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Pov of Ferdinand
5-7-July-1920
''Good, here is the list Karl entrusted to us. We have to try to bring these people over and, at the same time, look for the best graduates from the universities of engineering, architecture, chemistry, biology… Well, practically any discipline you can think of'' Ernst said while reading a notebook Karl had given him.
''With our diplomatic credentials, we should not have too many problems moving through Germany. We only have to focus on carrying out Karl's orders and convincing as many graduates as possible'' I said while taking the notebook from his hand and beginning to review it.
''And what about the charges of treason against us? Will we not have problems when they discover that we are relatively high-ranking officers and that we played an important role in the rebellion?'' Ernst asked while settling into his seat.
''I doubt it. There are charges against us, but we also have diplomatic immunity, so I do not think they will try anything against us. If there is any problem, showing our credentials will be enough. Of course, if you commit a crime, you will have difficulties, so try to control yourself and not provoke any incident'' I replied, watching as Ernst began to smile upon hearing me.
''Nah, I was not planning to do anything. I only wanted to visit my family. Since the government declared me a traitor, we stopped keeping in contact, and now I might be able to see them again, find out how they have been and leave them some money. This whole thing of becoming head of the Herzog's personal guard has been quite good for my pockets'' Ernst said while patting the pocket where he seemed to keep his money.
''How long have you held the position? Two months? Your salary may have increased enormously, but you should have seen how much I earned as assistant to the regency of Ruthenia. During all the time I had to watch over Waldemar, I was paid an even more generous salary. They even converted it into Swiss francs to prevent my savings from losing value''.
I looked at the notebook again before continuing.
''I also plan to give some money to my parents. Things are not going too well in Germany, especially for the family fishing company. We will stop for a few hours in Königsberg and you will continue on to Danzig. We will resolve our personal matters and meet in Berlin before the day ends'' I explained.
''Bah, and meanwhile you missed all the fun of killing Poles, British, Frenchmen and rebels. What were you doing? Watching that Hohenzollern try to discover what he could do with the little authority they had granted him?'' Ernst asked with a smile that showed all his teeth while making himself more comfortable in the train seat.
''Exactly. I did not have to do much more than make sure Karl's orders were carried out. Besides, I could eat the same food as the royalty of Ruthenia, so you will understand that it was quite a pleasant period''.
I grimaced before continuing.
''Unfortunately, that came to an end and now I will have to resume my military duties. Karl has placed his attention directly on Ruthenia and has temporarily moved to Minsk to direct the construction of critical infrastructure, so I am no longer needed there''.
''A true pity. But at least this job is not bad either. The pay is good and we only have to visit a few eggheads, offer them things so they come over to our side and that is it. What could be difficult?'' Ernst asked while looking out the window.
''We shall see'' I replied while beginning to review, page by page, the names of all the people Karl had ordered us to bring from Germany.
Karl's list contained an enormous number of professions whose specialists we had to obtain. Our work consisted of traveling through the universities of Germany, offering jobs to those close to graduating, as well as leadership positions within Baltic State companies to anyone who stood out enormously in their field.
However, Karl had written down some specific names of people we had to bring. Those individuals were our priority.
In a certain way, our diplomatic mission also sought to foster good relations between our States and the multiple entities that made up Imperial Germany. That would allow us to move throughout the Empire and recruit the talent we needed without seeming like simple thieves of scientists.
There was one group that, unfortunately, remained beyond our reach. Even so, if any opportunity arose, we had to try to take advantage of it.
Many of the scientists Karl desired were within the Kaiser Wilhelm Society. The true German geniuses Karl wanted in his service worked there, but they remained under the direct protection of the German State and we could not touch them without causing problems with the Kaiser and his government.
We could not begin an overly aggressive policy aimed at taking Germany's most important scientists. That could quickly damage our relations with Berlin.
In other cases, we had orders to offer collaboration contracts with German companies. We would pay for their experience and for the creation of certain facilities or factories inside the Duchy. However, those negotiations would be carried out individually and Karl would send us instructions when the time came to begin them.
Among the people he had in his sights were Ernst Heinkel, Wilhelm Messerschmitt and Heinrich Focke. Karl had personally entrusted me with trying to bring them to the Duchy and had granted us a fairly broad margin of negotiation to convince them.
We also had to look for a man surnamed Porsche, whose name was Ferdinand like mine, an architect from Silesia named Ernst, which seemed to be an almost as common name as the Kaiser's, and the chemist Friedrich Bergius.
With all of them, we could use the resources of the State as we considered necessary to attract them.
For the rest, our powers were more limited. We could only offer them work, a good salary and facilities to relocate, both to already qualified professionals and to university students who were close to graduating.
After carefully reading the list of professions we had to hunt for, I relaxed while the train advanced quickly toward our destination.
In Königsberg, we stopped for a few hours so I could speak with my father. After a fairly quick conversation, he told me that work was scarce because people were buying less fish in an attempt to reduce their food expenses.
I gave him a good part of what I had earned in Ruthenia. I had been paid quite well for carrying out relatively simple duties, as well as coordinating a coup d'état.
In Danzig, something similar happened. Ernst also stopped to speak with his family, although our stop was fairly brief. When he returned, he had a reddened cheek and scraped knuckles.
I assumed he had ended up fighting with some member of his family.
I decided to ignore it. I had no intention of meddling in my companion's personal life, so we simply continued toward our destination.
Upon arriving in Berlin, we presented ourselves before the Kaiser and the chancellor to offer our respects. We appeared officially as part of the diplomatic staff sent by Karl to maintain good relations with the Empire.
Afterward, there was a brief ceremony during which we spoke with numerous diplomats about some possible agreements being negotiated.
However, much of the conversation ended up focusing on the recent conflict against the Russians. Apparently, within the German government they already knew perfectly well that Karl continued to control Ukraine and that the British were full of shit when they claimed the country had been liberated.
Once all the official commitments were finished, we boarded the train again and departed for Bavaria.
The person on my list who received the greatest attention and who, in theory, should be easiest to locate was Wilhelm Messerschmitt.
Baltic aeronautical research was having serious difficulties developing more powerful engines without increasing the weight of the aircraft too much. We also needed to recruit numerous specialists in radio and communications.
Upon arriving in München, we presented our credentials before the Bavarian Parliament and sent our protocol greetings to King Ludwig von Wittelsbach.
Afterward, we settled into the Baltic embassy in the Kingdom of Bavaria.
While the real diplomats spoke with the Bavarian representatives, I left to fulfill my work. Accompanied by the guards of my diplomatic escort, I headed toward the Technische Universität München, where one of the numerous men I had to bring to Karl was supposedly located.
''Herr Ferdinand, is that right?'' asked the rector of the university, who had personally come to receive me.
''Yes'' I replied while observing the facilities. The rector and several of his assistants remained near me.
''May I know the reason for your visit?... Above all, why you have come armed'' the rector asked, clenching his teeth while observing the pistol holsters carried by Ernst and the other men.
''It is mainly a visit entrusted by Herzog Karl himself to determine whether it would be feasible to make donations to the university and finance scholarships for its students'' I explained while placing my hands behind my back, bringing my feet together and looking fixedly at the rector.
''Ah… The Herzog. Truthfully, I never imagined he was a man interested in education'' the rector said with a somewhat nervous smile.
''Mein Herzog is a rather educated person for someone who does not possess any university degree. In any case, I have orders to offer funding to your institution, whenever possible. We are also speaking with the Bavarian government and its Parliament to make our cooperation public, demonstrating mein Herzog's goodwill and his interest in promoting education'' I explained while taking a few slow steps and the rector invited us to enter the university.
''Oh, of course… In that case, I suppose there is no problem. But the pistols…'' the rector insisted through clenched teeth.
''We know how to use them'' Ernst replied, looking at him fixedly.
''I do not doubt that… I am only saying they could make many people nervous'' the rector pointed out.
''These things happen. This is my diplomatic escort and all their weapons are legal. Now, why do you not show me the engineering wing of the university?'' I asked while continuing to walk.
''Eh… Of course'' the rector replied after sighing heavily upon understanding that he would not manage to make us leave the pistols behind.
Guided by him, we began a long walk through the facilities while the director of the engineering faculty spoke without pause.
Behind us, a large entourage of professors, deans and directors from the different branches of the university had formed. All of them tried to explain, in a not at all subtle way, that their respective areas needed funding to continue their research.
The government had considerably reduced the university budget, so they seemed very interested in the funds Karl was supposedly going to give them.
Although, of course, all of that was a lie. The university would receive nothing. The money would only be delivered to the people who truly interested us, and it was merely a trick to obtain the cooperation of the deans so we could reach the minds we wanted.
''Is there any Wilhelm Messerschmitt in this faculty?'' I asked, interrupting the man who had been speaking to me for far too long about engineering matters of which I understood fuck all.
''Yes… How do you know him?'' asked the director of the faculty.
''I do not. His name reached the ears of someone I know in the Baltic Duchy. I would like to speak with him'' I replied while continuing to walk with my hands behind my back.
I could see the boredom on the faces of Ernst and the other guards, who looked as if they were about to fall asleep because of the professors' explanations.
The rector did not need to say a single word. A look toward one of his assistants was enough for him to begin moving.
It did not take long for them to lead us to a classroom where several students were listening to a lecture.
One of them stood and approached us.
''Here is the young man with whom you asked to speak'' the dean said.
''Good. You may withdraw. This is a private matter. Afterward, I wish to speak with you about creating an internship program in the Baltic, so it would be convenient to organize a meeting with the students to present the proposal'' I said, signaling for him to leave us alone.
The dean remained motionless for a few moments, visibly nervous, but finally withdrew together with the group of professors and directors.
I took some plans Karl had given me from my coat and offered them to the student.
''What do you think?'' I asked while observing his reaction.
''Is it wood?... No. It is an aluminum and copper alloy. The engine… I have never seen anything like this. Does this really fly?'' the student asked.
''Yes, and quite well. It shot down numerous Russian aircraft in Ukraine, although the pilots do not stop complaining'' I replied while Messerschmitt examined the plans with interest, quickly moving from one sheet to another.
''I am not surprised. The engine generates barely the power necessary to move the aircraft and keep it in the air. You would have to replace it'' the student said while seeming to carry out calculations in his head.
''You have reached the same conclusion as we have. The answer we seek is what we can do to solve it'' I replied with a faint smile.
''I am not an engine specialist, although I would like to collaborate in the search for a solution'' Messerschmitt said while continuing to review the plans.
''That is precisely the point. What would you think of having your own factory, financed in collaboration with the Baltic State, to develop that solution?'' I asked while taking a contract from inside my coat.
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