In the following days he was just
concerned
about
the fact that he would become scared.
the fact that he would become scared.
Orwell - 1984
If I should have changed my opinion
tomorrow, then you have to kill me! I ask you again: Who
comes with me? "
A loud mutter went through the barn. Alf looked
embarrassingly at the ground and tried to explain his
neighbor that Frank could also be "normal".
It took some minutes for Wilden to restore silence.
Meanwhile, the young man had gone back to his corner
again and seemed to have calmed down.
„Mannomann! ", hummed Baumer. . . Everyone here reputes
you as a total crank now. Killing Leon-Jack Wechsler? Such
an imbecility! "
Alf s friend didn't answer and just looked at him with cold
eyes, then he grinned grimly. For the rest of the meeting,
which lasted not much longer anymore, Frank behaved
calmly, giving a black look to everyone, who seemed to
doubt about his fanatical resoluteness.
The two Frenchmen, Baptiste and Hugo, who obviously
belonged to a patriotic group from Northern France, briefly
explained, what they had planned for the day of the festival.
They were sure that the masses in the capital of former
France would be dissatisfied and rebellious enough, to go
on the barricades. Some Islamic groups from Paris had also
agreed to a temporary pact with the organization of the two
Frenchmen, although both sides actually were sworn
enemies. But on this particular day, they would fight against
a common opponent, the World Government, and so they
had put their differences aside this time. However, they just
postponed their fight for the supremacy in former France. It
was not improbable that the new governor of . . Central
Europe" was awaited by the hate and the displeasure of big
108
parts of the population, but whether they would dare it, to
carry their discontent on the streets, was another question.
Leon-Jack Wechsler and the whole World Government were
internally hated by many people, but the powerful had an
enormous might, which the masses feared with good
reason.
The police force and the monitoring functioned. The GCF
troops, which mostly consisted of mercenaries from
overseas, who had no closer relationship to France or
Europe and therefore shot at the native population without
hesitation, if they received the order to do this, were
numerous. Furthermore, they had deadly weapons,
particularly to strike down large crowds.
Soldiers of French origin mostly served in countries far
away and not in their homeland. So they also had no
connection to the people they had to control. Like that were
the rules of the New World Order.
GCF soldiers of German origin preferentially served in this
time as occupying forces in the Near East or in Africa, while
old Germany was occupied by GCF soldiers from Africa,
Asia and other regions. And so it was everywhere.
When the meeting came to an end and the visitors left the
large barn, Frank was examined by many of them. Alfred
Baumer was still confused. His fellow seemed to stand
close to insanity. Julia Wilden finally came to him and
tapped the young Kohlhaas on the shoulder.
„Hey, Frank! ", she said quietly. The rebel turned around and
stared at her.
„What the hell was that? You know that your idea is just
madness! What is wrong with you, Frank? ", she asked
quizzically.
„rm all right, Fraulein! ", answered Frank harshly.
„However, you will not really try this? ", she returned.
„Of course I will try it! Do you think, Tm a twaddler? "
109
„None of us would come only hundred meters in the vicinity
of Wechsler", remarked the woman.
„This will be my problem - and not yours! You can organize
a city map of Paris for me, this would be a great help,
Julia! ", answered Kohlhaas and regarded Wilden's daughter
with a vacant expression.
„l know, you think that many of the other villagers don't take
you to be a real rebel - and it is also partly correct - but
such a suicide operation is just senseless", said Julia, trying
to change his mind.
„lf you say so. It is my life and my concern. I don't force you
to come with me. Hand out your leaftlets or spray some
philosophical slogans on the walls. I will do, what I think is
right! ", said Frank. „The others may think, what they want. I
don't care about these idiots. They want to be rebels? I can
only laugh! Well, the release operation of Alf and me was
not bad, but we have to do more things like that. Those
fucking guys, who destroy our lives, just think that they are
invulnerable! But they can also bleed and die like all other
people too. It's time to hold them accountable for all this
shit! It's time to make them pay for all their crimes, Julia!
And I will show those fucking pigs, that they can also be
switched off. I will go to your father tomorrow and then I will
ask him, to give me the necessary equipment for my
operation! ".
„But. . . ", whispered Julia.
„l have to go now! ", said Frank and left the young woman
alone.
The following days were full of disputes with Alf and Wilden,
who meant that the Frank had made a fool of himself.
Nevertheless, he didn't listen to them and became
obsessed by the thought, to kill the governor of . . Central
Europe", in order to point the way for others. And some of
110
his proposals were not stupid at all, although they appeared
crazy and daring.
„You want to enter Paris as a visitor with your falsified
Scanchip. Okay, that could be possible", said Wilden.
„Border controls had already been abolished, since the
times of the European Union, and today, in a time of free
trade, they would be even inconceivable, from the economic
point of view. The close monitoring of the masses is much
more effective. "
Yes, I know! ", answered Frank impatiently. „How can I get
through this security zone to shoot Wechsler? Should I take
a sniper rifle to kill this guy? ", asked Kohlhaas.
„This will be difficult, because in the periphery of at least
one kilometer, security forces will be everywhere, also on
the high buildings and of course inside the zone", replied the
village boss.
„When will the police establish this secured area? ", asked
Frank.
„Maybe two or three days before the event. But I don't
believe that you could hide there somewhere, boy! ",
returned Wilden.
J will find a way. If they kill me or not, is not important for
me anymore. I only have to get in that zone - this would be
enough", murmured Kohlhaas.
"Well, you could support us with other operations in a much
better way, Frank. Have you ever thought about that?
Operations, that will not end in suicide", Wilden tried to
explain.
„Perhaps! But I have already said it in front of all the men at
the meeting, and now there is no more truning back. But
how? ", said Kohlhaas thoughtfully.
„As you may think fit. . . ", groaned the village boss.
Ill
„lf there is no way to reach this scumbag at the surface,
then I must look for an alternative. . . ? ", pondered Kohlhaas.
„But I have just no knowledge about this damn city. "
„What do you mean? ", Wilden was baffled.
"If I wanted to make such a job in Berlin, my hometown, I
would come through any tunnels, old underground pits or
something like that", said Frank.
„You would find a lot of tunnels in Paris. This city is more
undermined than each anthill, there are probably
innumerable underground entrances, particularly in the
inner part of the city", admitted Wilden.
„Who can give me more informations about this? These two
Frenchmen are nevertheless still here for a few days,
right? ", mumbled Frank.
„Well, I hardly believe that they know every tunnel under
Paris. In addition, they are from the north of the country. But
there are construction plans of tunnels and sewers in the
data bases of the administration or on the Internet. You
should ask HOK!
Each official document must also be published in English.
This is a regulation. Thus, you don't even need to be able to
understand French. Just ask HOK! Nevertheless, it's a
completely crazy idea! Either you will get lost in these holes
or they will shoot you. But you will never reach Wechsler! ",
prophesied Wilden.
But he just underestimated Frank's imaginativeness and
obstinacy. Only a few hours later, after he had reconsidered
and noted, which weapons and articles of equipment had to
be used for the assassination, Kohlhaas ran to HOK and
forced him to look for some plans of the underground of
Paris.
While Frank passionately told HOK his plans, the computer
expert just groaned, because the young hotspur had
disturbed him during an important work. But then he did
112
Kohlhaas the favour and entered the world of data bases
and electronic construction plans. HOK fortunately was a
researcher nature and after approximately half an hour, he
was also fascinated by his new task.
It lasted a while, until he had found so informations. Paris
was really more hollowed out than all the other cities in
Europe. Meanwhile, about 16 million people lived in the
metropolis and the city drowned in its own dirt and stench.
Since 1850, when most of the tunnels and the
comprehensive metro system had been built, the old capital
of France stood on a network of mile-long corridors.
Already in 2010, the underground system could not be
extended anymore, because the workers had already found
old tunnels and holes everywhere .
After the world economic crisis in 2012/13 and during the
following years, many metro lines had been closed in
consequence of substantial budget cuts. After 2018, it had
become worse, what still annoyed the people of Paris down
to the present day.
Today many old underground tunnels were unused and led
into nowhere. The tunnel system was so enormous, that
even official construction plans could not completely show
the numerous tunnels below the city. Nevertheless, HOK
found some interesting data bases and struggled through
mountains of new informations. The hours passed and the
thick man was soon completely absent-minded again.
„Until tomorrow, I will search for some nice tunnels and
corridors for you, which will lead you that close to
Wechslefs speech desk, that you can tickle his feet.
If the plans are still relevant at all, I can't say, Frank. And I
can't give you a warranty. Much has changed in the last
years. Many old, abandoned tunnels and so on. . . ", he said
casually.
113
Kohlhaas waited for results and already imagined details of
his assassination attempt in his mind.
„Have fun with all these plans, my friend. I will go now.
Thank you! ", answered Frank and left HOK's house with a
happy smile.
After approximately one week, HOK and Frank had
prepared a detailed plan, which should lead the rebel
through a tunnel system of almost three kilometers.
The avenue of Paris, which had been called „Avenue de
Champs Elysees" in former times, had been renamed in
„Avenue of Humanity" in 2018, and the triumpal arch, one of
the old landmarks of the city, had been torn down in 2019.
Just as the Eifel tower, which had been dismantled one year
later. In place of the "Arc de Triomphe", the new rulers had
built a modern art building called "Temple of Tolerance", a
giant dark pyramide.
Moreover, the "Avenue of Humanity" had intensively been
converted, whereby many of the old historical houses had
been replaced by concrete buildings of an "unity-look".
After initial protests, the citizens of Paris had become
accustomed to them. They simply had other problems than
worrying about the preservation of old landmarks or houses.
And there were still further plans to separate the city more
thoroughly from its old face, because modern slaves did not
need an own identity or senses of home.
The parade of the GCF occupation troops should take place
on 01. 03. 2029, at the „Avenue of Humanity", just as other
events to entertain the crowd. A part of the long, old street
would be a fenced off, accessible for nobody. About thirty
meters in front of the thing, called „Temple of Tolerance",
the speaker's plattform, where Leon-Jack Wechsler would
open the ceremonies, should be erected.
The masses, that would fill the streets around the security
zone, should see the politician only on big video screens,
114
which would be set up to hundreds along the "Avenue of
Humanity" and in the whole city.
What was allowed, to be admired from the proximity, were
the GCF soldiers and the policemen, who would
demonstrate strength, marching down the boulevard.
The governor of the administrative sector . . Central Europe"
would bring the "great message of humanity" of the New
World Order, and the parade of the security forces and the
military would show the people, that it was healthier to
believe that message - in case of doubt.
It was a tremendous insanity to go to the dirty metropolis to
kill this polititian. Nevertheless, Frank Kohlhaas bred it in his
mind. He had nothing to lose. It could nothing happen worse
than dying.
115
Procrastination is the Thief of Time!
. . Procrastination is the thief of time! "
. . Procrastination is the thief of time! "
. . Procrastination is the thief of time! "
Frank still fed his illusion and repeated this slogan like a
prayer.
In the following days he was just concerned about
the fact that he would become scared. But retreat was not
allowed anymore, he had to remain hard and Kohlhaas did
also not allow his resoluteness, to get any cracks.
„l_eon-Jack Wechsler must die. . . die. . . die! ", he recited
himself again and again.
Meanwhile, Alf got out of his way most of the time.
Nevertheless, he was fascinated by the idea of creeping
through tunnels get into the security zone. And sometimes
he even thought about following his crazy buddy to Paris.
To kill the governor and to cause riots in one of the most
important cities of the continent, was a great chance and
could have sweeping political consequences.
Furthermore, the possibility of participating in a "big thing"
was offered to him. In this point, he had to agree with Frank.
However, he also had nothing to lose and what kind of rebel
would he be, if he bitched out now?
The days passed and Alfred could hardly sleep. Should he
really join the operation? But how? Creeping through
tunnels, then emerging and shooting at Wechsler?
That would be their certain death, even if it functioned. They
just wouldn't survive this. Escaping from the security zone
would simply be impossible, Alf was sure. He had to talk to
Frank, because the plan was still not perfect.
116
The first week of the new month had almost passed and hail
came from the dark sky outside. Frank and Alfred sat in the
kitchen and had a hard day behind them. Kohlhaas had
mused for days and was still not completely content. He had
asked HOK for more construction plans of sewers and other
tunnels below Paris, but he had come to no solution.
Alfred ended the silence. „You have said, we can come to
you, if we want to join the operation, right? Okay, I have
thought about it and came to the decision, not to let you do
this crazy job alone, Frank. "
„Aha, this sounds good to me. You really want to help me? ",
returned Frank with a smile.
Alfred looked back and said: „More or less, but I need some
more informations about all this. The idea with the sewers
and tunnels seems to be not bad at all and HOK has
already given some plans to you. Did you meanwhile study
them sufficiently? "
„Yes, I did! "
"Anyway, that's not enough! ", answered Alf.
„Thus, your plan is to come somehow into the proximity of
that "Temple of Tolerance", through these sewers or
tunnels, right? And then you want to shoot at Wechsler? ",
asked Baumerwith surprise.
„About that! ", said Frank.
"But you should know, that the entrances to the sewers in
the direct proximity of the event, will all be weld shut by the
police. I think, two or three days before the spectacle",
returned Alf.
Frank recognized that his friend had found a weak point of
his plan: „You are probably right. I already have seen this on
television, in some reports. This could be! Shit! "
„You have to modify your plan. In addition, I don't have the
desire to join a suicide operation. And it would be nothing
else, if we suddenly come out of a hole and shoot at the
117
governor, who is surrounded by countless cops," said
Baumer thoughtfully.
„Maybe you Ye right. . . ", answered Frank and moaned. „Then
make a proposal, Baumer! "
„Hmmm. . . perhaps. . . "
Alfred took a slip, on which he had written something. He
hesitated for some seconds and sifted the small note for the
most important details of his plan.
Finally he said: „We go into a channel, a tunnel or
something like that, in the distance of two or three
kilometers - in an insignificant side street, by night.
I have to study HOK's documents. However, we need
something else than an usual handgun, which we couldn't
use at all in the worst case, if the security forces really had
locked all the gully covers around the "Temple of Tolerance"
before the event. "
"Get ready with you speech! ", said Kohlhaas.
J talk about an explosive charge, that we place under
Wechslefs ass and blow him up in front of the eyes of the
world public. I thought of NDC-23. The stuff is easy to carry
and highly concentrated. Twenty kilograms are sufficient, to
destroy a part of the canal system, the square in front of this
so called "Temple of Tolerance" and of course this fucking
governor!
We could transport it in backpacks into the tunnel system
and bring it to explode below the speaker's platform. Of
course, we will use a time fuse so that we can escape
before the big burst! ", explained Alfred and seemed to be
enthusiastic.
„Damn! A great idea! ", said Frank and banged on the table.
John or one the others can organize the explosive for us.
Above all, the Russians sell a lot of NDC-23 on the black
market, mostly remnants of the dissolved army of the former
GUS", added Baumer. Frank just smiled and said nothing.
118
. . Moreover, we must assume that some tunnel entrances
remain blocked for us, either because workers of the public
utilities are still working there, or because of the security
forces, that had locked them", explained Alf.
Frank scratched his head and cogitated. Alfred's plan
pleased him.
„We need some blowtorchs to open locks or grids, if
necessary", remarked Baumer. „We have a few in the
village here. It is no problem to take them. "
. . Brilliant! ", said Frank enthusiastically.
Alf continued: „And there is one more thing. If they scan the
tunnel system with infrared in the morning before the event,
we should have some cooling covers to cloak ourselves.
John can obtain them. Nevertheless, the whole operation is
really dangerous. We must consider everything! "
. . Well, we should go to Wilden, and tell him about our plan.
Perhaps he has some more good ideas", praised Frank his
friend.
Soon after, the village boss evaluated the plan, which had
been introduced to him by both men this time. Julia Wilden,
who stood next to her father, also seemed to be impressed.
Frank smiled at her and enjoyed her admiration.
Still much more had to be done, and next, the men went to
John Thorphy. The Irishman felt disturbed and openly
expressed his displeasure, when the two rebels tried to
send him out to buy the equipment for them. But finally,
Wilden gave him the order to organize the explosive and the
other things.
Where John Thorphy had found the NDC-23, he did not tell.
But it lastet only three days until he returned with over
twenty kilograms of the highly explosive material and gave it
to the two men with a big smile.
. . Procastrination is the thief of time! ", thought Frank, as he
regarded the plasticine-like mass, packed up in blue bags.
119
His deadly idea slowly took shape, and in his mind he
already saw the hated politician torn to pieces on the
asphalt in front of the "Temple of Tolerance".
His dark, delusional resoluteness couldn't even be
destroyed by sleep disturbances, panic attacks or
nightmares anymore. He was eager to bring death to this
man and also to each other person, who would dare to
stand in his way. Frank just ignored the fright, that was
lurking in the night, and looked forward to the great day of
retribution.
Nothing should ever avert his revenge on this cruel world,
as Frank covenanted. Sometimes he went down in the dark
cellar, where Alf stored the explosive. All the rooms here
were cluttered with rotten boards and old crates. There was
not even a light switch. And while his friend slept, the young
rebel crept secretly down the stone stairs and bent over the
blue bags, which were sealed with adhesive tape, stroking
them with a dearful smile like a mother her newborn child.
Until middle of February, Frank and Alf spent their time with
the intensive study of construction plans. HOK visited them
several times, in order to give them still more current and
detailed recordings.
They planned, on recommendation of the computer
scientist, to enter the underground labyrinth at the "Avenue
of Saint-Ouen", nearly two kilometers away from the
security zone.
Here were endless dark tunnels and some of them lead
directly to the square in front of the "Temple of Tolerance".
Nevertheless, the trip to the underworld of Paris was
insanity. Apart from the fact, that they could not build on the
documents of the authorities of the city, there was also the
possibility to get lost in the dark corridors. Some tunnels had
been closed many years ago, or were just collapsed.
120
Moreover, even the older employees of the city
administration did not know all the paths through the earth
anymore. Further, Frank and Alf didn't want to make the
acquaintance of the notorious catacombs of Paris. Those
dark places were a necropolis, as there was no second in
Europe.
Here rested the bones of over five million people, who were
brought into the darkness below the city, because of lack of
space on the cemeteries in the early modern times,.
Therefore, the former French capital stood on a gigantic
grave field. Alf often talked about these chambers of the
dead below the city, which were redundant with bones up to
the ceiling. Frank, who always said that he was not afraid to
die, became a bit scared, when he thought about these
spooky places.
„May the dead of Paris forgive us, that we enter their realm.
Their brothers in the netherworld, who look complaining
down at this earth, because their life was so early
terminated by the new rulers, will thank us, if we revenge
them! ", philosophized Kohlhaas.
However, there was a lot to organize now, far away from all
ghost stories about catacombs and dark holes in the
underground of Paris. Meanwhile, time pressed.
Frank and Alfred should be brought to Compiegne, in the
northeast of Paris, by an airplane, in order to penetrate the
city from there, behaving like harmless tourists. All the
planes in Ivas were registered and had completely
inconspicuous owners. Therefore, this approach seemed to
be clever.
Then, the two assassins wanted to drive from Compiegne to
Paris with a hire car. Their Scanchips were falsified and
soon they would see, if HOK's abilities had been good
enough. At least, the journey to Paris should start one week
121
before the 01. 03. 2029, so that enough time remained, to
explore some tunnels in the nights before the event.
The shabby hotel, in which Frank and Alfred should wait for
the great day, had already been chosen by HOK. He had
booked a room for them on the Internet, and had also
contacted the hire car company in Compiegne.
All had to be planned to the smallest detail, because there
was no time to waste and uncertainties could become a
deadly disaster.
The takeoff of the small transport aircraft, which officially
belonged to Mr. Artur Burzius, a Russian insurance buyer,
should start from Ivas on 19. 02. 2029 at 9. 00 o'clock. Then,
the two resistance fighters would enter the lion's den. Still
two days remained. Time was ticking away and Frank had
to admit, despite all frights of the holo cell and the strokes of
fate he had overcome, that he was scared. Scared to death.
Afraid to die soon.
He tried to hide his nervousness, but his whipping with the
foot, when he sat at the kitchen table, and his talking while
he was dozing, betrayed him.
However, his friend felt the same. Alfred mostly ran through
the village in these days, speaking at each possible
opportunity with Wilden, who tried to encourage him.
Sometimes, he sat in the brightly illuminated kitchen during
the whole night, with a cup of tea and a cigarette, just
looking out the window. Baumer did not sleep very much
and waited eargerly for the start of the operation.
Julia is at the door, Frank! ", called Alf from the side room,
while his roommate tried to concentrate on a political
brochure. Dusk was already falling outside. The journey to
the west was set for 9. 00 o'clock tomorrow. During this day,
many villagers had come to the two men, to wish them all
the best for the operation. Several women had brought
122
cakes and food. Even HOK had visited them again - with
some more construction plans in his hands.
Steffen de Vries, the Belgian, who lived with his family in
Ivas since four years and had to fly the two rebels to
Compiegne, had also been there for several hours.
Meanwhile, de Vries was also more than nervous.
Tm coming! ", answered Frank and left his bedroom.
Baumer had already led Julia in and went with her into the
kitchen. She was pleased to see Frank and shook his hand.
„l just wanted to wish you good luck! ", she said and seemed
to be concerned and gloomy.
„Thanks! We will need it! ", answered Alfred and took a deep
breath.
„Thanks, Julia! It's just nice to see you! ", returned Frank.
. . However, still a last beautiful sight, before we will enter the
spooky underground. "
Now, the pretty woman smiled shyly and didn't find the right
word for a short moment.
J wanted to. .
tomorrow, then you have to kill me! I ask you again: Who
comes with me? "
A loud mutter went through the barn. Alf looked
embarrassingly at the ground and tried to explain his
neighbor that Frank could also be "normal".
It took some minutes for Wilden to restore silence.
Meanwhile, the young man had gone back to his corner
again and seemed to have calmed down.
„Mannomann! ", hummed Baumer. . . Everyone here reputes
you as a total crank now. Killing Leon-Jack Wechsler? Such
an imbecility! "
Alf s friend didn't answer and just looked at him with cold
eyes, then he grinned grimly. For the rest of the meeting,
which lasted not much longer anymore, Frank behaved
calmly, giving a black look to everyone, who seemed to
doubt about his fanatical resoluteness.
The two Frenchmen, Baptiste and Hugo, who obviously
belonged to a patriotic group from Northern France, briefly
explained, what they had planned for the day of the festival.
They were sure that the masses in the capital of former
France would be dissatisfied and rebellious enough, to go
on the barricades. Some Islamic groups from Paris had also
agreed to a temporary pact with the organization of the two
Frenchmen, although both sides actually were sworn
enemies. But on this particular day, they would fight against
a common opponent, the World Government, and so they
had put their differences aside this time. However, they just
postponed their fight for the supremacy in former France. It
was not improbable that the new governor of . . Central
Europe" was awaited by the hate and the displeasure of big
108
parts of the population, but whether they would dare it, to
carry their discontent on the streets, was another question.
Leon-Jack Wechsler and the whole World Government were
internally hated by many people, but the powerful had an
enormous might, which the masses feared with good
reason.
The police force and the monitoring functioned. The GCF
troops, which mostly consisted of mercenaries from
overseas, who had no closer relationship to France or
Europe and therefore shot at the native population without
hesitation, if they received the order to do this, were
numerous. Furthermore, they had deadly weapons,
particularly to strike down large crowds.
Soldiers of French origin mostly served in countries far
away and not in their homeland. So they also had no
connection to the people they had to control. Like that were
the rules of the New World Order.
GCF soldiers of German origin preferentially served in this
time as occupying forces in the Near East or in Africa, while
old Germany was occupied by GCF soldiers from Africa,
Asia and other regions. And so it was everywhere.
When the meeting came to an end and the visitors left the
large barn, Frank was examined by many of them. Alfred
Baumer was still confused. His fellow seemed to stand
close to insanity. Julia Wilden finally came to him and
tapped the young Kohlhaas on the shoulder.
„Hey, Frank! ", she said quietly. The rebel turned around and
stared at her.
„What the hell was that? You know that your idea is just
madness! What is wrong with you, Frank? ", she asked
quizzically.
„rm all right, Fraulein! ", answered Frank harshly.
„However, you will not really try this? ", she returned.
„Of course I will try it! Do you think, Tm a twaddler? "
109
„None of us would come only hundred meters in the vicinity
of Wechsler", remarked the woman.
„This will be my problem - and not yours! You can organize
a city map of Paris for me, this would be a great help,
Julia! ", answered Kohlhaas and regarded Wilden's daughter
with a vacant expression.
„l know, you think that many of the other villagers don't take
you to be a real rebel - and it is also partly correct - but
such a suicide operation is just senseless", said Julia, trying
to change his mind.
„lf you say so. It is my life and my concern. I don't force you
to come with me. Hand out your leaftlets or spray some
philosophical slogans on the walls. I will do, what I think is
right! ", said Frank. „The others may think, what they want. I
don't care about these idiots. They want to be rebels? I can
only laugh! Well, the release operation of Alf and me was
not bad, but we have to do more things like that. Those
fucking guys, who destroy our lives, just think that they are
invulnerable! But they can also bleed and die like all other
people too. It's time to hold them accountable for all this
shit! It's time to make them pay for all their crimes, Julia!
And I will show those fucking pigs, that they can also be
switched off. I will go to your father tomorrow and then I will
ask him, to give me the necessary equipment for my
operation! ".
„But. . . ", whispered Julia.
„l have to go now! ", said Frank and left the young woman
alone.
The following days were full of disputes with Alf and Wilden,
who meant that the Frank had made a fool of himself.
Nevertheless, he didn't listen to them and became
obsessed by the thought, to kill the governor of . . Central
Europe", in order to point the way for others. And some of
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his proposals were not stupid at all, although they appeared
crazy and daring.
„You want to enter Paris as a visitor with your falsified
Scanchip. Okay, that could be possible", said Wilden.
„Border controls had already been abolished, since the
times of the European Union, and today, in a time of free
trade, they would be even inconceivable, from the economic
point of view. The close monitoring of the masses is much
more effective. "
Yes, I know! ", answered Frank impatiently. „How can I get
through this security zone to shoot Wechsler? Should I take
a sniper rifle to kill this guy? ", asked Kohlhaas.
„This will be difficult, because in the periphery of at least
one kilometer, security forces will be everywhere, also on
the high buildings and of course inside the zone", replied the
village boss.
„When will the police establish this secured area? ", asked
Frank.
„Maybe two or three days before the event. But I don't
believe that you could hide there somewhere, boy! ",
returned Wilden.
J will find a way. If they kill me or not, is not important for
me anymore. I only have to get in that zone - this would be
enough", murmured Kohlhaas.
"Well, you could support us with other operations in a much
better way, Frank. Have you ever thought about that?
Operations, that will not end in suicide", Wilden tried to
explain.
„Perhaps! But I have already said it in front of all the men at
the meeting, and now there is no more truning back. But
how? ", said Kohlhaas thoughtfully.
„As you may think fit. . . ", groaned the village boss.
Ill
„lf there is no way to reach this scumbag at the surface,
then I must look for an alternative. . . ? ", pondered Kohlhaas.
„But I have just no knowledge about this damn city. "
„What do you mean? ", Wilden was baffled.
"If I wanted to make such a job in Berlin, my hometown, I
would come through any tunnels, old underground pits or
something like that", said Frank.
„You would find a lot of tunnels in Paris. This city is more
undermined than each anthill, there are probably
innumerable underground entrances, particularly in the
inner part of the city", admitted Wilden.
„Who can give me more informations about this? These two
Frenchmen are nevertheless still here for a few days,
right? ", mumbled Frank.
„Well, I hardly believe that they know every tunnel under
Paris. In addition, they are from the north of the country. But
there are construction plans of tunnels and sewers in the
data bases of the administration or on the Internet. You
should ask HOK!
Each official document must also be published in English.
This is a regulation. Thus, you don't even need to be able to
understand French. Just ask HOK! Nevertheless, it's a
completely crazy idea! Either you will get lost in these holes
or they will shoot you. But you will never reach Wechsler! ",
prophesied Wilden.
But he just underestimated Frank's imaginativeness and
obstinacy. Only a few hours later, after he had reconsidered
and noted, which weapons and articles of equipment had to
be used for the assassination, Kohlhaas ran to HOK and
forced him to look for some plans of the underground of
Paris.
While Frank passionately told HOK his plans, the computer
expert just groaned, because the young hotspur had
disturbed him during an important work. But then he did
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Kohlhaas the favour and entered the world of data bases
and electronic construction plans. HOK fortunately was a
researcher nature and after approximately half an hour, he
was also fascinated by his new task.
It lasted a while, until he had found so informations. Paris
was really more hollowed out than all the other cities in
Europe. Meanwhile, about 16 million people lived in the
metropolis and the city drowned in its own dirt and stench.
Since 1850, when most of the tunnels and the
comprehensive metro system had been built, the old capital
of France stood on a network of mile-long corridors.
Already in 2010, the underground system could not be
extended anymore, because the workers had already found
old tunnels and holes everywhere .
After the world economic crisis in 2012/13 and during the
following years, many metro lines had been closed in
consequence of substantial budget cuts. After 2018, it had
become worse, what still annoyed the people of Paris down
to the present day.
Today many old underground tunnels were unused and led
into nowhere. The tunnel system was so enormous, that
even official construction plans could not completely show
the numerous tunnels below the city. Nevertheless, HOK
found some interesting data bases and struggled through
mountains of new informations. The hours passed and the
thick man was soon completely absent-minded again.
„Until tomorrow, I will search for some nice tunnels and
corridors for you, which will lead you that close to
Wechslefs speech desk, that you can tickle his feet.
If the plans are still relevant at all, I can't say, Frank. And I
can't give you a warranty. Much has changed in the last
years. Many old, abandoned tunnels and so on. . . ", he said
casually.
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Kohlhaas waited for results and already imagined details of
his assassination attempt in his mind.
„Have fun with all these plans, my friend. I will go now.
Thank you! ", answered Frank and left HOK's house with a
happy smile.
After approximately one week, HOK and Frank had
prepared a detailed plan, which should lead the rebel
through a tunnel system of almost three kilometers.
The avenue of Paris, which had been called „Avenue de
Champs Elysees" in former times, had been renamed in
„Avenue of Humanity" in 2018, and the triumpal arch, one of
the old landmarks of the city, had been torn down in 2019.
Just as the Eifel tower, which had been dismantled one year
later. In place of the "Arc de Triomphe", the new rulers had
built a modern art building called "Temple of Tolerance", a
giant dark pyramide.
Moreover, the "Avenue of Humanity" had intensively been
converted, whereby many of the old historical houses had
been replaced by concrete buildings of an "unity-look".
After initial protests, the citizens of Paris had become
accustomed to them. They simply had other problems than
worrying about the preservation of old landmarks or houses.
And there were still further plans to separate the city more
thoroughly from its old face, because modern slaves did not
need an own identity or senses of home.
The parade of the GCF occupation troops should take place
on 01. 03. 2029, at the „Avenue of Humanity", just as other
events to entertain the crowd. A part of the long, old street
would be a fenced off, accessible for nobody. About thirty
meters in front of the thing, called „Temple of Tolerance",
the speaker's plattform, where Leon-Jack Wechsler would
open the ceremonies, should be erected.
The masses, that would fill the streets around the security
zone, should see the politician only on big video screens,
114
which would be set up to hundreds along the "Avenue of
Humanity" and in the whole city.
What was allowed, to be admired from the proximity, were
the GCF soldiers and the policemen, who would
demonstrate strength, marching down the boulevard.
The governor of the administrative sector . . Central Europe"
would bring the "great message of humanity" of the New
World Order, and the parade of the security forces and the
military would show the people, that it was healthier to
believe that message - in case of doubt.
It was a tremendous insanity to go to the dirty metropolis to
kill this polititian. Nevertheless, Frank Kohlhaas bred it in his
mind. He had nothing to lose. It could nothing happen worse
than dying.
115
Procrastination is the Thief of Time!
. . Procrastination is the thief of time! "
. . Procrastination is the thief of time! "
. . Procrastination is the thief of time! "
Frank still fed his illusion and repeated this slogan like a
prayer.
In the following days he was just concerned about
the fact that he would become scared. But retreat was not
allowed anymore, he had to remain hard and Kohlhaas did
also not allow his resoluteness, to get any cracks.
„l_eon-Jack Wechsler must die. . . die. . . die! ", he recited
himself again and again.
Meanwhile, Alf got out of his way most of the time.
Nevertheless, he was fascinated by the idea of creeping
through tunnels get into the security zone. And sometimes
he even thought about following his crazy buddy to Paris.
To kill the governor and to cause riots in one of the most
important cities of the continent, was a great chance and
could have sweeping political consequences.
Furthermore, the possibility of participating in a "big thing"
was offered to him. In this point, he had to agree with Frank.
However, he also had nothing to lose and what kind of rebel
would he be, if he bitched out now?
The days passed and Alfred could hardly sleep. Should he
really join the operation? But how? Creeping through
tunnels, then emerging and shooting at Wechsler?
That would be their certain death, even if it functioned. They
just wouldn't survive this. Escaping from the security zone
would simply be impossible, Alf was sure. He had to talk to
Frank, because the plan was still not perfect.
116
The first week of the new month had almost passed and hail
came from the dark sky outside. Frank and Alfred sat in the
kitchen and had a hard day behind them. Kohlhaas had
mused for days and was still not completely content. He had
asked HOK for more construction plans of sewers and other
tunnels below Paris, but he had come to no solution.
Alfred ended the silence. „You have said, we can come to
you, if we want to join the operation, right? Okay, I have
thought about it and came to the decision, not to let you do
this crazy job alone, Frank. "
„Aha, this sounds good to me. You really want to help me? ",
returned Frank with a smile.
Alfred looked back and said: „More or less, but I need some
more informations about all this. The idea with the sewers
and tunnels seems to be not bad at all and HOK has
already given some plans to you. Did you meanwhile study
them sufficiently? "
„Yes, I did! "
"Anyway, that's not enough! ", answered Alf.
„Thus, your plan is to come somehow into the proximity of
that "Temple of Tolerance", through these sewers or
tunnels, right? And then you want to shoot at Wechsler? ",
asked Baumerwith surprise.
„About that! ", said Frank.
"But you should know, that the entrances to the sewers in
the direct proximity of the event, will all be weld shut by the
police. I think, two or three days before the spectacle",
returned Alf.
Frank recognized that his friend had found a weak point of
his plan: „You are probably right. I already have seen this on
television, in some reports. This could be! Shit! "
„You have to modify your plan. In addition, I don't have the
desire to join a suicide operation. And it would be nothing
else, if we suddenly come out of a hole and shoot at the
117
governor, who is surrounded by countless cops," said
Baumer thoughtfully.
„Maybe you Ye right. . . ", answered Frank and moaned. „Then
make a proposal, Baumer! "
„Hmmm. . . perhaps. . . "
Alfred took a slip, on which he had written something. He
hesitated for some seconds and sifted the small note for the
most important details of his plan.
Finally he said: „We go into a channel, a tunnel or
something like that, in the distance of two or three
kilometers - in an insignificant side street, by night.
I have to study HOK's documents. However, we need
something else than an usual handgun, which we couldn't
use at all in the worst case, if the security forces really had
locked all the gully covers around the "Temple of Tolerance"
before the event. "
"Get ready with you speech! ", said Kohlhaas.
J talk about an explosive charge, that we place under
Wechslefs ass and blow him up in front of the eyes of the
world public. I thought of NDC-23. The stuff is easy to carry
and highly concentrated. Twenty kilograms are sufficient, to
destroy a part of the canal system, the square in front of this
so called "Temple of Tolerance" and of course this fucking
governor!
We could transport it in backpacks into the tunnel system
and bring it to explode below the speaker's platform. Of
course, we will use a time fuse so that we can escape
before the big burst! ", explained Alfred and seemed to be
enthusiastic.
„Damn! A great idea! ", said Frank and banged on the table.
John or one the others can organize the explosive for us.
Above all, the Russians sell a lot of NDC-23 on the black
market, mostly remnants of the dissolved army of the former
GUS", added Baumer. Frank just smiled and said nothing.
118
. . Moreover, we must assume that some tunnel entrances
remain blocked for us, either because workers of the public
utilities are still working there, or because of the security
forces, that had locked them", explained Alf.
Frank scratched his head and cogitated. Alfred's plan
pleased him.
„We need some blowtorchs to open locks or grids, if
necessary", remarked Baumer. „We have a few in the
village here. It is no problem to take them. "
. . Brilliant! ", said Frank enthusiastically.
Alf continued: „And there is one more thing. If they scan the
tunnel system with infrared in the morning before the event,
we should have some cooling covers to cloak ourselves.
John can obtain them. Nevertheless, the whole operation is
really dangerous. We must consider everything! "
. . Well, we should go to Wilden, and tell him about our plan.
Perhaps he has some more good ideas", praised Frank his
friend.
Soon after, the village boss evaluated the plan, which had
been introduced to him by both men this time. Julia Wilden,
who stood next to her father, also seemed to be impressed.
Frank smiled at her and enjoyed her admiration.
Still much more had to be done, and next, the men went to
John Thorphy. The Irishman felt disturbed and openly
expressed his displeasure, when the two rebels tried to
send him out to buy the equipment for them. But finally,
Wilden gave him the order to organize the explosive and the
other things.
Where John Thorphy had found the NDC-23, he did not tell.
But it lastet only three days until he returned with over
twenty kilograms of the highly explosive material and gave it
to the two men with a big smile.
. . Procastrination is the thief of time! ", thought Frank, as he
regarded the plasticine-like mass, packed up in blue bags.
119
His deadly idea slowly took shape, and in his mind he
already saw the hated politician torn to pieces on the
asphalt in front of the "Temple of Tolerance".
His dark, delusional resoluteness couldn't even be
destroyed by sleep disturbances, panic attacks or
nightmares anymore. He was eager to bring death to this
man and also to each other person, who would dare to
stand in his way. Frank just ignored the fright, that was
lurking in the night, and looked forward to the great day of
retribution.
Nothing should ever avert his revenge on this cruel world,
as Frank covenanted. Sometimes he went down in the dark
cellar, where Alf stored the explosive. All the rooms here
were cluttered with rotten boards and old crates. There was
not even a light switch. And while his friend slept, the young
rebel crept secretly down the stone stairs and bent over the
blue bags, which were sealed with adhesive tape, stroking
them with a dearful smile like a mother her newborn child.
Until middle of February, Frank and Alf spent their time with
the intensive study of construction plans. HOK visited them
several times, in order to give them still more current and
detailed recordings.
They planned, on recommendation of the computer
scientist, to enter the underground labyrinth at the "Avenue
of Saint-Ouen", nearly two kilometers away from the
security zone.
Here were endless dark tunnels and some of them lead
directly to the square in front of the "Temple of Tolerance".
Nevertheless, the trip to the underworld of Paris was
insanity. Apart from the fact, that they could not build on the
documents of the authorities of the city, there was also the
possibility to get lost in the dark corridors. Some tunnels had
been closed many years ago, or were just collapsed.
120
Moreover, even the older employees of the city
administration did not know all the paths through the earth
anymore. Further, Frank and Alf didn't want to make the
acquaintance of the notorious catacombs of Paris. Those
dark places were a necropolis, as there was no second in
Europe.
Here rested the bones of over five million people, who were
brought into the darkness below the city, because of lack of
space on the cemeteries in the early modern times,.
Therefore, the former French capital stood on a gigantic
grave field. Alf often talked about these chambers of the
dead below the city, which were redundant with bones up to
the ceiling. Frank, who always said that he was not afraid to
die, became a bit scared, when he thought about these
spooky places.
„May the dead of Paris forgive us, that we enter their realm.
Their brothers in the netherworld, who look complaining
down at this earth, because their life was so early
terminated by the new rulers, will thank us, if we revenge
them! ", philosophized Kohlhaas.
However, there was a lot to organize now, far away from all
ghost stories about catacombs and dark holes in the
underground of Paris. Meanwhile, time pressed.
Frank and Alfred should be brought to Compiegne, in the
northeast of Paris, by an airplane, in order to penetrate the
city from there, behaving like harmless tourists. All the
planes in Ivas were registered and had completely
inconspicuous owners. Therefore, this approach seemed to
be clever.
Then, the two assassins wanted to drive from Compiegne to
Paris with a hire car. Their Scanchips were falsified and
soon they would see, if HOK's abilities had been good
enough. At least, the journey to Paris should start one week
121
before the 01. 03. 2029, so that enough time remained, to
explore some tunnels in the nights before the event.
The shabby hotel, in which Frank and Alfred should wait for
the great day, had already been chosen by HOK. He had
booked a room for them on the Internet, and had also
contacted the hire car company in Compiegne.
All had to be planned to the smallest detail, because there
was no time to waste and uncertainties could become a
deadly disaster.
The takeoff of the small transport aircraft, which officially
belonged to Mr. Artur Burzius, a Russian insurance buyer,
should start from Ivas on 19. 02. 2029 at 9. 00 o'clock. Then,
the two resistance fighters would enter the lion's den. Still
two days remained. Time was ticking away and Frank had
to admit, despite all frights of the holo cell and the strokes of
fate he had overcome, that he was scared. Scared to death.
Afraid to die soon.
He tried to hide his nervousness, but his whipping with the
foot, when he sat at the kitchen table, and his talking while
he was dozing, betrayed him.
However, his friend felt the same. Alfred mostly ran through
the village in these days, speaking at each possible
opportunity with Wilden, who tried to encourage him.
Sometimes, he sat in the brightly illuminated kitchen during
the whole night, with a cup of tea and a cigarette, just
looking out the window. Baumer did not sleep very much
and waited eargerly for the start of the operation.
Julia is at the door, Frank! ", called Alf from the side room,
while his roommate tried to concentrate on a political
brochure. Dusk was already falling outside. The journey to
the west was set for 9. 00 o'clock tomorrow. During this day,
many villagers had come to the two men, to wish them all
the best for the operation. Several women had brought
122
cakes and food. Even HOK had visited them again - with
some more construction plans in his hands.
Steffen de Vries, the Belgian, who lived with his family in
Ivas since four years and had to fly the two rebels to
Compiegne, had also been there for several hours.
Meanwhile, de Vries was also more than nervous.
Tm coming! ", answered Frank and left his bedroom.
Baumer had already led Julia in and went with her into the
kitchen. She was pleased to see Frank and shook his hand.
„l just wanted to wish you good luck! ", she said and seemed
to be concerned and gloomy.
„Thanks! We will need it! ", answered Alfred and took a deep
breath.
„Thanks, Julia! It's just nice to see you! ", returned Frank.
. . However, still a last beautiful sight, before we will enter the
spooky underground. "
Now, the pretty woman smiled shyly and didn't find the right
word for a short moment.
J wanted to. .
