Re: Blood and Iron

Chapter 233: Negotiating the Enemy's Surrender Part I

 Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Bruno sat in the back of his Kübelwagen, his vehicle was on the very edge of the convoy.

Sitting in the rear with other non-combatant personnel. Whether they be logistics personnel, or men beyond the risk of death by enemy fire.

The advance south would have been much more rapid if they were not relying on the terribly slow speed of human marches and the horses which carried their equipment.

As a man who once launched himself into battle via deploying from helicopters within his past life, Bruno had to admit, the critical lack of transportation within the early 20th century no doubt contributed to the brutality of trench warfare and the stagnation it had ultimately caused.

Even so, there were benefits to the slow speed, such as making it exceptionally difficult to advance beyond your means of supply. Even so, Bruno sat and waited, that is until the call came over the vehicle's radio.

The driver quickly got on the comms and spoke with the person on the other end, that is until he looked over at Bruno and announced something shocking to him.

"The enemy army is waving the white flag. They wish to discuss terms of surrender..."

Heinrich seemed relieved to hear this information, any battle that could be won without the need for bloodshed was the best kind there was. Even Sun Tzu would agree with this sentiment as he once was quoted as saying in his timeless book "the Art of War."

"Hence to fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence

Supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting"

It was indeed entirely possible that the enemy commander, perhaps intimidated both by the scale of Bruno's army, and potential misinformation, was willing to raise the white flag and surrender his arms. But Bruno was indeed skeptical of this.

By now, French and British forces should have made their way into Serbia to reinforce their ally. In addition to these, as useless and obsolete as the Ottoman Army was, they too should have managed to send aid to the Serbians.

Why surrender now that there was hope on the horizon? Were his actions in Belgrade so fearsome that they had the intended effect? Did they server to force his enemies to submit out of fear of complete and total extermination, rather than embolden them to fight until the last man as they had appeared to have done so until now?

Or was this perhaps a trap to ensnare Bruno and eliminate him? There were too many reasons for Bruno's paranoia to prevent him from speaking with the enemy commander. At least under the Serbian terms.

Nor was there any neutral ground they could discuss this matter... No, if the Serbians truly wanted to submit to him, they would prove it by coming to his domain and surrendering to his mercy. Because of this, Bruno was quick to make his demands known in order to even begin the negotiations for a potential surrender of the Serbian Army that was sent to Forstall in advance.

Heinrich narrowed his eyes at Bruno upon hearing the demand for the Serbian command to come to him and personally surrender. Quickly questioning just what intent the man had by doing so.

"You're not planning something sinister, are you?"

Bruno simply scoffed at the man before pointing out the real reason his paranoia had kicked in.

"Look around you, my old friend, and tell me exactly where we are standing..."

Heinrich looked around and gazed upon the terrain. Mountains, as far as the eyes could see. Maybe not the spires of the alps, but there was no doubt raised terrain, and trees covering them wherever he looked.

When he commented upon this, Bruno nodded his head, and then asked his friend another question.

"So tell me, is it not possible, that should I place my faith in my enemy's goodwill, and go forth beyond the boundaries of the protection which my army provides me, that I might find my head blown off by a well-placed sniper hiding in the hills obscured by the local foliage?"

Heinrich's jaw dropped when he realized the utter madness Bruno seemed to have become enveloped in as the war waged on, or at least, such was his perspective. Hence the disbelief and slight contempt in his tone as the man sighed and shook his head.

"You just see the absolute worst in every human being you come across, don't you?"

Bruno, of course, responded with a snicker, and a smug tone in his voice as he lectured his friend on his own naivety.

"You see Heinrich, this is why I will outlive you by at least three decades, assuming the cigarettes don't do me in well before I am supposed to naturally expire... Relying on the honor and integrity of your fellow man is a good way to get yourself killed.

Preemptively anticipating the natural wickedness of mankind, however, and making preparations to mitigate potential harm in every scenario you may find yourself in, that's how you stay alive in this cruel and unforgiving world.

Well then again, I shouldn't put such sins on the world, rather the Earth would be a beautiful place, almost Paradisical if you will, that is, if it weren't for all the goddamn people in it..."

Listening to Bruno bitch about humanity was something that Heinrich knew he would never be free from so long as he maintained a friendship with the man, and he was quick to point out that perhaps Bruno had chosen the wrong career.

"You know, with a mentality like that, you should have become a philosopher. I'm sure there are more than a few who would agree with you and your pessimistic view of our species."

Bruno did not immediately respond to these words, instead letting out a plume of smoke from yet another cigarette, fully aware of the danger it posed to his longevity, yet not caring in the slightest as he commented on his own shortcomings and those of humanity as a whole.

"Are you aware that out of all the religions created by humanity within our recorded history as a species, it is a damn near unanimous consensus that we shall be judged after our death by what actions we take in this life?

I'd say that alone is sufficient proof that humanity views itself, at least on some subconscious level, as a wicked being by its very nature. For if we were intrinsically good, why must we all create some kind of supernatural entity to judge as after we have passed?"

Heinrich simply rolled his eyes as the driver interrupted their conversation, alerting the two high-ranking officers about the Serbian Commander's response.

"The enemy commander has agreed to your request, and will approach our lines unarmed and on horseback. He is more than willing to temporarily enter our custody in order to negotiate proper terms of surrender..."

Heinrich then gave Bruno a smug look, while chastising the man for his endless pessimism with a smug tone in his voice.

"You see, Bruno, not everyone in this world is out to get you. Now how about we go end this campaign once and for all with a proper course of diplomacy, rather than bloodshed?"

Bruno scoffed. Heinrich was indeed an optimist to the end, and Bruno genuinely believed such a foolish mentality would one day get the man killed. Nevertheless, he was not too proud to admit defeat in the moment, and was quick to accept his friend's "moral victory" even if he was still doubtful of the enemy's true intentions.

"Though I concede that this current circumstance may not necessarily be a plot to kill me, we will ultimately have to wait until these negotiations to see if that is truly the case...." After saying this, Bruno ordered the driver to navigate towards the proper area within their own lines where the negotiations with the Serbian commander would be held. Heinrich had a smug smirk on his face throughout the rest of the journey, believing he finally got one over on

Bruno.

As for Bruno, nothing was conclusive until after the enemy army laid down their arms and fully entered their custody. And yes, he would be alert even within his own ranks towards any potential conspiracy against him. After all, such was the man's nature...