Re: The Files of Art. Inc.: The Hunt for the Weinstein-Collection Final 21 (13.11.2021) Part VI (Finished) (FFFMM/FFFFF
Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2021 8:30 pm
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The Morning of the Final Assault: And so it begins ...
The Sixth Day:
The Safehouse, very early Morning, at sunrise:
Since early childhood Sophie had always loved the early hours of a day in the Mountains, when then Sun was barely up and the air was cool and fresh and the dew covered the cool grass.
Today was one of those mornings. After the Proceedings of the last night she had fallen fast asleep, something had awoken her early though, a feeling, something compelled her to go outside.
And despite the early hour she felt relaxed and refreshed. So she got up, and padded down the stairs on her bare feet softly, not to disturb the others.
Sophie stepped out on the Patio, the smooth polished wooden floor cool under her bare soles, the cool morning air made her shiver and she breathed in deeply the fresh spicy mountain air and sighed– but then ….
On the Grass, before the Patio a most strange scene caught her eye.
There, on a Tatami, greeting the sun, knelt Chris, turned east, her hands resting on her knees, she wore white leggings, with black stripes on the flanks and a lose fitting magenta top. Her eyes were closed.
The features of the pianist were calm, serene and relaxed. One might have taken her for a life size statue, her chest was barely moving.
On her left laid a rectangular wooden box, made of black lacquered wood, roughly a metre long, before her on the tatami the four treasures of a study: a brush, an inkstick, a sheet of mulberry paper and an ink stone. Obviously Christine had already prepared the ink.
Sophie followed with rapt attention as Chris opened her eyes, took the brush and let it glide along the sheet of Paper with effortless fluid strokes. Sophie had read about the ancient art of Japanese Calligraphy but she never had seen someone doing it.
When Chris was finished, she read the haiku she had written aloud in Japanese in a clear strong voice:
A line of egrets
..... making a bridge
........between two snowy peaks
These Verses I borrowed from one of the Masters of the Haiku, Matsuo Basho, Translation and Introduction copyright by David P Young
She laid the Sheet on the mat and bowed:
Then the Pianist rose and bowed against the sun and stepped on the grass and began to stretch and warm up, which looked very much like Tai Chi to Sophie. Fluid, slow moves.
Without warning she exploded into motion and began executing a complex series of Katas, her movements fluid and effortless. Sophie's eyes struggled to see each individual move in the complex web of strikes and kicks Chris waved around herself.
Sophie felt as if she was disturbing a religious ceremony, a service at church. No sound could be heard. She held her breath. As sudden as she had begun, Christine stopped and stood still. Seconds passed.
Christine bowed again, stooped down, knelt and opened the wooden box. Sophie could see now, that inside were the two swords, the Katana and the Wakizashi, Sophie had seen her wielding at Reichenbach Castle which seemed to be a life time ago.
With Reverence Chris took the Katana out of its scabbard, stood and took the traditional stance of the Samurai. It was in this moment, that Sophie noticed three trunks of trees, roughly the height of a man of average height, round about six feet, each as thick as her two arms.
Sophie watched in awe as Christine gripped the sword with both hands and bowed to an invisible opponent, the sun reflected on the blade, and began than a series of Katas against said invisible opponent, slowly at first but then with increasing speed and complexity.
The blade moved with such speed, that to Sophie's eyes it appeared that Chris' was standing within a glittering translucent bubble of steel.
Ever more quickly became the motions. Then, three sharp strokes downward, each accompanied by a sharp cry, which sounded like “Kiaai!”
Then it was over.
Chris presented the sword towards the sun, bowed down and let the blade glide into its scabbard with one fluid movement. With the grace of a jungle cat, she returned to the mat and sank to her knees to resume her meditation.
Sophie stared in wonder at the tree trunks.
Each had been cut in half.
The Adlernest, Infirmary, early Morning:
Sieglindes return to the world of the living was slow. She lied on her stomach, her head on a soft pillow. Everything, the smelled, reminded her of a clinic. She felt like she was floating in the air, her Body seemed to be covered only partly. But she was not cold.
Her back was not covered. Sieglinde was not in Pain. Painkillers she thought. “Why am I in a Clinic?” And then slowly, very slowly she started remembering what had happened yesterday:
The Tribunal.
The Parcours.
The Flogging.
The Shot.
The Cry of a Woman.
The Blood.
The Screams.
After that? Only pieces, glimpses. Her limbs felt heavy, she drifted back to sleep.
The Safehouse, early Morning, after Breakfast:
The Team had assembled in the dining room at the large table. Chris and Sarah were about to deliver the briefing of the day. Anna could not help but smile when she appraised the two women, who had been sworn enemies only three weeks ago.
And now Anna sensed no negative vibes between them, but some sort of Harmony, a silent understanding. Chris seemed totally at ease, her face was calm, her posture relaxed. “She has definitely recovered” the Russian thought. “Well, and as for Sarah: I have plans for you” and a smile crossed her lips “Big Plans” She concentrated on the briefing.
Chris began to speak: “Yesterday was a great success. It is safe to say, that the enemy is now in disarray. This evening we will enter the Palace and take out von Winterfeldt one and for all, Sarah will tell you more about that later.” she smiled at the Art Thief “but the first stroke was delivered this morning as we speak.”
“Sybille had compiled a dossier about the Nordstern-Trust and its ties to extremists Parties and shadowy Groups around the Globe and von Winterfeldt´s involvement based on the Material we collected during our Hunt for the Weinstein-Collection: the Icing on the Cake is the Kompromat we acquired in Vienna, which ties von Winterfeldt personally to a couple of Murders.
This Dossier Sybille sent yesterday to all major News Outlets in Europe and abroad, to all our contacts in the Media. Both stories are headline news of the Times, the Washington Post, the New York Times, Le Figaro etc. – so it is safe to say that von Winterfeldt´s PR-Division is in for a rude awakening today!” Christine smiled broadly. Cheering around the Table.”
“Now Sarah will explain the Plan, she, Hayley and Sophie developed yesterday!” Chris sat down and left the Stage for the Art Thief.
The Adlernest, Susanne von Stülpnagel´s Quarters, around the same time:
Susanne had just stepped into her black High Heels and taken a critical look in the large Mirror, when someone knocked persistently at her Door. She looked at her Watch. What could be so urgent that she was disturbed at that time of day? “Enter” she called brusquely.
The Door opened and her Personal Assistant, a young brown haired woman in a grey business costume, entered a fearful expression on her face. “What is it Amelie? What is so important that you had to disturb me before Office Hours?” Von Stülpnagel was irritated and it showed in her brusque tone, she had not slept very well, Nightmares had haunted her.
“I thought you wanted to be informed about this at once” her PA showed her the Screen of her IPad, on the Screen the Homepage of the Washington Post, Susanne read the Headline and an icy cold crept through von Stülpnagel´s Veins, the Headline read: “The Nordstern-Trust and it´s Connections to Right Wing Parties” and the second Article: “Did Tycoon authorize Murder personally?”
Amelie interrupted her thoughts: “All Major News Outlets around the globe come up with the same story, all around the World!” Susanne von Stülpnagel doubted not for a second that this was another stroke of von der Marwitz and her Friends.”
“Walk with me” she told Charlotte “The Boss must know about this at once!” And before Charlotte could react, von Stülpnagel was already out of the Door.
The Adlernest: Brunhilds Office:
Brunhild sat behind her desk and read a report about the blitz attack, but her thoughts were still at the Conversation she had with the Chief Medical Officer Leonora Becker. The Physician had looked and sounded as tired as she felt herself. Becker and her Team had worked through the night tirelessly to take care of the Wounded.
The Infirmary was full. Having served in Afghanistan several times, the Physician was not easy to impress. Always calm and collected even in the thickest melee, but even she had been shocked by the extent of the carnage Christine von der Marwitz and her Team had visited upon them.
“We have to thank the attackers that they used only a relatively small calibre or the bill would have been higher.” Becker had confirmed what Brunhild had told von Winterfeldt yesterday.
“So far we have no Valkyries killed, though four are in very critical condition caused mainly by shrapnel, we will know more tomorrow.” the Physician had continued. “The last time I saw such terrible wounds was at Kandahar in a field hospital, six other Valkyries are severely injured, but they will heal in time.”
“Four Victims were hit by Sniper Fire and Sub Commander Kudrun will never be able to use her right arm properly. I have never seen such a debris field of a shoulder joint. The shooter was either very lucky or very clever.” Kudrun had been the Executioner, the first Victim of the Shooter.
“Probably the latter” Brunhild had replied curtly. “The Grand Duchesse Anna Romanova had proven recently that she is highly skilled with the sniper rifle.”
The Brows of the Physician went up: “The famous Violinist?” “The one and only” Brunhild responded “A Woman of many Talents obviously.” Becker replied drly.
“How is Sieglinde?” Brunhild changed the Subject. “Commander Gablenz is as well as she can be under the Circumstances. We changed the wound dressings today; as far as I can tell by now there will probably little scarring, but the healing process will take time.”
“At least one piece of good news amongst all this mess” Brunhild said sadly.
After Brunhild had finished reading the report, she punched a number in her Communication Console: “Freya report to my office at once.”
Five Minutes later there was crisp knock at the Door and her second in Command entered stood to Attention and delivered a crisp Salute.
“At ease Captain!”
Freya complied. “Freya I have a job for you: We must find out, where our Attackers came from, so I want you to take three of your Valkyries and recon the Area around the probable emplacement of the Attack. Avoid any risk and do not make any contact. We need every Woman now. Did I make myself clear?”
“Crystal Clear Commander” Freya responded brightly.
“Then what are you waiting for?” Brunhild dismissed her.
When Freya had left, Brunhild stared out of the Window: Under normal circumstances, she would have sent more than one Recon-Team, but as things were, their forces were stretched thin, dangerously thin and they needed every Valkyrie to protect the Palace and the Boss.
Brunhild vowed to herself, that she would do, what she had to do, to do her job, but she had decided that she would not send any of her Soldiers on a suicide Mission. They had to plan carefully every step now, even it meant going on the defensive, which she disliked.
But the sad truth was that they lacked the man power for offensive operations. She concentrated on the reports again. She hated it to sit here behind a desk. Brunhild wanted to lead her Valkyries up front, as Sieglinde would have. But that was simply not possible.
The Safehouse: Dining Room
Sarah addressed her team, which consisted of Kate, Anna and Kirsty: “Listen up Ladies! We will do some recon today; I consider it highly likely that our opponents will do some recon on their own, so we will have to be prepared for contact, so no stunts or heroics, is that clear?”
“Yes Mam!” Anna replied cheerily. Sarah shot her a dirty look. “Anna Romanova you want report to my quarters when we are back at HQ? I think you are in for some disciplinary action.”
“Yes Mam”, Anna replied undaunted, “While hanging in there yesterday was fun, I am just not in the mood for that today though”
Sarah decided to ignore that insubordination, but she was no fool: The Russian had neither forgiven nor forgotten ….
They checked their equipment and left the Farmhouse. Despite all the differences they worked now together like a well-oiled machine. “We are an interesting group” Sarah thought: “A World-Class Artist, a high-ranking Police Officer, a Thief and Assassin and a reformed Criminal.”
“Okay Ladies! The Thief continued: “I and Kirsty will take point, Anna and Kate bring up the rear.”
After two Hours of Marching they reached a Point, from where they could see the Site from where they had launched the Attack. Sarah decided: “We will wait here, if somebody turns up.
Time passed: Kate looked concentrated through her glasses. There! A reflection of the Sun on Metal: “Movement at three a clock!” she whispered in her mike.
The Morning of the Final Assault: And so it begins ...
The Sixth Day:
The Safehouse, very early Morning, at sunrise:
Since early childhood Sophie had always loved the early hours of a day in the Mountains, when then Sun was barely up and the air was cool and fresh and the dew covered the cool grass.
Today was one of those mornings. After the Proceedings of the last night she had fallen fast asleep, something had awoken her early though, a feeling, something compelled her to go outside.
And despite the early hour she felt relaxed and refreshed. So she got up, and padded down the stairs on her bare feet softly, not to disturb the others.
Sophie stepped out on the Patio, the smooth polished wooden floor cool under her bare soles, the cool morning air made her shiver and she breathed in deeply the fresh spicy mountain air and sighed– but then ….
On the Grass, before the Patio a most strange scene caught her eye.
There, on a Tatami, greeting the sun, knelt Chris, turned east, her hands resting on her knees, she wore white leggings, with black stripes on the flanks and a lose fitting magenta top. Her eyes were closed.
The features of the pianist were calm, serene and relaxed. One might have taken her for a life size statue, her chest was barely moving.
On her left laid a rectangular wooden box, made of black lacquered wood, roughly a metre long, before her on the tatami the four treasures of a study: a brush, an inkstick, a sheet of mulberry paper and an ink stone. Obviously Christine had already prepared the ink.
Sophie followed with rapt attention as Chris opened her eyes, took the brush and let it glide along the sheet of Paper with effortless fluid strokes. Sophie had read about the ancient art of Japanese Calligraphy but she never had seen someone doing it.
When Chris was finished, she read the haiku she had written aloud in Japanese in a clear strong voice:
A line of egrets
..... making a bridge
........between two snowy peaks
These Verses I borrowed from one of the Masters of the Haiku, Matsuo Basho, Translation and Introduction copyright by David P Young
She laid the Sheet on the mat and bowed:
Then the Pianist rose and bowed against the sun and stepped on the grass and began to stretch and warm up, which looked very much like Tai Chi to Sophie. Fluid, slow moves.
Without warning she exploded into motion and began executing a complex series of Katas, her movements fluid and effortless. Sophie's eyes struggled to see each individual move in the complex web of strikes and kicks Chris waved around herself.
Sophie felt as if she was disturbing a religious ceremony, a service at church. No sound could be heard. She held her breath. As sudden as she had begun, Christine stopped and stood still. Seconds passed.
Christine bowed again, stooped down, knelt and opened the wooden box. Sophie could see now, that inside were the two swords, the Katana and the Wakizashi, Sophie had seen her wielding at Reichenbach Castle which seemed to be a life time ago.
With Reverence Chris took the Katana out of its scabbard, stood and took the traditional stance of the Samurai. It was in this moment, that Sophie noticed three trunks of trees, roughly the height of a man of average height, round about six feet, each as thick as her two arms.
Sophie watched in awe as Christine gripped the sword with both hands and bowed to an invisible opponent, the sun reflected on the blade, and began than a series of Katas against said invisible opponent, slowly at first but then with increasing speed and complexity.
The blade moved with such speed, that to Sophie's eyes it appeared that Chris' was standing within a glittering translucent bubble of steel.
Ever more quickly became the motions. Then, three sharp strokes downward, each accompanied by a sharp cry, which sounded like “Kiaai!”
Then it was over.
Chris presented the sword towards the sun, bowed down and let the blade glide into its scabbard with one fluid movement. With the grace of a jungle cat, she returned to the mat and sank to her knees to resume her meditation.
Sophie stared in wonder at the tree trunks.
Each had been cut in half.
The Adlernest, Infirmary, early Morning:
Sieglindes return to the world of the living was slow. She lied on her stomach, her head on a soft pillow. Everything, the smelled, reminded her of a clinic. She felt like she was floating in the air, her Body seemed to be covered only partly. But she was not cold.
Her back was not covered. Sieglinde was not in Pain. Painkillers she thought. “Why am I in a Clinic?” And then slowly, very slowly she started remembering what had happened yesterday:
The Tribunal.
The Parcours.
The Flogging.
The Shot.
The Cry of a Woman.
The Blood.
The Screams.
After that? Only pieces, glimpses. Her limbs felt heavy, she drifted back to sleep.
The Safehouse, early Morning, after Breakfast:
The Team had assembled in the dining room at the large table. Chris and Sarah were about to deliver the briefing of the day. Anna could not help but smile when she appraised the two women, who had been sworn enemies only three weeks ago.
And now Anna sensed no negative vibes between them, but some sort of Harmony, a silent understanding. Chris seemed totally at ease, her face was calm, her posture relaxed. “She has definitely recovered” the Russian thought. “Well, and as for Sarah: I have plans for you” and a smile crossed her lips “Big Plans” She concentrated on the briefing.
Chris began to speak: “Yesterday was a great success. It is safe to say, that the enemy is now in disarray. This evening we will enter the Palace and take out von Winterfeldt one and for all, Sarah will tell you more about that later.” she smiled at the Art Thief “but the first stroke was delivered this morning as we speak.”
“Sybille had compiled a dossier about the Nordstern-Trust and its ties to extremists Parties and shadowy Groups around the Globe and von Winterfeldt´s involvement based on the Material we collected during our Hunt for the Weinstein-Collection: the Icing on the Cake is the Kompromat we acquired in Vienna, which ties von Winterfeldt personally to a couple of Murders.
This Dossier Sybille sent yesterday to all major News Outlets in Europe and abroad, to all our contacts in the Media. Both stories are headline news of the Times, the Washington Post, the New York Times, Le Figaro etc. – so it is safe to say that von Winterfeldt´s PR-Division is in for a rude awakening today!” Christine smiled broadly. Cheering around the Table.”
“Now Sarah will explain the Plan, she, Hayley and Sophie developed yesterday!” Chris sat down and left the Stage for the Art Thief.
The Adlernest, Susanne von Stülpnagel´s Quarters, around the same time:
Susanne had just stepped into her black High Heels and taken a critical look in the large Mirror, when someone knocked persistently at her Door. She looked at her Watch. What could be so urgent that she was disturbed at that time of day? “Enter” she called brusquely.
The Door opened and her Personal Assistant, a young brown haired woman in a grey business costume, entered a fearful expression on her face. “What is it Amelie? What is so important that you had to disturb me before Office Hours?” Von Stülpnagel was irritated and it showed in her brusque tone, she had not slept very well, Nightmares had haunted her.
“I thought you wanted to be informed about this at once” her PA showed her the Screen of her IPad, on the Screen the Homepage of the Washington Post, Susanne read the Headline and an icy cold crept through von Stülpnagel´s Veins, the Headline read: “The Nordstern-Trust and it´s Connections to Right Wing Parties” and the second Article: “Did Tycoon authorize Murder personally?”
Amelie interrupted her thoughts: “All Major News Outlets around the globe come up with the same story, all around the World!” Susanne von Stülpnagel doubted not for a second that this was another stroke of von der Marwitz and her Friends.”
“Walk with me” she told Charlotte “The Boss must know about this at once!” And before Charlotte could react, von Stülpnagel was already out of the Door.
The Adlernest: Brunhilds Office:
Brunhild sat behind her desk and read a report about the blitz attack, but her thoughts were still at the Conversation she had with the Chief Medical Officer Leonora Becker. The Physician had looked and sounded as tired as she felt herself. Becker and her Team had worked through the night tirelessly to take care of the Wounded.
The Infirmary was full. Having served in Afghanistan several times, the Physician was not easy to impress. Always calm and collected even in the thickest melee, but even she had been shocked by the extent of the carnage Christine von der Marwitz and her Team had visited upon them.
“We have to thank the attackers that they used only a relatively small calibre or the bill would have been higher.” Becker had confirmed what Brunhild had told von Winterfeldt yesterday.
“So far we have no Valkyries killed, though four are in very critical condition caused mainly by shrapnel, we will know more tomorrow.” the Physician had continued. “The last time I saw such terrible wounds was at Kandahar in a field hospital, six other Valkyries are severely injured, but they will heal in time.”
“Four Victims were hit by Sniper Fire and Sub Commander Kudrun will never be able to use her right arm properly. I have never seen such a debris field of a shoulder joint. The shooter was either very lucky or very clever.” Kudrun had been the Executioner, the first Victim of the Shooter.
“Probably the latter” Brunhild had replied curtly. “The Grand Duchesse Anna Romanova had proven recently that she is highly skilled with the sniper rifle.”
The Brows of the Physician went up: “The famous Violinist?” “The one and only” Brunhild responded “A Woman of many Talents obviously.” Becker replied drly.
“How is Sieglinde?” Brunhild changed the Subject. “Commander Gablenz is as well as she can be under the Circumstances. We changed the wound dressings today; as far as I can tell by now there will probably little scarring, but the healing process will take time.”
“At least one piece of good news amongst all this mess” Brunhild said sadly.
After Brunhild had finished reading the report, she punched a number in her Communication Console: “Freya report to my office at once.”
Five Minutes later there was crisp knock at the Door and her second in Command entered stood to Attention and delivered a crisp Salute.
“At ease Captain!”
Freya complied. “Freya I have a job for you: We must find out, where our Attackers came from, so I want you to take three of your Valkyries and recon the Area around the probable emplacement of the Attack. Avoid any risk and do not make any contact. We need every Woman now. Did I make myself clear?”
“Crystal Clear Commander” Freya responded brightly.
“Then what are you waiting for?” Brunhild dismissed her.
When Freya had left, Brunhild stared out of the Window: Under normal circumstances, she would have sent more than one Recon-Team, but as things were, their forces were stretched thin, dangerously thin and they needed every Valkyrie to protect the Palace and the Boss.
Brunhild vowed to herself, that she would do, what she had to do, to do her job, but she had decided that she would not send any of her Soldiers on a suicide Mission. They had to plan carefully every step now, even it meant going on the defensive, which she disliked.
But the sad truth was that they lacked the man power for offensive operations. She concentrated on the reports again. She hated it to sit here behind a desk. Brunhild wanted to lead her Valkyries up front, as Sieglinde would have. But that was simply not possible.
The Safehouse: Dining Room
Sarah addressed her team, which consisted of Kate, Anna and Kirsty: “Listen up Ladies! We will do some recon today; I consider it highly likely that our opponents will do some recon on their own, so we will have to be prepared for contact, so no stunts or heroics, is that clear?”
“Yes Mam!” Anna replied cheerily. Sarah shot her a dirty look. “Anna Romanova you want report to my quarters when we are back at HQ? I think you are in for some disciplinary action.”
“Yes Mam”, Anna replied undaunted, “While hanging in there yesterday was fun, I am just not in the mood for that today though”
Sarah decided to ignore that insubordination, but she was no fool: The Russian had neither forgiven nor forgotten ….
They checked their equipment and left the Farmhouse. Despite all the differences they worked now together like a well-oiled machine. “We are an interesting group” Sarah thought: “A World-Class Artist, a high-ranking Police Officer, a Thief and Assassin and a reformed Criminal.”
“Okay Ladies! The Thief continued: “I and Kirsty will take point, Anna and Kate bring up the rear.”
After two Hours of Marching they reached a Point, from where they could see the Site from where they had launched the Attack. Sarah decided: “We will wait here, if somebody turns up.
Time passed: Kate looked concentrated through her glasses. There! A reflection of the Sun on Metal: “Movement at three a clock!” she whispered in her mike.