Step In To My Office... [Steiner]

[Simon Gruber]

The sun was starting to sink, the orange rays floating through the Western facing windows in Gruber’s officer. The Northern side windows were starting to show a darkened sky, with clouds racing across the fill the void. Looking out of his windows, Gruber could not help but appreciate the certain spookiness the conditions gave the camp of the Third Waffen-SS Panzer Division. He moved towards the Western windows, fiddling slightly with a string dangling from the top of the blinds to drop them down, tilting them so the room was more bearable to look at.

A large ornate clock hung by the doorway, oak body with bronze furnishings. The hands were slowly turning, cranking towards the end of the day, but Gruber still had one job left for the day. Walking to a corner of the officer, a grey filing cabinet sat still, seemingly unfitting in the room filled with wood furniture. Drawing a key from his belt, he opened it, sliding open the drawer and extracting to cream folders. He turned and walked to the desk, drawing back the chair and sitting down, plush brown leather comforting him. A gentle breeze floated through his window, keeping him cool on this unusually warm day. He could see his uniform jacket and headdress on a coatstand tuck away beside the door.

The first file came to the top of the pile, and he carefully read the front. A type-written name was on it, Steiner, Rudolf. On the inside cover, a photograph was paper-clipped, the man’s formal SS picture in uniform, and on the other side a series of reports were tucked in. He began to quickly skim through them; he had already read them thoroughly but felt it to refresh his mine before the meeting.

A notepad sat by Gruber’s hand, and he drew a fountain pen, carefully placing the lid on the desk before scratching a few notes on to the paper. Bullet points mainly, with one or two words to make sure he knew how he was going to proceed. His thought process was interrupted by a knock on the door. He didn’t acknowledge immediately, finishing his note and replacing the lid on his pen before glancing at the clock. Twenty five minutes past five, five minutes earlier than the five thirty meeting that had been arranged. Of course, being five minutes early meant that one could not be late. Straightening the tie of his uniform, he sat up in his chair, calling out in a strong level voice, ”enter."

[Rudolf Steiner]

Rudolf had always been quite aware that he had a superior to answer to, however Rudolf was definitely not the kind of man who would break rules even for a man with some power, on contraire he was quite the contrary he was quite rigid with rules and hierarchy, however this was indeed the first time that Rudolf had been officially summoned to meet his superiors in an office. It was quite an intimidating feeling, as Rudolf was not certain has done absolutely nothing wrong, perhaps he might even be promoted, however knowing his luck in life, that was probably not the case at all.

It was most likely that he will be framed for something from a jealous officer. It had been a usual morning for Rudolf who had arrived at his office in the 3rd Division Totenkopf HQ at 9 am sharp, checked on his platoon, assigned them their concurrent tasks then went to his office at exactly 1 pm. From there Rudolf went about going through the files of his own troops and analyzing their progress, he called in his secretary and ordered a cup of coffee. Sipping on his coffee, he took a cigarette break by the window sipping his coffee and blowing plumes of smoke out the opened window.

Lunch break at 2:30, Rudolf was across the street at a nearby restaurant. 3:45 Rudolf was back in the office with a sealed letter neatly placed on his desk. An official letter addressed to him... Rudolf quickly tore through the envelope and his eyes scanned the letter within. He was summoned to SS-Obersturmführer Simon Gruber's office, the leader of the 3rd division. What on earth could he possibly want Rudolf for? He has done nothing but exactly what he has been asked to do, he is a zealous Nazi and would openly preach Nazi values to others, and he is extremely and fiercely loyal to the 3rd Reich.

Rudolf looked back at the massive swastika banner and then to the massive Hitler Portrait that is neatly situated in the center of his back wall right behind his desk. He then lit a cigarette leaning out of the window watching the streets of Berlin from above as pedestrians and cars moved on, feeling that life has moved on without him he quickly shrugged the thought off as he flicked his cigarette and walked to the mirror adjusting his uniform to perfection and walked out of his office shutting the door behind him.

5:25 pm, Rudolf was already outside his office door as he knocked thrice. Upon hearing his voice from within his office, Rudolf entered the office and immediately as if programmed gave the Nazi Salute "Heil Hitler! Sie wollten mich sehen SS-Obersturmführer Gruber?" Rudolf, being the ideal elite soldier stood at attention, his chest puffed out with great pride, his cap perfectly aligned on the top of his head.


TRANSLATION

You wanted to see me? SS-Obersturmführer Gruber?

[Simon Gruber]

As the door opened, Gruber rose to his feet, raising his arm in response and calling out "Heil Hitler!" There was a heartbeats pause, basking in the power of the moment, before Gruber walked indicated the coatstand in the corner. “Vielen Dank dafür, Untersturmführer so schnell zu sein. Fühlen Sie sich bitte frei, Ihren Kopfputz und Jacke zu entfernen und sich zu setzen.” He then pointed to the two seats in front of his desk, angled in slightly to facilitate a more comfortable meeting between multiple people. As he waited, he returned to his seat, sliding it forwards slightly so his knees were comfortably under his desk.

As he waited, he turned Steiner’s folder, so it was facing where Steiner would sit. “Ich las gerade Ihre Datei, Steiner. Sie sind tatsächlich ein interessanter Mann, direkt auf dem Rand unserer Rechtsprechung im Waffen-SS sitzend. Das Quälen von Kriegsgefangenen... Ich kann Nicht sagen, dass ich gegenüber das zu anerkennend bin, aber ich habe es soweit gleiten lassen.” He studied the face of Steiner, looking for a reaction. The trick, Gruber knew, was to hold all the cards, or if you didn’t to convince any others that you did have the cards.

The blinds rattled slightly in the wind, and the top sheet on Gruber’s notepad lifted slightly before dropping back down. Other than that, the room was still, the minds of both men turning, calculating. Doubtless, there were two brilliant minds facing off here, they wouldn’t be officers in such an organisation as Hitler’s finest soldiers, the Waffen-SS, if they weren’t. Certainly Steiner looked the part in his immaculate uniform, but for what Gruber had in store he needed to know that he had a man who was reliable, with whom a great deal of trust could be set on.

Not allowing his gaze to falter, he carefully worded his next question, wanting to try and find out more of the personality of the man behind him, because after all reading files could only reveal so much about the man. The gentleman sat before Simon Gruber in the grey uniform could be quite an enigma, he could be as dull as a rock, or he could be an egotistical maniac who had no place in working with others. ”Erzählen Sie mir bitte, was Sie ehrlich an Ihre Großtaten bis jetzt denken. Sind sie von einem Offizier im bewaffneten schutzstaffel richtig? Sind sie vielleicht noch für die Promotion genügend?” It was also a teller. Gruber had already made his own mind up of the answers to the questions, and Steiner’s response would see how well the two officers could cooperate.



Translation

Vielen Dank dafür, Untersturmführer so schnell zu sein. Fühlen Sie sich bitte frei, Ihren Kopfputz und Jacke zu entfernen und sich zu setzen. - Thank you for being so prompt, Untersturmführer. Please, feel free to remove your headdress and jacket and to take a seat.

Ich las gerade Ihre Datei, Steiner. Sie sind tatsächlich ein interessanter Mann, direkt auf dem Rand unserer Rechtsprechung im Waffen-SS sitzend. Das Quälen von Kriegsgefangenen... Ich kann Nicht sagen, dass ich gegenüber das zu anerkennend bin, aber ich habe es soweit gleiten lassen. - I was just reading your file, Steiner. You are indeed an interesting man, sitting right on the edge of our jurisdiction in the Waffen-SS. Torturing of prisoners of war... I can't say I'm too appreciative of that, but I have let it slide thus far.

Erzählen Sie mir bitte, was Sie ehrlich an Ihre Großtaten bis jetzt denken. Sind sie von einem Offizier im bewaffneten schutzstaffel richtig? Sind sie vielleicht noch für die Promotion genügend? - Please tell me what you honestly think of your exploits so far. Are they correct of an officer in the armed schutzstaffel? Are they perhaps yet sufficient for promotion?

[Rudolf Steiner]

Rudolf complied nodding solemnly and took off his massive Waffen-SS gray overcoat with the SS-Untersturmführer insignia on either side of his shoulder, then he placed that on the back of the chair and as he seated himself he took off his cap with the skull on it, that signified his division, 3rd Division Totenkopf. He placed it on his lap as he watched his superior sit across the desk from him. This was Steiner's official first time to personally meet his superior ever since he had been transferred into the 3rd division. Rudolf was rather nervous as this was rather impromptu, thus it must be something rather urgent or top secret. Either case this for some reason may not bode well for Rudolf.

Rudolf nodded as he Gruber spoke to him, underneath his cap Rudolf had his hands clenched together that his nails dug into the side of either hand. Rudolf however had to completely maintain his composure as this would either mark his career or break it. There was a golden moment of silence as the only sound heard was the rattling of the blinds and the soft rustling from the notepad on his desk. With that Rudolf very carefully worded his next sentence "Beiallem Respekt für Sie, SS-Obersturmführer Gruber, ich weiß sehr wohl, die Rolle der 3. SS-Division Totenkopf, weiß ich auch, für eine Tatsache, dass ich in die 3. SS-Division Totenkopf für meine Vernehmung Fähigkeiten übertragen worden war, auch ich verhörte Unerwünschten zu Gunsten des 3. Reiches und nicht auf meine eigenen Blutdurst zu befriedigen." Rudolf took out his pack of cigarettes and offered one to the Oberstrumfuhrer and then asked, "dagegen, wenn ich rauche?" With that depending on his answer Rudolf would either smoke his cigarette or place it back into his pack and put them away. Rudolf needed to be extremely careful what came out of his mouth, however Rudolf was extremely prideful and would never allow a living soul to even think of tarnishing his pride or reputation.


"Vor dem Krieg habe ich in der SS war gelegt, nachdem ich meinen Abschluss hatte frmo der Militärakademie von Berlin, habe ich natürlich einen Abschluss als SS-Untersturmführer. Ich war in Berlin zugeteilt, wo ich meine Mannschaft führte in Verhören von Juden, Homosexuellen und politischen Rebellen. Als der Krieg ausbrach, wurde ich in die Waffen-SS 3. Division Totenkopf übertragen. Es war meine erste-Zuordnung als Praktikant Aufseher für ein Kriegsgefangenenlager in Frankreich, nachdem wir eingeschlagen triumphierend die Französisch Armee. Dort habe ich Unerwünschten aus unseren Reihen gefangen, aber er, nachdem er seine Komplizen Hilfe sie entkommen war, aber sie sind beide wurden gefangen genommen und hingerichtet, wie ich hörte. Wieder einmal war ich zugewiesen der 3. Panzer-Grenadier-Division in Kursk, wo ich zusammen mit der Gestapo verhört, um eine kommunistische commisars innerhalb der russischen Kriegsgefangenen suchen Hilfe. Ich nahm auch an der Achse Kriegsrat in der Invasion von Italien, unter anderem Aufgaben und assignements zugeordnet zu mir. Jetzt sind meine Erfahrungen, die ich in voller Stolz nahmen. Wenn es darum geht, ob dies ausreicht eines bewaffneten Offizier, ich regertfully nein sagen, wie ich nie die Ehre gehabt, zu kämpfen für das 3. Reich. Wenn es um meine Beförderung kommt, sage ich das ist völlig in die judistriction meiner Vorgesetzten."

TRANSLATION

((With all due respect to you, SS-Obersturmführer Gruber, I know full well the role of the 3rd SS Division Totenkopf, I also know for a fact that that I had been transferred to the 3rd SS Division Totenkopf for my interrogation abilities, also I was interrogating undesirables for the benefit of the 3rd Reich and not to satisfy my own blood lust. ))

((Mind if I smoke?))

((Prior to the war, I was placed in the SS, after I had graduated from the military academy of Berlin, I naturally graduated as a SS-Untersturmführer. I was assigned in Berlin where I led my squad in interrogation of Jews, homosexuals and political insurgents. When the war broke out I was transferred to the Waffen-SS 3rd Division Totenkopf. There my first assignment was as intern warden for a POW camp in France after we triumphantly smashed the French army. There I caught undesirables from within our ranks, however he escaped after he had his accomplice aid them, however they are both been captured and executed, as I heard. Once again I was assigned to aid the 3rd Panzer Grenadier division in Kursk, where I interrogated along with the Gestapo to locate any communist commissars within the Russian prisoners of war. I also participated in the Axis War Council in the Invasion of Italy, amongst other tasks and assignments assigned to me. Now these are my experiences which I partook in very proudly. When it comes to if this is sufficient of an armed officer, I regretfully say no as I never had the honor of fighting for the 3rd Reich. When it comes to my promotion, I say this is completely in the jurisdiction of my superiors.))

[Simon Gruber]

Steiner removed a packet of cigarettes, and Gruber waved them away, reaching in to his drawer and removed a gold plated cigarette case and a gunmetal lighter, flicking open the case to reveal some of the finest cigarettes available in the Third Reich. ” Haben Sie einen von denjenigen, SS-Untersturmführer nicht” He stood up, raising the blind behind him and opening the window so the cross-breeze would extract the smoke from the room.

He sat back down, lighting the cigarette as Steiner spoke. He nodded to himself, everything Steiner spoke about Gruber had already read in his report. The PoW camp, the role in Kursk, the Italian war council. Certainly very important roles, indeed. ” Ich denke, dass Sie den Nagel auf dem Kopf dort, SS-Untersturmführer geschlagen haben. Während Sie Rollen lebenswichtig für die Förderung des Dritten Reichs gehabt haben, sind Sie in einer Abteilung, die für die tödliche Leistungsfähigkeit im Kampf berühmt ist. Dafür muss ich Offiziere haben, die ich weiß, dass ich im Kampf stoßen kann, um meine Männer nicht nur zum Sieg zu bringen, aber einen kompletten Zug jedes Mal nicht ausrotten zu lassen, wenn sie auf dem Feld des Kampfs gehen. Also, bis wir Sie auf dem Schlachtfeld bekommen können, kann ich nicht im guten Gewissen fördern Sie. Nicht, wenn die Leben von Männern davon abhängen.”

Gruber took a deep breath on his cigarette, balancing it on the edge of a crystal ashtray before closing Gruber’s file, being careful not to crease the paper cover before placing it on one edge of the desk. A second file was underneath, with a piece of white type-written paper attached on top. The eagle of the Nazi Party was printed on top. " Wir haben vor, das, Steiner zu ändern. Ich habe eine ganz besondere Mission, wo ich einen Junioroffizier brauche, um etwas zu beobachten, aber das sehr heimlich ist. Ich will, dass Sie dieses Dokument lesen, es berichtet darüber ausführlich Sie werden keine Information von dieser Anweisung mit irgendjemandem abgesondert von einer ausgesuchten Liste von Leuten enthüllen, der Namen ist, werden Sie gedruckt innerhalb der Anweisungsmappe finden. Wenn ich finde, dass Information ausgebreitet worden ist, gefährdet es potenziell viele Leben, und als solcher werden wir Sie Schuss haben.”

Gruber raised this piece of paper. The folder underneath was upside down to prevent Steiner from getting any idea of what it was about. Turning the paper so it was the right way up for Steiner, Gruber presented him with a fountain pen, pointing towards a line at the bottom of the page. ” Wenn Sie das verstehen und keine weiteren Fragen haben, unterzeichnen Sie bitte diese Linie.”




Haben Sie einen von denjenigen, SS-Untersturmführer nicht- Don't have one of those, SS-Untersturmführer

Ich denke, dass Sie den Nagel auf dem Kopf dort, SS-Untersturmführer geschlagen haben. Während Sie Rollen lebenswichtig für die Förderung des Dritten Reichs gehabt haben, sind Sie in einer Abteilung, die für die tödliche Leistungsfähigkeit im Kampf berühmt ist. Dafür muss ich Offiziere haben, die ich weiß, dass ich im Kampf stoßen kann, um meine Männer nicht nur zum Sieg zu bringen, aber einen kompletten Zug jedes Mal nicht ausrotten zu lassen, wenn sie auf dem Feld des Kampfs gehen. Also, bis wir Sie auf dem Schlachtfeld bekommen können, kann ich nicht im guten Gewissen fördern Sie. Nicht, wenn die Leben von Männern davon abhängen. - I think you have hit the nail on the head there, SS-Untersturmführer. Whilst you have had roles vital for the advancement of the Third Reich, you are in a division which is renowned for deadly efficiency in combat. For that, I need to have officers who I know I can trust in combat to lead my men not only to victory, but not to have an entire platoon killed off every time they step on to the field of combat. So, until we can get you on to the battlefield, I can not in good conscience promote you. Not when the lives of men depend on it.

Wir haben vor, das, Steiner zu ändern. Ich habe eine ganz besondere Mission, wo ich einen Junioroffizier brauche, um etwas zu beobachten, aber das sehr heimlich ist. Ich will, dass Sie dieses Dokument lesen, es berichtet darüber ausführlich Sie werden keine Information von dieser Anweisung mit irgendjemandem abgesondert von einer ausgesuchten Liste von Leuten enthüllen, der Namen ist, werden Sie gedruckt innerhalb der Anweisungsmappe finden. Wenn ich finde, dass Information ausgebreitet worden ist, gefährdet es potenziell viele Leben, und als solcher werden wir Sie Schuss haben. - We are about to change that, Steiner. I have a very special mission where I need a junior officer to observe something, but this is very secretive. I want you to read this document, it is detailing that you will not divulge any information from this briefing with anybody apart from a select list of people, who's names you will find printed inside the briefing folder. If I find that information has been spread, it will potentially endanger many lives, and as such we will have you shot.


Wenn Sie das verstehen und keine weiteren Fragen haben, unterzeichnen Sie bitte diese Linie. - If you understand this and have no further questions, please sign this line.