. Schmid quietly watched the proceedings. As the men absorbed the details of the proceedings, one annoyed guest shouted, “Wait a minute. There should be twelve. What kind of trickery is this?” he rose from his chair thundering in the large room. Mr. Schmid shrank back in fear.
“Sit down!” commanded a portly elder. The angry man sat down his face showing his obvious distrust of the man at the head of the table, Mr. Schmid.

“It is as we had discussed, Your Highness. Eleven Sabres. The twelfth one was to be borne in simplicity. A sabre in spirit yet not quiet.” He signaled and a significantly smaller tray was brought in by another servant. He took a covered box and raised it to the gathering.

“This brings unity and holds it together. Without it, the Sabres are meaningless. Without Sabres this is meaningless. Together, they hold your power.” He raised the box and walked around the table to bestow it upon a man sitting under the dark shadows of torn draperies in the far corner of the room.
A murmur of approval sounded in the room as the tall, handsome man stood up, towering in his presence and accepted the box from Mr. Schmid.

“My pleasure, for my brethren, this burden I shall bear.” A hushed applause filled the room. The celebration was interrupted, with the uncanny sound of Jack boots hitting the cold stone floor of the mansion. The mighty doors creaked open to the protests of the gathered men.

The field grey uniforms and red arm bandannas with intertwined black S's were unmistakable. The Nazis! thought Mr.Schmid. Three SS officers appeared through the door causing a minor commotion in the room.

“Who invited them here!” protested one.
“Get them out!” shouted another.
"I can't be part of this!" growled another guest.

Mr Schmid’s voice rose uncharacteristically high for his small build, “Gentlemen, Please! Calm down! Let me explain.”

Henri rushed to the entrance and paid his allegiance to the new guests in the characteristic salute.

“Heil Hitler!” In quick movements, he pulled a chair and offered it to the leader of the SS officers. “Reichsfuhrer Zimmerman, Willkommen.” The SS officer accepted the chair and as he sat he scanned the room. He smirked with derision at the opulent and vain gathering of men.

“Please gentlemen, let me explain, take your seats.” The men settled and Mr.Schmid began.
“We cannot be doing this alone. We need protection.” His Swiss accent suddenly became thicker; a slight edge of fear ran through his spine. One wrong move or word could end it all for them right here in this room.

“We need them.” He continued.

“No, we don’t! Allied forces will wipe them out. And then what becomes of this arrangement.”

The SS officer snapped and stood up. Wagging his finger at the protesting voice he rasped in a low tone, “You underestimate the Fuhrer. We will win. Be with us and you shall be protected. Without us, you don’t have a chance." the threat in the subtext was not lost on them. Mr. Schmid broke into a cold sweat, he knew things could escalate out of control. He signaled the SS officer to sit down.

More arguments, debate and protests followed. Frustrated , the German stood up and hit the large table with his fist, grabbing everyone’s attention.

“Enough! You live in fool’s paradise. When Nazi Germany rules the world, you will thank us. Take it or leave it. We don’t lose. But you have a lot to lose.” He paused. “If I were you, I would think about it… very, very hard.” The menace was back. The men sensed it.

If there was one thing that brought these men together it was their absolute abhorrence and fear for weakness and vulnerability. It made them, in uncomfortable ways, very similar to the nefarious ideology that glared back at them. They could not deny it. 

An unholy pact was made. A future they envisioned was signed and secured. They would never have to fear weakness, loss or vulnerability. The SS were powerful and growing under the Nazi Germany. They offered protection freely in lieu of small collateral. What’s the worst they could do?

49 comments:

  1. All the best SJ .. It looks interesting

    ReplyDelete
  2. Fabulous start, has left me gasping for more as haven't got a clue what is going on!!!

    So glad you have decided to gift us with another FF & your superb writing!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So as you know SJ it's been a while since I have read any of the updates & have been waiting for a suitable time to return to your superb writing & thank god that day has finally come!!!

      I have decided to start at the beginning & re-read all of it again over the next few days!!!

      But I must say once again excellent start & looking forward to catching up with the story over the next 20 or so chapters awaiting me!!!

      BTW I hope you and your family had an excellent Christmas SJ!!

      Sxxx

      Delete
  3. Wow! Thrilling..

    Can't wait to read more and so glad you are writing another FF! :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Im so confused but I love it!!can't wait for more!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ah, SJ!! when I saw the date as 9th Jan 1940...it triggered a thought., about WWII...and then when I read the initial sentences...I was sure..I am ecstatic, cuz , I just love stories with WW as the backdrop..

    So it was a congregation of some of the powerful people...and the 12th Sabre being handed to a man who was in the shadows was really interesting...

    Splendid initiation....am sure, we are in for a roller coaster ride....

    ReplyDelete
  6. Nazis?? Germany??? SS??? Indeed an interesting world.....and a very interesting start for this FF
    Off to read chapter 1....c ya there

    Shweta1691

    ReplyDelete
  7. Interesting ff.

    Thanks for the new link.

    Bookmarked :-)

    A

    ReplyDelete
  8. Am excited and curious!!

    Hail Dr.KKG and Detective Raizada!

    This blog's cool.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Interesting prologue, i would want to read more to see how this pans out.

    TFS will always be close to my heart, so bear with me if my judgement is clouded, although it won't be because SerialJunkie is a rockstar.

    ReplyDelete
  10. You had me at Dr.Khushi, but this new angle has thrown me for a loop! I apologise, my comments on the next few chapters might be delayed because I'm on vacation. But lady, you have me intrigued big-time!
    -Expelliarmus.

    ReplyDelete
  11. This looks so damn intriguing!!!
    I'm glad you started writing another FF!! :D

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh wow. The 1940's and WW II. This seems to be a promising and thrilling ride. :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. You have WWII background, men of power and ignorance, handsome man in shadows and the 12 sabres! I am in :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. What an intriguing start , waiting to see how this will fold into Khushi-Arnav story! Looking forward :D


    preetihere on IF

    ReplyDelete
  15. ok what..dr khushi and agent arnav and nazi germany/switzerland?

    trying to read between the lines..but failing miserably. guess i will just have to wait and watch.

    thank you for what i am sure is going to be amazeballs of a story and good luck with it :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Ah SJ missed you and i love this i am a history buff with some err morbid fascination for the Nazi in a academic way so this sounds right up my alley and waiting

    ReplyDelete
  17. Congratulations ... very impressive blog and a super start ...
    Historical ... Hitler ... World War 11 ... love history ...
    Really looking forward to a great journey with Agent A.Raizada and Dr.K. Gupta ...
    and Three chapters to read WOW ....

    ReplyDelete
  18. The setting WW 2 very intriguing. Im eagerly waiting for the next update.
    Can't wait to see under what circumstances they meet
    Kavita1970

    ReplyDelete
  19. Nazis/WW, the backdrop is very meticulously described SJ, looking forward to this concept.

    mistyrains

    ReplyDelete
  20. Congratulations SJ! A most interesting period in history for your story! Wars do bring out the pain, suffering and angst of human failings but it also bring out some of the greatest acts of love and humanity! Amidst this background you have Dr. Khushi Gupta and FBI Agent Arnav Singh Raizada, their names imply Indian heritage, so it would be mighty interesting how you tie in the German connection! Good opportunity to brush up on my German and WW11 History!
    Cheers
    Maya Di

    ReplyDelete
  21. Awesome prologue Smriti!!! Anticipating how it will all come together. Please don't make us wait for long!!!

    ReplyDelete
  22. First of all, thanks for this SJ. I'm excited you started a new one, I appreciate your writing so much and I was missing it...I still haven't gotten over the end of TFS. This is very different and very, very interesting! I got hooked immediately, not I'm off to read the chapters now! :D

    ReplyDelete
  23. interesting ff off to read the chapters
    drunkiiebabe

    ReplyDelete
  24. absolutely intriguing ...wiating for more..

    tibs09(IF)

    ReplyDelete
  25. Loved the FF !! Thanks for the link dear [>:D<]
    -sweetgal19- IF

    ReplyDelete
  26. Beautiful start.....nazis, hitler, fehrur, ss, couldnt have asked for a backdrop......its looking very enticing....

    Best of luck SJ....Off to chptr 1

    Avni

    ReplyDelete
  27. SJ......fabulous start.

    Really interesting

    ReplyDelete
  28. Fabulous start ....... really thrillig

    All the best SJ!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Very intriguing start!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Loved the prologue.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Awesome start!!!
    Anita_21492 (IF)

    ReplyDelete
  32. oh.. how come i missed this :O
    thanx for the pm...
    awesome!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  33. how come i missed this :O
    thanx for the pm.. :)
    awesome update...

    ReplyDelete
  34. awesome,waiting for more
    tanu,indiaforum

    ReplyDelete
  35. Awesome...seems intresting....keep writing


    flowers4u

    ReplyDelete
  36. Dearest SJ :)

    I am hoping this comment makes its way into your feed (Usually doesn't *wails*)

    Anyway, so here I am, and I love reading mystery. A cracker of a start SJ ji! ONE HELL'va start.

    The ambience was described perfectly. Right from the brooding sky, to the almost palpalable fear of the men on the table. What a way to start this story! The mystery is set, the pact has been made, and now we fumble for the buckle of our seats, to enjoy this ride.

    Lots of love,

    -Vee

    V323-IF

    ReplyDelete
  37. wonderful i started it again tooo read soemtimes i dont find time to ead because of uni stress but


    I wanted to ask u if u are from Germany if yes i woluld love to comment in german because my englisch is not perfect i and i am trying to improve it but i dont get the right words to descripe what i like and what not


    But thanku u for such a dark thrilled story and what the hell ist this shyam arrrrrrr


    IF gilmore

    ReplyDelete
  38. Seems pretty interesting...hmmmm..lets c

    ReplyDelete
  39. awesome story! i loved everybit of it..the way you narrate it. i mean the flow its just perfect with all the details and explanation,simply WOW..one of my friends recommended me your story!
    read it in one go!
    i would love to receive pm for next update! can you send it To me?
    -sias2[If]

    ReplyDelete
  40. Wow!! What a start! Nazi Germany...just recently I finished reading a book on the SS!! :D

    I know I am starting this FF a little too late and that you sent me a pm ages ago...I am sorry...was busy with school...but am reading it now and I am sure this is going to be one hell of a story!!
    Thanks :)

    Chicane (IF)

    ReplyDelete
  41. After finishing The Filigreed Sun had to wait to for the after effects of it to go ..so now I m on to this ff .. The concept is very intriguing ..

    ReplyDelete
  42. was away... finally got back... can't wait to read you new story

    ReplyDelete
  43. AWESOME! AWESOME! AWESOME!!!

    ReplyDelete
  44. i love it its diferrent continue

    ReplyDelete
  45. Hey SJ,i so love your work.though i am a great fan of TFS...i am looking forward to another amazing reading experience withTSC.PS shared another comment on Amazon for THE FILIGREED SUN

    ReplyDelete
  46. Hah... I didn't even know you wrote this story. I have bought your Filigreed Sun on Amazon recently... As much as I have seen it recommended around IF, I am hoarding it. The beginning of this story is obviously completely different from any I have read so far...

    ReplyDelete
  47. I've forgotten the finer plot details, so it's almost like reading it afresh! I'm (s)excited!

    ReplyDelete