Web hosting Custom Email SiteBuilder

Guns blazed all around him. Bullets sailed back and forth past him as dirt
exploded high into the air from tossed enemy grenades. Unteroffizier Kroenen
held his weapons close to him as he clenched his teeth anxious for his chance to
defend his proud and powerful nation of Germany. Unteroffizier was the
equivalent rank to Corporal and Kroenen had worked hard attain this position.
Orders from his superiors were roared over the cacophony of enemy fire. They
had broken through the Allied defenses and could now leave their dugouts and
advance on the enemy. Kroenen leaped out of his trench firing his machine gun
and screaming like mad as he charged his foe. This is the moment he had been
waiting for, the moment when he could get into the action and kill the infidels.
How could these lesser beings even conceive to think they might take down the
ultimate nation in the world? Kroenen would show them the error of their ways
by sending them to their deaths. After gunning down at least eight soldiers he
placed his machine gun over his shoulder, reached for his bayonet and charged
headlong into the fray screaming curses at his adversaries. This was Kroenen's
weapon of choice. The machine gun was fine, it could take out many enemies from
a distance rapidly and efficiently, but it was so impersonal. He thrust his
blade deep into the gut of his nameless enemy and watched it exit out his back
in a spray of muscles and blood. He then pulled it out quick and watched as the
blood poured onto his boots like a gentle fountain. Having recovered his weapon
he was now in the perfect pose and stuck the bent over staggering soldier with
the butt of his gun and watched him go down. Satisfied that he was dead,
Kroenen looked up and impaled his next victim choosing to fire into his chest
point blank while the blade still remained in him. With a smile Kroenen pulled
back the trigger and watched the body fly off backward in a red mist away from
him. He enjoyed this type of killing over all others and could not imagine
being anywhere were he could better put his talents to use.

Battle after battle it was the same with Kroenen's regiment. They would sit
tight, advance and Kroenen would slaughter dozens of men. His acts did not go
unnoticed by those above him. Soon he was pulled off the front lines and sent
back to the nearest base. Kroenen sat in a hard and uncomfortable chair
waiting, waiting for who knew what. He removed his helmet and ran his bloodied
fingers through his sweaty blonde hair. They left little streaks of pink as the
blood mixed into his fine hair, yet he was oblivious to this. He didn't know
why he was here. He waited nervously. This was worse than being in the war.
Had he done something wrong? Were his officials displeased with him? Why had
he been pulled back? He belonged with his fellow soldiers killing. At long
last an officer walked through the door in what seemed to be eons later.
Kroenen stood to attention and saluted with his arm out.
"Hail!"
"Hail. At ease." The officer said to him, then he thumbed through some notes
in his hand. Kroenen relaxed his stance. "Unteroffizier Karl Kroenen?" Asked
the officer.
"Sir, yes sir." Kroenen responded promptly.
"It has come to my attention that you have killed dozens of enemies and helped
advanced our services tremendously with your fighting skills. Would you say
that is correct?"
"Yes Sir, though I am merely trying to help my country and fellow soldiers. I
am doing my best." Kroenen responded still not sure were this was going.
"Please there's no need for modesty. We know you have the ability to access a
situation and swiftly carry out the next best plan of attack. That is a rare
trait that most only master after years of service. You my boy are a natural
and a great asset to the Reich. That is why it is my pleasure to reassign you
and promote you to the position you deserve, that of captain." He pulled out a
badge and placed it on Kroenen's uniform. "Welcome to the SS Hauptsturmführer
Karl Kroenen."
"Thank you Sir." He responded and once again saluted him.
"Yes, yes. You're new assignment will be to plan out attacks and give out
orders to the different regiments. Is that clear?"
"Yes Sir!"
"Good. Congratulations and good luck. Dismissed."

Kroenen stepped outside not believing what had just happened to him. He had
just been skipped ahead by at least ten ranks. He was now in command. He never
had dreamed of this, but he smiled thinking of all the things he could do now to
help out the fatherland. He started out enthusiastically enough giving orders,
planning patterns of attack and making sure everyone was where they should be.
But this was short lived. Kroenen found no pleasure in this. Yes he was giving
out orders and higher up in position, but it seemed everyone just kept coming to
him with more and more problems. Couldn't anyone think for themselves? He knew
that he was the one that needed to do the thinking for those under him, that's
why he had been placed in charge but he never imagined it would be like this.
This was ridiculous. He was bored and he missed the action. He missed killing.
This was torture. How much more could he take? Not much, the strain was really
eating away at him and he was ready to break at any minute.

Kroenen had to get away from it all for a while. After finishing up some
deskwork he locked up his office and strolled out into the night. The night was
fairly clear. The smell of gun power hung in the air and in the distance one
could see the occasional burst of light from explosions on the horizon. Had one
not known it could have been taken as lightning followed by the low rumble of
thunder that was the sound of bombs going off. The chaos raged around them,
but the little town was quiet and unconcerned. Everyone knew that in the end
Deutchland would prevail. Another sound soon filled Kroenen's ears. It was
laughter. Just a few blocks away there was a bar full of men enjoying
themselves. Had it been a normal situation Kroenen would have thought nothing
of it and passed it by without a thought, but his keen eye noticed something.
There were soldiers inside drinking and having a good time. He stepped closer
and recognized their uniforms. Several of them were his soldiers. They were
his men. Both curious and concerned Kroenen stepped closer. He stood by the
door and listened in on the drunkards' laugher.
"So then we'll come over the hill and take them by surprise. Brilliant isn't
it? It was my idea." One of the men said as he slumped over the bar with one
arm hanging over the side and in the other he barely held himself up and a
bottle of beer. Kroenen's blue eyes flashed with anger as he listened to that
young fool take credit for his military strategies. Not only that but he was
giving away secrets of the plan. What if there were American spies around?
"What is the meaning of this?!?" Kroenen roared as he stepped inside. An
uneasy calm fell over the whole bar. Kroenen had come to be feared not only by
those in the military but civilians as well.
"Sir, we're terribly sorry. We were just having a little fun." Blurted out a
frightened soldier.
"FUN?!?" Kroenen said as he turned his wicked gaze on the boy. "Giving away
our much thought out plans is FUN?!?!"
"No, Sir. I'm sorry, Sir. That isn't what I meant."
"I don't CARE what you meant, soldier! It's what you said that concerns me!"
Kroenen growled as he paced back and forth in the bar. His boots clopped loudly
on the wooden floor planks.
"Oh do shut up, Mr. Kroenen!! Think you're so big picking on little squirts
like him!" Kroenen whirled around furious when he heard that wavering drunken
voice come from the back of the bar. It was one of his men that was completely
drunk off his rocker. Another soldier stood up nervously as Kroenen walked by.
"Sir, don't listen to him he doesn't mean it really..." The young man was
easily shoved back into his seat as Kroenen placed his hand on his face and
pushed him away. He continued on to the man who had made the remark.
"No you don't listen to him. Of course I meant it! Everyone in here is afraid
of you. They are all cowards, but I'm not. I'm not afraid of you Kroenen,
Sir." He said the last word with a mocking tone. Everyone sat in horrified
silence and fear for the foolish soldier that was too drunk to realize what he
was getting himself into. Kroenen made his way to the man who was sitting on a
stool. He looked down on him a moment as the fool dared to give him a defiant
grin. Kroenen casually glanced back at the others a moment then veer back
around and thrust a hard punch into the man's gut. As he did so he wrapped his
fingers around his belt and lifted him into the air.
"I will not tolerate such insubordination in my army!" He snarled as he threw
him against the wall. Furious the solider stood up and rushed him. Kroenen
side stepped easily and let him pass. When he did so he grabbed his left arm
and pulled it back behind him until it snapped and with his other hand he placed
it flat on his head and shoved him forward. With the added momentum the
inferior flew through the air and fell hard on his right cheek then skidded on
his face for a few feet before coming to a rest. Someone else came at him from
behind. Kroenen felt it and only turned his eyes to the side and quickly
brought his elbow up and back into the face of his attacker knocking out several
of his teeth and landing him on his back as his feet flow out before him. Yet
another came from beside him Kroenen reached for his belt pulled out a dagger
and met this new attacker head on and propelled the weapon straight into his
sternum piercing the heart. He had to kick him away to get him off his blade as
the bone had fastened around it. He glared at the crowd looking to see if there
were any others foolish enough to dare challenge him. There were none and they
stared on pressed against the walls with horror. The first man slowly pulled
himself up to his knees. The bloodlust was clear in Kroenen's eye. He was not
finished. It would have been better if he had stayed down. To try and stand
was a sign of defiance to Kroenen. He went over to him, placed both hands
firmly on his head and snapped it to one side. The cracking vertebrae echoed of
the walls of the silent on looking bar. The soldier was dead but Kroenen's
blood lust was still not satisfied. He was angry at him for allowing himself to
have been so easily defeated.
"Is that all? You're dead already? You wouldn't have lasted a minute out
there. You never deserved to be in my army. It is beyond me how you even got
in in the first place!" Enraged he proceeded to kick the corpses over and over.
At last several other officers poured into the bar after word had reached them
of the fight. One of them was a fellow Hauptsturmführer, Hagen Sieghard. He
pulled Kroenen off of the body.
"Kroenen, that's enough! Get a hold of yourself!"
"NO! He needs to learn his lesson!"
"He's dead! Leave it alone! Listen to me!" Sieghard pulled Kroenen up by the
shoulders and slammed his back into the wall. "He's not the enemy, they are!"
He said as he pointed out the window. "You can't kill fellow Germans! Are you
listening to me?!?" Yelled Sieghard. Kroenen stared hard at him. For a moment
he thought about making him his next victim until he realized who he was and the
words sank in. He had killed his own kind. Kroenen's expression softened some
and Sieghard released his hold on him. The two looked each other in the eyes a
moment. Kroenen began to looked around at the disaster he'd just caused and
silently stepped outside.

He walked down the street heading back in the direction he had come when he
heard footsteps running up behind him. He turned to see Sieghard coming up
behind him. Kroenen smiled. The two had been friends since they joined the
army.
"Karl, what happened back there?" Hagen Sieghard asked.
"I'm sorry. I got a little angry." Kroenen responded.
"A little? You killed three men. What's gotten into you?"
"They were giving away our plans. I couldn't risk that. There's too much at
stake."
Sieghard watched him a moment noticing his unease and strain. His eyes darted
about as though he had a million things on his mind.
"But that isn't all, is it? I've known you long enough to know. The other
officers aren't going to be pleased with what happened tonight but if you tell
me what is really bothering you perhaps something can be done."
Kroenen sighed. He couldn't hide it from Sieghard. He might as well tell him,
he was the only one he felt relaxed around anyway.
"You want to know what it is? Alright. It's the war. I miss the battles, the
fighting, the action...the killing!! Don't get me wrong I'm very happy to have
been moved so far ahead but this isn't what I was meant to do. I'm bored and I
can't take it anymore. I have had enough!" Kroenen said with passion in his
eyes.
"I see. Don't worry. I'll have a talk with the others and see what can be
done." Sieghard said with a smile. Kroenen nodded and smiled back and the two
parted ways.

The following day Kroenen found himself once again working in his office. He
looked at his awards and medals. He knew he was doing an excellent job but it
wasn't right. The same old routine everyday would drive him mad. He was meant
for so much more. He opened a drawer to a large metal filing cabinet and
flicked through the files with his fingers looking for a specific name. A knock
came from the door behind him and Kroenen called for the person to enter. It
was Sieghard and he came in holding a stack of papers in his hand.
"Hagen, good morning. How are you?" Kroenen asked.
"Good, but you're going to be doing better soon. I just came out of the meeting
with the other officials."
"Oh dear. What happened?"
"Hear me out. Naturally they were not pleased with your behavior, but you've
provided them with years of fabulous services so they easily over looked this
incident. Giving away secret plans didn't sit well with them so they agreed you
were just in your actions."
"Well that's good to know." Kroenen said in a monotone voice.
"Wait there's more." Added Sieghard. "I mentioned what you told me last
night."
"WHAT? Oh no Hagen! How could you have?" Kroenen said nervously.
"Ah, now, now. Take it easy." Sieghard said raising his hands up trying to calm
him. "They were very attentive and understanding. The felt your talents could
be better utilized elsewhere. So, you've been reassigned."
"REASSIGNED?? Where to?"
"To a concentration camp. You'll be in charge of it and you may do with the
inmates as you please. Congratulations Karl. Seems like you'll get your chance
to see some action again."
Kroenen's eyes lit up with excitement. This was exactly the change that he
needed. Sieghard handed him the papers and Kroenen looked them over. It was
perfect! He felt like a massive burden had been lifted off him. He would start
immediately.

This new position did turn out to be exactly what he needed. Kroenen reveled in
torturing his prisoners whether they were Jews, Poles or Russians. It didn't
really matter to him. If they came through those gates they were his things.
There really were so many different ways to kill. While he was cleansing his
country of the weak he was indulging his twisted pleasure. Gassing was the
preferred method of disposing of the prisoners. Many could be disposed off at
once and this was what Kroenen would use when his camp became to over crowded,
but it wasn't as fun as some of the other methods. Again he liked to get
personal in these situations. After having butchered so many, Kroenen was
becoming an expert on human anatomy. The subject of death began to fascinate
him. With this came a greater interest in the afterlife. Kroenen gave into the
mysticism that was prevalent with the SS. He began to practice its way more
than before. Hard working as always his efforts in this field were eventually
rewarded as well. He made contact with the spirit realm and gained their favor.
It seemed nothing could touch him now. With their blessing he was once more
promoted lieutenant colonel. His title was now Ubersturmbannführer Karl
Kroenen.

Things were going all too well for Kroenen until he heard the ill-fated news.
The allies had invaded the fatherland and Germany was loosing the war. How
could this have happened? They should be the ones winning. Part of him wished
he were back out on the battlefields fighting for his land, but that was not
possible now. He would continue his work and defend this little area as best he
could. It wasn't before the Americans stormed his camp though. Kroenen ordered
his men to hold them off while he ran to the wards eliminating the remainder of
his prisoners. Eventually his men were overcome by greater numbers and the
enemy had broken through the defense. Furious Kroenen armed himself and began
to fire at the advancing soldiers. How dare they infiltrate his little domain?!
He took several of them down but was pushed back. He ran into the network of
mazes that were his torture chambers. There were halls upon halls with doors
that connected to other areas. He knew it would be difficult for them to find
him now. He ducked into a room and found himself with a man that was tied to a
table. He was another nameless Jewish man. Kroenen smiled as an idea entered
his mind. He would let the Americans finish off his dirty work for him. He
pulled out his knife and cut the man loose. Before he even had a chance to
stand, Kroenen pulled him to his feet, restrained him by the arms and led him
out the door. He kept him in front at all times as he walked down the halls
always keeping an eye on his back. He heard footsteps coming in from behind and
quickly whirled around with his prisoner before him. Gunfire. A body fell to
the ground. Kroenen escaped down a corridor leaving his battered human shield
behind. Into another room he went and took two more hostages. It was all too
quiet out side. He knew the Americans were waiting for him. He'd give them
something to draw their fire. He placed coats on the prisoners and shoved them
violently into the hallway then watched with delight as they were shot down by
those that would save them. The coats he gave them made them look like German
soldiers. This served a few other purposes as well. It gave away the enemy's
position, drew their fire and wasted their ammunition. It was a great strategy
and he did it over and over using the inmates as human shields or decoys. But
soon he had run out of prisoners and hiding spaces. He had to escape.

Kroenen snuck out through back passageways and exited out the back of the
complex. He ran several meters through a dirt field until he felt he was at a
safe distance. The war was raging all around now and soon there would be
nowhere to run. He began to breath heavily.
"This can't be happening! How can this be? My land! My beautiful country!!
NO!!" He waved his fist in the air angry and with no true place to direct it.
Then he remembered the pact he had made with them. This wasn't the end. He
would escape death, they owed him. Kroenen kneeled down and placed his gun on
the ground. With his index finger he drew a circle around himself and at twelve
key points drew the runes and symbols that led his people. He held his hands
out and called on their help chanting ancient verses. The ground around him
seemed to tremble and bright light filtered up from the circle and the symbols
high into the air. Kroenen was no kneeling inside a cylinder of light. It
was going to work. He would get his way very soon. The American soldiers made
their way to the back came upon Kroenen. They stood wide eyed a moment when
they saw this man engulfed in an eerie brilliant light. Kroenen saw them,
reached for his gun and infuriated opened fire on them. He killed several of
them, but there were just too many for him to fight alone. They returned fired
and Kroenen was machine gunned down. The light went out the moment the first
bullet entered the cylinder. Kroenen took several rounds and refused to go down
at first. He stared back at the men with hatred in his eyes as blood poured
from gaping wounds over his whole body. He took two weak steps forward. He was
responded with more fire. The world seemed to go into slow motion. Sound was
muffled as the guns blasted away. His vision blurred until he could no longer
see them. Kroenen fell face down into the dirt.

Back