Return to Bavaria
I'd arrived in Munich, Bavaria. There were three main reasons for coming to Bavaria.
First, it was once the neighborhood where I lived. Back in my second loop. After the war ended, I'd rushed to get close to Hitler as fast as I could. At the time, I was a member of the Nazi Party, after all. A National Army officer with ties to Hitler—that was me in a nutshell. Later, when Hitler started his foolhardy stunt of forming the Stormtroopers or whatever, I got pushed to the sidelines a bit. But still, Bavaria had been like a second hometown to me once.
Second, this place was the most politically chaotic region. Among Germany's constituent states, Bavaria had the strongest regional identity and independence—second only to Prussia. So, political crises here were inextricably linked to political opportunities.
Third, back when the 6th Bavarian Kingdom Army was still a reserve force, I'd built up quite a network here. For instance, I had connections with the local Junker families. Even though the battalion commander who'd made me a battery captain back then had passed away from illness during the war, I still had ties to his family.
"Whew. We've arrived."
"I still can't wrap my head around it. Why'd you come along, ma'am?"
But there was a wildcard. The biggest difference from my second loop was this woman named Catalina. She'd followed me here without even asking permission.
"'Cause I wanted to."
"No, but what about lodging?"
"I'll crash at Major Falkenrain's place?"
"Good Lord."
I pinched the bridge of my nose. How was I supposed to shake off this headstrong hack? I pondered it for a moment. But... I probably couldn't.
She was beaming at me innocently, utterly clueless about the trouble she'd caused.
"So, what's your plan now?"
"I know a Junker family around here. I'll ask them to help me find some simple lodging."
I'd even sent a letter ahead, anticipating this. That's what connections are for. Scatter them across the world, and someday, they'll pay off in some way.
I used some of my foreign currency and goods to buy simple gifts from a nearby shop, then headed to the estate of my old commanding officer.
"I like that liquor too."
"Catalina. The man we're about to meet is my benefactor and a local Junker. Think you can act a bit more ladylike?"
"I'll try. Ahem..."
Knock-knock-knock. I grasped the manor door's knocker and rapped a few times.
The door opened, and I saw the battalion commander's wife for the first time in ages. A widow now, of course...
"Good day, ma'am. You might not remember, but... I was once Lieutenant Colonel Krichsfeldt's subordinate officer and comrade-in-arms."
"Ah, yes, I remember. The young scion of the Falkenrain family, right?"
"That's me."
"And... who might this be?"
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Catalina, a journalist."
"We... got acquainted on the way here. She helped me out when I had nothing to do."
"I see. Come in, both of you."
The lady led us inside. Of course, showing up empty-handed would be rude. I handed her the wine and gifts I'd brought.
"About Lieutenant Colonel Krichsfeldt... I'm truly sorry for your loss."
"Don't worry about it. This kind of tragedy isn't unique to me. Surviving without a bullet in you is a blessing, at least."
She said that, but her expression was somber. They all were, really. If you had to lose someone dear on the battlefield, at least winning the war would ease the pain—but Germany hadn't even managed that. People who'd lost loved ones littered the Weimar Republic. Most Germans had at least one family member killed in the war. The Great War had devoured an entire generation whole—horrific and merciless.
"Have a seat here. Oh, right—I got your letter from the Falkenrains. I sent a reply, but you beat it here in person."
"Yes. I ended up coming sooner than expected. Getting train tickets was easier than I thought."
"I heard you're doing business in Bavaria now. What about the army?"
"I got my discharge orders. The 6th Army, formerly the Bavarian Kingdom Army, was completely disbanded. Most units merged into nearby ones... but I didn't make the cut."
"..."
On one wall of the manor hung a photo of my old commander and the 6th Army insignia. The army's dissolution must have felt like erasing the last trace of her husband. Even without deep attachment, it had to sting. I'd served in it directly, so I felt it even more.
"You mentioned needing temporary lodging? We have a small apartment owned by the family. I can arrange for you to use the top floor."
"Thank you so much, ma'am."
"But... what about this young lady?"
"I'll be staying with Mr. Falkenrain, of course?"
"Pardon?"
I hadn't agreed to that. I shot Catalina a weird look, and she flashed me a playful smile meant only for my eyes.
"Oh my... I suspected as much. You two are together, then. That's wonderful."
"It's a misunderstanding, ma'am."
"Sure it is."
"Even so... tragedy often follows comedy. It's comforting to think there's still hope for Germany."
"I appreciate the sentiment, but it's really not like that, ma'am."
"Make it work."
With that, she handed me a paper with the apartment address. Good for a year. That was plenty of time to dig in here in Bavaria. I was confident I could achieve some tangible political results before then.
I stood, gave a slight bow, and made the sign of the cross.
"Thank you, ma'am. I'll pray for Lieutenant Colonel Krichsfeldt and you."
It was a lie. I wasn't religious. But most Germans in this era were Protestant or Catholic—especially in Bavaria, where Catholicism held strong sway among the states. My words brought a gentle smile to her face.
After that, I led Catalina out.
"So, what's next?"
"Time to convert my cash back into goods. Hard to spend foreign currency as-is, so I'll exchange it bit by bit into marks where possible."
Our luggage was unpacked. Somehow, I'd ended up bringing Catalina along too, with nowhere else to go... I stared at her pointedly.
"You're really staying here? The daughter of a prestigious Ruhr printing dynasty?"
I gestured to the cobweb-filled, neglected interior.
"Prestigious... dynasty?"
"Something like that. Anyway, a marriageable lady doesn't just shack up in a man's place."
I held up three fingers.
"Three days. Find your own place in three days, Catalina."
"Hold on, Lucas. Don't be so heartless. Plus, I'm your former boss?"
"Think about my side too—living with my ex-boss."
"...So oblivious. Fine. But in exchange, come with me today."
I didn't know her angle, but I could live with that condition. I got it, more or less. To a Ruhr girl like her, Bavaria was Germany in name only—a whole different world. With me as her only acquaintance, she'd need company to adjust for a while.
"Deal."
Not a tough ask. I nodded.
Since we were stuck together anyway, I figured I'd put her to use.
"Catalina? What's your plan in Bavaria?"
"Don't forget—journalism's my trade, Mr. Falkenrain."
She pulled out a camera she'd brought. A vintage film camera, epitome of tech evolved from World War I military reconnaissance gear. Its uses had shifted since, but it was still wildly expensive. Without the Ruhr Industrial Gazette's success, she'd never have afforded it.
"Don't flash that around carelessly, Catalina. Folks might lose their minds seeing it on the street."
"I know."
She draped a white cloth over it. Cameras back then were bulky and crude-looking, so a cloth disguised it well. Snap a photo at key moments, cover up, and slip away—you could use it safely. Though pressing the shutter then covering ruined the exposure; the apertures closed too slowly...
"Anyway, we're not shooting today, so carry this."
I handed her one of my two document bags—stuffed with foreign cash. I took the other and told her to follow.
"Where to?"
"Bavarian Mortgage Exchange Bank. One of the few trustworthy banks in Munich."
Munich, Bavaria. Home to its largest bank. It had nearly collapsed post-war but survived on high interest and mountains of debt—Bavaria's last shred of pride.
I entered the Bavarian Mortgage Exchange Bank, pulled out some foreign currency at the counter.
"Exchange."
"Certainly. Write your address and place the amount here."
"Address...?"
"Yes. Exchanges take up to a week."
"A week for one exchange?"
"Counterfeit bills are rampant these days."
"...Understood."
Counterfeits. Right on cue. They'd started cropping up lately, tied straight to the mark's nosedive. National currency yielding to foreign money, plus rising scams and fakes. Classic signs of a nation's economy crumbling.