Re: Blood and Iron

De Gaulle realized immediately after Maximillian’s disappearance that the man had been a spy. However, he completely misunderstood who had infiltrated his ranks. Believing the man he knew as “Axel” as having been sent from one of the other warlord factions and not the German Reich.

But the fact remained, he had been compromised. His location? Known to an unknown enemy. His plans to assassinate the second in command of the National Restoration Government? Also known by the same enemy.

Because of this, the plan was immediately aborted, the headquarters abandoned, and relocated. In any reasonable circumstance, this would be more than enough to shake a rival intent on knowing what he and his faction were up to.

But was Bruno the type of man to rely on a single spy? Was a Germany operating under his doctrine and understanding? Not at all. Because of this, German Military Intelligence had spared no expense ensuring that multiple sources of information within de Gaulle’s resistance, and his inner circle answered to Berlin.

As for Pétain, he returned from Zurich to Paris within the same timeframe, not surprised in the least that the city and his territory were functioning as planned. However, when Maxime approached the man, he seemed less pleased due to the line of questioning the man had for him.

“I trust that your meeting with that man has been worth the blow to your legitimacy…”

Maxime seemed to have a far less favorable impression towards Bruno, ironically making him less than ideal for leadership in the French National Restoration Government as far as the Reich was concerned, despite being infinitely more competent than its current dictator.

Pétain’s response was brief but stern.

“Indeed, the Reich has promised to send material support in the form of their retired equipment from the Great War. It should be more than enough to defeat those bastards who refuse to kneel!”

Whether Pétain was deliberately ignoring the subtext behind the offer given to him, or was genuinely unaware, Maxime did not know, but was quick to clarify, regardless.

“What do you mean that the Germans are retiring equipment and sending it to our army for aid? What equipment exactly do you speak of?”

Pétain seemingly unbothered by the implications was quick to clarify with exactly what Bruno had promised him.

“Let’s see, Gewehr 05s, MG 01/03s, MP-05s, P-05s, Panzer Is, Spahpanzer Is, and He-51s, and various artillery pieces ranging from 7.5cm to 10cm The same equipment they used to win the war. Why do you ask?”

Maxime was astonished for reasons beyond Pétain’s comprehension. Or at least what Pétain displayed openly. And the reason was simple… Maxime understood that if Germany was retiring these weapons and giving them out as material aid to foreign causes, then they had already replaced them with something more ideal.

In other words, according to the German Reich, these weapons platforms were already obsolete by their own standards. And yet the rest of the world had yet to fully catch up to them. It was a terrifying thought. One that Maxime appeared to be the only one who truly understood the depth of.

Even so, he was just rational enough to calm himself and focus on more immediate concerns after taking a deep breath.

“Did the man say he would be re chambering these weapons in ammunition we currently have access to? Or are we supposed to rely on German supply going forward?”

Pétain having thought nothing more than the surface level of what this “gift” meant. Or at the very least, played the part perfectly, was quick to announce exactly what Bruno had said a word for word.

“I believe what he said was: I will give you the backing, on paper at least, that will intimidate your remaining rivals into kneeling before you. And if they don’t well I suppose I’ll have to actually lend you my toys now won’t I?”

The implication being the transfer of these weapons is meant to force a negotiation from desperation, not actually provide overwhelming firepower…”

Having heard this, Maxime damn near suffered from an aneurysm. The reason was simple. What Pétain previously stated was that once more Germany was so far ahead of the rest of the world in arms development that they could give away the weapons that had won the Great War to former rivals and never fear the consequences.

But now… This clarification made so much more sense, to him at least. Something he was quick to express while rubbing his temples with closed eyes.

“You should have led with that information…”

Pétain did not appear to understand what precisely he had said that had led his subordinate to become so visibly distressed. Yet he did not immediately make a move to correct that, instead he focused on the map in front of them.

“Even so, with such weapons on display, even in falsehood, I sincerely doubt the others will continue to resist for long. It was a rater brilliant bluff, one I never would have dared to attempt on my own…”

This remark damn near caused Maxime to double over with incredulity. He wanted more than anything to scream at the man in front of him. But kept his words to himself.

‘Never would have attempted on your own? That’s a bold statement that presumes you were remotely capable of doing so before receiving support from someone else!”

Ultimately, only time would tell before Bruno’s gamble played off. Or whether not he would have to play a more hands on approach to end the war in France and ensure that a proper puppet rose to power.

But the message would be clear soon enough. As weapons continued to flood across the border, Pétain was gearing up for war. And with equipment that the enemy would not be capable of contending with.

If that even on the surface did not force a negotiation, then Bruno could truly confirm he was not dealing with people that had any sense of logic, reason, or self-preservation left within their bones, and if this was the case. Well then, there was no point continuing towards a peaceful and diplomatic resolution to the ongoing crisis.